1st Birthday Pictures

Last night Kimber came over and we set up our studio so we could take Alison's official 1st birthday pictures. She really didn't cooperate but we still got a few good ones...Now I totally am partial to black and white pictures, but I am going to show you both...













I'm all done!!

Baby food gone wasted!!

I finally cleaned out my freezer the other day and look at all the baby food I had to throw away!! (Note..I made all of this that one time in May..it went a long way!)

Pan Can Walk

Yesterday, Greg, Alison, and I joined Dana and her family for the Pan Can Walk in honor of Grammy Gram!! Hopefully I can get a the group picture, but here is a few of Greg and Ali.....We had a great time raising awareness!!

Pon Pon

YEAH!! Her hair is long enough for a little pony...Check it out!!




You should have seen what it looked like when she woke up from her nap...

Happy Birthday Bear..

Ayi...Alison is so attached to this crazy bear. Auntie Laurie bought it for her for her birthday and she LOVES LOVES LOVES IT! Thank you Auntie Laurie!! :)

G and M Images

Well..I have ventured off in a new direction! Kimber (a great friend from church) and I have started our own photography business together. I know crazy!! I have really been enjoying the classes that I have been taking and have learned alot about taking pictures. I don't think (actually I know..) I wouldn't have pursued this if it hadn't been for the strong support and encouragement from Greg. He really believes that we can do well...So if he believes in me, then I should believe in myself. I am trying to find someway to make some extra money while still being able to stay home with Alison. We are going to focus on two main areas...Senior Portraits and Family/Kids. After doing some research, we were amazed at how bad seniors in high school were getting ripped off. Our goal is provide great pictures at a resonable price (which includes owning their pictures on a CD and having the freedom to print them whenever they want). We are putting the entire business in God's hands. We shall do what he puts our way. Check out our website and let me know what you think!!

www.gandmimages.com

P.S.- For those of you who are thinking (and I know you are out there!)..Gosh when is she ever going to use her degrees..Don't worry! I plan on using my teaching background with Alison (depending on schools in the future..we may look into homeschooling Alison if not I will be EXTREMELY involved in her schooling) and second..I attempted to get a Per Diem Child Life Position at Children's Hospital of Orange County. Unfortunately, they wanted me to commit to 30+ hours a week including weekends....Um..NO THANK YOU! at least not right now!!

Birthday Pictures

Here are some pictures of Alison on her actual birthday....

P.S.- I took her for her one year check up on Friday and Dr. Mahfoud says she is doing great. She weighs 19 lbs 14 ozs (not enough to turn her around in the car yet) and is 28 1/4 inches long. She is still tiny for her age, but that's ok with us! Daddy doesn't want her to be super big like him!!

Big Girl riding her bike




Look how tall she is...28 1/4 inches




Singing Happy Birthday..she actually looked like she was trying to blow the candles out!!




Not so sure of this ice cream cake...




Ok...I guess it is just yummy!!

yum...

chowing....

More...(oh what a surprise..she wants more!!

P.S.S- Something we have learned lately..Alison has a sweet tooth!! She loves loves sweets!! Ouch..I better watch out!

Grammy Gram

Today is not only special because it is Alison's birthday, but she shares this special day with Grammy Gram. Now Grammy Gram was not my grandmother nor Greg's..she was Dana's (my sister-in-law) grandma. I didn't know her all my life, but during the short time I did..it was undoubtedly evident that she was such a wonderful person. When I remember Grammy, all I can think about is Family. She loved (still loves) her family with everything she had and all that she was. I attribute Alison's arrival into our hearts..as physical proof that Grammy Gram went to heaven to be "Keeper of the Babies." Nana had a talk with her before she went to heaven and asked her to send us a precious baby. She wasn't up there long when she fulfilled her task..It couldn't been more perfect for Alison to share her birthday on the day one year later that Grammy went to heaven, got her angel wings, and began working on her task for me. (shh...Grammy..you can send us another one!!) Alison will know what truly makes this day so special!!



On Sunday October 26th, we are participating in pancreatic cancer walk in honor of Grammy Gram and ironically my maternal grandmother as well! There is nothing better then celebrating and honoring a loved who suffered a minute too long from these terrible diseases by participating and walking in their honor. We are excited to join Team Heart of an Angel!

Before/After

Today I cleaned out Alison's entire room. Man was that a chore. Anyways, I was rearranging stuff when I came across her coming home suitcase and outfit that her Nana Jan had given to her. um...I wonder what the hat would look like on her one year later....check her out....
Now

Then


**Take notice..this is my 100th post!! yippee!!

Happy Birthday Alison!

Happy Birthday Sweetie Pie!! My baby turned ONE today!! It truly has amazed me, not only how fast time has flown by, but just how much our lives have changed within this year. Alison has brought us so much joy and laughter. Our hearts beam with love for her daily. We have watched her grow into quite a little lady. See how much she has grown....
Alison Faith-Lucinda Gustafson
Born 10/15/07
Weight: 7 lbs 8 oz
Length: 19 1/2 in
Time: 8:40 pm




(P.S. Yes I bawled my eyes last night looking back through these pictures!)

And now....





Alison is quite a character. She continues to love to make people laugh and giggle. Here are some of her milestones, likes & dislikes....

Gross Motor development: She has figured out how to walk (Sept. 25th @ Nana's house). Her legs are getting stronger by the day, and now she is up to around 15- 20 steps before falling. Crawling is still the fastest method of transportation (especially when she is trying to get away from me!)

Fine Motor: Alison has perfected this to a T...meaning her pincer grasp is so good that she can find ANY SPECT OF ANYTHING off the floor and put it in her mouth! We are starting to work with a spoon during meal time as well.

Sleep: She continues to sleep like a champ! She is still taking 2 two-hour naps during the day and then sleeps a minimum of 10 hours at night. Yes she is just like her mom and dad!! She even hates to be woken up early. That is quite a sight might I add!!

Language: Alison is really excelling in this area. (what...maybe because her mother is like her grandmother and doesn't stop talking??? NO that can't be it!!) Her words are very clear and understandable. She can say "more", "Dadda", "Momma", "Belle", "Nala", "Hello", "milk", "book", "baba", "No", "yes". I have also been working real hard on teaching her sign language, and surprisely she is doing soo well! Alison can sign (again very clearly and understandably) thank you, more, please, eat, drink, milk, stop, no, yes, and her favorite book. I am going to try real hard to get them on video.

Nutrition: I am proud to say that during her first year of life we only spent $40.00 on formula! yeah...I think that is a big achievement! ok...so Alison's eating habits...well lets just say..Garbage Disposal!! haha...She eats everything and ANYTHING!! Seriously, from mushrooms to olives, chicken to beef, every kind of vegetable known, every kind of fruit, and sweets..sweets..sweets...(don't think you are going to eat anything sweet without sharing with her!) And during meal time there is no interupting or else you get the mega MORE sign thrown in your face!! I am excited to start her on peanut butter and whole milk after her doctor's appointment on Friday!

Some of her likes:
*Reading books, reading books, reading books
*Seeing her cousins Kelsea & Braeden
*looking for airplanes in the sky
*following Belle & Nala around
*Shower Time!
*Oh Daddy is her favorite (you should see when he gets home...Mom who??)
*Blankie & Paci still accompany her to sleep
*Baby Einstein's Baby First Moves
*loves to listen to music especially when she is tired

Some of her dislikes:
*taking baths (unless Braeden and Kelsea are with her)
*when daddy leaves for work

Current Size: 12 months
Shoe: size 4

Her newest tricks include closing your nose when you say she has a stinky diaper & when the phone rings she puts her hand to her ear and says hello! So funny!

I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to my sister in law who threw me a diaper shower & everyone who gave me diapers when I was pregnant. Can you believe this??? I haven't had to buy diapers for her yet...and I still have two huge Costco size boxes left!! Diaper showers and diapers are the way to go!! Thanks Dana!!

Greg & I couldn't feel more blessed to have such a sweet little angel with us. Being a parent is one of God's greatest gifts! We love you Alison..we always have..and always will! Happy Birthday my sweet child!

Dinner with her Aunties...

Can you say...Out-of-Control!!!

She was soo dirty...here's her bath!!