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?

Turkey day is over... Bring on the Claus!

Since it's late and I'm tired, this post will be mostly pictures and not so much writing (I'm sure you're all really sad to hear that...)

Somehow we made it through Thanksgiving without a single picture documenting Annabel's first turkey day. Oops! Oh well, I promise to more than make up for it at Christmas. Here are the first of many....

Brooklyn and Annabel got their pictures taken with Santa -

Brooklyn wasn't a fan.

Annabel seemed to like him, though! I bet if she could have gotten a better look, she would have loved his beard.

A picture of the proud mommies and their girls
These guys are two very happy shoppers!

I took some pictures of Annabel in her "I love Santa" outfit, and I couldn't pick one favorite... so here are three!

Annabel LOVES her Daddy!

Her favorite game is to stand up by holding on to Nate's hair...

then it tickles her, so it cracks her up.

A group of my college friends and their spouses came over on Friday... here is Annabel with her friend Joshua, who is about 11 months old. They make a cute couple, don't you think?

The kids and their Auntie Ralsto. Sorry I chopped off your head, Hobson!

Come here and give me a hug!

I have no idea what they are looking at, but I thought this picture was really cute

A quick pic

It's been a while since the last bathtime picture.... we've recently graduated to the big bath tub, because someone learned how to splash and it became a big mess!

Winter is here!

Annabel and I went back to work/day care today... though still stuffy, I think we're both feeling better. Look at how cute Annabel is in her new winter hat:

This picture is for my high school and college girlfriends - here is our first "self-shot"

(we got a little bored by the end of the day yesterday)