2 year appointment

Yesterday, we had Ali's 2 year appointment. I took both of the girls and was a little nervous about how they would go but they both were great. Ali was a perfect little patient - until the end when she had to get a Flu and Hepatitis A shot which caused some tears - poor thing!! I'm not sure if it was the shot or just coincidence but Ali was up all night sick and throwing up - this is a first for us and was not a fun experience. I was so sad for her and just wanted to hold her all night. Rhodes was a complete angel and slept next to me in her bassinet all night - thank goodness she slept through Ali's sick moments and tears! We are at home today recovering - I hope my little princess feels better soon!

I am hoping to get pictures of Ali's birthday celebration up soon - pictures just take so long to download and time is not something I have right now! Here is a report of how Ali's 2 year appointment went.

Height 35 inches (75%)
Weight 28 lbs (75%)
Head 20 (90%)

She has gained a little over 2 lbs since her 18 month check up 5 months ago, grown 2 inches and her head has grown 1/4 inch! My little girl is growing!! I can not wait until Rhodes' 2 month appointment coming up in a few weeks to see how much she has grown. She is just like her big sister and a great eater and thriving! I think she weighs at least 10 lbs (by weighing her on the scale with me) and is growing longer and longer. She reminds me so much of Ali and is cooing all of the time and starting to give me little smiles. She is awake most of the day these days and is becoming so much more interactive - she is such a sweet baby! I am so in love with my two sweet girls and our little family of four!! I also hope to post more pictures of Rhodes asap!

The Princess Birthday Bash

I have been meaning to put these up all week - but it takes so long to download pictures that I added pictures slowly. Unfortunately, since I did that, they are in completely random order and don't really tell the "story" of the party - but you get the drift! :) We had a blast celebrating the princess's 2nd birthday. About 11 of Ali's friends and their parents came over to celebrate! We bought Ali a moonbounce for her birthday and she was so excited when she came outside and saw it. (we decided to buy it rather than rent it since it was about the same price either way and this way we could get to use it again and again!) She also got a little bubble machine for her birthday that we used at the party and was also a hit! Ali had a great time and I hope her friends did too! Luckily it was a beautiful day outside - unfortunately, the leaves decided to fall and cover our backyard the day before so Ryan was great and got up early and cleaned the yard AND set up the moonbounce!! Everything went great! After some time outside playing, everyone came inside for Ali's princess cupcake cake and ice cream! (aka chaos) Below are some pictures of Ali's big day (the party was actually on her birthday!) in random order. I do know that the first one is of Rhodes, who slept through the entire party only to wake up at the end when the kids took over the playroom (where she was luckily napping in the swing - her first and only time to actually nap in the swing yet!)







 
 
 




 

 
 
 
 

My baby is two!

On Noveber 8, 2006 at 12:44 a.m., two years ago from yesterday, our little Alison Brooks Patrick was born. Ever since that day she has never stopped amazing me and changed my life in the most incredible way.

Als, I want to record all of the things I can think of that you are doing right now. I think that you are very smart for your age and your daddy and I constantly find ourselves looking at eachother and saying "Did you just see/hear that??" b/c we are so amazed by you. Here is a list of the things you are up to at the ripe age of 2 years old.

-You LOVE music! We have dance parties and you love to dance around the room with Mama and Daddy! You get really excited to go to Music class every Monday and talk about going to see "Ms. Arie". Your favorite songs are Old McDonald (especially saying COW!), ABCD (and you can say the ENTIRE thing - amazing!! - although sometimes you start turning the song into Twinkle, Twinkle - How I wonder what you are instead of Now I know my ABCs), Bye, Bye, Baby, I see the Moon, ect. You LOVE to sing. I love taking you to the grocery store or Target b/c you will just sing loudly through the aisles. We definitely get some looks from other people (probably b/c they think that you are the cutest things ever - but some of life's greatest moments in my opinion!

-You love your family. You are the sweetest big sister to Rhodes and she adores you so far. (at the ripe age of 5 weeks!) You light up when you hear that any of your family members are coming to visit - and you make everyone feel so special. You say things like "I love you so much!" or "I love you ever" (your version of forever).

-You love to swing, slide and be outside. Coming inside from the car is always fun b/c you always want to make a pit stop by our playset - and especially love the swing. We bought you a moonbounce for your birthday (and for your birthday party) and you thought it was the greatest thing ever!

- You say so many words and it is so fun to see the little things you pick up on. For instance, you are really into birthdays (and you get that honest from me!). You have been telling people for weeks "My birthday coming up!" and then say "I be two!". One of your favorite phrases right now is "What's that noise?" and we just love the way you say it. The other night when eating dinner you told me "Mommy, it's dark outside", "Time to go night night", "Ali go night night". I was very impressed! When Rhodes cries, you will tell me "Mommy, feed her!". Last night you even tried to feed her yourself (pulled the Boppy around you and pulled up your shirt! Daddy and I got a kick out of that one!)

-You LOVE your friends and love to talk about them. Your favorites that you talk about are Libby, Bennett, Maggie Beth, Tate, Charlotte Anne, Gracie, etc. You love going to school and seeing your friends or love any time we get together with Libby!

-We have yet to start potty training b/c I didn't want to throw that on you with Rhodes being born (even though you never cease to amaze me and I think you could do fine with it). Tonight we got home from dinner at La Parilla and you sat on the potty and went to the bathroom - we were so excited! I'm sure it could be a fluke but it was still exciting!

-You love your milk and your "pappy". Whenever you are upset, you ask for one of these. You have such a good nature and are usually good at shaking things off once you get a little attention. You are quite the fan of attention!

- You are adored by your Mama and your daddy - and grandparents, aunts, and uncles! I can't wait to see what you will pick up on tomorrow and I thank the Lord every day that you are in our life! I love you my little princess - thank you for being you and for making my life brighter every day!

Birthday celebrating with Aunt Ashley!

Ali is so lucky to have an aunt like her Aunt Ashley! Yesterday, Ashley came and took Ali for a morning of fun. She is so great to plan all kinds of fun activities for Ali whenever they spend time together - Ali always gets so excited when she knows Ashley is coming to visit. On this visit, they started off the morning at Monkey Joe's where Ali got to jump for awhile and I know she had a blast. (Ali LOVES to jump!) Ali kept saying (screaming) - "I go to monkey joe's --- jump!" Then, Ashley took her to get her fingernails painted which Ali was also soo excited about! Turns out, not only did she get her fingernails done, but she also got her hair done! I thought I was going to die when I saw her - she was on cloud nine and so excited (she is really into princesses right now - as you can see b/c she had to wear a princessy dress to go jump - and I am pretty sure she thought she was a real princess now that she had her hair done!) and it was hilarious and too cute! Since her hair is so short, they just put it in little twists in the back and then, Ashley said, they hairsprayed it and put glitter all over her hair. Then, they put on makeup and stick on earrings! Ashley said they were also going to put jewels in her hair but she told them she had a big party today so they just gave them to us. Ali came home with a new cute purse filled with her new makeup and spent the rest of the afternoon saying "Mommy, you need a little ummm......close your eyes!" Over and over again. Then, she would proceed to smear the makeup across my face. She especially loved the blush and it is a very pale pink so you couldn't even tell it was on - but she was SOOO excited about it! What a perfect day and what a lucky niece Ali is to have an aunt like Ashley!! I am sure she is counting down the days until their next playdate! :)

Jumping around at Monkey Joe's!



Lollipop in her mouth and ready to get pampered!





Wow! Check me out!


All primped and ready to go!

Ali with her Aunt Ashley (and her new purse and makeup in hand!)

A couple shots I got of Ali's new fabulous hair - do! :)

Ali's birthday week...

I can't believe my little girl is turning two! Time sure does fly! I have always big a big fan of birthdays (especially my own) and now that I have children, I hope to make all of their birthdays extra special. (As I'm sure all parents want to do!) I was so excited on Thursday to go to Ali's class at school to take birthday treats and have a little birthday party! When I got there, I saw the class on the playground, so I snuck by and went to Ali's classroom. They did not come in for about 15 more minutes and I was so giddy in there waiting for her to come in so I could surprise her! Their little class was so cute and I loved getting to see them all in action. I am so proud of my little princess and love seeing her so excited about her birthday. She goes around saying "It's MY birthday!" and when someone asks how old she is going to be she says "I be two!". Here are some pictures of her and her little class at school.

The whole gang

Ali in her birthday hat they gave her

Blowing out the candles on the pretend birthday cake!

Mouthful of cookie!

A few of Ali's favorite friends...

I thank the Lord for our blessings...

Today has been a rough day. One of those days I just want Ryan to stay home and I just want to stay in bed, in my pjs and not talk to anyone. I got out of the house and went shopping for some favors, etc for Ali's birthday party this weekend and it brightened my mood a little. I realize that despite the bumps in the road, we have a lot to be grateful for. I thank the Lord for my two very healthy (knock on wood)and beautiful little daughters. It's hard not to be happy in life or to dwell on the hardships when I look down at these two sweet little miracles. I thank him for our families. My parents have worked hard all of my life to create a heritage (passed down from their parents) and to build a path for me now to follow and have given me more than I deserve. They are role models not only in my life, but in this community...and I am grateful. I thank the Lord for our jobs - during this economic crisis (as Ali would say), I feel very grateful that we are not yet struggling and we are able (for the time being) to do things like be members of the club, have two cars, own a house, have cable, eat out, etc. These are things we take for granted but I realize during hard times how lucky we are. I write this so I will remember to count my blessings and remember how grateful we need to be during these difficult times! I thank the Lord for our friends, for our church, and for our many little gifts. I need to be better about counting my blessings daily - not just on the hard days.

Today's the day - get out and vote!!

How can you not vote for this guy? (especially with a sidekick like this in his arms!)


Today is election day and what a big election it is!! Obviously, the big concern throughout our country is who are next president will be - but, we also have our own race here in town that I am praying hard for! I am so glad this day is finally here and the campaigning can stop. This campaign has been a rough one and, living in my dad's district, we have received all kinds of mailers (and one horrible phone call!) with attacks on my dad that are NOT true from his opponent. My only hope is that people look up these ads to find out the truth. It is going to be a close race - especially because of the national race going on - and no matter what I am so proud my dad is my dad! I believe from the bottom of my heart that he is the best candidate for this position, but you never know what will happen! Good luck, Dad! We are so proud of you and love you! :)

On a side note, Rhodes has slept great the last two nights - hallelujah! I am not counting on anything yet b/c it could have just been a fluke - but last night she slept from 10-6:45 - only waking up once at 2:00 to eat! I actually went to bed at 9:30 and Ryan put her to bed so I even got 30 extra minutes of sleep. Oh, the difference some sleep makes!! She is doing great and has grown soo much!! I don't think she looks like a newborn anymore! This is also Ali's birthday week so we are getting excited for a big weekend! Ali tells everyone she sees that it is HER birthday!! She is such a doll!

Anyway - happy Election day! Get out and vote - and pray hard that the right candidates when - no matter who they are! :)

Trick or Treat!

Halloween was so much fun this year! With parades, dressing up and trick or treating with our friends - we had a great time! Here are some pictures of my two favorite trick or treaters on the block. Since Rhodes is so small and it was chilly out, my mom came over and watched her while we took Ali and Libby out to a few houses on the street. They were so precious - they held hands the entire time and walked around like they knew what they were doing - they led the way! I was standing by them at one point and heard them having a little conversation that made my day. Ali said "Libby, I love Halloween!" and Libby said "Ali, you're wearing a dress!" back - it was hilarious. (A lot cuter the way they talk than when I just type it out!) Here are some pictures of our little trick or treater and her bff. Could they be any cuter??




Checking out their loot!


Trick or treating was fun but now it's time for pizza!

First Annual Maple Avenue Halloween Parade!!

Yesterday, we went to the First annual Halloween parade down Maple Avenue - it was so fun to see a lot of our friends and see everyone dressed up! What a great way to kick off Trick or Treating! Here are some pictures of our family dressed up and parading down Maple Avenue. I got Rhodes a little puppy costume so she could be Toto (Ryan said I spelled it last time I wrote it - so here's another attempt!) and Ryan wore his Elvis costume!!

What a treat - Libby (aka Minnie Mouse) got there right when we did!


Parading down Maple Avenue


All bundled up! (the costume was a little big!!)


My little family

The "celebrity" judges table - Big Papa was a judge so that made it even more funfor us! Here he is announcing the winners (unfortunately we did not win - I've got to plan some fun costumes for next year to put us in the running!)

A view of some of the crowd

Ryan and Emily (Libby's mom) dressed up!

Libby and her Mama

Yay for Halloween!