Two Year Stats

Today, (even though it is a month and a week late) Annalise had her 2 year check up.  She continues to be long and strong and growing well.  She is 3 ft and1 inch tall (96th percentile) and 29 lbs and 1 oz (75th percentile).  It always amazes me how comfortable Annalise has always been around her pediatrician.  She has no qualms with striking up a conversation with her each time we go with is not a common thing for Annalise to do with people she doesn't see often.  As soon as Dr. Everett came into the room she started blabbering on about this and that and she was really impressed with her vocabulary.  Anyway, as always I am just glad she is a happy and healthy!

No More Diapers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On the day after Christmas, I took the plunge and decided to try the 3 Day Potty Training Method by Lora Jensen.  After reading he manual I admit I was a little skeptical because I thought how in the world can a 2 year and 1 month old go from a diaper to the potty in just 3 days?  But no lie, it works.  And works well.  The book said to be patient and that the first two days there will be a lot of accidents and yadda, yadda, yadda but that on the third day it will "click".  Well on the first day it "clicked" for Anna.  By that first night she was telling me when she had to go.  The second day she told me every time and only had one accident in the morning.  The third day she told me every time.  I really don't want to jinx myself but today she told me every time too. Lora Jensen is a god. Nap time she has been dry but night sleeping she has been hit or miss with.  But daytime she is definately trained.  In the book it talks about sleeping being harder because you just jump from diaper immediately to underwear but I'll take it. Did I mention that Lora Jensen is a god????

Christmas Day 2010

On Christmas afternoon, we went to Stan's sister's house in Easton.  We had a nice day visiting with his family there.  Of course Annalise had a few more presents to open.  Funny how Santa finds these little ones wherever they go!

Apparently something was scary here ?????

So scary she stuck the bag over her head.  Yes, she did that herself.  I have no idea why.  She kept giggling under it and saying "Where am I?" "Here I am!".  With all the presents, her source of amusement was a paper bag, go figure!

Christmas Morning 2010

Since Annalise's only request this year was "Purple Presents" it was pretty easy for Santa to fulfill!  I included pictures of her opening what seemed to be her  favorite presents even though they were not all wrapped in purple Christmas Tinkerbell paper!

All the books she received were a hit!

As well as Hungry Hungry Hippos!  I must say though that this game is put together really cheaply put together compared to the one I had as a kid! (Do I sound old now or what?)

Of course any clothing that she got she loved and inspected.

A color book with pull out pieces and things to look for.  This year compared to last she wanted to play with each thing as she opened it so gift opening took a few hours this year!

Inspecting the detail on a new shirt!

A lego farm set

Candy Land!  We have played this a few times already!  Since she just turned two you have to keep reminding her to wait her turn, draw a card etc., but she does really well with it.  Even though the ages on the game are 3 and up, I knew she would be able to play since she knows her colors.  She has already beat Daddy and Auntie Emily at this game!

This was honestly probably her most favorite gift, no lie.  This is a sticker book were you put outfits on the people.  There are also a ton of accessories for each picture too.  I had to ration it out so that she didn't do it all in one sitting but the book is now complete.  She still likes to look through it though and discuss the clothing in each picture, too funny!

Another Sing-A-Ma-Jig

They harmonize!

Helping me open a new book.

A kitchen set!  She just kept smiling and smiling after she unwrapped it.  She has spent time playing with it each day and cooks up interesting combinations.  Tonight she made me "rice and hot chocolate".

Had to get a close up of the bed head!

Time for stocking gifts!

Christmas Eve

 A little snack after church

 Getting the cookies out for Santa before bath

 And don't forget the carrots for the reindeer!

 After bath, the Santa's treats were ready.....

 ....the little one was sound asleep in her bed....

 the fire was roaring (although you can't see it here).....

 ..the house was lit.....

 ...the wine was flowing and parents relaxing.....

...and Santa finally came with plenty of PURPLE presents!

Christmas Boulevard

Last Thursday, Stan and I decided to take Anna to the Christmas Blvd. in Berwick.  Neither of us had been there in years and years so we did not realize (or remember for that matter) that there would be a LONG wait involved.  We left our house around 6:30 with the plan of quickly running up to the blvd. and then grabbing a pizza afterwards for dinner.  We thought we would be eating at a little after 7 at the latest.  Ha!  We ended up getting home at 10:00 with the pizza to eat at home!!!!  The line was sooooo backed up but it was one of those things that after you waited awhile you felt you had to keep waiting or else you wasted the time that you already spent there.  Believe me though, if Annalise would have started to get fussy, we would have left but she was content with hanging out with us.   So we waited, and waited and waited and waited.........

 Taking it all in

Had to take this picture because I love this movie!!!

Anna's Stocking

Anna's gram and I made her her own special stocking this year.  I wanted it to be similar to the quilted fabric stocking that I had as a child that my mom made for me.  Since I cannot sew (nor do I want to know how), I bought the materials and cut the pattern from the fabric, my mom sewed it all together and I put her name on it.  Here is the result of our efforts:

Christmas CandyLane 2010

Last weekend we took Annalise to Hershey to do some shopping and to visit Chocolate World and Christmas CandyLane at Hershey Park.  Even though it was COLD we had an awesome time!  What a new experience this year since Annalise was really into riding the rides!  She kept calling it Knoebel's =).

 Annalise on the way there.  Leaving at nap time worked like a charm.

 True to her love of playgrounds, she had to play on the one a the outlets even though it was freezing cold.  Unlike in the summer though, she was ready to leave much sooner.

 My favorite Hershey's candy

 I put this on here because I took it myself as I was walking across a parking lot and pushing a stroller.  I thought it wasn't too bad for the circumstances!

 My sweet babe and I

 Of course we had to say Happy Birthday to Jesus

 Annalise and I by the carousel 2010

 Annalise and I by the carousel last year.  I think I am going to make it a yearly shot.  She will love it when she is a teenager, LOL!

 Best shot that Stan could get of Santa's reindeer.  Other than the rides, this was without a doubt her favorite part of the day.

 Milton Hershey fountain and statue

 Nice face! Apparently lady bug rides scare me?!?!?!?

 Nice try at another shot, Stan!  And no, I am not on the ride myself.  Annalise is next to me, you can see a little bit of purple under my arm.

 Nope, never got one where you could actually see Annalise =(

 On the trucks

 A freezing cold carousel ride.  I didn't pick a horse that went up and down because over the summer at the Millville carnival, she was scared of the ones that moved.  Of course she was interested in the moving ones this time but not till after the ride started.  I told her we would have to wait until next time since it was too late to switch.  She was fine with that.

 A house made entirely of candy!

Not the best picture but I was trying to get a shot of her inside of Chocolate World with her mittens on!  Even though we were inside she wanted to keep them on.  Ironic how when we are outside, she wants to take them off but when inside she wants them on, hmmmmmm.