Alice's First Birthday

First taste of ice cream

not sure what to think of the cold

Alice LOVES mint chocolate chip ice cream!

 

 

Alice has brought such joy to our lives. Tonight, officially Monday, at about 3:00am Alice will be one.  We'll have a party this weekend for Mark and Alice in NC at our family reunion. Her early days as Alicorous screeching have turned into almost constant chatter. Few words are understandable but that doesn't stop her. She started walking almost two weeks ago and has an adventurous spirit with her new mobility. Alice loves to play independently, dives head first into her book bin, lights up with a big smile when she sees Daddy, loves being outside in the grass, grabs for Jackson's collar every chance she gets, and treasures remote controls like they're gold. 

It's a delight seeing Mark thrive as an excellent father for our girl. He didn't get a dedicated Father's Day post but totally deserves the recognition. They play, go on walks, make funny faces at meals, snuggle together in a chair, splash in the pool and chatter to each other every day. Alice is lucky to have a father who is so involved every day and I'm thrilled to see my husband as a loving daddy.

My grandmother Emalee (Mudder) made this dress for Mama years ago

sweet Alice enjoying the afternoon

Another day with Alice

Fun in my toy drawers. I love remote controls.

Helping Dad organize my toys as Jackson patrols the area.

Crash! What a nice way to end the day in front of the couch with my bottle.

It's the Little Things

 Today a few little things happened that seem to make life better:
**We extended our lease and that means a summer without packing and moving. We enjoy many things about our life in Maryland and I'm glad to stay put. Our place has felt cramped but we moved around a few things and it feels safer, more efficient, and easier to live in.
**I went to Ikea and bought a toy organizer today and put it together in only 40 minutes. That's got to be an Ikea-assembly record! Everything looked organized and better contained. Alice then woke up and look at what happened in the following 5-10 minutes. That girl can play!!
**I got a haircut today and feel lighter. Verdict is still out on how it looks, but it sure feels better.
**I made hummus tonight and ate it with a beautiful red bell pepper. I've given up sweets for a few weeks (insanely hard, which means likely necessary) because I'm expecting a bridesmaid's dress to arrive this month and don't know if it'll fit without giving up some sweets.
**Alice has been clinging and whining most of this week. Her playing and eating have been pretty good. She's also been rubbing her right ear and sleeping poorly. It took me a few days but I realized, correctly, that she's got an ear infection. Hopefully the "bubble gum medicine" will cure her ear infection, let her rest, and restore our happy 11 month old to us before her birthday!
**Mark has taken up fly fishing and got away last weekend with a friend and a guide in western Maryland. If he's on your birthday list I recommend Bass Pro Shop. . .Don't tell him I already got his Father's Day gift for the fisherman in him.