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[Picture B]

I asked Greg to take a picture of Allison and I on Sunday after noticing that I am the one who is usually behind the camera (aka - I have a ton of pictures with Allison and Greg, but not very many pictures of Allison and I). So here are a few that he took this weekend. I do not take good pictures - I have this unconscious tendency to make my eyes really big right when the picture is being taken - I think it's the flash! So, I tend to have the "deer caught in the headlights look".

So, since I found this really neat element that you can add to your blog - I am adding a poll (to your upper left) and asking which picture you like best?




Here is a picture of Allison helping me cook. She loves to help out and she is always fascinated by me cooking!

My "Aaha" moment:
Lately, Allison has been saying that certain things are too big. The baby shoes are too big for Allison. The playhouse is too big for Daddy. I have been wondering for the past couple of weeks where she learned the concept of being too big? Well, one of Allison's favorite books is the Sesame Street book, It's Not Easy Being Big. It talks about how Big Bird is too big for some things and Elmo is too small for some things. Of course the book ends on a positive note (how to work together), but I can't believe it took me any longer than a second to realize where Allison learned the concept of things being too big!




We visited this new church on Sunday and the "cry room" is really nice. So we decided to visit that same church on Wednesday. Well, in the cry room you can see the pulpit. Allison was pointing out the boys and girls who were helping. We talked about that they were helping with the bread and the wine. Now she is on this big helping kick. She wants to help with everything - which is really nice. She goes around pointing out other people helping and even enlists herself quite often to help!

While my little one is napping (she is really in her bed sleeping) I will share a few stories that caught me by surprise this week.

The first one happened while we were all at Wal-Mart. A little boy a few checkout aisles over was fussing. We happened to walk out of the store at the same time as the little boy (who was still fussing). After we got into the truck and started driving off, Allison said, "Boy sad. (sobs, sobs, <- Allison pretending to sob). Little boy sad, Mama (boohoo, boohoo <- more pretending to sob). It caught me by surprise to hear her imitate the little boy and then put together that the little boy was sad.

The second one happened just the other day. Lately, I have been walking Ozzy at the park while Greg and Allison play on the playground (or swing for a really long time). Ozzy has a blue leash and collar. The other day we were leaving to go somewhere when Allison said, "Mama, Ozzy's blue rope." I thought that was pretty observant, plus I didn't know that she knew the word rope - I don't think I say it very much or at all!


I love the way she is putting together new sentences (or quasi-sentences) everyday. I also love to hear her acknowledge emotion and description of the events around her. There is not a day that passes where she doesn't do or say something that completely surprises me - sometimes it is hard to translate to those who weren't able to witness it for themselves.

Here is a really cute picture of Allison playing her piano. I just ran across it and decided to add it.

Two of my favorite pictures.

Here is a picture, taken probably four months ago, with Allison and her two cousins Caleb and Laramie. Everytime I see this picture it reminds me of the black and white pictures you find in your grandmother's photo album. I think it will be a picture that they will look back on!


Yes, they are playing together! Allison with her cousin Matthew. This picture was taken a few months ago!

Just some pics!

Going to the pool or lake? Nope - just going to the park. Allison wanted to take her life jacket on her ride in the truck! Of course, I couldn't buckle her up with the life jacket on - so she had to remove it, but not before I was able to snap a picture!


Allison is getting ready for church on Sunday. She is awesome at putting on her own shoes, but sometimes puts them on backwards. For whatever reason, I find this so cute!


"Hmmm?"


Normally, when I ask Allison if I can take her picture - she will say, "Cheese!" However, I couldn't get her to say cheese - so she said, "Teeth!" It worked for me!



Just a candid shot of Allison playing outside.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Allison cooking with her Daddy!

Twenty-two months and counting

Dear Allison,
Today you are twenty-two months old. That means that twenty-two months have passed since we first welcomed you into this world. I cannot wrap my brain around that time has passed so quickly. Your father and I laid in bed last night wanting to grab you from your slumber so that you could lay next to us - just to have you with us. We, of course, talked ourselves out of it for fear of the outcome of possibly waking you up - but it was tough!
In my mind I compare the things that we did last summer with what we are doing this summer. It is amazing how much you have grown. Your father has been playing basketball in the evenings with some friends and while he is on the court we are at the playground. You are able to do everything that the playground offers and with no hesitation. As you climb the steps toward the top of the playground you count each step - one, two and then you start back again - one, two. You also like to point out the colors that you see around you.
Another one of your favorite things to do lately while we are out and about is point out the girls and the boys - this of course applies to those who are fifteen years and younger. Anyone who is older is considered a Mommy or a Da. You have such a big personality these days and are really fun to play with. You laugh often, loud and at a moments notice. You are doing really well learning the letters of the alphabet and have started using sentences these days. You will say things like, "Calliou eat apples." or "Daddy, shoes too small."
There are still a few words to decipher such as:
cookie - waffle or an actual cookie
bow - a pillow
towel - a blanket or an actual towel

Not only do you laugh at a moments notice, but you love to dance and whenever there is any type of music whatsoever playing - you will get up to dance or at the very least shake your shoulders in rhythm to the beat.
Tonight, I went to a friend's house for a "sewing party" and upon reminding your father that it was tonight that I would be gone for the evening his main concern was that you would be staying with him - he asked, "Allison doesn't have to go - does she?" He doesn't like his time with you to be taken away. Of course, while I was gone the two of you had a slumber party without the slumber!
I love you my sweet child and could not have ever imagined such a blessing being bestowed upon me as God has gifted me with you.

Love,
Mama