Watching Gavin play in the snow

Can I go too?

Christmas Morning

She was very excited about her gifts!

Busy Ball Popper

Ali loves the busy ball popper. Good times!

Carry me!

It didn't take long for Ali to figure out my new baby carrier. She drags it around and screeches until I put her in it!

Peek-a-baby!

I put the mirror on the floor and Ali had a blast looking at herself. (as you can see by all of the finger prints on it!)

Ali in her John Deere gear

Ali was such a good sport and wore a John Deere shirt for Gavin's b-day party. What a good baby sister!

Ali and Uncle Bob were having a very serious conversation. Probably about her very stylish John Deere shirt.

Hi Mom

Ali giving me a friendly wave :)

Ali's first Thanksgiving

Ali helping set the table for Gavin, Mia and Libby

I just love it when she sits on her knees like this and I finally got a picture of it!

Ali in her Thanksgiving dress. (minus tights, shoes and hairbow)

Ali at the skating party

Ali got kicked out of her sling because her cousin needed some sling time. She sat on the side of the skating rink and watched all of the kids go around and around. Ali had fun and Ava fell asleep in the sling!

Witches Walk

We went to the "Witches Walk" at the Farm Park. This is the only picture of Ali since she was attached to me in the Moby wrap! She had a great time looking at all of the lights and silly people dressed up. She did what she does best and smiled at everyone!

Our lil' pumpkin

Wow, this looks familiar! Gavin dressed up as this pumpkin for his first Halloween too.

Not quite tall enough

Ali was standing up at the window trying to look out at the trees Gavin was talking about, but she just wasn't quite tall enough!

9 month photos

Ali's 9 month photo

Pumpkin Patch

Ali's first visit to the pumpkin patch at church.

Toilet Paper

The first picture is a little blurry because when I realized she was in the "toilet room" and was quickly unrolling the toilet paper I quick grabbed the camera and clicked without really stopping, but I love the huge grin on her face. She knows she is being naughty because usually the door is closed and she can't get in there. Then she decided since we were taking pictures she would just decorate the magazine rack too. What a silly girl!

Laundry

Ali loves helping with the laundry!

Snazzy Jeans

Ali is showing off her new snazzy jeans. She is so close to standing by herself, but still needs a little help.

Ali's first annual wiener roast

It was extra cold and rainy this year, but Ali enjoyed her first annual wiener roast all snuggled up in the Moby wrap!

Toy Box

If she can't reach the toy she wants then she just climbs in.

A playdate for Ali

This picture cracks me up. Ellery is looking at Ali like hey when did you learn to stand up! And Ali is just smiling at her as usual.

A haircut for Ali

Gavin was sitting at his little table doing an art project and I was sitting on the floor next to him while Ali crawled between us under the table and back. All of a sudden Gavin reached down with his scissors and said I am going to cut Ali's hair quicker than I could say NOOOOOOO! So Ali had her first haircut at 8 months with little to spare. :( I was able to save the little patch of hair for her baby book and Gavin will be happy to know when he gets older that he gave his sister her first haircut. It was actually quite traumatizing for me, but I am over it now. You can see the little snip on the top of her head.

All Smiles!

This girl never stops smiling! She is the happiest baby I have ever met. No matter where we go someone always comments on how smiley she is.

I can stand!

Ali isn't wasting any time learning new tricks. She is already pulling up and standing on everything. She will be walking before we know it!

Gavin with the girls!

This is Gavin and Ali with our neighbor Ellery. She is 2 months younger than Ali. I am sure they will be great friends when they get older!

Busy Girl

Ali has been on the move since right about 6 months. She is trying to keep up with her brother!

Joining the dinner table

Ali is patiently waiting for everyone to settle in at the dinner table. She doesn't get food yet, just spoons or toys. She definitely does not have her brother's appetite!

7 month birthday

First trip to Africa

Ali was super impressed by the new African exhibit at the Peoria Zoo!

Highchair

Ali has officially joined the family for meals! Gavin loves sitting next to her and makes sure she has a toy to play with since she doesn't actually get to eat food yet.

Official 6 month photo

Ali's 6 month picture

6 month birthday

I had to take a picture of Ali on her 6 month birthday even though we didn't throw a party

First boat ride

Here is Ali taking her first boat ride!

Attack of the baby sister

I was going to take a picture of Gavin and Ali and just as I started to take the picture Ali reached over and started grabbing Gavin and laughing!

10 reasons why I really needed this today.....

1. It rained and ruined our playdate
2. We had to go to the dr. and got soaking wet
3. Gavin whined all the way through the grocery store because we didn't get the car cart
4. It took 2 hours for Gavin to go to sleep for his nap
5. Ali took a 20 minute nap
6. Abbey pooped in the toy room
7. Abbey peed in my bed
8. I laid down in my bed to find out that Abbey had peed in it
9. It rained AGAIN so Gavin couldn't play outside after he finally took a nap
10. Gavin was crabby and whiny ALL DAY.....meltdown after meltdown!

So I put Ali on her playmat while I made meatballs for dinner and next thing I knew she had rolled over and gone to sleep....whew...I seriously needed that after this really crummy day.

Flower Butt

This is for Auntie Meg!

Tummy time

Gavin wanted to do "tummy-time" with Ali and take a picture, so here we go!