Christmas Time

Scaling the big present at Grandpa's house sounds like fun!!!!
Ally opening presents like a champ! However i don't know why she is dressed like a candy cane, why do Mom's have to make kids look like animals or food??

Almost "Back in the Pink"

This past week, we had yet another trip to the hospital. This time for a 2 night stay. We're beginning to get to know the nurses at Community North a little too well. After some IV antibiotics and some oxygen, Ally was well enough to go home. We are administering breathing treatments several times a day, most likey through the rest of winter. A few days afer getting out of the hospital, she had her 1 year check-up. Her stats are ~ Height: 31 inches (90th percentile) Weight: 21 pounds (45th percentile) Head circumference: 46 1/2 inches ( 81st percentile). So, our little baby is tall, skinny and has a big head.

For our Christmas card this year, I thought it would be nice to include a picture of Ally. So, Chad and I got her dressed up in her Christmas dress and sat her down by the tree. However, Ally was feeling uncooperative and absolutely did not want to have her picture taken. The pictures that we took weren't great, but we did get one that was sort of good enough to send out to our friends and family. As a side note, we took Ally to Sears to try and let the professionals have a go. Unfortunately, they didn't have any luck either. Apparently Ally did not like the photographers and would not stop crying. She was all smiles while we were waiting for our appointment and then the second we walked into the studio, she started screaming. They didn't even take one picture of our crying baby. Oh well, better luck next year. Above are the pictures that didn't quite make the cut.

Ally's 1st Birthday and Thanksgiving

Happy 1st Birthday Ally! Ally turned 1 on November 23. We had her birthday party on November 17, since her actual birthday fell on the busiest shopping day of the year! We had around 25 friends and family members over to help us celebrate. We had a yummy cake from Taylor's Bakery. Ally wasn't impressed with the cake. I think next year, we'll just go with a cheap cake from Marsh!

A few days after the party, Ally has more fun playing with the tissue paper that came with the toys than she does with the actual toys!

Ally, being the dainty little girl that she is, only poked at the cake. There was no smearing, smashing or smushing. She didn't even want to taste it! Ice cream was a no-go as well.

Our "Thanksgiving Spread". We hosted around 30 members of Chad's family and my dad and brother for Thanksgiving dinner. Chad's mom and dad came over early on Thanksgiving morning to help us get things going. They were a huge help! Everyone had a really good time and was totally stuffed!

Ally enjoys Thanksgiving dinner. I wonder who forgot to put a bib on her??? She did require a bath after she got done eating.

Grandpa Rader with his 2 granddaughters, Ally and Riley.

Ally and Uncle Matt (Erin's brother) pose for the camera.