Rain, rain go away...

Hello everyone,

It's been a long while since I last posted. Most of you know that my cancer has come back. I am trying to keep this blog solely about Allison, so if you want to know more about my health, please visit:
www.caringbridge.org/visit/rachelchastain

So, what has Allie been up to lately? Well, she is talking more and more, knows a lot of words. She went to her cousin Phoenix's 1 year old birthday last weekend and had a blast in the "moonbounce." Her new favorite word is "Jump!" Even though she really can't jump, she likes to crawl on the bed or something bouncy and stand on her tippy toes and say JUMP! She tries really hard to do it and thinks it is hilarious.

Right now, she has another cold. As the rain and icky weather will just not let up, it appears we are still in "cold season." I know I am not the only one in Atlanta who is saying, "Enough already with all this rain!" I know it is helping our drought, but it just won't let up. Allie gets very stir crazy on rain days. To help alleviate her boredom, I took an outdoor slide I had purchased at a consignment sale a few weeks ago and brought it inside. We put it on some foam, and she just loves it. She goes up and down and loves to slide saying, "Weeee!"

She is now officially a year and a half, and I have to say I just love this age. She is a lot of fun, but does require a lot of energy!

Twice a year, the children's consignment sales across Atlanta occur. Usually one in August for Fall/Winter clothes, and one in February for Spring/Summer clothes. This is my favorite time of the year! I volunteer at various sales I like and get to shop early before all the crowds. This is how I get most of her clothes and it is just awesome. The Spring sales have just ended here and they were a lot of fun. Allie's closet and drawers are stocked with all of her spring/summer wardrobe! I am always sad when the sales are over because my clothes shopping is done. LOL

Not much else going on in little Allie's life. She has been enjoying her occasional trips to Aunt Amy's (my sister) house the weeks I am in chemo. My sister works at a private school and they have a daycare there for the teachers' kids. They have been letting Allie come for free because they know of my situation. She loves it there and she loves spending time with her cousin, Nick, who is 3 and is in the daycare some days.

Allie is now signed up for pre-school! She will be starting in September for 2 mornings a week at our church, Mt. Bethel Methodist. She missed the cut-off date for the 2 year old class by one day, so she will be in the 18 mos class and will be the oldest in her class! She might as well get used to it as this is how it will be for the rest of her life in school! That's my girl...head of the class;-)

Rachel

Allie is cuter and cuter by the day. Yesterday she amused me by blowing on her food when it was too hot. I do that all the time, but she did it by herself and it was OH so cute. You had to be there.

She also was practicing her "running" skills this evening. Should only get more fun from here, right?!?!

Oh, and one not so great development. Last week, Allie had her first "grocery store" meltdown. She hit her head while in the cart and would not stop screaming. I took her out and calmed her down, but she refused to get back in. After much ado, I definitely left a cart full of groceries in the middle of the store!! Oh well....

=)

Hello Everyone!

This past weekend Allie got to go to Florida for a visit with both sets of Grandparents! The Chastain's: Jamma and Jampa, and The Gandy's: Mimi and Papi.

Meanwhile, John and I sailed away to the Carribbean on a cruise! We had a great time and met a really great couple that we hung out with pretty much every night! We got to go visit the Mayan ruins and I had fun ice skating and rollerblading on the ship! If only every weekend could be a cruise weekend!!! Wouldn't that be nice?!?!? Anyways, it was nice to get away for awhile and reconnect with each other.

Allie is doing well. Just getting over a cold. We will all be glad when "cold and flu season" is gone. I heard the birds chirping out the window today. I think spring is coming!!! =)

My first Blog Entry Ever

Wow. So here I am. My cousin, Rebecca, coaxed me into starting this blog about my firstborn child: Allison Sarah Chastain aka: Allie, Alligator, Allie Cat, Allie Baba (Lisa, I still don't like that one!!)

Allie is.....
17 months and 1 day old
a Virgo
has blue eyes that look like jewels
curious
adventurous

She...
seems to fit in well in any socal situation
says "Hi" to most every stranger
likes books
likes balls
likes climbing

At 15 months, she surprised us by climbing an 8 foot ladder by herself and then climbing back down!!!

These days, she says about 30 words and is repeating most words you say. Although, she very rarely says "Momma." Go figure! She also is showing signs of potty-training readiness, although I still think it will be a few more months. Wouldn't that be nice!! No diapers....Sigh...Excuse me while I daydream a bit =)

She is an excellent sleeper. She sleeps until 9am most days and naps every afternoon. Don't hate me! I trained her well!! She is also a very good eater. Her favorite food is probably berries and chocolate. She is also into grapes and hot dogs right now. She doesn't like juice that much. Maybe that is because I water it down. LOL

She doesn't have a stuffed animal she is attached to. I tried to avoid that. And she only uses a pacifier for sleep, but I am contemplating nixing that soon too. She actually gets excited when you say, "Do you want to go Night-Night?" and she will run to the stairs. Again, don't hate me!!!

Overall, she is an amazing little tot. Many of my good friends are jealous of her good, easy-going nature. I must say I would be too!!!! =)

This has been a hard year for us. The past 6 months I have been battling cervical cancer. I am proud to say I am cancer-free now and am starting to move on with my life. Although I cannot have any more biological children, I am very blessed to have my little girl. In some ways, she is my "miracle baby." I have been ready to have another kid since Allie was 1 year old. We have found an amazing woman to be our surrogate mother and are meeting with a surrogacy lawyer when we get back from vacation.

Ok, well I am off to finish packing. We are leaving tomorrow for Florida where we will drop Allie off with the grandparents while John and I head to Mexico on a cruise! Adios!!