Childhood memories last forever....unfortunately

Dad's directoral debut!

Bluebonnets!

It's spring in Texas, which means, bluebonnets! Whenever I'm driving on the highway and catch my first sight of those fields of blue, my heart leaps in excitement. I have been waiting a long time to take my baby's first "bluebonnet pictures".

new "do"

We haven't updated the blog in a while, and there is SO much that Allison has been doing in the last two weeks! The most amazing to us is that she has finally decided she will roll onto her stomach. Many times after her nap, we have found her in her crib on her belly, pushing up to get a view of us over the rail. She's become such a proficient roller that this is now her mode of travel. Phil discovered this a couple days ago when he left her in the living room sitting up, and when he came back a few minutes later, she was no where to be seen. He thought she was gone! Turns out, she had rolled across the room to play with something interesting.

Allison is also perfecting her pincer grasp and can pick up Cheerios one at a time and put them in her mouth. She is babbling more sounds; some of her favorites include: neng neng, ba, ssssss, ta, dee, ya ya, and finally (to my delight), "ma ma." She loves to squeal and scream--loudly--and she can clap her hands!

She has a new "look", too. To keep some of her long hair out of her face, I put her hair up in pigtails. She gets just as many comments on her new 'do as she does on the decorations I put on her DOC-band. Here is our little girl, growing up faster than we ever thought possible!

Easter Egg Hunt

After church and a nap, Allison went on her first Easter egg hunt with Dad. The eggs were hidden in the places where she likes to play!

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!