That was then, this is now!

As I chased Annabel all around the pumpkin patch last Sunday, I couldn't help but think how different the whole experience was last year. A year ago, she couldn't walk or talk - she couldn't even stand on her own! So out of curiosity, I pulled out the pictures from last year's trip.... and the difference is amazing. How did this happen in just one year?

October 2008

October 2009

She is getting so big, I can't even handle it..... this weekend, she did a couple of things that illustrated this perfectly:

First, I was kissing and hugging on her one morning, in the annoying way that moms with defenseless children do, when Annabel turns to me and says "STOP!" very forcefully. Well ok... I guess those days are coming to an end. Darn it!

That same morning, Annabel was playing with her babydoll, feeding it, trying to put a diaper on it, etc. She sat on the ground next to her ride-on car, turns to it and says "Get out of the way!" I didn't really believe it, but I turned to Nate and he swears he heard the same thing. Her talking is really taking off!

Finally (and this one was the most funny to me), I was walking from our bathroom to our bedroom, and was complaining about how Annabel will let everyone brush her teeth except for me (the babysitter said she let her do it the night before).... I was being real dramatic about it, and waving my hands around. Then two seconds later, here comes Annabel, waving her hands in the air and jabbering with the same inflection in her voice that I had used. Nate and I lost it.... she is such a little parrot!

Sigh...... my little pumpkin isn't so little anymore!

This weekend Nate and I took Annabel in to get her 18 month pictures taken. Sounds like an easy enough task, but yes, it took 2 of us. Miss Annabel was in good spirits, but full of energy.... and really didn't feel like sitting or standing still anywhere! It took a lot of song and dance to get any good pictures, but I'm pretty happy with the results. She looks SO much older than in her 12 months pictures, it's amazing to me.

This one we actually got in sepia, but I can't do that on my computer.... it looks really cool, you'll just have to use your imagination.

If you look at the collection of all 100 or so pictures we took, it is pretty funny all the random "on the move" shots we got of Annabel. Here are a couple of my favorite out-takes.

We've been busy, so more to come!

Where has the last month gone?

I realized it had been awhile since my last post - but seriously, a month? I don't even know why, or what we've been doing that has kept me away.... all I know is damn, I am tired! I always think that once the summer is over, life will slow down. But fall is here and our calendar is still jam packed every weekend! Today was a relatively uneventful weekend, but still packed... yesterday Nate worked in our yard all day trimming bushes and tidying things up, while Annabel and I tried to clean on the inside. You can imagine how much I got done while she was awake! Then last night Annabel went to Brooklyn's house to be babysat while Nathan, Amber, Nate and I went out to meet friends downtown. It was a very enjoyable night out... one of those nights where we come home and say "we should really do that more often". Today we had a family shopping day. It takes a whole day because Nate only goes shopping roughly once every 5 years - so it's a big ordeal! We had a nice (though long and tiring) day, and Annabel was such a trooper. She napped in her stroller, and was generally pleasant the whole day. She's such a good girl!

This week is looking to be a busy one as well... I'm having a baby shower for my friend Janice next weekend, so I've got a lot to do to get ready! And Nate is going backpacking next weekend as well, so we're both going to be busy bees every night after work I think. Wears me out just thinking about it!

So, before I get to pictures, I should probably update on Annabel a little bit. Her personality is coming across loud and clear, let me tell you. She and I have started having some battles of will, mostly over brushing her teeth, but many other things as well. It's a small glimpse into our future, and it scares the crap out of me! But when Annabel is not resisting, she is an absolute joy. She's talking more all the time, and repeats absolutely everything even if she doesn't know what she's saying. When she 'talks on the phone' she always says "Hi! How you?" That cracks me up every time. She loves Elmo and is obsessed with puppies. We got her a training potty, and she enjoys sitting on it when I do the same.... she claps her hands and says "yeah!" No real interest in using it yet, but I didn't really expect that so young. Oh, and in addition to singing the first part of the ABCs, she also loves to sing Old McDonald - specifically the "ee i ee i oh!" part. In summary, she is a character, and every day is a new adventure.

So here are some pictures from the last month!

Annabel and Brooklyn are so much fun to watch these days.... they really are friends now, and get so excited when we get them together.

Daddy made Annabel a fort one night after work - she thought it was the coolest!

Random night before bedtime. CHEESE!

I felt like I haven't been taking many pictures lately, so yesterday when we were playing the momarazzi was in full effect. Here is Annabel in one of my favorite new fall outfits.

This is her mean face.... she usually makes it when she's joking around. At least that is what I choose to think! :)

Making funny faces for the camera

Yesterday we went to the grocery store, and Annabel started shouting "Elmo, Elmo!" I said "no, Elmo's not here" - and then I saw this balloon. Well, needless to say she had to have it.

I love this little face so much!

When we were shopping today, we picked up some snow boots for this winter. Annabel insisted on wearing them when we got home.... without her pants. And in case you were wondering, that is pink fur trim around the top. So cute!!!

And the word of the day is....

Annabel is at such a fun age right now, that I thought it was time for another installation of videos. So here are some recent clips of our big girl!

This is a video of bathtime last night. Annabel has a bath book that she loves to read in the tub, and she even offered up a little bit of the elusive ABC's (since doing it the first couple of times, she has been clamming up everytime we ask her to do it).

This one is kind of long, but I was trying to get some tricks out of her and she is easily distracted, as you will see. We need to start closing the blinds in the kitchen at dinner, because our neighbors on both sides have dogs and once they come out it's all over.

This one isn't anything special, but watching her walk up the driveway with this lawnmower and saying "weeeee!" just makes me smile.

My little Hoosier

Not sure how I managed to forget to post this picture.... She's the cutest little Hoosier for sure!

Wedding Weekend

So I'm a little behind, but last weekend we went out of town for Nate's cousin's wedding near Chicago. A lot of his immediate and extended family came in town for it, including Annabel's Grandpa, Nana, Aunt Sarah, Great-Grandma, Great Aunts, and several other aunts/uncles and cousins. Annabel was a bit overwhelmed by all the new faces, and had some challenges dealing with the time zone change.... but all in all we had a great weekend, and enjoyed seeing everyone. Unfortunately, my camera's battery konked out on me at the wedding, so I don't have many pictures from that.... I did, however, get some cute shots of Annabel and Nate's Aunt Patty at the park the day before.

Not sure, but I think this might be Annabel's first wagon ride. Once she got over the oddness of it, she was a big fan!

Annabel loved the swings... this one is even a psuedo big girl swing - notice there is no chain between the legs to keep her from falling out. But she did great!

Going up to the big slide (I had to ride down with her, so no pics of that)

Annabel gives Aunt Patty a ride on the wagon :)

Aunt Patty had a tricycle in her garage, so we put Annabel on it. I was surprised when Annabel put her feet on the pedals and tried to push! She wasn't strong enough to go anywhere, but she knew what she was supposed to do.... not sure where she picked that up, but it was fun to see! She never ceases to surprise me....

We did get a couple of shots before we lost battery - it was an outdoor ceremony, and was beautiful outside. The sun was in Annabel's eyes, so Uncle Jerry kindly offered his sunglasses. I think she pulls it off!

Aunt Patty graciously watched Annabel for us during the reception, so Nate and I got to enjoy the party for a little bit. It was so great to have a night out!