Allie "sneezing"

Remember that video I showed months back of Allison's strange behavior that we hypothesized must be her imitating sneezing?  Well, I'm pretty sure we were right, because she still loves to imitate sneezing:

Distant hugs

Tonight, I was talking to Daddy, who is out of state right now, on speaker phone.  I was trying to get Allie to wave and say, "Buh-buh," for Daddy, which she's been saying all day.  Daddy told Allie, "I love you...I love you," as I held up the phone for Allie.  She wrapped her arms around my hand and the phone and put her cheek against the phone, the same way she hugs Daddy when she's in his arms.  She hugged "him" several times before we hung up.  So sweet.

Also, yesterday, after I had purchased something at the store with credit card, Nicole asked me, "Mommy, why do grownups sometimes scribble at the store?"

House

Kitchen

Walnut butcher block countertop for kitchen island will arrive in a few weeks

Upstairs bathroom

Basement bathroom

Stairs

Dining area

Family room / play room

(Cork floors)

Deck

Exterior

Allison's first word

Allison said her first word!...two months ago.

On September 11th, I took the cub scouts hiking while my co-leader babysat my kids because she couldn't hike because of a foot injury.  When I picked the girls up, I was engaged in conversation with my co-leader while Allison was waving and saying, "Buh-buh!"  So I didn't notice it until after the fact, and I said, "Was she saying, 'bye-bye'?  Did she just say her first word?"  However, she didn't repeat it again, so I wasn't sure.  However, a couple nights ago, when we left Grandma and Grandpa's house, Allison was waving again and saying, "Buh-buh!" and, "Duh-duh!"  So apparently that was her first word.

She also says, "Uh-oh," (or at least the intonations).  Daddy claims she says, "Buh-buh," for "ball."  Nicole and Daddy have each claimed at different times to have heard Allison say what sounds like, "Nicole."  Also, when I've handed Allisons items, I've heard her make the same intonation and rhythm I've created when I say, "Thank you."  Finally, I've also heard her say, "Ah-duh," (all done) a few times.  She's on her way to being a regular human.

The observer

I love Allison's awareness of others.  For example, two Sundays ago, Nicole was crying because Allison accidentally kicked her in the eye.  Allison stood up and inspected Nicole.  I thought she was going to give her a hug again, but instead she turned around, walked over and picked up Nicole's favorite baby doll, and brought it over to her.  Nicole readily and happily accepted it.

Last night, I wanted to see if Allison knew the word, "Uh-oh."  So, in an attempt to get her to repeat the word, I dropped a baby book and said, "Uh-oh."  Allison walked over, picked it up, and handed it to me.

I remember one thing from each of our children's baby blessings.  In Nicole's blessing, I remember that she would love others - I remember that because it was repeated many times.  In Allison's blessing this past February, I remember that she would be a support to her family and her sister.

Nicole

Allison

The house was filled with laughter and excited screams a couple weeks ago, as Nicole pushed Allison around in a box (or boat) all evening, piling more and more things onto her.  By my observation, younger siblings are remarkably tolerant of whatever their older siblings bring upon them.  They know no other reality.  The way Nicole carts Allison around in a most uncomfortable fashion - Nicole hoisting Allison from behind, arms wrapped around her chest, Allison's back arched and belly sticking out, but Allison never crying or complaining - is an appropriate illustration of this common sibling dynamic.

Daddy took a picture of us because he was amused by our similar sleeping expressions:

Nicole and I made sugar cookies for Halloween, and shared some with our neighbors.  I kind of like the one that looks like a video game character:

I finally found that little book that Nicole made right after she first started kindergarten.  I also photographed one she made yesterday.  It's amazing to me how much her penmanship has improved:

Sunny Sticker Book

Sune Sticr Bc

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Boom.  The flowers are booming.

Is the sun bright

Yes!  The sun is bright

The Girl Named Nicole

The girl named Nicole.

Once a time.

A girl named Nicole.

The sun is happy.

The sun is sad because it doesn't have any friends.

The sun is happy because it sees a rainbow.

The sun is sad.

The sun is happy because the clouds are its friends.