Birthday Party!

I think we've finally recovered from Allison's big party...  Well, except for the floors.  There are still remnants of cake crumbs to be found.  But Allison had a great time celebrating with family and new and old friends!  And I think we figured out our house's capacity...  We crammed over 30 people including 9 kids downstairs for presents and upstairs for cake!  But I think everyone had a fun time despite some being put to work.  (I had a bit of a panic attack an hour before dealing with a no napping child and a long list of to dos...)  We really appreciate everyone that came to celebrate and especially all of those that helped pull it together!  The cupcakes were a HUGE hit and Allison loved digging into her giraffe.  Here are some pics from the big day...

her party dress made to match the jungle theme

cousins!

lions, zebras, monkeys, oh my!

allison's giraffe

yum!

our family

I'm 1!!!

I've been fearing Allison's first birthday for quite awhile...  More than turning 30 even.  My little girl is officially no longer my little baby; she's a big girl!  But despite a rough birthday eve and a crabby and snotty birthday girl, we tried to have a fun day...  We visited with MoMo and PaPa in the morning and left from there to go to her 12 month doctor's appointment.  Which I had the time wrong for...  So we missed it by 90 minutes and had to reschedule for next week.  We got some help from the weather, so we were able to play outside (although she is not a big fan of grass) and attempt to grill for dinner (except we ran out of propane).  And then the big moment we have been waiting for...  cake!  We decided to go small and just give her a chocolate cupcake (with chocolate frosting).  I think it was a little too rich for her and she ended up crying about 5 minutes in (possibly from exhaustion).  We're hoping that Sunday will bring a happier baby and a yellow cupcake will be more to her liking.

Double Digits!

So, I've been slacking...  big surprise!  But Allison has been keeping me busy since she's learned to crawl!  The last 2 months have been amazing as she's learning to do new things everyday.  She can now crawl like a pro, pull up, fall down without "bonking," cruise (mostly to the right, but she's making progress with moving to the left), almost squat to pick up objects, feed herself table food without dropping most of it, answer to her name, understand the word "no" (which she does not like), wave "bye bye," give "high five," clap, and she's finally starting to sign!  We've seen one "milk," "more," and "all done."

It's really been great to be home while she's passing all these milestones and she's become quite the momma's girl.  Her personality is really showing and she is an intense little girl!  I'm not surprised, but it's takes me back when she gets all tense and let's out a big GRRRRR!  She also likes to thrash around in her high chair- not sure why.  But she's persistent and stubborn just like her parents and BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!  I miss the days when she used to snuggle with me in the recliner...  But she wants to explore and there's no stopping her!

Here are Allison's 10 and 11 month growth pictures.  I can't tell much of a difference, but I think she might be a little taller...  At 11 months, Allison weighs 18lbs 1oz.  Up a pound since her 9 month appointment.  I don't think she'll make the cut off to turn her carseat around by her birthday, but that's ok.  She's healthy and that's all we want!

Our beautiful baby girl!