Merry Christmas!

I'm so sorry it's been closing in on a month since my last blog. In my defense, we have been super busy. I know everyone says that, and maybe I'm just a little more sensitive to my own circumstances, but I think my case is justified. A couple of months ago Frank and I decided to do something we've dreamed about for years. Frank is an amazing online marketer - in fact, I'll say that he is probably in the top 5% of people in his field (he would modestly argue that point, but this is my blog). Anyway, since I decided to stay home with Allison, we figured that there was no better time than the present to finally start our own online store. The idea is that I will run it and Frank will market the crud out of it so we overtake all other similar stores. All this to say that we have been feverishly working to put it all together for a January 1st launch. I've spent many nights up till 2am loading products, resizing images, watching training videos, and studying the market we are entering. To say that I am excited about our endeavor would be an understatement. I had to go to the doctor to get some anti-anxiety pills so I could sleep at night. Not that I'm freaked out by this - I'm actually so jazzed about it that I lay awake thinking about everything that still needs to be done and how it will all come together. I know what you're thinking: What the heck are you guys selling?? Not telling. :) I will post a link to our store when we go live, and until then you can wait in anticipation.

Other than that I've been finishing up my photoshop class, doing all my Christmas shopping, and keeping up with a more mobile and demanding baby girl. I have so much to share about things that have happened in the last weeks, but I'll have to save that for another time. I'm supposed to be cleaning right now, since that is something that has been pushed aside during this busy season.

Below I have attached our Christmas card for this year because I underestimated how many people we would want to send these to by about half. So if you did not receive one, I apologize. Consider yourself now a recipient of our holiday greetings! In other Barnett news, we are headed to New Mexico next week to visit Frank's family and to ski! I'm SOOO excited!! Again, details for another post. I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful and safe holiday! Merry Christmas!!

The Christmas Dress

I was going to save all of these images for our Christmas cards, but we went a different route, so I am now allowed to share them here! I'm very proud of the way these turned out, and I think you'll see why. Allison looks like a little doll. My neighbor who is also a photographer was nice enough to let me borrow her studio set-up. I ended up using natural light because of shadows, but the backdrop she provided made all the difference. It's hard to get the full effect here, because blogger strips out so much of the vibrance in the image, but you'll get the idea. Merry (early) Christmas!

Copy Cat

One of my new favorite things to do with Allison is to play with her in her crib right before I leave her there to fall asleep. I know it's not the best idea to get her worked up before a nap, but she's so cute! She squeals, sings, and reaches for my face while I tell her that I'm going to get her. Then I tickle her which is followed my more squealing and laughter. It's so addicting to watch her express such happiness and joy. I mentioned in one of the previous posts that Allison now likes to shake her head back and forth for fun. Well, now she can imitate me doing it! This morning we were playing while she was in bed and I shook my head at her and waited a moment. Then she did it, too, and looked at me with a big smile and an expression that said "ok, now you do it!". So I shook my head again and she laughed and then copied me! So that's our new thing. I need to get it on video.

Another big moment today, she said "Ma"!! Ok, so I know it's not mama, but I really think she's trying because I've been selfishly saying it to her over and over every day for about 3 weeks now. In the last week she has started making the same mouth movements, but without the sound. It's so cool to watch her learn! Again, something to get on video.

Finally, while I was changing her out of her PJs this morning, she found her feet! Until now, she has only wanted her feet if they had slippers or toys attached to them. I grabbed the camera in time to capture her first foot discovery.



Oh! - one more thing. Allison is has also started to lean her head all the way back now when she wants to see something behind her. I think it's funny that she could just turn around, but instead she prefers the blood rushing to her head.



Ok, ONE more thing... She is a sitting pro! Less than a week ago, she was still pretty wobbly, and now she sits with confidence! She's got a whole new perspective on her fish, now.

Practice

Amy and Eric agreed to meet me today so I could use them to practice my photography. I think they will be using one of the pictures for their Christmas cards this year. Here is one that I think turned out well. Thanks guys!

Happy Half Birthday, Baby

Today we celebrated Allison's half birthday! I admit that I teared up while I was feeding her her bottle this morning. I couldn't help but think about how quickly the last six months have flown by, and knowing that the last half of this year with her will probably go by just the same. In the next six months she will be walking, talking, eating big girl food, and showing us that personality that, so far, we've only sampled. Change is a good thing, and I'm certainly looking forward to watching her become a toddler, a little girl, and a young lady, but it's also hard not to want to hold on to her just as she is right now.



Allison continues to bring me joy every day, and today was no different. Even though she got up two hours early this morning, didn't nap well, and refused to smile for her six month portraits, we still had a great day. I love my baby more than I can express here, no matter how hard I try. The 'baby santa' picture is just a preview of the great pictures I got of her. They will be proudly displayed on the Christmas cards I'm sending out this week. Everyone have a wonderful weekend!

Fingers are Fantastic

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Punkin on Turkey Day. Anyone else see a theme with her?

Brace Yourselves

WARNING: The following post may be too exciting for some. Please continue reading with cation if you have heart problems, liver problems, are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. Consult your doctor if you feel any new muscle pain or weakness. :)

Allison is finally big enough to wear shoes!! And they're pink! And they're tennis shoes!!! And I'm overreacting!!! I know. It can't be helped - I tried. Check her out in her big girl jeans, and adorable shoes (brought to you by the same person who introduced us to the bunny slippers) and those big sweet eyes! I think I'm going to keep her.

*notice on the first picture how the flash reflected off of her tongue and makes it look like she has two front teeth! creepy!





What else is new for Allison? I'm glad you asked! Well, we are practicing sitting up every day. She can hold herself steady for a few seconds and then usually does a face-plant in the carpet - well only sometimes - I try to catch her. She has yet to get a rug burn on her forehead! Also, as of Sunday she is doing a new thing where she shakes her head from side to side. It worried me at first, but she really gets a kick out of it so I guess its ok. She is also very into touching/licking my face. I only encourage the touching, trust me. We play a new game where I lay on the floor and let her stand on my stomach. She sees me below her and squeals in delight with her hands stretched out toward my face (adorable). Then I lower her to me and she rests her forehead on mine while cupping my face with her hands! She is usually trying to lick my cheek at this point too. Either way, I end up with drool all over my face. Love it. Frank got some pictures of our little game a couple days ago...