To Step or Not to Step

OUR TRIP TO ALTON, ILLINOIS

It was a bit chilly in the evening...
Alex was a bit bored by reading the ad section...
Three generations of "Stockers"...
Going for a stroll with "Big Daddy"
Hangin' out in an old-time car
Um, I just need the keys guys...
Relaxing on the front porch...

Rocked to sleep by Big Daddy in Pa's old chair...
Um, I'm not 21 Big Daddy and Grandma Susie!
Waving in my sleep after a long day in Grafton, IL...
I'm up to no good...
Well, again, we had a great time in St. Louis! Alex put the finishing touches on his crawling techniques (he goes forwards now, instead of backwards) and that has led to us chasing him everywhere now! Enjoy these pics and I'll post some more in the near future. Love, Carrie

Man About Town

Alex started to scoot around on all fours last weekend in St. Louis and now he's going after everything! I think he actually crawled backwards first, which was hilarious...he was getting frustrated because he was getting farther away from toys but we weren't the ones moving him! We shot this video yesterday (29 April)...Alex's favorite "toy" is our universal remote! Anyways...Alex and I had a great time in Alton, IL, visiting Chuck and Joanne. I will post some pictures from the visit this weekend. Alex was very active and got tired quickly from all the fun we were having! Love, Carrie

LONG TIME, NO BLOGGING

Well, it's been a while since I have posted anything (one month tomorrow) because it's been chaos here! Alex was sick with Roto-virus during the first week in April, then we had a normal week, then he got very sick the weekend of 12-13 April. We called the 24 hour triage nurse at our pediatrician's office and she was very attentive over the phone, even listened to Alex breathe via the phone for minutes on end! She said that we did not need to take him to the Emergency Room unless his temperature went over 105 degrees. On Monday morning our pediatrician actually called our house at 8:45am (they don't open until 9am) to check on Alex. Since he was not doing better she told Marc to bring him in at 9:15 that morning (I was on the pistol range, qualifying Mon-Wed, so Marc was Nurse Dad). After 2 hours worth of breathing tests and chest X-rays they determined that Alex had Bronchiolitis. We had to put him on an oxygen/asthma breathing machine ever four hours for a few days to help his lungs open up and so that he got enough air. Well, he made a full recovery later that week with the help of Grammy (my mom), who flew in on Wednesday, 16 April, and stayed through Monday. We had a really good visit: went on walks, ate some yummy food, planted flowers, and Alex was spoiled with his first (plush) tool box w/ tools from Grammy, and "The Very Best First Book Ever" by Richard Scary...hilarious! Here are some of the pictures that Grammy took while she was here. Alex is very close to crawling and now easily moves himself from laying down to sitting up, and back down. He sortof scoots around on his bottom but hasn't figured out that he has to move each hand at the same time he moves each knee in order to actually crawl. He moves a knee now, but then tips onto his head...it's very cute! Tomorrow Alex and I will by flying to St. Louis to visit Uncle Chuck in Alton, and Big Daddy (Mike) and Grandma Susie will be joining us! I hope everyone has a great weekend! Love, Carrie

Attack of the Tickle Monster!!

Trying to Crawl!!

This is Position 1 of me trying to crawl..."swimming"
This is Position 2..."the Tripod"
and this is Position 3..."Bearcrawl." (blanket is from Aunt Darla!!!)
I'm not quite ready but I'm sure having fun trying!
Party time!
Easter Morning...I'm sorta sleepy still.
Hitchin' a ride on dad's head, check out my beefy legs.
Playin' it Cool in my Easter outfit.
This is my toy mouse and I've been chewing on his head...he has a squeaker inside!

6 MONTH CHECK-UP TODAY!

The first day I sat up...
Playing with Humphries, my elephant friend.
Important phone call, people...I'm a lucky [barf] charm...(see puke on my pants/blanket/shirt). Nice one.
The bib was on right before the barf picture...bad timing.
Mommy's little Leprechaun at the TBS St. Patty's Day party last night.
Sippy cup. I'm starting to like apple juice but can't quite drink by myself.

I totally get the two-handle thing.
Seriously, mom? With shampoo on my head?
Snuggled up in my bathrobe!
Still mesmerized by the camera.
Big Boy Bath

Alex had his 6-month check-up today. He was 27.5 inches tall/long (79%), weighed 16lbs 13 oz. (31%), and his head circumference was 17.5 inches (65%). He clearly got the Stocker genes...long and thin but not very heavy. He's a lucky guy. At this rate he'll be the size of his Uncle Charlie...I'd say Charlie is taller than 79% (at least) of men his age. He also had four shots including his flu shot. He was a tough cowboy and only cried for a little bit during the last two shots. Last night we went to the St. Patrick's Day Party at TBS and Alex was a hit in his "Lucky Charm" outfit. Thankfully most of the puke in the picture was on the pants...he had been wearing the outfit for about 2 min b/c I had just changed him at Marc's office. Sigh. After the puke he went on to drool through 3 bibs during the two and a half hours we were there. He's so crazy! He's enjoying his daycare and his favorite foods right now are carrots and bananas. I hope everyone is having a great week! Love, The Cornelius Crew