9 Months Old

Allie turned 9 months old on Saturday.  She's developed such a distinct personality that is a tad bit stubborn mixed with a lot of sweetness, a little aggression, and lots of silly.  She's a happy girl 90% of the time and the other 10% she's either tired or hungry.  I definitely can't complain about that.  She gets quiet around strangers, but as soon as she warms up, she steals the show with her loud squeals and bright smiles.  She's so sweet when she wants to be and loves to give Mommy & Daddy kisses (open mouth. with tongue. we're in BIG trouble).   She loves dogs now, though they're still not crazy about her.  And she loves other babies/kids, but they aren't too sure about her either.  She's a little on the aggressive side and I'm not sure other kids & animals know what to think about her.  But look how cute she is, how could you not love those sweet chubby cheeks and thighs?

We're still working on crawling.  She started army crawling yesterday, has been "scooting" backwards for about a week, and assumes the "crawling position"...but more on crawling in a later post.  She's still standing up pretty strong and tries really hard to pull herself up on the coffee table and her crib.  For awhile there I thought she'd be walking before she crawled.  Speaking of walking, Allie got another new toy this weekend, a new walker.   I'm not sure it will actually help her learn to walk, but she seems to have a blast in it, and it's a nice little babysitter for me while I'm trying to do other things around the house.  

She loves sitting in her big girl chair on the front porch with Daddy.

Next up, we have to seriously think about child proofing.  I honestly don't even know where to begin.  Gives me anxiety just thinking about it.  

Memorial Day Weekend

We started our holiday weekend a little early.   Our pool didn't open until Friday, but we couldn't wait til Friday, so on Thursday we made our own little pool party in the back yard.

Friday the pool finally opened.  I feel like I've been waiting forever for it to open since it's been so hot since March.   Allie is already a little water baby, I think she could hang out by the pool all day long with no food or naps needed.  She gets that from her Mommy.  

Saturday we headed over to Grandma (Gigi) & Grandpa's to stay on the lake for the weekend.  Allie had a blast playing in the pool and getting spoiled to death by Gigi.

Allie & I having a poolside tea party

Gigi got Allie a new swing & she loved it!  

I think this was her favorite part of the weekend, Daddy pushing her around the pool on the tube.  She couldn't contain her excitement.

She's been working all winter to get that bikini body.

It was a great weekend filled with family, food, and fun but I also don't want to forget what the holiday is really about.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all of our service men & women and their families, you are all far braver than I could ever dream of being and I truly appreciate all that you do for our country.   


I hope everyone had a safe & happy holiday weekend!

Daddy daughter time

I had 9 friends in town this past weekend for my best friend Lindsey's bachelorette party, which means Jeff and Allie had some nice daddy daughter bonding time.  I had a blast spending some good quality girl time with my closest friends and I think Jeff really enjoyed his alone time with Allie.  

This was Jeff's first time alone with Allie over night and I have to admit I was pretty nervous.  But he did a great job being Mr. Mom and I think it helped him to appreciate how much work goes into being a full time mom.  It's the best job in the world, and I wouldn't even think about complaining (for fear that I may get fired) but let's just say Allie is a bit of a handful these days.  And she's not even mobile yet!  Dear Lord I'm in trouble. Or as Jeff said yesterday "you're life is over when she starts crawling & walking." I have a hard time keeping up with her  I may have to invest in a cage.  Or a leash.  Or both.

Jeff & Allie's weekend...

We swim in a diaper when Mommy's away.  

Just relaxing by the pool in her new chair at Grandma & Grandpa's

I had a slight panic attack when Jeff sent me this picture.  But he assures me he only took her life jacket off for a second to take the picture.  He really knows how to push my buttons! I have to admit it's a cute pic though.

And my weekend...

Dinner at Cabana

Arrington Vineyards

Love this place

The couple behind us posed for the picture too.

Our pool opens tomorrow and I can. not. wait.

My first Mother's Day

I had a wonderful first Mother's Day spending the day with my two favorite people.  I was completely spoiled and feel so incredibly blessed to have a sweet & thoughtful husband and a beautiful, healthy, and sweet baby girl.  I truly feel that being a mom is my calling.  Never in my life have I been so happy and felt so at peace with where I am and what I'm doing.  I wake up every day pinching myself and thanking God for what he has given me.  Not only did He allow me to be a mother and to experience the greatest joy in the world, but He gave me his most beautiful and precious angel to watch over.  I feel like I hit the parental jackpot.  She truly is the best baby in the world and I couldn't possibly love her anymore than I do.  


The best moment of my life so far was the first time I held my baby girl.

Allie was so excited about my first Mother's Day that she just couldn't sleep.  She woke up at 4:30 to tell me Happy Mother's Day, it was so sweet of her.  I brought her in bed with me in hopes of getting a little more sleep.  Instead, I had a chubby little hand waving in front of my face for 10 minutes and then a chubby little finger stuck up my nose.  She was ready to get the day started and did NOT want me to waste the day away sleeping.  We started the day with early church service and then went to a really yummy brunch at Mere Bulles.   The weather was pretty crappy here so we stopped at a Redbox to get some movies and headed home for a nice lazy, rainy Sunday afternoon.  

Allie got me chocolates for Mother's Day.  But she cried when I took them out of her hands. 

We still need to teach her about giving, she's used to being on the receiving end.

Visit from Nana

Nana came to visit last week.  We had a great time hanging out, shopping, & eating...a lot.   Allie got to spend some quality time with Nana and I think she got a little attached.  She would cry when Nana would leave the room.  And I know Nana loved getting to spend time with Allie, since she doesn't get to see her as often as she'd like.

Allie & Nana

Bed time stories

Bath time

having fun before bed time

Sunday Funday

We had a busy (but fun) day last Sunday.  We went to breakfast and then church, where we decided that it might be Allie's last time in church service with us, I think it's time to start Sunday school.  She is getting way to mobile and active and cannot sit still for an hour in a crowded room.  She doesn't get upset or cry, which is good, but she wants to play and she gets excited and squeals really loud, distracting everyone around us.  So Sunday school it is!!  I know she'll love it though, she loves playing with other kids...though they sometimes don't like playing with her because she's a tad bit aggressive.

Allie playing with coffee stirring sticks at breakfast and riding over Dad's shoulder after church.

After church we walked down the street to aunt Jennifer's house so Allie could meet her cousin (by marriage) Sam for the first time.  Sam is Jenn's nephew on her husband's side and they live in D.C.  But he and Allie were born about a month apart.  Holding Sam made me really just how heavy my child is, he felt like a feather compared to carrying Allie.  He was such a cute and happy baby, but he wasn't sure what to think of Allie. I think she was a little too chatty and aggressive for him.

Poor Sam, Allie kept trying to hit him in the face...in a playful way...and he just wasn't too sure about her.

And after we ate lunch with them we headed over to Arrington Vineyards for another play date with some good friends of ours.  This was Allie's first time meeting another friend that was born a month before her and I think Allie finally met her match.  I thought a fist fight might break out before the day was over.  

April Iphone & Instagram

I use my iphone (and instagram) to take most of my daily pictures of Allie. Yes, believe or not, I take MORE photos then what you actually see on the blog or on Facebook.  I decided I would start sharing the previous months iphone pics at the beginning of every month.  This is a lot for my benefit, because I'll be making a book of these blogs and I would like for these pictures to be in the book...but also for your enjoyment, because I know you never get tired of seeing pictures of my wonderful child, right?

                              

Target shopping

Watching mommy get ready

She's very ticklish

Riding the golf cart to our car from church, not sure what to think about it

Bath time, she loves her bath books.  

Can't take my eyes off of her for a second.

Hard at work on her Mickey Laptop that Grandma got her.

I found her in her crib trying to crawl to get to her Minnie Mouse, she almost got it!