Busch Gardens

This picture right here pretty much sums up her day at Busch Gardens! She had a blast! This was in the little kiddie water playground - she cooled off her in her t-shirt for about an hour. I think she would have stayed all day.She was fascinated by these jets that spontaneously squirted water at her.

But didn't like it when it got in her face.

Daddy is so proud of the little pilot.

Here she is with best buds Ty and Cole - they were good big brothers to her, riding rides with her.

She is going to be a very serious driver, evidently.

She rode this ride like 8 times. It went up and down and around. Every time a ride was over she would sign, "more, more" in all earnestness.

What was really funny is that we took her on the carousel first thing and she was a little freaked out about sitting on that horse - even with me holding onto her. After a morning on these other rides, some by herself, we went back to the carousel and she got on the horse and was holding on with one arm waving at everyone - I guess we have a little daredevil on our hands. I kept looking at her riding stuff by herself and loving it and thinking - is this normal for a 1 and 1/2 year old to seem so fearless?

Beach Blanket Bingo

We took a 2-day trip down to VA beach and Busch Gardens. I don't know who had more fun, Alison or Nick and I watching her. Minus the night in the hotel room (away from her bed) it was a fantastic trip!

New-to-her Slide

We go this little slide toy from some friends who were moving. Alison thought it was pretty fun. Here she is trying to walk up the slide

An attempt to scoot backwards up the slide

After some coaching from Daddy, she found the ladder and got up that way.

Unsure of going down by herself we coaxed her with bear at the bottom!


Okay, maybe she does need a haircut. In her defense, it does get staticy up there.

Another Oompa Loompa Sighting

Here, Alison's gut is in fine form! At her 18 month check-up she still weighed in at just under 22 lbs. Go figure.

Goat Snack

We went to Maymont , and old estate home in Richmond, a few weeks ago. They had a little petting zoo and Alison LOVED it.
This goat definitely had it in for her, and BEAR. The drama!

Little Miss Sunshine

Practicing for the "Little Miss Sunshine" Pageant. No really - she had decided to see what a purple marker would taste like and then got pink sidewalk chalk on her cheeks. She is performing her talent "Itsy, Bitsy Spider".Aren't I sweet?

Wait? what is that purple stuff on my hands?

You mean I have it all over my face too?

Some of Alison's friends

The many faces of toddlers.

Pool Party

She loves the water! I'm glad. I think we will be spending a lot of time at the pool this summer.

Summer Days on the Deck

I'm afraid to see our water bill. She could spend all day dumping out water. The concept of putting it in another container so she can reuse it has escaped her a bit.
















She looks surprised here, like where did it all go?

18 month Portraits

Another day at the Picture People and here are a few shots. She will not let go of that bear! I had to distract her with something else to get her to drop him. I like the third one because that's what she looks like when she laughs.

She is getting very independant - I forgot the stroller and I had a hard time keeping her still while I had to decide which ones to get. Anyway - not too traumatic.

A Face Only a Mother Could Love

Fish Face











Happy Face











Peekaboo!







One of my favorite things about my new camera is how close you can get and still be in focus!

Fun in the Park

We went to the park the other day looking for ducks to feed. We found a see saw first and Alison took a ride. She seemed to like it - more when Nick was sitting with her.












Yes - this was her sitting on it alone - she looks a little more apprehensive. But it's okay, she has her bear. (and these are the first pics taken with my new camera - I love it!)

Pig Tails and Pink Bears

Alison likes to hang out on the front stoop with her best bud bear. I'll be interested to see what she names her when she starts talking more. I only assume the bear is a she because of the pink pjs - but she takes that thing with her EVERYWHERE. I taught her the sign for bear and she is always asking for her.





I can't resist pigtails and tiny flip-flops, yep there's trusty ole bear.












This was mid-pattycake. She loves pattycake and "itsy-bitsy spider". I think people at the grocery store think I'm a little nutty pushing my cart and singing those rhymes.

Food Fun!

Here is the requisite "first time eating spaghetti" picture. I can't really get her to eat pasta, mac and cheese, anything. But this day she was sort of into it.














This was at breakfast and she was working on stacking her cup on her glass. She was really pleased with herself. I think she might be a future Cirque du Soleil artist.

Time for Daddy

Here she is chilling with dad and then trying on his boots. She fell over before I could get the picture - but they come up mid-thigh - nice go-go look!

New teeth, new words?

I don't know if her new teeth are prompting more speech but she has added several new words to her vocabulary. She now says "bye - bye" (in addition to the wave), cheese (pronounce 'chis'), baby, and this new one (see the video). I didn't even know she'd picked up on this.