Thankgiving in Chicago

This Thanksgiving Ivan, Allison, and I traveled to Chicago to spend the holiday with the Rousonelos family. I flew out with Allison on Saturday - so stressful traveling by yourself with a one year old, but thank goodness for Delta, they saved the seat next to me, so Allison had some space to play and the 3 hour flight went well. Before the holiday, Kailey and I went to see a movie "Twilight" and had fun being sisters. Then Allison and I went to Aunt Ginny and Uncle Mark's for dinner (my mom's sister), we had lots of fun and of course Allison had ANOTHER birthdy, but unfortunately I forgot my camera to document it.
Ivan arrived on Wednesday morning, just in time for the holiday preparations.

Thanksgiving

Dad mashing potatoes with a special potato ricer - interesting product - the potatoes turned out so yummy, but that might have been the sour cream, cream cheese and butter.Ivan helped make the cobb salad by shreading the rotissery chicken, getting his hand full of guck.

I fell down on the job for taking pictures of Thanksgiving, I didn't get any of the Rousonelos spread - and what a spread it was. I ate so much, I really thought it was going to pop! All of the greek hors de'overes, turkey, and holiday yummys. Then there was an entire buffett of desserts - yum!

Here are the two pregos - I am 22 wks and Eleni is 20 wks.

Her LAST 1st birthday party!

Ivan and Kailey gave Allison a bath before Allison's birthday party.

Why do kids drink bath water - ICK!!!

Why is there a fire on my cupcake?

Yummy pumpkin cupcakes - Thank you Tracey! This is what a cupcake is all about!!!

Lots of presents.... Allison is getting good at opening the wrapping and she loves to tear the paper

Of course, then she wants to play with the presents. If you try to take the toy away so she can open the next one, she gets mad. I guess the days of open a present and toss it aside for the next one will be coming soon.

She loved the big book and all of the presents. Thank you to Papou, Yiayia (Tracey), Aunt Kailey, Yiayia Nola, Great Uncle Stan, and his girlfriend Sophia.

We made it out of Chicago just in time. Our return flight was at 7:30am on Sunday morning - not so exciting, but when we arrived home we found out that we just missed the snow and ice in Chicago and avoided the delays. Thank goodness!!!

Allison enjoyed riding around in Ivan's suitcase, she didn't want to get out! I'm just amazed his suitcase got unpacked the day we got home, another reason to fly home early.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for the love, support, and health of our family and friends!

A packing distractor

Thank goodness for husbands, Ivan took over Allison duty while I packed for Chicago. I tried earlier in the day, but Allison thought it was a fun game, mommy puts stuff in the suitcase and Allison takes it out and unfolds it. Although it was a fun game for her, it was counterproductive and frustrating for me, so Ivan was my hero!

His little groupie! Only Allison can enjoy Ivan's "guitar playing" and "singing" - the love of a daughter.Of course, Allison wanted to try, but all she wanted to do was hit the chords.

She did strum the guitar a few times, but with her non-musical parents, I am NOT expecting a musical genius.

Trip to Pocotello

This past weekend, we went to Pocotello, ID to visit, Ivan's younger brother, Eric and Jill and their daughter Ayden (1 year older than Allison). We didn't have any big plans, except to hang out and have fun.

Pocotello is 2.5 hours away and I was nervous about the drive with Allison, it was her longest drive by far, but she did wonderfully. Ivan sat in back with her and she giggled and bonded with her daddy.

On Saturday morning, the boys went off to play flag football and the girls followed and were cheerleaders. But after a serious case of the "drop-sees" from the boys, giggles from Jill and I, and cold breezes, we took the girls home. Later that day, we drove around Pocotello and neighbor city, Inkom to enjoy the rolling hills. Then, the highlight of the trip, making a Cafe Rio burrito dinner. We had the pork, yummy rice, and the best green sauce - it was great!
Then, Sunday was chuch and the return home. Thanks to Jill and Eric for their hospitality. We can't wait to visit again....Allison and Ayden did finger painting on Saturday. Ayden tried to show Allison, but Allison had no interest in painting on paper, she just wanted to color her body and eat the paint.

Afterward, the girls were in NEED of a bath. The highlight for Allison was the wooden spoon, she stirred up the bathtub.

And the verdict is....

Yesterday, Ivan and I went to the doctor for the official ultrasound for the baby. They checked all of the internal organs and reviewed the lab work - this baby is HEALTHY - which is all I cared about.

But on to the more important news... the baby is... A BOY!!! Ivan is so excited and did a fist pump at the ultrasound, he said he didn't want to be a nerd and jump up and down, which is what I expected. I bought the baby his first cowboy onesie. Ivan is already planning for many pairs of cowboy boots and sports balls. I'm just scared of getting sprayed.

Pictures on the way - they only gave us a hard copy, so I have to get them scanned before I can upload them to the blog.

Allison goes to the doctor

Allison went for her one year check up and shots on Tuesday. Here are her stats:

Weight - 19 lbs 5 oz - 25th percentile
Height - 30.5 inches - 90th percentile

Still tall and thin, the doctor says she should slow down in the next year or so.

Allison turns 1

November 6th is Allison's birthday - she turned one today!

I was suppose to work a 3-11pm shift so I thought we were not going to have a party on her birthday. But they let me leave early from work so I could go home and celebrate... YIPPEE!!! Before I got home, I stopped to pick up a small birthday cake for the birthday girl.

Allison's birthday present from her mommy and daddy was a new car seat. She is still sitting backward (what they recommend until 18 months - boo-hoo) but this car seat can be easily turned around when she is ready.


Walking Movie:
Here is another (upright) video of Allison walking. She is moving now but she still likes to be held best. Sorry the movie is a little dark...

She has FINALLY started walking

Allison decided to show off for all of the Goffin's and started walking. Finally, Allison is moving beyond the furniture surfing and fast crawling. Ivan filmed it from the side... Sorry if you get a neck ache. We will post another walking episode from a right side up.

Birthday Party

Ayden and Allison had a dual birthday party at the Goffin's house. Ayden turned two and Allison turns one on Nov. 6th. Thanks to the Goffin's for hosting the party.

Ayden and Allison had individual little birthday cakes. Allison got into hers before we all were looking or had sung "Happy Birthday".

We had to take her clothes off, she was making such a mess, but she loved every minute of it. We had to give her a bath afterward, the icing and cake were everywhere.

Present time

Mrs. Goffin gave Allison a push musical roller, it was her favorite toy. It was the only time all day that she stayed in one place.

Lori and Jared gave Allison some piggy PJs for her birthday, so Ayden put on her matching PJs and they both looked adorable!