I know – I am delinquent. It’s been over two weeks since Allie’s 14 month birthday and I am only finally putting together this entry. I’m terrible. I blame it on a) going back to work full time, and b) doing some travel for work. That just takes a lot out of you! But, whatever my excuses, Allie was 14 months old on September 22nd.
[[image:allie375a.jpg:Wassuuuuupppp!!!:center:0]]
It was also the first birthday of hers that I had to be at work for (which was a little bit sad, but I realize that it is what it is). My summer break is definitely over, and it is a bit of a shock to be working full time again (I was only working part time prior to that). But it’s also nice to get back in the groove and get out of the house a little. The only down side is that when I’m at work, I don’t get to be with Allie all day, and this was the case for her 14 month birthday.
Allie walks a few steps independently, when she’s in the mood, but prefers to walk while having only one hand held. She’s still a lively, social, playful baby. She is the darling of the hotel that we stay at, in New Jersey, and loves everyone and is loved by everyone. If Vin walks around without her, he will inevitably get a few “Where’s the baby?” questions. Due to the fact that we have been traveling quite a bit, and that she is a big girl now, and has tried many different foods, we have relaxed quite a bit on her trying different foods. After all, she has eaten most of the components of all kinds of dishes now, and then some! So for the first time in months, I won’t document the food trials that Allie had. We aren’t doing the 4-day trials anymore. But Allie still experiments and is starting to eat a little table food – bread, cheerios, and the like. She’s grown so much and even in the past couple of weeks, keeps growing and changing and learning to do things. She is truly taking us on an amazing journey with her.
I also have to say that Vin has done a tremendous job of caring for Allie by himself during the day while I’m at work, in a hotel and not in the comfort of our own home. I know I couldn’t do this without knowing that Allie was completely safe and taken care of by the very best, and you can’t get any better than Vin! Thanks, hon!
Vin was documenting her day while he cared for her during the day. She spent some time playing on the floor in our hotel room that morning:
[[image:allie371a.jpg:My kingdom for some mangoes!:center:0]]
[[image:allie372a.jpg:More tongue action:center:0]]
And then it was naptime, which means sleeping in the carseat in the car:
[[image:allie373a.jpg:Sooo sleepyyyyy:center:0]]
[[image:allie374a.jpg:I just woke up, Papa:center:0]]
Then some time spent in the hotel lobby:
[[image:allie376a.jpg:Salut!:center:0]]
[[image:allie378a.jpg:Change of clothes later:center:0]]
[[image:allie377a.jpg:More, please:center:0]]
[[image:allie379a.jpg:OMG, what the heck is that?!?!?!!:center:0]]
Next, Mama’s baaaaaack!
[[image:allie380a.jpg:Hi Mama, let’s walk now now now!!!:center:0]]
[[image:allie381a.jpg:Chillin’ with Papa:center:0]]
[[image:allie382a.jpg:What’s on Pay-Per-View?:center:0]]
And then we went out to dinner with Jen and Lorna, friends from work. Both ladies encouraged Allie to go berserk along with her beloved hippos.
[[image:allie383a.jpg:Where are the hippos?:center:0]]
[[image:allie385a.jpg:Are you ready?:center:0]]
[[image:allie384a.jpg:All the hippos go BERSERKKKKKKKK:center:0]]
[[image:allie386a.jpg:Allie’s new buddy, Lorna:center:0]]
[[image:allie388a.jpg:Jen helped Allie take this picture:center:0]]
(Yes, Jen held the camera and Allie pressed the button to take Lorna and Giggle Bunny’s picture).
And then it was time to go, and time to stop Allie from playing with the camera:
[[image:allie387a.jpg:Gimme, Jen! Gimme gimme!:center:0]]
Allie had another fun-filled day and hung out with Nellie, Marybeth, Susan and all her hotel friends, as well as Jen and Lorna in the evening. By the time we got back to the room, Allie was zonked out and ready for bed (and so were we). So goodnight, all, and we’ll see you next month! Well, or hopefully in a couple of weeks if Allie’s Mama stops procrastinating and just writes up a blog instead of waiting weeks after the actual day. 😉
And to end the entry, one of my favorite pictures of Allie and Papa taken a couple days after the actual birthday:
[[image:allie389a.jpg:Tickle tickle! Giggle giggle!:center:0]]
