52:43 Swimming Lessons

I want to Remember

Swimming Lessons

I want to remember your swimming lessons. We went to swimming for 6 weeks. I wasn't sure how you would like it or if you'd be that child that just screams the whole way through. Like I have said before, you LOVE your bathtime, so I was hoping you would just think of this as a giant bath. And did you ever! From night one, you were like a little guppy in the water! Kicking, splashing and smiling away! On the last night we got to put you under water. Mommy was very hesitant to do this, but you came up smiling and wanting more! I am so proud of you for completing your first swimming session and I cannot wait to get you out in the hot summer days!

52: 42 Sleeping Solo Style

I want to Remember
Sleeping Solo Style 

 I want to remember you sleeping solo style. This was your first sleep where we didn't use a swaddle/zippadee/sleepsack! It took you a long time to get used to not having anything holding you throughout the night. We just think that you liked the idea of someone hugging you all night! You come from quite the cuddly parents, so that doesn't surprise us! We finally decided to just wean you off the swaddle very gradually and it seems to have worked for you! Now that you aren't restrained you are quite the mover at night! We love watching you through the video monitor to see how many times you have moved it one night. It is quite impressive! You don't even wake up - you just roll, turn, ball up, lay out and flip. The best part is waking to you in the morning. You don't wake up crying like I expected, we actually wake up to the monitor and hearing you coo and ahh. You always sit up and start playing with your heart bear. It is the sweetest thing. I'd like to think that you are just telling "bear" all about your sweet dreams!

Finding a Great Baby Monitor

Ugh...baby monitors can be a pain! The first one we got was a Summer monitor. We really loved it until our screen just blacked out randomly. So we set out looking for another baby monitor! Sounds easy right?! Well it isn't! It's actually quite frustrating! We got one that went into "sleep mode" after 10 minutes and made this terrible beeping sound because it kept losing signal. Not pleasant when you are in a dead sleep at 3am. Then we got another that said it was for your iPad/iPhone and it was a joke.  The second that you closed out of the app, the monitor shut down and the app kept logging us out. So in order to see Annie in the middle of the night, we had to literally log back on! Not smart. So FINALLY we are on our 4th monitor. Maybe I am being too picky?! No...

Regardless, we LOVE it and it is exactly what we wanted out of a Baby Monitor! Oddly enough, it is set up to be a Security Camera, but it does just want we wanted! It is a Foscam and it is awesome! It took awhile for Nick to set up, but once he figured out the set up, it is the bomb! It is set up through our iPhones and we can move the camera, zoom in, change the lighting, and the audio is so great we can hear her breathing! Ri.dic.u.lous! So there you go Mommas-to-Be! That is the Baby Monitor that I would highly recommend!

Tossing and Turning all Night!

You are 10 Months Old!

52:41 The Never-Ending Winter

I Want to Remember

The Never-Ending Winter

I want to remember this never-ending winter. It is almost May and we still have yet to take a decent walk outside in our stroller. I cannot wait to take you outside and set you in the grass! Spring will come. It has to. But until then, I will have fun dressing you up in your wonderful winter apparel! 





 

52:40 This Beautiful Mess

I Want to Remember

This Beautiful Mess

I want to remember to week you started getting into everything! It's nearly impossible to keep things organized with you! And it's not even your toys that you make the most mess with. You love to get into everything you're not supposed to - mommy's shoes and makeup bag, the Ziploc bags, Tupperware, pantry items, measuring cups, etc. In this picture I was folding laundry in the bedroom and I walked into the closet and you had pulled out several of my shoes. It was such a Kodak moment. A girl, a tutu, and shoes. You are definitely my daughter!  You were so proud of yourself and the beautiful mess you made! 

Oh so Pretty!

Digging in Mommy's Bathroom Drawers

 Anniston loves her tupperware toys!

 Making a mess from the Pantry!

Spice Rack...This Could be Fun! Or not...Time to Baby Proof Better!

Mommy's Girly Girl

Another Not-So Beautiful Mess

We are working on finishing the basement and I am so over it. I know I shouldn't complain, because Nick has literally done ALL the work! It started as one big cement room and it has been so fun to watch it transform. Nickolas has literally done every little thing, he even taught himself how to do the electrical! So impressive. But, I am over the clutter, the dust, the boxes, the tools, the paint cans. It is a constant mess! We are finally to the painting point, so I know the end is in sight. Here is a sneak peak of the basement...

So. Very. Close.

Can. Not. Wait!

52:39 Brushing Your Teeth

I Want to Remember

Brushing Your Teeth

I want to remember the first time we brushed your teeth. I remember my dentist reminding me that as soon as you got teeth, I needed to start protecting them. I pray you have your Daddy's teeth because he still has no cavities! I cannot say the same about me. Not even close actually! So I will work hard to try to protect those precious teeth of yours! 

Teeth are Scary!
So I am going to be brutally honest here. Annie was attempting to crawl on the wood floor the other day and she slipped and her face and teeth went right into the floor. I am still cringing as I write this because it sounds so awful. I was crying, she was crying and I literally felt like the worse mother in the World. Lucky for me she only cried for a few minutes until I gave her my boob and started singing Bob Marley's "Every Little Thing." And Boom, she was fine!  
But then, I did the worse thing possible that night and "googled" what happens if new teeth get hurt. I read terrible things, so don't do that - brown teeth, teeth rotting, teeth falling out, oh my! 

But now that some time passed I know that her teeth are going to be just fine. I guess I am writing this to remind myself, and all those other mommies reading this, that accidents do happen. They are still awful, scary and sucky. But they happen. And they are no one persons fault. So here is to all those mommies who comfort and the kiddos who cry. 
Don't you worry, about a thing, because every little thing, is gonna be alright. 

52: 38 The Week Everything Changed

I Want to Remember

The Week Everything Changed

I want to remember our spring break week. It was the week everything changed for you! I have been looking forward to this vacation week for us for so long. We were going to have a Girl's Week with Gracie, but at the last minute we found out that your Auntie Rachel and her four kiddos and Grandpa Rick were coming to visit us from Washington! I was so excited for your to hang out with all your cousins and see little Quincy again. He is quite active and I figured he would encourage you to want to crawl too. 

Below are some pics from our week:

You helped with the household chores. You LOVE playing with fresh, warm clothes!

We played with a lot of games and toys. 

All your cousins, Auntie Rachel, Auntie Jennifer, and Grandpa Knob came to visit for the week. 

You went to American Girl this week with Gracie for girl's day. I think you are just as obsessed as we were. Tea party, desserts, and playing with dolls. 

You got FIVE teeth this week. Yes, FIVE! For a total of 6 teethers now. Four on top and two on bottom! 

You finally crawled for the first time on your 9 Month birthday!

                                    You are 9 Months Old!

52:37 Meeting the Easter Bunny

I Want to Remember

Meeting the Easter Bunny

I want to remember meeting the Easter Bunny. We were shopping and he was just sitting there, waiting for someone to come visit him. So naturally we took a picture! I wasn't sure how you would react. And I truly don't think you knew how to react! You looked at me and smiled, looked up at  him, and then looked back and then the tears started rolling. What can I say, I think a giant Easter Bunny holding me would be terrifying too!

52:36 Your First St. Patty's Day

I Want to Remember

Your First St. Patrick's Day

 I want to remember your first St. Patrick's Day. I slaved away the night before making you a St. Patrick's day ensemble. It was conferences this week, so mommy's mind forgot that St. Patrick's Day was so close!  But rest assured, it all came together in time! Over night, a little leprechaun left you some green goodies - Emeraldicious & The Night Before St. Patrick's Day. So naturally, we read them and then got you ready! It was so fun dressing you up in the morning and seeing the whole outfit come together! You looked adorable and my mind was at ease sending you to daycare that day, because I knew no one would be pinching my little leprechaun! 

 

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!