52:35 Your First Bubble Bath

I Want to Remember

Your First Bubble Bath

I want to remember the first time I used bubble bath with you. Bath time is still one of my favorite times with you. You LOVE your baths. We usually fill the bath with your favorite toys and you splash them in the water, clank them together and stay in there until your are all wrinkled and worn out! Tonight I decided to finally add baby bubbles to your bath and you. loved. it! It was so fun watching you splash away and you were putting them all over you. Cuteness overload!

Fabulous Food

I have been having learning so much about making baby food and I am loving it! I think Annie is too! She is quite the eater and virtually eats whatever I put in front of her! She is beginning to accept her green vegetables a lot more now that I started warming them a bit! Now that she has tried all the basic fruits and veggies and I started pairing fruits into smoothies and yummy vegetable blends with different herbs and spices! Who knew baking for baby could be so much fun!

 Enjoying her banana/blueberry/greek yogart smoothie!

Anniston's Favorites

Cinnamon Apple & Pear

Mango & Banana Puree

Fruit Smootie (Strawberries, Blueberries, and Banana)

Baby Guacamole (Avacado with Cucumber & Cumin)

Sweet Potatoes and Mashed Potatoes 

52:34 Your First Tooth

I Want to Remember

Your First Tooth

 I want to remember your first tooth. We knew it was coming. You have been waking the last few nights, chewing on everything, and been especially drooly lately! Since I am still nursing you I have been nervous about this moment, but so far, you have been very kind to me! I was so excited when I woke up in the morning to find that your tooth finally broke through your gums. It is still very short, but it just makes me so giddy to watch your smile transform from a gummy grin to a terrific teething smile! 

Celebration Overload

After having a blast for Valentine's Day and celebrating big birthday style, I now cannot contain my excitement for the month of March! Having back to back holidays to close means some serious clashing of home decorations - Green Shamrocks with Pastel Eggs? Such a contradiction! But regardless, that means lots of fun dress up days! Speaking of dress up days, this week at daycare Anniston had to dress up for Wacky Wednesday! Could she be any cuter?!

Oh, you better believe I have plans for some shiny shamrock ensembles and I won't even start on Anniston's Easter outfits!  

Can.Not.Wait.

You are 8 Months Old!

 

52:33 My First Birthday with You

I Want to Remember

My First Birthday with You

I want to remember my first birthday with you. I loved waking up in the morning to your smiling face. You were so happy this morning, but really you are always so happy in the morning. That afternoon, daddy took you out of daycare and you surprised me at lunch! Seeing you both brightened my whole day. Thank you for giving me the gift of you this year! 

Mommy and Me

Oh my Goodness! Turns out I am obsessed now with matching. I know, cliche. But oh so cute! I haven't gotten to the point where we are completely matching, but we definitely coordinate our colors frequently. Especially our mints, chorals, polka dots, stripes, or greys! I can't get enough of them. And either can Anniston. More pics to come. But I figured I had better get my fix as much as possible now, before she is over me copying her sassy style!

52: 32 Your First Valentine's Day

I Want to Remember

Your First Valentine's Day

 I want to remember your first Valentines Day. This was your first day going to Emmy's Daycare and we were so excited for you! We made you some "colorful" Valentines, put on one of your many adorable Valentine outfits and took you out for a day full of Love and Fun! I think you were so intrigued by all the new people, sounds, and things that you didn't sleep at all! 
That night you were so sweet though! Daddy came home with roses for us and all the ingredients to make his delicious homemade lasagna! We had such a fun family night together reading your new Valentine Books - Fancy Nancy's "Heart to Heart" and Amelia Bedilia's "First Valentine." We also took a bath, opened your Valentines, and danced as a family. I hoped you know how loved you are Anniston Jean!

These were Anniston's Valentines that she handed out at Daycare. We spend our weekend peeling, breaking, and baking crayons! It says You "Color" Me Happy Valentine!

With your Valentine Banner and Teddy from Grandma Parr

Getting Ready to go to Emmy's in the Morning!

 Reading Fancy Nancy - you love her stories - or maybe mommy does! 

Playing Peek-a-Boo with Momma!

Digging through her Valentines!

Playing with her Lovey from Grandma Parr

Flowers and Candy?! Such and awesome holiday!

Cooking in the Kitchen with Papa! 

 

 

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!