we went to see baby allison yesterday afternoon, and if she isn't the most adorable little girl in the world, then i'm a big pink elephant. i guess it's been a little while since my grandmother's had a little baby to play with; she seemed to go a little overboard with the fussing the fun making. She propped this four week old infant on the tabletop next to the cake that said "welcome home, baby allison!" and the baby nearly toppled over onto the cake while the cameras snapped. "go ahead," my grandmother encouraged allison, "put your face in the cake! put your handprint in the frosting." the baby seemed to know better.

i felt i also hogged the baby a little while i was there, holding her more than fair, allotted amount of time. my grandmother also encouraged this. while she was holding the baby in her lap, she told allison to wave at me. there was a girl, eight year old rachel, standing between my grandmother and me. my grandmother said to this little girl, "you, move," pushing her aside roughly so the baby could get a good look at me in order to attempt this wave. little rachel slinked off, and, appalled, all chris and i could do was laugh.

another priceless moment came when my aunt suddenly handed off allison into my mother's arms. the look of shock and alarm on my mother's face was absolutely comical; she nearly fell of her chair as this unexpected gift was dumped into her arms. my mother is not exactly comfortable with babies and children; i'm surprised little allison didn't start wailing the second that she came into contact with my mother.

not all babies are cute. some are downright ugly. this baby, however, is absolutely gorgeous. sigh.