I have so much to tell you! I haven't had time to update here so I keep a small sheet of paper nearby and I keep writing down topics. The list is getting so long!

Monday night when Auntie Krystle was over, she and Annika were reading books. Krystle was impressed that Annika could point out the owl and fox (among other common aminals like cat, dog, pig, etc.) and name them. It is so cute to hear her say owl and fox. When she was tired that night she walked over to the stairs and started going up them. I asked her where she was going and she turned to look at me before going up a couple more. I followed her up and put her to bed. How many toddlers do you know that go to bed on their own? I think this is pay back for not sleeping through the night her whole first year.

At the grocery store last weekend, we bought a couple bananas. Annika loves bananas and will eat a whole one by herself. This is a good thing since Kris and I both really dislike bananas so anything left uneaten by her gets thrown away.

Tuesday night Annika and I had dinner at Amanda's house with her and Mary. Guess what? Amanda asked me to be her maid of honor! I'm so excited! I thought for sure her sister would be her maid of honor but her sister lives in North Carolina and I'm local, plus we've been friends for almost 12 years now. Right now they are thinking of getting married spring of '07 (April - early June) or fall of '07 (September - early October). Depending on when they choose to get married and when Kris and I are lucky enough to have a second child, I might either be very pregnant or nursing a young infant at their wedding! Good times! At least they're getting married here in Minnesota so it shouldn't be too big of a deal. Amanda said a couple swear words (f**k, s**t, d*mn) that night during dinner. I kept giving her dirty looks (while trying not to laugh at her) and she kept apologizing (while trying not to be too mortified). Now that Annika is a little mimic, we really need to watch what we say!

I think Annika has said her first sentence. At the grocery store last week, I was paying the bill while Kris was bagging and Annika was in the cart by me. She said "blah Daddy blah". The checkout lady thought Annika said "Where Daddy go?." It sure did sound like she did. Yesterday Annika and I went to have lunch with Gramme and Annika said it again. This time it was clearer. She actually said "Where Daddy go?" So smart!

Last night Annika took Mara by her collar and was trying to drag her around the house. She was actually trying to walk Mara. Mara didn't know what was happening htough which is why Annika ended up dragging her. Kris and I would walk in front of Annika and Mara and tell Mara to follow us and then Annika would walk beside Mara holding her collar and "walking" her. Oh, it was just too funny.

I have some most excellent news! You may remember me mentioning a friend of mine who's infant daughter had cancer. Well - that tough, brave little girl has beat it! Her tumor is almost completely gone and all her counts are back to normal! I am so, so happy for them. Life is returning to normal. There will continue to be check-ups but all is looking bright and beautiful right now. Yay!