Kris thinks Annika rolled over from her back to her tummy yesterday! Ok, he's pretty sure she did, he just didn't see it. He was folding laundry and had set her on the floor to play. He set her down on her back. He looks back at her and she's on her stomach. Hmm, wonder how she got that way! I'm working only a half day today (and not coming back until Tuesday - yay!) so you know I'm going to spend all afternoon putting Annika down on her back until she rolls over for Mommy! :) Yay Annika! Now we really have to be careful with where we put her though if she can roll both ways! I'm so proud of my munchkin.

I uploaded 10 pictures last night from 12-19-04 through 12-25-04. They are in a new album called Annika #2. More Christmas pictures to come!

Annika was such a good girl last night. She let Mommy get lots done while she played, slept or was just content to hang out. Of course, she's always a good girl. She just needs more attention some times than others.

I'm still waiting on Krystle's Christmas pictures. I think I'll upload some pictures that I have up through Christmas Eve tonight if I have time. Also, if you click on the icon on top that is furthest to the left, it should bring you to two charts. Those are of Annika's growth stats. I'll update this with every doctor appointment.

Krystle came over last night to try on some dresses of mine (lucky girl is going on a cruise in January) and got to witness Annika melting down - on more than one occasion! I was putting away my Christmas wrapping paper and put one plastic tote down on top of another. Well, the noise was loud enough that it scared Annika. She started crying and screaming and she had tears streaming down her face. Krystle had to give her to me so I could get her calmed down. I had to sing to her in order for that to happen. Then, later, as it's nearing bedtime, Krystle and I gave Annika a bath. Annika had fun kicking and splashing for about 90% of the bath. But towards the end, she was getting tired and hungry so she melted down again. She fussed and cried through getting out of the tub and getting her pajamas put on. As soon as that was done, she and I laid down and she ate some. Auntie Krystle had to let herself out. Then, again, during the night, she screamed and cried. This time it was the dog's fault. Annika and I were awake. Annika was eating. Well, we must have stirred enough that the dog woke up, stood up and shook her coat. That was loud enough to scare Annika and she started crying again. This, of course, woke up Kris and the two of us worked to get her calmed down again. Poor girl. I think Mara (the dog) might have to sleep in the hall for a while. I can't have her scaring the baby during the night, plus she keeps me up and wakes me up with her snoring. Sorry dog, but my baby and my sleep are more important than you sleeping next to the bed.

What a wonderful holiday we had! Annika was spoiled, like I knew she would be. Kris and I were spoiled as well - as always! I can't even remember all the gifts she was given off the top of my head. I know she got at least 4 outfits, socks, 4 sleepers, a highchair, the leapfrog learning table, a book, a growth chart, black patent shoes, a moose she can ride on (from Ikea), alphabet blocks, bath toys plus lots of other toys and games. Oh, and lots and lots of hugs, kisses and attention from her family! I'm in the process of putting it all away and getting the house back in some order. I think I need a tub, basket or toy box of some sort for downstairs. I have a basket for toys in her room, but now we need another! We spent Christmas Eve with Kris's family and Christmas day with mine. And she was such a good little girl the whole time! We are so lucky to have such a good girl. I have lots of pictures that I took. Auntie Krystle also took a whole bunch that I'm waiting to get from her. Then, I'll post a bunch here. So sit tight for those!

Oh, and my wrist still hurts and I can't turn it or put too much pressure on it. And typing hurts. So, I'm going to the doctor this afternoon. We'll see what they say. I probably have a mild sprain or something. Fun.

Merry Christmas Eve! I hope you all have a wonderful, joyous Christmas (if you celebrate - if not - Happy Weekend!). It was one year ago today that we found out we were expecting a baby. I can still remember the absolute shock and I can still remember me crying my eyes out as I walked down the stairs to find Kris. Wow - one year. And now we have an almost 4 month old healthy baby girl. We are so blessed. Today Annika will celebrate her first Christmas with her Dad's extended family. Tomorrow she will celebrate her first Christmas with her Mom's family. She is going to be so spoiled these next two days. I hope she doesn't let it go to her head! :) Actually, I just hope she's able to take some decent naps so she's not a crabby baby come Sunday.

This message is taking me a bit longer to type. Yesterday, I injured my right wrist. It's been hurting for a couple months now but yesterday, as I was adjusting the water temperature in the shower, I heard and felt it pop! and then give a bit. It's been hurting non stop and a lot more since then. I don't know if I sprained it or what. If it's not feeling better by Monday, I'll call the doctor to make an appointment. I can't turn my wrist at all and forget about lifting anything heavy or squeezing anything. Oh well. I'll be fine. I just wished it hadn't happened right at Christmas time.

You all have a terrific weekend! I'll try to be back on Saturday to upload pictures of Annika's first Christmas.

I uploaded more pictures on Saturday. I'll try to do this every weekend. There's now 100 pictures of Annika in that folder. I think I'll start a new one next time.

Annika got to meet her extended family on my Dad's side yesterday. We had our family Christmas party. See, there are about 35-40 first cousins (from 14 siblings), so there was a lot to look at, take in and explore! She handled it all very well. She wasn't put down the whole time, of course and it wasn't until about 3 hours later, when we were ready to leave anyway that she had finally had enough and needed to go take an undisturbed nap. So, we packed up and headed home. She slept the whole way home (about 45 minutes or so) and was then awake for the rest of the evening until bed time. She didn't sleep real well last night and I'm sure that's from her big day yesterday. However, now I'm tired at work today because of it. Oh, and she woke up with me this morning (5:30am) and was all bright-eyed so I'm sure she and Daddy had to get up when I left. Poor Daddy!

I can't believe it's Friday already! This week has been so busy! Wednesday night, Mary and Amanda came over for dinner. It was a nice break to the week. Usually I'm alone at night plus I don't get to see my girls all that often. Last night I put Annika in her exersaucer for the first time. Yeah, it was supposed to be a present from Santa Claus but when it arrived on Tuesday, Kris put it together right away and put her in it. He just couldn't wait. :) Anyway, she loved it and played for about 15 minutes which was just long enough for me to get all my Christmas gift wrapping stuff out and get 1 gift wrapped. Then she decided she'd had enough. So, I just laidd her on the floor next to me and she was fine and played some more. Eventually she got tired though so while she took about a half hour snooze, I finished my wrapping for the evening. Then we played together and read books until it was bedtime.

I just got back from lunch with Kris and Annika. Kris wanted to do some shopping at the mall near my work, so I met them at the local soup and sandwich shop. It was GREAT! I think we should do this once a week. Not only did I get to see my baby during the day, but I got to see my hubby too! Ah, the bliss.

Tomorrow we don't have anything planned except for maybe a swim at the gym for me. Sunday, we have our first family Christmas celebration for my Dad's side of the family. And then Monday I have to go back to work already! Boo! Good thing is it's only a 3 day week though since I have the 23rd and 24th off. Yay!

What a wonderful weekend! It started off Friday night by Annika showing me her new trick and rolling over for me. Saturday we spent the majority of the day at home, only leaving to do some quick Christmas shopping near home. I think we are pretty much done shopping. I have one thing to pick up today and one more possible gift and then we're done! Yesterday, Kris and I went on a date while Annika had her first babysitter! Kris and I went to the Vikings game with Krystle and Pierce and Annika stayed home with Grandma Pat. While I had fun at the game, I also had my phone on vibrate in my hand the entire time, just in case. Kris kept saying "Put the phone away" but I couldn't do it! There's no way I would have heard it ring or felt it vibrate then! And what if Annika needed me! Yeah, she totally did not. She did just fine with Grandma. They played and she took 2 naps in Grandma's arms (because you know Grandma could not put her down) :). And she was happy to see Daddy and I when we got home so all was well. Later yesterday Grandma Lona and Grandpa Dale came over too. They're flying south to see Aunt Carrie and Uncle Adam and needed to stop by and say good-bye.

Annika has also started something else new. She scoots now. When laying on her belly, she can get up on her knees, dig her toes into the floor and push forward. She doesn't get very far (an inch maybe) but she can do it repeatedly to get to her toy. She has a favorite blue Discovery Toys octopus thing that she scoots too. And she rolled over yesterday for Auntie Krystle too. You should have heard us cheer for Annika when she did it. Annika, of course, just looked at us like we were nuts. Yeah, we probably are. :) But Momma just loves you so much baby girl!

I just talked to Kris and guess what?! Annika rolled over from her tummy to her back this morning! I was so excited for her! And then Kris said he videotaped it. Yeah, then I started crying. What a nice thing for him to do. He knows it's killing me to have to go to work everyday when all I want to do is stay home with her. Anyway, yay for Annika!

It is so fun to watch Annika learn and explore. She's been focusing on patterns lately - especially the couch cushions. And she's experimenting with sound too. She just learned to make the G sound in the last week or so. So, she's been saying goo and gah and guh a lot lately. It's so cute! Kris says it sounds like she's got a bunch of phlegm in her throat. I think it's adorable though.

I found it! I found the exersaucer! It's on order and should arrive in plenty of time! Yay! Now, please don't let it be back-ordered! The website (babycenter) didn't say anything about it being out of stock. Yay!

I can't believe it's Thursday already! This week has flown by! Monday night, Annika and I did some Christmas shopping and met Santa Claus for the first time! She just hopped right up on his lap and starting listing off all the things she wanted. OK, not really. But she didn't seem to mind the big guy either. I handed her to him. He nuzzled her with his big, white (real) beard. She seemly mildly interested. Then the lady with the camera took their picture, I paid for a couple and we left. Oh, and Santa told me that Annika told him she wanted a Teletubbie for Christmas. I think he misunderstood her though. What she really wants is the Exersaucer on her wish list. Unfortunately, every place I've looked is sold out of them right now. I'm hoping I can find the one I want before Christmas. (yeah, I know, like she'd know the difference if she got it on Christmas or the week after - it's all for the parents at this age, ya know?)

Last night before her bath, I weighed Annika. She was 13.8 pounds. I was wondering if she'd hit 14 yet. Nope, but she's close!

We had a wonderful weekend full of family togetherness. :) We did exactly as I said we would on Friday. Saturday we slept in, did some Christmas shopping and then spent the rest of the evening at home. We actually watched Supersize Me and Elf. Sunday morning we had breakfast with Amanda, Dean, Mary and Fred. Then last evening we had dinner with Kris' parents and friends. We spent all our time together and I loved it! Annika was such a good baby too with all our running around.

And she's liking her thumbs more and more. Hmm, I wonder if she's going to be a thumb sucker after all. So far she's an ambidextrous thumb sucker.

And her eyes are turning more and more. They're hazel-y right now. Sometimes they are gray or blue or green or blue with brown but most of the time they're hazel. I wonder if they are just on their way to being brown.

Saturday night when Kris and I were eating dinner, Annika was watching me eat. It was hilarious. I would bring the fork to my mouth then move it away then bring it back again and each time she would follow the fork. I'll ask the pediatrician at her 4 month appointment what she thinks, but the last pediatrician at her 2 month check up told us we could start solids anytime between 4 and 6 months. She said we should look for cues from Annika. Those cues being: watching us eat (check!), making chewing motions, eating more or more often, etc. I wonder if we'll have to start her closer to the 4 month mark. We'll have to keep an eye on her. She's such a big baby that maybe she will need the extra calories earlier.

I added more pictures yesterday to the photo album. Check them out! There are some REALLY cute ones!

Annika has definitely found her hands. For the past few days (week maybe?) she has constantly been putting her hands in her mouth. She's not hungry and doesn't want her pacifier, she just wants her hands. Explore away girl! Last night though, she just wanted her thumb - of her right hand. She was sucking on that thing hard. Again, she wasn't hungry and didn't want her pacifier, she just wanted her right thumb. She was just adorable with her little itty bitty thumb in her mouth and the rest of her hand right smack dab in the middle of her face. :)

Annika seems to be changing her routine a little bit which is good for me but not so good for Dad. She seems to want to go to bed around 8:30-9pm now and get up around 7am. This means I can go to sleep when she does and I'm not losing too much sleep with having to get up so much earlier for work. Kris, however, gets home late from work and now has to get up earlier with Annika. Silly girl.

I'm so happy today is Friday. I get to spend two whole days now with my family - at the same time! I get Kris and Annika all to myself for the whole weekend. OK, so I have to share for a bit on Saturday with the Vixen (maybe) and some on Sunday with Mary and Amanda at brunch and Kris's family and friends at dinner. But otherwise, they are mine! I plan on sleeping in, doing some Christmas shopping and hanging out at home together. Oh, if I could only be independently wealthy so we could do this every day! That would be pure bliss. Anyone want to finance my wildest dream? :)

Annika is growing more and more each day! She's really strong too! Tuesday evening, I set her in the corner of the couch between the arm and the back cushion. She tried to sit up by pushing her little elbows into the arm and cushion and pulling with her stomach muscles! She sat all the way up and then because she's not strong enough yet to hold herself there, she started toppling over the front. I would set her back on the couch and shet kept doing it over and over! I was on the phone with Kris the first time she did it. He was at work. Annika also likes to stand up. I put her on my lap or the floor, grab her fingers or chest and help her stand up and then she'll stand there for quite a while before sinking to the floor, resting, and then standing up again. She loves it!

It sounds like things are going okay at home for Kris and Annika. I think it's taking Annika a little bit of time to adjust to having Daddy home with her during the days instead of Mommy. I just know that pretty soon she'll prefer her Daddy to her Mommy when she gets used to having him around all the time.