{Anna's First Locks & Shout Out to Daddy!}

Today was a big day for Anna - not only did she get her feet measured for a first time for her first par of "real" shoes at Stride Rite - (Just to make things interesting, her left foot is almost an entire size smaller than her right), but Anna also had her hair (bangs) cut for the first time!  After many (many!) weeks of mommy protesting, Aunt Elizabeth finally convinced me to let her cut her bangs.  I am happy I did, Anna can clearly see so much better and she looks super cute!  Thank Auntie Elizabeth for doing such a great job with a VERY busy Anna!  She looks great!!!

Pre-Cut!

Thanks Auntie Liz - LOVE IT!

Anna and I would also like to give a quick shout out to Bob - we learned late last week that Bob received a promotion at work!!!  YEAH DADDY!!!  He has been working so hard at work and we know he has been putting his all into his job and still comes home as happy as a clam every night and couldn't be more thankful for his dedication to us and his job - good job daddy - we are so proud of you - you deserve it!  Love you!!!!

Love You Daddy!  You're the best!!!

{Anna's First Birthday Bash}

This past Saturday, we celebrated Anna's first birthday in a big way with her first birthday party with friends and family - a big thank you to all who came to help us celebrate and for all the great birthday gifts - Anna has been such a busy little bee this week playing with all of her new toys!  I enjoyed making party decorations and preparing food and Bob cooked burgers and made sloppy joes for all to enjoy - it was a hot day, which provided a perfect opportunity to use the kiddie pool later on after the party had died down.  After our guests had left, we enjoyed playing yard games outside with the Seidel family and neighbors.  Unfortunately, Anna played so hard at her party, she crashed before she could enjoy her birthday cupcake.  After she woke up from her late afternoon nap and had some dinner, Bob and I enjoyed watching her dig in!

It was a great day complete with good company, drinks, good food, a gift opening and lots of little kiddos playing together!  Enjoy some pictures from Anna's big day!!!

Anna's Happy Birthday Banner with many of our favorite pictures from Anna's first year!

Kitchen decorated and ready for the party

Birthday Cupcakes!

Happy Birthday Anna!

I honestly had no idea this pinwheel would provide as much entertainment as it did - Anna LOVES it!

Playing with friend Ava

Birthday girls!  Grandma S with Anna and cousin Izzy - 6 days apart!

Too much birthday party fun!

{12 Month Update}

It's official, Anna Rae is 12 months old!  I think it is safe to say both Bob and I feel like the last year just flashed before eyes in one blink  I cannot believe a year ago we brought home a 7 lb little bundle of joy and now she has grown into such a big little girl already who toddles around and babbles words we sometimes can and sometimes cannot make out:).  So, at 12 months old (two weeks late), Anna...

...Weighs 19 lbs, 14 oz, and is 29 1/2 inches tall...

...Still has 8 teeth and loves to flash that cute smile and show off those chubby cheeks!

...is WALKING EVERYWHERE!  Anna took her first wobbly steps a month or so ago and has taken off ever since.  She certainly now toddles around more than she crawls (we like to call her our drunken little sailor)....and is VERY proud of herself!

...Is a really good sleeper!  Anna takes two 2 hour naps a day and sleeps typically from 8:30 - 7 or 8 the next morning.

...Loves to eat cheese - other favorites include mandarin oranges, cantaloupe, watermelon, blueberries, and cottage cheese.  Anna absolutely loves her fruit, which I am sure has something to do with the fact that it is summer and so easy to give her.  She also like broccoli and noodles and LOVES to drink water from her sippy cup.  I have tried to add a splash of Motts for Tots apple juice, but she doesn't really dig it.  And absolutely does not want to drink milk out of a cup...we might be in trouble folks!

...A few of her favorite tricks are to shake her head "no", wave bye-bye, and give high fives....

...Knows where her toes are and that "shoes" go on "toes"

...Loves to have her hair blow dried after a bath!

...Loves to put toys in things and take things out of bags...

...Desperately needs her bangs cut, but mommy isn't quite ready yet!

...Loves to play with her books, but won't sit still long enough for us to read to her!

...Is absolutely lovable, playful, silly, happy go lucky, and busy!  She has brought so much love and joy to our family in the past 12 months, We absolutely love our little Anna Banana to pieces!  Love and kisses sweetie!

Sweet Anna Rae - 1 month old

Anna 11 months later - I am officially done taking the rocking chair/teddy bear picture - we all out absolutely refuse to sit still long enough! 

{Big Thank You to Uncle Mike & Aunt Michele!}

Tonight we recieved a box at our door from Uncle Mike and Aunt Michele - Along with a savings bond, they sent Anna a book called The Witches that takes place on Lake Winnepesaukee, the lake where Michele and Mike keep their boat and...drumroll please....ELMO STICKERS!!!!  By far Anna's favorite part of the gift!  Thank you Michele, Mike, and Buster!  We are sad you will not be able to celebrate with us this weekend, but appreciate you thinking of Anna!  Love and Hugs!!!