Happy 2nd Birthday Alison!

Today Ali is 2! We had a fun party over the weekend to celebrate. I borrowed all of the cute decorations from my sister Emily, so she gets all the credit! She had a banner and tons of stuff left over from Elise's party and she was very nice to share with us.

Instead of cake, we did cupcakes with a circus animal on top.

Have you tried cotton candy recently? Wow. I can't believe I ever ate the stuff!!

I don't think Ali realized the party was for her until we started singing Happy Birthday. She looked around and realized we were singing to her! It was so cute.

She needed a little bit of help from daddy to blow out the candles :)

A very happy birthday girl!

Cute cousin Laney.

We played pin the nose on the clown. We only had Molly, Ali and Laney, but they LOVED it! It was totally worth the $1 I paid for it! And they each had several turns.

The party attendees! We didn't quite get everyone in the family, but we had a nice sized group that worked out well.

All of the kids were very helpful opening the gifts!

My mom gave Ali another kitty. It's identical to the one she has, only this one doesn't look like it has been run over by a car several times and washed! I forgot to take a picture of both kitties. It's pretty funny to see the difference.

She got a pretty dress from her other grandparents and we got her a little people fairy treehouse.

It's hard to believe that 2 years ago I was in the hospital having a baby 6 weeks early! I was so calm, yet had no idea the fun roller coaster ride we would be on early in Ali's life. After 3 weeks in the nicu she came home to us and we were so excited! Then after 3 weeks at home we rode in an ambulance from the doctor's to primary children's hospital for her to be treated for rsv. She was there for 5 days and then came home on oxygen, which she quickly got off of. She was so small, starting at 5 lbs. 3 oz. but after about 4-6 months, the doctor would just laugh when we brought her in, she looked so great, healthy and strong! And not like a preemie. Ever since she has been so healthy and has caught right up to what is normal for her age.

Dear Alison,
We are so grateful to have you in our family!! You are such a happy girl and you are so quick to smile! We love your happy, cheery disposition. You are a singer! You pick up on the songs Molly sings and you sing them as well. The other day we were out shopping, just you and me, and you were just singing the whole time, making up words. It was so cute! You love apple juice, your kitty and bunny blanket, and treats, which you request almost every day! In the past few months you have really started to talk and it has been so fun to understand and communicate better with you. You love chapstick and lip gloss and are willing to share it with everyone. You tell us, "Say mmmmm," and then you put it on! You recently have started to answer by saying, "Yeah, sure." When we ask you something or tell you to do something, you say "ok!" in the happiest voice ever. You are an obedient little girl. You love to be chased and you are in love with your daddy! You love animals and look out as we drive in the car to see if you spot any and then you point them out to us. You love shoes and socks and take them on and off all day, including anyone's shoes you can find! When I come to pick you up at the gym you are usually wearing someone else's sock and/or shoes! You are a great nap taker and still love your binky, although pretty soon we will probably be taking it away. You can be feisty and sassy, and we love that about you. When you take a bath you are last to get out and wait on your tummy until all the water has drained out and even then I have to convince you to get out! You bring us so much joy!

Love, Mom and Dad