Such a ham!!! She actually was quite a shy gal this day (just like her daddy). Wouldn't smile until the cake came out.
12 April 2006
1 year old Photo Shoot
Such a ham!!! She actually was quite a shy gal this day (just like her daddy). Wouldn't smile until the cake came out.
03 April 2006
8016 Abbey Manor- New Toson home in Georgia
So here is our new home-
We have an accepted offer in on this house in Cumming, GA- a suburb 30 miles due north of Atlanta. Great neighborhood with a zero entry pool, massive play ground, golf course and lighted tennis courts, plus plenty of guest rooms inside to accomodate you all and your family! We expect to see y'all here soon!
April 23rd is it!
Snack time at Grandma's
It's moments like these that make me quite sad to leave. These two girls sure will miss one another!
MMMM, MMMM Good!
At first Ana wasn't too sure about the cake, but now she has it down with a demanding, clear as day, "CAKE" (Followed closely behind with a scream if cake isn't delivered promptly) when one is in sight!
Trying out the new "weeee"
"mama, Hep, peese, weeeee"
Translation= Mom, please help me. I would like you to push me around the house on my new car.
Favorite play = dolls
Ana absolutely LOVES dolls now. This is something she discovered on her own given our house is filled with trains, blocks, flachcards and books (once a teacher always a teacher). But her "baby" is by far her favorite- which Grandma gave her for her birthday.
Often she spends almost an hour independently feeding the baby, giving the baby hugs and kisses, brushing the baby's hair, putting the baby "nie, nie" and making them talk to one another. It is quite the good preparation for her new life ahead!
Play buddies at Betty Brinn
Ana's friends all joined her at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum downtown Milwaukee to celebrate her very 1st birthday (Tuesday, March 14th). The kids had a blast playing the sand, sliding down slides and just running around being kids!
Still loves to eat the sand
Here is Ana with buddies Sam and Charlie digging away. Look...she's just as tall as them. Such a big girl!
24 March 2006
Definition of BIG GIRL:
Massive amounts of barf all over the crib, blankets, jammies, mommies, floor,..... you get the picture!
That's right, no more baby spit up in this house. The flu hit, and hit with force. Poor little thing. But, as always with this tropper, no tears, no crabbies, just BARF. If I don't check on her regularly she sleeps in it due to the fact that she doesn't cry to get cleaned up, or for help (is it possible to be TOO INDEPENDENT at age 1?).
FABULOUS!
That's right, no more baby spit up in this house. The flu hit, and hit with force. Poor little thing. But, as always with this tropper, no tears, no crabbies, just BARF. If I don't check on her regularly she sleeps in it due to the fact that she doesn't cry to get cleaned up, or for help (is it possible to be TOO INDEPENDENT at age 1?).
FABULOUS!
17 March 2006
Congratulations Daddy!
Today Daddy officially accepted and signed his promotion (which involves a relocation to Atlanta) with an April 10th start date! Atlanta here we come. That is right, we're moving AGAIN. This time far away and for good. YIKES! We head out next weekend to look at houses and the ball is rolling.
Our anticipated date of arrival in the new home to be will be the last week of April AT THE LATEST. The rush lies in the fact that baby girl #2 is growing healthy and will need a Georgia hospital to welcome HER into the world. After a lot of talking with doctors, family and each other, we've decided the best move for everyone- baby and Ana most importantly- is to get to Atlanta ASAP and have the baby there. So off we go.
Stay tuned for details and pictures.
Our anticipated date of arrival in the new home to be will be the last week of April AT THE LATEST. The rush lies in the fact that baby girl #2 is growing healthy and will need a Georgia hospital to welcome HER into the world. After a lot of talking with doctors, family and each other, we've decided the best move for everyone- baby and Ana most importantly- is to get to Atlanta ASAP and have the baby there. So off we go.
Stay tuned for details and pictures.
I am 1!!!!!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006 Ana turned one. She brought in her new year with all her family and friends. First a party on Saturday and then playtime at the Betty Brinn's Children Museum with all her friends on Tuesday. Pictures will have to wait until April 1 as Mexico exceeded the upload limit for the month (OOPS!).
1 year Check up-
Weight: 23 lbs. 8 oz. (85th percentile)
Hieght: 30.25 inches (75th percentile)
Teeth: 10 in all- working on 1 more (3 out of 4 molars and front 7 - 4 top, 3 bottom)
Motor Development: Crawling, cruising, walking with walker or hands, pincer grasp, shape sorter, up and down stairs alone, in and out of baby chairs alone, stacking 2 blocks
Eating: NO MORE BOTTLES, drinking from a straw cup, eating all TABLE food (NO MORE BABY FOOD), whole milk, blueberries are her FAVORITE
Play Time: very independent, loves monkeys, dolls, and balls
Bed Time: requests with "nie nie" and cuddle with favorite green blanket, sucks left thumb- still takes 2 naps and sleeps 12 hours a night
Language Development: currently has 35 words, putting 2 words together, and saying phrases (ALL SCARILY APPROPRIATE):
dada
mama
turtle
quack, quack = duck
dow = down
roar = lion
ah, ah, ooo = monkey
bu bu = blueberry
kitty
cah ker = cracker (to tell us she is hungry, wants a snack)
ta koo = thank you
baba = bottle
nie, nie = nap please (when really tired points upstairs and says "nie, nie" over and over again)
bubble =swimming
bah = ball
dehter = Dexter
go
go get it (while pointing)
tickl tickl = tickle
bear
key = monkey
don do dat = "don't do that"
baby
Wow!
Uh Oh
hot
dat = that's
dis = "this" (when asking for something for what something is)
dare = "there" (when accomplished a task she's been working at ie. putting a ball in a bucket, etc..)
up stay = upstairs
up
hi (with a wave)
cere ral = cereal
all done (with sign)
pay = play
bye bye _______
mama ________
Nods YES (with her entire body)
Shakes head NO
signs ""more"
signs "all done"
signs "duck"
signs "bye, bye"
signs "hi"
1 year Check up-
Weight: 23 lbs. 8 oz. (85th percentile)
Hieght: 30.25 inches (75th percentile)
Teeth: 10 in all- working on 1 more (3 out of 4 molars and front 7 - 4 top, 3 bottom)
Motor Development: Crawling, cruising, walking with walker or hands, pincer grasp, shape sorter, up and down stairs alone, in and out of baby chairs alone, stacking 2 blocks
Eating: NO MORE BOTTLES, drinking from a straw cup, eating all TABLE food (NO MORE BABY FOOD), whole milk, blueberries are her FAVORITE
Play Time: very independent, loves monkeys, dolls, and balls
Bed Time: requests with "nie nie" and cuddle with favorite green blanket, sucks left thumb- still takes 2 naps and sleeps 12 hours a night
Language Development: currently has 35 words, putting 2 words together, and saying phrases (ALL SCARILY APPROPRIATE):
dada
mama
turtle
quack, quack = duck
dow = down
roar = lion
ah, ah, ooo = monkey
bu bu = blueberry
kitty
cah ker = cracker (to tell us she is hungry, wants a snack)
ta koo = thank you
baba = bottle
nie, nie = nap please (when really tired points upstairs and says "nie, nie" over and over again)
bubble =swimming
bah = ball
dehter = Dexter
go
go get it (while pointing)
tickl tickl = tickle
bear
key = monkey
don do dat = "don't do that"
baby
Wow!
Uh Oh
hot
dat = that's
dis = "this" (when asking for something for what something is)
dare = "there" (when accomplished a task she's been working at ie. putting a ball in a bucket, etc..)
up stay = upstairs
up
hi (with a wave)
cere ral = cereal
all done (with sign)
pay = play
bye bye _______
mama ________
Nods YES (with her entire body)
Shakes head NO
signs ""more"
signs "all done"
signs "duck"
signs "bye, bye"
signs "hi"
01 March 2006
Mexico Survives Ana
Ana and mommy went to Mexico with Grandma, Auntie Jess, Uncle Laurence, cousin Addy and good friend Donna. A Peurta Vallarta all inclusive and she had a blast. It was the schedule as usual with 2 naps a day and sleeping all night, but lots of sun and fun in between. Check out the highlights below:
First time playing in the sand
This trip was perfect for pre-big sister Ana and mommy bonding. Without daddy around it was just us. I cherished every moment!
Bubbles
Ana and cousin Addy had such fun every day playing with the mini fountain, referred to as "bubbles".
Grandma Riley
Arizona Grandma came by to visit Ana on her Peurta Vallarta trip. Ana had fun showing off her new moves in the pool, new words, and all the food she eats now. Grandma was QUITE impressed (who wouldn't be :) )
Nap on the beach? RIGHT!!!
I tried really hard to get Ana to take her morning nap in her tent. It worked 2 out of the 6 days. Not bad. The rest were spent in the room. Quiet time for mommy to get her studying in.
Last day...sick again
The last night and next day Ana broke another fever of 103. Good thing we were heading home!
18 February 2006
On the Move
Ana would crawl all over the beach, chase birds and go full speed ahead into the tide, "bubbles" as she called it. FEARLESS!
15 February 2006
Current Vocabulary
While I'm thinking of it I want to document her 11 month old vocabulary. Which, if you ask me (the unbaised mom I am) is quite AMAZING!
"baby" = baby (when looking at a real baby or a picture of one and pointing)
"deh te" = Dexter and doggie
"at" = cat
"uh oh" = I dropped something (or threw something on the floor)
"wow" = that's neat
"dada" = daddy
"mom" & "ma ma" = mommy
"bah teh" = bottle
"beh ble" = bubbles in the water
"cah cer" = I want a cracker
"dow" = put me down, let me go downstairs, help me sit down,...
"nana" = Ana
"addy" = cousin Addy
"go" with hand point = let's go or you go
"peh tee" = that's pretty
"rah" = answer to "what does a lion say?"
"oo, ooo" = answer to "what does a monkey say?"
signs "more"
signs "all done"
waves "bye bye"
raises hands up for "how big is Ana?"
initiates and signs along with "Itsy Bisty Spider"
signs along with "If You're Happy and You know it"
labels by pointing to: foot, nose, mouth, eye, tree, lamp, light, fan, MANY PEOPLE, monkey, lion, bed, stairs, chair, ....
There is more by the minute, but this is what I've got for sure right now!
"baby" = baby (when looking at a real baby or a picture of one and pointing)
"deh te" = Dexter and doggie
"at" = cat
"uh oh" = I dropped something (or threw something on the floor)
"wow" = that's neat
"dada" = daddy
"mom" & "ma ma" = mommy
"bah teh" = bottle
"beh ble" = bubbles in the water
"cah cer" = I want a cracker
"dow" = put me down, let me go downstairs, help me sit down,...
"nana" = Ana
"addy" = cousin Addy
"go" with hand point = let's go or you go
"peh tee" = that's pretty
"rah" = answer to "what does a lion say?"
"oo, ooo" = answer to "what does a monkey say?"
signs "more"
signs "all done"
waves "bye bye"
raises hands up for "how big is Ana?"
initiates and signs along with "Itsy Bisty Spider"
signs along with "If You're Happy and You know it"
labels by pointing to: foot, nose, mouth, eye, tree, lamp, light, fan, MANY PEOPLE, monkey, lion, bed, stairs, chair, ....
There is more by the minute, but this is what I've got for sure right now!
Mexico, words and more fevers!
Well we made it home. Our first international flight and trip, and without daddy! It was a success and Ana had a blast. She learned 5 more words (bubble "ba ble", cracker "cak cer, Addy, pretty "pitee", Ana "nana"), but still uses "dow" (down) like it's the cure to world hunger. Such a little talker she is! (I'm thinking peek a boo "pee boo" will be the next one included, but it's still only sparatic so I can't call it a word just yet.)
Her health was fine until the end and then the fever came back. However the sickness held off until the last day. 102/103 it stays, but I'm thinking it might be the 2 molars and one front tooth she's begun working on. Or maybe "homesick" for daddy! We'll see!
I'll save the details of the trip for the upcoming pictures which I still have to sort through, but the kid pool with a mini fountain (bubbles) and the tide on the beach was by far her favorite!
Her health was fine until the end and then the fever came back. However the sickness held off until the last day. 102/103 it stays, but I'm thinking it might be the 2 molars and one front tooth she's begun working on. Or maybe "homesick" for daddy! We'll see!
I'll save the details of the trip for the upcoming pictures which I still have to sort through, but the kid pool with a mini fountain (bubbles) and the tide on the beach was by far her favorite!
03 February 2006
I'm SO VERY SICK
This has been a trying week healthwise in our house. A week of 104 degree fevers, turning blue, chest x-rays, pricks, prods and swabs.
It all turned out OK, but let's just say it's good I have a flexible job because I didn't make it in more than 3 hours this week.
I LOVE THE BATH!
We can't even get Ana undressed anymore before she is trying to climb into the tub. She just loves it!
You go, I go!
Ana: Maybe if I smile really big, and act super cute Daddy will take me with him.
Here is Ana trying to sneak into Daddy's suitcase for his snowboarding trip to CO with the boys (his first full week away from Ana...and me).
HELP! I'm in Jail. Let me "DOWN"
"down", pronounced "dow" in Ana's world, is Ana's new favorite word.
She uses it 100% appropriately to get down...this includes downstairs, down from chairs, high chairs, your lap, shopping carts....
As you can imagine, if you don't put her down she is not very happy, therefore shopping has become quite interesting
My First Bruise
Do you see the big yellow bruiser under Ana's right eye? This was a crawling in the bath tub injury that just won't go away.
Party Time
Aren't I cute in my party hat? I'm the one in the yellow flower shirt trying to pull my hat off.
My bestest friend Angelina turned 1 and we partied the day away.
Up the stairs I go
Ana' LOVES to climb the stairs now. She can make it to the top all by herself in under 2 minutes. WATCH OUT!
Door County Hike
For Christmas mom and Ana got dad a weekend in Door County. The plan was to snowshoe, but since the weather didn't cooperate we hiked a lot. Here is Ana and Daddy enjoying her new backpack.
She's got rythym..who could ask for anything more
I turned my back to put away a plate and returned to find Ana jammin' away with two spoons, an upside down pot and a pulled out drum set on her very own dishwasher stage.
(Just to make this clear- when I first turned away she was sitting on the floor contentely...so this was ALL on her own! I set NOTHING up for her.)
A natural
If this girl isn't musical I'll be shocked. She absolutely loves to dance, bop and make music all in beat and quite purposefully. Look at her intently making the sounds
30 January 2006
Ana on fire
104 degrees on fire (for two days now) that is! What is it with this girl and fevers? No symptoms. Just 104 degrees with blue lips and the shivers. A virus I'm told. Translation: do nothing and wait it out. So that's what we're doing-nothing. Thank goodness we have Grandpa/Dr. Grandpa to check in on us, otherwise I'd be going bonkers given that we (her and I, no daddy this time) leave for Mexico in one week and I refuse to go there with the question of "what's wrong with my baby". Foreign hospitals. No thank you.
So, keep your fingers crossed that we can get this high fever under control. I'll keep you posted.
So, keep your fingers crossed that we can get this high fever under control. I'll keep you posted.
09 January 2006
ER's, shots and Grandpa to the rescue!
So we did it...brought Ana to the ER that is. She has been a bit under the weather for quite some time now, had a steroid shot from the doctor on Friday for chest congestion and wheezing (croup), and spiked a fever on Saturday (go figure, the day the office was closed). Her doctor told me Friday that she needed to be seen immediately if (1) she was wheezing or (2) she got a fever. Well, since #2 occured... off we went. Thank goodness Dr. Grandpa was working that shift b/c Ana thought it was playtime while Grandpa examined away. Turned out to be nothing other than para influenza...aka "the flu" (maybe I should have gotten her that flu shot this year...oops!) and home we went with some cough syrup and Motrin in hand.
The mild fever continues, as does coughing and lethargy, but other than that she's still happy and playful Ana. I tell ya, it would take a bull dozer to knock this girl down.
The mild fever continues, as does coughing and lethargy, but other than that she's still happy and playful Ana. I tell ya, it would take a bull dozer to knock this girl down.
05 January 2006
2005...A Year in Reflection
Looking back into 2005 I can't help but get a bit teary eyed. This has truly been the most challenging and rewarding year of my life. So many life passages have occured, and here we still are, happy and fulfilled as ever.
To begin the year we were blessed with our little bundle of love in March, Ana Lucille...I wonder every day what on earth we did before she arrived. I can't even imagine how empty life must have been (and we didn't even know of the void).
Her middle name, Lucille, came from my Grandma, who was a second mother to me. She is someone I will never let go of and I had to have Ana share her with me. I know Grandma is just so proud looking down on her little baby (me) with another little baby so full of love. We think about and talk about her almost everyday, so I know Ana will grow to love her as much as I. We also lost my Grandfather this year, a father to me as well, but he hung on to be able to meet and spend some quality time with Ana. Those are memories and pictures my family and I will cherish forever. I wouldn't be the same mother without the 2 of them in my life, therefore Ana is forever touched by their love.
Over the year Ana has developed into quite the amazing little creature. She is taking after mom and dad in her love for travel. So far she's made it to Florida and Colorado and has a Mexico and another Florida trip coming up soon. She does remarkable on planes and sleeps fine where ever she is. Speaking of sleeping...and other firsts, here is a
2005 milestones list:
Slept through the night: 8 weeks
First Smile: 2 months
First tooth: 4 months to the day (in Colorado)
Second Tooth: 5 months
Third tooth: 7 months
Fourth Tooth: 8 Months
Fifth and Sixth Tooth: 9 months
Sat up on her own: 5 months
Army crawl: 8 months
REAL CRAWLING (my newest trick): 9 1/2 months
Pull up to standing: 9 1/2 months
Current Vocabulary/Communication:
Dada = Daddy
Dah Te = Dexter/Doggie
at = Cat
Mama = Mommy
Baba = bottle
smacking lips together = FEED ME
Biting = PUT ME TO BED
Arms up = pick me up
Thumb to Palm = More Please
Clapping = Look what I just did
Waving = hi and bye
Screaming, lip quivering and feet stamping = GIVE THAT BACK TO ME
(yes, Ana has officially learned how to throw a full blown TEMPER TANTRUM)
Of course don't let me fool you...these are no where close to 100% consistent, but they are very close and if you follow through accordingly she gives you the largest squeal and smile known to man...and if you don't..WATCH OUT!
Ana is still in therapy for her torticollis, which true to our stubborn blood (from mommy that is) doesn't seem to be going away as hoped. So away we work at it, stretch, strengthening,...drill after drill. But, Ana loves both of her therapists and we know in time, even if a brace is necessary, it will all work out. The good thing is that the tight neck is not getting in the way of her other developments. So in our world, this is quite minor. We're just thankful for good care.
As you can see, (while many other things did occur: graduated from UWM with my master's, quit teaching, started my PhD, sold our condo, moved to the 'burbs- Oconomowoc, ...) 2005 to me is all about Ana...who, in 2006, will reach another huge passage in her life..sisterhood!
That's right, in June, God willing, our family will grow to add another addition and Ana will have to share center stage. Something I know she is ready for...as for me, I'll keep you posted.
Therefore, as I close 2005 and enter 2006 I can only be filled with thanks and awe for how amazing our life is, and thrilled for all that is to come. Stay tuned and watch us grow!
To begin the year we were blessed with our little bundle of love in March, Ana Lucille...I wonder every day what on earth we did before she arrived. I can't even imagine how empty life must have been (and we didn't even know of the void).
Her middle name, Lucille, came from my Grandma, who was a second mother to me. She is someone I will never let go of and I had to have Ana share her with me. I know Grandma is just so proud looking down on her little baby (me) with another little baby so full of love. We think about and talk about her almost everyday, so I know Ana will grow to love her as much as I. We also lost my Grandfather this year, a father to me as well, but he hung on to be able to meet and spend some quality time with Ana. Those are memories and pictures my family and I will cherish forever. I wouldn't be the same mother without the 2 of them in my life, therefore Ana is forever touched by their love.
Over the year Ana has developed into quite the amazing little creature. She is taking after mom and dad in her love for travel. So far she's made it to Florida and Colorado and has a Mexico and another Florida trip coming up soon. She does remarkable on planes and sleeps fine where ever she is. Speaking of sleeping...and other firsts, here is a
2005 milestones list:
Slept through the night: 8 weeks
First Smile: 2 months
First tooth: 4 months to the day (in Colorado)
Second Tooth: 5 months
Third tooth: 7 months
Fourth Tooth: 8 Months
Fifth and Sixth Tooth: 9 months
Sat up on her own: 5 months
Army crawl: 8 months
REAL CRAWLING (my newest trick): 9 1/2 months
Pull up to standing: 9 1/2 months
Current Vocabulary/Communication:
Dada = Daddy
Dah Te = Dexter/Doggie
at = Cat
Mama = Mommy
Baba = bottle
smacking lips together = FEED ME
Biting = PUT ME TO BED
Arms up = pick me up
Thumb to Palm = More Please
Clapping = Look what I just did
Waving = hi and bye
Screaming, lip quivering and feet stamping = GIVE THAT BACK TO ME
(yes, Ana has officially learned how to throw a full blown TEMPER TANTRUM)
Of course don't let me fool you...these are no where close to 100% consistent, but they are very close and if you follow through accordingly she gives you the largest squeal and smile known to man...and if you don't..WATCH OUT!
Ana is still in therapy for her torticollis, which true to our stubborn blood (from mommy that is) doesn't seem to be going away as hoped. So away we work at it, stretch, strengthening,...drill after drill. But, Ana loves both of her therapists and we know in time, even if a brace is necessary, it will all work out. The good thing is that the tight neck is not getting in the way of her other developments. So in our world, this is quite minor. We're just thankful for good care.
As you can see, (while many other things did occur: graduated from UWM with my master's, quit teaching, started my PhD, sold our condo, moved to the 'burbs- Oconomowoc, ...) 2005 to me is all about Ana...who, in 2006, will reach another huge passage in her life..sisterhood!
That's right, in June, God willing, our family will grow to add another addition and Ana will have to share center stage. Something I know she is ready for...as for me, I'll keep you posted.
Therefore, as I close 2005 and enter 2006 I can only be filled with thanks and awe for how amazing our life is, and thrilled for all that is to come. Stay tuned and watch us grow!
New Years Eve 2005/2006
This year we had a dinner party with the Kukla's and Scheryantz's to let the kids play. It was a lot of fun and Ana was mesmorized by the fire.
Here is daddy trying to keep her away, but she is determined.
On the Go!
Ana wants so bad to pull up and walk...hopefully this walker will help. She just has a blast with it.
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