Family Dinner

Ally enjoyed spending some time with both of her grandmas!

Grandpa Nick sure loves Ally!

A group shot after our family dinner at One Fish Two Fish- little Ally couldn't stay awake long enough to smile for the camera.

Peek-a-Boo and Cereal

Checked Out

I've checked out for a few weeks. My parents were in town last week, this weekend we're at the lake for the holiday weekend and we're heading to Myrtle Beach on Tuesday for the remainder of the week. I'm enjoying time away from work and am trying to leave all of my electronic gadgets behind so don't waste any time checking the blog for updates until Monday 9/8 when I'm back at work and looking for a way to kill some time- lots of pictures to come. Until then, enjoy the Labor Day holiday!

Lazy Weekend

Ally hanging out in her activity center

Spending some QT with dad- and drooling all over him in the process

Catching a quick nap with mommy

Hamming it up after church at Sunday brunch

The Many Faces Of Gus

Irritated by Commitment?

Have I mentioned that I have a marvelous husband? A little over three years ago on July 8, 2005 my sweetie got down on one knee to propose to me on a tennis court after a little white ring box fell out of my racket case as we were getting ready to play. I said yes, he slid the most beautiful platinum engagement ring on my finger (I know all the girls say that but mine really is quite breathtaking) and we went along on our marry way to celebrate with friends and family (we were too excited to actually play tennis.)

Less than a year later on May 20, 2006 he slid another band on my finger that was a symbol of our commitment to one another. I have happily worn these two rings since then with the exception of a brief stint late in my pregnancy, when I was plagued with a condition commonly known as sausage fingers, during which time I wore them on a chain around my neck.

Given that I have worn one or both of these rings without incident for the past three years I was shocked to discover that I seem to have developed an allergy to them. WTH?!? Apparently I'm not the only person with this problem either- I googled "ring rash" and got 1690 hits!

There appear to be two prevailing schools of thought:
1. It is an allergy to the nickle or other alloys that are mixed with the platinum.
2. I'm not drying my hands well enough and water is getting trapped under my rings.

Since I haven't changed my hand washing habits (still just as obsessive compulsive as I always have been) it seems unlikely that #2 is the culprit but it also seems impossible to just develop an allergy to something you've been exposed to for years!

While many suffer from this affliction, very few seemed to offer up any solutions. I managed to take away the following suggestions:

• remove rings and wear around neck until the rash has healed
• take off rings when washing hands and make sure fingers are completely dry before putting them back on
• clean rings by boiling in vinegar with a drop of dish washing soap
• apply several coats of clear nail polish to the inside which will act as a barrier in the event it is an allergy to the nickle

While my finger may be irritated by the symbols of our commitment, the commitment itself remains strong and healthy. I love my man more today than I ever have and am so proud of the husband and father that he has grown into over the past few years!

Loving My Life

When I started this blog last month I had visions of writing witty entries full of pithy comments and funny stories. After re-reading a few of my posts I realize that I've basically just recounted my days and included lots and lots of pictures and videos of Ally. Try as I may, I can't seem to come up with any fodder for more interesting and glamorous blogging.

I never led a particularly sensational life before we had Allison but I could hang with the big dogs on the weekends- staying up late, having some drinks, and doing spontaneous things. I had a social life that included fun and interesting activities like book group, tennis matches, trips to the gym, ladies nights, dates with my hubby, etc. That's all changed now that there is a little baby in my life who has a schedule (sort of) and frequent middle of the night wake up calls. There is something about getting up for work at 5am every day, spending my afternoons playing with Ally, changing diapers, washing and sterilizing bottles, cooking dinner and trying in vain to keep a tidy house that just zaps all the spontaneity that I once enjoyed so much.

You know what though- I am 100% okay with it all. I love my life and my new roll as a mommy! The highlight of my day is picking up my little peanut from daycare and seeing her big gummy smile. We play all afternoon together and wait for daddy to come home in the evenings so we can go on a nice long walk around the neighborhood with a shared glass of wine. I don't care that I go to bed at 9:30 every night and only make it out to dinner once every few weeks. I am completely content. Though I still want for a lot, I need nothing. We are so richly blessed with good friends, (who continue to be our friends even though we don't see them as often as we used to) a loving family who supports us in so many ways, and our happy, healthy baby girl.

How could I possibly feel like my life is lacking in any way when I see this goofy, beautiful smile every day?