The Verdict

For Allison, the jury has been out on the safety and usefulness of mowers since she was around

18 months old. Tonight she reached averdict...

So Happy Together

Yesterday marked four weeks for little brother. So we dusted off the old barnyard playmat and had his very first playtime. Until now he's been largely asleep or otherwise inactive. But he's really starting to wakeup more the last few days... And he already enjoys his big sissy

Allie is as sweet and sharing as she can be. She gives "little bubby" lots of affection and tries to calm him when he's waiting for mommy. Allie has really proven to be not only an awesome big sister - but an awesome, sweet little girl!!

And I am as blessed as anyone can be!

Introducing the Newest Rockstar...

Here he is - mommy's raven haired, seriously contemplative, future rockstar. He's preparing for his career as a musician / social commentator by crying and/or complaining whenever awake. He has a firm hold on the concept of getting what he wants... immediately

He's my beautiful little guy

Hanami Can Wait

April 10-April 27...too long



Stinking Japan...too far away



Three year old daughter...too young to cope



Big pregnant wife...too emotional



We miss you daddy. Come home safe. Hanami can wait, Alabama Springs are better ;)

The Spanking Cha-Cha

Use this approach sometime and see what happens with yours. We've all seen it - that quick little footwork (think River Dance) that comes right before a massive fit pitching! Well, we don't relish correction in this household, but sometimes you gotta do what gots ta' be done. Tonight Allie started into a little dancy-looking episode at bedtime, and out of nowhere came the advent of the "Spanking Cha-Cha". At first I just laughed at her silly behavior and asked Allie if she was doing a spanking dance (like a rain dance). An then the first chorus just flowed...

To the tune of La Couca Racha (spell that for me)

I need a spanking
Give me a spanking
That's why I do the spanking cha-cha

You gotta a spanking
I want a spaking
That's why I sing the spanking song
cha cha cha

It sounds mean spirited, but it was actually a good natured way of reminding Allie that nothing good would come of a bedtime fit. She giggled and danced conga-style with daddy and myself all the way upstairs, and even begged for an encore performance before lights out.

Happy 3rd Birthday

It doesn't take much to define a party for Allie (she just doesn't know about Chuck-E-Cheese yet!) All it takes is a day of decorating with mommy and spaghetti, cake, and gifts with mimi and poppy to make this party girl happy. It was small but no less a celebration. Allie chose Mickey Mouse as her theme du jour and had a modest array of gifts (modest for the likes of Suri Cruise that is)


Getting ready for the event, all dressed up in her 3T's

Almost ready to cut the BLUE (per Allie's request)
cake



And what does the blue icing do to your mouth Allie?

Pappa John and The Talking Fetus

No pictures of late, but a couple bits of humor from the near three year old.

1. Allison is a picky eater (this is a kind way of putting it). However, we learned this week that she will eat almost anything if we are obliged to sprinkle it with "Pappa John". Most of the world knows this cheese/ condiment as Parmesian. But we think her mispronunciation may be linked to her appreciation of Mr. Mayer, the pop singer.

2. Allie is excited about the arrival of a baby brother or sister. She talks into my belly as if it were the clown face at "Whataburger". But she really topped herself this week when she yelled into my abdomen, "Hey baby, this is Allie. I love you. NOW, say something to me!" You just can't beat that!

Tomorrow we will celebrate Allie's big 0-3. Pictures and annecdotes to follow

Merry Christmas

To our family, adopted family, and beloved friends,

Nothing means more to us this holiday than to cherish the love and care that we share with you all. We wish that we could be with everyone we love for Christmas; that's unfortunately impossible this year. We say instead, with a lump in our throats and misted eyes, that we love you all, and are with you in our hearts and dreams, wherever you are.

Bertil, Jessica, and Allie

Portrait Proofs

Picture Day

So, it's picture day. Time to head on down to the Penny's Portrait Studio. Unlike some little girls we know, Allison Grace does not have naturally luxurious locks- thank you Caruso Ionic Steam Rollers. Allie LOVES to roll her hair and play (invisible) makeup which makes the photo primping a lot easier for me. So here's my confession, I'm not much on hairspray, and we used a bit of Besta's Elnet to secure Allie's coiffure. I had not mentioned the owner of the hairspray; But, as soon as i sprayed down her 'do, Allie exclaims, "Now, I'm JUST like Besta".

Photo session proofs to follow in a few days...

Allie's RB

At Mimmi and Poppy's RV a couple of weeks ago, Allie pointed to the letters on the side and recited, "L, M, A, I, P...that spells 'RB'". She loves going up to the lake and spending the weekend at the "RB". So, naturally, when we happened upon a box of ginormous proportion, we had to perform a little "pimp my cardboard box" and transform it into an RV - Allie's very first playhouse.

En Sien Påske

It's a little late for Easter, but this was too cute. Allie found some new dress up goodies this week.

"Happy and Sad"

Allie demonstrates her "happy" and "sad" for today.

She was thrilled to take a stroll to the park...

not so kean on being obedient at the park...

RE: Kindred Spirits

I think it was 1995...make that 1994 when I started high school. A freshman, the kid of a once minister, I'd been in and out of 7 different school by 14. I had no friends and no siblings. It seamed even the youth in my church had been "BFF" from the womb...and I was outa luck.

I met this silly, adorable girl from California that year in chorus (a.k.a. the place where weirdos congregate). She had tons of friends and three siblings, even a massive LDS youth group that all seamed to LIKE one another. She certainly didn't need me. But she said, "You need a friend, you got one! You need a sister? Here I am"

Relationships didn't come easy. There had been so many people I cared about come and go, that the door to my heart was locked up tight.



Along came a friend to open the door...and she's still in there

In times when I feel lonely or down, I know that she's there (even if I don't call). The days when I feel like closing out the world and lowering the blinds, her love and friendship urge me to let people in. I could walk the halls of a scary place at 14 because I had a friend. Today, I'm a stronger me because I have Amy.

The Father in Heaven gives us who and what we need to grow. Sometimes we need pain, sometimes we need people. I'm just thankful to Him above for giving me one kindred spirit.

Celebrity Look-a-like

I used to think Allie favored Meg Ryan a little (She does in some pictures!!) But since this recent photo, I'm not sure who her celebrity dopple ganger would be...

OK... that picture of Gollum looked much cuter at 2:30 in the morning. I am removing it remorsefully. Thanks for the perspective Amy ;)

A Labor Day "Pip and Pop"

Not much to do in Madison on Labor Day. So, " pip and pop" it was, or Slip and Slide as everyone but Allie knows it. 10 yards of pallet wrap, a garbage can lid, a watering hose, along with willing 2 year old; and we became a living Jeff Foxworthy joke.

The "Tilt-a-Slip" was daddy's brain child (an engineer with an unwitting participant can be dangerous)

The beagle-riding wasn't part of the planned activities...

The Junebug

Ever had the inclination to befriend a junebug? Perhaps you have wished to tickle one under his bejeweled chin with a feather? Allie loves beetles, and she doesn't discriminate. Today was her day. With junebug and feather in hand, she went for it.

"Tickle, tickle!"

Potty Time II - It's In the Small Victories

There is a new sound in the Riis household that makes one and all rejoice, throw high fives, shed tears of joy, take victory laps around the playroom (and pass out reward stickers). No, not a bathroom sound; rather, a potty sound. I am referring to the musical princess potty itself (note pictures below). Allie has finally begun using the princess potty as more than just a great place to watch cartoons, and it rewards all with a rather successful sounding tune each time she "goes". We haven't perfected the exercise yet, but we're counting the small victories...

So, yeaaa Allie! Yeaaa princess potty! And Yeaaa lower diaper bill!

"My Morgan"

This is simple, and there were no pictures to capture the moment. But it's post-worthy.

While looking at photos from our recent family trip to Norway, Allie turned to me and said, "It's MY Morgan - my best friend!"

Then she noticed and requested her teak elephant that Bestafar gave her on the trip. When queried as to where she go the carving, Allie replied, "in The Norway, from my Papa."

Let it be noted that Allie forgets nothing and no one. Her family in Norway is in her heart as much today as they were in May. She talks about "her Madalyn, her Marcus, her Besta, Dagfinn..." as if they were down the street. Possible, she believes that "The Norway" is down the street. Whatever the distance is in her two-year-old mind, they are close in her heart.

Potty Time

According to Allie, potties can be used for a number of things - not including elimination. Panties and or training pants, however, are an integral part of "doing one's business"