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