AliceLayne

And so it begins… Your first experience waking up to see what Santa brought you and what’s the first thing you see? The brand spankin’ new, shiny, sparkly structure with wheels just waiting to be ridden. 

I remember throughout my adolescent years, waking up to a new bike was such a rush of adrenaline! 

And it was! It was the first thing you saw and even though you were tired, you wanted to get on. As we took the rest of the morning to open more gifts, you slowly forgot about the bike. But once we cleaned up, you hopped on and couldn’t quite get it. But you wanted to!

We had friends over for Christmas lunch and we went outside to “try” to ride this “big girl bike.” It was still very new and different from your little red tricycle. But you were so eager and I loved see it. 

Eventually, you got too frustrated to try anymore. (Your issue was that you couldn’t coordinate yourself to keep the peddles going. Everytime one got to the top, you would brake.) so we decided it was best to try again the next day.

And what a difference a little sleep was! You hopped onto that bike and it was like someone came to you in a dream and told you how to ride! A few weeks later, and Dad and I can’t even keep up with you without jogging behind. Not only that, but you are willing and able to ride about two miles everyday. 

You are growing up way too fast, girly. I am in awe when I watch you ride that bike. And soon.. I’m sure training wheels will be off. We couldn’t be more proud of you! 

We were able to spend Christmas in our own home to ring in some of our own traditions.

Don’t get me wrong. I love being in Memphis with our extended family but we were able to keep busy and have a last Christmas all our own as a family of  three. 
  
  
  

We love Halloween in this house! So much so, you are already almost decided on your costume for next year. You were the cutest Lorax I’ve ever seen!

 The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of your favorite movies

    
So Dad and I decided to be Jack and Sally

If you didn’t guess by the last post, that was the day we found out we were pregnant with our second baby! Now that we are 18 weeks in, I can say I am over the shock of it all and ready to get this ball rolling! 

The day we found out, we all had been napping. Including Nani and JoePop who were visiting for the weekend. I decided after we woke up to go ahead and take a pregnancy test and there it was clear as day. You were right there and saw Daddy and I hug and you joined in on the family hug not even knowing why we were so happy and emotional. Typically, parents wait to tell their toddlers they are going to be a big brother or sister, but we felt you were mature enough to know right that same moment with us. As soon as we told you, the first words that came out of your mouth was “I will help you feed it and change its diapers!” Needless to say, you were very excited. And that made us beam with delight.

Directly after our family moment, we decided to go ahead and tell Nani and JoePop. There was no way we could keep that a secret from them while they were with us. So we let you break the news by saying you would be a big sister! As per the usual, they cried tears of happiness and you could probably hear the excitement for miles. 

We have a lot of planning to do, but I believe that this is the best time in our lives to grow our little family from three to four. You couldn’t be any sweeter about having a baby in the house and you are so excited. I smile every time you pat my belly, kiss it, and even tell me it’s getting “huuuuge”! 

I can’t wait to see you thrive as an older sister. I know you will be so amazing at it, which is one of my top reasons for having a second child. You were made to be a sibling, not an only child. Just know that you will always be my “baby.” That will never change. You have earned such a special place in my heart and that will never be taken away from you. You are my best friend! My shopping buddy! My snuggle bug and my pal. 

I love you, Big Sis!

Love, Mommy

on this day

first day!  

This home fell into our laps at such a perfect time. The walls felt like they were caving in on me in the apartment. 

While we were in Chicago, daddy told me about a house that was posted in his office by a couple who only rents to Coast Guard personnel. He jumped on it and made a call before even talking to me. 

We saw the home the day after we got back from Chicago.  He was the first one to call, and therefore, we were the first ones to see the house, so we jumped on it. 

You stayed with your friend Owen most of the day while we moved, but your emotions were definitely running high. One minute you were excited about being in the new house and the next minute, you said you wanted to go back to our ‘home’ which made me sad but I understood your feelings. It is our first night here, and I don’t feel at home yet. 

Although we are very sad you will never meet a few of your great grandparents we are so very happy you have been able to spend time and smiles with those that are still here.  

PawPaw. My grandfather and HeyHey’s dad. 87.

Booma. Daddy’s grandmother and JoePop’s Mom. 95.