Annika does so many cute things lately. Every time she bumps or hurts herself, she doesn't cry. No, she says "Uh oh" and then "kiss it." Then she comes to Kris and I and we have to kiss her boo-boo. This never gets old. And she does the same thing to us. If we have a bruise or cut or even if I just say my finger hurts, she comes over and kisses it. To her, moles are owies too so she is constantly kissing my moles on my neck and chest. It is so cute!

Annika loves singing now too. She'll be happily playing alone and then bust out in a song. Yesterday she circled the end table while singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" over and over again. Today, outside she was picking up rocks and then singing her "Bubble Gum" song. Part of the bubble gum song you wrap your arms around your body while saying "I like it, I like it." You all have got to see her doing this. It is too adorable. I have to get that one on camera if I don't already have it. Tonight in the bath tub we sang "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star", "If Your Happy and You Know it" and "The ABCs." Annika can sing most of the abc's by herself. She mumbles the LMNOP part like most little kids do. I remember not having any idea whatsoever what the heck my mom was saying during that part for the longest time. Like seriously I must have been 6 or 7 by the time I figured it out. I make sure to sing that part very clearly for Annika. It's funny what oddities we pass on to our kids, isn't it?

Every night at bedtime, after I put her pajamas on, I turn off the light, pick Annika up and we snuggle for a minute or two. Then I put her down in her crib, cover her up and walk out of the room. I love our night time ritual. She always grabs my shirt and pulls it open so she can place her cheek down on my chest. Then she kind of burrows in and snuggles. If I skip this step and put her directly in her crib she stands right up and demands to be held. So, every night we have a short cuddle session. I love it. And if I lay her down and forget the covers she immediately asks "Covers?" It could be a hundred degrees in her room and she would still ask for covers. She is her mother's daughter. I'm the same way. It's the middle of summer with no air conditioning and I must have at least a sheet covering me. Lately she's also been asking for "Puppy?" after she's snuggled in her covers. This melts my heart too because the puppy she is asking for is my Pound Puppy from when I was a girl. We found it while cleaning out Grandpa Dan's basement and Annika has become a little attached to it. So, each night after covering her up, I make sure she knows where "Puppy" is. Then she is content to lay down and go to sleep. Man, I love this kid. Maybe tomorrow I'll tell you about her tantrums. This post has been brought to you by syrup. No tantrums allowed.