Gobble, gobble!

As we prepare for Thanksgiving Day we want to give a special thank you to all our friends and family for their love and support over the past months. We cannot thank everyone for all your kind gestures for Allie. We all have a lot to be thankful for and many given blessings.

It's hard to believe that she's going to be 7 months old on Thanksgiving! Allie is doing amazing. She is babbling so much and loves to "coo" and laugh at her toys. She is starting to notice Boomer more and even decided to crawl up on him and give him a big hug (with Mom and Dad's help of course.)

Allie has been busy with Mom the last few days preparing for Turkey Day. We've made hand-traced cut out turkeys for decoration and some kiddie cornucopias (not that she can eat them, but Mom had fun!) We'll spend Thanksgiving at home this year. All the grandparents will be over along with Uncle Mike and Uncle Mark (who will be meeting Allie for the first time.)

From our home to yours, we hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Love,
Matt, Nicole & Little Turkey (Allie)

Happy Halloween!

Hi Friends and Family,

Halloween was extra fun at our house this year. I dressed up as a ladybug and loved it. Mom and Dad enjoyed picking out a costume for me. I stayed in this year and passed out candy - next year I'll get to go out and trick or treat.

I had a check-up with the pediatrician on Halloween and all is well. The doctor said I'm about 11 pounds and 23 inches long. He said that I'm very healthy and everything looks and sounds great, hopefully we'll continue on that note. Unfortunately I had to get some shots too, so I was a little fussy - those shots really hurt!

The doctor was impressed with my head control and movement and thought it was great that I'm rolling now! We got the green light to go ahead and try some rice cereal.....mmm, that stuff is yummy! Although, I enjoyed playing with it more than eating it - cereal was EVERYWHERE!

It's been so nice out lately and I've enjoyed going for long walks with my puppy dog Boomer. Mom went back to work 1 day a week and Grammy Karen comes over to stay with me. We have fun and like to read and sing together.

Now with Thanksgiving approaching, I'm going to try to sneak some goodies on Turkey Day....do you think Gerber makes pumpkin pie baby food?

Love and kisses,
Allie

Growing Up Fast!

Time is flying by and it's hard to believe the end of October is approaching! Allie has just been such a joy to us. She loves to babble and chat and yesterday she rolled over for the first time! She enjoys playing on her Baby Einstein mat and is starting to like "tummy time" more and more. We would guess her to be close to 11 lbs now, but we'll know for sure when she goes to the doctor at the end of the month.

We've had some visitors over to meet Allie and we certainly appreciate everyone's cooperation with following our "health guidelines" to ensure we keep Allie super healthy.

Allie enjoys her visits with Grammy Karen and will get to spend this weekend with Nana and Papa Shepard as they are coming down to stay with Allie and Matt while Nicole is on her first overnight weekend (girls weekend) away from Allie. Yes, she is going to miss her like CRAZY - but she knows she'll be in great hands.

Boomer continues to be intrigued by Allie. We've caught him giving her feet "kisses" and often he lays right under her swing. It will definitely be funny when she can start feeding him goodies!

We hope everyone is having a nice Fall and hope you have fun this Halloween. Allie will enjoy her first Halloween as a ladybug!

Love, The Shepards

Happy Fall!

What great Fall weather! Allison has been doing lots of outdoor activities taking advantage of being outside while we still can. We've been going to the park and out on long walks and she loves to sleep the whole time. Boomer likes to walk directly in front of the stroller and "lead" the rest of us - it's so cute!

Allie had a check-up with her pediatrician yesterday and he said that she looks great and is doing just fine. She weighed 9lbs 6oz and is 21 inches long.

Allison babbles quite a bit and likes "tummy time" on her Baby Einstein mat. She continues to be just a bundle of joy for us and we are so grateful for her good health.

We hope this message finds all our friends and family well.

I Love Being Home!

It is so nice to be home with my family! I've been getting big and am adjusting well. I now weigh 8 lbs and have a big appetite! Most of my days I spend time cuddling with Mom and Dad, doing "tummy time" and going for walks in my stroller. Big brother Boomer is very curious about me. He watches me and peeks in my crib when I cry. I can't wait to pull his tail and feed him Cheerios!

Mom and Dad are taking good care of me. I'm still using oxygen and a monitor, but have started weaning off both. I enjoy "Daddy/Daughter" time when Mom needs to run errands. Dad is teaching me all about football.

Hope everyone is well!
Love, Allie

Finally settling in

Yes, it has been a while since this update but we have a good excuse. Allison is doing great but she does take a lot of our attention, probably since we don't have the nurses to oversee any longer...

Home Sweet Home!

Wow, what a week! It has been so wonderful having Allie home now! She is doing great and loving every minute of being with her family. The transition to home went very smooth. It was hard to say goodbye to our friends at the NICU, but we promised to stay in touch and visit.

We've had a busy week of doctor's appointments, nursing home visits and settling Allie in. Big brother Boomer is curious about Allie and peeks in her crib to check up on her now and then.

Last night we went for our first family walk and Allie enjoyed getting fresh air. She is also quite the night owl (must get that from Papa Shepard!) but enjoys long afternoon naps. Grammy Karen came over yesterday to help out and loved holding Allie for the first time. Mom and Dad appreciated a little break too!

We are so grateful and happy to have her home!