11 Months!

For Anna's 11 month pictures we thought we'd take Anna to the pumpkin patch for the first time so we headed out to Gary's Berries. Anna was a little tired going into it but we still had fun. She really enjoyed looking at the baby goats.

She thought it was cool when Daddy would feed them since they would stand up on the fence. 

The pumpkin patch itself was lacking a little bit so we sought out some decent pumpkins and found a better place to take pictures. Anna was a little distracted by the people and especially the tractor that was pulling people around.

This last month it seems that Anna has refined a lot of skills that she previously had. She crawls faster and more smoothly. She pulls herself up and goes back and forth between pieces of furniture almost effortlessly. She's dancing more frequently and with more enthusiasm. The way she grabs things you can tell her dexterity has greatly improved. It's fun to see her progress and there are times I look at her and think she seems so much like a little girl instead of a little baby. 

We've started seeing Anna stand without assistance sometimes. Usually she'll do it and once she realizes she isn't holding on she'll grab whatever is closest. That's what this picture is showing.

All better now!

Our little bug has decided she does not like to wear bows or socks. You can get a bow on if you distract her but the second she realizes she's wearing one it is off in two seconds flat. The same pretty much goes for socks. I'll put them on her when we go somewhere and we rarely arrive with with them on. 

We are still waiting for official first words to happen. There have been numerous times where we thought she said an actual word directed at someone/something but then hasn't repeated them enough times for us to really call it her first word. It's seemed like she's said "Dada" at Kevin, "Hi", and "Anna". Lately we feel like she's trying to say "Dog" but it comes out "Da". I think she's building up and will be saying numerous things before we know it!

Right now Anna is working on her top two teeth and I expect them to come in any day now. Anna has also been enjoying more and more table foods these days. She's fairly adventurous but I would say she loves bread the most. Don't you dare make yourself a bagel or toast without offering this girl some or you will hear about it!

Anna has also been imitating people a lot more lately. It's fun getting her to mimic sounds and blow kisses back. This is such a fun and interactive stage and besides the teething part we are loving every minute!

Wedding Day!

October 5th, 2013 was a wonderful day indeed. Our very good friends Brian and Moria got married!

We knew going into the day it could be a challenge managing wedding obligations and caring for Anna. I got up very early to get showered and to feed Anna before leaving to go at get hair and makeup done with the rest of the wedding party. Kevin had Anna and we had hoped that her being up a little earlier than usual would lead to her taking an earlier nap. While the earlier nap did happen it was unfortunately a very very short nap and we were nervous about how Anna would do during the ceremony.

Once my hair and makeup was complete I headed back to the apartment to feed Anna again while Kevin finished getting ready and then off to the church. I waited as long as possible before putting Anna in her flower girl dress so that she'd have more freedom to crawl around before the ceremony.

A pre-ceremony photo op!

 Kevin and I walked down the aisle with Anna in tow. Kevin held her and I dropped the flower petals. During the ceremony Kevin held her and while we had some friends on call to take her if she became restless we didn't end up needing their services. Anna did great! She chewed on her bow and the handle to the basket and was pretty content. The ceremony was absolutely lovely and we were thrilled to be standing up with those two on their wedding day.

Once the ceremony ended things got a little interesting. Anna needed a nap desperately and both Kevin and I were needed for group pictures. Poor baby was so overtired that driving in the car wasn't really working. Our friends Colin and Andi took over driving for a bit and they were eventually able to calm her down while we did pictures but she never actually got to sleep. Once we were done with pictures on campus we headed over the state park for more pictures. Luckily Anna was able to fall asleep in the car on the way there (although that wasn't easy to accomplish) and ended up getting a nice long nap in the car. We managed to find someone to sit with Anna in the car while we took more pictures but we felt bad that Anna didn't make it into any of the group pictures.

Robert H. Treman State Park

Once our little lady had her nap she was ready to party though!

Hanging out at the reception.

The place looked beautiful and Brian and Moria lucked out on the weather. It had rained a lot the night before and while it was overcast at times it only sprinkled once for a short period of time during the reception. It was perfect!

Me with the beautiful bride

  I'm so mad I didn't get a picture of Kevin and Brian together but that's the way it goes at weddings I suppose. 

Anna and Daddy dancing

 We brought the pack n' play with us and set it up by our table so that Anna could get to moving some. She loved it. I think she enjoyed the freedom and allowed her to still watch all the activities going on. It also gave us a break from holding her the entire evening. 

We did manage to get a group shot with some of our California friends. 

With the reception being at a state park people had to be out by 9pm. The earlier start time for the reception worked out great for us and we only had to leave a little bit early. It was nice that we were able to stick around so long and celebrate with our friends. Anna was definitely tired that night and slept wonderfully.

The next morning we got up to help with clean up but by the time we got there (only about 30 minutes late due to a napping baby) almost everything was already done. Instead we enjoyed coffee and bagels and some last minute visiting with friends.

After clean up and a few goodbyes we had a little time before heading to a lunch so we went to check out the waterfall that Anna missed out on the day before. It was such a beautiful day out and Anna loved it.

A family photo with the waterfall behind us.

The lunch was back at the Ithaca Beer Company and was for anybody who was still in town to drop by. We enjoyed getting to talk with more of Brian and Moria's family members that we didn't necessarily have an opportunity to chat with at the wedding.

We couldn't get Anna to look at the camera but we at least got a group picture with the newlyweds! 

After lunch we had just enough time to get Anna a good nap in and finish packing up our stuff before heading to the airport. The second leg of the flight seemed really long since Anna was awake the entire time (there was another older baby sitting across the aisle and as soon as Anna saw her she went from sleepy to bright eyed in about 2 seconds). She crashed on the way home from the airport and we somehow managed to get her out of the car seat, into her sleep sack (she already had her pajamas on) and into her crib without waking her up. This never happens and we were so grateful. No "you woke me up" drama for very tired parents.

Although chaotic, the weekend was absolutely wonderful and were delighted to be able to watch Brian and Moria starting a new chapter in their lives. We love them very much and couldn't be happier for them. 

Back to Ithaca!

I've had these pictures loaded waiting for me but a slightly sick baby + chilly rainy day + being tired = I got almost nothing done today. Before going to bed I will get at least one of these posts up!

For us October meant traveling to Ithaca, New York for Brian and Moria's wedding. We got in early on the Wednesday before the wedding to get allow Anna to recover  from traveling and to be there to help with things as much as we could. We spent the rest of Wednesday hanging out and doing little wedding tidbits to get ready for the weekend. On Thursday we had the bachelor and bachelorette festivities.

The girls got started earlier in the day with some kayaking on Lake Cayuga. Even though it was October is was pretty warm out that day and absolutely perfect for being out on the water. During this time Anna went with the guys to go pick up tuxes. Since it is the only picture Kevin took of the guys stuff I thought I'd better include it.

Kevin + Anna, Brian's Dad, Brian, and Brian's brother

I didn't bring my camera on the water so no pics there but there but after kayaking we met up with the guys at Ithaca Beer Company.


It was such a laid back environment and it was gorgeous out so we were able to enjoy the picnic tables overlooking the fields and the wheat maze along with a little Bocci Ball. 

Some of the guys

Kevin and Brian enjoyed wandering around the maze even though it wasn't much of a challenge. 

Anna was tagging along at this point in the day and she seemed to enjoy getting to be outside as much as we did. There was a cat that obviously lived there that was just chillin' and she liked watching it too.

Anna and Kevin had a few last minute snuggles before she left with me and the girls to go and get ready for dinner.

Moria's mom, Heather, was kind enough to offer her babysitting services while we were all out and about for the evening. She was the first non-family member to watch Anna and I didn't even text or call the entire evening....I only checked my phone a half dozen times or so. :) Thank you Heather!

The ladies at Bandwagon Brew Pub

 After we had dinner we went for dessert but then called it an early night. I'm pretty sure we were back at Brian and Moria's place before 11pm. Most of us had traveled and there was lots to do the next day!

It was a bit hectic getting manicures, pedicures, and the reception site decorated before the rehearsal. And then it was pouring rain while we all tried to get to the church. The rain plus the traffic from the Apple Festival meant most of us were late :( We got rehearsed and then went to get ready for the dinner. Unfortunately Brian and Moria's car wouldn't start which added some stress but luckily we had our rental car to transport these guys to dinner. 

The dinner was wonderful and I think everyone had a wonderful evening...I know we did!

Almost married!

Got to see Sarah and Jonathan and it was fun getting to catch up with them since we didn't get to do much of that at their wedding in July.

After dinner Colin and Andi came by to say hi and had a chance to play with Anna for a bit before she went to bed. 

Kevin was able to go out for a bit to visit with these guys but I stayed in to put Anna to bed and try and help Moria with some last minute things and to relax a bit before going to bed. I don't know how well Laura (her sister) and I did but we sure tried. 

Next post....wedding day!

Auntie Amy

A couple weeks ago my wonderful friend Amy was in town. Although it was a short trip and it was jam packed with activities Amy was able to stop by for breakfast so that she could meet Anna for the first time. It was so introducing the two and getting to spend time with Amy. I was set to visit her last September but I was put on bed rest the day before my flight and obviously missed it.

Later that day I accompanied Amy as her plus one to her cousin's wedding. It was great getting to hang out, talk wedding (since Amy is planning hers as we speak), and just enjoy each other. It had been way too long since we'd seen each other!

We turned the evening into a slumber party while Anna got some quality time with Kevin in. Although Amy had to jet out early the next morning to make it to the Chiefs game with her Dad I was so happy for the time we got to spend together. Luckily Amy will be back again in December so we know we won't have to go too long in between visits this time. 

 

10 Months!

Yet another month as quickly passed. Anna is growing up so fast and we've seen many changes in our little bug. It's hard to believe she is already 10 months old.

Anna has been waving for some time but now she will do it without being prompted first. I love it when babies just open and close their hand to wave and it's fun that she is doing that too. 

Early on in the month I woke to find Anna standing up in her crib. That was the first time she'd gotten herself to the sitting position from laying down to be able to pull herself up. Now she does it all the time.

It was less than a week from doing that to when Anna started crawling. This girl is now all over the place. She still likes standing up but doesn't stay there long because she wants to crawl over to something else and pull up onto that. It made this photo shoot much more difficult than last month!

We did manage to get a few pictures of her standing though. We did finally have to get a gate for the stairs since she learned how to climb the first step. I saw her playing by the stairs one day and standing next to them. I told Kevin...I think she's going to try climbing in the next week. Sure enough, about one week later she was making her way up the first step to grab something on the third step. 

Sleep has been somewhat of a challenge this last month. Anna had been slowly cutting out her third nap of the day and the transition hasn't exactly been easy. It's pretty much a thing of the past now and her other naps in the day have gotten better. Anna still usually wakes once at night but over this next month we're going to try and get her away from wanting to nurse since we feel it is more habit than anything. She slept 11 hours straight last night which was amazing for me. We will be traveling this week so we may not worry about it too much until after we get back. Traveling is hard enough on a baby...

Another thing that started up in the last couple weeks is growling. She learned how to growl one day and now does it whenever she is feeling restrained. It is sort of cute except when you are trying to get her diaper on and you just want her to cooperate. 

We were a little exasperated by the end of this session. Anna wanted to explore everything around, didn't want to smile at the camera, and wanted to crawl more than she wanted to take her picture. It seemed like a good time to throw in a collage of some outtakes. 

I can't remember if I mentioned before about how Anna loves dogs and cats. She gets so excited whenever she sees the doggies. Although Maddie, the Husky my in-laws have, is not my favorite, Anna feels very differently. She. Loves. This. Dog. Maddie had eaten the antennas off of this caterpillar that Anna loves so while I had another one on order I pulled out this little stuffed dog. Well the dog looks like Maddie and now that is her favorite...figures.

Those 9 month photos

Before posting on Anna being 10 months I thought I'd put up some photos from the professional pictures we had taken of Anna at 9 months. There were so many pictures to chose from and I would love to just post them all but I don't think blogger allows that many pictures in one post. Plus, while I could look at photos of her all day I realize that people have other things to do.

It was really hard to pick and I'm doing it quickly since I'm doing laundry and trying to pack for another wedding we leave for in a couple days. 

I decided on a different photographer for this photo shoot. While we got some wonderful photos at her 6 month session I was wanting something different. I stumbled across the amazing Elena Sanchez with Glass Lantern Photography and I am so incredibly happy!

It's always a struggle trying to decide whether to spend the money for professional pictures. Getting them taken costs money but they change so fast that you want to capture those moments. Our compromise is finding photographers that are in the process of growing their business so the prices are much more reasonable. 

We used Sears for Anna's newborn pictures...got a couple decent shots...bought the CD with no prints and we paid the same or more as every other professional session we've had since (and that was with some coupons too). I only wish I'd known this before Anna was born!

I always just get the CD with the digital prints and then order what I want when I want (I like using Unitprints.com for those I want to frame) and pay a fraction of the price for high quality prints!

I finally got a picture with her adorable ruffled diaper cover. Don't you just love those rolls?

Elena was so easy to work with and we had so much fun taking these pictures.

This session was fun too because Anna really enjoyed standing and wasn't really crawling and trying to get away.

Anna loves sitting on Kevin's shoulders so she made sure to get a few of her up there.

Love these pictures and I can't wait to do Anna's 1 year pictures. Now all I have to do is try and decide which prints to order...