There were many memorable moments during Christmas time this year such as Annalise saying "Merry Christmas" and wanting to read the story of "Jesus in the hay" over and over.
We are so very blessed, and the greatest gift that has ever been given, Christ Jesus, is one that we loved explaining over and over again to our little girl. She enjoyed singing "Hallelujah" - apparently Handel's Messiah appeals strongly to our little Annabug. She also absolutely adored every christmas tree she saw, and all the christmas lights as well.
There were no tears this year when Annalise sat on Santa's lap! I think Daddy was a little disappointed because the crying photos from last year were so adorable.
We hope that you took time this year to focus on Christ, who is the reason why we all celebrate Christmas. God bless!
Today was the first day of Annalise's life during which she sported the cutest hairstyle ever - pigtails! Her hair has been long enough for some time now, but every time we tried she threw a complete screaming, crying fit. Today she did as well, but not for as long and we were actually able to get them in her hair and leave them in. Here is the photo documentary of the event. You can see the misery as well as the incredible cuteness. She wore them all day, and got attached enough that in the evening when I took them out she cried and asked to put them back in! I think she enjoyed people commenting on how cute they were.
Annalise's new favorite thing in the whole world is her bike trailer. We got one that can hold one or two children and works as a bike trailer, a stroller, and a jogger. You can put an infant in it with the infant adapter, although of course, you shouldn't jog or bike with an infant in there, only go on walks. It's totally worth it. It's awesome as a stroller (Annalise sleeps in it almost every time, and she NEVER sleeps in her other stroller anymore). In addition, for older kids (no babies, people), you can hook it to the bike. This is especially useful for us since we have a "nearby" park that takes 25 minutes to walk to, but only 7-10 minutes to bike to. Dave has been taking Annalise in the evenings after I leave for work. The bike ride is through our residential area and ends at the park - a dream come true for Annalise. The other evening when Dave asked her if she wanted to go on a bike ride to the park, she threw her arms in the air and began to dance while yelling "yaaaaaaay." These pictures don't really show her incredible joy, but they do show how cute she is in her helmet. This was right when we first got it and were trying it out. It is now well worn in with park trips.
Annalise was a bee this year at the church's harvest festival. Dave and I did matching costumes as a mama bee and a bee keeper. She was absolutely darling with her wings and antennae.
Annalise's favorite part was the pony rides, of course.
We saw some fun friends at the harvest festival. Doesn't Jordan look darling?
We also celebrated my birthday with a Spaghetti Factory trip on the same day.
We're blessed to share that Annalise will be a big sister! Tracy is currently ~20 weeks with our big 20 week scan tomorrow! Please pray for the health of our unborn baby.
8 week Ultrasound
12 week ultrasound
11 weeks
15 weeks
18 weeks
20 weeks
Annalise simulating 40 weeks
We are so excited about what's to come. We're also very intimidated about going through the trials and challenges of having a very little baby again, but now compounded by caring for a soon-to-be 2yr old. Annalise has brought us so much joy and we're grateful to God that He'll be doubling it with another.
While at Sea World, Annalise stopped near a speaker playing some music and decided she wanted to practice her dancing. She loves to bounce and wiggle whenever she hears music.
Annalise has always loved being involved while I'm vacuuming. Most of the time, she ends up riding on my back for the duration of the job, but on occasion she'll stand and hold the cord about 10 feet away from the action. Close enough to be there, but far enough away from the loud vac. Our neighbors had a garage sale and had a kiddo vac that we had to get for Annalise. She loves it, and will vacuum right next to me......for 15 seconds, and then desire to be involved with the big vac. Cute. :)
The 4th of July came and went without much fanfare as the day was filled with....napping. We did, however, have a wonderful BBQ at Grandma/Grandpa's where Annalise took at stab at corn on the cob. She likes corn, but this was her first cob experience.
We thought we struck kiddo distraction gold when she decided to eat each individual kernel one at a time. As she delicately twisted each kernel off, we knew this would eat up tons of time (pun intended), allowing us to eat our dinner without needing to tend to Annalise. We grinned ear to ear (pun intended again) in satisfaction, but then our smart Anna bug knew this wasn't going to meet her stomach's demand for consumption. She figured it out quickly after. Alas.
You may not know, but Annalise is actually a vacuum. If it wasn't for the pretty face, arms, and legs, you'd think she was a vacuum sucking up every last bit of food in sight. Annalise has always been good about eating, but now she REALLY enjoys eating. Always interested in whatever food is being consumed and mostly willing to shove whatever type of food in her mouth. Packed ever so tightly, Annalise loves to cram her mouth silly with food. We usually try to prevent this chipmunking-style of eating as it lends itself to choking.
Here are some pics of her in action.
Fireworks weren't going to be an option for us because of Anna's bed time. Wait a minute, what's with our neighbors setting up chairs in the street. Wowee were we in for a treat. Little did we know, we live very close to a local fireworks venue. Cool!
The day after the 4th of July, we took a trip to Mission Bay park and enjoyed the surroundings and nifty kiddo park. We'd never been Mission Bay park, despite the number of years we've lived in SD. Annalise...
Played in the sand
Went down a slide
Met a friend
Went on the swings
Took a break
Stood on a big fish
After the park, we had lunch and went to Belmont Park. Neither of us had been to this seaside amusement park. It's more a boardwalk carnival with a handful of rides. Annalise was trying to determine if she was tall enough to ride the roller coaster.
Though no roller coaster, the next best thing was the Merry-Go-Round. Annalise's very first amusement park ride and she loved it! I'll admit I wanted her to melt and cry just for the cute photo op (like this), but after 1 or 2 rounds she really started enjoying it. By the end of the ride, Anna was telling us she wanted more. Of course, we did it again, but this time Momma went.
After this it was homeward bound, cotton candy in hand (not for Annalise), blanky in position for the ride home, and our minds full of fun memories.
You've already seen photos, but now here's the video. We thought the Easter egg hunt was going to be a total flop for Annalise. Seriously, how was she going to learn how to hunt for eggs and then put them in her basket? See for yourself.
At 15 months, Annalise understands a lot more than we think. We'd like to think it's because Annalise is brilliant, but perhaps it's standard development for a tot her age. A few months ago (around 12 months of age?)we realized she understood words we'd never taught her, and was also able to respond to commands and questions.
I believe our first revelation came when asking her to get the "tractor", a pint-sized plastic toy we'd only called by name a handful of times. Wouldn't you know it, she got right up, walked over to the John Deere look-a-like and brought it back with some nice diesel vrrr vrrr sounds. Well, it was more like a "aabrrrrrraaaaarrrrrrrrrruhhhh uhh rrrrr". Maybe she was replicating a misfire or something. I digress.
Her baby signs started to increase as well. Before, she was always good at flailing her arms wildly to signal "all done" and the occasional "more", but frankly, my daddy eyes questioned the sloppy signs spawning momma's excitement that our baby is 'signing to us'. Well I was wrong. Now, Annalise has since amassed the following signs and enjoys mimicking us like a mirror. Avast! Here ye Annalise's veritable cornucopia of signing repertoire:
More Please Thank You Hat Sleepy Where? All Done Food Milk Cheese Drink Banana
Pretty neat huh? Yeah, I was a skeptic about the baby signs, but it really is neat. Her spoken vocabulary is more limited:
Ma ma = Mom Da da = Dad <----I personally believe this was her first intentional word Buh-Bye = Buh bye<----She says this the most. Chee = Cheese Wheh = where Dis = This Ba = Balloon, Ba = Bottle Ba = Banana Ba = Bath Ba = Antiestablishmentarianism (just kidding)
This doesn't include words or commands she understands, which boggles my mind as to how she learned them. Again, I cite brilliance (mom's side). Often I'll experiment and ask her to go get an object and, more often that not, she knows what I'm talking about. Some examples:
Annalise, where's your big blue fish (stuffed animal)? Annalise, go get your towel for your bath. Lets get some pajamas Sit down, please Stand up, please Lets go outside Time to put your shoes and socks on. Drink your water
She packs suitcases well, too.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Happy Easter!
What a great day to be reminded that God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die for you and me, and then to rise up alive and overcome death. Because of this, we can have a hope in Him despite the trials that we encounter and face daily. For Tracy and I, it's also a great reminder of the great miracle that is our Annalise.
After the never ending clean up from Easter brunch, Annalise embarked on her first Easter Egg hunt. Surprisingly, the hunt went well, without the need for parental assistance. She found them and plopped them in the basket all by herself! Has it really been a year since last Easter?
On the move.
Found one!
And another...
"Daddy and Mommy didn't hide these very well did they?!"
There were many memorable moments during Christmas time this year such as Annalise saying "Merry Christmas" and wanting to read the story of "Jesus in the hay" over and over.
