Annalise's Alley: 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009

Anna's 2nd Christmas

This is what our tree looked liked after Santa left on Christmas Eve.

On Christmas after we opened gifts at home, Annalise, Stan and I traveled to Easton to visit with his sister and her family. Annalise had a blast opening gifts. I can honestly say that she doesn't really seem to care too much about what is inside of the gifts, she just loves to rip off the paper. As soon as she gets the paper off, she wants another one! Once there are no more to open she gets interested about what is inside each one.

"This stack is almost as tall as I am!"

Losing her balance

A cute smile

Anna and I opening gifts.
Notice the cookie thief is also in on the action...he also loves to steal bows.

Just like her birthday, gift opening is very serious business =)

Tearing through the paper

In addition to opening gifts, checking out new toys is also very serious business.

Santa dog in Easton
I LOVE this dog!

Profile shot

Anna also loves this dog...probably a little too much

Let me at 'em!

Annalise opening gifts with her cousin Jen, Aunt Lisa and I

A little spider book..so cute!

A cute little mouse that goes with her If You Take a Mouse to the Movies book.

Another Christmas on Saturday

Since we went to Easton on Christmas day, we had celebrated Christmas with my mom, MG, my brother and nephew at our house on Saturday.

Annalise and her cousin Andrew.
See? Anna is not the only tall child in the family! Andrew is only 12!

Andrew and his Dad -- my brother Ben.

Anna wearing Uncle Ben's hat.

Anna wanting nothing to do with me at the moment.

MG and his new hat.

Miss Annalise Olivia

Anna and Stan playing with her some of her new toys.

Christmas Candy Lane

On Sunday, Anna, Stan and I went to did some shopping at the Hershey Outlets (got some great deals) and went to Christmas Candy Lane in Hershey. We had a great time even though it was really cold! Stan and I have gone to Candy Lane for at least the past 6 years so it is kind of a tradition for us (we did miss last year though because Anna was a newborn). I think that Anna's favorite part was looking at Santa's reindeer. For as shy as Annalise can be around people, oh how she LOVES animals - no matter how big or small! She had the hugest smile on her face the whole time we were in front of the pen, waved and clapped for the reindeer, at one point was trying to climb over the rail to get into the pen and when we walked away she started crying!

Some blurry lights (I really need to learn how to use out camera better)

A little better....less blurriness...

Annalise and I by the carousel

Anna looking at Santa's reindeer

Annalise's beloved reindeer

Anna and Mommy

Annalise and Daddy

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Special Baby

Annalise has a doll that Stan and I call "Special Baby". We call it that because on its outfit it has an SB sewn on it and we have not idea why or what it stands for. For some reason we came up with Special Baby. The doll has tags on it but nowhere on them does it mention a company or something where the SB would come from. Anyway, Anna has taken a real liking to Special Baby lately. She likes to carry her around the house by an arm or a leg or even around her neck. She also likes to poke at her eyes and nose but also gives her love by drooling on her and giving her hugs. Anna knows what (or who) Special Baby is because if you ask her to find it, she does and will triumphantly bring her over to you.
As you can tell from these pictures, Anna is not much for sitting still for more than 1/2 a second (unless she is tired or hungry). She is definitely NOT one of those kids who will sit and pose for the camera!

Cookie Thief

Apparently my 11 year old Siamese cat likes Sugar Cookie Cut-Outs. I had a small bag of them on the counter in a baggie. HAD is the key word there. One day this past week I came home from work to find the bad chewed open and the cookie crumbs all over the counter. The cookies that were left in the bag were crushed. I guess I can add it to the list of other strange foods he likes (like burritos and Wheat Thins).

First Snowfall

Each year (don't know why) but I take a picture or two of the first actual snowfall we receive. These were taken from our deck on December 5th, after we got home from getting our tree.

Christmas Tree '09

As always we got our tree this year from Megargell Tree Farm in Orangeville. We got our tree on December 5th and put it up on the 6th (I am just a little behind on posting the pictures). It was a much different experience from last year when Anna was only a few weeks old, it was FREEZING and Annalise slept the whole time! This year I carried her in the backpack because I didn't think she was steady enough on her feet yet to be tromping through the fields without falling a million times. It was cold but it was not ruthless, Anna did not sleep but was shrieking (her happy shrieks), and it was even flurrying for the perfect ambiance!

All ready to go!

Stan searching for the perfect tree

Anna and I bringing up the rear

This one was it!

Annalise and I with our tree

Stan cutting it down

Disappearing under the tree

Ready to drag it all the way back to the barn.
Actually he could only drag it for a little while because the path turned to mud so he had to carry it the rest of the way. He always REFUSES to get a cart though!

Peek A Boo

These pictures are actually about a month old now (I took them the day after Thanksgiving before I had everything entirely cleaned up), but I still though that they were cute. I was getting her breakfast ready for her in the kitchen. When I looked over, she was playing Peek-A-Boo with me. She also thinks she is quite funny when she starts playing and you are not paying attention! You never know when she is going to start a game.

Where's Anna?

Peek a Boo!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Anna's First Year

Annalise had her 12 month check up last week. She was 22 lbs 1 oz (65%ile) and was 31.5 in (96%ile). She still continues to be a long and strong little girlie! This check up was the first one where Anna put up somewhat of a fight. She didn't want me to put her down at all and did not want anyone to touch her. At one point the doctor was pinning her legs and I was pinning her arms just so that she could have a look in her mouth! The doctor commented on how strong she is because we were both sweating by the time we were done......kinda reminds me of someone else, who shall remain nameless, who from what she is told, was able to put up and fight and run away from the doctor at appointments. Don't know who that would be....hmmm.
Anyway, we have began to embark on a new food adventure. I have been letting her try bits of our dinner each night. So far she is not a big fan of anything except for steamed carrots, yogurt and toast. The problem is though is that as of late she does not want to eat the jarred baby food anymore either....hopefully mealtimes won't continue to be a struggle for too long. I know she won't starve herself but since we have been trying solid foods she seems to want to play with everything more than she wants to eat it. I know that she must get enough to eat though but I just worry...I know, big shocker.
Here is a synopsis of my favorite pictures of Annalise through her first 12 months of life. It was really hard to choose just one picture for each month but here are my favs...