Say Cheese! :)

The absolute best part of Alyssa Grace's second month of life was that she started smiling. This is my favorite pic from that month...


I honestly don't know what I would do without my friends who have little ones a little a little older than Allie. I am constantly reminded that the "it takes a community" saying has so much truth to it. Stephanie's wisdom really saved the day for me this month. First, she helped me to find a schedule/rhythm that works for Allie and me. It's a simple as eat, play, sleep...in that order...in 3-hour cycles. Also, when she and Isaac come to visit I find that I am motivated to break out a new toy that Allie ends up loving.


The play mat has been a lot of fun this month. Allie loves to stare at the palm tree leaves and Mr. Pineapple. :) This gives me a little more freedom to do what I need to do as she contently stares. It's amazing how babies can be so enthralled by just looking at something, especially lights!! I no longer have to wait until she is asleep to, say, take a shower. The little toys hanging from the bouncy seat seem to just about give me enough time. She begins fussing by the end...no more long and leisurely showers.

We also started having some "tummy time." She didn't love it, but she didn't hate it either. Sometimes she would just contently lay there, but mommy would bug her and try to get her to lift her head so that made it annoying.


One of Allie's most exciting discoveries was her own thumb. She didn't master the trick of getting it into her mouth, but she was able to find it once in awhile. Mommy and daddy were excited about this because they were getting a little tired of hanging out by the swing and continually putting the pacifier back into her mouth until she fell asleep. Oh yeah, the swing is a great placed to nap!!


Allie went to church for the first time when she was 6 weeks old. We sat in the baby room, which is a glassed in room in the back. She was a little fussy, but eating kept her much more quiet. It's hard to cry when you are sucking on a boob. :) She got to share her first church visit with Ella. Afterwards she got even got to play!!

At the end of her second month, Allie took her first trip...