ALYSE

Since it has been awhile since I wrote an update, I will do a summary:

She is now 15 months old.
Walking and talking
She says "B" for Bailey, Ball, More, Momma, Go Cougs (it was rough, but I heard it), yes, no, bannana and .......I am sure there is more.
She loves to Dance and will shake it to anything but her favorite is Black Eye'd Peas and Boom Boom Pow.
She is a daddy's girl. Man, does she love Steve.
She has lots of teeth, atleast 6 on the bottom and 6 on the top. Seems like she gets a new tooth every week.
Potatoe Head is her favorite toy, although she loves loves books. Can't seem to get enough of the books.
She eats everything............I mean everything......
Weighs in at 24.5 pounds. She was at the doctor this week so I know this is accurate.

1/2 Marathon

One more year down (yes, it was my birthday)...but it couldn't have been better. We went to Seattle for Thanksgiving to see Steve's family. Lots of Fun. Alyse had a great time. We then ended the weekend with me running a 1/2 marathon in Seattle with my two most wonderful friends. I am so excited that we did it together.

Apple Cup 2009

Yes, So I know that the Cougs finsihed last in the Pac-10 but the Sorensons are die hards and we went to the game anyway. If nothing else it made for a cute picture, right??

Just a couple of days ago.

Oh, and I forgot.....The kid loves to read. (Thank you Auntie!!). She will bring you one book after another until you have all of them in a pile next to you and then she will want to start all over. Steve and I actually have to start hiding them from her because she always picks the really annoying ones to read multiple times. It really is fun BUT after an hour, its time to move on to something else. She also loves music (another THank you Auntie!!), she rocks out any time she hears a beat......this morning we were in the grocery store and she was rocking out. It was so funny.

I love this picture. Her First Coug Game. Oct. 3rd.

October? What happened to August?

So...it has been a month in a half since I posted any pictures. Sorry. We have been so busy!! Since her birthday in August, we have been to Yakima (for Auntie Eleni's wedding), Corvallis (to see Auntie Eleni), Eugene (to watch the Cougs play, or not, and hang out with Jason, Dawn and Ryan), and I am sure somewhere else...oh yeah, been to the coast one weekend and before that to Odel Lake in Eastern Oregon. Frankly, I can't remember the last weekend we were actually home. I think this weekend is the first in a long time, and it has been very very nice.

In the last month our little Alyse had her first year check up and got a flu shot. She started to Walk about a month ago. She gets more and more steady every day and is nearly running now. She is everywhere and to my surprise very fast. She loves to walk. Can't remember the last time she crawled.

Her eating habits have changed quite a bit. She used to eat everything and lots of it. Now she is a little more picky and will eat everything but meat and veggies. What I have figured out though is that she will eat all of the above if she is eating them off your plate and with a fork. If has to feed herself, she isn't interested. I hope this changes. I actually gave her a fork the other day and she understood the concept but wasn't able to do it on her own.

She is signing a few things now and says "more." I should have know that her first real words, after mom and dad, of course, would be "more."

What else....she has turned into quite the little daddy's girl. She would much prefer that Steve hold her and pay attention to her then me. She even goes down better for him. Guess that is why their father-daughter weekend last weekend went so well when I went to Scottsdale for a little get away with Brenda. I think they did great. I returned and she was very happy. Didn't seem sad at all that I hadn't been around. Steve did a great job.

Well, guess that is it. Hope all is well with everyone else.

First Birthday!

Yesterday we celebrated Alyse's First Birthday. Yes, we are a week early but with Eleni's wedding next weekend, it was just too much to fit in so........we did it early. We had a wonderful little gathering. Lots of fun. As you can see, Alyse had her own little cake and after a few minutes and discovering that it tasted okay, she dug in and made a huge mess. She got so mad at me when I took it away from her. Her personality always amazes me.

Hard to believe that a whole year has passed. Concerning how our lives have changed over the last year you would think that it would feel like too but surprisingly it doesn't. We just can't imagine our life without her now. She brings so much joy to our world an constantly makes us laugh. We are so greatful for her blessing in our lives and can not thank God enough for her continual good health. We just love her!!

Fun with Great Uncle Bob and Cindy

Steve left Alyse and I for the weekend and went to Seattle for Kyle Mosley's wedding. Alyse and I had lots of fun. On Friday and Saturday I got all my chores done so Sunday we could play and visit. We went to see Bob and Cindy in Medford. Alyse loved it. We then went to see Ray, Donna and Michelle. Alyse got to play on the swing set and go down the slight. She had a great time.

What's new with Alyse? She will be one in a couple of weeks. We are having a birthday party for her this coming weekend since we will be in Yakima for Eleni's wedding on her birthday. Nothing big, just a little get together of family and friends.

She is crawling everywhere and stands up--she pushes our stools across the kitchen floor and thinks that is great fun. She has good balance and I think will be walking soon. Im not pushing it though, its fine with me if she crawls a while longer.

Day Care is going well. She seems to be enjoying it. She is happy when we pick her up and that is all that matters.

We left her for a whole week a couple of weeks ago while Steve and I got a little vacation. It was wonderful but we missed her. She spent the week with her Grandparents in Yakima. Auntie Eleni, Auntie Effie, Auntie Erin, Uncle Matt, and little "L" were there to help too. Sounds like they had great fun. We are so thankful to them for taking her and giving her lots of love.

What else? Not much more that I can think of. She learns more and more everyday and is talking up a storm, not that we can make most of it out........most of the time. She has wonderful laugh and can't seem to wipe the smile off her face...although last week when we had her one year pictures done..she seemed to forget how to smile.

I can't believe she is so BIG!!

So, it has been a month since Eleni left. Makes me sad to write about it so I wont. We had a great 4th of July. Grandma & Grandpa were here from Yakima. Eleni and Andrew were here from Corvallis. Ryan and Jordan were here from San Jose. Then the usual gang of Grandpa Alan and Glenda. We had a good time.

Alyse was sick for an entire week and we had to stay home with her. Then, she got pink eye an was home for two days. Needless to say, Steve and I are thinking that we need a backup plan.....oh, wait...there isn't anyone....any volunteers? She is better now.

Alyse went and spent the evening with Grandma Donna last night. Steve and I went on a date for the first time since Alyse was born. She did great! (the first two previous times she cried the whole time). It was nice for us to get out.

This weekend we have just spent some good family time together. It has been nice.

Saying Good-Bye to Auntie

We moved Eleni to Corvallis on Saturday. She starts school next monday and gets married in a couple of months. We are so excited for her. BUT we miss her....I am now writing the rest of this 3 weeks later, been in draft form for a few weeks. Anyway, we are getting on pretty good. Daycare has been an adjustment for us. Alyse did 2 weeks--and then got sick--and has spent this entire week at home.......with us! One of the many blessings of daycare, I suppose!

9 months old

Alyse turned 9 months old last weekend.

*She spent her first weekend away from her parents. (we, went to Vegas..yeah). She did great. Her and Auntie stayed in GP and went to boatnik. They went to the parade and get watched the rides at the park (auntie went on the rides). On Sunday they had a BBQ. Auntie says she was perfect.

*This weekend we had a pool party with Alyse and Ella. We bought them a little blow up pool and let them play in the water. The weather was HOT, HOT, HOT. They both seemed to really like it. Can't wait until they get to enjoy the slide that came with the pool too.

Oh, the adventures of crawling

Alyse is everywhere. One of the places she loves to crawl is under the chairs. The only problem is that she can't get out. We let her try---but eventually we have to help out!

Update

So since San Fran and Napa we have continued to be on the move (big surprise). The weekend after San Fran we went to the Northern Oregon Coast and met up with Jen, Kevin (Collin, Owen and Kate) and Jen and Brian (and Conner) for a 4 day coast get away. We had a great time on the beach. The weather was awesome!! It was so good to see everyones kids and see how much they have grown up since last time I saw them. Alyse had a good time with the other kids.

The following weekend was Mothers Day Weekend. We spent it, as we always do, planting flowers on Saturday and then on Sunday going to brunch. The weather cooperated again and we got some good sun.

This last weekend we went to Seattle for Aunt Eleni's bridal shower. We got to see Steve's entire side of the family (except Fritha) and my Aunt Ginny and Counsin Kim. We also go to see Jen and Kate, what a treat!!!

Now for the Alyse update: Alyse figured out how to crawl about a week ago. She has been pulling herself along for a couple of weeks but last thursday it just clicked and now she is moving.....very quickly. Man does it change the way we do things at the house. Eleni said that during the day she can't do simple thinks like the dishes without her being everywhere. She also can't go out and lay in the sun like she used to. Alyse just wont stay on the blanket with her toys anymore, too much more fun stuff to explore instead.

She also figure out how to sit herself up and stand. Now she pulls herself up on everything. Including her crib. This has caused many sleepless nights over the last week because as soon as she wakes up and realizes that she is alone, she stands in her crib. This causes the tears to roll down her face. So sad.

She also got a bit of her first cold this last week. Im not real sure if the runny nose is a cold or from her teeth. They say this can be a sympton of teething. Oh, yes, in the last couple of weeks she has got 4 teeth, 2 on top and 2 on the bottom. This has also caused the girl to be a little grumpy. Who could blame her?

As for eating, she eats everything and likes almost everything except peas. She feeds herself fairly well and can make a mess with the best of them (if we let her).

All and all I think Alyse is doing very well for an 8 month, almost 9 month old little girl. If she could tell you, I think she would say that she is pretty darn happy.

Guess that is it for the update. Sorry it took so long but things have been busy. I will post pictures later.

Napa, California

Golden Gate/Our Trip to the Island

Pier 39/ Mary-go-around/Trolley

San Fransisco/Giants Game

Hanging with Auntie in the Sun

Last week we had really warm weather. I think it was almost 80. Auntie and Alyse were outside all afternoon in the sun. Alyse likes it outside. We are so anxious for Spring. I think the good weather is just around the corner. :) (April 2009)

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit. They brought Aunt Hannah. We had lots of fun. Grandpa watched me all day so mommy, Grandma, Hannah and Aunt Eleni could go look for a wedding dress. Grandpa says I was an angel! (April 2009)

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Brenda bought the girls Thing 1 and Thing 2 onesies. They are so cute. We are stil yet to get a good picture of them together. We will keep working at it.

7 Months Old

Alyse and I went to the Oregon Coast with Brenda, Ella and Eleni. We had a great time.

Best Friends

How could you not love this kid!

6 months old