Walking Walking Walking

While Anna took her first solo steps mid December it was a few weeks ago that she really took off and is now walking all over the place. This video is just a short one. We have better videos from our video camera but they are all longer and whenever I try to trim them down blogger won't let me load them. Oh well...

After Anna first took her first steps I started trying to get pictures of it but it hasn't been easy. At first there just weren't very many of them and catching her at it was a challenge. Then she was taking more steps but would practically attack the camera making it difficult in a different way. It's much easier now that she can walk all around. 

Hi Mommy!

 We love watching this little lady get around and explore things in a new way. It is also a bit exhausting sometimes though too. Even though I'm not getting as much exercise right now (between a toddler and the cold weather) she definitely keeps me moving!

In addition to walking , Anna has also started to talk more. She can say da (dog), dada, mama (although it's usually in reference to Maddie...her stuffed dog and the Kent's husky), eyes, button, baby, bow, ball, and ba (bottle). She's also attempting to sound out all kinds of other words so I think our list is going to grow a lot in the next month.  It's so fun seeing her recognize things and point them out when you say them. She is so curious about everything around her and it is amazing watching her grow and learn. 

Just watching some basketball!

 We've also gotten a glimpse of Anna's little temper. She can throw a pretty good fit when she doesn't get her way which has been "fun" to deal with. Overall though she is a really good baby and does well when we go to the store, out to eat, etc. 

This last month Anna has also been cutting out her second nap of the day. The transition has been a little difficult but we're getting there. It started when she began refusing her afternoon nap even though you could tell she was tired.  We finally managed to push her morning nap back and get it longer so she can more easily make it through the rest of the day. There are days, however, where she wakes up early and has to nap too soon and it makes the afternoon and evening long. Sometimes she'll take a second little snooze but it isn't easy to get this one in and can't be guaranteed. I like that her nap is nice and long (making it easier for us to get out and about in the morning and providing me with a nice chunk of time to accomplish things around the house), but I wasn't really ready for her to go down to one quite yet. She didn't ask me though...

I have a pregnancy update coming soon. I'm hoping to get it up this week but we are closing on our house this week and starting projects so it might get a little crazy!

Christmas

Christmas morning we woke up and had our own little mini Christmas. We started out with some snuggles though.

It was fun seeing Anna so curious about the gifts and getting involved in unwrapping the presents and playing with the paper. Much different than last year with a newborn! 

Since Anna loves her "Maddie dog" so much we actually bought 3 more and put them in a stocking for her. She was pretty excited about seeing so many of her dogs and didn't know what to do since she didn't have enough hands to love them all at the same time. We had our own reasons for stocking up on Maddie dogs. Now we have back up in case one gets lost or left in the car. It also makes getting it washed a little easier to manage. 

Anna kissing her Husky tree ornament

 Next on the agenda was heading over to my parents house for breakfast and more gift opening. 

Before getting started we buried Hailie in gifts which Anna seemed to enjoy quite a bit.

Is this one for me Mom?

After getting a nap in we were headed out to Auburn for lunch with the rest of the Copp clan. We had so much fun hanging out and catching up with everyone.

Plenty of playtime with Grandmom too!

Magnets...yes please!

I know I said it before but it is so wonderful being back and getting to spend the Holiday's with family. After spending the afternoon at the farm we headed back to my parents to hang out and play games. The perfect end to a perfect day!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we were celebrating with Kevin's family. We started the day off with a trip to Dillion's to visit Santa. It was Anna's first time seeing him and we were a little nervous since she seems to be a little scared of white beards.

All smiles beforehand!

Adell, Grandma, and Anna

One look at Santa though and shy Anna came out.

Please Daddy keep me safe!

We placed Anna on Santa's lap along with Adell. She was a little confused at first and we managed to get a few pictures taken. Then Anna turned around and saw who she was sitting on. We had to take a break after that.  

We wanted one of just Anna and Santa so we placed her there again hoping for one good picture. This is all we got...

Poor Anna 

After a delicious meal with the family it was gift opening time. Much different than last year. Anna actually participated in some of the unwrapping and enjoyed inspecting her gifts...at least until she saw some more wrapping paper or another new item to explore.

Adell helping Anna 

 Anna also enjoyed "helping" Uncle Scott hand out gifts.

Taking a little break to help Daddy do some opening. 

One of Anna's new presents from Grandma...her very own chair! She enjoys sitting in it but has a little trouble getting out without toppling over with the chair.

Mommy's turn for some help.

We had such a great day. Although our Christmas was lovely last year with Brian and Moria it was wonderful to be able to spend the holiday with family. It's so great being back in Kansas!

A Shower and a Basketball game

Normally this would be two different posts but in an effort to get to caught up I'm combining them so I can get to Christmas.

At the beginning of December my wonderful friend Amy and her fiance Brent came into town from Phoenix for a couple's shower thrown by Amy's mom. I was so excited to get to spend some time with these guys.

My mom was able to make the party and it was fun getting to hang out with her as well. Amy's mom did a fantastic job planning the shower and we had a blast.

Grandma Patti and Grandpa Kevin were able to watch Anna for us so we could enjoy our night out. I stayed out past midnight...something I hadn't done in a long time. I was very tired but it was worth it!

It's hard to believe that the next time I see this lovely lady it will be the week of her wedding! Can't wait to visit Arizona in March and get this girl hitched!

Anna had a fun month and was able to attend her first basketball game. Kevin and I took her to the Hayden-Washburn Rural girls basketball game with Grandma and Grandpa. She loved it!

I thought maybe it would be too loud but she just enjoyed taking everything in. The game, the scoreboard, the clapping, the cheerleaders and their back handsprings, everything.

We didn't stay for the boy's game since it was getting late and a toddler can only be expected to sit in the stands for so long. She enjoyed it so much though and we will definitely have to take her again.