Play Time

We ordered Allie a play gym and got to pick it up on Sunday evening. Within 10 minutes of being introduced to it, she already figured out how to kick her feet up, hit the butterfly and make it light up and play music. She has been trying to grab at the ladybug (she's really not to the point where she can grab anything--except her burp cloth and our shirts!), but has only succeeded in swatting it. This evening, she almost grabbed the tag, so it won't be long before she takes a hold of it. Also, Allie started yesterday looking more at the mirror on her gym. At first, she seemed almost disturbed by it. But, tonight, she was really checking herself out. Another cute thing--she turns to the bee (on the pillow next to her) and chews on its antenna.
She is a very dainty, girlie girl in many ways. When she kicks at her butterfly, she crosses her feet at the ankles and lifts her legs and bottom together. Also, while she's nursing, she points her toes and kicks them like a ballerina. She is a very happy baby and loves to laugh and smile.
She continues to grow; and, while the pediatrician still wants to keep an eye on her weight, she has gained quite a bit since last week's appointment. We were up to 7 lbs., 14 oz. today. We love our lactation consultant, Michele, and would be miserable without her.
Enjoy the pictures of Allie playing with her gym. Tony took the other picture this morning while Allie and I were sleeping on the couch after her first early feeding.
We videotaped Allie with her gym the first night we got it. As soon as we can get a cord to hook up the camcorder to our computer, we will post it so you can watch her play!

Two-Month-Old Cutie

Well, Allie is now two months old (as of last Friday). She is growing up so much! She smiles and laughs a lot. She is a very busy baby and loves to read, listen to music, play with her "worm," look at Daddy and Mama, take baths and go to new places. In the last month, she has been to her first party, her first chili cook-off and her first election.
We had a bit of a difficult doctor's appointment today. She got her first round of shots. She did great with those and only cried for a few seconds. She has been fussy and tired, though; which is to be expected. The problem was our pediatrician was concerned that Allie has only gained five ounces since her one-month appointment. So, now we're doing a whole bunch of things that make Mama's life more miserable in order to appease her; but the truth is, Allie is really growing. She is eating great and couldn't be better. These doctors just can't seem to get it through their heads that Allie is just little. One look at her parents should tell them she will be.
Other than that, we are great. Allie met her Grammy and Pappy a couple of weeks ago. This weekend, she will see her Nonna and meet her great-aunt.
Enjoy the pictures! As you can see, she is really growing and is quite a cutie!

One Month Old!

Believe it or not, Allie is already one month old! She is beginning to get less fussy (after a couple of weeks of constant fussiness). She has "cooed" and smiled AT Mama, not just smiling to smile. She loves her Daddy and enjoys torturing him and making him not only hold her, but hold her while walking. She enjoys being held--perhaps too much.
She has been for walks in her stroller around campus and to the mall, Wal-Mart and Target. She sometimes laughs in her sleep--it's really cute! Also, she is nursing well. We started nursing again last Tuesday and yesterday and today have been the first days where feeding times have really gone smoothly. We are so thankful to hopefully be out of the woods on that. We introduced her to rice cereal Saturday night (please don't tell the pediatricians--they'd have a cow). She enjoys it, and it helps her sleep and reduces her nighttime fussiness.
Enjoy a few recent pictures!!

Allie's first two weeks

We have enjoyed watching Allie grow and change each day during her first few weeks. Her personality has certainly developed and is fun to watch unfold daily. These are a few pictures to show her personality and some "firsts," including her first Sunday at church (at two weeks old).
Enjoy!

Allie's Here!!!

I know it's taken a while, but finally I'm posting some details and pictures of our little princess! Allie Jael Rancatore was born Sept. 2 at 1:10 p.m. She weighed 6 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21" long.
She is a beautiful, wonderful baby; and we love her very much.
Enjoy these pictures from the hospital!

More Goodies for Allie

My parents came for a visit August 2-7, right at 34 weeks. They came bearing gifts, including many of my baby blankets and books. We enjoyed looking through those and remembering where each blanket came from or who made it, and I have enjoyed reading some old favorites that I had forgotten about!

We spent time visiting while they were here. Mama and I went shopping and ate at the Olde English Tea Room in downtown Wake Forest on Saturday. Daddy and Mama also took me shopping on Friday for Allie's swing and highchair. Tony put those together Sunday, and they are even cuter in person than on the Internet! I think Allie will enjoy them both!

Thanks to our parents and other family and friends, we are closer to being ready for Allie's arrival!

San Antonio--Remember the Alamo!

I know this is a couple months overdue, but we wanted to go ahead and put up a few pics of us from San Antonio at the Southern Baptist Convention. We had a great time--it was a much-needed "vacation" before the life-changing event of becoming parents! Also, while we were there, we got to see one of our best friends from college, Janna Johnston. It was great to catch up and hang out a little with her. Plus, she was pretty excited to see me with a pregnant belly! So you know, this trip was June 9-14; and I was 26 weeks along.