Anna Turns 2!

Well, earlier this fall, our sweet girl turned 2! The parties were numerous, as were Mama's tears (how on EARTH can my darling baby girl be two? TWO? wasn't she just born the other day???)

Anyway, we started with a small "just Mama, Daddy and Anna" party.

She was able to get her feet wet in the whole "gift opening" thing:

Oooh. This present thing is kinda fun..

 

And was super excited about her presents.

 

The next day was her actual birthday. We had a party at Grandpa and Grandma's house, due to the fact that our tiny apartment isn't condusive to gatherings :)

 

In true, two-year-old "Anna do it all by herself!!!" form, she needed

to put on her own party hat. Pretty cute stuff.

 

 

But nothing topped the moment when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" and she got to blow out two candles. She was simply mesmerized by the attention and moment. Darling. Absolutely darling.

 

 

She had a BALL decorating cupcakes, playing "pin the sprinkle on the cupcake", playing in the ball pit and just generally hanging out with her cousins and friends. Everyone seemed have a really good time.

 

The next week was party #3 at daycare. She and her friends there ate cupcakes and opened gifts. The biggest hit of the day was the suckers I used to anchor the Elmo balloons that were her party favors. All of the kids LOVED them.

 

 

Finally, Anna's last party came when her Grandan and Nannie B came to visit. By this time, she was well-versed in how parties, cakes, candles, singing and presents went! She was super excited to decorate her cake with Nannie...

 

And then, get to have everyone sing to her while she blew out her candles!!

 

Finally, the last round of gifts was perfect fun...and a perfect celebration of two years with our girl.

Babykins- Week 24

 

Baby is growing, growing, growing!

 

Feeling lots of acrobatics...so many that when we went to the Dr. and she was checking

Baby's heartbeat, Babykins was leveling one-two punches at her

heart-beat monitor thing.

 

She got a kick out of that.

 

I guess those long legs are coming in handy!

 

 

 

 

(yeah, not sure what's up with the make-up or hair...must have been the end of a looong day!)

From the Mouth of our Babe

We're having so darn much fun with this 2-year-old. She is sweet and funny and, in our biased opinion, incredibly smart.

 

But the thing that's the most fun right now are the funny things that she says.

Some of our favorites:

 

"Hold you, Mama, Hold you!" (when she wants to be picked up)

 

"Tank You, Daddy" when he does something for her.

 



 

"Be NIIIICE" in a growly voice, she she thinks someone needs scolding.

 

"Sweet Goka home??" Wondering if our neighbor, whose license plate is 'SwtMoka" is home. She becomes very, very upset if the answer is no.

 

"Daddy? DADDY? Michael!" When trying to get dad's attention

 

"O-KAY" in a happy, sing song voice when she wants to do something.

 

"Oh, yes" when she's really happy about something. Similar in tone to "Oh, no!" when she's troubled.

 

"Hey, Over There, Be Quiet!!" when she heard a baby crying

 



She loves the color orange (very handy this time of year), and loves to sing. She often lays in bed singing at night for good 45 minutes after we put her down. Her favorites are "Wheels on the Bus" and "Twinkle Twinkle" (aka "Up Aboves"). She's also learned the ABC song, but tends to only sing that one in the bathtub.

Growing a Baby!

 The news around here has been exciting...and the bellies --well, mine anyway--

are getting bigger!

 

{18 weeks!)

 

 

We recently were able to get a great view of this baby's sweet arms....

 

 

....profile...

 

 

...and legs, feet and toes!

 All SO adorable!!

 

We were so happy to hear the perinatologist say the 6 most wonderful words:

"All is as it should be."

 

A healthy baby---Praise the Lord!

 

The doctor also told us the baby seemed tall...long arms and long legs for that point in our pregnancy!

 

We're not sure he was looking at the right sono photo :)

 

{20 Weeks!}

 

The baby is moving, moving, moving and I'm surprised to feel as much as I have. I'm losing

my lap, making it a bit challenging to carry and cuddle my other baby!

 

 

A Couple of Projects in the Works!

 Whew! It's been a busy few months around these parts.

Back in May, we decided that we would build a house! So we signed on the dotted line and the work started. Dirt was moving, holes were being dug and the basement being poured!

 

And right about the time we decided to start one big project, we found out that we were

starting a new, ever bigger project!

 

 

We were so very excited! While this material project was taking shape....

 

This most meaningful of projects was growing, growing, growing!

 

When we finally got to take a look at the little darling, this Mama was so exited to

see the sweet little profile, legs, arms, head and everything else!

 

We're not sure Anna quite understands, but she's been great about playing along...

 

Little does she know about the changes that are about to take place!

 

2 Corinthians 9:15...
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Zoo Fun

 

Over the weekend, my dear friend Lauren and her husband came to visit from Boston.

We had a great time catching up and decided to check out the Kansas City Zoo.

 

And there was plenty to see...

 

The highlights included the transportation. Anna LOVED the gondola. She thought it was a big swing.

 

 

And the funny animals. Here she is with her Auntie learning just how funny Sea Otters are.

 

 

She loved the attention of two new people to watch her antics and especially took to L's husband, "MIKE!"

 

 

The day also introduced Anna to something she's really never experienced in her short life--rain.

Soft, steady, drenching, wonderful rain.

 

 

She wasn't phased...

 

 

And tore around the zoo, soaked to the bone and having a ball!

 

 

So happy to have these two come play with us!!

 

Off to the (Turtle) Races!

On a beautiful day in Northern Minnesota, one of the neighboring towns had a little festival. Part of the festivities was the turtle races. We decided that was not to be missed. When we arrived, Anna took it all in from her vantage point.

Then, when the time came for her heat, she eagerly selected a turtle from the bin. Note her lack of hesitancy.

 

She was so excited about her turtle when I told her to look at me so I could take a photo, she leaned over and KISSED the turtle. Gross. Didn't manage to capture that and I wasn't about to ask for a redo!

 

Though well-loved, the little guy came in second in his heat. 

Better luck next year, I guess!

What She's Been Up To....

When she got to Minnesota, she was soooo excited to get some quality time with Papa Dan. 

 

He had a special little chair for her...

...and they spent a fair bit of time reconnecting. It was so sweet.

Then Papa broke out the sprinkler. This was a first for the girl (whose mom couldn't find a matching swimsuit in the unpacked suitcase :)

 

The other great part of being in the MN? 

Buddy. AKA "Meow" The usually cantankerous old cat seems completely unfazed by the little person who sits on him, messes with his tail, points to his eyes and generally tries to boss him around.

  

Such a rough life.