National Arboretum

Today we went to the National Arboretum http://www.usna.usda.gov/ . It is only about 2 miles from our house. It's funny we don't have a lawn but 2 miles away, there is grass as far as the eye can see. Allison had a great time walking around, picking up rocks and sticks and playing in the grass. I tried to take some pictures of her in front of some of the flowering trees, but she was too busy to stand still. We need a new camera with a very fast shutter speed. If I ever hope to get any good pics of her. She is always on the move or she wants to take the camera from my hands. At least you can see how pretty the the trees are at this time in DC. Daddy was very happy that his girl didn't want to be held or ride in the stroller. She wanted to walk, so she could pave her own trail through the park. When I picked her up to cross the street she would yell and kick until she was back on the ground!!

Here she is happily running through the grass with a rock in her hand. She collected many rocks but none were tasted today. Maybe we are finally moving out of that phase!

Allison found some tall grass that was pretty tough for her little feet to move through. But she enjoyed the challenge. Sorry, I'm talking so much in the video. I think she was telling me to be quiet and let her enjoy her time in the grass!!

Hanging at the Rec Center

On Wednesdays we go to a play group at the rec center across the street from our house. We usually meet inside and the kids run around and share each others toys. But of course the day I put Allison in a dress and tights. The center was full and we had to play outside. It was spring break and the rec center was running day camps for the school kids. It was cold and windy but at least it was sunny!! The kids had fun running around the track and playing in the dirt. Here is some video of Allison walking around the track. Well, actually she was stumbling around with a rock in one hand and part of brick in the other hand. She seems to gravitate towards dirt piles and rocks. Big rocks are okay. It's the pebbles that are tricky. She likes to collect several and then tries to eat a few. So, far I think I managed to fish them all out of her mouth!!

13.1 Finisher

Jim ran in a half marathon this weekend. He ran a 7 minutes & 45 seconds pace. He was pretty happy with his time but is hoping to run under the 7minutes & 30 seconds pace in May. I'm planning to run a 5k in May on the same day. I'll be happy if I finish!! The camera battery was dead as Jim finished the race. So, to remember the day. We decided to dress Allison up as a race finisher. Awesome foil blanket, finisher's metal and of course sun glasses!! She thought the foil blanket was great. She drug it around the house for quite a while.

I'm sure she'll be running circles around her parent's before long!!

Happy Birthday Daddy

Allison was dressed in green and white to help Daddy celebrate his birthday on March 17th!! Of course we took James Patrick out for a beer to celebrate his special day! Plus, bars a great place to showcase your parenting skills(just kidding)!! I know Jim looks smashed in this picture. He wasn't smashed. It is just IMPOSSIBLE for me to take a good picture of him and Allison. I'm not sure why? You'd think I'd have better luck getting a good shot with a digital camera but I don't!! As you can see, it was dark in the bar (at 3:30 in the afternoon) and they are both making silly faces.

Calling the Hogs, kind of...

Here is Allison dancing with a bottle opener that calls the hogs! She came across it while she was "cleaning out" the all the drawers in the kitchen. She loves to dance. She dances to music on commercials, from cars driving by, and the jackhammer digging up the street (she thought it had a mean beat)! The second video is her taking a few steps in the kitchen. She is mostly walking now. I'll try to get videos of her walking around town and in the park. I have to get Jim to go with us. Otherwise, she'll be bolting for the street or eating dirt while I try to film her!! Then I'd be "that Mom" at the park!! (Which I usually am any way;))

Tons of Randoms

Here's some of what we've been doing for the past couple of weeks! We've been really busy but it's been great to be busy! I'm ready for Spring!! I'm tired of being inside....
On one of our outings we went to the Museum of Natural History. They have a great cafe and neat gift shop. While we we're there we took some time to cruise through the hall of mammals. Allison with the Zebras. She was more excited about banging on the glass than she was about the animals (which don't move much ). The 90 year old elevator operator said, that Allison was dressed in "boy pants but the pink bow let you know she was a girl". I guess jeans could be considered "boy pants". I promise, Allison will be wearing more dresses come Spring time!

Cousin Connor entertaining Allison. He is always so good with her!!

Out and about on a cold day! I love this jacket.

Allison and the fork!! She was fascinated by her new fork! For several days she would eat anything you put on the fork. Sadly, the thrill is gone. Now she throws the fork and food on the floor if she isn't happy with my offering.

More to come soon!! Thanks for taking the time to read our blog!!!

We have a Toddler!!

Allison took 5 steps last weekend in NJ. She has been practicing walking every since. But today, she was really working on walking around the house. So much that she didn't take an afternoon nap! She was so busy trying to perfect walking. She couldn't be bother with sleeping!! Hopefully, skipping the afternoon nap won't be a new trend!! Here's two clips of her toddling around the kitchen. I'll try to keep up with her progression this week! I hope you enjoy the faces she makes as she concentrates on walking. As you can see, she is proud of her self!!