While the cat is away...

the mice will play! Aaron left yesterday morning for a business trip to Jacksonville (sounds a little funny to say that about him), so it's just been Alyssa and I here at home. We've had a wonderful time playing together over the past two days. She has been such a pleasant baby (even more so than normal) in the afternoons as of late. I picked her up yesterday and we played while sitting on the floor, then today we played in the jumper and also rolled around on the floor. Alyssa can roll to her right pretty easily now, but she can't remember how to roll from her tummy to her back. But she's learning that being on her tummy doesn't have to be all bad. Tonight she pushed herself back a little bit!

Alyssa and I have also enjoyed a few walks. The sun has been out to warm things up a little bit (we like a lot of you had snow not too long ago - 1" on Sunday), so we've been enjoying some fresh air. I think Alyssa has been getting outside more at day care as well. I know that today they went to the park. I'm hoping that this weekend we can get to the park and try out one of the baby swings. I think Alyssa will really love it since she loves to move!

Alyssa is loving her rice cereal. We've found that if we make it thicker she eats it better. She really gobbles it down, opens that mouth up wide for each bite. It almost seems like she can't eat it fast enough, she's so funny. The only thing that can distract her from eating is Roni. She is totally fascinated by him; as of late Roni has even let her pet him every once in a while. I caught the two of them having a staring contest the other morning.


We are looking forward to this Easter weekend. I will be confirmed in the Catholic church, and we celebrate Easter with Aaron's family. The church is hosting a special dinner for those of us who have gone through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults on Saturday night, and then we'll be confirmed (some will also be baptized also) at Easter Vigil. We had a practice for it last night and it seems like it will be a beautiful and meaningful service. As much as I think the Church sometimes emphasizes the wrong thing, I'm quite taken with the meaning and symbolism of some of the rituals. I've been struck by the passion of some of the individuals for the Lord and the Church, and look forward to being able to participate fully in the activities of the church.


Alyssa already has her dress picked out for Easter. She also has a pair of bunny ears to wear for some comic relief. We had her 5-month and Easter pictures taken last weekend, and she was such a ham during the photo sitting, smiling from ear to ear and looking so grown up. I can't wait to show you the pictures. In one, she's wearing only her bunny ears and a diaper, and eggs are scattered around her. We struggled to get any pictures like this though because she wanted to check out the eggs, and she wasn't happy holding just one egg, she wanted them all! So it was pick one up, spot another, grab it, see a different one, try to pick it up, and so on. We had a really fun day with her that day at the mall.

I guess that's it for now. Aaron will be home tonight, so tomorrow we can get back into our normal routine. I guess I'll have to get used to sharing Alyssa again :) Happy Easter to all of you!


I know this isn't the best picture ever, but her facial expression is kind of funny - hope it makes you laugh :)