Time to Catch Up

Sorry It has been forever since I last posted. We have been pretty busy with birthday parties, weddings, showers, work, etc. So let me catch up.
Alex had her 1 year and 6 month check up with the Dr. Everything went well as always. She is right on track with her development. She has grown a couple more inches (33 1/2) and has stayed the same weight (29lbs). The dr advised we are to expect her to start learning new words, putting sentences together and making more sense. Her next appointment is when she turns 2. Alexandra is still keeping us on our toes. She has learned a few more words which include "Watch, Boobies, Car, Bird, Out, Belly, Please, Thank you and Ewwww". She also says "Bye, See ya". She enjoys pulling up your shirt to show you your own belly. She also knows all the parts on a face; eyes, cheeks, hair, head, ears, mouth, teeth and nose. We are working on our alphabet now. She still loves music and sings all the time. At daycare they sing rhymes and dance to songs so she is always humming something. We love to play and sing Ring around the Rosie.
For Mothers Day Doug bought me a a beautiful dark purple Clematis that I planted in the back yard up against the fence. I am hoping to train it to grow along the fence. Now Doug wants me to plant another one on the opposite side of the yard.
Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday I was sick with the flu. Thursday I came home from work aching with a fever. I had tried to take Airborne throughout the day but it didnt work. Doug kept me locked up in our bedroom away from him and Alexandra. Friday we had plans to go to Carb day but didnt make it because I was still sick. I spent my day in bed. Saturday I made myself get out of bed and go outside. I only lasted a few minutes before I was back in bed aching and sweating with the cold chills. By Saturday evening my fever had broke. Sunday I woke up feeling almost 100% better except I was very weak and no appetite. By Tuesday I returned to work feeling much better.
Over the holiday weekend we bought a table and chair set for our back yard and also built a patio using large decorative blocks. We were able to set up everything and now spend most of our evenings eating dinner outside. Alex loves it because she can also set up her picnic table outside with us. Now we are planning to continue building a flower/hosta border along the side of the patio including a water fountain. This weekend we will be working on that. Doug also helped out neighbors Nick and Renee build their patio.
Memorial Day Alex and I spent a few hours visiting PaPaw Buchanan and cousin Ethan. We went to the Memorial Day parade in Acton. Alex had her first icecream cone. I even let her hold it herself. She definitely made a mess of it. We also got to play with my dads new dog Wendy. She is an Australian Shepherd he adopted from another family. Alex absolutely loved her.
This weekend plans include a graduation party, bachelorette party and work in the yard. Depending on the weather, I might take Alex to the pool in the addition for her first swim of the season.
I have lots and lots of pictures that I will post soon.