First cold

We are currently living through Alexandra's first cold. I talked to our pediatrician's advice nurse this morning, who told me that her symptoms sound like a normal cold (and nothing scary like croupe or strider). It's very hard to see your baby sick!! We take some comfort at the fact that Alexandra has been at day care for almost two months and hadn't gotten sick yet. I just hope she feels better soon!!!

Ergo Baby Carrier

Christopher and I have a new secret weapon: the Ergo baby carrier. Alexandra is finally big enough to be carried in it without the infant insert (which she didn't care for once she was about 2 months old), and she LOVES it! I took her around the entire grocery store in it on Sunday. She is perfectly content in it - no fussing whatsoever. She also enjoyed going around our house in it on Saturday while I did chores. And, as our photo below shows, she enjoys listening to her mommy play the piano while sitting in it. The carrier is so comfortable. I can carry her in it for a couple of hours and not have a sore back.

We love the Ergo baby carrier!

Cold weather

It's started to get quite chilly here in the DC area. It was only 29 degrees when I drove to work on Wednesday! Christopher and I agree that Alexandra needs some cute new hats to survive the cold. I made her a hat before she was born, but it's gotten a little small (see photoe below). I am working on expanding it, since she needs to stay warm!

This next photo is just for fun. Alexandra always gives her daddy an adorable smile when he comes home from work.

Halloween

This is the latest blog entry ever! I've been out with bronchitis for the past week, so that's my excuse :) Anyway, Alexandra was a bunny (of course) for Halloween. She did not like her costume at first. However, after she fell asleep in it AND we visited Grandee and Granddad, she decided that she liked it. It was the perfect costume for fall in the DC area - she didn't need a coat!

Here we are with the scary jack-o-lantern her daddy carved.

Here we are with our neighbor, Ian, who went as Chewbacca!!

Who does she look like?

When Alexandra was born, people said that she looked exactly like I did as a baby. Now, people are starting to say that she looks like her dad. My mom has always said that she looks like her sister (my Aunt Donna) did as a baby. Now, it's your turn to vote! Please answer the poll question on the right of the screen to help us determine who Alexandra resembles the most.



Aunt Donna



Mom (Sarah)



Dad (Christopher)

Election Day

Many of my friends and family know how torn I have felt about this Election Day. I'm so frustrated, as there is not a single candidate that represents all of my views and beliefs. I thought about not voting this year out of protest. Then, I reflected upon all of the women suffragettes who fought and suffered in years past so that I, as a woman, could have the right to vote. I thought about my ancestors, who came to the United States in years past so that I could have a brighter and better future. I also thought about my parents, who worked very hard so that I could go to wonderful schools and be an educated voter. Then, I learned that STARBUCKS IS GIVING AWAY A FREE CUP OF COFFEE TO EVERYONE WHO VOTES TODAY!!! I'm never a girl to say no to a free cup of coffee :)

So, I voted, and I have the sticker to prove it.

Although we learned that parents could bring their children (up to age 15) to the voting polls with them, Christopher and I decided that Alexandra was too young this year to appreciate learning about the democratic process (maybe for the next presidential election).

If you haven't voted yet today, GO VOTE! And then stop by your local Starbucks. Oh yeah, and apparently some Ben & Jerry's stores are giving away free ice cream this evening to voters as well.

Portrait Innovations

I'm a bit behind in my blogging (going back to work and getting sick, while having a teething baby at home will do that to you). I'll try to catch up and post our adorable Halloween photos this week. But first. . . .last weekend, we took the entire Yurasko clan out to Portrait Innovations for a family photo! This is the photography studio chain co-founded by the father-in-law of my very good friend, Katy Davis (check out photos and stories of her cute baby, Evan, at her family blog - http://www.katyandian.blogspot.com/). We had a great day! Here are some of the highlights.

Group shot! Bill, Barbara, Christopher, Sarah, Alexandra, William, Will and Erica.

Alexandra having fun with her pink bunny blankie.

Alexandra looking thoughtful.

Our little family.

It's exhausting being this cute!