Trendy Casual

I'm loving the cold weather (minus the ridiculous amount of wind) because Allison is looking just plain adorable in her sweatsuits! She can really pull off the trendy/casual look like no other. Anyway, I just wanted share her cuteness with everyone. What kind of mom would I be if I didn't brag about my child relentlessly?

Anything for my Baby

Allison has had a cold for the last week - the second one so far. It really bothers me that there is nothing I can do to make her feel better. Like I mentioned during her last cold, she is still such a happy baby. If it weren't for the sniffles and coughing you would never know she was sick. She has also started crying in the middle of the night (maybe due to a sore throat?), but I have to say that I actually kind of enjoy that. Since Allison is too busy and independent to be cuddly, this has become my one chance to be really close to her. When I pick her up out of her crib I cradle her in my arms and hold her tight. By that time she has calmed down, and all it takes is a "shhhh, mama's here" and she'll find her thumb and go back to sleep. There is something so wonderful about having the ability to comfort your child, and I treasure those moments. She won't let me rock her and hold her tight forever so until then, it's my privilege as her mom to crawl out of bed in the middle of the night so I can make it all better.

Money Well Spent

A couple weeks ago I started noticing that Allison was getting bored playing on her mat with her fish, so I set my mind on getting her an exersaucer. She has enjoyed standing since she was only a couple of months, so it seemed like the right toy to transition to. I looked on the Target website and found that they range anywhere from $50-$150, which I wasn't about to spend. That's when I head over to Craigs List. I'm usually selling stuff on that site, but rarely do I actually purchase anything. This was the perfect time, though. I found a lady who was selling her gently used Baby Einstein Exersaucer for only $25! I arranged everything with her through email and Frank picked it up in Plano on his way home from work that night. I'm not kidding at all when I say that Allison lit up like a Christmas tree. She was SO excited to play with everything. I think it may have been a little overwhelming to be completely surrounded by tasty toys. It's been her favorite ever since then, and I've enjoyed watching her learn new things on it.







Allison is also doing much better eating her baby food. She actually enjoys it now! Applesauce is still her favorite, but she also enjoys sweet potatoes and peas - just like her mama! Her newest thing is to chew on the tray in front of her while she waits for the next spoonful. That makes for a really messy clean-up, but she sure has fun!





Can you believe how big she is?? Look at her standing! She can also sit now sometimes. She can sit on my lap without any support, but tends to fall face first onto the carpet. In a few more weeks I think she will be strong enough to support herself on any surface. Just in time for Christmas pictures!





Finally, Aunt Amy and Uncle Eric got Punkin some snowmen slippers that have finally convinced her that she loves her feet. She has not been interested in playing with them until today. I guess all she needed was to make them into toys! Thanks Ermie!

Unexpected Vacation

As of this time yesterday I had a slow weekend planned. Punkin' and I were going to hang out at the house and maybe do a little cleaning, maybe take some walks. But last night I got the call that I've been waiting for. It was Serra, and she had big news! Before I tell you her big news, though I have to share a little of our history. Rewind about four years...

After I had worked at Broadlane for almost two years I decided to switch positions and I applied for two internal jobs. The managers from both departments offered me a position on their teams, and I was faced with a decision. I did a lot of praying about which one to choose because I was torn. One offered a higher salary, and more of a direct career path. The other, was totally out of my box and it didn't pay as much. For some reason I felt like I was supposed to take the latter. I continued to pray about it and asked God to clear up four specific concerns I had about taking that position. The next day I again met with the hiring manager and he one by one alleviated all of my resignations about the job - I didn't even ask him to! That was clear enough to me that that is where God wanted me.

Two weeks into my new job and I was seriously questioning my communication skills with God, because that job was very far from what I thought it would be. I hated it, in fact. I kept asking God why on Earth he would put me there when it was so clearly not what I prayed for. I quickly decided that I needed to make a friend amongst my new co-workers or I would go crazy. Serra was one of the people who trained me, and I decided that I liked her, so she was chosen. However, Serra didn't want to be chosen. She was nice enough to me, but I could tell that she wasn't interested in becoming buddies. I've told her many times since then that I did in fact pick up on her "that's nice, but are you done talking to me?" face, but I was sure that if she got to know me that she'd like me too. I know at the time, though, she was just questioning my ability to read social cues. lol.

Eventually, Serra came around and we got really close. We ended up sitting next to each other at work and we talked most of the day. We found out that we had a TON in common. The main thing, though, was our personalities. I often referred to Serra as my twin. I always know exactly how Serra will react to something simply by putting myself in her situation. She is sarcastic, independent, hard-headed, and as un-mushy as they come - just like me. We started hanging out outside of work, and got even closer.

During her time at Broadlane, we would often talk about religion and our beliefs. This was one thing we didn't have in common. I grew up in church, Serra had never been. I remember one of the first questions she asked me was if you had to pay to go to a church. She didn't know you could just show up on Sunday morning and take a seat in the pew. I can't say that I remember many of our talks in detail, but I remember telling Frank about it because it was exciting to me that she was even asking. Knowing Serra, I was sure that I could never pressure her to do anything, so I tried to just answer her questions honestly. At that point I had no doubt that God was seeking her, and no doubt why he had asked me to take that job.

Less than a year after we met, her husband Garry got a job in California, so they moved and I was left in that terrible department alone. I definitely shed a few tears because 1) I felt like I was losing a friend, and 2) I was worried that she would never hear much of the Gospel anymore. (Because I'm the only one God can use, right??) Soon after she left I sent her a care package complete with the book "The Case for Christ" and some Wolf Brand Chili (don't ask). There was some other stuff, too, but I can't recall. I kept hoping she would call me and say - "hey I read that book, and I've accepted Christ!". Well that didn't happen.

We continued to keep in touch through emails, IM, and some phone calls which I didn't expect. I'm terrible at keeping in touch with people so I was pleasantly surprised that she and I were able to maintain contact. She eventually made another move to Indianapolis, where they now live. Anyway, throughout the last 3 years Serra has randomly brought up more topics about religion, and on one occasion spent over an hour on the phone with Frank and I as we spelled out the Gospel to her. Again, I was very hopeful, but the call ended without any kind of light bulb going on for her. Her questions came and went for another year, and the more she asked the more I was convinced that it was only a matter of time until she believed. God wasn't letting her forget about Him.

During her time in Indianapolis Serra and Garry both got new jobs, and not surprising to me at all - they were each working with a Christian. Apparently they got the same call from God that I did, because they shared their faith with Serra and Garry. A few weeks ago Garry decided that there must be more to this God of ours, and insisted on them going to church. The message was on "What is keeping you from Jesus". It wasn't long after that that Garry made the decision to follow Christ. Serra wasn't quite ready to make the step, but she was still excited to call and tell me what Garry had done. I laughed at her astonishment at the change in his attitude, and how she was shocked when he whipped out his Bible to read before bed. I was literally beaming from ear to ear!

So, the big news is that last night Serra let me know that she too has become a believer and she and Garry will be baptized this Sunday. I have told her for over a year now that I would be there when she made that profession of her faith, so tomorrow Allison and I are headed for the airport - kleenex in hand! Pray for them in their new faith if you think of them. It's the coolest thing I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing. I'm really glad that God's ways are not my ways, and that he allowed me to be a small part in his plan to guide them to the cross.

The Rules

Be sure to check out Donna's Blog today to read her hilarious rules for church visitation. Donna is a very funny lady, and I always look forward to reading anything she puts on her blog, so take a moment for personal entertainment and read her thoughts on the subject. You won't be disappointed.

Not Funny

Allison is the most independent baby I've ever seen. She is very happy to play alone, and is for the most part uninterested in anything I have to offer unless it's food. She is just not as cuddly as she used to be, and it makes me sad. She is as sweet as can be - don't get me wrong - but she has better things to do than entertain me. The whole time I'm holding her she is twisting and turning so she can see everything around her, and when she sees something that attracts her attention, there is no distracting her. Like I mentioned before, she has discovered a little bit of her mobility, so when she sees something she wants she lunges for it! I thought it was cute for about a day, but now I realize that she isn't content to just watch me talking to her and singing to her anymore. Is this normal??? Someone tell me - seriously!!

Here's the worst part. Until a couple of days ago she had only laughed if someone tickled her, but then she saw our dogs playing and thought it was hilarious! I immediately realized that she had the capacity for that type of entertainment, and since I was home alone I decided that I would do anything to make her laugh at me like that. I wanted her to think I was funny, too! So I set her up on the bed and started dancing around and singing like a fool. I'm so glad no one was there to see it - I would have been too ashamed to show my face again. She chuckled at me a little bit, but I think it was more of a pity laugh. Or maybe it was nervous laughter because she was embarrassed for me. Either way, it was unsuccessful.

Fast forward to last night. Allison was on the floor playing with her fish and I was folding laundry on the couch closest to her. I took a pair of shorts out of the basket and shook them out before folding them and Allison thought that was hilarious, too. I was sure that it had to be a fluke because THAT can't be funnier than me. So I shake the shorts again, and sure enough - she laughs. So laundry is officially funnier than mom. I'm so defeated!

Ok, just had to vent.

By the way, here is a picture of what she now does on her changing table. See what I mean about the new found mobility? She has places to be, folks!

Fabulous Five (Months)!

As tradition would have it, I took Allison's five month pictures today. Granted, I am a couple days late, but for good reason. The last two days have been very overcast and I shoot all pictures of her in my living room using only available light, so the weather is truly to blame here. Either way, I doubt she changed too much in 48 hours.

She only gave me about 7 minutes (tops) to get her pictures done, but I still found a few that I liked. Here they are for your viewing pleasure. Look at that sweet face!

Family Trip

Last weekend Frank, Allison, and I made the trip down to College Station to visit family. It was also that time of the year again for the Aggie 100. No surprise that my dad was again honored, and he also moved up to number sixty-eight! We didn't make it down in time for the ceremony, so no pictures - but I was told that the food was just as snobby as it was last year. :)

This was the first time we had made a long trip in the car with Allison and I was nervous about making her sit in her car seat for that long. However, my baby continues to prove that she is a rock star. She was very good the whole way there. She sang for the first thirty minutes, then she played with her toys for a little while. I could tell she was getting tired around 7:30 so I covered her up with her blanket. After ten minutes of mostly quiet in the backseat I peeked at her and discovered that she had stuffed a good chunk of the blanket in her mouth. She seemed happy enough about it (since she's teething) but, good mother that I am, I felt that the blanket was better used as a ...well, a blanket. After that she stuck her thumb in her mouth and was off to sleep.

You wouldn't believe the arsenal of stuff I had to pack for Allison. She seriously had more luggage than me and Frank combined. I really did try to pack "light" but how do you do that with a baby?? I need to figure it out before we make the trip to NM in December. Anyone have information on "flying with a baby 101"?

Anyway, we spent most of our time hanging out at my Grandmother's house and running errands on Saturday. Sunday we all went to church and then came back to a wonderful lunch followed by some football. I wish we could visit more often, because I love spending time with everyone. Every time we hang out with my Grandmother I realize just how feisty she is. Growing up I always thought of her as the quiet, sweet-spirited woman - and not that she isn't those things, but she is also very opinionated, stubborn, and independent. Frank is now seeing that my traits go a long way back in my family tree.

Here is an example. My dad was fussing at Grandmother about climbing onto stools to reach things on the top shelf of her pantry on Saturday. Then Saturday night Frank caught Grandmother doing it again and tattled on her during Sunday lunch. While everyone was at the table discussing her safety, Grandmother and I are in the kitchen helping ourselves to seconds and I hear her mutter "I didn't promise anything". LOL!

I think everyone really enjoyed having Allison around the house. They hadn't seen her since she was 7 weeks, so having her around at 5 months was quite different. She was really hamming it up on Sunday right before we left. She sat on my Aunt Susan's lap and smiled and squealed at everyone for a good 5 minutes. She had us right where she wanted us, and she loved every minute of the attention.








You'll notice in some of her pictures she is doing a new thing where she tucks her bottom lip into her mouth and sucks on it. That must be another teething thing, but it sure is precious. I know I say this in practically every blog I write, but she gets more fun every day. She is the best thing that has ever happened to Frank and I. Every night before we go to bed we can't help but go in her room, tuck her in, and just stare at her. Many times we will stand in there for 10 minutes watching her sleep and occasionally exchanges glances to silently tell each other how much we love her. I'm sure other parents can relate to this. My life wouldn't be complete without my Allison.

Ok, I didn't mean to go down that path... Anyway, it's time for my baby to get up from her nap, so I'll end it here. Have a great weekend!

Puppies!

Allison has started to notice Alex and Maggie this last month. She watches them all day and reaches out for them when she thinks they are close enough to touch. She is especially fond of Alex, but the feeling isn't mutual. Alex knows he's been replaced with my baby, so he has to be bribed to sit next to her. The first time Allison got hold of Alex she grabbed a big chunk of his hair on the back of his neck and wouldn't let go. I can totally feel his pain. She's been doing that to me a lot, too. :)

These pictures are from a couple of weeks ago since I'm still trying to catch up on blogs from the last month. Just three more to go! Stay tuned...



Doesn't he look thrilled?

Apple-WAHHH!!

In the last couple of weeks I have been slowly introducing Allison to baby food. I promised myself that I would wait till she was five months, but I couldn't help it. The anticipation of seeing her experience something new was too much for me. She is slowly but surely learning to eat from a spoon, and it's precious watching her understand to open her mouth when she sees the spoon heading her way. So far, she has tried applesauce, bananas, rice cereal, and sweet potatos. There is a darling two year old little girl next door who always refers to her applesauce with a very emphatic "apple-WAHH!" - complete with her fist in the air and everything. It's so cute! So that got stuck in my head and every time I talk to Allison about her applesauce I accidentally call it apple-Wahhh. lol. I tried very hard to capture all the horrified faces she made when trying new foods, but they were very quick expressions and by the time I switched from spoon to camera it was gone.