Hello World.

by Allison

Here I am!  Thanks Gracie for introducing me, and for sharing the blog!

Have you gotten a good look at me yet?  This photo was taken 3 weeks ago by a photographer.  I've changed a little since then, but I wanted to share it with you all anyways.  As you can see, I'm partaking of one of my favorite past-times: napping.  That's pretty much what I've been doing since I was born.  I eat and sleep 90% of the time.  I'm really easygoing.  Last night, I even slept 7 hours straight!  I don't know if I'll do that again soon, as I was really hungry when I woke-up. 

That other 10% of the time, I enjoy bubble baths, a little tummy time, hanging out with my sister and parents, and sometimes a little swinging.  I also enjoy a good cry each evening at about 9:00 or 10:00pm.  Gotta get those vocal cords working!

I am growing quickly... official stats, and more baby news, coming soon!

Getting swung by my sister.  She even shared her toys with me.

I don't mind a little tummy time.

Taking in some words of wisdom.

The Sisterhood Merger

by Gracie

I was really not sure that I would like being a big sister.  Sometimes, I'm not a big fan of sharing.  Aside from sharing my parents and my house, I really haven't had to share too much since Allie arrived.  She and I have different interests at this point.  I really really love her, and love being a big sister, and it looks like she is here to stay.  So, as I am sure you noticed, I have decided to share this blog.  I will let her write her own updates for you all.  Just look at the beginning to see who's talking to you.

Here's a couple of examples of those differences that I mentioned:

Allie loves to sleep.

I love bubbles.  In fact, "boobles" is my word of the week.

Allie loves to sleep.

I love to toss the ball with Daddy.

Here's one of the few activities that we both enjoy.  Baby bathtime!

She is still here!

Here she is again, my sister Allison.  We are getting along very well so far.  She still sleeps a lot, and is not really interested in playing with me, but I'll keep trying.  I'm almost always glad to see the behbee, and I like to help my parents take care of her whenever I can.

We've gone a few places together.   Our first outing was a shopping trip with our parents.  Thank goodness Sam's has double-wide carts.  The parents also took us to the playground.  Yesterday, just us girls ventured out to storytime at the library and a little time on the playground.  I proudly announced her arrival to everyone at the library, and she behaved very well.

The hardest part about being a big sister so far is probably sharing my mom & dad, but I'm trying really hard.  I'm very glad that my dad has not had to go to work too much.

I've tried to show Allie some things that are fun to do.  I invited her to join my rhythm band as the lead cymbal player... I think she's giving it some thought.  She hasn't given me a firm answer yet.

 

I also tried to show her about wearing bows in her hair, one of my new favorite things, now that I have some hair.  I am a little concerned that she has more hair than I did when I was her age, but as long as she doesn't catch up with me, it'll be all right.  By the way, I like when she falls asleep in the carrier.  Then I can really get my hands on her.  Even though the carrier doesn't have wheels, I can push it across the kitchen floor pretty fast!

We've got a lot more getting to know each other to do, and I'm looking forward to it.  That's all for now... behbee calls!

Waiting for beh-bee

I don't usually back-track, but the week or so before my sister got here was so much fun. My mom, dad, Aunt G, and I were keeping busy and waiting for the "beh-bee." (I prefer a French-ish pronunciation of "baby.") Where there is Aunt G, there will be photos! If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Aunt G must've captured about 500,000 words. Here are some highlights:

Driving Arthur to school.

Making friends with the dog at Savannah's "Waving Girl" statue.

River Street, after visiting the Candy Kitchen.

All dolled up and ready to share some jell-o.

Watching the barges down by the river.

Teaching Aunt G how to pilot the space ship.

Swinging high with de Da at the park.

B&D Burgers... my sister was born later this day...

Riding "Lacey."  She was my sister's homecoming gift to me.

Having a ball at Leapin' Lizards.

Many, many trips to the playground.

A wonderful time leading up to the wonderful surprise that is my sister.  Thank goodness Aunt G was here to teach me how to be a great sister!

Coming very soon... new pictures of Miss Allie!

It's a baby!

1/2 a day old!

As you may have already heard, my little sister, Allison Lee, arrived on Friday, March 4, 2011 at 1:33AM.  She looks nothing like the ball I was expecting, although she is a little chubby butterball... 9 pounds and 5 ounces, and 20 inches long at birth.  (That's above 95% for her weight, and 75% for her height!)  She got her middle name from my mom's grandma, and her first name from long debates between my parents.  She's already got nicknames too: Allie-Cat and Allie-Gator.

I visited her at the hospital for a couple days, and then my parents brought her home.  I was really excited to meet her, and so far, I quite like her.  If you'd like to see some video of our first meetings, be sure to check out my Aunt Gretchen's videos that she uploaded to YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/gmvoelker

Checking to be sure she does not have more hair than I do.

Allie sleeps A LOT.  She sleeps and eats.  She has not got the message about not napping, but it's ok, because I get a little more of my mom's attention that way.  I've been spending a lot of quality time with my dad lately, and having a blast.  And the last week and half, my Aunt G was here with me, waiting for Allison and hanging out with me while my parents were at the hospital.  We had a lot of fun, and I have a bunch of pictures to share with you soon.  I miss Aunt G a lot.

Our first picture as a family of 4!  Mom, Aunt G, and I made the 'welcome home' sign last week.

My mom says she might not have a lot of time to help me with long blog updates in the near future.  In fact, my mom was updating Gracieland the night that Allie interrupted and decided to be born!  But check back for a photo montage of my time with Aunt G, and more updates on Allie.  Although she sleeps all the time, she seems to change a little everyday.  I've got so much to teach her!