Merry Christmas

We spent yesterday celebrating Christmas at Grandma Martin's and Aunt Kristi's. The girls had a great time even though it's like 2 degrees outside. They came away with a mountain of gifts as you can see by the photo with Alyssa standing next to the presents. We are experimenting with all the options on Holly's new camera. She lost her old one (conveniently) just the other week and told me she had to have a smaller better one.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We had an amazing dinner at my parents' house here in Champaign and tomorrow we are going to Springfield to visit Grandma Martin and Aunt Kristy and she is making another big dinner. Reese weighed in at 10 lbs. fully clothed this week at the Dr. office.

Trunk or Treat

These pictures are from this weekend's trunk or treat at the church. Bobby got Alyssa ready and I met them at the church. I said, "oh good you found my eyeliner to draw whiskers on her." He said, "no I just used a permanent marker!" Surprisingly it came off easily the next day with a little Mary Kay 3 in 1 cleanser. I"ll post more pictures from trick or treat tonight later.
Alyssa said thank you to every person after she got candy!

Today I took Alyssa out in sandals and Reese didn't have a coat! The temperature today was 45 degrees, so we headed to the store and Alyssa got shoes and Reese got this fabulous, warm snow suit.

The first two pictures I took today and below them are photos from Ken and Deanna's visit when we blessed Reese. She wore the blessing dress at three weeks old that Alyssa wore at 3 months old! Reese has really changed over the past couple days and is loosing that newborn look. She was 7 lbs. 11 oz. at her one month check up.

Bobby, Reese, Gary, Holly, Alyssa, Linda

Bobby loves his training. He comes home once or twice during the week for dinner which is a great break for me and it helps Alyssa not miss him so much.

Two proud Grandma's. Alyssa can't say "G" so she calls them "Ram"

Deanna, Bobby, Reese, Holly and Ken

More pictures...

Princess Party

Today Alyssa went to her first birthday party. Her friend Camilla had a princess party to celebrate her third birthday. The girls made necklaces, decorated crowns, and of course ate a princess cake and pink ice cream. Here are some photos in their princess attire.

Never a dull moment...

Tonight Alyssa fell off her bike outside and split her lip open. My mom took her to the Emergency Room at 4:45 pm and they didn't get home until after 8 pm. Alyssa had 3 stitches in her bottom lip. Unfortunately, she pulled one of them out already. They are supposed to dissolve in 5-7 days. Bobby went to the ER to try to help comfort her. They said it was so sad because she was hysterical as they pinned her down and tried to sew her up. It must not have been too traumatic because when she got home she was dancing around to "The Ants Go Marching" song and before she went to bed she was jumping up and down singing "one little monkey jumping on the bed..."

4 days old

Alyssa is like a broken record all day asking to hold the baby. She doesn't understand the meaning of gentle but she is very sweet with her new little sister. She always asks her, "are you happy baby Reese?" Sometimes we fear for Reese's life when she tries to pick her up out of the swing.

We had a lady from church, who is a photographer, do a photo shoot of Reese today! We are waiting on the pictures, but this is one my mom took with her camera.

Meet Reese Elizabeth

Reese Elizabeth Martin was born September 16 at 1;30 pm. She is 5 lb. 15 oz. and 18 in long. Pictures coming soon!

Today Bobby's extended vacation has come to an end. He reported to his first day of work at 7 am after getting up at 4:30 am to go to the gym for few hours. I am structuring Alyssa's day, so we have a schedule. She is going to be very lonely for her dad who has been with her 24/7 as long as her little mind can remember. She wakes up in the morning and from every nap calling his name and searching the house for him. I bet she'll be confused this morning when I tell her he is at work. At least this week he will come home at night. Next week when PTI starts we'll say goodbye on Sunday and not see him until they finish for the day on Friday.

Unfortunately, I don't have any news to post about the baby. She hasn't budged and I have my next appointment tomorrow. I made it full term and now the waiting game has begun...

How far along?

Today Holly went for a check up with her doctor. He said she looks great (I could have told him that), and that the baby is head first and sitting low. In fact, she is 1 cm dilated and the doctor projected our little girl coming either this week or next!

Labor Day

Labor Day is suppose to usher in the Fall and it's cool weather. Well, today I'm asking where that cool weather from a week ago was as we endured the heat for a little fun at the St. Louis zoo. Alyssa was so excited to see all the animals she cried last night when going to bed because she wanted to go to the zoo right then. "Patience" I told her, which means nothing when your 2. As promised though at 6:30 am I woke her up to get ready to go. Funny thing was she said, "I'm sleeping." Priorities my dear...sleep on the way up, we have to go pick up Granny Linda by 7 am. Two hours and forty five minutes later we passed the St. Louis Arch and walked into the zoo grounds.






This is Holly's glamor shot photo that mistakenly went to St. Louis instead of to our house.

This Asian Elephant was relaxing in his/her pool no more than 10 ft from us. It was awesome! Alyssa was a bit nervous and was pushing off of us to get some distance between her and the gentle giant.

Finally, this is how we ended the day. Luckily, I had Holly get me one of those energy drinks as the rest of my crew ended up like this in their seats.