Annika and I had another fun but lonely weekend without Daddy. Fortunately (actually unfortunately since the Vixen lost their first playoff game) Daddy's weekends away are over. We miss him! Friday after we dropped Kris off at the airport, we walked around the Mall of America for 3 hours. I was good and only bought 2 CDs. There were so many cute outfits I wanted to buy my precious baby! If only I were rich. Then we went to a girls only party for my friend Theresa's 30th birthday. We had a great evening just hanging out with the girls. Saturday Mary and Amanda came over to keep me company with adult conversation. I love you Annika, but you don't talk yet girl! And Sunday Kris was home at 2pm!

Here are some Annika highlights:
- She's good at finding her hands now and routinely sucks the middle two fingers (middle and ring) of her right hand. She may not suck her thumb, but might instead suck her fingers.
- Last Thursday night, Annika spent the first 3 hours of her night in her basket beside our bed instead of sleeping with us. And last night, she spent the first 6 hours in there. She woke up after 3, I fed her and then put her back in her basket. After her second feeding though, she wanted none of that basket anymore. Usually she sleeps with us because it's easier for me to feed her during the night that way. We'd like to transition her to her crib when she goes for longer periods (longer than 3 hours anyway). I have to admit, I like her sleeping with us too.
- Last night, she took a pacifier for the first time ever. Now, I know there are two camps on pacifiers. Those that want us to use them and therefore don't have a problem with pacifiers and those that do not want us to use them and are sharply opposed to pacifiers. Kris and I will do what is right for our family and our little princess. She wasn't having much luck last night keeping her fingers in her mouth when she was falling asleep. And I was getting sore when she would use me as her pacifier. So, I tried a real one. She fell asleep faster and actually took it! We won't give her the pacifier unless it's bed time. During the day, she can have her fingers if she needs something to suck on.
- And last highlight for today - Annika's getting her first bottle tonight. Four weeks from today I start back at work full time. I'm actually going back for my first day the day before Thanksgiving. So, it's time to get Annika used to bottles so when she's home with Dad, everything goes smoothly. I hope she takes it easily. But I also hope that she is able and willing to do both bottles and breast. I'm not ready to give up breastfeeding yet! I love feeding her! It's our special cuddle time. Either way, she'll still get breastmilk since I'm pumping. I want her to have the best start possible.

I uploaded another 10 pictures today. The last five are Halloween shots. The last Halloween shot I thought was cute. She was gearing up for a good screech. She was DONE having her picture taken. :)