Anna is the big o-n-e!

I can't help but think back to what we were doing today one year ago. We went in for our scheduled c-section bright and early and had our little girl a little after seven a.m. The first few hours were wonderful as we were getting to know Anna. The rest of the day is really hazy to me because of the pain meds I was on, but I know we had lots and lots of visitors who couldn't wait to me our new little sweetheart. She is so special to me. I can't even begin to express how much I love her, and I'm getting pretty emotional writing this, so I'm just going to show some pictures of the day she came into this world.

Just minutes old

Here we are in the recovery room

She was one day old in this picture

The first time big brother met little sister

The hair! I won't ever forget that hair!

Now, Anna is a big one-year-old girl! As I write this she is sitting on my lap, drinking a bottle, and idly kicking anything her little foot can find. She is almost walking, she just needs to figure out that walking is a better, faster way to get from here to there, but she is close! She can find your nose when asked, gives kisses (sometimes) when asked, and gives high five. She says Otis, Bella, Mama, Dada, and probably more that I just haven't figured out yet. She is very affectionate, a little stubborn, and when she wants something she goes after it full force! Anna is such a special little girl and we are all wrapped around her finger. And she knows it!

Anna the cutie bug

Here's a couple of videos that I took of Anna yesterday.

Anna showing off her mad walker usin' skillz

Anna and daddy playing

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Cuddling with Bella

The kids and Bella have taken to each other quite nicely, no surprise there, and I got some shots of them laying with her.

Ayden taking advantage of the dogs' comfy bed

notice their ears

Our newest addition

Look what we got! These pictures do not do her justice, she is gorgeous!

My friend put an ad on Facebook yesterday that she had to find a home for her Great Dane, Annabelle (Belle). I casually mentioned it to Eric and then this morning we decided to get her. My friend is happy that her dog was going with someone she knows, Eric is happy to have a guard dog, Otis is happy to have a playmate, and I am just thrilled to have another baby. We changed her name from Annabelle to Bella because we already have an Anna and it was getting confusing. Bella is the sweetest dog! She is calm and polite and a pleasure to be around. We are so happy to have her.

Prepare to be amazed!

When you watch this video that I took today, keep in mind that Anna stepped her very first step yesterday.

Exciting news!

Anna took her first steps yesterday! I put her on the wall and she started by taking two steps, then three, and by nap time she was taking four good steps. Then last night after dinner we were practicing walking again and I stood her in the middle of the room to try and see if she could do it from there. She wanted to get to a toy and she took four steps then regained her balance (without falling down or holding on to anything) and she took four more steps! And if that wasn't exciting enough, she was walking in the kitchen a little bit later and she took ten whole steps!!! Holy moly, my daughter is amazing! Not only is she a natural, but she enjoys walking. When we were practicing she never chose to lower herself down and crawl instead of walking, she would just see something she wanted and take off for it. I was so excited last night that I put her to bed a little late so we could keep practicing. I can totally see her walking well by her birthday!

A silly conversation

Daddy and Ayden were talking about taking a bath. This is the kind of silliness that goes on in our house.

Lookie lookie!

Anna is getting braver and braver. I got this video of her practicing her standing skills tonight. It's just been in the last few days that she has had any interest in standing on her own. I'm optimistic that she might even be taking a few steps by her birthday.

Some new pictures

I have been sick -again- and have not felt like taking many pictures, but I picked up my camera yesterday and shot some really cute ones of the kids.

Thought I'd throw this one in just in case anyone wanted to save it to their computers (just double click on it and then right click the big one that comes up and save picture as . . .)

Anna is finally old enough to figure this toy out. I love watching her play with it.

a rare picture of Ayden with a real smile, when I tell him to smile now-a-days he does a really cheesy grin.

This is one of Anna's favorite toys. She is even learning how to turn it when she gets stuck.

The contentious subject

New header picture

I finally got the kids in the same place, at the same time, and was able to snap a good enough picture to use for my blog header.

We got a new couch!

Gosh, I don't know what else to say, the title pretty much says it all.

Update on Assignment #3

I had my last photography class tonight so I thought I would let you know what the instructor thought of my photos. I don't want to do a whole new long post with the pictures so I wrote new stuff (in italics) on my previous Assignment #3 a few posts down. Please scroll down a few posts to see the updates. :o)

Oh joy!

Ayden discovered a new game tonight. I was at the kitchen sink washing Anna's bottles and Ayden ran in from the playroom and said, "May I have juice please, Mama?" I told him no, so he said "awww" and ran back into the playroom. He did this like 10 more times, each time asking very nicely for juice and each time saying awww when I told him no. Doesn't sound like a very fun game to me, but then I am not 2 ½ years old. I'm wondering if he was trying to wear me down . . . hmmm.

Photos of birdies

Spring must be in the air because there are lots of birds playin' in our tree and at the neighbor's bird feeders. I took the opportunity to take some pictures of them today. I was standing inside at the window using my zoom lens to take these.

(you can click on the pictures if you want to see them bigger)