Month 11 was very satisfying! Most excitingly Anna learned to walk. She also got real hair (the Mohawk is *almost* gone), ended with three teeth (two more than she started with I believe), started making noises that sound likes real words (though they aren't realy words, just noises) and, in her father's opinion, is a real person now. She went to Myrtle Beach and spent time with her Hoverman family (Nana, Papa, Aunt Kiki, Uncle Goeff, Cousin Blake, Uncle Matt and Aunt Laurie were all there), spent time at Tahoe with her Smuesby family and celebrated her birthday at least 3 times. She continues to be our very own Bambam and walking has only made it more pronounced. She leads with her head and is constantly falling which makes her cry sometimes but she shakes it off quickly. She continues to have very little self-preservation instinct which is funny until it's not. She has NOT figured out how to go down stairs backwards so she heads straight down on her feet. Ok when it's two stairs. Not ok when it's more. She started out the month happy Anna and ended it much more solemn and thoughtful. (Since I am writing this a month late I know that Happy Anna came back and Solemn Anna is really Teething Anna which was a relief. We missed Happy Anna!) Anna still loves to hug and cuddle. She is a very good sleeper and is starting to even sleep late (6:30 feels pretty late to me! Sometimes she even makes it to 7!!!) She is down to four bottles a day (though they are big bottles) and she is a good eater at all meals except breakfast. She still refuses to eat anything that comes on a spoon or a fork preferring to feed herself.
A typical Anna day goes something like this:
She wakes up initially at about 6 and after a quick fussing/grunting session she gets a warmed up 6oz bottle of whole milk. She usually goes back to sleep post bottle and snoozes in her crib until 6;30 or 7. When she wakes up the second time, Sarah Jane, who has been awake for sometime and usually playing quietly (sometimes) in her parent's room, runs in to say good morning, allowing her sleepy parents a five minute-ish snooze. After we get her up we begin the daily battle to keep Anna out of trouble. She likes to crawl into the shower, fully clothed, so we have started letting her hang out in the shower while we shower which has had the side effect of making her big sis much more interested in getting clean! After we get her dressed (a HUGE struggle since she does NOT appreciate being on her back on the changing table) we head downstairs for breakfast. She's not much of a breakfast eater but can usually be persuaded to have some fruit. Elizabeth shows up at 8. Anna claps and beams. Her sister is not so enthusiastic. Mommy leaves for work, Anna is just starting to wave goodbye and occasionally looks a little miffed but so far has not had any separation anxiety. Everyone plays in the back room until Anna gets a little fussy, around 9/9:30 and has her second bottle in bed, and usually falls asleep, though often not. Owen shows up at 9:30. After a brief morning nap it's off on an Elizabeth inspired adventure. The zoo, the park, the little farm, Target, burritos, they go all over! At noon they have lunch, usually in a park. Elizabeth is the queen of the park and gets all the other nannies to help. It's an amazing sight. In the afternoon there is some form of a nap. Usually around 2:30 and it always involves a bottle but does not always involve sleep. At 5:30 it's dinner time. If mommy has cooked it's noodles. When Elizabeth is cooking it's chicken, rice, zucchinis from the garden and tomatoes. At 6 mommy gets home. Anna always gives me a hero's welcome which involves a big smile and lots of arm waving and banging on her plate. I make dinner for SJ and feeds Anna her second dinner (some of whatever we are eating. Usually noodles again.) After dinner we head up stairs for a bath. Anna LOVES her bath but she does not love getting clean. She likes to stand up in the bath and then look at me expectantly, waiting for me to say "Sit down Anna" which she does promptly because she knows I will clap. Anna will do anything for applause. After bath we wrestle into her pjs, always a struggle, and go downstairs to get her bottle. I often attempt to read Anna a book before bed but she is not at all interested. She gets very frustrated and swats any book away. She heads to bed, with her bottle, at about 7:15. Any later and we have problems but if I catch her just right, she goes straight down no problem.
Anna's favorite foods are cheese, cheese and cheese. Preferably yellow. She likes to drink out of cups, she fills her mouth up with water, spits it out and goes back for more. Her favorite toys are things that make noise and babies that have eyes that open and close. She likes pushing the strollers and the alligator walker. She likes hanging out in her tent. She loves eating dirt and sand. She is a very good hugger. She roars when she wants more. She does not like having barrettes in her hair. She still seems big to me and is wearing size 18-24 months comfortably. Her eyes are more green than blue these days though are still changing and in the bathtub look blue. Her hair is not coming in curly but seems to be fluffy, sort of like her dad's I think. She looks to me like her Dad and her Uncle Nat. She loves to make noises and spends a lot of time wiggling her tongue and singing. In my humble opinion, I think she has a lovely and clear voice.
Below is the daily log (last month!)
Tue, Jul 20, 2010
Anna has two dinners most nights - she eats first with Elizabeth and then a second time with Mommy and Sarah Jane. She loves to eat!
Wed, Jul 21, 2010
Anna is getting a new tooth. Just in time for vacation
Thu, Jul 22, 2010
Anna is no longer getting a tooth. These teeth are mysterious!
Fri, Jul 23, 2010
Anna is hanging out with her dad and her sister this morning while Mommy travels for work.
Sat, Jul 24, 2010
Anna is on her way to Myrtle Beach for Hoverman family vacation. She was very good in the plane, as long as she was strapped into her car seat. She is squirmy! She also made lots of friends as she is a major flirt.
Sun, Jul 25, 2010
Anna hit the beach and headed straight for the water. Marching right in with no fear. Very impressive.
Mon, Jul 26, 2010
Anna did very well adjusting to the time change and the new crib. She has been going right down at night no problem (in contrast to her big sis.)
Tue, Jul 27, 2010
Anna went out to dinner to celebrate Nana and Papa's wedding anniversary. She was very well behaved but ended up much dirtier than she started!
Wed, Jul 28, 2010
Anna likes to eat sand. She does not seem to learn that it doesn't task good. Actually, Anna likes to eat anything. She is particularly fond of milkshakes from Papa.
Thu, Jul 29, 2010
Anna is enjoying her time with her cousin. Actually she doesn't really notice him as she is much more interested in the adults but I'm sure that will change soon.
Fri, Jul 30, 2010
Anna enjoyed a bath with Aunt Kiki, Cousin Blake AND Sarah Jane. Everyone got very wet. No one got very clean.
Sat, Jul 31, 2010
Anna is headed home from family vacation and is once again a lovely happy baby on the plane. So easy Anna!
Sun, Aug 01, 2010
Mon, Aug 02, 2010
Anna was thrilled thrilled thrilled this morning to see Elizabeth. I thought she would float out of her chair!
Tue, Aug 03, 2010
Anna impressed Aunt Whitney greatly today with her almost walking skills.
Wed, Aug 04, 2010
Anna is such a very good sleeper these days. We really appreciate it Anna! Thank you.
Thu, Aug 05, 2010
Anna was very good at mommy's work party and charmed all of my colleagues with her happy smile and her willingness to hug just about any one (though her hugs for mommy are really the best.)
Fri, Aug 06, 2010
Anna is a very good eater, consuming just about anything that is put in front of her.
Sat, Aug 07, 2010
Anna is walking! She took two steps on her own this morning and promptly crashed into the wall in our bedroom. Has not yet been repeated but we are on our way to toddlerhood.
Sun, Aug 08, 2010
Anna is walking more and more, I think we got up to four steps today. Her rate of improvement is truly impressive. AND her Hoverman grandparents were here to witness it!
Mon, Aug 09, 2010
Anna threw up all over her mother this evening. Big kid throw up. Stinky gooey chunks. And now my reader is as grossed out as I was. But not covered in throw-up. Be glad.
Tue, Aug 10, 2010
Anna's mom is solo without dad. We miss him. We are all tired.
Wed, Aug 11, 2010
Anna is starting real milk! Mainly because we are out of formula and her mother pretty much refuses to buy any more. Fed up with the stuff. Anna does not seem to mind. (Or notice.)
Thu, Aug 12, 2010
Anna celebrated her first birthday (one of many celebrations) with Aunt Kiki who is leaving for the East Coast. We will miss having Aunt Kiki in our lives!
Fri, Aug 13, 2010
Anna took her first steps that weren't heading towards someones open arms (walking initiated by herself.) She got up to 8 solo steps on her own.
Sat, Aug 14, 2010
Anna ate at Saul's with Nana and Papa this morning. She did not like French Toast or Pancakes. She DID like watermelon. Anna is not much of a breakfast eater.
Sun, Aug 15, 2010
Anna celebrated her first birthday party today at the Tilden Trains (in tandem with Sarah Jane.) She was an excellent sport but does not like chocolate cupcakes. She had two friends at the party - Drew Chun and Hazel (Lucy's sister.) She wore a pretty yellow dress and a creamy white sweater.
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| Blowing out her candle (or just plan grabbing it.) |
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| The biggest "kids" at the party |
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| The tent was a hit |
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| Not a fan of the cupcake. Odd since she eats everything else. |
Mon, Aug 16, 2010
Anna is suddenly getting a bit grumpy. Where did Happy Anna go? She gets mad when she doesn't get something she wants (though she gets over it quickly) and she spends a lot of time in thoughtful contemplation (when she used to just smile and coo.)
Tue, Aug 17, 2010
Anna is learning to share! This morning she and Sarah Jane hung out in bed with mommy and Sarah Jane wanted Anna's passy. Sarah Jane cried and cried and suddenly a light-bulb went off in Anna's head and she took it out of her mouth and handed it to Sarah Jane. Then she roared, and looked expectantly until Sarah Jane handed it back to her. What a fun game!
Wed, Aug 18, 2010
Anna is starting to make sounds like words. She doesn't make the actual word sounds but she makes the correct intonation for things like "byebye" and "Sarah Jane." She can also very adamantly shake her head no, especially when being asked to eat something she'd rather not.
Thu, Aug 19, 2010
Anna is ONE! She had a wonderful birthday morning with lots a presents (a puzzle from GPapa, a book from GG, clothes, some books and her very own baby whose eyes open and close from mommy and daddy and a cool wooden box with holes for shapes from Sarah Jane (who picked it out herself with some guidance from Diapers.com)
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Anna opening presents in bed |
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| Her very own baby! |
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| What lucky sisters! |
