There were storms that went through the north metro area on Wednesday night. I was sure glad we live in the south metro that night. Our old neighborhood had no power Thursday morning when a coworker of mine drove by it. Just a few miles to the northwest of where we used to live a tornado went through. It caught a different co-workers house. After seeing pictures of that this morning, I thanked my lucky stars. I was actually in the north metro Wednesday night at a friends house. Annika and I headed for home just as the storm was moving in. I think we just barely missed it. Thank goodness we left when we did!

I think Annika's official first words have been said. She's said what sounds like "Babe" (the dog) and "baby" for a few weeks (month maybe?) but last Sunday clinched it for me. We were in JCPenney buying some drapes for the windows and I was holding Annika. There was another woman there cradling a young baby. Annika looked at the baby, pointed and said "Baby" clear as day. It was definitely not baby babble like it had been with "Babe". Back then, she would just be babbling and occasionally something resembling "Babe" would come out. This was very clear, especially with the pointing. She also says baby when she plays with her dolls and stuffed animals. We're trying to teach her that stuffed animals are bears or puppies or panda bears but not babies. She does have two dolls that we call her babies. My baby girl is talking!