Baby Steps

Since I never followed through with my idea of daily posts about Anna (big surprise!), I figured I would just keep the theme going for a little while.  And why not?  She's full of all things cuteness. 

Last Thursday, October 17th, Anna took her first steps.  There were only a few; 4 to be exact.  And it was one of those moments when my heart almost burst into a million pieces.  Partially from the absolute joy on her face as she realized what she was doing.  (Anna literally laughed out loud with every step she took.  She was so proud of herself.)  And partially because I recognized that this might be the last time I watch one of my babies take their first steps.  While Jared and I had always anticipated having 4 children, God has changed those plans for us and we're more and more feeling as if Anna will be our last biological baby.  And since I don't know how old our little Ethiopian children are going to be when they arrive home, I view all of Anna's baby milestones through somewhat of a bittersweet lens because it could be the last time for us.   

For this particular moment, I was able to focus on the joy Anna felt in her new "ability".  On the excitement of Leah and Isaac as they cheered her on.  And on the absolute love I have for this sweet baby girl.  It may sound dramatic, but it was one of those times when it felt like the clock slowed down for just a few moments.  I could literally feel myself soaking it all in.  I am so thankful I was there to witness it.  (One of the joys of being home all the time.) 

I did notice the shift in my thought process when picking up the phone to announce Anna's big accomplishment.  At almost one year exactly from my mom's death, my brain is learning not to automatically think, "Call Mom!" when there is something I want to share.  Naturally, instead I thought, "Call Dad!"... these things take time.  Baby steps, right? 

All of those emotions from 4 teeny steps.  Isn't it funny how for a family with young children, a baby's first steps are as celebrated and monumental as Neil Armstrong's walking on the moon?  This is big stuff, people.  Big stuff. 

 Taken on the beach in North Carolina.  She got a good bath after this.  Ya know, to wash ALL THE SAND off all of those places. 

 Because not everybody wants to spend their first birthday at a soccer game.  

 I am often struck by her beautiful eyes and delicate features. 

Dimples!

I know these pictures are flashy and not really well done composition-wise as far as any decent photographer is concerned, but I don't care.   They show such a glimpse into the personality of our big-eyed, dimple-cheeked little girl.  See for yourself.

*Photos taken in August 2013*

Milestones, Shmilestones...

Anna, I will do my best right here to document the "milestones" of your first year.  They are already a bit foggy on the exact dates, but you get the idea.  

• You've been little in size since the beginning, but you've also been our chunkiest baby yet.  And also our shortest. So while you might look chubby with those sweet baby rolls, you've maxed out at the 30% for weight... and stayed around 4% for height (latest stats from your 9 month check up). 
• You slept through the night for the first time around 5-6 weeks.  It was GLORIOUS.  But after about 3 weeks, you decided sleeping all night was for the birds and you went back to waking me up.  Over and over and over again.  You didn't officially start sleeping through the night for the long haul until you were about 9-10 months old.  (I definitely felt like BNL had created the theme song for my life-- Who needs sleep?  Well, you're never gonna get it.  Who needs sleep?  Tell me what's that for?)
• You hated, hated tummy time.  And we didn't push it because you would just spit up and then lay your head down in it.  And that's gross. 
• You rolled over at 4 months, and sat up unassisted at 6.  But since we have hardwood throughout the house, we never really wanted you to sit without a menagerie of pillows around you. 
• You have always been content to sit and watch what was going on around you.  Which was fine with us, so we never coaxed you to move.  And that's why it took you until you were almost 9 months old to start crawling.  It was only a few weeks later that you started to pull to stand up.  And then at 10 months you started cruising along the furniture.  You've been content with crawling, since you're pretty speedy at it, and it wasn't until just last week that you discovered the fun in walking while someone holds your hands.  It's only a matter of time now...
• You had your first big trip when you were 3 weeks old.  We drove to Texas so I could say goodbye to my mama, your Oma.  We placed her gentle hand on your head just once so we could know that she'd met and touched her newest granddaughter.  She loved you, Anna girl.  I could hear it in her voice over the phone when I called to tell her just how beautifully perfect you were.  On that same trip, you got to meet your Opa, and he loved on you and held you for a little while.  He used to take pictures of you to his work and show them off to his co-workers, saying, "Isn't she absolutely adorable?"  I'd have to agree with him.  
• Just one week shy of your first birthday, you finally got your first tooth--bottom left.  I've had the joy of looking at that gummy smile for almost an entire year, and I've loved it!  
• But being toothless hasn't held you back at all.  You've eaten normal foods for a while now, and your favorites are cheese, grapes, green beans (well, beans of any kind, really) and broccoli.  
• You've just recently started attempting to say words.  And I use that phrase loosely, because all you really do is just make noise after I say something.  It's ok, it's pretty cute. 
• You are super duper ticklish.  
• You think peek a boo is the best game ever.  
• Sleeping without your pacifier and mimi (taggie blanket) is not an option.  They are essentials, and you love to rub your face in the blankie while you're falling asleep.  
• There are all kinds of campaigns about making babies sleep on their backs.  You didn't pay any attention to those, as you've slept on your belly from the minute you could roll onto it on your own.
•  Almost everyone who meets you comments on how happy and content you are because you are!  Almost all the time.   

*Pictures taken in June 2013*

*Pictures taken in August 2013*

 So happy to be standing!

 My watermelon girls

 It doesn't matter what you are doing, as soon as that camera comes out, you MUST HAVE IT.

 It's a little bit crowded in there. 

 Your happy, snorty face.  

 I love that gummy smile. 

Sharing a snack with the big kids.

You are my sunshine

My dear sweet Anna,

Here we are, just a few short days from your first birthday, and I am overcome with a bittersweet sadness that your first year has slipped by.  You came into this world quietly, and so quickly after your arrival I felt like my life was full of so much noise.  So much emotion, so much chaos, so much, so much, so much.   And so I turned to you, hugged you close, and escaped to moments of sweetly snuggling you.  While it’s true you needed me to survive (I was your only food source for a while there), I think it’s safe to say that I needed you.  You were my security blanket and you gave me solace in your little baby smiles, squeaks, and squeals.  Anna, you are without a doubt the easiest baby this little Judy family has had.  I often say, God gave me an easy baby because He knew I couldn’t handle anything other than that this year.  But really, God knew what was coming, and He gave me you.  He knows what we need.

I may not have recorded all the exact moments of each milestone this year.  Your stats from each check up are buried somewhere in the stash of papers shoved into your (currently empty) baby book.   Your sitting, standing, and crawling dates are tangled in the depths of my tired brain.  I may not have written it all down, but I was there.   I watched it all and experienced so much joy watching you grow from teensy, sleepy newborn to chubby, noisy, on the verge of toddling little Anna (who is currently standing at the train table, pointing at me, and yelling “Daahhhhhh!”).  Love you, banana girl.  You are my sunshine. 

*Photos taken in May 2013*

Spring fever

Yes, I realize at this point this blog is merely becoming a collection of photos of our children.  No, I do not care.  There are plenty of times where I have thoughts I want to share on here.  But they aren't always fully formulated with a clear resolution and it seems weird to just type up a bunch of half thoughts.  And really, while I enjoy writing, it takes a lot for me to focus.  And during the time that I am writing, I'm usually feeling frustrated that the kids need to eat, talk, have help on the potty, interact, blah blah blah.  Here you have it-- cute kids, cute pictures.  

 I found my feet!

 Anna's first attempt at "solids."  Not impressed.  

I love watching these two play on this little bridge in the backyard.  I often want to join them, but then I remember how much value there is in their brother/sister time together as well. 

 Leah likes to get fancied up at all times. 

 Anna was outside, helping her Daddy brew a beer.  Notice how early in the spring this was, based on the tiny leaves on the trees. 

 Our annual tadpole collection.  (Quickly followed by our annual tadpole release a few weeks later.) 

In this picture you can see Leah still has a few sores around her mouth.  After a few days of 105+ temperatures, our first ER visit, followed by almost 2 weeks of swollen gums and extremely painful mouth sores, she finally started to get better again.  Our little monkeys have always been fairly healthy, and it was tough to see her struggle for so long.  We're thankful to have a great pediatrician who called us regularly to check on her, an awesome children's hospital so close to our house, and a huge backyard to run around in when you are feeling well enough to play, but are still too contagious to play with friends!

Happy 3rd birthday, Sweet Boy

My little man turned 3 this past March.  We didn't do a big party-- just a few family members.  I think last year's 2nd birthday bash exhausted us all, so we vowed to keep all celebrations low-key from here on out.  

 Isaac's in a bit of a dinosaur phase, so here was my best attempt at a T-rex cake.  I'm not gonna lie-- it was pretty delicious. 

This little guy-- I don't even know what to say about him.  He is so laid back and easy and whatever about pretty much everything that in a house full of otherwise more demanding people (ahem: girls), well, he tends to get overlooked.  I like to think that he is going to make an amazing husband for a very lucky woman one day.  

A new scooter!!  Which Leah quickly took over.

Bed head at the breakfast table while he opens presents on his actual birthday morning. 

Some photos of the sweeties

Since it's been a while, I figured I'd jump back in by just showing some photos.  Here are some from January  and February.   Apparently, Anna's not a newborn anymore! 

 Miss Sparkle-eyes

It is impossible not to kiss on those sweet squishy cheeks. 

I rarely get to see this girl sit still.  Which is why capturing her asleep is so precious to me. 

One of Isaac's favorite things is to sit on this step and wave goodbye to Jared every single morning.  This picture was taken when it was about 30 degrees outside.  Ridiculous.  And adorable.

 Another sweet sleeping beauty.

One of her earliest attempts at "sitting"... she's working the tripod sit.  (Note the props around her.  I'm pretty sure she fell forward about 3 seconds after this picture.  Oops.)