Monday, June 22, 2009

A New Phase

Since we are about to enter a new month, it seems like time to update you on Allison. She has changed so much in my eyes even since her birthday just a few weeks ago.



Frank and I decided that we have recently entered a new phase with Allison. It literally seems like she changed from a baby to a little girl over night, and it all started with her walking. Even though she has been able to walk for a few weeks, it wasn't until last Thursday that she finally decided to give up crawling. Thursday night we taped her walking around the house for about 15 minutes, and we were both amazed because before then she hadn't walked much more than across the living room. When did she learn that?? She was sooo proud of herself, too. She walked anywhere she could get to just because she could. She has only picked up speed since then. I think she'll be at a run in another week. I can't think of many things much cuter than the way she walks. I love the way she very deliberately picks up her feet, the way she sticks her chest out to balance, and how she likes to take things with her when she walks because it's something she couldn't do before! She always has her lamb in one hand, and either a book or a favorite toy in the other (or sometimes Maggie's favorite toy).



Allison is also starting to communicate more with me. She still doesn't talk, but she is just now learning to point at things that she wants. Every time she points at something to show me she says 'dat!'. I don't know what that means, but I believe the closest translation is 'that!'. She has a couple of words that are real words, but just baby babble to her. She says 'yeah' and 'wow' a lot - wow is said with much enthusiasm. Today she revealed another new babble word that unfortunately sounds very much like the bad word for 'poop'. Frank and I don't use that language, so I'm not worried about it sticking, but I had to laugh when she said it because the first time I heard her say it was when I was changing her dirty diaper. Ha!







This is fun - she just got her fourth tooth today! I'm so ready for some more of those to come in so she can eat more foods!! We are entering a time where I want to give her more and more table foods, but I have to hold back on so many things because she doesn't have enough teeth to chew! I'm still buying some of her veggies in the baby food tubs, and I'm so tired of those! I can't wait for the days when I can just make her a sandwich and fruit for lunch instead of having to get very creative with mushy foods. Not much longer, I hope!





What else? She is now mainly using her right hand! We were so sure she was going to be a lefty, but I guess she had other plans. I'm sorry I don't have many pictures. Our point-and-shoot has died and I hate lugging out my huge camera for the candid pics around the house.

Here are some pictures from the weekend of her birthday party. Frank's dad, step-mom, sister, and brother-in-law all came in town for the event. We loved having everyone here to celebrate with us!

The first picture is my family because they were the first to show up at the party. My Aunt Susan (far right) surprised us and drove in from College Station for the party! We have great families!



Amy and Eric got her the cutest purple tutu!



The rest of these are from dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Just thinking about that makes me hungry!







That's all for now! It's time for bed!

Saturday, June 13, 2009

I'm an Aunt!

My nephew Drew was born yesterday, so I'm finally an Aunt! He is such a cutie! Since he is 7 weeks early he will need to stay in the hospital for a little while, but I'm looking forward to holding him soon. Congratulations Amy and Eric!



For all the details you can visit their blog that is linked to your left. :)

Friday, June 5, 2009

First Birthday

Today is Allison's 1st Birthday! I can hardly believe that an entire year has passed since she was born! Happy Birthday, Baby!

I must say that I feel like my life has been made more complete by having Allison as my child. I always knew that Frank and I would have a family, but I never could have imagined how much we would be given in return. Weekly, Frank and I will ask each other, "Can you believe we get to be her parents?". I'm addicted to her smiles, her laugh, and her chubby fingers that she tries to stick in my mouth. I really can't get enough. Hitting this milestone is bittersweet, but I'm thankful that we have a happy and healthy little girl that we get to take care of and love. I can't wait to see what she'll learn in the next year!

Today is a busy day. We've already taken family pictures, and finished Allison's smash cake session. Frank has family flying in for the party tomorrow, and they are due to arrive around 5pm. I'm planning to clean my house and pretend it's always in great shape, but I also plan to cuddle with Allison as long as she'll let me. She only turns one once right?

Please be prepared to view probably the most pictures I have ever posted in a single blog. Her smash cake was a great success, and had too hard of a time narrowing down the pictures. Enjoy!





The rest of the pictures are from her smash cake session. I'll narrate for you since you weren't there.

"OOOh! A cake!"

"Wow, Mom - good job on those pink sprinkles!"

"...just wait till I get my hands on this!"

"This feels a little strange..."

"It tastes pretty good though."

"If I could just pick up one sprinkle..."

"I'm still not completely sure about this."

"...but since there are apparently no rules, I'll just draw on my leg."

"Mom, I told you I don't like things on my head anymore."

"This piece looks tasty."

"Mmmm. It was!"

"Just one more bite."

"Is that powdered sugar I taste in the frosting?"

"Lets see if they'll let me stick my foot in the cake."

"This is gross. I'm leaving"

"Wow, check out my toes!"

"I mean it - just one more bite."

"Dad loves this picture"

"Its ALL mine!"


I hope you've enjoyed the ridiculous amount of pictures! Her birthday party is tomorrow, so I'll post more pictures from that, too! Check back soon!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Baby Steps

Frank and I have been watching Allison learn to walk for the last week, and we finally caught it on video!! I very rarely post videos on my blog, but this is a special occasion. I'm so proud of my little girl! Just 4 short days till her birthday, and she's walking!