Sneak Peak

I want to write much more this week about Christmas and a look back at 2009. But for now, I want to show a sneak peak (picture at top) of my girl for her birthday! This is the picture we'll be using for her invitations to her party. I think it is the best picture!!! And yes, that is a giant cupcake...that we made! It is the "test" cake for her party. She will have one just like it as her smash cake, but I wanted to see if I could do it first.

Just stopping in!

Well, it has been a few weeks since I gave a real update. As some of you know, my sister Kimberly, has been in the hospital due to pnuemonia. Thank goodness she is doing much better and finally home. Now my mom has pnuemonia, and we're hoping for everyone to be well in time for Christmas. I really want to say thanks to the rest of my family for stepping in and helping with Allie. Normally my mom keeps her during the day, but my aunt and grandmother came to my rescue! Of course, my poor grandma is probably exhausted and a bit crazy from chasing our little monkey around all day.

Now, an Allie update. I can't believe my baby girl is going to be 11 months old next week! She is such a little girl now and, I have to admit, I miss that itty bitty baby! I was just telling DJ last night that I am really sad knowing that we will never see that tiny girl again. The saying, they grow up too fast, is so true! The reality of it has really hit me the past few days...and it makes me sad when I see other little babies. BUT, I will admit that Allie is really fun these days! She has the best personality that I have ever seen in a child. She is constantly happy and smiling...and into everything! She is definitely curious, and wants to check everything out...there is no hiding anything from her! She is crawling like a maniac, standing on her own (without holding on to anything), and she took two steps last week! She loves to feed herself, and basically, that is the only way she will have it these days. She is also very loving, giving everyone "sugar" that asks for it, including her stuffed animals. Her newest thing is holding her baby dolls and patting them. I love seeing that girly side of her come out.

I am looking forward to the next couple of weeks. We have a busy holiday season planned with many family events. I am so excited to have Allie this year and spend our first Christmas together as a family. I'll admit, buying for her has been a blast! I know she doesn't really "get" Christmas yet, but it is fun for me. In the midst of Christmas break, I am also going to begin planning Allie's first birthday party. I already know the date, and have the place reserved...but it is time to get busy on invitations & decorations. I have a feeling that her actual birthday is going to be emotional for me. Like I said before, I can't believe my baby is getting so big!

Daddy don't leave!

Due to Kimberly being in the hospital, DJ is dropping Allie off in the mornings with my grandma. This morning he took this super cute picture of her and said that she was begging him not to leave. Sorry for the poor cell phone quality.


I will post more of an update on things later.

Busy Week!

Since my last post, we have been busy, busy, busy! I was off work all of last week, and coming back this week, I feel like I need a break from my break! ha! I will admit that even though the week was busy, it was a great week. I did a LOT of shopping, especially on Black Friday. We got to Wal-mart at 4:30 am and I got home at 5:45 pm!!!

Last Monday, November 23, was our 4 year anniversary. Wow, what a fast 4 years! We celebrated a few nights later by going to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes. It was GREAT! We also went to Surin West for dinner. It was nice to be out as just the two of us.

Thursday was Thanksgiving, and Allie's 10 month birthday. We did a lot of running around, but it was nice to spend time with all of our families.

This week is already coming to an end, and I only have two more weeks until Christmas break. I can't believe how fast this year is going. At this rate, Allie will be driving before I know it!

Allie eating ribs

My mom, dad, and grandma took Allie to eat lunch with them on Monday. While they were there, Allie had her very own rib (she had her first one on the 4th of July). I can't save the video since it is on YouTube, but here is the link. I think it is pretty funny!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z0w4BNn-Yg

My Sick Baby

Well, the time has come...Allie is sick. I am definitely praising the Lord that we made it this far without getting sick, but it sure does stink to see her so pitiful. She has an upper respiratory infection and a double ear infection. Today is my second day home from work with her, and she seems to be feeling a lot better today. I will admit, I do feel helpless though. As a mom, I have learned that you feel like you should always know what to do and how to fix it...well, when they're sick, you can't. At least my instincts were right in taking her to the doctor. I always hate thinking I might come back hearing "there is nothing wrong with her."

On the other hand, at least she will be over it by next week to enjoy the holidays with our families. Thanksgiving is going to be crazy for us! We are doing three family get-togethers...11:00, 1:00, & 3:00! Since our anniversary is the same week, we are usually out of town, so we never have really established a "plan" for Thanksgiving. It's going to be crazy, but fun...and I can't wait to create our plan of attack for Black Friday. Yay!

Fall is in the Air...finally!

Wow, can I just say that it is FINALLY starting to feel a little more like fall, and I already see Christmas decor!!! Okay, so enough about that. We have been so busy the past couple of weeks. My hubby was out of town, my classes made and launched rockets all of last week, I was in charge of the Halloween dance, we had Halloween, and my best friend had a baby! Whew, I am tired just thinking about everything!

Anyways, so back to Halloween. Allie was the absolute cutest ladybug ever (of course I am not partial!) We went trick-or-treating with our friends, Michelle & Jamey, and their little girl, Ella Kate, who was also a very cute ladybug!

On Tuesday, our best friends, Caleb & Linda, welcomed their second child, Ryan Michael into the world. After a worst nightmare kind of delivery with her first child, Linda had the perfect labor & delivery this time...Praise the Lord! He is so cute and we are so happy for them!

And, the last part of this post will be an update on Allie. We went today for her 9-month check-up and shots. The doctor said she looks great! She is 17 lbs, 8 ounces and is 29 inches long. That puts her in the 25th percent for weight and 90th percent for height. Yep, looks like we're going to have a tall and skinny kind of girl. Trust me, pants are already an issue!