52:31 Growing with Grandma

I Want to Remember

Growing with Grandma

I want to remember the month where you got to grow with Grandma. We were so lucky and so blessed to have Grandma stay with us for a whole month to babysit while you transitioned into a new daycare. It was such a blessing to get daily videos of you giggling and photos of you snuggled in Grandma's arms while I was at work. I loved coming right home from work and talking all night about things you did throughout the day. Your Daddy and I felt such an ease knowing you were growing with Grandma during this time. I hope you know how much your Grandma loves you Anniston Jean! 

For Grandma,  Whose heart is filled with pure kindness, love, and generosity. We are so thankful to have you as a mother, a grandmother and friend. Thank you for being you!

Family Far Away Blues

Having your own family, and not having family members nearby sucks. Saying goodbye to my Mother being here and helping us so much was such a hard thing for me to grasp. I know, many people probably read this and think, "Oh my gosh I could have never lived with my mother for a month!" But in reality, it was such a comforting feeling having her close by and knowing Anniston was in such safe hands. Not to mention, my mom definitely got the short end of the stick - driving back and forth on the weekends, literally sleeping in our living room because the basement was getting done, and she did all of our household chores despite me telling her not too!
After this month, I truly hope that those that have family close by appreciate how lucky they are. I wish all our family member were just a quick trip away, but I guess distance makes the heart grow fonder and we can definitely say we are so grateful whenever we get to spend time with any of our family members!

52:30 Your Many Faces

I Want to Remember

Your Many Faces

I want to remember your many faces. You have got to be one of the most expressive babies I have ever seen. In one sitting, your face can go from giggling, frowning, serious, laughing, fussing, tongue-rolling, questioning, relaxed, tired and cheesing out. And I am not exaggerating, nor am I complaining. Auntie Rachel talks about Big Emotions, and you definitely have big emotions! But I love you - and all your little faces!

Me? Dramatic? Never!
So I'll be the first to admit we may have a drama queen on our hands. Clearly she got that from her father. Like I said previously, she can make quite the scene when she wants to! But seriously, I don't even want it to stop because those faces are too much! Anniston eating is probably the most comical thing to watch ever. I am still making all her food, and since I am not the best chef, it is always interesting to see how she'll react to what I make. There are always lots of big facials at the table and feeding her can be one of my favorite times of the day with her. I love how her little big personality is already starting to shine though!


You are 7 Months Old!

52:29 You Sticking out your Toungue

I Want to Remember

You Sticking Out Your Tongue

I want to remember you sticking out your tongue. You do it ALL the time! And you don't just stick it out anymore, now you twist it back and forth and back and forth! It is quite impressive actually! You love showing others your silly trick and then you love grabbing other people's tongues as if you are showing them how to do it. Thank you for being such a great teacher and knowing that it's okay to be silly! 

52:28 Finding Your Friend

I Want to Remember

Finding Your Friend

I want to remember you finding your friend. You are becoming more aware of the World around you more and more each day. Whenever people hold you you are always touching their faces - pulling on their noses, putting your fingers in their mouths, pulling on tongues and taking others glasses! I read that by doing this you are creating a mental image of each face and that your tactile sense actually creates an understanding of who each person is! You love exploring people's faces and discovering them with your hands. 

 Mirror Mirror on the Wall...
Lately you have been intrigued by mirrors. You always giggle whenever you see yourself in the mirror. You are now big enough that you can sit up in front of the mirror and play, touch, and even kiss your cute "friend" on the other side of that glass. Here is to some seriously cute entertainment and enjoyment! 
 Even better?! There is a point to looking in the looking glass!  Mirror games help babies learn how to focus, track images, and explore the wonderful things a face can do. And it promotes social and emotional development as she interacts with you and her own image! I can't wait until she'll learn that the friendly face she's been looking at all along is none other than her very own!! 

52:27 Dressing You For Winter

I Want to Remember

Dressing You For Winter

I want to remember dressing you for winter. Not because it is always fun or exciting, it is actually quite a pain! But seeing you all bundled is beyond adorable! I get such a kick out of seeing you all warm and snuggled and once you get outside, you really do seem to like it too...now getting you in that car seat all bundled is a whole new story!

Oh, Baby it's Cold Outside!

Okay, so once again I am ranting about winter. As much as I hate it, I sure do talk a lot about! I would like to think that as soon as my Christmas decorations go away, so will this wretched cold weather. Well, unfortunately, that isn't the case...at all. So thank goodness for adorable outer layers, puffy stocking hats, warm thigh leggings, snug boots and patterned tights! 

 

   

52: 26 Your First New Years

I Want to Remember

Your First New Years

I want to remember your first new years. You definitely didn't stay up until midnight, but you still brought in the new year right - surrounded by family and a new friend, Reece! We traveled out to Rapid City and rented this amazing cabin for four days. We had so much fun relaxing and loving, cuddling, playing and skating this holiday season! You were such a champ on the very long road trip! You went ice skating, hiking in the woods, snuggled by the fire place and tried some new foods! This was such a lovely vacation and a trip we will all remember for years to come!

A Look at 2012
Lilyan celebrated turning 1 on February 19th!  
Ashley celebrated her 26th birthday in February 20th.

  Nickolas ran a full marathon in Greenbay, WI. Unfortunately it was called off around mile 18 due to high heat conditions. But it was wonderful spending time with family!

We signed a balloon to send to "heaven" on the one year Anniversary of Valerie's Passing. Gracie sent it off and it sailed high into the sky. 

We bought our first home!! We moved in on June 15th and LOVE be homeowners!

 Anniston Jean was born on June 30th at 6:19pm.    

Annie was baptized at All Saints on August 20th. Jake and Angela are her godparents. 

 Annie took her first plane ride to Colorado and met many family members!

 

52:25 Snuggle Time

I Want to Remember

Snuggle Time

 I want to remember snuggle time with you. These past few weeks I have been so spoiled because I have had work off. We have taken daily naps, read several books, worked on getting up off the ground off your tummy, and sitting independently. This nap was so special because daddy was working downstairs on the basement and he came up and found us like this. He got jealous and we all went to bed for a serious snuggle session! This was one of those moments that I want to remember forever. 

Caught Napping at the Cabin! Love this moment!

Sleep...Never!

Well, I am OFFICIALLY done bragging about Annie's awesome sleeping schedule! She now hates to sleep at night! We tried weaning her off the swaddle and then taking it away completely. We have tried feeding her food right before bed and just giving her the boob before bed. We have tried elevating her crib and letting her sleep in the bassinet. We've put her to bed earlier and tried putting her to bed later.  And NOTHING is seeming to help her sleepless nights. So as for now I am thankful that I can nap with her during the days, but when I go back to work this week I am hoping that she gets some sleep so I can actually function in my classroom! Here's to hoping that this growth spurt/teething/ear infection stage is almost over so we can all get some serious sleep again!


You are 6 Months Old!

52:24 Your First Christmas

I Want to Remember

Your First Christmas

  

I want to remember your first Christmas. Your Papa and I were so overjoyed this Christmas to have you to celebrate with. We spent time in Chaska for your first Christmas with Daddy's side of the family and you spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Mommy's side of the family. You did so well with all the traveling and all the family members. You got VERY spoiled, but you were more entertained with the wrapping paper and ribbons than the actual presents!  You got some fabulous new outfits and great new toys to that you will grow into! Cannot wait to try them all out. We truly just felt so lucky and blessed to have you this Christmas.

My thoughts on the Holidays:

This season is WaY more fun with a baby to buy for!

My favorite Christmas gift for you was Elijah the Elephant by Rockabye Baby 

There are LOTS of adorable holiday books and songs to read to baby! 

You can never have too many holiday dresses! 

Driving all over for the holidays, cannot happen every holiday! It's exhausting!

 

52:23 Sitting on Your Own

I Want to Remember

Sitting on Your Own

I want to remember you sitting on your own. The past few weeks you have been leaning, toppling, and wobbling while sitting, with the Bobby surrounding you.  But now you are officially able to sit on your own. Not for very long, and I know this amount of time will only increase, but it is so exciting to see how strong and brave you are! 

52:22 Your First Snowfall

I Want to Remember

Your First Snowfall

I want to remember your first snowfall. You were so intrigued by snow. As it came down I sat you in front of our sliding door and you just stared at it. Your eyes were memorized by it and I just loved watching you tap the window. We took you outside the next morning in your snowsuit and we laid you in the snow.We weren't sure how you'd react, but you just giggled and kept hitting at the snow with your legs and hands. I think you will be quite the snow bunny! 

Midwest Baby!
This crazy child definitely loves the cold! It is the strangest thing, I get her all bundled up to go from the parking lot to the Target entrance and she would throw such a fuss about getting so bundled, I would too, but regardless, the second she feels that chilling breeze from outside she just cheeses out! She got some adorable new snow suits, hats, booties, and mittens!  It has been so fun dressing her up for this ridiculous winter weather! More pictures to come on this! I promise!