Alli & Violet go to the Zoo

On Saturday, Alli and I met Kay and Violet at the zoo, then had lunch at Liberty Tap Room. Kay and I have been friends since middle school, and her precious Violet is about 6 weeks younger than Alli. We got back in touch through Facebook and realized how close we were, so have gotten the girls together a couple of times.
I thought it would be a good idea to see how they did in the wagon...it was Violet's 1st wagon ride. You never would have known! Alli did ok for a while, but now that she is walking, she wants to run a-muck!













Ritz cracker break












Alli lounging













The girls at lunch


We had a great day and can't wait to do it again!

Quiet week...yay!

Not much to report this week. Alli continues to crack us up at least once a day with her animated facial expressions and her "tummy sounds." She's one gassy kid. She can burp like a man...didn't get that from me! She's doing a lot talking more now although a lot is still unrecongnizeable. Although, her vocabulary is pretty big for only being 13 mos! She plays so hard that by 8pm she's done, which is nice for Chris and I.
Chris made Alli her own little chair out of some scrap wood we had in the garage this week. I think she really likes it. When she saw it, she started clapping and cheering. She'll sit in it for a bit then get up and do something else, then come back to it.
I made it through the Pokemon birthday cake and cupcakes last weekend and the 5 and 1/2 dozen cupcakes Tuesday for Relay for Life. This weekend is cake-free, and I'm kind of looking forward to it! We are meeting Kay and Violet at the zoo and for lunch Saturday. Looks like it will be great weather! We're really looking forward to it.
Chris got the luck of the draw and is on jury duty next week...lucky him! Hopefully, he won't be sequestered!! I've never been on jury duty (knock on wood). I look forward to hearing his stories!

Alli in the chair Chris made her

Easter bunny found us

The Easter Bunny came for a visit this past weekend. Luckily, he found us at Gigi and Pappy's. We headed for Columbia to spend Easter with the grands. We spent Saturday afternoon with my parents (Mimi and Papa) and spent the night with Chris' parents (Gigi and Pappy). We even did the double church thing Sunday morning...fun, fun! The Easter bunny left Alli a bunny, a book, a little chocolate rabbit, some jelly beans, some twizzler bites, and some Peeps! She must have been extra good. Alli digs Peeps! But, what's not to love with all of that marshmallowy goodness? A second molar has popped through on the top, so that brings the tooth count to 6 on top and 2 on bottom. She's been a bit cranky and clingy this week, so I'm guessing the new molar explains it.
She's really got this walking thing down pat. She only has problems on the grassy hill between Tim & Angie's and our house when she's excitedly on her way over to see Little Man or Throttle. She even tries to jump now when we put her on the neighbor's trampoline!
Alli's getting into books now. Her favorite book is "Little Quack's Bath Book." We usually read it 3 or so times each night while in the tub.
I have a cake and cupcakes due this Saturday for the side business. Things are steady, so I'm pleased. I'm also donating 4 dozen cupcakes to be sold next week for Relay for Life. So, that'll keep me busy!

Alli enjoying a Peep

Walking!

Alli is now walking like she has been walking forever! She's an old pro! Sad thing is that she doesn't really want to be held anymore. She wants to be off exploring. The even better thing is she's playing so hard and walking around soooo much that she's wearing herself out, and is sleeping hard at night. When we go in to check on her, she's hardly even moved.

We've been cutting up whatever we've been eating, and she's doing really well. We haven't found anything she doesn't like yet. I'm so glad she's not a picky eater, but I'm sure that'll change. We found out last night, that she LOVES refried beans. She loves to eat them and she even decided to wear some as moisturizer! I feel for whoever gets that diaper today! Hopefully, not me!!

Over the weekend, we put her on our neighbors trampoline. I know, all of you are thinking..."you did what?" It was actually very safe. They have a net that is attached all the way around it, so she couldn't fall off, and there were like 6 of us standing all around her. She really loved it. The neighbor got on with her and bounced her a little.

Gigi came up on Saturday and had Alli's pictures made with her christening gown on. She wasn't very fond of having her pictures taken. I'm not sure if it was her teeth or the fact that the photographer had zero personality...probably a combination of both. He did get some good shots in-between fussing. Here are a few pics:

Sweet, huh?

I did my first cake for the business...the lady wanted a monkey face for her son's first birthday. I think it came out pretty good. She seemed pleased, and has already asked me to do her daughter's b-day cake and a baby shower cake! So, things are looking good. You can see it at: www.homemadebyhope.blogspot.com
We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!

A side business

I've finally gone and 'dun' it! I've been mulling for a while over whether or not to start baking/decorating cakes on the side for some extra money. And guess what? I have my first cake this weeknd! I'm so excited, yet a little nervous. It's one thing baking for family and friends for free...it's another baking for a paying customer. I have started advertsing a little, and have had a pretty good response, so we'll see where this takes us. I'm working on another blog for the business, so you can check out my progress: www.homemadebyhope.blogspot.com Any comments would be welcome!
On to Alli...she's something else! She's gaining more and more confidence day-by-day and walking further distances all by herself. She's talking more and more...some we understand, other we don't. She's eating whatever we eat now! No more baby food and has moved over to whole milk in a sippy cup (except for at bedtime). You can't really call her a baby anymore (except she's MY baby!).
Now that we've joined a church, she will be baptized at First Pres. Greenville on May 24th. Her Gigi was so excited, she bought her christening gown already. We tried it on her the other night, and she looks like a little angel...the bonnet will cover up her horns...jk :-) She's going to have her picture made in it this weekend...let's hope it stays white!
Alli went from having 2 teeth on the bottom to having almost 7 now in 2-3 weeks! She's even working on a molar...no wonder she's been cranky recently!
That's all the news from the Sielicki household for now.