Making the blog private

 Unfortunately, I've decided to make my blog private.  We have some issues going on (ridiculous, but a family member telling a mutual friend stuff and then that friend posting it on facebook...seriously, I feel like I'm on Springer or something lately) and I'm just not comfortable letting the world have access to this.  Not like I post anything too bad, there's just some people that I don't want able to read it...trying to decrease the drama ;-)  I'll be sending out an 'invitation' to have access.  If you don't receive an invitation and would like one, please let me know!  Shannon.Ladislas@gmail.com

I can help shovel!!!

Like most of the country, we had ridiculous weather the last week or so.  A few inches of ice and then a few inches of snow on top of that made for some horribly slick roads and driveways...including ours.  The day of the ice storm JM was in charge of Ali while I was at a friend's funeral so we didn't get a head start on the driveway.  This was one of the first days when you could make any headway on the driveway so JM was out working in it.  He only has one day off a week and I felt bad, so Ali and I went out to help him (even though she wanted a nap).  I don't think we were much help ;-)

Daddy and his helper



Mommy and Ali weren't helping at all

Snow cute!

Family in the snow

Saying bye to Daddy so we could go nap while he kept working

Nicknames

I realized as I put Ali to bed tonight that we have 5 million nicknames for her.  Well, that might be a SLIGHT exaggeration, but you get the point.
Ali
Ali V
Ali Vi
A.V.
Miss Vi
Ali Bear (to go along with Kodi Bear and Boo Bear)
Miss Ali Vi

And that's just what we do with her name.  It doesn't include Sweets (JM), Boog (me), and many others.  Poor thing is never going to learn what her name is ;-)

4 month check up

Just a quick update before little Miss Vi wakes up from her nap.  She went in for her 4 month check up today and was a stellar patient.  Everything's looking good.  She has a bit of cradle cap but the doctor said that's normal given how dry it is right now.  Everything else is perfect (which we already knew!).  She did a good job growing...she's just over 15 pounds (82% percentile) and almost 26 inches (a 3-4 inch growth from last time!).  She needs to start rolling over, but a lot of that is our fault.  She needs less tummy time on us and more on the floor ;-)  But how can you NOT hold her???  Hee hee. Dr. Christy gave the green light on solids and said whenever Ali seems ready.  She said it's important to do it when she's ready, there's a small window of opportunity and if you wait she'll lose interest.  Of course, Ali is VERY interested right now.  She watches, amazed, as we eat and even chews when we chew.  Her and I stopped at Meijer on the way home and got some rice cereal and baby bowls.  We didn't get a chance to try it today though, she had some more shots and they've knocked her out.  I even have to go wake her up now just to make her eat and go to bed!

Ha!

Ali has started to laugh...kind of!  She gets out the initial HA and then the rest is silent.  I took a Flip video of it that I'll post, but I accidentally talk over the HA so I'm not sure if anyone else will pick up on it.  She laughs a lot more at JM than me, he must be much funnier.  She still is smiling all the time though.  She even squealed at him the other day while he was making her fly! 

I've been working some night shifts still and while it stinks, there is a wonderful bright side.  I get to take naps with her!  Today (yesterday) we took 3 naps all snuggled up together in our bed.  She naps so much better when I'm with her!  I don't sleep real well, but I love every second of it. 

I did just get the thank you's for her dedication finished and will be putting them in the mail for later today.  I know, almost a month late.  I'm slacking!  But we really do appreciate everyone thinking of her.

If you haven't checked them out yet, you can see her 3 month/Christmas pictures at http://www.momentsphoto.biz/.  Click on client moments and our password is Ali.  Our good friend did the pictures (as well as her newborn pics) and we LOVE them.  She also designed our Christmas cards which I thought were so unique!  If you're in the market for a photographer definitely contact her.  She did Greg's engagement and wedding photos which you can see on the site as well.  She has true talent and artistic ability (and at least Ali loves to smile at her!) and she works hard to get you the photos quickly.