Pimples, (No) Sleep, Visitors, Fashion Shows, Nieces and Nephews

That's my girl in her adorable new winter coat. And YES, it has EARS on it! And YES, I said WINTER coat! :( Today was chilly enough to warrant her to wear it while we ran a quick errand. As a true bear would say...Grrrr.

Sorry for the delay in posting. Honestly, I didn't even realize that two weeks have elapsed since my last entry. Shame on me!

Still dealing with Alessandra's baby acne, only now it's all the way down to her shoulders and completely covering her face, poor girl. The good news is that the dry skin is gone, so it's no longer combination skin, just plain ol' acne. Hooray for small conquests!

Also new since my last post is our attempt at establishing a routine for Ali. We put her to bed every night at 8:00. Then she's up again at 8:15. Then she fights off sleep until around 12 or 1 in the morning. It's a true joy, I tell you. Nothing beats drifting off to sleep while your arm is tingling with pins and needles all while holding a pacifier in your child's mouth in the bassinet next door just to keep her calm enough to possibly drift off herself. Heck, if my arm can fall asleep, why can't my daughter?!? The cruel irony of all it all is that she tends to fall asleep right before bedtime at around 7:00 or so and when we try and wake her then, she can't be roused. Yet in the middle of the night, she awakes to a pin drop!

Here is Cardo trying to wake her on one such evening. Not even a hard kiss to the chubby cheek will work!



We also had the pleasure of entertaining the last of our visitors last week. Cardo's parents were in town to meet their sixth granddaughter. Here are some photos of the whole family minus Yolanda, Jeff and Gianna. Miss you guys!





And speaking of Yolanda, guess who's going to be an aunt again?!?! NO, not Yolanda, silly! ME!!! We just found out that Yole is expecting and due in May. We couldn't be more thrilled that Ali will have a cousin so close in age! Will it be the seventh granddaughter for the Torres family, or will they have the very first boy? We won't know until May as they're keeping it a surprise. Fun! Here's Gianna making the big announcement to daycare along with some chocolate cupcakes.



Also visiting was my oldest best friend, Kristi. We had a great time and she was ever-so-patient while I slept in after being up all night and she even cleaned my house. What did I do to deserve that?!? (Oh yeah, I guess it was simply just maintaining my lifestyle as a slob). Here are Kristi and Alessandra during our very first outing at the Mall of America. Yes, I know...I am insane for taking my daughter out to the stinkin' MOA for her first time out, what a germ factory. But then again, why the heck not?!? It's the MOA! Unlike her mother, it seems that Ali is a natural shopper, she was very patient and relaxed the entire time!



Now, I've never been one to play with dolls even as a little girl as my mother will tell you. However, I'm starting to realize how much I missed out! I have been having so much fun dressing Alessandra up in all of her various little outfits and of course I have to take pictures! I am SO "that mom" that has to take a photo of every little outfit and facial expression. I'm succumbing to everything that I said I wouldn't do! Nine months ago, you would have heard me saying "If it's a girl, you will NOT see her wearing all pink or frilly little dresses." What I didn't realize at that time is that it's just something innate that takes over your entire being! My baby girl is now the frilliest, pinkest, foo-fooist little one around. Sad, but true. Here is my fashion portfolio as of late:













Finally, the cutest picture ever of my nephew Marley. Alison found his twin on eBay. Here he is making friends with his new buddy:



Don't forget to check out the latest pics on Snapfish!

address: http://teamtorres.snapfish.com/netscape
room code: alessandra