Kris reported today that Annika's 8th tooth has popped through. It's on the bottom next to the middle ones. That makes 4 on top and now 4 on bottom. So much better to bite you with, my dear! Ha! This tooth might help explain the constant runny nose she's had for the past couple days. I don't think the tooth is the only cause though. I think playing with and chewing on her cousin's toys on Sunday is the main culprit. Her little body said oh goody, new germs and proceeded to get a cold. She's been sleeping okay even though she can't breathe but nursing has been a challenge. She takes a deep breath, sucks a few times, then exhales and takes another deep breath. Poor girl! She doesn't whine about it though, just toughs it out. We've given her some baby cold medication and it helps a little, but not a whole lot. I also have some baby Vicks that I rubbed on her chest last night before bed. Hopefully she can fight off this bug quickly.

I put up a bunch new pictures. Go check them out!

Currently Annika's favorite toys are her baby doll (the purple one), her Elmo toy cell phone, her Leapfrog Learning Table and her Leapfrog Phonics bus. She also loves books and stuffed animals. Her favorite piece of furniture is her little Care Bears foam chair. She is so cute when she sits in that and reclines by putting her little leg over the side of it.

Yesterday after saying good-bye to Gramme at the door, Annika and I watched a man and girl walking their dog past our house. When the dog went out of sight, Annika started crying. She wanted to see the dog some more. So, we came inside and put on her Neighborhood Animals Baby Einstein DVD so she could see more animals. I think we need to get our cat and dog back as soon as possible for the little miss. The cat will probably be coming home this week. The dog is going to take longer. We need to put her kennel up before she can come home and in order to put her kennel up, we need to pour a cement slab underneat the deck and build the deck. In order to build the deck, we need to get our home equity loan finalized, etc. We're still hoping to get the deck up this fall but time is running out!

Saturday night, Annika slept in her crib all night long. She slept from 8:30pm to 8am, not consecutively of course, but all in her crib. She woke up at 3am and was awake on and off until 4am and then woke up again at 5am. It's a good and a bad thing in my book. I only get to see Annika for a precious few hours in the evening. I actually like it when she wakes up at 3am or so because then I go get her from her crib and get to snuggle with her in ours for a couple hours before I have to leave her and go to work. If she's going to grow up on me and start sleeping in her crib all night long, I'm going to be sad. I sometimes worry I'm too attached to my daughter. Can you be too attached?

I've officially stopped pumping at work. I did pretty much the week after Annika turned 1. It's very nice not having to lug that thing to work every day, especially those days when I had to lug the pump, my purse, my lunch and my laptop. I looked pretty funny carrying all those things. Annika still nurses and is still pretty attached to it. She nurses when I get home from work and at night before bedtime and a few extra times on weekends, usually before naps. I like our cuddly, snuggly time together as much as she does.

Friday, Kris and Annika went to their second ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) class. Annika had a good time playing with all the toys and other little kids. She even came home with bears stamped on her knees and arms. Kris said Annika doesn't much care for the sitting in a circle and singing portion of the class. She'd much rather be up running and playing. She is a very busy little girl.

Yesterday we were down in Welch for Great Grandpa Stuart's 90th birthday celebration. It was a nice afternoon and Annika had a good time playing with her second cousins Jack, Emma and Peter. Emma especially liked Annika and played with her a lot. She made sure Annika didn't get into any trouble. It was so cute watching them all together! Annika, being as young as she is, doesn't understand the sharing concept though. Sure, she'll give you her toys, but then she'll take them right back. So yesterday, she was taking toys from the other kids and if they didn't give them to her, she'd scream. Ah, my precious child screaming at the top of her lungs because the nice other kids wouldn't give her the toy she wanted. Yep, that's my girl. We'll be working on that sharing thing. :)

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!

How about some Annika highlights? Yes, I have a ton of pictures to upload. I just don't have time right now! I'll try to do it soon. I promise!

1 - Annika now has a 7th tooth. It's on the bottom, to the right of her bottom 2. It has just started to poke through.

2 - Annika is very good at pointing now, even with her index finger extended. It makes it so much easier so she can tell us what she wants!

3 - Last night, Annika went to sleep between 8 and 8:30pm after getting home from Grandpa Dan's house. She then slept until 1:30am. Of course, I woke up, but Kris who was still up, was already in there. She went back to sleep in her crib and didn't wake up again until after 4am. At that time, she came into bed with us. I still need to get more sleep. It's my own fault though. I need to go to bed earlier. Instead, I'm writing blog entries! :)

4 - On Saturday, we went to Kris's company picnic. Annika got to eat lots of picnic foods (brats, baked beans, fresh fruit, a cookie) and also got a ride on the swings. She loves the swings. We weren't there long though, only an hour or two. We had to get home so Auntie Kim and Uncle Dusty could babysit for us because we had a wedding to go to that night. Kris and I haven't had a night out together without the baby since Kris's birthday in May when we went to dinner and a movie. That is so sad! Maybe now that babysitters are closer by, we can get out more. :)

Annika is starting to communicate with us more and more, if we pay attention. Last night, Annika wanted my attention, at all times. I couldn't clean anything or do any sort of work. I could only sit on the couch while she played. As the evening wore on, I couldn't even sit, I had to actively be holding her or tickling her or something or she was not happy. I think she needed a little Mom time. At one point, I was tickling her legs over and over. I stopped and put my hand on my lap. Annika took my hand and put it back on her leg because she wanted more tickles. She was a little off yesterday for Kris too he said. She didn't want to eat much during the day and was extra clingy for him too. I wonder if something's bugging her, like teeth? She slept pretty well though. At 7:30, we went upstairs and took a bath. Then we read a story and then I put her in her crib, turned on her Ocean Wonders Aquarium to music only, told her I loved her and that it was time for sleep. She laid down with her stuffed animal and went to sleep. There was no crying, no holding Mom's hand, no giggling. She just went to sleep. I was back downstairs by 7:52pm. I think that's a record! She woke up about an hour and a half later and started crying. I went in there, gave her the pacifier back and she laid down and went right back to sleep. Another half hour later or so, Kris came home and right at the time Annika woke up again. This time I didn't go in and she pitifully cried a couple times before turning on her aquarium (music only at night of course) and going back to sleep. She then slept until almost 3am! Of course, I didn't fall asleep until after 11pm because of the loud and windy thunderstorms we were having. I'm glad Annika slept through them though.

What a weekend! We had Annika's 1st birthday party Saturday afternoon and a small BBQ Saturday night. Auntie Krystle came over Friday night to help us get ready (thank goodness!). She also came over early on Saturday to help us get ready for the party. The party went great. The house was crowded but luckily it was a nice day (although steamy) so people could also be outside in the garage. Annika didn't do much cake smashing. She was plenty dirty when done with her cupcake but it wasn't a dramatic smoosh in the face or anything. She very carefully, with one index finger, poked at the frosting and ate it. She's such a demure little thing! :) Annika got a lot of great presents too. I think she got a cute outfit from just about everyone! She also got some great toys and books and she adores them all. Her new toy cell phone is constantly plastered to her ear. She carries her panda bear around all the time and even knows which toy it is. I'll ask where panda bear is and she'll walk over to it and pick it up. She's constantly pressing the letters on her new phonics bus (G seems to be her favorite letter so far) but she's really impressed with the new wagon. She had tons of rides in it on Saturday, even refusing to get out. Yesterday, while relaxing at home, Annika went over to the garage door and pounded on it. Kris and I didn't think anything of it until she saw I wasn't coming to the door so she walked over to me, took my hand and led me to the garage door and hit it again. I opened the door and helped her down the steps. Then she led me straight to the wagon and started banging on it. Baby girl remembered that the wagon was in the garage and wanted a ride! Well, that kind of genius deserves a reward so in we went to put on shoes. I took her around the block before coming back home. We had all our shoes off and everything when she led me straight back out to the garage. She's just so cute with her communicating that off we went on another wagon ride. This time we went around the bigger block (where everybody was so nice waving and saying hi - Annika was waving back). It was getting to be bed time now so when Annika started pounding on the garage door a 3rd time, we instead nursed and took a bath. I'm guessing she'll get more wagon rides today with Daddy.

Annika had her twelve month well baby check up yesterday. Baby girl is 20 pounds 12 ounces (only a 1 pound 2 ounce gain in 3 months!) and is 30" tall. She is in the 75-90% for height and 25-50% for weight. My girl is a skinny minnie! Of course, it's because she's running and moving all the time and works off everything she eats. That girl never slows down. Annika also got the MMR and chickenpox vaccines yesterday. She actually handled those pretty well. She yelled as I held her and the nurse administered them but when that was over, she stopped yelling and was just fine, laughing and smiling all the way home. We waited for a long time for the doctor to come into the room after the nurse left. When she finally did come in, Annika wanted nothing to do with her. I had to physically restrain Annika so the doctor could check her ears, eyes and mouth. Annika was not very happy with the physical exam. I asked the doctor if she had any recommendations for pediatricians in our new part of town. She didn't but suggested I call the Children's Physician Network based out of Children's Hospital. We definitely need a doctor closer to home. It took an hour to drive to the clinic yesterday. What if Annika needed to be seen immediately! Anybody know of a good pediatrician in the south/southwest metro??

Two days ago, Annika discovered turning in circles. She'll stand up and twirl in circles over and over and over again, making herself dizzy. She thinks it's the greatest and "Whee"'s the whole time. It just cracks Kris and I up.




TMI portion below - stop reading now.

I'm recording this for my own posterity since this is kind of my journal too.

I'm serious - you all probably don't want to know this.

You're still reading? Don't say I didn't warn you.

It is now possible for Kris and I to have another child, if desired. My friend, absent since November 2003, has made her return to me. Oh goody.

Last night Daddy, Annika and I went to dinner with Grandpa Dan and Uncle Mathias. Annika even got a present - an adorable pair of pink camoflouge pants, a pink jacket and a purple shirt. My baby girl is going to be styling! My baby was the hit of the restaurant. We had several of the waitresses by our table all oohing and aahing over her and playing with her. Our waitress even said they were talking about her in the kitchen saying "Have you seen that baby out there with those adorable cheeks?" Yep, that's my girl.

Happy 1st birthday, my little baby girl. Momma loves you very much, so much it makes her heart hurt. You've grown so fast in just one year. You walk and run and babble nonstop. It sounds like you say Babe (for the dog) and Baby and Momma (only when you're crying though) and Beep (when we beep your nose). I'm not ready to call any of them first words yet though. I'm still not sure if it's just babbling or actual talking. Baby Girl when you start talking though it's going to be in complete sentences in no time. You can hold a little conversation as it is right now with all your babbling. You even have tone and inflection in your voice. You are an absolute hoot. Your Daddy and I gave you a cupcake with lots of frosting at lunch time today. You made a big mess but didn't eat much of the cupcake itself. You just ate the frosting and mushed the cupcake into bits. Don't worry, Daddy got it all on video. We haven't given you your present yet, maybe we will after you wake from your afternoon nap. But Daddy and I got you a Cabbage Patch Doll named Stella Regena and she has your same birthday! Mommy looked for months to find one with your birthday and there she found it in August! She was so happy. I know you'll love it as you like playing with Brianna's and love playing with babies in general. Momma also got you two new outfits for the fall and Daddy got you a wooden truck that you love to zoom around. Daddy couldn't wait until your birthday so he gave you the truck a few weeks ago. You'll probably get a lot more presents on Saturday at your birthday party. I'm sure you'll be a spoiled little girl then!

Have I told you how your laugh lights up my world? How it makes me laugh and giggle right along with you? Even when I'm trying to put you down to sleep and you start giggling instead? I can't help it! You're just too cute. I can't believe this year has gone so fast. And yet it seems so long ago that I was at the hospital laboring. And I still remember Daddy calling me at work last December to tell me you rolled over for the first time. And how I cried and cried even harder when he said he had it on tape for me. I remember watching you sit for the first time without toppling over and taking your first steps in front of Auntie Krystle and me. It all seems so long ago, like you've been here forever when it's only just been a year. Happy Birthday baby girl. I love you love you love you so so much.

So many things! And not enough time!

Happy Labor Day everyone! Last year on Labor Day, Kris and I took Mara to the dog park and then relaxed the rest of the day. That night at 11pm I had my first "real" contraction and at 2am, they started to become regular (every 8-10 minutes instead of every 30).

We're almost moved completely in to the new house. The garage is full of empty boxes and not very many full ones.

We have Annika's 12 month photos taken today. To see them, go to www.sadiesonline.com, click on Order Reprints, click on Minnesota, enter my name (first and last), and use Annika as the password. Pretty cute, aren't they? :)

Annika's newest trick, and favorite thing to do, is to turn on and off the television. She knows which button on the tv turns it off and repeatedly turns it on, then off, then on, then off, then... well, you get the idea. The coffee table is now in front of the entertainment center.

I have a ton of pictures on the camera that I need to get downloaded and then uploaded to her online album. I keep meaning to do and have had no time! And this week won't be much better since Annika's birthday is Wednesday, her 12 month well baby check up is Thursday and Saturday is her party. I'll be cleaning, unpacking and playing all week!