Getting Ready for Florida

Wearing one of her 3 swimsuits

We are all excited to head to a warmer climate very soon.  Not too excited for the packing and plane rides, however.  Almost every night we look through the scrapbook of our last Florida trip (this is Shay's choice of book) and Shay asks questions about the plane, the pool, etc.   I have gotten both of the girls summer clothes washed and new swim suits.  Brett and Shay have also prepared by trying out some new swimming techniques.

11 Months

The biggest news this month.... Alyssa is on the move.  Previously she had shown almost no interest in crawling, but after one day staying home sick with Dad, she was moving!  She decided crawling on all fours at a pretty fast rate was the way to go.  We are happy she is able to get where she wants to go most of the time.  However, with this new found independence there is a little new found attitude.  She has some opinions on where she would like to be, as well as where she would like others to be!
Some other new things this month include- clapping and waving (we think) and eating almost all table food.  She has developed a little bit of attachment to mom, separation anxiety here we come.  We are also starting to refer to her much more as "Lyssa" or "Lyss",  I guess we will see if that sticks.   Either way, we are pumped to see her personality come out more and more each day and can hardly believe she will be 1 next month!

Welcome Hope Aleda and Charity Irene!

Our friends Rodd and Kristina (who have gotten to know really well playing volleyball year round the last 5 years) welcomed their twin babies, Hope and Charity early this morning!  Because they are early they are spending time in the NICU, so please send good thoughts their way.  We wanted to say "congrats" to big sister Faith as well.  Hope and Charity-- we are pumped you share a birthday with Shay!  Yeah more girlfriends in Rochester!

Happy 3rd Birthday Shay!

3 years ago today, we were at Methodist hospital holding our little girl who decided to come a couple days before we had planned. Its been 3 amazing years and she has already taught us so much! Happy Birthday Shay Fontaine!

Cousins:  Millie (2), Olive (4), Taylor (3)

Enjoying her Buzz Lightyear and Woody Cake

The Hit of the Party

So Tired after such an exciting day-- a cat nap at dinner!

A Day in the Life..

A lot of our days are pretty routine and normal (thank goodness :).  Getting up early for work and daycare, and then relaxing at night together.  The weekends are always variable, but we try to have as much fun as we can!

Alyssa, Millie, Shay and Olive

Tackling Time!

Papa Bill and Playdo

Grandma Ginger

  Making sure the crib tastes the same as yesterday

10 Months

Its hard to believe the youngest member of our family is 2 months shy of being a year old.  Wow.  Alyssa is such a joy to be around.  With her laid back personality, the way she loves to grab your hair, give kisses and snuggle,  Alyssa can light up your day.  Though we joke that she is our "high maintenance" child, she is a pretty easy baby.   As far as developments over the last month, Alyssa-
- calls her bottle "ba, ba"
- says "ma ma" especially when she is upset (not sure if I like this or not)
- loves playing games- peek a boo, so big or just goofing around
- uses the pincher grip constantly
- eats quite a bit of table food, her favorite being cheese
- gets into the sitting position from laying down
- has taken one to two moves forward on all fours, but is not crawling
Infact, we aren't sure if she is goinng to crawl-- we have not seen much interest of movement forward.  I guess we will have to stay tuned for the gross motor skills-- reminds me of someone :)