He Loves Her

When we first brought Allegra home from the hospital, Wyatt was smitten. He kissed her and shared all kinds of his special treasures with her. But somewhere in the newness of it all, that wore off. We would try to get him to say hi to her or kiss her or hold her, but he would just ignore her and flat out pretend that she wasn't there.
Now, six months later, Allegra has been smiling and laughing and connecting with us all more and more every day. Wyatt has discovered that he can make her smile and laugh. She loves him. She has always stared at him, has always loved him. But now, they are making that connection.
I have been sitting and quietly relishing sweet moments between them. Wishing that I could grab the video camera and preserve it forever, but knowing that it would ruin the moment. So I just sit and enjoy it.
Tonight, we were at Ryan's parents house. Everyone was somewhere else. It was just the kids and I and Auntie Lisa. Wyatt wanted to play in the "pack n' play" with Allegra, so I put both of them in there and sat and watched him make her smile and look at her with adoration and love in his eyes and say, "I love you sissalou" over and over again. Then, he asked me to take their picture. (he rarely ever asks me to take his picture) AND THEN, he actually smiled.
This was a precious moment that I hope to always hold in my heart...

It's all Going Too FAST!

Yesterday, we officially arrived at my absolute favorite baby stage. It's nice to hit this point because I have really been missing the newborn stage lately.
I plopped Allegra up on her bottom, and low and behold, she stayed up. Our house isn't too conducive to playing on the floor, so we haven't really been trying this with her. But, we were playing on our bed yesterday and I just happened to try it.
I absolutely love this time, she has a little bit of independence but, can't move around yet. We are going to go buy an area rug in the next couple of weeks, so she can have somewhere safe to play.
Today, we were all playing trains together, I sat her on Wyatt's rug and surrounded her with some padding. It's so much fun to get to watch this all over again.



This happened a month before her brother sat up for the first time.
Slow down baby girl...slow down.

Eating Like A Champ

Allegra has taken very well to eating solid foods, and with absolutely no learning curve. She has been observing us for quite some time now, and when I introduced rice cereal last week, she knew exactly what to do. She has taken it and ran, in addition to rice cereal she has eaten peas, sweet potatoes and bananas. I used a gift card from Target and bought her a new high chair that straps to our dining room chair. I cant believe she's gonna be 5 months next week. I really miss my sweet little newborn, but we are really enjoying this next phase too. Sweet giggles...rolling over...always wanting to stand...exploring her voice...grabbing her feet...playing with her toys... the list goes on.
I just wanted to share this milestone with my friends & family...thanks for letting me brag!
Not that you had much choice.

Drool Catchers

Sissy is a drooler. B.I.G. TIME.
She gets these raw and painful rashes if we don't stay on top of it.
So, I have conceded to the fact that she pretty much needs to be wearing a bib at all times.
I started to peruse etsy for some cutsie little bibs to suit "her" style, (*wink*) and found everything to be fairly expensive.


So, I bought a pattern and made some myself.
I'm very happy with the way these turned out, and wanted to share some pictures!

My Big Girl

Allegra has been getting so big lately. Her demeanor has really been changing from being totally laid back, to a little bit more intense. She has not been loving the swing, as of late. She strains with her head to try to sit up, and cries when she can't. The only time I'm able to put her in the swing right now, is if she is sleeping.
So, Jackie let me borrow their excersaucer. Allegra doesn't quite get the complete concept of playing with all of the toys, but she loves that she is upright. I snapped "a few" pictures of her playing in it, and thought I'd share them.

Scrapbooking Again!

I've started digi scrapping again.
I have been snapping all sorts of pictures of Allegra, but other than her birth announcement that is hanging on our fridge, and our Christmas card...not a single picture of her adorns our humble abode.
I have them in my "shopping cart" at Costco. Just need to actually order them. In the meantime, I have the frames ready and waiting (actually hanging on the wall, with these beautiful strangers smiling back at me).
Anyway, I really want Allegra to have a baby book...so I started a digital scrapbook that is just going to be of her.
The layouts are not extravagant, they are simple and to the point. But I'm having so much fun scrap booking for my baby girl. Here is what I have so far:

One Week Old

Our little sweetie girl is one week old today. She is proving to be a good little eater and a sleepy little toot. Smiling big and wide in her sleep, I wonder what she dreams of. We really have to work hard to keep her awake. It has been a challenge getting her day/night schedules switched. But it's going better now, and she is just getting up every 3-4 hours to eat.
Wyatt is still being super sweet and loving towards her...so much more than we could have asked for. He is such a wonderful big brother. And speaking of big...He is so huge now. I know he's not any bigger than he was last week, but he just seems so big to me now. I've heard other parents say that, but never understood it...till now.

Allegra Beth

Our newest addition, Allegra Beth was born yesterday, November 17 @ 12:48 PM. She was 8lbs 1.5oz...20 inches long. She is sweet as can be and her own little person. We are having fun finding the ways that she is like and different from her big brother.


I know it's been a long time since I've posted anything, and honestly, I don't know when I'll get back into a habit of doing it again.
But, I just wanted to share some pictures of our new little princess.

I'm pretty proud of myself...

....I finished the quilt top.

I'm taking a "sick day" today.
Ryan is playing in a softball tournament and Wyatt is with Babu & Papa. But, yesterday, in the midst of getting sick, I got the backing put together. Ryan kept my appointment with the quilter that was referred to me by a friend on Facebook. So, it's in her capable hands and should be finished before Allegra makes debut!
Yay.
Now I just have to decide if I'm going to have her bind it too, or if I'm gonna tackle that myself. It doesn't look that hard, I'm just running out of time!

"Chick" update

I've been, "nose to the grindstone" every day this week, during naptime, working on the pinwheels for Allegra's Chubby Chick quilt. I officially finished the chicks this weekend, and I know you were waiting with baited breath, but I decided to go ahead and put on buttons for the eyes. I hemmed and hawed for a very long time, but then I just decided that there was really no substitute. So, to make it safe, I bought a heavy duty, high quality thread and sewed those puppies on there so tight that I don't think I could get them off. Of course, Ryan said that in order to really test it, I'd have to gnaw at it for about 10 minutes.

I'm a little over halfway done with the pinwheels. After that, the next step are all the borders (there are 3).
FYI...That's my belly labeled "Allegra". Ryan said he didn't know!

Be Still My Heart...

I'm looking forward to having sweet little baby things around the house again! This week, a package came in the mail from Dave & Carolyn. Are these not the most adorable things you've ever seen? Honestly. So stinkin' cute, and the softest leather you've ever laid your hands on.

Thanks again guys...you made my day!!