He is Risen!

I (Esther) had to go to church early to assist at the early service, so Phil got Allison dressed in her Easter dress. My parents came to worship and afterwards, we met my sister and brother-in-law for brunch.

Allison likes to bang things together!

Family pic

Easter Morning

Allie has adapted surprisingly well to her DOC-band, to our amazement. But the first couple of nights of sleep were rough, to say the least. Mom and Dad got to wake up early with her on Easter morning. I think she was excited to get her first Easter basket. Here are some pics of her checking out both the eggs AND herself in the mirror with her new "hat."

Dye Stains

Wanted to put these pictures up, but will come back to write more details...

Spring Blossom

It's officially spring! Allison is wearing an outfit that Phil's mom got for her when she was three weeks old (Thanks, Harmony!). It's been hanging in her closet until now. Isn't she adorable?

Our spring beauty!

Sassy Chick

I got this 12-month onesie for Allison last spring, while I was still pregnant. I can't believe she's fitting in it already. She is 9 months old. Where has the time gone? Stay tuned for more fun pics from Easter!

Casting

Well, we decided to do it. Allison has a bit of asymmetry to her head, and we have decided to put her in a DOC-Band. Check out http://cranialtech.com

Last Friday was her casting appointment so that they can custom-make her band. I had to hold her arms down so they could get a perfect mold. As you can imagine, she didn't like that too much! Though it only took about 10 minutes, it felt like 10 hours of torture for me, as I had to endure her screaming. Here she is, covered in plaster, just after they took off the cast.

Jail Time

Swaddling is like a straight jacket for babies. Young babies. Three month old babies. Babies not Allison.

Feeling nostalgic, we pulled out her old swaddling blanket and the cap she got when she was born (see baby picture on far left). She's changed quite a bit from those days. She actually enjoys being wrapped up now! Hilarity ensues!

You'll never take me alive, copper!

Trust

Trust is a funny thing. Babies have an inherent trusting nature. And no one else holds the responsibility of their trust like their parents.

That is, until we mess it up.

I suppose that's a good thing. Allison won't walk around thinking gum on the side walk is free, or that the publisher's clearinghouse check is her fast ticket to retirement. Likewise, she won't continue to blindly trust that what we put in her mouth will be tasty.

First picture: I wonder what delicious food I'll be having today!
Second picture: kiwi....kwappi!

Friends

One of our good friends was in town and came over to visit with her daughter, Yael. Allison loves other babies, and it's so sweet to see how she interacts with them. Yael and Allison first met when they were 2 and 4 months old, and they became fast friends, as this picture depicts:

As soon as Allie saw Yael again this week, she smiled. They played so well together while the Mommys got to catch up! We are sad that they live so far away, because we love hanging out with them.

Here is Yael (now 6 months), telling Allison (8 months), "Hey, let's be friends!"


Allison says, "Look at this toy we can play with."

Choi Joy

We are so blessed that Allie is a happy girl. If she's cranky, it's usually because she has not had enough sleep. Ms. Connie and Ms. Kathy (her teachers in the infant room at First Presbyterian Preschool) call her "Happy happy, Choi Choi" because of her sunny disposition. I caught this great smile the other day--pure joy! We love how her whole face lights up when she smiles or laughs!

Up-ups!

Allison is a girl of few words. Just one, in fact -Dada
So when she's had enough with play/sleeping/eating time, she lets us know by screeching and waving her arms around like she's trying to become airborne.

Don't fault her, though. Mommy taught her that one.

*edited to add* I (Esther) did not teach her to wave her arms up and down, although it is rather cute. A couple weeks ago, Allison started raising her arms toward me when she wanted to be picked up. So now, when I pick her up I ask, "Up?" and she looks straight at me and stretches out her chubby little arms. Melts my heart!

Mum-Mums

Allison's Haiku Corner Baby loves to eat I ate a big kid at school Now I have fat thighs