Monday, July 11, 2016

Little Annie

Annie is growing so fast!




At the 6 month milestone, Annie preferred to sit up and watch the craziness of her household.  She started sleeping without her sleep sack (hooray!) and occasionally she can put herself to sleep in her bed.  Her daddy almost always puts her to sleep at night by giving her a bottle and rocking.  She loves her blankie tucked in by her face to go to sleep.

She was playing on the floor while I did the dishes.  Suddenly I didn't hear her anymore...
Sitting up in the Bumbo more and more.
When she turned 7 months, she learned to sit alone and really loves it!  She jabbers loudly as if she's talking to her wild siblings as they're running around the house.  She loves their activity and noise.  Most evenings she sits in her seat in our kitchen as we clean up dinner and do dishes.  I distinctly remember her sitting at the table watching Vera & Vince in the living room.  Suddenly, very loudly she started jabbering as if she was yelling at them.  It was really the first time I remember her talking to them, and it was so cute! 





She's slowly outgrowing the bouncy seat, playmat and swing.  Once she started sitting alone, she had very little interest in using them.  It's sad to be putting those baby things away...

Reach for the stars.

Pretty lady
This is how she usually sleeps. 

Starting to become more active on the floor.
Trying out the swing for the first time.  She smiles and smiles as we gently push her.
After I took these 8 month pictures and looked back at them, I couldn't believe how much she looks like her dad.  She has his eyes, and I think she smiles like Blaire.  She's still very long for her age, so maybe she has some of the Bergman height in her.  



Summertime means outside time.  Annie does well playing in her stroller, walker or on a blanket.
#pictureperfectbabe
During her 8th month, she started cutting her first teeth.  She had a really runny nose, a little fussiness, and loss of appetite.  It lasted for about 2.5 weeks and right before she turned 9 months, one little bottom tooth popped through the skin.  She won't have her little gummy smile for much longer.  

She also twirls her wrists and waves her arms when she wants someone to pick her up.  She gets really excited, and will let out a sad cry if someone doesn't pick her up.  I feel bad that she spends a lot of time on the floor playing or else in her high chair.  She doesn't like to be left alone, and she's not always super fond of her exersaucer.  We're trying to encourage the walker and exersaucer because she won't stand or attempt to put any weight on her legs.  She just has jello legs and falls down when we try to stand her in our lap.  


Annie turned 9 months on the 4th of July!  She is changing a lot.  She shows little interest in playing with baby toys.  "Real toys" are much more interesting to her, so she's starting to spend time sitting in our playroom checking out the kitchen food, Paw Patrol pups, and farm.  She can also move from laying on her belly to sitting up, and she's pretty fast at it!  When I go in her room in the mornings, oftentimes she's sitting up smiling at me. I've also noticed her scooting herself backwards on her belly.  We've entered the everything-in-the-mouth phase, including small fuzzies, crumbs and snippets that only babies find on the floor.  We've had to dig a few small toys out of her mouth as well.  Ugh!

She giggles outloud, and loves her sister Vera.  She and Vera have a unique relationship.  Though Vera is in her face a lot, she does have a way of getting Annie to laugh at the silliest things.  Truly heartwarming to see a sister friendship blossom.  




Her hair is getting longer and thicker, but it still stands up at the crown.  Her cowlick is starting to relax a little bit.  I put a barrette in her hair recently, and the cowlick is really noticeable when the hair is pulled to the side.  Poor lil girl gets that from her daddy, too!

One of the best things about being home in the summer is really watching and noticing the small things about my children.  I can truly enjoy them and observe the small milestones, which has been especially true with the littlest one.  Annie Pie, your household may be crazy, but you have fit right in with us.  You were a special surprise from Jesus, and you've been nothing but a blessing!

Norris Lake Vacation

Adam and I went on a very fun and relaxing adult vacation to Norris Lake in mid June.  How different Norris is without children! :)  The trip really was "every man for himself."  If you got sunburn, it's your own fault.  If you didn't have a good time, it's your own fault.  If you drank too much (or not enough), it's your own fault...  Our weather was perfect.  HOT and sunny each day.  The water felt so nice.  Lots of laughs and fun memories!


Adam tried knee boarding.  He was moderately successful in doing so.


We did miss our kids while we were gone although I'm not sure how much they missed us.  


We heard Vin put lots of miles on his shoes.  I love this picture!
Grandma was brave and got the pool out.  We heard that slide was a hit!

Friday, July 1, 2016

Loving Summer!

We spent the first weekend of summer on a camping trip with the Homans & Grandma.  It was a nice trip, despite the rainy Saturday.  We still ate well, and the kids played hard.  It was  Annie's first camping trip, and unfortunately, I only have 1 picture to go with it.  :(  She fared well on her first outing.  


Despite my despise for Walmart, I managed to successfully take all 3 kids on a short trip.  Whoever designed these carts is genius, though I know I look ridiculous pushing it around!.  Vera's faces crack me up!




Sometimes Vera and Vin are friends, though they do their fair share of fighting!

Aww!
Annie's first Poultry Days!  :)
"The Double Wide" was also a success.



There weren't many rides for the little ones.  Vera was too short for several rides, which disappointed her.  She said her favorite was the swings.  This boat ride was the one and only for Vinners.  He loved it!  He was busy turning the wheel, and he stayed on a few times in a row because there was no line. #happykid

The swing set is always a hit! :)


I always laugh about how Vince hangs on so high above his head.  The kid could swing for hours.  He sits so patiently and quietly.
Vera loves her sister, and vice versa!
Vera wanted to help.  She gets distracted by the TV, and doesn't pay attention very well.  No surprise there.
I love this picture.  That Vinners looks so ornery!
All 3 rugrats can bathe together, though it's quite the circus.  If we keep everyone's head above water and the water inside the tub, it counts as a victory.
We've had a few backyard "splash pad-like" events as well.  We got this little pool out, but it turned rainy later in the afternoon.  That evening, the kids had fun emptying the pool by filling buckets, squirt guns, and watering the flower pots.  Vince is super-busy when it comes to water events; he must've made 100 trips to the flower pot with his itty bitty watering can.  His dedication was muy cute!




They also love the sprinkler.  We've had it out plenty of times in the evenings.  It's easy entertainment on hot evenings.




What a cute picture!
We spend almost every evening, at some point, on our back patio.  We're either eating a snack, watching the kids play in the sprinkler, sand box or swing set, or listening to music and relaxing.  We really love our patio!
...and we take selfies on the patio, too! :)
Vera and I went to the dentist in mid-June.  She was a little nervous to take her turn, but she did well.  We both checked out with a good report.


Everyone has adapted to sleeping in, which is awesome.

Vince thought it was hilarious to hang out with Annie in her bed.
Summertime with my cute kids is the best!  #love