Alison's boyfriend

This is Banks. And we love him.

Pregnancy Update

Someone asked in a comment to update everyone on my pregnancy. I had a doctor's appointment today and everything seems to be going well. I am 22 weeks along and feeling pretty good. Except for being tired. Because of what happened last time (the eclampsia and blood clot) they are watching my blood pressure and all the other signs of pre-eclampsia. My BP has been around 100/60 every appointment. I am taking a baby aspirin every day as it is shown to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia significantly.

The little guy is a busy body and I'm getting kicks big enough to see from the outside, not just feeling them from the inside! I'm trying to wrap my mind around having a little guy around here - since Alison is all I'm used to. But I think it will be fun - plus all the clothes are my favorite color! Baby blue!!

With Nick being gone for work all month I'm going to CA to see him and then on to Utah to see my family again. After the Utah - Oregon - back to UT - and home again flights last month and then this trip, I think it's fair to say that I've filled my travelling quota for a year or so. Going alone with AK makes it even more decisive that I won't be going anywhere for a while. That, and the doctors have told me not to travel after November. (Sorry Sam and Laura).

So there's my little update. Any suggestions for boy names?

She's beading!

So I bought her some pony beads and pipe cleaners to string them on. My friend Carla suggested it (Thanks!) Every time she'd slide a bead down to the end she exclaim "Yay!" She has such a serious look of concentration though! She really was enjoying herself.

Some new photos

She's still doing yoga! Cobra (above) Down dog (Below)

Somebody loves bananas!!

This was taken on one of her many flights last month. We're up for 3 more this month and then I'm DONE travelling with an almost 2 year old for a while. One, because I'll be getting too close to my due date and Two, it's too exhausting to do it by myself.She can't seem to stay out of our stuff. The minute she sees the bedroom door open she bolts in there to check out our nightstand drawers. I came in to see her with one of Daddy's earplugs in (so I had to help her get the other one in so I could take a picture). She is thinking "What? I can't hear you!! Did you say, No?"
Her favorite outdoor pasttime,

Next to picking leaves off the plants in my pathetic little garden. She loves to "garden". Maybe next year I'll actually do a better job. We did get a few strawberries, that mostly the birds ate. Here she is sampling the fresh basil - which she apparently loves.

It's A . . .

BOY!!

It's true - some of you may not know - but I am pregnant again, due Feb. 8. And we found out today that Alison will be getting a little brother. I better start shopping for camoflage baby gear! Here's a couple of ultrasound pics ....He's got the same profile Alison had in her ultrasounds.

Here's a 4-D image - the doctor said we would be surprised how recognizable his face will be from this.

Alison Simpson

No, it's not Ashlee and Jessica's sister. It's MY Alison! Haven't you ever wondered what you would look like as a Simpson? You can find out at Simpsonizeme.com
(yet another way to waste time....) You can see what I look like here.

Adventures at Grandma Suzie's

What luck that we were able to come to Utah to visit my family while Nick was in California on business. The 2nd day we were there Alison got to try her hand at "fishing" at Cabela's.

We also went to Bear Lake - here she is with her cousin Callie.I have more pictures of our trip, but I will have to post them later....

Here she is trying on her halloween costume - this was at the beginning of August and it was HOT! Her head was totally sweaty when we took it off. But she loved it! Cute little bug.

Field Trip to the Orthodontist

We took a little field trip to visit Uncle Dave for his upcoming birthday. Alison liked his office as much as Busch Gardens. She couldn't get enough of the exploring and all the cooing women. We had a great time!

The lights are really bright in there!

She made off with a new mouth mirror and toothbrush - although, I think she's trying to look at her face in the tiny little thing.

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?