Food Fanatic!

Anniston definitely has gotten to the point to where she will eat anything and everything! It is amazing what she will all take and want more of! Being a picky eater growing up, this makes me extremely proud that she has her daddy's taste for food! Here are a few of my favorites from recently! 

Fun in the Sun!

I have always loved my summer breaks, but this summer was completely different. 

Last summer was such a whirlwind that I don't even remember going outside. Really. So this summer Anniston and I were literally outside the majority of every day. Bike rides, playgrounds, stroller walks and most importantly - water time. We were always in the water whether it was the lakes, the city pools, a water park or the mini pool at our house!! Here are a few snapshots of our fun in the sun! 

Anniston is 13 Months!

You are 13 Months Old Today!

While Anniston was 12 Months She: 

Just Learned to Walk! It is still clumsy and you still love to cruise, but you are walking! I am counting it!

Says baby, momma, daddy, yes, puppy and okay clearly. She"talks" all the time though!

Eats pretty much anything and everything. Her favorite food is spaghetti and cut up meatballs and favorite snack is applesauce.

Loves her baby and stroller. She pushes them all over the basement. All the time. 

Started sitting still on my lap while I read you an entire story.

Got 2 new teeth this month for a total of 10! 

Had her first ever birthday party and had cake for the first time! She wasn't the biggest fan! 

Went to the pool all the time and loves the water. 

Went for daily bike rides and she loved sitting in your burley bee with her babies and riding the trails! 

These are a Few of My Favorite Things

With Anniston's birthday brought a lot of new toys to play with in our house! I've loved watching her interact and discover new things about each and every toy. She's just taken off with her talking, fine motor and we are so close to the big gross motor - walking! Here are a few of her newest favorite things!

Playing on her exploration table. Instead of sitting next to it like she used to, she now crawls on top of it!

Anniston loves her bike rides. I fill her Burley Bee with toys, snacks and blankets and we just ride and ride!

Nickolas cut holes in this box as a joke at first and now Anniston plays in it on a daily basis! She brings all her toys in and plays house. It is so sweet!

Anniston loves getting pushed around in her cozy coupe. She pushes the horn, clicks the keys and turns the steering wheel! Wee!

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These

Anniston has been doing a lot of dreaming lately. We’ve seen her through the video several times talking, twitching and turning. I've always wondered what babies actually dream about. Sometimes she looks sad and I can't imagine what is going on in her head. Did she run out of milk, is a toy out of her reach, or is it like our scary dreams? Dark and unknowns. I hope not. I want to keep her World full of as many bright colors as possible! 

I was also big sleepwalker, so I hope I have not passed that trait onto my daughter! Today I was lucky enough to have a snuggle session with Annie Jean and I am certain she was dreaming of ice cream at the park, playing with puppies, or maybe just happy that her mama was snuggling her so close. 
This video just reminds me how precious she really is.

Happy 4th of July

I have always been obsessed with 4th of July. Last year, I remember holding Anniston and looking out my living room window as the fireworks went off at Riverfront Park. I had a grand plan of taking her to the parade, watching the fireworks, celebrating with family. But I kind of didn't realize how much having a baby takes out of you!

So this year, we went all out. We put on our red, white and blue, bought cute decorations, grilled out, went to the parade, ate too much candy, went to a crafts show and watched the fireworks with blankets at Riverfront Park! So I think we made up for our lack of Old-Fashioned Celebrating the previous year!

What a difference a year makes though - feeling exhausted, confused and overwhelmed with a brand new infant to going non-stop all day and watching your little one take in a holiday that you've always adored by yelling "wee" as people passed her in the parade and waving her flag to the music! Too much. Cannot wait until next year's planning!

St. Peter Parade

Madi, Gracie, Anniston and Mykah

Dress from Great Grandma Parr

Waving to the Parade

I loved how many people waved back to her!

Giggles with Daddy!

Fun in the Sun

Say Cheese!

Happy 4th of July!

52:52 Your First Birthday

I want to remember 

Your First Birthday

I want to remember your first birthday. I cannot believe that you have already been in our lives for 12 months - 365 days - 52 weeks. When I started this project I thought of some of the things I might blog about - your first food, your first Christmas, your first crawl - but I never imagined all the things that would unfold in one single year! I have spent the past few days reading through all 52 entries and it is simply amazing to see how much you have grown and changed! I find myself laughing, crying, smiling and shaking my head in disbelief. To be honest, we just had no idea what we were doing when we had you, but at the same time, it just felt so...right. There were difficult moments, sad moments, and frustrating moments - but those moments dull in comparison to those shining moments. And that is what I wanted Project 52 to be a reminder of. All those shining milestones, moments, and snapshots that occurred throughout your first 52 weeks of life.

Oh, and there were so many.

You never ceased to amaze us with your big personality, your contagious laughter, talkative ways and growing body. You have given your daddy and I so much joy and happiness. I never knew I would have so much love for one little being. But with you, it is so easy. We love you to the moon and back and you will forever be the sunshine in our lives.

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Girl. 

One Year Snapshots

The Beauty of a Child

I don't think I ever truly realized what I looked like until I looked at Anniston. I find myself studying her big facial expressions, her delicate features, and her soft movements. I examine her in a way I've never been able to do with myself before. I've always known what I look like, but since Anniston's arrival, I've noticed traits in myself and Nickolas that I've never seen before. 

It's like I have noticed my chin for the first time and the way my cheeks curve up when I smile that I share with her. I've realized her strong arms and legs must come from her daddy. And that the shape of her eyes are identical to Nick's. I can see my complexion, yet with Nick's olive skin tone. 

Nickolas says she sleeps just like me - tossing, turning and talking in her sleep. And I say that she is a heat box just like him! Since then, I've noticed how I stretch in the mornings the way Anniston stretches. Or does she stretch like me? I now notice my thousand facial expressions that I've always made that I see in her and how she can figure out how something works after one time just like her daddy - it is pretty impressive!

Anniston has led us to finally see that we have a million different features and traits. And as she grows, I know we will continue to see more of ourselves in her - the good, the bad and the hilarious! That really is the beauty of a child. 

Few of your Favorites

Book: Cheerios and Guess Who

Food: Spaghetti

Stuffed Toy:  Love Bear
Toy: Train

Song: Baby Beluga
Animal: Puppy (whispers puppy at all animals)
Activity: Taking out items and putting them back....again and again and again.

Special Moments

Funniest Moment: Watching you fill daddy's mouth with toys. And giggling as they would fall out. 
Proudest Moment: When you started crawling for the first time - we worked on it for so long. Now you are so very close to walking! You love your walker and the stairs!

Scariest Moment: Falling and hurting your new teeth. 

Saddest Moment: Your first ear infection

Hardest Moment: Weaning you off your swaddle. Oh those sleepless nights!
Craziest Moment: Taking you underwater with me and seeing you smile! 

Sweetest Moment: She give hugs. Really good hugs. With back pats and kisses.

You are 12 Months Old!

Your Birthday Party!

Anniston's Old Fashioned 4th of July Birthday Party! 

I cannot believe I am writing about your first birthday party already! I find myself reading through old blogs and it is truly amazing how much you've grown in one short year! I feel like all our friends and family were here celebrating your birth! 

Since your birthday falls so close to the Fourth of July, I thought I would do an Old-Fashioned 4th of July theme! It was so fun getting stuff ready for this party! I love how it all came together and couldn't be more grateful for all the family and friends that came to help celebrate your special day! 

Here are a few of my favorites! 

Dig In Anniston Jean! Her Smash Cake!

My favorite family photo! Say Cheese!

Make a Wish! 

Table Centerpieces!

She loved opening gifts!

Happy 1st Birthday Anniston Jean! 
Daddy and Mommy Love You to the Moon & Back!

52:51 Father's Day

I Want to Remember

Father's Day

 I want to remember your first Father's Day. We had just gotten back from Vegas and this holiday came up so quickly! Your Grandpa Parr and Daddy spent the entire day and night working away in the basement and actually finished it! So it seemed more like a Mother's Day gift! We dressed you up in a Daddy's Girl outfit and worked away in the kitchen, while they worked away in the basement! We made them Walleye, potatoes, beans, salad, and a yummy chocolate dessert! Then we opened gifts and you snuggled up with your daddy and went to sleep for the night. You always seem to fall asleep so quickly whenever he rocks you to bed. I think that you feel safe and loved in his arms - as you should. I can't wait to watch your relationship grow, as you grow. You are such a Daddy's girl and have been right from the start. Your giggle whenever he dances with you, your smile shines as he does brave things with you and you melt away whenever he rocks you. I hope you know how lucky you are to have such a wonderful Father!

Good Morning Daddy! 

I love you to the moon and back! 

You love writing with pens and crayons!

Papa loved his card and watching you open his gift!! 

And you even loved his gift! How does this work Daddy?

My two favorite Daddy's finishing our basement!! 

Daddy rocking you to sleep. 

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

  Daddy's Little Helper
Anniston loves "helping" with all our household chores - dishes, washing windows, and folding clothes. But she really seems to loves helping her daddy with everything he does! She is so intrigued by all his tools and gadgets. It is ridiculous trying to finish all these projects and keep this house baby proofed. So instead, as Nick works, I am constantly removing things from Annie's reach, her mouth, and even her diaper. Yes, she has put tools in her diaper...oh Anniston! But at least she is an adorable helper to have on hand!