Where Did My Baby Go?

I know I have been watching my little girl grow up for the past 14 months but really....when did she quit becoming a baby! She walks, talks, feeds herself, has a mind of her own....if only she would change her own diaper (or potty train herself).

Selfishly I am sad that she does not need me as much. I know what some may say...just wait until they are a teenager, driving, etc and really dont think they need you.

I am excited to be seeing her little personality become more apparent:)

She is tender hearted toward her baby doll, putting it to bed in the pot-holder drawer, putting her doll in the high chair to eat, and in the carseat. All this is until she sees me holding the doll. Then she grabs the doll and throws it on the floor as hard as she can. (good thing we are not crossing that bridge anytime soon )

She will play with anything that is not a toy. (and some toys too) The other day this was her 'toy' of choice....

The non-stick spray lid and a travel laundry bag. Even more fun when Papa puts the laundry bag on top of her head. It becomes an instant tent. I thought she would throw it off her head immediately, yet she wanted to play inside!

She is also VERY opinioniated! She wants to use any dipping sauce she sees someone else using, wants me to put a bow on her head or her necklace around her neck. (for some reason I cannot find the photo of her in her high chair eating ... necklaces and all. ) She even insists on me putting her green crocks on her whenever she finds them. It does not matter if she already has other shoes on, or if she only brings me one shoe! She insists!

I have LOVED every minute being a mom and look forward to cherishing every moment to come! Annaka is so much fun! I love....
when she runs to give me a hug....

when she backs up toward me in order to sit on my lap...

when she takes a break from watching Veggie Tales to grab my arm and point to the tv to 'show me' what is going on...

when she dances around the living room with me...

when she uses the sign language she knows to tell me she wants 'more' or says 'please' to try to get out of taking a nap...

when she pats me and says in her sweet little voice "mama"

.......my heart just melts!

(I just had to throw this photo in too! She has ticklish legs! This is the photo we get when I am trying to get her to smile by tickling her leg.....she giggles and cannot sit still for the photo! )

Cheese

Cheese! Annaka now almost has 10 teeth. 9 with another one that is just about to poke through. I can feel the pokes under a thin layer of gum. She is such a ham:)

Photo Blog of Little A

I am totally taking this opportunity to not write much. Yes, you read correctly. Here are our past few months in photos. There are several events that are not documented because I am horrible at pulling out our camera to take photos. I dont know if it is because I just dont think about it or I am frustrated at how it doesnt always work correctly...either way, I rely on other people to take photos so if you have some of Annaka... may I please have a copy?:)

Easter 2009. Hiding among the stuffed animals at the Metskers house. What a fun tradition!

Aunt Natalie graduated from college in May! Congratulations! Annaka liked the cap and tassle.

Then she had enough. When Aunt Natalie needed her cap back she simply went for the shoe! There is always something to keep her happy:)

Annaka's first tript to the beach was this summer! We spent a week in Nags Head. Our little independant girl liked to push the stroller which was a great clue that she needed a doll stroller for her birthday! (Yes, she loved wearing her hat and sunglasses and mostly kept them on! )

Here's the hat and glasses again as she plays in the sand. She LOVED the sand and the waves! (and the baby pool too!)

Quite the ham in the beach house.

Next we headed to Portland for a month long culture training. It was there she definately grew out of a few outfits, grew a ring of curles around her head, learned to say many more words such as boy and car, and made many, many, many new friends! (P.S. if anyone has photos of Annaka with any of her new friends at WV I would love to see them!!!)

"Look! My book came with me!" She LOVES to read!

Annaka had the best view of anyone on 6'4" Papa's shoulders!

Watching the swing band performance...

Having fun riding a tricycle...

On one of our many daily walks!

Stuffing her face with cheese and bread at the Chinese Classical Garden...

Mommy painted Annaka's toe nails for the first time ever. She did not really know or care...but everyone else did!

One of our many new friends? Nope, just a mirror!

Giggling after bath time....if you look close, I love that you can see her little tongue!

Then time to crash! Asleep during Mamma and Pappa's team meeting.

Actually this is more a photo blog of Annaka at different stages...not necessarially the event, but that is all you come to this blog for anyway :) Its been quite a busy summer and now we can post regular and not feel guilty for missing major events this summer.

Lucky Little Lady is ONE!

This Lucky little lady had quite a wonderful celebration......or two! We were on the east coast for a month raising support and a little time off in the middle to have a party with both families at the beach!

She kneaded her cake as if it were bread dough....

Then she realized how good it tasted!

Stuff it in!

Then on her actual birthday we celebrated with a Polka Dot Party! These are the only three I have on my computer right now... I will post more next week!

She actually was pretty dainty as she ate her cake...until she had some help from Papa to get her face messy! I dont think she minded much:)


One of her favorite toys is her doll stroller. I think it may come in a tie with her ball.

She would put her doll in the stroller.....then put the ball in the stroller.... and push/pull it everywhere!

She had to leave all her toys behind two weeks after her birthday. I am excited to see her re-discover them next week when we return home after a month away!

Sorry for the random post with not much information, I have began this post many times. Sometimes with stories...sometimes creative ways to talk about Annaka and her birthday. Time is flying by and there was not even a post of her birthday parties so I am just going to piece something together and will write more later! :) We have been in Portland for a month long training and will be in the midwest next week.