Tank Tops

Bring out the tank tops and the shorts, it's a beautiful day! The Anna we know and love is back! She is on the mend from her cold and today is showing signs of her normal happy, fun and giggly disposition. We stopped by Grandpa T's today to say hello and see pictures from France. It was a nice visit!

This afternoon we hope to spend some time outside to enjoy the weather. Have a great Thursday afternoon!

Peek-a-Boo

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The fun game Anna loves to play...

Toothless Grin

For at least a little while longer anyway...

Golden Birthday

Happy Birthday Uncle Patrick! It was fun to see you and spend time with you today! We all had a great time, thank you for hosting Grandma T! Patrick, we wish you a year ahead filled with lots of laughs and who knows, maybe even some love. :) Hee hee!

Apple of Her Eye

Looking at Daddy

Frustration

Anna is getting increasingly frustrated with the fact that she cannot yet move. She still does NOT enjoy being on her tummy (understatement), and so crawling doesn't seem appealing. However, Anna's legs are getting stronger and stronger and perhaps one day she will just walk. I guess we'll see...we are trying to encourage her to move without pushing her frustration too far, a very tough thing to balance.

Anna can now stand if placed standing up near an object for about 3-4 seconds. She seems to enjoy standing MUCH more than the view from her stomach. We'll see what happens next!

Runny Nose

This week Anna has been plagued with a perpetually runny nose. Much to her dismay, I have been following her around Kleenex and blue squeegie in hand, trying to rid her of as much of this runny stuff as possible. This, as many of you know, is Anna's least favorite. She will flail her arms and legs, scream, twist her head...anything she can think of to get you away from her face with the appropriate tools.

Well, today Anna had enough. After cleaning up her face for the 10th time in less than 2 hours, I noticed quite the smell coming from Anna's diaper. So, up the stairs we went.

As soon as the diaper was open and before I could react, Anna's hands flew in and much to MY dismay - the contents of the diaper were distributed onto the changing table, all over Anna's hands, legs, onesie, face, hair, and of course...my arms too.

After WAY too many wipes were used and tossed, I finally gave in and plopped her into her bathtub. Peace reigns again!

Precious Moments

Splish Splash

Hot Day + Warm Pool = Happy Baby

Sunny Stroll

This morning we met Bethany, Will and Joe at Como Lake and took a nice walk in the sunshine. It was a beautiful morning - not too hot and not too cool. There were lots of ducks to keep the little ones entertained and Will and Anna had fun eating Puffs in the wagon. I think Anna liked having Will in the wagon with her - she liked to hold his shoe and watch what he was doing. Could be she has a little crush on an older boy. Steve will have to give her a little talk about that tonight. :) Hee Hee!

Bon Voyage

Anna's reaction when I told her Grandpa T and Penny were heading to France today...

Then, Anna's reaction when I told her she couldn't go with...

Ha ha! Just kidding, have a wonderful time - we wish you a very safe and very fun trip. We'll be thinking of you and look forward to hearing all about it when you return.

While you are out having fun, it's back to sweatsuits for us. It's only in the 50's this morning so we will have to bundle up when we go on our walk. We may have to put that off until the afternoon. Also on the docket for today is a trip to Gerten's to get some flowers for our planters.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Fun Wedding Weekend

This past weekend Steve and I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of our friends Scott and Julia. The wedding was a beautiful celebration at Notre Dame, and what a perfect day and weekend for it! Steve and I had a great time getting away, spending time with friends, seeing the sights and celebrating Scott and Julia. It was truly great!

Anna also had a fun adventure spending the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa D. I think both she and Grandma and Grandpa had a great time! Anna giggled often, and on Monday after they left town she kept looking around wondering where her fun and loving playmates went. Thank you so much Jim and Norma for taking wonderful care of her while we enjoyed some time away.

Mother's Day was a great day as well - I was able to spend time with my daughter, my mother, and my mother-in-law!! It doesn't get any better than that. I am so lucky that they are all so incredibly wonderful. I continue to learn from both moms what being a fantastic mother entails.



Basilica at Notre Dame & The Grotto


On Campus


Reception

Summer Fun

Just My Size

Grandma Mary stopped by yesterday afternoon with a surprise present for Anna. Check out her new chair - it's just her size! Anna enjoyed sitting in it on the porch for a little while this morning watching the landscapers over at the neighbors. I am sure she will enjoy many hours in this chair, out in the yard and in her playroom.

Thank you Mom!

Happy Birthday Uncle Matt!

My littlest brother, Matthew, will be turning 25 on Saturday!!! We will be out of town on his actual birthday, so we got together at my dad and Penny's for an early birthday celebration. What a fun afternoon!

Matt, we wish you a very fun and prosperous year ahead...I am sure there are big things in store for you! Here are some pictures from the day, thank you for hosting us Penny and dad!

Feeling Lucky

Anna looks so old in this picture...and yet it's so hard to believe that she is already 8 months old. This weekend I was able to visit my friend Katie in the hospital who just had a little boy (Evan Patrick) and it brought back so many memories of when Anna was first born. It feels like there is no way it could have been that long ago.

I find myself feeling so thankful and so fortunate often these days. I don't know what necessarily brings it on, but I find Steve or I saying "can you believe we have such a wonderful daughter?", "can you believe we are so lucky?" every few days. Or, I have moments where I feel so incredibly happy that my heart could burst.

This morning Steve and I were looking at pictures on our computer dating back to when we first met. How many things we have done and seen in such a short time. Steve and I met on July 4th, 2002 - nearly 5 years ago now. Since then we have sold 2 homes, bought 1 home (I bought my first house shortly after Steve and I met) and built 1 home. We have been on many, many vacations - both in and out of the country. We have celebrated our marriage and the marriages of dozens of our friends. We both changed jobs, better yet, changed careers. We have celebrated 2 pregnancies, and mourned one loss. And most treasured to Steve and I - we celebrated 1 birth. Wow.

New Favorite

Conversation on the way home from dinner:

Anna (in backseat): da da da da dada DADA DADA
Dad: do you hear that? ha! dada!
Anna: da da da da DA DA DA
Dad: Anna, good!
Anna: da da da da
Dad: Who's your favorite Anna
Anna: mama

HA!!!! Yes, payback is so sweet. :) Just kidding...well, it was quite nice to hear though. And in all reality we know she has no idea what she is saying and that we are both her favorites. We just like to have fun razzing each other now while she has no idea what we are laughing about.

What a great day...Anna must have been tired from a fun and busy week because she slept 2 hours this morning and another 3 HOURS this afternoon. We decided that since she was well-rested we would venture out for a family dinner out. Looking for somewhere family friendly, we decided on an early dinner at Champps. Anna did great, she loved looking around and eating her banana puffs. Then she practiced crawling on the floor and managed to figure out how to scoot by putting her rear in the air and pushing with her knees. It's only a matter of time....

Windy Day

Today we met Bethany and her two sons, Will and Joe, for a walk around Lake Calhoun. Unfortunately the wind was SO COLD that we made it only on a short walk. But, we did manage to find some fun anyway. We found a big tree for Will to play in, while we watched. And when the wind became too much for the babies (and for us!) we decided to go have lunch at Noodles. It was a lot of fun! Anna sure enjoyed listening to Will talk and loved looking at cute baby Joseph. Can't wait to get together again!

Couldn't Resist

While out running some errands this afternoon we came across some adorable purple sunglasses. Well, we just couldn't pass those up now could we?! Anna had to go out in the neighborhood to show off her new shades to the other kids playing. No bettter way than in her stylin' new ride, the red wagon (thanks Grandma!).

P.S. Andrea, you inspired me on your blog with Bella in her beautiful shades so I am shamelessly copying you! Thanks for the fun idea!

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Things change in Anna's life about as quickly as her expressions do. Here are some of the more recent ones (none of huge significance, but fun to tell you about none-the-less):

• Morning nap now begins at 9am vs. 8am, and typically lasts about 45 mins...sometimes longer, sometimes shorter.
• Anna now says: dada, mama, nana, baba, gaga, yeah! and some other sounds that appear to be in a foreign language.
• Pears are now yummy - most veggies are still gross. We are lucky if we get a few bites of carrots, sweet potatoes or squash in per day. (Any suggestions on how to get her to like veggies anyone??)
• Bathtime now requires 2 towels - one to wrap Anna up in, and one to clean up the inch of water that is on the floor after Anna gives creates tidal waves.
• Last week we "attempted" to push Anna's bedtime out a half an hour. No luck...still 6:30-6:45pm.
• No signs of crawling, however Anna is very anxious to walk and stand.
• There have been sightings of a tooth trying to work it's way out - the right front tooth on top. Many drools, bites, and screams have brought this to our attention...we pray it breaks through soon.
• Anna gives HUGS!!! This is a personal favorite.
• The blog is getting a make-over! Next week I will be able to preview the design that was created for me, and hopefully we will have something up and running in mid to late May. If you want to check out the designer, and some of the other work she has done, visit: www.bluebirdblogs.com. I am very excited to see what she comes up with!!!