What's in a name...

It's been brought to my attention that there is some confusion without explanation with how we named our child and feel that this is the perfect time for an explanation...

Allan Blake Willis, II

Alan Blake is my husband's name and his mother named him this because she wanted his initials to be AB (for Atlantic Beach). My Father's name was Allan Lee who has been gone from us 4 years ago yesterday. We debated names for a very long time and when I was 7 months along and at Luigi's, begging for more heartburn we were again talking about names. Then Alan asked for a Little Al, begged actually. He found it the best way to honor his Mom (who also has passed away), with keeping the AB, and my Dad, by spelling it the same way my Dad did. How could I have said no to naming him after the two people I love the most, my husband and Dad. My one stipulation - ABSOLUTELY NO CALLING HIM JUNIOR - at all, I detest it actually and do not hesitate to correct people when they call him Junior. So that's why people think I messed up spelling my own child's name, I didn't it's just spelled like his Grandpa's.

And I do love all of my Al(l)an's very much!

Are you sure?

Alan must have said it a hundred times, as I presented him with this as he was rushing in and out of the house between work and school just one year ago today. Even at our confirmation appointment a week later the doctors were surprised to see us back after only a few months! But at 10 DPO (for all of you that have the fertility lingo down pat) there he was! A line so faint that Alan wasted a lot of money getting me to pee on more sticks because he wanted to be sure!

I can't believe it's been a year since we found out that we had a little one on the way! I can't believe that all of the fear we had for 9 months has disappeared into such pure joy for smiles I get to see every day! Who would have thought that a year later I'd have breakfast and giggles with this little line...

Yes, it's blurry because yes, I was shaking!

And we're mobile... sort of...

During tummy time/Mommy rush around and get ready for work time this morning Allan began rolling from belly to back! The result... Mommy was late for work! Ah, it's Friday, who cares!

Oh... So this is where my blog is...

First time in my Johnny-Jump-Up (Lily has no clue what we've done to the kid now!)


It happens to the best of us - work, school, more work, friends, and now part time daycare and the blog goes down the drain! So I thought I'd give this thing a little TLC with a Halloween background and an update of oh say, the last month or so! He's changed the most this last month, probably more this month than the last three together! He sits up will with some help, laughs, plays, pulls the cats ears, and he's very close to rolling over! It's hard to believe how fast time flies with a little one in your life. We truly are blessed and can't count all of the blessings that he brings us! So rather than writing a long post here are pictures and a video of him from the last month!

Love,
Alan, Carole, & Allan


A day at the Cape on Flyer!



Alan & Allan at Gray's First Birthday Party! (or Alan and his mini-me!)

Checking out the speedboat race!

One of my favorites :)

Playing in the Exersaucer!

It's amazing how your 4 month old can turn you and the hubs into 4 year olds!

Tickle time - laughter included :)