Hugs & Kisses

Mike & I are in trouble. Alaina has already figured out how to butter us up so that she gets what she wants. We've noticed that lately she'll come up for a hug or a kiss right before letting us know that she'd like something. It started last week when we'd try to get out of another round of ring-around-the-rosie (because we could barely stand up straight anymore) As soon as we'd try to distract her with something else, she'd come in for a kiss and grab our fingers again. Nothing melts my heart more than a freely given hug or kiss, so it's hard to say no.

Alaina's had quite a busy social schedule lately. Last Sunday cousins Bella & Gena were over in the morning to play before a baby shower, Monday she spent some time playing outside with Gram Grams. Wed. we were supposed to have a play date with Angelina, Brianna & Ethan before they became ill :( so we went shopping and to see the Easter Bunny instead. Thursday Alaina & Gram Grams went out to lunch at Olive Garden and today she got to be a VIP with Grandma Darcey & Gena at Bella's school. Grandma said that she was an angel the whole time and even had Bella & her friends pushing her around in her stroller.

Kick Off

Several friends have told me how addicting a blog can be, plus it is a great way to keep in touch, so I'm going to try it out.....

Alaina is now 16½ months, somewhere around 21 lbs and about 30 inches tall. We are having so much fun right now! Her absolute favorite activity is reading. It is the cutest thing, she will sit for up to 20mins at a time, several times a day, reading book after book out loud. And now we’ve noticed that her stories have real characters too. We’ll often hear her include Mommy or Daddy in the middle of her own language. We have lots of books with animals so “Puppy”, “Arf arf”, “Meow” and “Ooo hoo” (for an owl) are often included too.

Last weekend we discovered Ring Around The Rosie and it has quickly become another favorite. You have to be careful, if she sees you stick out a finger or hears the word “ring” or “rose” she’ll grab onto your finger, say “come” and pull you to the middle of the floor. Prepare to get dizzy!

We had some good news last week :) Mike was just given official notice that he was selected for the full-time job in his squadron at Selfridge. This is exactly what we were hoping for when Mike re-enlisted 2½ yrs ago. He’s got the next couple of weeks to hang out at home with Alaina and he will start full time in April. What a wonderful blessing!