Anniston's Birthday Party!

Oh TWO-dles!

Seriously, I had way too much fun getting ready for this party! I didn't do nearly as much decorating as I did for Anniston's 1st birthday, but it was still so adorable! Can I please just plan parties the rest of my life?!

We knew the weather was going to be hot, so we just set up a few water activites and let the kiddos slide and play all day! I even created a HUGE water blob that you see all over pinterest nowadays. I added red dye, so the water was pink, canisters of glitter, foam letters and balls and we filled it up with water for 27 minutes. And then...it started leaking. So we covered it up with duct tape. And then it started leaking from the other side. So we covered it again. All in all...we used an entire roll of duct tape, just to watch that poor blob slowly deflate. Epic Pinterest Fail.

But we still had the slip in slide, the water sprinkler ball and the kiddo pool and 2 trampolines!! So the kiddos were all exhausted by the end of the day and our bellies were full from the taco in a bag bar! Here's a few pictures...who am I kidding...here are A LOT of pictures from the Minnie Mouse Oh-2-dles party!!

52:8 Two Months Old

I Want to Remember

Check Out Anniston's Project 52:8 by Clicking Here
We had lots of fun video posts of Anniston that week!

52:7 Your First Fourth of July

I Want to Remember  

Your First 4th of July

I want to remember your first 4th of July. The 4th of July just happens to be one of my favorite holidays - beautiful weather, parades, road races, festive attire and fabulous fireworks. Your daddy even proposed to me with fireworks knowing I loved them so much! This week was extra special because your big sister turned 2! So we got to see a lot of friends and family and so many people met you for the first time at our many get togethers. You were such a great baby - so observant and calm. You spent a lot of this week outside and you loved it! You always smile when the breeze hits you, yet scowl at me when the bright sun hits your eyes. But as long as the sun is keeping you warm, you seem as cool as a cucumber. Love you little firecracker!

Check Out Anniston's Project 52:7 by Clicking Here

Anniston is 2 Today!!

You are 2 Years Old Today!

My baby girl is two years old today. That's hard to type, let alone comprehend. And I guess she really isn't a baby anymore. Part of me loves that and part of me is really sad. For now, we are enjoying two. It's sweet, sassy, dramatic, and yet, she just happens to be the most caring girl I've ever met. She sings in the sweetest voices, gives the best hugs, shows empathy toward anyone when they look sad, loves listening to stories and telling her own "once upon a time" stories and never falls asleep without good night songs and nuzzling our shoulder. We love you to the moon and back Anniston Jean. You'll always be my baby girl. 

Singing Anniston Happy Birthday! 

A Look at the Past Year

52:6 Your First Smiles

I Want to Remember 

Seeing Your First Smiles

There is nothing like seeing your little one smile for the first time. Really smile. You woke up in the morning and started stretching out on your changing pad. And then you smiled. But this time you really smiled. And you’ve been doing it more and more ever since. You like when we get close to your face and talk to you or sing you songs. You have such a sweet smile and you even coo along with it most times. I can’t wait to see that gummy smile fill up with little teeth, soft giggles and sweet words.

Nothing to Smile About

Amelia got her 6 week shots this week and they were nothing to smile about. My doctor told me that I didn’t give consent to Amelia’s shots at the hospital, so she didn’t receive any of her shots. This was very frustrating, since I would’ve MUCH rather her gotten her shots at the hospital where she is so unaware of what is going on! Therefore, poor little girl had to get 4 shots at her appointment. I hate shots. I’ve always hated shots. But I detest them much more when I know that they are being given to my children. She squawked for about 7 minutes before finally breathing. The whole thing was miserable and I know that in the long run, shots will pay off, but in the moment. They are really sucky.

On a better note, Miss Amelia is doing very well! 

6 Week Check-Up

Height: 22.25 inches (68%)

Weight: 11 lbs 3 oz (78%)

Head Circumference: 15.3 inches (75%)

Check out Anniston's 52:6 by Clicking Here
I blogged about Anniston's 1st Smiles this week too! 

52:5 Your First Family Reunion

I Want to Remember 

Your First Family Reunion

We love family get togethers. When our families get together we are loud, busy, crazy and it's never calm. And when we have family that lives all over the place, it makes them that much sweeter, yet chaotic, to see everyone. This year we went to Paullina, Iowa to celebrate your Great Grandpa and Grandma Rehder's 60th Wedding Anniversary! A lot of us got one giant cabin at a campground and stayed in that for the weekend! Unfortunately, we had a lot of rain and windy weather, but regardless, I think all the kiddos kept you alert for the majority of the vacation! You got lots of snuggles, cuddles and kisses this weekend! Here are a few pictures from the Rehder Family Reunion! 

It was also Father's Day on Sunday! Your Daddy is a Daddy to 2 sweet girls this year! He loves his girls to the moon and back!

Swimming at the Lake on Friday! It was our only sunny day! So we were outside a lot! 

Anniston & Quincy! This was adorable! I can still hear them giggling! 

Rainy Day Play in the Cabin!

Walking the Campground with Daddy, Quincy & Maxwell 

Check Out Anniston's Project 52:5 by Clicking Here

52:4 One Month Old

I want to Remember

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Anniston is 23 Months Old!

You are 23 Months Old Today!

While Anniston was 22 Months She:

Became a BIG sister on May 8th, 2014 to Amelia Grace Rehder! 

She loves holding her baby sister and singing songs to her. 
Her favorite is "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or as she says 
"Winkle, Winkle Wittle Star."

Starting using the phrase "Oh My Gosh!" for anything that is cool or amazing. 

Planted a garden with Daddy, they go out every night and water it and "in-pect" the fruits and vegetables to see if they are ready to eat. 

She repeats everything now and is very much an auditory learner. She hears something once - a song, counting, a nursery rhyme, a phrase, etc. - and she remembers it and actually uses those sayings in the correct context! It's really quite impressive. 

She loves running and got a new pair of Keen sandals. She wears them everywhere! 

Bubbles and colors keep her easily entertained for long periods of time. 

She is wearing size 6 shoes, 18 months clothes and weighs 22.5 pounds. 

She loves when I fix her hair in pigtails or barrettes. And she also loves pulling them out when I am not looking. Then she always says "Uh Oh, Mommy my hair is broken again!"
Right Annie. 

52:3 Watching You Sleep

I Want to Remember 

Watching You Sleep

I love watching you sleep. You are such a loud sleeper right now - always grunting, cooing or snoring. Anniston loves to check up on you while you sleep. She always giggles at all your little noises.  My favorite part of every day is napping with you. I love feeling your chest breath quickly in and out. I love seeing you open your eyes for a split second, just to check that I am still there with you. I love watching your expressions change while you dream. 

I always wonder what you could possibly be dreaming of when you are so small. Regardless, I hope they are happy dreams as I hold you close. Sweet Dreams Little One. 

Sweet Dreams. 

Don't Sleep Mille! 

Well, as much as Anniston loves her little sister, she does not like her asleep! Amelia can be sound asleep and snoring peacefully in another room and the second Anniston discovers she's missing, she yells, "Don't eep, Millie!" or "Millie Wake Up!" (Note the picture above with the baby sleeping, and then awake when Anniston arrives). At first, it always seemed to startle Amelia, yet she is already better at sleeping through more of Anniston's abrupt wake up calls. 

Poor Millie. 

I just hope that Anniston starts being more mindful of her precious sleep time. I just keep telling myself she loves her so much, she doesn't want to have any time without her. 

And yes, I'll keep telling myself that.

Check Out Anniston's 52:3 by Clicking Here

52:2 Seeing Your Belly Button

I Want to Remember

Seeing Your Belly Button

Today I saw your belly button for the first time. It is the sweetest little belly button ever. We had some slight scares with your umbilical cord stump, as it got infected right away. Luckily, the doctors gave us some medicine for you and it cleared up right away and caused you no pain. When it fell off, it revealed the most adorable belly button ever. I cannot wait to give you full baths, listen to you giggle as we tickle your tummy or blow on your belly. 

Anniston came to your first doctor appointment. She got to listen to your heart and she kept saying
"I give baby sister check up?" Adorable.

Baby Blues
Well, we are right over two weeks and Amelia has had to go get a "check up" three times now. 
Yes, Three doctor's appointments. 
She had her first scheduled doctor appointment when she was only 4 days old. Isn't that soon? The nurse asked if I had any questions and I still felt like I didn't even know this new baby yet. I had a million questions, yet none at the same time. 
Then, a few days later, Amelia's belly button got an infection. I felt like such a failure of a parent, but it never seemed to bother her! Luckily, we got it checked out right away, so it was just an external infection. So we just got some medicated gel and cleared it all out in no time. 
Lastly, she's been having a rough time sleeping at night. I know, this is typical. But her problem isn't staying asleep, she has very irregular breathing. That is terrifying. The doctor either said she has a blocked nasal passage and babies only know how to breathe out of their noses initially, so hopefully as she grows, her breathing will become more regular and in we will both sleep so soundly. 
So hopefully, we are done with the doctor's appointments for awhile! Well, until the dreaded 6 week check up. Shots. Ugh. I hate shots. 

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