Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

I noticed last night when I was rocking Annabelle to sleep that when the song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" started playing through her CD player that she started opening and closing her little fist.

I've started opening and closing my fist (as if my hand is a twinkling star) when I sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" to her, so I think she picked up on it already! I've only done it a few times with her though. They animate it this way at the library, so that is where I picked up on it myself.

Then, she did the same thing again tonight when the song played again while I was rocking her to sleep. She didn't open and close her fist until that particular song started playing either.

7 Pc. Finger Sandwich Maker

Back in 2005, while my husband and I were taking our "trip of a lifetime" across the country, I purchased a "7 Pc. Finger Sandwich Maker" in Seattle, Washington. I actually purchased the set to use to make those cute little sandwiches at a wedding shower for a college friend of mine, but even though the shower was thrown, the "7 Pc. Finger Sandwich Maker" was never pulled out!

So, last week, probably Monday, December 3rd or Tuesday, December 4th, Annabelle ventured into the kitchen and pulled open her favorite kitchen drawer to ramble through. Out came the "7 Pc. Finger Sandwich Maker," and it was still in the box, as always! Notice the sandwich bag full of Sweetner on the floor (in the right hand corner of this next picture). Annabelle constantly pulls stuff out of my pantry! And, the Sweetner is pulled out on an everyday basis.

I thought, "Well, now is the time for me to get my $7.99 plus tax worth," so I went to the refrigerator and found a slice of Kraft American Cheese, and then I tore off a piece of wax paper and I asked Annabelle to come with me. We went to the living room and sat down on the floor, and I pulled out the pieces to the set, and we sat there and made heart and flowered shaped cheese slices. Annabelle loved it (as she got to eat the cheese slices after they were cut out).

So, we put it away for that day, and then again later in the week, probably Thursday, Annabelle opened the drawer again and pulled out the sandwich maker box and handed it to me. So, once again, we sliced some more cheese!

Well, on Saturday, December 8th, after we had finished putting the Christmas lights on our Christmas tree, Annabelle opened the drawer again to find the sandwich maker. But this time, she handed it to me, and she got upset when I wouldn't open it to cut out more cheese with her. Finally, I decided to have her Daddy grab the camera (since I cannot take pictures of us cutting out cheese by myself), and I asked her if she wanted to use the sandwich maker.

She walked right over to the refrigerator door, and she turned around and looked at me. She knew exactly what we needed to proceed. She wanted some cheese! So, we sat down and we cut out more cheese slices, and this time, we had her Daddy take pictures! Enjoy!

And, this last picture is probably my favorite! She LOVES her Teddy Bear that her Grandmama and Granddaddy gave her for her very 1st birthday!

"James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl

Friday, December 7, 2007

We finished "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl on Friday! It was a really cute book, and we enjoyed it very much. A big thanks goes out to "Annabelle's Mommy" for introducing us to this book.

The book was actually due back to the library on Friday, but I renewed the book online just so I could take some time to take pictures of Annabelle with the book. She apparently really enjoyed the book too, and ever since I started reading the book to her, she will bring the book to me and she'll point to the characters on the front cover. She enjoys finding James, the Centipede, the Grasshopper and Miss Spider. I think that James has been her favorite character so far though.

When I checked out "James and the Giant Peach" from the library, I also checked out "Matilda" by Roald Dahl just because I was in a hurry, and for some reason, I thought we'd breeze through "James and the Giant Peach" in no time. Apparently not!

But, I am thinking now that I'd like to find a special Christmas book to read to Annabelle over these next few weeks between now and the new year. Does anyone have any recommendations of another short novel to read to a child with a Christmas theme?

Shadow, would you like some juice?

Friday, December 7, 2007

After I got out of the shower on Friday, and I was busy in the bathroom drying my hair and attempting to put on my makeup, Annabelle found the little, yellow baby bottle that came with her Cabbage Patch Kid newborn baby doll, named Carly, from Uncle Ken and Aunt Katie and their sons for her 1st birthday.

As soon as she had the little, yellow bottle in her hand, she came into the bathroom where Shadow, our black cat, was lying on the vent, and she put the baby bottle to Shadow's mouth to offer her some juice (without me even asking her)! She's been offering her baby doll, Carly, some juice for awhile as we'll ask her, "Will you give your baby doll, Carly, some juice?" And, I've seen her offer juice to her Teddy Bear as well, but she's never offered any juice to Shadow, our black cat, before.

It was another priceless moment, and I was able to grab the camera this time for the photo op!

Excuse the purple shirt with black flowered pants and blue socks! These were actually her pajamas, and I typically dress her better than this, even for bedtime. However, I'm a little (okay, a lot) behind on the laundry this week. At least I didn't take her out in public dressed like this!

Keeper of the Paci

Annabelle has officially designated me as "Keeper of the Paci." Well, I think I was actually designated with this title awhile ago. But, the point being that every time Annabelle goes down for a nap or "night night," and it is time for her to nurse, she will hand the paci to me to hold and protect. I think she feels that it is safe with me. She cannot fall asleep without the paci, so I am caretaker of the paci until she is finished eating.

Also, Annabelle only really needs her paci when she is tired and ready to go "night night" or "nap nap." But, when she first wakes up in the morning or when she first wakes up from her morning and afternoon naps, she'll continue to suck on the paci until she is herself again (since she's not much of a morning person and she's pretty grumpy after she wakes up from her naps too). If I hand apple juice to her or a snack to her, she'll hand the paci to me in return. It is really precious (especially to know that she trusts me so very much)!

So, typically, we are able to put our hands on at least one paci at all times, and we still have all three original paci's from the hospital (from over a year ago)! She will only take these particular type of paci's called Gumdrops. They are wonderful, and I've actually thought about giving them as baby shower gifts in the future as I don't think the hospitals typically hand these out around here unless your baby is in NICU. And, you cannot find these in the stores. I've been able to find where to order them online, but we have yet to order any yet. They come in scented pacifiers too, but I'm not sure that Annabelle's was every scented. I think she must have had the "natural" scent pacifier. And, it looks like now they come in pink and blue! Too cool! I will definitely order more for the next one!

The website is: http://www.gumdroppacifiers.com/

Yesterday, though, we almost had a paci go missing in action as Annabelle ventured into the office and laid her paci down on top of one of the Christmas storage boxes. However, it was out of view because she laid it down on the back of the box. Fortunately, I was right behind her, so I caught her in action, and the paci was recovered and strategically placed on top of the chiffarobe in her bedroom so we could find it when we needed it later for bedtime.

We typically store her paci on top of the chiffarobe in her bedroom. She now knows that though, so when she's ready for bed, she'll point to the top of the chiffarobe until she has it in hand. And, she gets pretty ornery if you don't hand her the paci right away.

The CD Player and the Toilet Paper Roll

So, yesterday, Monday, December 3rd, Annabelle was found playing in the bathroom with the toilet paper roll. By the time I arrived at the scene of the crime, that little booger had almost completely unrolled a half roll of toilet paper (a half roll because only a half roll was remaining). I started to stop the violence, but instead, I ran to grab the camera as this was a picture moment. Before I even left the bathroom, she had unrolled the entire half roll remaining with the last sheet still clinging to the roll. Naturally though, before I could even arrive back to the scene of the crime, she had come to find me herself in the office (with a stream of toilet paper following her). Again, naturally, the toilet paper ripped off of her, so the somewhat bit of a great picture moment, was somewhat ruined until I decided to take a picture of the long stream hanging over her shoulder with sheets in front of her and sheets trailing down her back.

Okay, so you get the picture, right? Even if I didn't.

Well, I'm determined to get at least one picture of her with the toilet paper hanging on her, so I go to take the picture (only to realize the lens cap is still on). Urrggg!

Finally, the camera is ready, and if I'm recalling correctly, I think I did manage to snap a few pictures before she disappeared again into her bedroom this time.

And then I hear something that sounds very much like a CD from her CD player being pulled out of the CD player. I thought, "I thought for sure that I took that CD out of the CD player this morning when she got up." So, off I go to find her to take away the CD from her before she scratches it up even more than she's already done. She started opening the lid to the CD player a few weeks ago, and she'd pull the CD out and bring it to me. As a result, now, whenever I get her up in the morning and after naps, I take the CD out of the CD player first thing.

Well, it turns out that this wasn't her Baby Einstein music CD at all. Instead, she had found a CD of digital pictures from her 1st birthday party in the office (while I was busy trying to capture a photo moment), and she, obviously, knew (or thought she knew) that the CD belonged in the CD player. It is unbelievable to me that she made that connection! I guess the time should come some day, right? But, she's still so young, and she's still my baby!

So, I take the picture CD away from her so she doesn't scratch it, and low and behold, she's off to the office again. She went right back to where she found the 1st picture CD, and she finds another one to test yet again. This time, the CD looked like an unused CD, so I left her alone, and instead, I followed her with the camera in hand. Once again, she took that CD to the CD player, put it in the CD player, and she closed the lid. And this time, I did snap a few pictures!

What is next? Calculus? Ha! Ha! I hope not because I'm not sure how much I can remember myself!

"Nana"

On Sunday, December 2nd, my husband and I were in the kitchen with our daughter, and I was holding her. She looked over at something on the counter, pointed and muttered something in her own little words. My husband said, "Banana. Yes, that's a banana." She was saying "Nana," and she was actually pointing at a banana on the counter.

She actually was trying to say banana a few weeks ago when Grandmama, Granddaddy, me and Annabelle went to the Varsity for dinner on Monday, November 12th (after the final 12 month photo shoot). She also had a taste of my Frosted Orange (from the Varsity) for the first time then as well. She's a smart girl, as she loved it too! Of course, she should because I somewhat craved the Frosted Orange when I was pregnant with her. The baby store that we bought her baby furniture from, New Baby Products, and that we visited very frequently towards the end of my pregnancy, is right down the road from the Varsity, so after I tasted one Frosted Orange while I was pregnant, I wanted another and another and another! They are yummy!

So, anyhow, this past Sunday, I think she actually realized that it was a "nana" she was pointing at. It was a good thing my husband was there for translation though! I think I am going to be a very critical mother. I expect the words to come out very clear...it should be "ba-na-na," NOT "nana." I only answer to "ba-na-na."

All joking aside, I really hope I get better at this translating! She talks up a little storm in her own little words, but I have no clue what she is saying. I think "Ju" means "Juice" though.

Where is the dishwasher?

On Sunday, I asked Annabelle, "Where is the refrigerator?" because last week (maybe Friday), I asked her where the refrigerator was, and she walked herself right into the kitchen from the office to point out the refrigerator to me.

So, on Sunday, as I was washing dishes, I asked Annabelle, "Where is the dishwasher?" She looked around for a minute, and she approached the dishwasher as if she was going to point to the dishwasher, but then, instead, she looked up at me and pointed directly at me. I just laughed because I thought it was too funny.

I said, "No, Mommy is not the dishwasher" and I just laughed. So, she laughed too. She thought that was funny. I told her, "Mommy is washing the dishes, but I am not the dishwasher." I pointed out the dishwasher to her.

I tell her all the time whenever I am washing dishes that "Mommy is washing the dishes," so something about "dish" and "wash" must have clicked for her, so she must have thought that was what I was asking her.

Of course, I had to call her Daddy to tell him too, and he thought it was hilarious. Of course, what man wouldn't, right?

Boy, she has a lot to learn, doesn't she? If I believed in reincarnation, I still would swear that she is my MamaGordon reincarnated. And, I only say that it is fitting for this particular occurence because my MamaGordon was born in 1902. In the sense that she thought her Mommy was the "dishwasher," that probably has nothing to do with MamaGordon's personality at all as my MamaGordon was a very independent woman. Not that she would have ever claimed herself to be a "feminist," because these duties were definitely hers as the woman of the household. However, if she had been born in the 70's or 80's, I think that she also would feel that these duties should be shared.

Walking Backwards?

Is that a milestone? I guess so!

It just clicked (to me) yesterday that Annabelle has learned to walk backwards. We were starting to decorate our tree last night, and we pulled out the lights shortly before Annabelle's bedtime. My husband laid a string of lights on the floor and plugged them in to see if they still worked. I brought Annabelle in the room, and she just smiled!

Then, she proceeded to march backwards towards the couch and the recliner smiling the entire time. I just wish I could have had the video camera running at the time. It was such a precious sight to see! Naturally, she wouldn't do it again when I did finally grab the video camera.

Then, this morning when I went to get her up from her crib, she had her "Teddy Bear" and "Bunny" in hand, and she proceeded to march backwards again in the crib. Again, she was smiling! And, smiling in the morning before she's been fed is not a norm with my little girl. She is not a morning person (much like her Mommy). I am quickly learning what everyone has had to deal with over the years with me not being a morning person.

The funny thing about her walking backwards is that she really seems to march, not walk. She pulls and puts each leg down with such determination.

Can she pull herself to a sitting position yet?

Almost! Actually, I think today that she may have done it for the very first time. When we were lying in bed this morning, she leaned her little body to the left a little bit, and then she leaned in on her left hand, and she pulled herself up to a sitting position without my help. Of course, I am not referring to the sitting position that they accomplish after they learn to crawl. I am talking about actually lying on your back and bringing your body to a sitting position from your back. In essence, a sit-up.

So, this was the question that my mother-in-law asked me when I was so very proud that Annabelle was able to "sit" on her own. Sitting, you know, probably one of the third major milestones. 1st being smiling. 2nd being rolling over. And, 3rd, sitting.

Well, when they "sit" for the first time, it is typically because you, as a parent, prop them into a sitting position with their little arms in front of them. Basically, so they can learn to balance. And, so Mommy can walk away for a minute to go wash the dirty dishes from breakfast. Hee! Hee! Those days are long gone! No more sitting Annabelle down for just a second knowing that she'll go absolutely nowhere because she can barely sit, let alone crawl!

So, anyhow, here I was, proud mom of my beautiful and very smart daughter, and I just had to show off her new talent to everyone. Okay, not everyone, but you at least have to be able to flaunt their talents to family, right?!?!

The next thing my mother-in-law says is "Oh yeah, well, can she pull herself to a sitting position yet?" What?!?! I thought, "Is she kidding?" So, I say, "No. It will be awhile before she'll be able to do that. I've read that they don't typically do that until '8 months'. They learn to crawl before they can learn to sit on their own." I don't remember if the "8 months" is correct on what I had read since we are long past that milestone, but you get the gist, right?

She has two children of her own, so I thought, maybe she just forgot. Well, she asked the question again and again every time we were together. Finally, my husband said, "Mom, why do you keep asking that?" or he said something like that. She hasn't said a word since then.

Of course, it has been an ongoing joke between my husband and myself since she started making the comment continuously. Every time Annabelle would do a "sit up" holding onto our fingers, we would just hoot and holler for her, "Come on Annabelle! You can do it! Finally, come on, you can sit up on your own!"

Since then I have learned, babies don't get into a sitting position on their own from their backs. I mean, seriously, try it for yourself! It isn't all that easy to do, and it requires stomach muscles! I, honestly, could not even do it myself 3 months after Annabelle was born because my stomach muscles were non-existent! And, believe me, I tried! I tried doing Pilates for awhile after Annabelle was 3 months old. Let me just say, crazy!

So, instead, they go from an all fours position to a sitting position OR they go from a standing position to a sitting position, Ker plunk! on their little behind!

Now, I also am thinking that maybe my mother-in-law was referring to her being able to sit by herself from the typical crawling position. I don't know. If she reads my blog, maybe she can provide some insight on what she really did mean. I don't think she meant any harm by her comment, but as a new mother, I took it very personally.

Aren't our children a reflection of our mothering skills? Probably not always, but I am sure that whatever the outcome, as mothers (and parents, for that matter), we will always blame or pride ourselves on the adults that our children become.

Mother and Daddy, I hope I make you proud, and I hope you aren't blaming yourselves!

So, at the time, I would have blamed myself if Annabelle reached a milestone later than other babies her same age. Now I don't know how much it really has to do with the parenting though. I think a lot has to do with the child too. And, I do mean "too" because I think you have to encourage your children to reach certain milestones. If you don't encourage them and show them how to succeed, they will probably be a little slower in that aspect.

I, personally, have found things that my parents have thought to point out to teach Annabelle, and she caught on very quickly, but she probably wouldn't have learned it for awhile because I hadn't thought of it yet. For example, I just learned after reading my moms blog that she taught Annabelle where the buttons were on her clothes and my parent's clothes. I haven't pointed those out yet...probably because Annabelle doesn't typically have too many buttons on her clothes, but, I haven't seen Annabelle find the buttons yet on hers or on mine. I guess I'll try that one tomorrow.

That is why it is great to be around and to hear from other mothers! We can ALL learn from each other because everyone has their own talent. And, our babies learn from us!

The Rocking Horse

After Annabelle nursed this morning, I took her to our bedroom, and we sat in the bed with her Daddy. She had brought along a little board book of hers, "The Velveteen Rabbit." She flipped through the pages, and she pointed at the rocking horse in the book. I told her, "That is a rocking horse." As soon as I said "rocking horse," she started rocking back and forward, back and forward, back and forward and she just smiled ear to ear.

I looked at her Daddy and said, "That's new, isn't it? Where did she learn to rock?" All I can guess is that she understands that we "rock" her to sleep in the glider in her bedroom.

Wow! She learns something new every single day! This is such a fun age!

Tips for Keeping a Clean House

1. Start the dishwasher in the evening right before bed, AND empty the dishwasher first thing in the morning before you do anything else to prevent dishes from piling up in the sink while you wait to "find the time" later in the day to unload the dishwasher.
2. Run a sink full of warm, soapy water before breakfast, lunch and dinner so that the dishes and high chair tray that cannot go into the dishwasher are ready to wash right after mealtimes.

Daily Goals - Sunday, December 2, 2007

1. Complete rebate form for my husband's contacts. This does not include submitting the rebate form at this point as I'll need my husband to make copies on Monday before I can submit the rebate for reimbursement. I thought this should be next on my list as it has already been listed twice (by accident) on two separate lists.
2. Clean out car.

Mission Accomplished!

Okay, so far, only # 2 was accomplished on Sunday, December 2, 2007. I did clean out my car, but I failed to complete the rebate form. Instead, my husband and I spent the evening tidying up the house. I think that should have been listed as # 1 instead of the rebate form. Maybe tomorrow!

The Hands of the Bride and Groom

http://www.thepurplehouse.net/wedding/hands.html

Click on the link above. I just thought I would share this writing with everyone. It is called "The Hands of the Bride and Groom." I heard it for the first time just recently when we attended a wedding for some friends of ours (my husband graduated from college with the groom) on November 10th. If I had heard of the above writing when my husband and I got married back in 2000, I probably would have included it in our marriage ceremony as well.

I think it is beautiful, and the parts that hit me the most were:

"These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within your womb."

"These are the hands that look so large and clumsy, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time."

When the priest recited those two verses during the ceremony, it really made me tear up as I thought of all the times that I held my husband's hands to my stomach while I was pregnant so that he could also feel our baby move within me. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

And, it brings more tears of joy and happiness when I think of him holding Annabelle for the very first time. He waited so long to hold her as he wasn't able to hold her the day she was born. He had to wait until the next day because of her complications in the hospital. I was fortunate enough to hold her for 5 minutes or so shortly after she was born before they whisked her away quickly to the NICU. And, when we visited her in the NICU, and they offered to let us hold her again for the very first time after they had whisked her away, he never once asked to hold her before me. I know he must have been anxious to hold her, and I, obviously, was still overwhelmed after giving birth that I didn't even realize until later in the evening that he had yet to hold our baby that we created together. I hope that one day Annabelle will be as unselfish as her father.

Thank you God for such a beautiful miracle! And, thank you for blessing us with a little fighter!

Daily Goals - Saturday, December 1, 2007

1. Compile list of Annabelle's birthday gifts so I can finally start writing thank you notes some time next week and so I can move all of the bags with Annabelle clothes, etc. out of our living room and so I can take Annabelle's birthday gift money to the bank next week.
2. Trip to Sam's to take back both coats for Annabelle, 12 month PJ's for Annabelle and 12 month outfit for Annabelle. But first, I must find all of the receipts!

These two "goals" seem rather easy, I know. But, keep in mind, #1 has been on my original "to do" list for a very long time (since October 21st, 2007).

Mission Accomplished on Saturday, December 1, 2007!

Hooray! I completed both of the above goals before midnight.

And, I became creative in the process. I decided to jot down Annabelle's birthday gifts on the back of the little cards I had everyone fill out at Annabelle's birthday party. So, the gift they brought for her is on the back of their card with a note about how she reacted to certain gifts at the party and after the party. So, now she has a record of who all was there with their special little note to her, and a record of the gift they gave her.

On the clothes I took back to Sam's this afternoon, I returned $77 worth of clothes for Annabelle that I decided we just didn't need because of her already overflowing wardrobe! This just goes to show that you should always hang onto receipts, and always leave the tags on outfits until you are ready to use them.

Mission Accomplished Four-Fold!

In addition to the above two goals, I also completed the following that would have eventually "made" the written list as it was already on the unwritten list in my head.

1. Trip to Linens and Things to take back scrub brush and sifter.
2. Request Sam's eye center to print out receipt for contacts purchased to request reimbursement from the insurance company for out-of-pocket expenses.

Daily Goals Summary

I think I am going to try something new here. I am a huge fan of lists, and unfortunately, I create these lists of "important" items, and I then find them on my list and not crossed through several months after the item was listed as a "to do."

And, just based on my profession, I am very deadline oriented! If I don't set a deadline, the project will rarely ever get completed no matter how "important" it was when it made the list.

Did I mention that I am quite the perfectionist as well? Or, at least I try to be a perfectionist. Again, another reason why nothing every seems to get done for me. I am too busy trying to make everything perfect.

And, I am quite the procrastinator. When I don't want to do something (whatever the reason), I will find anything else that seems more important at the moment just so I don't have to complete the task at hand.

So, you probably wonder how I ever got anything done at work when I was working full-time. Well, almost everything had a deadline...April 15th, August 15th and October 15th. There were many more deadlines (monthly), but these are the more obvious ones. And, I am quick to finish tasks at hand that are business related and not personal tasks. I have aways procrastinated in my personal life, but when it comes to business, I try to be on top of everything!

So, anyhow, I am going to try to post my daily goals for the next day every night. Since my to-do list is, obviously, ongoing, I am only going to post 2 goals for the day that I feel I should and can complete by the end of the day. I read somewhere that you should focus on only two items per day off of your to-do list, and then once these items are completed, if you have additional time to accomplish more tasks, you can start chipping away at other items.

Okay, all of that being said, I am going to post 2 goals per day with the blog title "Daily Goals." The label for these daily goals each day will be "Daily Goals" as well. However, once the items are completed, I will change the label to "Mission Accomplished," and I will edit the post to show the date of completion. This way, I can hold myself accountable somehow.

Daily goals for December 1st, 2007 to follow in another post.

Wish me luck!

Jump Shake Your Bootie!

Apparently, this is another week full of constant discoveries for Annabelle.

I'm continuing to read "James and the Giant Peach" to Annabelle on a daily basis. I try to read 1-3 chapters a day to her (one in the morning, one before one of her nap times and then another before bedtime). She seems to really like the cover of the book as she will point at all of the characters on the cover until I tell her the name. "That is James Henry Trotter." "That is Miss Spider." "That is Ladybug." We are just now getting to the chapter in the book where the sharks are starting to attack the giant peach.

Well, anyhow, since I now read "James and the Giant Peach" to Annabelle about three times a day, she seems to be very aware that this is a popular book for us right now. This evening, my husband and I were sitting on the floor with her in the living room, and she decided to trail off to her bedroom. We heard her knock something down in the bedroom, and then "pitter patter," and there she was...Miss Annabelle was back in the living room with us again holding the "James and the Giant Peach" book. Coincidence? I don't think so. I think that she really understands that this book has been a focal point for us over the past few weeks. I don't know that she brought the book in the living room with her because she wanted me to read it to her, but I think she can relate to the book. Her three books of choice right now include her "100 First Words" and another picture book and "James and the Giant Peach."

I am thinking I'd like to read "Superfudge" to her next because I remember loving that book. There were two of those books, weren't there? Was Superfudge the 1st or 2nd one? I remember that I liked the 1st one. I also loved the Beverly Cleary books, Amelia Bedelia books and Little House on the Prairie books. I have the set of the Little House on the Prairie books, so maybe I should pull those out to read them to her.

So, as for the title of my blog. You are probably wondering where the title came from? Well, this evening as my husband and I were studying one of Annabelle's picture books with her, we pointed to a picture of a lady jumping, and we said, "That is a lady jumping." The word description under the picture literally says, "Jump." Strange, if you ask me, because most of the pictures in the book are of animals, objects, etc., but not actions. Well, it was the cutest thing I have seen so far...she started jumping! Every time we said, "That is a lady jumping," Annabelle would start jumping up and down on the floor (as she was standing up next to the glider stool while we read the book to her).

I am amazed at how fast she learned the word "jump." On Monday evening, I had just started using the word with her to show her the action (besides pointing it out in the book as I've already been doing for a few weeks). And when I started using the word with her on Monday, I didn't even have the book in sight. Instead, I just started jumping like a bunny rabbit towards her, and I'd say, "Jump!" I cannot believe that it clicked that quickly!

Of course, when I realized that Annabelle understood the word "jump," I had to stand up with my rear end facing her to sing "Jump shake your bootie! Jump, jump, shake your bootie!" We actually would sing this to her when she was probably about 3-6 months old. We would bounce her up and down and shake her little bootie as we sang the song to her, and she would just smile and laugh. She thought it was so funny. My nephew actually starting referring to the song as "Annabelle's song," and now my niece, my nephew's sister, refers to it as "Annabelle's song" as well.

When I showed Annabelle how to jump and shake her bootie though, my husband turned to Annabelle and said, "Annabelle, we don't do that out in public though." I laughed and said, "Why not? I think it would be kind of cute." He said, "You think it would be cute for Annabelle to go to church and then jump and shake her bootie for everyone there?" Well, maybe not at church!

And some more words that seemed to click with Annabelle today...I pointed to a picture in her "100 First Words" book, and I said, "Crib." Then, I pointed and touched her crib. She understood the connection because she would then look at the picture book and then at her crib as if she understood. On another word, I would point at a teddy bear in the book and say, "Teddy Bear." Then, I would point at her own Teddy Bear that she was holding. After that, she'd look in the book at the teddy bear picture, and then she'd point at her own teddy bear.

Also, there was a picture of a "Queen" in the book. When my husband pointed out the picture to Annabelle, he said, "Queen. Mommy is a queen." As soon as he said, "Mommy," she looked at me, and then she pointed at me. It was sort of funny though because of the context of the conversation with him saying, "Mommy is a queen."

I also asked Annabelle, "Where is your Daddy's nose?" this evening, and she went to his face to find his nose. She was very close as I think she pointed right below his nose.

And, last, but certainly not least, Annabelle sat down this evening on the floor on her own with such grace, and she didn't even use her hands. She had two toys, one in each hand, but she lowered her little body to the ground to sit, and it was without a bump and without her hands as support.

My baby is no longer a baby! It is still so bitter sweet!

Hot Water!

Annabelle discovered yesterday, Sunday, November 25th, how to turn on the hot water faucet in the tub! Yet another danger lurks in our home!

Now I have to worry about Annabelle burning herself with the hot water AND about Annabelle running a tub full of water to try to "swim." Of course, I hope I am watchful enough that I'll catch her before she runs even the slightest drip of water. You know, we are suffering the worst drought that I can remember in my lifetime. All we need are babies learning to waste more water by running faucets and flushing toilets (which she learned to do the week after Labor Day weekend). Thank goodness though, she doesn't try to flush the toilet very often.

Of course, dummy me showed her how to turn the faucet on yesterday, but I didn't think she'd do it all by herself right away! I was just trying to teach her something new.

To Work, or Not To Work: That is the Question.

Okay, I am going to try and make this post short and sweet as I am very tired, and it is 10:17 p.m. as I am just starting this post, and I am pretty sure that Annabelle will be awake by 7:15 a.m. tomorrow morning.

So, today was the longest amount of time that I have actually spent away from my daughter since she was born. In order to keep my license active, I am required to obtain so much Continuing Education every year, and 8 hours of this "CPE" has to be in Accounting & Auditing, also known as A&A. Well, the firm that I work for part-time hosts this annually, and everyone in the firm attends so that everyone can knock out their 8 hours of A&A in one day.

The subject matter is absolutely torturous and very, very boring! And, this time, the speaker pretty much read from his PowerPoint presentation the entire time.

Well, every time I go to a work event, no matter how boring (obviously), I really start to miss my previous life BA (before Annabelle). The firm is growing so fast that there are so many new faces, and then when I meet some of the new people, they will ask which department I work in. Of course, I am always stumped for an answer because I feel the need to explain that I only work from home and this is why they've never even met me even though I've been working with the firm for 8+ years (minus the 1.5 years we were in TN, so that makes 6.5+ years).

I feel like a pee-on once again, and I am actually somewhat envious of some of the people in my department who are moving up in the ranks and making great impressions on the partners. I am jealous because it isn't me, and I am no longer an integral piece of what is making the firm so successful. I used to be the "Superstar," but I am no longer privy to that title as I only work 10-20 hours per month!

But, I, instead, am staying home with my daughter and, as a result, putting my career on complete hold. I never thought this would bother me (before Annabelle was born and even before I got pregnant), but it truly does leave a pit in my stomach.

I often wonder... Am I making the right decision staying home with Annabelle? Would I not be as good of a mother if I worked more than I do now? Would I maybe be a better mother if I worked full-time or even more part-time?

Sometimes I feel that some of the other women are looking at me and thinking, "Well, that must be nice. She gets to work when she feels like it." And, don't get me wrong, I do have the ideal situation. I can work my own schedule around my toddler's schedule and still pull in a little extra income to help us take those much enjoyed vacations. Little do they know that staying at home is really a very demanding and exhausting job. Finding the time to actually "work" for pay is very difficult. And when I do find the time in the evenings after Annabelle has gone to sleep, I am exhausted, and instead, I'd rather use my time either blogging, reading a good book or scrapping (well, hopefully one day I'll scrap). Of course, I am pretty exhausted right now after being at work for the seminar and firm meeting after the seminar (all lasting from 8:15 this morning until 7:10 this evening). And, then, I didn't get home until 7:30 p.m. or so.

So, "To Work, or Not To Work: That is the Question." I need some encouraging words as I am being selfish again, and I feel that I am missing out on my own personal career growth.

My husband told me (after I mentioned to him that I no longer felt like the "Superstar"): "Did you see Annabelle's eyes light up when you got home this evening? You are a Superstar to her." Of course, my response was that he works full-time, and her eyes light up when he gets home from work. He couldn't argue with me on that one.

I guess all I really need is to be a "Superstar" in her eyes though, but I know that 10 or 11 years from now, she is not going to see me as a "Superstar" and she probably won't see me as a "Superstar" again from that age until she has a child of her own.

What is Thanksgiving without...

my Mother's Cornbread Dressing and Pumpkin Pie? Those are both probably my two favorite must haves for Thanksgiving lunch or dinner. It is a sad Thanksgiving when I don't get my Mother's Cornbread Dressing and Pumpkin Pie. It is such a sad Thanksgiving without them that I opted to have Thanksgiving at our home (instead of opting for a much easier meal at the nearest Cracker Barrel) just so I could enjoy the Cornbread Dressing and Pumpkin Pie.

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year with a luncheon first at our house (around noon). My parents and my aunt (my mom's sister) and my uncle (her husband) joined us. I bought a Jennie-O turkey breast from Sam's, so the turkey was easy as I only had to heat the turkey for 1 1/2 hours (since it was already cooked).

And, I made two Pumpkin Pies (my mom's recipe) on Wednesday, and then on Thanksgiving, I got up and made my Crock pot Macaroni & Cheese and Green Bean Casserole. My Mother made and brought her famous (very yummy) Cornbread Dressing and she made a Sweet Potato Souffle as well because I told her that I really wanted to make one, but I thought it would be a lot of trouble to make with a little one holding onto my legs. Because, what is Thanksgiving without a Sweet Potato Souffle? My Aunt brought her famous Pineapple Casserole, and that was the makeup of our Thanksgiving Feast celebrated at our house for the very first time ever! Oh, and I bought a can of Cranberry Sauce too (without the whole berries).

My brother and his wife have always had Thanksgiving at their house, but they moved to New Jersey earlier this year. My brother actually moved away in October 2006, but they didn't sell their house and move the family until 2007, so we celebrated Thanksgiving with them last year. This year, they stayed home in New Jersey. We missed them, but at least I didn't have to fight my brother this year for the Pumpkin Pie! We both love the Pumpkin Pie that my mom has always made, and as siblings, we've always fought for the biggest slice. Fortunately, my mom always makes two pies (because the recipe makes two pies), so we normally have each gotten a pie of our own (after sharing with Mother and Daddy, of course).

Maybe I'll have Thanksgiving at our house again next year.

For our trip to my husband's Granny's house, I made "Puppy Chow" on Wednesday. "Puppy Chow" includes 9 cups of Crispix mixed with a small bag of milk chocolate chips, 1 1/2 cups of peanut butter and a stick of butter. The latter ingredients are melted together before they are mixed with the Crispix. And, then, after the Crispix is tossed with the melted ingredients, you pour a box of powdered sugar over the Crispix and toss until the Crispix is covered. It was a huge hit, and it was finished off before we left his Granny's house on Saturday afternoon.

I now know that some type of finger food is the best junk to take to Granny's to get the "Oohs" and "Aahs" that I normally NEVER get. Finally, at last, I was the Martha Stewart of the Thanksgiving! Ha! Ha! I wish! Everyone really did seem to enjoy the Puppy Chow though, and they all wanted to know the recipe.

Let's Give Thanks

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow, I wanted to take a moment to give thanks to the many things that I am thankful for. I think we all too often take things for granted, so I am just taking this moment to blog for my own reality check.

So, this Thanksgiving I wanted to take a moment to thank God for everything he has given us!

I am thankful for:

1. God for blessing us with another breath!
2. Annabelle who brightens each and every day! I cannot see my life without her now, and I am so thankful that God blessed us with such a sweet, beautiful and upbeat little girl.
3. My husband who has ALWAYS been very supportive of me. And, for being the most intelligent and unselfish person I know.
4. My parents who have shown me how to love unconditionally by example through their own lives of loving each other as well as the love they have shown towards me.
5. My mother-in-law who raised an exemplary man!
6. My brother, sister-in-law and their three kids for teaching me a lot about love, marriage and innocence through the years. I'll never forget my 2nd nephew telling me (while I was pregnant) to be careful as I walked up and down the stairs in their house because "I was carrying a baby in my tummy." And, I won't forget (according to my mom) that my brother insisted that my Dad go home to check on me the evening that I had my first date with my husband. At the time, I was still "going steady" with someone else whom my mom claims was a "stalker," so my brother, while in the hospital after a surgery to his jaw, insisted that my Dad go home right away to check on me. He had to write this out on a paper though because he couldn't talk. And, my mom said he wrote it out with such exclamation. He apparently wasn't worried about the date with my husband, but instead about the "stalker" boyfriend showing up. And the care, concern and love that my sister-in-law showed before and after the birth of my daughter.
7. My brother-in-law, sister-in-law and their two kids for teaching me a lot about reaching out to others. I was amazed at the love and support they showed after the birth of our daughter.
8. My best friend who has been there for me through thick and thin all of these years despite me not always being the greatest friend in return. She has taught me the true meaning of a friendship.
9. My college friends that I have stayed connected with now since our freshmen year back in 1996. I have learned something from each of them, and I appreciate their friendship and support.
10. My part-time job that has helped me keep my foot in the door with my profession.
11. My part-time job mentors that have helped me grow both professionally and personally.
12. Our home which provides us with shelter.
13. Our health.
14. The opportunity for me to stay home with Annabelle.
15. Running water (need I say more)!
16. Clothes to protect us from the weather.
17. Beautiful days and nights. (This is the day that the Lord hath made!)
18. Food to keep our tummies full and our bodies nourished.
19. Freedom as a United States citizen.
20. Eternal life.
21. Again, my sweet Annabelle who just started crying, and I realized, as I muttered under my breath, "Why do you always start crying when your Daddy walks out of the house for a minute?," that I am thankful for those cries as I know she's alive and breathing!

Crib Climbing

Just curious, how long do I have before Annabelle will learn to climb out of her crib? Just a few days ago (within the last week), I noticed that Annabelle was actually lifting her leg up when I went to get her up one morning. I guess I wasn't moving fast enough for her, and she was trying to figure out a way to lift her leg to climb over the crib railing.

Safe Haven (or not)

So, when Annabelle has trotted to her bedroom alone, I normally do not worry as her bedroom has been pretty much child proofed (until today)! I don't leave her for an extended period of time by any means, but if I'm in the kitchen washing dishes with my hands soaked in dish water, I normally have a second to dry my hands before I trot off after her to her bedroom to find her.

I can see her go into her bedroom from the kitchen, and she normally either closes the door so she can access the books on the bookshelf behind the door (which is fastened to the wall) or she'll go to the corner of the room nearest to the bathroom and back of the house (which houses a bright pink fabric foldable box of her toys). All visible outlets are protected with those little child proofing thing-a-ma-jigs you put into the outlets with the exception of the one that has her CD player plugged into it, and the CD player is sitting on the floor. I guess she could unplug the CD player to access the outlet herself, so maybe I need to rethink that one.

So, I was actually thinking yesterday about her climbing fiascoes, and I started wondering how long it would take her to figure out that she can climb onto couches, recliners and the glider in her bedroom.

Because she often will just "get it" suddenly (about anything), I started thinking (again) that maybe I need to pull out the baby gates to lock her in the kitchen with me while I am cooking. For the most part, when I am preparing dinner, I am in a time crunch to get everything prepared by the time Annabelle's Daddy gets home so that we are all ready to eat by 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. If dinner is served much later than that, Annabelle is typically a fussy little girl during dinner.

So, Annabelle's Nonnie visited us today, and she watched Miss Annabelle while I cooked Pumpkin Pies and Puppy Chow for Thanksgiving tomorrow as well as tidied up a bit. She took Annabelle to her bedroom to read books, and when I walked in Annabelle's bedroom to say hello, Annabelle was sitting in the glider with her Teddy Bear, and she was just grinning ear to ear as she played with Nonnie's jewelry and rocked. Very cute, right? Well, yes, it was very cute at the time as she seemed to enjoy herself, and Nonnie said that she liked to rock her Teddy Bear.

Later on in the day, Annabelle went straight to her bedroom, and I followed her. She immediately went to the glider, and she proceeded to lift her right leg to try and climb onto the glider. Where on earth do they learn that they actually have to lift their legs to climb onto things? I don't lift my legs to sit in the glider.

So, I am afraid that Nonnie has introduced Annabelle to yet another new danger, and as a result, Annabelle's bedroom is no longer a safe haven!

I did get on to Nonnie for showing Annabelle this new trick (jokingly of course). She was going to learn it some day on her own anyway. I was just hoping that I had a few more weeks!

Climbing Again!

So, my little climber is at it again!

First she started with the stairs at the condo we rented in Blue Mountain Beach, Florida this summer.

Then it was the toy that Granny gave her for her birthday. She still prefers to play with (I mean climb) the toy when it is in the box (versus outside of the box).

Then, she discovered the little white chair that Grandmama had brought over for the photo shoot.

And, then, it was the kitty cats' scratching post!

And, now (on Monday, November 19th), she discovered that she can climb up on the bottom of my kitchen cabinet (once the doors are opened) to try and climb into the two large pull-out drawers inside the kitchen cabinets that we use as our pantry drawers.

She has been opening these drawers and scattering my pantry contents for months now, but now she has discovered a new danger!

I want even go into (right now) a discussion of our fun-filled weekend of following two 13 month old toddlers up the stairs of this log cabin constantly! I am so thankful that we do not have stairs in our house. I have decided after following these two toddlers up the stairs all weekend that I am more prone to buy my next house as another ranch. Thank goodness we didn't buy that house near Grandmama and Granddaddy's earlier this year (with stairs to all of the bedrooms and basement).

Please pray that I'll always have a watchful eye over Annabelle to prevent any major falls or mishaps! If I'm not with her, may God be with her.

Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose!

So, Miss Annabelle has been a busy little girl since I last blogged. This past weekend, my husband, Annabelle and I met some friends (that we had gotten to know when we lived in Knoxville, TN) at a log cabin near Pigeon Forge. The cabin was awesome, and my husband and I are now dreaming of buying some land in the mountains to build a little (okay, hopefully a big) log cabin in the near (reality: far) future.

We left around 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 16th, and we arrived in Pigeon Forge to meet them for dinner at the Apple Barn around 6:30 p.m. Before we left, I stopped by the public library with Annabelle to check out "James and the Giant Peach." (Why doesn't this blog allow you to underline? Books are supposed to be underlined, and that annoys me very much).

So, anyhow, "Annabelle's Mommy" (and this doesn't refer to me) has inspired me to try and read a novel to my Annabelle. "Annabelle's Mommy" is currently reading "James and the Giant Peach" to her Annabelle, so it sounded interesting to me as well. Of course, we will see how well Annabelle does with this new book. She is very much into the picture books right now. She loves to look at the pictures and just continuously points at them until I tell her the name. It is so funny to watch her though because she got the pointing from me. I have always tried to point at objects and at pictures in books for her, and I will move my finger up and down while I'm pointing at a picture or object as I state the name of the object. Well, she caught on, and now she'll point at the pictures in the book (the same way I do) for me to tell her the name of the picture.

So, anyhow, this particular book does not have many pictures, but I still think it makes a lot of sense to read a chapter or two a day to her just so she can get used to more advanced vocabulary. I used to read my books to her when she was an infant because I did not think the subject really mattered. Then, we started reading books more age appropriate all of the time (instead of just some of the time). But, I am hoping that reading a novel to her on an ongoing basis will help to increase her vocabulary (in the long run) and also keep me entertained!

Sometimes I get tired (and frankly bored) of pointing at objects and saying "Cow" or "Spoon" or "Red Spoon," etc. But, I try my best to constantly label objects as I think it is very important to constantly talk to your children (whether or not they can understand you). I would talk to Annabelle at the grocery store, etc. when she was just a few months old, and I know that some people must have thought I was crazy! They probably looked at me wondering where my "Blue Tooth" was hidden. And, Annabelle, if you are reading this 30 years from now, a "Blue Tooth" is a little headset or earphones that is connected to your cell phone (but it is wireless) so that you can talk on the cell phone without holding the handset.

Okay, so anyhow, I wanted to have "James and the Giant Peach" for our 4 hour trip to Pigeon Forge, and I was able to get it from the library! So, I started reading it to her in the car, but I barely finished the 1st chapter before Annabelle started getting fussy. So, I pulled out one of her picture books because these always seem to settle her down for a good 15-30 minutes or so (normally more like 30 minutes or more). She was entertained for a long while until she finally fell asleep around 4:30.

Well, while I was "labeling" the pictures in the picture book, we came across a picture of a hand. And, it was only the hand...no arms, elbows, etc. She pointed at the hand in the book, and I said "Hand." Then, I held one of her hands in front of her face and said, "Hand." She looked at the book and then she looked at the palm of her hand, and then, she turned her hand around and examined the top of her hand. She got it! She made the connection between the picture of the hand and her hand, and she understood they were related. It was such a precious sight to see!

And the best part, she was looking at the book a little later on (after she woke up from her nap), and she looked at the picture of the hand in the book, and I didn't even say "Hand" to her, but she immediately (before I could even say anything) looked at both of her hands (front and back). It is truly priceless to see her progress! It really makes me feel like I am truly making a difference by staying home with her. I guess she would eventually learn the same things if she were in daycare, but I'd like to think that she's learning it faster because I am with her 24/7.

And to top it off, I started asking her where her nose was (during the same car ride and after she found her hands), and she put her hand to her nose. Then, I asked her, "Annabelle, where are your ears?" And, she put one hand on her right ear. By the end of the weekend, she found both ears, but at that time, she knew she at least had one. Then, I asked her, "Annabelle, where is your mouth?" And, she put her hand to her mouth as she opened it. She finally got it! I have been trying for months to teach her nose, and she would not pay me any attention. Of course, I do think that Grandmama has a little something to do with Annabelle finding her nose as Grandmama plays a little game with her of "I've got your nose." Grandmama acts like she takes Annabelle's nose from her (with her thumb between two fingers and the thumb is the "nose"). But, whatever, the point is that Annabelle is now learning her body parts! And, she seemed to get it (for the ears, mouth and nose) all in the same day.

We are still working on finding our eyes though! Maybe next week?

What has Squeakers been up to? # 2

Okay, so I'm a little behind keeping up on Annabelle's new found talents and "firsts", so I am going to recap now.

Friday, November 9th
On Thursday, I spent 2 hours in the kitchen cooking a Cooking Light recipe, Italian Meat Rolls, my husband had found for us to try when I asked him to help me find a new recipe for the week (as I'm tired of eating the same thing over and over again), and I have a really hard time picking out new recipes. So, we won't be trying this recipe again! It was such a pain, and I told him that if he liked it, he would be making it next time. Okay, well, that's off subject. I just had to mention it though because they were a nightmare to make, and I was not happy with him for picking out such a complicated recipe. I told him it looked complicated too! But, I'm not going to complain too much because at least he helped me find a recipe, right?

So, with the Italian Meat Rolls, we had zucchini sauteed with onions and peppers. It was very good by the way (the zucchini, that is), and it was the first time we've had zucchini cooked in this manner. So, we ate late that evening, so Annabelle had already eaten by the time dinner was ready. So, on Friday, November 9th, she had zucchini, onions and peppers for the very first time, and she really seemed to like them. Yea! Maybe we've found something besides peaches, bananas and cottage cheese that she'll actually eat.

Sunday, November 11th
I cooked a roast for dinner, and I made squash sauteed with onions and peppers as the side (similar to the zucchini we had on Thursday and Friday). And, once again, Annabelle really seemed to like the squash as well. She had the squash again on Monday, but by Tuesday, she was not interested in the squash again. It seems that my little girl is not a big fan of leftovers.

This evening, while I was cleaning up Annabelle's room a little bit before bedtime, Annabelle was sitting on the floor flipping through her favorite book, "My First100 Words." I think that is the title. I'll have to double check tomorrow when Annabelle wakes up, and I'll correct my post with the correct title. So, as she was flipping, it sounded like she said, "What's this?" This isn't actually the first time I heard her say this as I'm pretty sure she said "What's this?" earlier last week. I just have a really hard time deciphering her babblings. But, as soon as I mentioned it, Nonnie (my husband's mom) agreed that it sounded like she said "What's this?"

Also, during dinner earlier in the evening, it sounded like she said, "Thank you" again. I haven't heard her use it very much since she said it the first time I thought I heard her, but once again, Nonnie validated that it sounded like "Thank you."

Oh! And how did I almost forget?!?! During Annabelle's breakfast this morning, my husband was feeding Annabelle while I was busy trying to steam her smocked 1st birthday dress for the photo shoot, and Annabelle said, "Ma Ma." She looked over at me when she said it, and she just smiled. I turned to my husband and I said, "Did she just say Ma Ma?" He said, "It sounded like it?" So, I am thinking that she said "Ma Ma" for the first time on Sunday. Of course though, I am writing this blog on Wednesday, and I have yet heard her refer to me as "Ma Ma" again. I know she knows me as "Ma Ma" and her Daddy as "Da Da," but that stubborn little girl just won't say it! I think she's said "Da Da" directly to her Daddy as well (before Sunday), but I wasn't completely sure at the time that she was directing it towards him, so I didn't document it.

Monday, November 12th
I believe that Annabelle is also trying to say "Please" when she wants more at mealtime. She doesn't use this word very often though as she mostly points and then starts to whine when she doesn't get what she wants.

Tuesday, November 13th
Annabelle is learning how to get on her little riding toy (that used to be the push toy before she started officially walking) all by herself. She still needs a little assistance though as she tries to straddle the seat by starting with the leg farthest from the seat. That isn't going to work Annabelle! I just noticed on Tuesday that once she is on the riding toy, she can move herself backwards on the toy using her little feet. She hasn't quite figured out how to move herself forward yet though. I am sure that will come very soon though.

While she was riding on her little riding toy, she had her play cell phone in her hand. Being the sweet and giving child that she normally is, she held out her hand (with the cell phone in it) as if she was trying to hand me the play cell phone. I reached out to grab it, and when I did, she jerked it back quickly, smiled and made this little sound, "Ha Ha." She was faking me out! And, she knew that she was faking me out. I instantly thought, okay, who taught her how to do that? Grandmama!!! Of course, I just asked Grandmama about it today, Wednesday, and she said that she had not taught her how to do that. Sure!

Wednesday, November 14th
This evening, after our excursion to Burt's Farm in Dawsonville earlier in the day with Grandmama and Granddaddy, Annabelle decided to find something new to climb (since her little white chair was missing in action). While we were looking through the pictures we had taken earlier in the day, I turned around to see my little girl climbing on top of the cats' scratching post. I had not turned my head but for maybe 1 second! I had just vacuumed the office, so I had put the scratching post in the kitchen while I vacuumed, and I had not moved it back yet. Annabelle was playing in the kitchen, where I could see her, but I turned to look at one of the pictures for 1 second, and she proceeded to climb up onto the scratching post, and when I saw her, she was sitting on her little feet just about ready to stand up. I immediately ran over and grabbed her off! It scared me the most because the scratching post was in our kitchen which has slate floors...very dangerous! What is up with all of the climbing though? I am thinking it is time to pull out the baby gates. I think it is so important to let babies explore, and up until just recently, I have been able to follow Annabelle around constantly (when she was crawling and when she just learned to walk). But now that she is practically running, I cannot turn my head for even a second before she's gone!

Photo Shoot (12 months, 3 weeks and 3 days old)

So, the "12 month" photo shoot took place on Sunday, November 11th and Monday, November 12th. I never dreamed it would be so much work, but it really was a lot of fun!

On Saturday, my husband rented some equipment from a nearby photo supply store while Annabelle and I visited Jo Ann's to try and find a white "back drop" we could use for the photo shoot. My husband found out it would cost $25 to rent a back drop, and I figured we could buy one for under $25. Grandmama and Granddaddy met us at the Jo Ann's (since we went to the one nearest to their house which is also the one nearest to us). We found a white cloth to use that was just thick enough and wide enough. It was 60 inches wide, and we purchased 5 yards (15 feet).

Annabelle and I made it home long before her Daddy did though as the process to actually rent the equipment was somewhat cumbersome for him. He had to complete an application, and then they needed an hour to approve the application. And, then, they had to set the equipment up to make sure that everything was working properly before they sent it out the door with him. So, we all had gone our different directions at 2:30 p.m., and Annabelle and I made it home around 3:45 p.m., and I don't believe that her Daddy made it home until closer to 4:30 p.m. So, that left no time to even set up the equipment as we had a wedding to attend at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening.

It costs us only $54 ($50 plus tax) to rent the equipment, and believe me, that was a good deal considering we took close to 2,500 pictures! Crazy, I know, but with digital cameras, you can just snap away, and you are bound to get a good shot. Not to mention, my husband is a really good photographer, so he gets much better shots (with less pictures). My photo shoot on Monday probably resulted in the majority of the 2,500 pictures.

Well, my husband calls me on the way home after renting the equipment, and he says, "You'll never guess how much the deposit was on the equipment?" I said, "$400." And, keep in mind, I was shooting way high with my guess of $400. "No" he said as he laughed at me. I thought, "Thank goodness it wasn't $400!" Then, he says, "It was $2,900." You've got to be kidding, right? Nope! He wasn't. We put a $2,900 deposit down on this photo equipment that we rented for a measly $54! And, instead of making the deposit with a credit card as I would ALWAYS prefer to do when messing with deposits and companies I've never dealt with, they apparently required a check, so he gave them a $2,900 deposit using a check from a bank account that had no where near the $2,900 in it. Keep in mind, I handle ALL of the financing. He assured me that they told him that the check would only be cashed if we failed to return the equipment. So, no worries! And, he was correct, so no crazy story on this $2,900 deposit, thank goodness! But, I just had to write about it because I'm still blown away by the deposit amount. The equipment doesn't even cost that new! Fortunately, when I took the equipment back to the photo supply store on Monday, I received the actual check back from them. Grandmama wasn't aware of this, and when Granddaddy and I left to go to the photo supply store to return the equipment I told him, "Please remind me to make sure I get my check back." I said, "I didn't want to mention this earlier as I knew that Grandmama would have a conniption (am I using the right spelling for this word here?) if she knew I left a $2,900 deposit by check." Not to mention, my husband was told the equipment was due back no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, but the paperwork actually stated 9:00 a.m. Once again, he assured me that the guy told him 5:00 p.m. We didn't have any problems returning the equipment though, and I didn't have to listen to Grandmama nag me. Thank goodness!

Okay, so enough on that, Annabelle's 12 months, 3 weeks and 3 days old photo shoot went very well, and we really got some awesome pictures! I had great intentions on Sunday night (after the first photo shoot) to make her another birthday cake to match the original 1st birthday cake just for the photo shoot on Monday, but I promptly realized at about 10:00 p.m. on Sunday that I was crazy! I was going to make another pound cake (by scratch) and decorate the cake for this special photo session. It wasn't until I realized that we did not have ANY milk or much butter that I decided that I was crazy! Thank goodness for small miracles!

So, the highlight of the photo session was this little white chair in great need of a paint job. Of course, we love antiqued furniture, and my husband actually antiqued our daughter's shift robe in her bedroom himself, so it doesn't bother us that the little white chair has paint chipping off of it everywhere. "It adds character," as my Mother (Grandmama) would say.

Well, Annabelle apparently loves this little chair as well. As soon as we set it down on the white back drop, she immediately walked over to it and she proceeded to climb right into that little chair, and then she turned herself around in it, and she sat down! Wow! I knew she was started to become interested in climbing, but where on earth did she learn to climb into that chair and turn around and sit down? Grandmama!!! I later learned that Annabelle had apparently done the same thing the night before when Grandmama and Granddaddy babysat for her while my husband and I attended the wedding.

Well, that is not the worst part! Please keep in mind, I have not left my daughter's side, and my hands are right there in front of her and behind her to catch her if (maybe I should say when) she falls. So, the next chance she gets, she decides to stand up in the chair! Wonderful! My husband is busy snapping shots of our "Little Climber." And, our "Little Climber" is then busy tumbling forward over the back of the chair. I grabbed her with both hands though as she seemed to jump forward off of the back of the chair. We continued to use the chair for our photo shoot, but she was no longer allowed to stand in the chair...not that I allowed her to stand in the chair in the first place. She just wanted to show her Mommy and Daddy her new found talent.

Nonnie came to visit for the evening photo shoot, and she saw how interested Annabelle was in the little chair that she said, "She needs her Daddy's little rocking chair." I thought, "No, she really doesn't." After the photo shoot on Monday, I asked Grandmama to take the little white chair home with her. We don't need to worry with another bump on the 'noggin like the other day in the bathroom! Especially if we can prevent it.

The Many Hats of a Mommy

I have decided to compile a list here of the many jobs we perform as Mommies. I will add to this post periodically as my own job description as a stay-at-home mom changes and as I think of the duties I have performed as a Mommy, so here goes! Now if only we could tag a price to these items and actually receive a paycheck for these many jobs we hold.

1. Mommy (first and foremost)
2. Teacher
3. Singer (poor Annabelle)
4. Cook (again, poor Annabelle)
5. Dietitian
6. Maid
7. Nurse/Doctor
8. Photographer
9. Sleep Therapist
10. Event Planner (for all of those special birthday parties)
11. Accountant
12. Comedian
13. Entertainer

Savoring the Moments

Sometimes I wish we could hold and capture every moment of a child's life to savor forever. And, I don't only mean the first time they roll over, the first time they sit up, the first time they crawl, and the first time they walk. I am referring to the moments that occur every single day at nap time and bed time. These are the moments at the end of a three hour period or at the end of a very long day that we sometimes long for, especially when we are not ourselves, and we aren't feeling the best. These are the moments that we often long to pass quickly because there are dishes to be cleaned and laundry to be folded. These are the moments that lead to complete peacefulness and solitude for everyone, baby or toddler, Mommy and Daddy.

But, it isn't just the moment that Annabelle falls asleep that I find so special. It is the moments that lead up to bedtime and nap time (even though I find nap time quite a struggle).

It is the way that Annabelle will walk from the living room to her bedroom at bedtime when asked, "Are you ready to go night night? Let's go to your bedroom and get ready for bed." I've just noticed that she's starting doing this within the past few weeks (probably right around Halloween).

It is the way that Annabelle will immediately hand me her paci (that she was sucking on seconds before) just as soon as her little head hits the boppy pillow when it is time for her to nurse before nap time and bedtime. It is this trust that she so completely has with me that she trusts me to hold and protect her paci until she is ready for it again before bed.

It is the way that Annabelle will fight sleep at nap time by babbling and sometimes shrieking "Da Da Da Da Da Da Da" very loudly, just as her eyes are too heavy to hold open any longer. And, how suddenly, her eyes are no longer heavy as she says, "Da Da Da Da Da Da Da." I will often have to look away from her to avoid eye contact just so I can laugh. If she sees me smile or laugh, she knows she's won me over, and it makes nap time that much more difficult.

It is the pleasure and overwhelming love that one feels by watching her baby sleep with her baby's knees pulled to her chest underneath her little body while she is lying on her tummy.

Another Knock to the Head

Okay, how did that just happen? It was about 10:45 a.m. or so this a.m., and I am in the bathroom brushing my teeth trying to finish getting ready to head out the door. My husband just got home for a quick 20 minute break to see his precious daughter before leaving for a business luncheon at 11:00 a.m.

Well, I am brushing my teeth, and my sweet, little Annabelle comes trotting into the bathroom to find me. I'm watching her, trying to prevent her from opening the toilet lid to splash in the toilet bowl and trying to prevent her from falling head first into the shower while at the same time trying to brush my teeth, and next thing I know, she takes a stumble to the ground.

No big deal, right? She stumbles ALL of the time. And, it looked like she caught herself with her hands as she always does. She apparently had tripped over the rug in the bathroom.

Well, she cries a little bit, and I am so used to her stumbling and crying for sympathy when she is tired. And, she is getting tired because nap time is around 11:00 a.m. So, I say, "Annabelle, you're alright, aren't you?" I pick her up and prop her on her feet and send her on her merry way, and she's fine again...no more whimpering. She did not cry long or very hard.

About that time, her Daddy walks in to rescue her, and he picks her up to hold her. I look at her, and there it is...another knock to the head! This time it was to her forehead. The goose egg and bruise quickly begin to form, and my heart aches for my little girl.

I still cannot comprehend how she got a goose egg out of that fall, but she did. I guess the tile floors should explain it. The dangers lurk everywhere! It doesn't matter how cautious you are, there is ALWAYS something that can really hurt them...even when you are right there watching them 24/7. I guess the rest remains in God's hands. He is there to catch them when they fall when we cannot catch them.

Maybe this was a learning experience for me too. I've been putting off getting those corner things to put on the end tables to prevent babies and toddlers from cracking their heads open on the corners because the ones I've found stick to the furniture, and being the selfish one I sometimes am, I didn't want to mess up my precious furniture! I am not a big fan of babyproofing anyway as I think you should let your child explore and just watch them, but I now think the corners are a GREAT idea. I thank God that she hasn't tumbled into one of those corners yet. Now that would be devastating! I just didn't realize how dangerous the corners can be until she took this little stumble on the bathroom tile floor.

So, she seems fine. I tried to apply a "Rapid Relief" cold compress to her little forehead, but she wanted nothing to do with that at all. I was able to apply it for a little while, but not very long. It is supposed to help with the goose egg swelling.

I just put her down for a nap, and she went down fine. Probably because the stumble made her sleepy, but I am not too worried as she wasn't knocked unconscious, and apparently, according to the doctor, you need not worry about them sleeping if they weren't knocked unconscious.

My husband said that the goose eggs are actually common when you bump your head on something. He asked me, "Have you never knocked your head on something and then got a goose egg as a result?" Well, no, I really don't think I have. He is the accident prone one, and I think Annabelle is following in his footsteps. I think she gets her "high tolerance for pain" from her Mommy though. Otherwise, you would have thought the child would have cried for longer than she did this morning? Right now, if my husband is reading this blog, he is laughing at the "high tolerance for pain" part. That is exactly why I quoted it, just for him! He thinks I toot my own horn for having a "high tolerance for pain." I remind him all of the time that I gave birth to his 7 lbs, 9 oz daughter without ANY meds...almost 24 hours of labor, with 12 hours being hard labor! Hard labor defined (by me) as contractions 5 minutes or less apart.

And, on another side note...my plans for this weekend were to have my husband take her 12 month pictures (at almost 13 months). I am already mad at myself for not getting these done sooner, but every week since her birthday, she's done something to her face, and I didn't want it to show up in the pictures. Of course, those were all minimal blemishes with just a little scratch here and a little scratch there from those sharp finger nails of hers that I don't even bother to cut any more because it is too much of a struggle, and I eventually will just tear them off when they get long and flimsy enough.

And, to top it off, I just learned earlier this week that the photographer that I have been using at Portrait Innovations and loved is no longer working there! Big bummer! Grandmama, Granddaddy and I took Annabelle and her Cousin James back at Annabelle's 6 month birthday for a photo shoot, and we didn't make an appointment with the photographer I like, and the pictures were not impressive at all. So, I've decided to get my husband to try and rent one of those big flashes, and I am going to buy a white cloth, and we are going to do our own photo shoot at home. It is stressful enough taking a baby (now toddler) for a photo shoot. It stresses me out even more having a photographer that I cannot stand or who is not good with her or patient with my indecisiveness, for that matter.

The subject for the pictures is awesome, and she smiles a lot, so how on earth did this guy's pictures show the worst smiles of my daughter when she has a beautiful smile 99% of the time! And, I really am not exaggerating too much, she does have a beautiful smile most of the time.

So, I guess this just goes to show you that you shouldn't procrastinate. Maybe I was procrastinating because I really didn't want to deal with the stress of the photo shoot, and it had nothing to do with the blemishes. It was probably a little bit of both. Oh well!

I have faith that my husband will take magnificent pictures of her for her 12 month photo shoot at 13 months, and we'll still dress her in her birthday dress, and maybe I'll make another cake just for the occasion.

It will be cheaper in the long run to buy our own flash (or even rent it), then pay the prices I've been paying for these photo shoots just to get the CD with all of the pictures on it.

What has Squeakers been up to? # 1

Okay, for those of you that don't know, Squeakers and/or Squeaky is Annabelle's newest nickname. She only has about 20 nicknames from birth! For her 1st birthday, her Daddy bought her pink squeaky shoes off of ebay. These squeaky shoes are apparently a Chinese tradition, and all of the Chinese babies that come home to the United States from China have them. Or, so we've heard.

They actually arrived in the mail on her birthday, so we put them on her that evening after the cake. It was the very first present that she opened, and she LOVED them! There really was no need to open any more presents after the squeaky shoes were opened because with every step, she just smiled with excitement and joy. All she wanted to do was walk around the house. She really did not have much interest in opening presents when she had squeaky shoes to enjoy.

To see her happiness with every squeak was a special moment for her and for her Mommy too (and probably her Daddy, Nonnie, Grandmama and Granddaddy). Talk about sharing the simple joys of life with a child! This was one of those moments that you must stop and enjoy.

So, she quickly inherited the nickname Squeakers and Squeaky because she would not stop walking around the house. She just wanted to hear her shoes squeak. I know that to some, these shoes would be an annoyance, but I cannot imagine missing the joy in her eyes solely because I could not stand the squeaking. I love to hear her squeaking around the house! It makes me smile. Not to mention, I also know if she's up to something. When the squeaking stops, she's probably up to no good, so Mommy is quick to find her little Squeakers.

Okay, so enough on the nickname. Let's get into the question. What has Squeakers been up to (since I last posted and probably before that too)?

Brocolli for the 1st time on Sunday, October 28th? The ? is because I think it was on Sunday. She loved the brocolli the first time she had it. And, she seemed to like it the next day too, but after that, she decided that she wasn't a huge fan. I thought I had finally found something full of fiber to help with these constipation issues she has been having. After these past few days though (Tuesday, November 6th and Wednesday, November 7th), I think we may need to start her back on the Miralax again. Poor baby! She just hurts so bad every time, and I don't blame her one bit. Have you seen the size of these things?

For Annabelle's 2nd Halloween, she was a ladybug. And, she was one cute ladybug. If I can only figure out how to posts pictures on this blog, I'll post some soon for you all to see. I found her Halloween costume at a church consignment sale for $2! It is an older year's Old Navy costume, and when we went to Old Navy just a few days before Halloween, I probably would have bought the newer version for a sales price of $11.75 (regularly $23, but it was 50% off), but they didn't have her size. Thank goodness they didn't because it would have only been a waste of money! She looked just as cute in her $2 costume, and I saved $9.75 plus tax!

We took her "trick-or-treating" at the nearby assisted living in Buckhead. We took the old folks with us too, and we told them we hoped they had brought their bags with them because they wouldn't be coming home with us because they were going to their new home. Ha! Ha!

The assisted living home was rather depressing. I really wasn't expecting that because I thought assisted living homes were for older people to hang before they lost their mind and functionalities. Boy were we wrong! Some lady started telling me about how she was a member of the Cherokee Country Club, but that she liked this place much better, and it was much cheaper. And, she talked about how she had played tennis earlier in the day (with some supposed to be famous person, at least it sounded like they were supposed to be famous, but I didn't recognize the name). The ironic thing...she was in a wheelchair, so she definitely did not play tennis earlier in the day.

But, anyhow, we were trying to do our good deed for the old people living in our community. We weren't taking Annabelle trick-or-treating for the candy. It was more for us than anything, so we thought that the old people would get a kick out of seeing her (since she is really cute and all). The tennis player told me that Annabelle had the best costume that she had seen all evening. I am sure that she told everyone that though as she probably didn't remember us one second after we walked out the door.

After the assisted living trick-or-treating, we ventured over to Whole Foods because I saw online that they had something special for the kiddos for Halloween too. It was a bag full of goodies, but we had to find someone to find someone else in Customer Service to give her the bag full of goodies (that she won't eat anyway). Oh well!

We did take her trick-or-treating to just a few houses in the neighborhood. The first one being our neighbor across the street, Ken. And, the second one, well, they didn't answer. And, the third one, our neighbors next door, Michelle and Dwight. They were all happy to see a precious little girl, but then again, who wouldn't be?

Okay, moving on...rutabagas for the first time on Tuesday, November 6th. Annabelle and I met Grandmama and Granddaddy at Five Guys by the Wal-Mart we shop at. Grandmama brought some cooked rutabagas for Annabelle to try. I think she brought them because she cannot get Granddaddy to eat them, so she's trying to pawn them off on my little girl! Poor baby! The funny thing is...she actually ate a good bit of them, and she seemed to enjoy them. I tried them too. So, we can probably document that as one of my firsts as well because I don't know if I've ever had rutabagas before. Mother, did I spell it right?

I started feeling sick again the Thursday after Halloween with another cold! I was just sick on Annabelle's birthday. She got sick, and then she gave it to us (her Daddy and I) right before her birthday. I just hope that she doesn't get sick from me this time. Well, that evening, I sat in the glider in her room, and she proceeded to bring almost every book to me from her bookshelf one by one. It was absolutely precious! Every time she'd bring a book to me, I would just say, "Thank you." And, she'd turn around and go get another book. I just stacked them up in my lap as she brought them to me. She held onto one little book in one hand though the entire time (as she brought me the books). I guess she was keeping that book because it is one of her favorites. When it was time to put the books away and get ready for bed, I said, "Annabelle, will you bring Mommy the book on the floor?," and she did just that, she brought me the book on the floor. Then, I said, "Annabelle, will you bring Mommy the book on the stool?," and she did just that, she brought me the book on the stool. One by one, she brought me the books I asked her to bring me. Then, I said, "Annabelle, will you bring Mommy the cow?" She has a stuffed cow that actually Moos that her Daddy brought her home from Texas when he went out there earlier this year for business. Well, she brought me the cow. I am so amazed with how much and how fast she is learning! It blows my mind that they can retain so much information at such a young age. But, then, I sometimes think, "when will she start talking in sentences to ask for stuff?" I guess that is just being human...always wanting the next best thing. I try very hard to live in the moment though. I know she'll be grown before I know it, and I won't have my little girl to hold in my arms any more.

And, now, she'll actually take the time to sit in my lap to look at a book. This is new to me as she has always squirmed to get free before I even read the first page. In the past, when she's done this, I just let her down, and I'll read to her as she plays. I think reading is important whether they are sitting right there with you or not.

So, then on Saturday, November 3, Annabelle, her Daddy and I took a day trip to the mountains. We made it as far as Black Rock State Park near Taccoa. I think we decided that this will be the last long day drive for a long time. While we were dating and pre-Annabelle and actually even post-Annabelle (last year while Annabelle was probably only a month old), we would just decide to take a drive in the mountains. Well, Annabelle wasn't a big fan of the drive at all. We had to stop several times just to get her out of her car seat. And, it probably didn't help that we forgot to pack the paci! She normally will nap in the car very well, but she didn't on Saturday, and I solely contribute that to forgetting the paci.

Well, while we made the long drive to Black Rock State Park, I sat in the backseat with Annabelle, and I showed her pictures in one of her picture/word books. She loves the pages with animals on it, and she will constantly turn to those same pages over and over again. I'm not sure if it has something to do with those pages being in the middle of the book or not, but whatever the reason, she constantly turns to the same pages. Well, I would point at the pictures and tell her the names of the animals, and then I would say, "Annabelle, where is the cow?" Etc., Etc. I pointed at many different animals, and she got it! She is really making the connection now! She would point to the animal or object I was asking her to find.

Okay, so now that you have a new update on "Annabelle's Firsts" since my last post, I better end this blog and continue on another day as it is already getting late, and we have plans to go and visit with Grandmama and Granddaddy tomorrow. And, I think I just heard my baby fussing! She woke up crying last night around 1:00 a.m., and I had to rock her back to sleep. Fortunately, it didn't take very long though (maybe 20 minutes). I think she is teething again because she keeps putting her hands in her mouth, and she'll hold her fingers against her bottom gums. Those are the teeth that are supposed to come in next.

So, until next week's blog...Ha! Ha! Just kidding, hopefully, until tomorrow's blog...

You'll be hearing about Annabelle lying down with her Mommy on the floor (on Monday, November 5th) , pretending to use her play telephone for the first time (correctly) (on October 31st, I believe) and possibly saying "belly" on Friday. And, Annabelle's use of the toy that Granny bought her for her very first birthday. And, Annabelle looking at her belly when I told her that one of her peek-a-blocks had a bell in it.

Oh, and before I forget, she gave her Daddy his first hug around the leg on Monday, October 29th. And, she gave him a kiss last night (Tuesday, November 6th) that appeared more like a real kiss (using the lips a little more properly instead of her mouth wide open).

We think she said "Amen" earlier this week after we finished saying prayer, I believe it was on Monday, November 5th. And, tonight (or maybe that was last night), it sounded like she said "I love you" to her Daddy. Maybe we are just hearing things though. I think she says "Juice" when she sees her sippy cup. And, when she points at stuff, I swear she says, "What's this?" That would be a lot of words for an almost 13 month old though, so I am probably just hearing things that I want to hear.

Comments please

Okay people! I know that some people are reading my blog because I've personally given you the web address. So, why aren't you writing me any comments? Your comments and/or opinions would be much appreciated! It keeps me blogging. As you can see, I haven't posted any blogs since Monday, October 29th, and this is solely because I have not received any comments from any of you!

Hint: I think it is fairly easy to comment by clicking on the "0 comments" in gray at the bottom of the blog. And, you can comment as "Anonymous" if you don't want to set up a google account or include your user name on the web.

So, comments please!

Did we maybe say our first word?

So, I think my daughter is finally talking! And as the ongoing joke between my husband and me goes, "They either talk first or walk first." Well, Annabelle walked first! And, now she's talking!

This little quote is funny to us because our neighbor made this comment to us a few months ago. I agreed with his comment when he said it because I thought he was saying that they typically either walk really early or if they don't walk really early, then they'll talk really early. My husband commented about it after the fact saying that yes, you do either walk first or talk first. So, that is our ongoing joke. And, the funny thing is, our neighbor made the comment again to me very recently (right after Annabelle started walking), and he wasn't trying to be funny either. I had thought maybe I was the moron before, and that I just didn't catch on to the joke. But, I think he meant that they do one or the other really early (compared to the other).

Okay, so on Wednesday, October 24th, I was visiting with my parents, and my mom picked my daughter up from her highchair to leave the room to go play in the den. As they started to walk away, I heard my daughter say "Bye," but I didn't think anything of it. My mom "claims" that she actually said "Bye" because she said that she waved as she said it. I am not sure I believe it, and I probably won't document it in her baby book as her first word because "you've got to see it to believe it!" Not to mention, I'll probably never complete her baby book as I haven't even started it! And, she's already over a year old!

So, that same day, Wednesday, October 24th, I believe. If I am wrong on these dates, I am sure that my mom will be the first to correct me. But, anyhow, later on in the day, Annabelle's Grandmama had gotten Annabelle up from a nap, and she was changing her diaper. Grandmama said that Annabelle pointed to her shoes and said, "Shoes." Again, "you've got to see it to believe it!"

Since then, my husband and I have been trying to get Annabelle to say "Ma Ma" and "Da Da." We have been trying for awhile, and she knows us by "Ma Ma" and "Da Da," but she just won't say it when she looks at us. We'll say, "Where is Ma Ma?" and "Where is Da Da?" and she'll look right at us (and at the right person), but that stubborn little girl just won't say it!

Okay, so, then on Saturday, October 27th, I swear she said "Thank You" for the very first time, and my husband agrees. So, when my daughter asks what her very first word was, do I tell her "Thank" or "Thank You" or neither. I am still unsure whether or not she said "Thank You," but it was used appropriately if she did. And, then today, Monday, October 29th, it sounded like she said "Thank You" again, and this time, it was much clearer.

I should mention that she's been babbling "Ma Ma" and "Da Da" since July. So, maybe I should count "Ma Ma" as her first word. Sorry Da Da! I guess having your daughter use "Thank You" for her very first word isn't such a bad thing either though. She's learning to be polite!

On Sunday, October 28th, we were riding in the car to go do a little shopping, and I was sitting in the back with her showing her a book with pictures of animals in it. I showed her the pictures of the ducks, and, it sounded like she was trying to repeat me by saying her version of "Duck" which was just "D." But, she kept saying "D" every time we'd look at the pages with the ducks on it.

Oh, and probably the most important one...because maybe this was her first word. On Friday, October 12th, right before my daughter's first birthday, my husband and I were looking at the knock-off Robeez shoes at Target. My daughter had just discovered her freedom as I let her down to walk up and down the baby aisle at Target while I looked at the knock-off Robeez shoes. She is such an independent little thing! She naturally walked towards the other side of the aisle to play with the "My Little Ponies" underwear. I guess she wants to potty train early! Ha! Ha! But, anyhow, at Target, there are pictures of babies up within the baby section. I asked her, "Annabelle, where are the babies?" And, she pointed at the babies, and then very shortly after that, my husband and I both heard her say "Baby" while she was looking at the babies. We both exchanged looks as if to say, "She just said her first word!" We tried to get her to say "Baby" again, but she wouldn't do it. So, we discounted it, and we decided that it was not her first word. But, now I am sort of thinking that it probably was her first word. Maybe we should have encouraged her more that day after she sounded like she said "baby." I was still hoping that "Ma Ma" or even "Da Da" would be her first word.

I never dreamed that determining my little girl's first word would be so difficult! I guess I should realize that by now though as it was hard to determine the first day that she truly sat up all by herself and the first day that she technically crawled as well as the first day that she truly took her first steps! I had always thought those "firsts" would be so obvious. Maybe I am just not observant enough or maybe it is because I was always the youngest among siblings, cousins, etc. Oh well! I have truly enjoyed watching her grow on a daily basis though, and I thank God that I am able to stay home with her to enjoy all of these "firsts!"