Aly Speaks!!!

This is how I found them.
Do you see a resemblance here?

So I'm in trouble for not posting this sooner, but Aly has had a very busy week. Yes, it has happened, dear friends. Aly has said her first word and it's..."Mama"!!! I didn't tell everyone right away because I thought she had just learned that developmental "m" sound, but on three occasions, she has said it when I've gone to her crib to get her. We can also get her to say it on command. Then this morning...oh, you aren't going to believe me, but I promise, it's true... she was watching "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" and Mickey said something like, "the bird misses his mommy" and Aly immediately looked up at me and said, "Mama?" I know. She's gifted.

And that's not all!!! Today Aly waved bye-bye to Mrs. Sizemore, our school librarian, and her two girls! Her daughter, Micah, was the first person to get her to really laugh and now she's waved at her for the first time, too. I told her I would call her when it's time to walk.

I have video of these milestones, but no pictures, so here are some more from Grandmother's birthday. As you can see, Cousin Holly LOVES Baby Alyson.

Get into the Groove...

Aly dressed as an 80s rocker chick for Grandmother's 80th birthday party. Check out the off-the-shoulder tee and the alternating socks. They made her shoes too tight, so the outfit isn't quite complete. Mommy, Shelly, Aunt Kristi, and Cousin Holly got into the spirit too. Eat your heart out, Madonna.

Pretty Girl

Aly is wearing a dress that her great-great grandmother made. We only left it on long enough to take pictures. It's a little too fragile for a curious seven month old. Look at her sitting up like a big girl!

Aly Eats Big Girl Food

For about a month now, Aly has been eating big girl baby food. She has now been exposed to green beans, carrots and squash. Squash is her favorite. She opens her mouth wide when she sees the spoon and laughs between every bite. She also thinks it's very funny to spit her big girl food out on Mommy.

Sweet Baby

Aly's First 4th of July

Sailor Aly

More Vacation Pics

This isn't so bad. I like the beach...



Wait a minute. I don't like sand...



Seriously! Pick me up, Dad!! I hate sand!!

Bob's First Vacation

Aly (FYI, Donny and I have started calling her Bob, which is short for Bobby, which is some form of Baby.) has just returned from her first vacation to sunny Destin, Florida. She was such a good girl on the whole trip, even though I'm quite sure that she would like for us to burn her car seat after being strapped in for hours and hours. She loved the ocean... as long as we didn't make her touch it. When we got there, she squished her toes in the sand and watched the waves crash in amazement all up until an unexpected wave crashed its way into her diaper. That was the end of her love for the water. She much preferred sitting under the umbrella in her Bumbo seat, taking in the sights and staying nice and dry. Her favorite part of the whole trip was the Gulfarium. She loved the aquariums and the dolphin show. She was much more interested than we thought she would be. She might not remember her first vacation, but we made memories that Mommy and Daddy will never forget.