learning new words

sticker hunt

While at the grocery store earlier this week, I picked up a little "treat" for Anna...some jelly stick-ons for the front window in Easter shapes and colors. I thought Anna would have some fun putting them on the window and looking at them. I completely underestimated the fun this $2.99 purchase would bring. Can you find all the stickers in the pictures below?

and the winner is....

Grandma Mary! I didn't realize that perhaps you had been there before mom?! Well, the Easter Bunny will be hopping over with a little treat for you sometime between now and Easter...so be ready! Good work!

Here are a few more pictures from our outing to the local indoor park and library yesterday afternoon.

where the wild things are

If you can guess correctly where this picture was taken, you will win a fabulous prize courtesy of the Easter Bunny. First one with the right answer wins....ready, go!

introducing...

...the many faces of Anna

nary a dull moment

If there is one thing we can count on around here it is that nothing stays the same for too long. With walking and running under our belt, and talking well under way, Steve and I thought we might hit a patch where we could put things on cruise control for awhile and enjoy at least a few weeks of normalcy.

Things haven't quite turned out that way. While nothing major has been happening, we have had a few minor shake-ups to our routine.

Several weeks ago we noticed that Anna had some major bloating/swelling of the stomach. We had noticed this back when she was one year, but thought nothing of it. We continued to notice it when the doctor mentioned it at 15 months as something to keep an eye on. So, we started to take note of when it was occurring. It was typically noticeable during her nighttime bath, but also apparent following meals when she had milk. After experimenting for awhile we think she may have a minor intolerance to lactose. We aren't 100% sure, but we have experimented with her regular whole milk, and then lactose-free milk and we have noticed some big differences. When she has lactose-free milk throughout the day, and then limited dairy (cheese, primarily), she has significantly less bloating/swelling and she eats A LOT more. Not to mention, fewer bathroom issues. We will talk to the doctor about it again soon, but are happy that for now we have found a solution. If it is lactose-intolerance, it will likely go away in the next few years.

It also appears that more of Anna's teeth are about to make an appearance. There are several teeth that can be seen under the gums when Anna smiles and this is making things interesting in a number of ways. After enjoying a month of sleeping until 7 or even 8am, Anna is back to her normal schedule of a 6:30am wake up. Actually, it is pretty regularly 6:21am to be exact. This wake-up seems to be the same whether she goes to bed at 6:30 or 8pm. She has also started to wake in the night, often with cries of pain. Sometimes she will cry for only a moment or two, and other times it is longer. We have found that when we go in to comfort her it will often mean she is up for over an hour, but if we just let her cry for a bit she will be back to sleep in about 15 mins. Despite that fact, at 2am it is very hard to listen to cries of pain for even 3 mins, let alone 15....so, there are nights when one of us will go in to rock her and sing to her. Did I mention I gave up coffee for lent???

We are also learning about Anna's mischievous side. She loves to play games, jokes, tease and laugh. The grin in the picture at the top of this post is my favorite. We see this grin often...typically followed by something very funny, in the you-know-you-are-not-supposed-to-do-that-but-it's-way-too-hard-not-to-laugh kind of way.

Life is never dull around here, that is for sure.

all in the family

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

fresh air

Yesterday the temp was up into the 30's, so we ventured outside for awhile. Anna hasn't been able to really "play" outside since she has learned to walk, so this was an entirely new experience for her. She loved exploring the cul-de-sac, and ran all over the place. She got a little testy when she learned there were boundaries to her exploration (i.e. no running into the middle of the cross street!), but she certainly enjoyed herself, the melting snow and the sunshine.

just for laughs

Remember this? Just one month old. Fell asleep in her swing.

still a baby

Whenever I want to remember what my little Anna looked like as a baby, I simply remove her layers of clothing until we are left with her onesie...a reminder of her youngest days.

answered prayers

Sometimes it feels like you can pray, but no one is listening. Sometimes it's easy to get lost in a cycle where something feels off, or wrong and you don't know what to do. It's easy then to obsess, worry, overthink and ultimately work yourself into a place that you don't want to be.

I was there a number of weeks ago. I let on a little bit that the winter was getting long, and that I didn't know how to keep my little one entertained through the hours of the day when going outside was not an option. In truth, it was not the little one who needed something more, it was me. I was bored & restless...and in this mindset I began to question my decision to stay home, what I should be doing, my effectiveness as a mother...you see, the cycle. I was embarrassed, overwhelmed and frustrated with my feelings. I prayed about this daily.

Just when my angst reached its peak, my calendar began to fill. Friends called and wanted to get together. Neighbors invited us to join playgroups. We met new people in the classes we were enrolled in and talked about things we could do in the future. Suddenly our calendar had something on it everyday for 3 weeks. He was listening.

Today we bundled up and made the trek to a neighbor's house for the morning. There were 3 other women and their children there (9 children including Anna). While it's cold here today, I decided to walk the few blocks so we could get some fresh air. The picture above was taken on our way there.

This was one of many activities we have had in the past few weeks that has brightened our days. I feel like my head has cleared and while spring may still be many weeks away...we have some sunshine in our home and in our hearts. So I too can rest easy again.

(Like Anna, pictured here on the way home)

emotions

I had a dentist appointment yesterday afternoon, and upon my return I was greeted by a very excited little girl. She was so happy to have her mommy back home, even though she had a great afternoon with her daddy. Given her big show, I asked her,
"Anna, what are you going to do when mommy is gone for a whole week?!"

Her response: "Cwhy" (cry)

Followed by: "Mommy cwhy"

(Well, she already knows her mommy, that's for sure!)

Anna is at a stage where she is starting to learn various emotions. She notices when other babies cry, and she makes a sad face of her own. She is experimenting with various expressions of feeling - showing us what "cwhy" is, telling us she is "hoppy" when asked how she is that day, and chuckling a big fake HA HA HA when asked how she laughs. It's fun to watch how these things play out in her pretend play with her animals, dolls and playmates.

reading to daddy

A recent obsession of Anna's is the treadmill. She likes to stand and watch whoever may be running on it and say "run run"...never getting too close, but just close enough. In this brief video, Anna is reading a book to her daddy while he gets some exercise. Pretty silly!

To translate her language...after "reading", she points to the fan and says "da" (her word for fan) and then spins and says "roun & roun" (as in, the fan goes round and round). Takes a bit of interpretation, but after spending a few days with her you'll have her lingo down. Nana and Papa she's ready for you!


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

valentine gifts

Thank you for all of the valentine's cards and gifts. Anna is enjoying each and every one of them. She is pictured here in her new dress from Grandma "Minnie"...which she has carried around with her for the past 2 days, until I finally put it on her this morning to wear. She also carries her valentine cards around with her...feeding and kissing the animals on the cards. She even gives them sips of milk from her sippy cup. Thank you again, for making our Valentine's day special!

my sunshine

Dear Anna,

Today is not an extraordinary day. It's winter, therefore it's cold, drab, and there is snow everywhere. I find myself looking out the window waiting on spring and new life. You and I spent the morning shopping, just the girls. I looked for a few things for your father and I's upcoming vacation, while you talked and sang in your stroller keeping me company.

These past few weeks we have bonded as mother and daughter. Each morning I am greeted with a smile, a game of peek, a big hug and/or a kiss. Throughout the day anytime you need or want something you look at me with your gigantic baby blues and ask 'mommy' to help you. When you bump your head, or need reassurance, it is 'mommy' who you turn to. Faced with strangers or new situations, you cling to me like a little monkey...wrapping your legs around my waist and hanging on for dear life. The love and trust you feel is transparent in everything you do.

You have no idea what this does to me. I loved you more than I ever thought possible the day you were born. And then each day this love grows just a little bit more. As of late, you have become my little companion. You talk to me, sing and read to me, share stories with me and because we spend so much time together...I understand you even when no one else can. That makes me feel so special.

Since I can remember I wanted to be a mother. And, truth be told, I always wanted a daughter. Because I had (and still have) a very good role model, I thought I had a pretty good idea of the kind of mother I wanted to be and would become. I was so naive.

You have taught me in just under a year and a half what being a mother entails. Overwhelming love. Worries, fears and frustrations. Sheer joy in all little things. Pride bursting out the seams. So much, much more that is impossible for me to put eloquently into words.

I will forever remember our evening yesterday. You asked to sit on the couch next to me and we snuggled together under your new Valentine blanket. I read book after book to you, you snuggling deeper into my arms with each one. Then, as the sun went down, we sat in the silence and sang songs together. You crawled up monkey style into my lap and hugged me as I sang to you. It was all I could do to keep from crying - tears filled with pure happiness.

In an otherwise very ordinary day, you are an extraodinary bright ray of sunshine.

I love you always,

Mommy

my valentine

I couldn't imagine a better man to be my valentine, my best friend, my husband. I love the life we have together. Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!

the creative process

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Notice the spins before placing each foam letter onto her valentine. Dad & Penny, of course the second I turned the camera off she began to chant your names. :)

valentine fun

Our day began with a 2 foot tall handsome young man arriving at our doorstep shortly before 10am with the following in hand.

Each perfectly proportioned for its intended recipient. At just 2 years old, that Max is quite the charmer.

Anna and Max enjoyed some playtime before the doorbell rang again, and again. Tyler and Elise soon joined the fun.

My neighbor and her son, Carson, arrived later in the morning to round out the crew. We played, talked, ate lunch...some even enjoyed a cupcake (or 2!).

After our guests departed for the afternoon, we cured Anna's lonelies by making a Valentine. When asked who this Valentine was for, Anna replied with a steady stream of names - including all of her relatives, friends and even the puppy and baby dolly who was sitting behind her.

So, from our little Anna to all of you...Happy Valentine's Day. This creation was inspired by you.

wake up call

5:45am
"Yesssss, yesssss, yesssss, yessss, yessss"
Silence

6:15am
"yadda yadda, blabber blabber, a da da da da dah, uh oh, oh no!"
Silence

6:40am
"ohmeal, ohmeal" (oatmeal)
Silence
"bananats, bananats" (bananas)
Silence
"YUM YUM!"
"Moooooooooommmmmmmmmmyyyyy"

And just when I gave up coffee for lent. But, what can you do when hunger calls?

dress up

big shoes to fill

what you might see...

if you utter the word "no", or say you are going bye-bye for a little while

month seventeen: a review

This seventeenth month of your life has been peppered with cold days, requiring us to spend most of our time inside. Despite this, we have managed to find many things to do. We have had many fun playdates with friends, and have spent time with family. We've played toys on all levels of our home. You've started to color, and to eat the color crayons. How you will eat these with no abandon, but will not touch vegetables is beyond me, but that's ok.

You read books, set puzzles, play pretend "night night", and a recent game...carry all. This involves picking up one toy (typically a "baby") and carrying it over to me for a "map" (nap). But it graduates to your "bucket" and your "purse" as the game moves on. Soon all your toys are lined up. We play this with your food too.

Along these lines, you now help pick up your toys before your nap and before bed. You help me clean up, and do so with a smile. We often make a game of it which you find intriguing. I must admit, I enjoy it too - but for different reasons, obviously.

We have settled nicely into a new routine this month. You have dropped your morning nap, and now take only one nap sometime between 12:15 and 12:45. This nap is typically 2 hours although there have been a few days when it has stretched to 3, even 3 1/2 hours! Your bedtime is a little later...we put you down around 6:45 and you play and sing in your crib until 7:30 or sometimes later. You sleep soundly until after 7 in the morning (most days).

When you sleep, you sleep with your blankie, your puppy and your pengie (penguin). All three must be present for naps, and night-time. All is not well if one of these three has gone missing. Mom and dad better buy some backups here soon, just in case.

After you wake up, we have breakfast and play for awhile, then almost every day we go somewhere. The gym, a friend's house, errands, or someone comes over to our house. We are home in time for lunch and your nap and then typically spend the afternoon playing at home.

You have gained so much independence this month, realizing you can do so many things on your own. But this has also resulted in a bout of separation anxiety. Going to the nursery at the gym, church, or at your "school" has become a difficult separation. There are tears, screams, little feet running after mom. It is truly heartbreaking for me. But, I simply remind you every single time that I will be back soon to come and get you, and that I love you dearly. By the time I pick you up, you are often having so much fun you are not ready to leave.

Your vocabulary continues to grow. Yesterday the following conversation took place in our kitchen.

Anna: Daddy?

Me: No, daddy won't be home for a little while

Anna: Wok

Me: Yes, daddy is at work

Anna: Dow tow

Me: What? Did you just say downtown?

Anna: Dow tow

Me: Yes! Daddy is at work downtown

I have no idea how you remembered the word "downtown". Your words sometimes amaze me. (And they remind me that I really need to be careful with my words!!)

This month your favorite song is "Baila baila" - a Spanish tune that talks about Don Alfredo, who dances with his finger, hand, arm and chest. We listen to this song over and over. On a typical day we will listen to it no less than 12 times. This is not an exaggeration. You have also started to do movements and sing the words to "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "The Wheels on the Bus".

You've learned to nod your head "yes" and to stomp your feet.

You are beginning to put 2 words together. Some of the things we have heard are:

"Hewwo doddy", "Hewwo mommy", "ear go" (Here you go), "Anna do", "Anna weed" (Anna read).

We said goodbye to Granka and Grandma Penny - it was hard to say goodbye, but we talk about them often and look at pictures on the computer. You miss them.

We are working on mastering the fork and the spoon. You make it in your mouth about 25% of the time. The rest of the time I can find you combing your hair with your fork saying "pitty" (pretty), and getting ketsup everywhere.

It's been a fun month. Lots of growth, both physically and psychologically...next month will be 18 months and we can officially say "a year and a half". I wish I could bottle these days up, my love truly overflows.

contradictions

Dropping Anna off at the gym nursery this morning:
Anna: "No! No! MOOOOOMMMMMYYYY!"
Tears, screams, sheer torture for mom
(fortunately she settled down a few minutes after I left)

Picking Anna up at the gym nursery an hour later:
Anna: "Mommy! Mommy! Uggs (hugs)"

Putting Anna in the car on the way home:
Me: "Big kiss from mommy"
Anna: "YUCKY!" "YUCKY!"

dear papa

Dear Papa,
Thank you so much for the package you sent in the mail. I just love the sweatsuit from Steamboat, and the cute shirt with the snowman on it! All day I have been pointing to him and saying "no ma" to my mommy. I also really love my warm socks with the grippers...thank you so much!

Whenever my mommy asks me "Who sent you something in the mail", I have to tell her "PAPA! and NANA!" You would think she would remember after I tell her 5 or 6 times, but she keeps asking anyway. I think she's gone crazy.

Can't wait to see you and nana in a few weeks when mommy and daddy go away. I will probably put on a big show of crying and clinging myself to my mommy like I did at the park today, but between you and me, as soon as they get in the car and go...it's party time for us. I will probably ask you for ice cream, cookies, hotdogs, dip dips (anything dipped in ketchup) and my favorite, CWACKERS. Oh yes, and rest up because I also learned how to run and I like to do it A LOT.

Love you, Anna

P.S. Like my pictures? I have a new game...whenever my mom tries to take my picture, I grab my camera and pretend to take pictures too.