These are a few of my favorite things

1. Closing doors -- and then freaking out when I find myself trapped, because I can't open doors.
2. Getting large mouthfuls of water or milk and spitting them onto the floor --then rubbing the liquid into the floor/carpet/hair of dogs, cats, self/etc.
3. Taking off diapers -- and then running, running as fast as I can!




If only I could use all this energy for good.

Two new words in one day

The first new word is "MEAL!" To you and me, it's "milk," but we understand. We've taught her a few signs, so now she can do the sign for milk (which she has interpreted at furiously shaking her fist up and down) while screaming "MEAL, MEAL!" :)

The second word is "nice." She's heard that a lot, because she always beats on our pets and we try to teach her to pet them "nice." So yesterday, while she was thumping the crap out of our cat Eddie, she looks at me and says "NICE!"

No, that's not nice, but good job on learning the word.

The answer is "15 months"

The question is "when do babies learn to lounge around?" She can't say her name, but she can kick back with a bottle of milk and watch Baby Einstein like a champ. :)

13 months old, on the go, and hell on wheels!

A lot has happened in Anabella's world since the 8-month mark...
- She started walking and talking at 11 months. She doesn't have an extensive vocabulary yet (her words consist of hi, bye, daddy, mommy, kitty, dog, bottle and bear), as she is concentrating more on her career as a stunt woman. She enjoys standing on things that she shouldn't...like toys that have wheels, shopping carts, etc...and now that she has figured out how to climb onto the couch, she spends a lot of time looking for new and interesting ways to jump/fall/dive off of it.
- She's a world traveler! We took a 10-day trip to Venice in June (she already has TWO stamps in her passport) and I am happy to report that she is an excellent travel companion. She slept the entire flight over to Europe, was pretty easy going no matter what we were up to, and thoroughly enjoyed being treated like a little rock star by all of the friendly foreigners.
- She loves books (yeah!) and she still loves to dance. As soon as music comes on (stupid commercials, a musical ring tone, anything!), she is up and shaking her groove thing...she's got some pretty good moves for a toddler. (thank goodness she didn't inherit Dan's lack of rhythm!)

As for me, I love being a mommy...Anabella melts my heart every single day. Of course, I am still addicted to Target, Starbuck's, and buying stuff from infomercials (ask me about the TurboJam workout). I still watch a lot of worthless TV shows (has anyone seen Junk Brothers, Workout or Meercat Manor?) and I spend lots of time being introspective...in a crazy, bored kind of way.

Eight months old and into everything

It was all I wanted a few months ago, but now I know what people mean when they say "be careful what you wish for!" Anabella started crawling at 7 months, and went from 0 to 60 in just a few days. Now, she pulls herself up to standing on anything she can get her little hands on, and has even stood without holding on for a few seconds here and there. So, it's just a matter of time before she is walking and creating more havoc. ;)

What's new...
- She enjoys playing with the wires to our electronic equipment, chasing the animals around (pulling tails is fun too), banging on things, and babbling LOUDLY.
- She is still all smiles and is a joy to take out in public. Everyone stops to talk to her...it's amazing to see what a smiling baby does to people.
- She said her first word the day after she turned eight months old, but it hasn't been heard again since. My mom was here, so I have a witness that she actually said "hi" in a very calm and adult manner. Since then, it is more like "HHHHHHIIIIIIIEEE."
- Her two bottom teeth have been in for a few months, but one of her top teeth just broke through today. I feel that the breastfeeding might be coming to an end soon...woohoo!
- I have attempted to teach her how to kiss, but apparently she thinks she is French...she tongue kisses everything, including herself in the mirror (see photo) and yes, I have caught her trying to tongue kiss Winston on several occasions. Yuk.

As for mommy, well apparently I am still referring to myself in the third person, which I find completely annoying. I killed the Chia herb garden in a matter of weeks. I am getting more sleep, but still find myself buying things from infomericals, which leads me to believe it might be an addiction. (ask me about my new PetVac or my Scunci Steamer!) I have officially been vomited on, so I think I deserve some sort of medal for that. I still haven't lost those last pregnancy pounds, but for some reason I don't care very much. I have almost finished a whole book, which hasn't happened in about...8 months. And I am still taking almost daily trips to Target, where I drink Starbuck's and spend money on stuff I don't need. So, I guess life is pretty good.

Six months old and mommy's still sane...ish

Yes, my little bundle of joy turned SIX months old last week. While I still moan a lot about all my lost "me" time, I thoroughly enjoy her company...she's a total hoot! She is always smiling and laughing...and she is CRAZY about jumping (almost "crazy" crazy if you know what I mean). We have to take her out of the jumperoo sometimes because she is all sweaty and whiny, but still jumping like a mad woman. She can jump for HOURS, which means she has Dan's energy. Which probably also means I will never sleep a full night again.

Recent Milestones:
- She got her first tooth on Christmas Eve. Tooth #2 peeked through on Jan.11, her six-month birthday. And if you think you can't be bitten with just one tooth, THINK AGAIN. She has literally taken a few chunks out of the "hand that feeds her," but has steered clear of more sensitive areas. Smart baby! :)
- She's ready to crawl. Every day she is up on all fours, rocking forward and backward, but still hasn't quite gotten that forward momentum.
- She LOVES grabbing things, especially handfuls of hair out of parents, dogs, cats, etc. She even ripped a handful out of her own head last week!

As for me, I have taken up gardening…Chia Herb gardening to be more specific. (Yes, that is about all I have time for these days.) I am happy to report that my chives, basil and dill are doing very well, but the parsley is kind of wilted and puny. Dan says it’s a fake spice, so I am not going to beat myself up over it. ;)

Four months down...212 to go

But I guess that is only if I can get her out of the house when she turns 18! ;)

Yes, all of you mothers were right...things are soooooo much better now. My mental capacity is still diminished, and I have never been more forgetful or clumsy, but I am getting more sleep and that makes me really happy.

Anabella is doing wonderfully. The doctor said she is "one of the strongest babies" she has ever seen, and Dan proudly told her that Anabella "works out" every day. (Head slap goes here!) I am constantly reminding him that she is a little girl and not a Marine in boot camp. :)

She is a very, very happy baby and finds joy in all the simple things. (Burps, farts and sneezes are all VERY amusing...so I know she is for sure Dan's baby! HA.) She is sitting up, with a little assistance, and rolls, rolls, rolls all the time (right off the couch one day, so I definitely lost my "Mother of 2005" award). It is so fun to watch her develop!

Other things I find fascinating about Anabella:
- She holds her pinky finger in the air when she takes a bottle and when she nurses...she has also started to cross her legs at the ankles. Such a little lady!
- She loves Ellen Degeneres (she coos, smiles and giggles whenever we watch her show)!
- 99% of the time, when you smile at her, she totally lights up and smiles right back.

In case you are still counting...
- Pounds to pre-pregnancy weight: 5.5
- Number of items bought after watching infomercials: 4 (ask me about the Paint Buddy or my new Magic Bullet!)