MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas! Sorry it took a couple days to get these pictures up, but we've been super busy traveling back and forth between Lafayette and Indy, and making the rounds with family and friends. Annabel's first Christmas was everything we could have hoped for... she really enjoyed her new toys, and even seemed to get the fact that there were presents under the paper! She was an angel all week and a complete joy for everyone that we visited with. She continues to amaze us with her developing personality, and the new tricks she seems to learn daily. I can't believe that tomorrow she is 9 months old - where did the time go?

Annabel got more toys than we know what to do with, but we are thankful to everyone who was so generous!

So as a quick re-cap, we spent Christmas Eve with my family and Nate's mom, which is when we did most of our gift opening. That actually turned out to be a really good thing, because Christmas morning was super hectic, trying to get everything packed up to hit the road again... we headed to my Aunt Mary's house for Christmas with my extended family, which was a fun time as usual (my crazy family never ceases to entertain). The only downside was that throughout the day I started feeling real bad, and by the evening, had the full blown flu. I was in bed by 6:00 that night, but thankfully it was a short lived bug and we were able to head back up to Lafayette the next day to see some more friends, and to FINALLY relax. Last night and today we just bummed around my parents' house, and now have returned home, where we plan to stay for a while.

So here are the pictures of our first Christmas with Annabel:

Annabel with Nate's Mom

Me and Annabel before church on Christmas Eve


A quick family pic

It's present time! Here are a few of my favorites... she is kind of a mess (specifically the hair), but then I guess that wasn't really the focus!

But I do wish I would have thought to grab a bow.... :)

These are from the day after... Annabel spent most of the time that we were at my parents chasing after their dog, Woody. He is definitely her favorite thing in the world right now... she shrieks with excitement every time she sees him. Poor Woody... he is alternately afraid of her and terribly jealous of her - before Annabel, he was the ruler of the house!

She makes this crazy face these days... she is touching her two bottom teeth to her top tooth, but since her top tooth is on the far right, it makes for this funny crooked grin.

On the move again!

Annabel playing with my Mom.

Here are some videos from our week - the first is Annabel opening her first gift. The second is of Annabel stalking poor Woody. The third is her 'talking' to Woody. Maybe she's telling him "it's OK puppy, I just want to play!"

Enjoying some time off

Despite the crummy basketball season this year, Annabel is looking good in her IU sweatshirt! (Thanks Aunti Ski!) She's a real fan... not the fair weather kind. :)

I was off with Annabel today, and despite the fact that we're both on the mend from a pretty nasty cold, we had a great day! Thankfully her mood wasn't affected by the cold. We have a few fun things to report:

1 ) Annabel is crawling! Not very long distances at this point, but she's definitely on the move... I don't think she's really figured out yet that she can go anywhere she wants, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time. (see video below)

2 ) She's got another tooth, also. Actually, she has four top teeth all coming at the same time... her far right came through first, and I think her far left is next. So she'll look a little funny with the two middle teeth missing!

3) Annabel also stood on her own, for about 10 seconds yesterday. Nate let go of her, and she just kind of looked at us as the two of us got real excited.

4) Annabel has found her voice... she went from just cooing to babbling and making all kinds of sounds. Her favorite (and mine) is 'mama'... It's obvious that she doesn't associate it with me yet, but it melts my heart all the same!

My baby is growing up so fast.... it's exciting, but sad at the same time. I am guessing this won't get any easier!

Ok - picture time:

Christmas came early, when Grandpa and Nana's gifts arrived! This is the slip cover to her very own arm chair.... We don't have room for it until we take the Christmas tree down, but I am sure she's going to love it. THANK YOU, GRANDPA & NANA!

Grandpa & Nana also sent her this great toy basket... it's a welcome addition to our living room, because we had outgrown the old one a long time ago.


Annabel borrowed Daddy's hat... so cute!

The rest of these pictures are from our day today. We spent a lot of time on the floor, working on her crawling. I'm sure it won't be long before I wish she was immobile again!

Ok, video time! First, here are two of her crawling.

Now, here's a video of her in her toy basket... the video isn't all that great, because she was growing a little tired of us messing with her, but then she talks a little at the end so I thought I'd share it.

Nine month pictures

This weekend we braved the crowds at Portrait Innovations to get Annabel's 9 month pictures done, which was nice since it coincided with the holidays. It went well, but let me tell you I will NEVER go there on a Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas ever again. What a zoo! Annabel did pretty well, considering it was about 90 degrees in there and she hasn't been feeling all that hot. I'm pretty happy with the results - check them out!

This dress is extra special because my grandmother, who passed away when I was 18, made it for my mom when she was a baby. She has a picture taken it, as do my sister and I. Now it was Annabel's turn!

She is looking tired here, for sure... what a trooper!

Cora Rose!

Yesterday my good friend Sonia had a baby girl! her name is Cora Rose, and she was born at 5:00 pm on December 9. She weighs 7lbs, 1 oz., and measured 20 inches - tall and thin, just like her parents! Sonia is doing well, although she sounded tired! No c-section was needed, but it sounds like Cora gave her a hard time coming out.

She's so cute and tiny, I can't wait to meet her! I can't even remember what it was like when Annabel was that small.

Christmas fun and pigtails!

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year.... now, it is at a whole different level. I can't wait until Annabel can really understand all the music, and the Christmas tree, and the real meaning of Christmas... in the meantime, I'm going to have to just enjoy dressing her up for it! :)

I have a lot of pictures to share, but make sure that you make it all the way to the bottom for some videos. The first video is the best sound I've ever heard (and in case there is any doubt I'm talking about Annabel, not Nate) ... I have played it over and over again and I never get tired of it!

Last weekend we went to get Annabel's first Christmas tree. It was a chilly, windy day, so we bundled Annabel up tight!

You can't tell, but the tree we picked out is right behind Annabel.

Waiting in the car for Daddy to pay for our tree

The tree is all decorated, and Annabel is checking it out - so pretty!

I wish I could say Annabel was mesmorized by the tree, but I think she is actually watching football.

Like father like daughter!

Going out on Friday night

More Santa hat pictures

Brooklyn came over to visit on Saturday night - I just love this picture!

Annabel had her first pigtails over the weekend... they are my new favorite thing! Enjoy several pictures of her new look.

I just love this face...

And now, the videos... just as an update, I think it will be no time at all before we have videos of Annabel crawling to post. Tonight she took two or three 'steps' crawling in a row, which is a first! Stay tuned.... But first, here's what you've all been waiting for. Nate decided to entertain Annabel with some of his 'mad beat-boxing skills'. Finally, he has found his audience. :)

This one is not as exciting, but you know how I love the bouncing videos. And what could be cuter than a bouncing Santa?