My banana

My banana,
I love how you can make me smile. No matter how tired I am, how much my head hurts, you can always make me smile. I love your new game when we come home, you run to get your dishes and tell me to sit. If I dont sit you will pat my chair and say " cmon mommy, sit down". When I come and sit you will ask me "want chocolate milk?". When I say "yes please" you will say "k-hold on, wait right there". You will then go get one of your play cups and use your sippy cup (which really has milk) and pretend to pour me some. Then you bring it to me with a "here ya go mommy". I always reply "thank you Anna, mmmmm the chocolate milk is sooo yummy". This often gets a smile out of you. Then you go get a plate and a utensil and come and pretend to feed me. Its sooo much fun. I love watching you "pretend play". Its so adorable.
You make my day everyday so many times over. Recently I will go into your room and turn on your light when I go to get to get a bath. Then I will come back and open the door but walk out...my favorite is when you are awake and this happens. I love it because I will hear a little voice say "Mommy where are you?". Which sends me running back into your room saying "HERE I AM". You often fall over laughing. It makes my morning.
I love when I pick you up from day care and you run up and hug me and say "this Annas mommy!" and squeeze me. You are then sooooo excited that you embark on telling me about your day...to which I cant understand a word because you talk so fast.
Another Anna-ism you have picked up is answering "ummmmmmm?!" before giving a response to a question. For example, I will ask Anna what do you want to drink, to which I will get an answer of "ummmmmmmm, CHOCOLATE MILK"! (p.s. I love how you love your chocolate pedisure).
You are an amazing little girl. Your new favorite shape is octagon. You mix up hexagon and octagon but you LOVE the word OCTAGON! You still love your colors and now can 95% of the time correctly identify the common colors. I think you only get it wrong when you arent paying attention. You are also really good at your shapes. Square, circle, triangle, rectangle and octagon. We are still working on pentagon, hexagon, cube (you correctly refer to as box!), sphere (you correctly refer to as ball!), cylinder, cone, rectangular prism (you get mad and only call it a rectangle) and pyramid. You are also getting better at counting. The other night I heard you counting as you were picking up "1,2,3,4,.....(inaudible) 7, 8, 9, 10". You are such a bright little woman. I only hope me and your Daddy can continue to challenge you and continue to help that brightness grow.
I love how you will be hitting the ball off your tee one moment and the next thing I know you are playing with your dishes or pushing your baby in its stroller. You are such a well rounded little person. You love trying new things.
I love that you love to eat different things. The other night I mixed ramen noodles with a creamy spinach and ham. You TORE IT UP and wanted more. You LOVE popcorn and of course candy.
Oh....you finally hit 22lbs, I dont have what your height was (11MAR), but will update later with that. The good news is you are now in the 8th percentile! Whoooohooo. You are continuing to put on weight. I guess the pedisure is working!
Almost forgot another new "game"...you love taking off your jammies and diaper (in the middle of the night)! Which would be fine but your not quite ready for potty training. So mommy has figured out a way to win at this game....at least for now...I put a onsie under your jammies. Im sure you'll get it soon. The funniest part was one night I knew you had tried...because your clothes were on in the morning...but they were inside out.
You are absolutely unique. My little Anna Banana. I love everything about you (even your little tantrums---im sorry I know you get your temper from me). I thank God everyday for blessing me and your Daddy with you. Everyday that I wake up I look forward to every moment that I will have with you that day.

The New Year...to new discoveries

Once again I dont even know where to begin. It has only been a little over a month since I wrote in your blog/journal but it feels like a lifetime ago.
Christmas...while we spent it by ourselves, we were not alone. You had a blast opening all your gifts. The constant "wooooww!"s made it a great day for Mommy and Daddy. The cutest part was how you had to take each toy you opened over to the computer so you could show Daddy. You really made Daddy feel like he was here with us. I couldnt have staged it better.
You are such a smart little girl. I know I may be biased but I really think you are.
You love to read books. You dont really have a favorite, just about anything will do. Even if it doesnt have pictures. You also love flash cards. You will come home and go straight to where we keep them and ask for them. The other day you read the words: elephant, tiger, cats, arms up, hi, clap, nose, mouth and eyes from the flash cards (there werent any pictures!) I think its time to move onto a new set of flash cards.
You love Dora and Elmo. Recently, the past week, you started interacting with Dora. You used to just stare at it. Now you will answer her when she asks a question.
You still love bath time and have discovered swimming. Although, the pool was never warm enough, your excitement never dwindled. You made Mommy and Daddy so proud because you were the only baby who would go under water and not cry. You actually would come back up with a huge smile on your face. The little boys daddies in our class would use you as an example to try to get their little boys to go under. I cant tell you how many time I heard "Look Anna went under, can you go under water like Anna?" The last two classes we had you discovered you liked to jump off the side of the pool. Although we got a long way to go before you know how to swim, we couldnt be more excited. We love that you love the water! We cant wait for the next swim class (maybe the water will be warmer).
Your new favorite song is Hokie Pokie...affectionately know as "Dokie!".
At gymnastics you have gotten so much better at hanging onto the bars. Where you used to fall off as soon as we let go, now you can hold for a few seconds.
At home, you have shown how gymnastics has made you fearless. I cant tell you how many times I walk out of the room only to come back in (three seconds later) and you are standing on a table. AND THERE ARENT ANY CHAIRS AROUND!
The past couple weeks have brought on another love for you....COLORING! You love to color, although most of the time you dont even look at what you are doing. You have gotten most of your ROYGBP (P replaced V) colors down. Oh...P is both pink and purple.
I love how when you want me to play with you (or get something for you), you will come grab my finger and pull me. If I am sitting you will say "up Mommy". If I am up you will say "cmon Mommy". I love when you say Mommy. It makes my day...you never say Mommy when you are in a bad mood. Only when you are happy. If I get "MaaaaaMaaaaaa" I know im in for a "treat" :+)
When you get in trouble you will sometimes go to your corner (without me telling you to) and say "i sorry mommy".
You have a big time temper...but you seem to try to control it. However, if you get real mad you will pull your hair and scream...which hurts mommy in more ways than I can explain.
I love how when you give a kiss you will grab my face and hold it there.
I love how you draw me in and I cant help but be totally engaged with you. I love how you make me seek new ways to teach you things.
I love so much about you.

Im a big girl!

The pat couple months have been crazy! We have had Nana come visit to take care of mommy, gone to a wedding, had Poppop come visit to help us move houses, had Daddy come home to visit from Iraq, had Grandma and Pawpaw Shoe and Uncle Edwin and Maddie come visit to see Daddy and visit for Thanksgiving, went to Tennessee to see Sesame Street live, and saw Santa!

You were such a big girl when you went to the dentist. You loved the star sunglasses they gave you to wear. The funniest part was when you said "aaaaaahhhh" with your mouth closed.


You had a blast when Grandma, Pawpaw, Uncle Edwin an Maddie visited. One my favorite memories is watching you and Grandma cook in the kitchen. You were so into what Grandma was doing. You loved sitting on the counter and "helping". You loved it so much that the next morning when you walked
Into the kitchen you asked where Grandma was. You had a blast having your early Christmas with all of them!
You know it breaks my heart but I know you are going to be a "daddy's girl". The whole time Daddy was home, I think you choose mommy over Daddy maybe twice. Although it mad me sad... It mad my heart so happy to see that you loved Daddy and wanted to be close to him. You wanted to be so close to him and were so scared to let him out of your sight that you wouldn't go to sleep the first night Daddy was home. You had to be in our bed and all you wanted to do was talk to Daddy. I especially love how you had to show (pull out) every toy you had and bring it to Daddy. The saddest part for Mommy was the day Daddy left and when we came home. First when I picked you from daycare you asked for Daddy but that wasn't sooo bad. Mommy's heart broke when we came home and you walked into the house looking in all the rooms downstairs looking and saying "Daddy". When you didn't find him you walked back to the garage door and asked "where'd he go"? All I could do was hug you and tell you he went to fight bad guys. It's been over a week and I still catch you talking to Daddy.


The weekend after Daddy left we went to see Sesame Street Live in Nashville. Grandma and Pawpaw Shoe picked us up at the airport, we grabbed a bite at Shoney's and off we went. I won't forget the smile on your face when the characters first came out. You had a look of pure happiness. You surprised us all by how into the show you were. I don't think you took your eyes off the show maybe twice the whole first half. Even thru the second half you were absorbed into the show. Taking your eyes off only to dance, eat popcorn or rub your eyes (it was after three and you hadn't had but a thirty min nap). Seeing you at the show made it all worth it. Your smile, your happiness...made me soooooooo happy.


We also had our first big snow this year...mommy was bad and hadn't bought you a new snow suit soooooooo I had to stuff you into the one fromlast year. You were adorable. I stood you up and were hilarious telling me that you were stuck. The next day we took the sled down the little hill in our back yard. You giggled the whole way down. I can't waito go again.



You have grown so much over the past couple of months. You are talking so much now and even starting to put together little sentences. You love to dance...anywhere....anytime...and to any music. The other day while at the hospital we walked past someone playing the piano..even as I held you, you danced in my arms.
Yesterday we turned your carseat around...you finally hit the big two zero! Finally twenty pounds. You are growing so fast. You amaze me more and more every day. Everyday I look forward to what you will do or say but I will be honest it is bittersweet. You are growing so fast. My precious little baby girl is become a big girl.

New Tricks

Our little Anna! Your are such a beautiful little girl both inside and out. You continue to amaze me.
Your newest trick...helping Mommy was dishes. You love to turn the dishwasher on. No matter if there are clean or dirty dishes...soap or no soap. To be honest you love turning things on and off. Be it the tv, the humidifier, the roomba robot, the air purifier...just about anything you can manipulate you will. Sometimes Mommy gets fustrated but then I smile. I cant stand mad with you. Your little mind is just learnign and exploring and taking great delight in showing that you know how to work things.
Your other trick...climbing. NO FEAR! You will climb on your little chair to get on the couch. You climb on the chest to reach the candy jar! When Mommy moves the chest you then climb on it, to climb on the window sill! I dont know where we are going to put the chest...You climb on Chance (our dog) and try to ride him like he is a horse. Much to your dismay he doesnt move but allows you to pounce on him.
I love how you LOVE books. No longer do we need to put you to bed using your videos. Now at bedtime, I read you a book and then give you the book when I put you in your crib. 9 times out of ten you sit in your crib and "read" your book.
We got you a fish this past weekend. Your little heart loved him the moment you saw him and you love to say hi to him in the morning and "night" to him at night.
This week out of the blue you took to the Green Bay Packer turtle that daddy made for you before he went to Iraq. Out of nowhere you brought it up to me and said "Daddy"? When I pressed its foot and Daddy "talked" to you, you squeled with delight. Now you love to press its foot and give it big hugs when Daddy talks to you. It makes my heart so happy to see that you know Daddys voice. I know it makes Daddy so happy when you say "hi Daddy" to him over skype and when you blow him kisses.
While Mommy has been slacking on working with you on your sign language, you still use the sign for eat, juice, milk and please. You have even started to use the sign for apple. I promise I will try to work harder with you. You also "sign" sometimes
when we sing abc's...you dont get the signs right but I think your getting the concept. I know if I could work with you more you would get it. If I could learn more to teach you, I know you would learn.

2 months...so much has changed

Wow...I cant believe it has been two months since my lst blog. Things were crazy. Poor litte Anna caught two viruses back to back...writing on here became an after thought of oh...I need to write about this or I should write about that. But the days are shorter than I would like...so I am trying to catch up


Our beautiful baby girl, Wow how you have grown. You are talking up a storm now. I swear every once in awhile I get a little sentence out of you..For example last weekend we were at gymnastics and all the kids were running or hopping on the trampoline. As you were running, I of course was cheering you on. I kept saying "Go Anna, Go faster, Go, Go, GO...admist your giggles of delight you waddled over to me and in an out of breath moment said "i tying mommy". My heart couldnt have been prouder. It felt as if it would explode with pride. My mind could help to want to giggle at how cute you were and then couldnt wrap its self around the fact that you had just said what you said. All I could do was scoop you up, squeeze you and say "yes, baby, you are trying, your trying real hard and Mommy is so proud of you." I pray that I never forget that moment. Amongst the many that I hope to never forget that has to be at the top.
You have recently fallen in love with Elmo and abadoned your stuffed "lion". There are times when you will still hug Mr. Lion with all your might but currently he has been replaced with the new light in your life, the wonderful, loving, little red muppet, Elmo. You have so many Elmo items, DVD's, slippers, a bike helmet, socks (thanks to Audrea your daycare provider), an Elmo halloween bucket, an Elmo doll....I dont mind it. I think its adorable. Plus its better than Barney or the Wiggles. Sesame Street is educational so....I give in and Elmo has infiltrated our household. You have also become a fan of Dora the Explorer and Go! Diego! Go!
What an adventureous fearless little lady you are. You are not contempt to watch the other kids (the kids two to three times your age) at the park. You want to do what they do and try your hardest. If they climb up the slide...you are right there trying to climb the slide. Why your fearlessness scares me because I see me in you and I know that will mean emergency room visits, I admire you for it. I promise I wont become too protective, I will let you spread your little wings and as much as possible try the things you wanna try. I dont want you to think that there isnt anything you cant do.
You have taken to walking Chance lately. Although, I think that its more of a ploy to go walking and then run to the dirt piles. Its still cute to see you hold his leash.

You are growing so fast. Such a smart beautiful little girl. Each morning you amaze me and everyday you make me prouder of you than the day before. I still struggle to understand how that is possible but you do it. I wont lie although you make my heart swell with pride, it also makes my heart sad to see you growing so fast as I often get scared that I am missing more than I would like and it saddens me that Daddy cant see in person how much of a bright little lady you have become. Although you are my baby and always will be, often i see you as a little lady. My sweet little lady baby....I will try to write more. I will try to capture more of the moments I hope not to forget and pass them onto you. .

Angel of Mine

My sweet little Anna! I love you so much! My day is made when you smile at me, when you giggle! No matter how mind tired I am, how drained I am...seeing your smile makes my day. I have found that you are my source of calmness. Whenever I get upset with the workings of people, I use you to calm me down. I have found that if I take the time to remove myself from the moment and think of spending time with you, of the smile I will see when I pick you up from daycare and of the hug you will give...thats when I am able to be calm again. Even on days where everything doesnt go right with "Mommy and Anna time". Like you pooing thru three sets of clothes within 4 hour period while we are out running errands. When you arent feeling good in the middle of the night and want to be held or want to run around and play with your toys...I am amazed that I dont get upset, no matter how tired I am or how unright things are going. I told myself when a long time ago that when I had my babies I wouldnt bring the issues of my work home, I wouldnt allow myself no matter how fustrated I was at work to bring that home to my children. I thought it would be harder to do this...I have found that it isnt so hard. All I want to do when I am with you is enjoy my time with you. To soak you up to remember you as you were, how you are that day. There are times I sit and just get stuck in a daze staring at you. You amaze me everyday. Your friendliness to others. Your love of dancing (dont know where you got that...maybe from Daddy...he did breakdance back in the day!) Your inkling to learn and so much more about you. I pray that your personality that you show now remains with you. For you are a strong willed, determined, kind, loving, smart person. Thank you for being you. I know you wont read this for a long time and I am sure some of this I will repeat later. But you never know what the future holds and I want you to know what is in my head and in my heart.

You are growing so fast. You now know what an octupus and seal are (in addition to the other animals you already knew). You will even "bark" like a seal!
Tonight when looking at a picture of a green truck, I asked you what color was the truck...you said "geen"! Not sure if you really know what green is because two cards later I asked you what color the sun was...you said "geen!". I think I might of got too excited...so you said "geen" again to get the reaction. Either way, I think its pretty neat that you know "geen" is a color...if it you arent sure what it really loooks like.

This past weekend I bought you the book "Goodnight Gorilla"! You were looking at it by yourself in the living room. Pointed at something on one of the pages and said "ion", then you growled. To my amazement...you were pointing at a lion! Now whenever you see that book....you say "ion"! And when you see the lion you will often growl.

A new game for you this weekend was peek-a-boo. You have enjoyed this before but never really initiated it. Now whenever you get your hands on a blanket you will throw it over your head and charge at me. Then when I say "where is Anna" you will pull it off giggling with delight!

Oh...your love of dancing...yea...not limited to the confinds of our home. You have no fear nor no shame in dancing in the middle of an outdoor shopping center. Were there others dancing...no....but you heard the music and had to let the dance out!

I love you my sweet baby. Goodnight...sweet dreams! I will see your bright and lovely smile in the morning! Honestly, I cant wait!

4th of July Weekend

Anna had an exciting weekend for the 4th of July. On Thursday we picked Nana up from the airport. Anna showed off her walking skills right away by holding Nana's hand and walking to the car. The only hiccups were at the elevator. She didnt want to cross the opening and she wouldnt get close to glass. Anna didnt throw a fit or anything. She just kind of froze. Friday we went to Crackerbarrel and ate lunch. From there we went toy shopping, where Anna proudly voiced a new word..."WOW!" She just kept saying it as she looked at the toys! It was so cute. After the toystore we went to Target and got Daddy some treats. Then....we went washing machine shopping. Anna and Nana spent the time walking through home depot and lowes lighting sections...Anna liked the lights. Saturday we all slept in.....YEA! Then we mostly hung around the house until the evening. We went and had steaks with Cathie, ALex and Cathies Mom. Then it was off to the fireworks. The website said the fireworks would start at dusk. We got there around 8....and heard the annoucement that the fireworks would start at 930! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy past Anna's bedtime. She did pretty good entertaining herself for awhile. She danced to the music (see the video below),
she made friends with the grandpa next to us, chased the ducks and walked around everywhere. Then the fireworks started. Anna LOVED them! She just stared at them with her mouth open, smiling and pointing at times. Towards the end she started getting fussy but...who could blame her it was already an hour and half past her bedtime. Im glad we took her. She really did enjoy it. I think her favorite was when she saw the fireworks reflections in the water. She was mesmerized. Anna did sooooo good with Nana. I am always worried that she will get stranger scared when she hasnt seen family in awhile. I really shouldnt worry...she can seriously make friends with anyone...as long as they wave and smile when she says "hi" to them :+)