I survived!

Well, I made it thorough my doctoral comprehensive exams. I wrote 23 pages on campus today and my brain is officially mush! One more class and my dissertation left to go! Thanks for all the positive vibes!

Send me good vibes!!

Hi Everyone,
If you're reading this post today, PLEASE send me positive thoughts tomorrow! I'll be at Ball State for 6 hours completing my doctorate comprehensive exam! YIKES! I'm feeling prepared but it's been very stressful. I will be so relieved when it's over. This is by far the biggest academic challenge I've ever had.

I'll take all the positive energy I can get!

Who's that Beautiful Baby in the Mirror?

Alice is discovering herself in the mirror - and she is so enthralled by herself! I added some music for a dramatic effect :) Isn't she lovely???

Doggie Kisses

Okay Gonzo, you can have just one kiss.

Hey! I said just one kiss! You always do this to me!

Graham & His 2 Girlfriends :)

Kirsten and Emily made the long haul to Sheridan on Thursday for a little baby playtime and lots of catching up. Graham is definitely going to be a "ladies man" with these two girls being so close in age. We tried to get little Blythe to open her eyes but she was just toooo tired.

#1 Mets Fan

Da da . . .

Alice is starting to babble two syllables. Today it sounded like a "da-da" sound. I'm working on the "ma-ma" but I should've known she'd be a daddy's girl from the start! She loves to have lots of conversations with herself, especially in the morning when she wakes up.

Learning to Sit . . .

Sometimes I'm a big girl and can hold myself up, and . . .


somtimes I topple over.

Happy 2nd B-day Owen!

Tiffany's nephew, Owen, celebrated his 2nd b-day today! It was too cute to see him so excited over his toys, especially his "back hoe" (I'm impressed a 2 year old knows what a back hoe is!). Jacque did a great job planning his party and even made a back hoe cake! It's always great hanging out with the Timme family. Happy b-day Owen!

Hanging out with Tiffany, Alice, and baby "Jo-Jo"
(that's the name Cecilia gave her soon to be brother or sister:)

Daddy, you're SUCH a bad influence on me!

MMM Cake!

Tooooo Sweet :) I love this picture!

For the love of food. . .

This is what happens when Daddy tries to feed me.

This sippy cup deal is HARD work!

Look Who's Coming to Town . . .

Andy, Jenny, and Nora Stites

"Look at this cute little face."

"My new friend."

Yes, it true. The Stites family have officially become our new neighbors! Andy (Kingsley) and Andy (Stites) were good friends at Sheridan High School. Jenny is also from Sheridan and they have moved back home from North Carolina. Yes, "Taco Tuesday" with the Timmes has just expanded. We are so excited to have more friends in this little town. Their daughter, Nora, is just 3 months older than Alice and they've already become great friends :) As Ty Pennington from America 's Home Improvement would say, "Welcome home, Stites famiy, welcome home!"

Alice and Anastasia

Aunt Kristen and Cousin Anastasia stopped by for a visit last Sunday. Aunt Kristen was in town to pick out a bridemaid dress for her friend's wedding. It was great catching up!

Look (really hard) it's a tooth!

It's hard to imagine that tomorrow Alice will be turning 6 months old. This morning I noticed her 1st tooth has just begun to break through her gums (okay, so you have to look really close, but it's there. . . bottom left if you still can't find it:)

The past 2 days I've been in study mode and staying with my parents in Wabash. They've been great taking care of Alice while I'm getting uninterrupted hours of preparing for my exam. It's a bit overwhelming to think I'll be taking the exam in 3 weeks, but as Andy always reminds me, I always make it through the graduate school hurdles (even though they are getting taller and taller).

We've really missed daddy the past 2 days and we're looking forward to heading back home tonight.

Changing Every Day. . .

I can't believe how much Alice is changing every day. Now that she is approaching 6 months she learning how to sit up (with support so she won't fall over). She loves to laugh and is becoming really interested in the westies. She is reaching and pulling on everything in her way!

Mom and dad give me such as headache!

I'm practicing my crawling position with my favorite bunny

Baby Blythe is Here!

I always had a hunch Emily was going to have a girl! Baby Blythe Ryan Alhfeld arrived about 4 1/2 weeks early and weighed in at 5 lbs 15 oz. She was just a little under Alice's weight of 6lbs 1/2 oz. I really enjoyed going through Alice's preemie clothes and bringing them over to Emily's house for Blythe to use. I couldn't believe how small Alice was and how BIG she is getting. She looks like a GIANT in this picture next to Blythe. It was just a coincidence that they both had the same outfit so we couldn't resist this photo opportunity!

Blythe is absolutely adorable. She looks just like Emily did when she was a baby. I had a chance to hold her and look at her tiny feet. Her little cry also brought back so many memories of Alice at that age. Matt and Emily, congratulations on your little blessing. Enjoy your time at home as a new family!

Start Spreading the News . . .

We are back from are trip to the east coast and officially suffering from P.V.D (post vacation depression). We had a great time in New York/New Jersey/Mass. hanging out with Andy's side of the family and spending a couple days with some of my relatives. A big thanks to Marianne and Gary for letting us crash your house for a week!

Although we didn't make it into the city this trip, we did enjoy lots of sights. While Andy was spending his time at enjoying the last season of Shea Stadium by attending 2 (yes two) Mets games, I was able to hit the Palasades Mall with my college friend, Kristin DiFidi. We also toured West Point Military Academy, visited Bear Mountain, Piermont, attended Luke and Leann's graduation party, celebrated Elayna's 1st birthday, and spent the weekend in Plymouth for my brother's wedding.


Jay and Cait are very happy together (especially now in Jamaica). I enjoyed being a bridesmaid and getting to know Cait's friends. It was a beautiful day for a wedding and everyone had a great time.

Now, unfortunately, it's back to reality :( Andy is back at work today and I have lots of preparation to do for my doctorate comprehensive exams on July 30th. So I'll be spending time with my baby girl and hitting the books for the rest of the summer (what little is left of the time). Here are some highlights from the trip! Enjoy!



Everyone's smiling before the final score . . . winning isn't everything right guys?


Marianne and Gary are enjoying Leann's & Luke's graduation party


Hey, what are you doing in MY tub!


Who needs a shirt when you're the birthday girl!


Always time for a bottle break!


Here are the next generation of Pink Ladies


Even Alice can't get away from the New York paprazzi. Here she's sporting a slight wave ")


Welcome to the family Cait! Uncle Jay and Aunt Cait are off to Jamaica! We're soooo jealous! Have a great time.