Annelise 9 Months Old

Annelise is officially 9 months old. Okay, she's really 9 1/2 months, but we just had her 9 month check-up the other day. So now a blog with her stats. She has been off the charts at every appointment and today was no different. She clocked in at 32 1/2" long and weighs 24 lbs 6 oz. I really can't wait until she starts walking, just so I don't have to hoist her around as much. She's a bit to carry. Only had to get 1 shot so that was a bonus, a follow-up to her flu shot. A little crying, but she's a trooper. At 9 months she is very adventurous. Climbing under, over, around and through everything. It's fun finding out what she can get into and what I need to further baby proof.She got into this one all by herself. She really seems to like being under things. We're starting to enter into the world of table foods. Maybe a little late, but the girl is slow to change. She cries and puts up quite a fuss when I introduce new foods. Like she's offended. Maybe she's really enjoyed baby food. Exhibits A & B. Notice the spoon balancing ever so precariously on the bib. So that's the scoop on Annelise. Lot's of growing, crawling, eating and sleeping. The life of a baby.

Sisterly Love?

For the most part, Skylar and Annelise play fairly well together. It's usually Skylar wanting Annelise to chase her around the living room. (Ok, crawling after her as fast as she can.) We have our spats over certain toys, but Skylar must have really wanted to play alone and tried something new. She built a barricade so Annelise could not get into her kitchen play area of the living room. It was well constructed and full of Annelise toys so as to keep her playing in front of the wall, not crawling over it. Skylar failed to see the logic when we pointed out that Annelise could just crawl under the table. She just couldn't understand why Annelise would do that. You can see from below though, she's thinking about it. Here's what Annelise really thought of the barricade. Ahh, sisterly love? The first of many battles to come.

Grandma

While this may not be something you blog about, it's a part of life. (And isn't that really what we do when we blog? Share our lives with each other.) My Grandma passed away over the weekend at the ripe old age of 92. One day after her 92nd birthday. She led a full and good life, devoted to God, and there is no doubt in my mind where she now resides. She went peacefully in her sleep and I cannot think of a better way to leave. She had 7 children, 19 grandchildren & 31 great-grandchildren that love her and will miss her. I was fortunate enough to have pictures of her with both my girls.

This is a 4-Generation picture with my Dad and Skylar (6 months old).This is a picture of her with Annelise. (2 months) She's not sleeping, she just had a hard time not blinking during pictures.We love you Grandma and will miss you very much.

Skylar Says....

Skylar has been fairly outspoken since the time she learned to talk around 12-18 months. And ever since then we've been laughing all the way. She has her Dad's sense of humor and timing which will prove to be fun and interesting as life goes on. I wish I would've documented more of her 'Funnies' over the last year or so, but alas I didn't and so we begin today.

The other night Skylar and Bill were on the couch. Skylar was lying on her blanket, or 'Bu-bee' as she calls it, relaxing as it was getting close to bedtime. So Bill says, "Skylar, isn't 'Bu-bee' the best." And Skylar responds, "No, I'm the best."

Then a few nights later I was in the bathroom with her, brushing her teeth before bed and she says, "Mommy you're the best!" It was very sweet and I smiled and said, "Thank you Skylar." However my basking in motherly-glow was fairly short lived as she quickly replied, "Now you say I'm the best too." I'm not sure if I was just the set up, but we take it where we can get it.

And while we'd like our girls to be strong, self-reliant, confident individuals with a positive self-image, maybe we'll work on other ways of praising her so as not to let her Ego go unchecked. I suppose until she starts boasting these things outside the house around her friends, we'll hope is just a phase.

Annelise's Baptism and Skylar's Birthday Part 3

We had Annelise's baptism over the weekend. It was a special event for our growing family. Skylar wasn't too keen on being in on this picture. Which is odd for her, considering whenever we bring the camera out at home she's all about striking a pose.And here's the special girl in her special dress.On either side of the girls are my niece and nephew, Alexis and Dylan. I'm surprised we have a shot of all 4 of them looking. Getting a 5,4 & 3 year old and an 8 month old all on the same page is darn near impossible. Smiles are just a bonus. In town for the event was her Godfather Bob G. He stayed at our house over the weekend and had fun playing with and getting to know the girls. They both have a little "bed-head". After the ceremony at the church we had a party at our house and celebrated Skylar's birthday, (again) this time with family. Skylar thought this was great, more presents and more importantly more CUPCAKES!! For days after she asked if it was still her birthday. My response, "No honey, it's over now for another year."

Skylar's Birthday

I can't believe my baby is 3 years old! They always say it goes by so fast and they're always right. In honor of her birthday we've pretty much had a two week long celebration. To start, her actual birthday fell on a Monday, school day. There she received a crown and they sang "Happy Birthday". Then that evening she had birthday cake, had "Happy Birthday" sung again and opened her present from Dad and Mom, a Disney Princess Lamp! She absolutely loves it!! The following week on Friday we had a party here at the house with all of her friends. It was "Princess Party" with cupcakes and all the trimmings. Skylar especially loved the balloons. After we brought them home she insisted on watching some TV with them. I think she thought they were going to fly away. After I explained that the ceiling would keep them in the house, she was ok with letting them float around.

Skylar helping me make cupcakes.

Skylar and her balloon's watching TV.

Alex, Grace, Ivy & Skylar

At the party we tried to play a game of "Put the Glass Slipper on Cinderella". Similar to "Pin the Tail on the Donkey". This didn't go quite as expected as the kids either could see under the blindfold or didn't want to wear it all-together. So they all took turns just putting their slipper on Cinderella's foot and everyone was a winner! After some lunch and presents they all entertained themselves very well, while the mom's got a much deserved break. Thank you everyone for coming and making Skylar's party such a special day.

Princess Skylar

While most kids like to dress up I believe for Skylar it's a way of life. For about the last year or so she's almost always in one form of costume or another having some great adventure. Which I find wonderful and lots of fun to watch.....and usually end up participating in. Skylar likes to find fun stuff for Mom and Dad to wear too. Lately it's been "Winter Carnival". I think this one came about when she saw "Frosty the Snowman Returns" this past Christmas. In it they have a Winter Carnival and apparently it made quite an impression. So here are some pictures of Skylar striking a pose as only she can.