11 months

Anna turned eleven months today.

Eleven months of pure wonder and amazement.

She has been in this world almost one year and I remember my last month pregnant with her last summer. I loved being pregnant and watching this little bundle grow inside of me. And I love being her mama even more. I had no idea what motherhood would bring and I learn new things from her every day.

She is the light of our lives and we always tell each other how truly blessed we are. Wow, we feel like the two luckiest people in the world.

We love you, little monkey...more than you could ever know.

Whole Baby

We did some "marketing" today. One of her favorite activities. 

The second we walked into the grocery store, she was all smiles and pointing and waving "hi" to the customers. I think she thinks they are all there to see her. She has a big fan base too. And she laps it up --- all the compliments, oohs and aaahs.

What can I say, she is so darn cute - I couldn't agree more.

 

Summer Concert 

We happened upon a concert in the park last night. What a fun surprise! As we drove into Capron, we heard the band playing at the gazebo. So we grabbed a blanket and a seat on the grass and listened to some blues...Anna loved.

Misc.

Wednesday

She played with her friend, Jillian today at Jillian's house in Lynnfield. Jillian is just 2 1/2 months younger. Isn't she cute?

Anna was all over the place --- opening the media cabinet, pulling out books, carrying flip flops and dare I say...pulling on poor Tigger's fur. Poor little guy.

Anna liked the rocking horse...for about 30 seconds.

And it's not a summer day until the girls get some pooltime.

Again, back at the house. Lounger.

Contentment

Our little angel sleeping. I love these pics.

 

Sweet Pea

Almost 11 months old, she's growing by leaps and bounds. A real mover and shaker, scooting all around, pointing, chatting up a storm like's it's nobody's business, waving hello and goodbye, smiling and laughing at anyone who will look her way. Oh and she's into everything.

She has 4 top teeth coming in, FOUR - all at once. Overall they don't seem to be too much of a bother although I imagine it doesn't feel so great and thus she isn't 100% herself the past couple of days. She's still got a great appetite, loves all fruits and veggies and bread and cheese (she is her mother's daughter after all.)

She's determined. I think she knows that she is capable of doing more...Her little body is getting bigger. She's getting ready to stand on her two feet and it's looking pretty good to her. I have a feeling she'll be standing and walking on her own pretty soon. She's eager to learn as she continues to develop this outrageously outgoing and positive personality. Our baby girl is growing, and all we can do is hang on for the ride.

berries & such

Nothing says summer like fresh blueberries. We've got them and she loves them. I mean she gobbles them up and asks (in a rather loud voice) for more.

We have our blueberries then a little water dribbled on her table makes for some fun splashing. Messy? Yes. But it's great entertainment and it is water after all. Easy clean up - a small price for a very happy baby. 

We went to Sunday's farmers market at Slater Mill, Pawtucket and picked up loads of fresh eggs, fruits and veggies. Excellent varieties and choices -- all organic and yummy. The peaches were to die for.

Pointing...she points at everything.

Lola

Aunty Manda brought her new baby over Saturday - Lola. A precious 8 month old puppy that she's fostering through a rescue group. (Ya, Amanda!) She came all the way from Ohio - a product of the puppy mill industry no doubt. And she is absolutely adorable.

Welcome to a safe and loving future in little New England, precious girl.

cat house

Meanwhile...one word for you: loungers.

They are sooo good with her. Wow. Who would have thought, seven cats. They are so very tolerant. Thank you, kitties.

Summertime

It was a hot one today. Anna spent some time in her pool with her shades, beach ball and sunblock. Cool, baby.

Then Anna and Lucy went for a little "vroom vroom" drive around the neighborhood.

Sunday, the three of us spent the evening at Hewitt Field. Anna loves this park. This time of year, it's full of people, dogs and little league games. Usually three on any given night. Oh and a playground.

It's become a ritual of going when it's cooled down a bit, after 5pm. With all the activity, Anna is curious. And it offers two of her favorite things: the outdoors and animals. In fact on this trip, we ran into a man walking FOUR of his golden retrievers. And they all came up to Anna to give her kisses. She loved it. (Wish I took a picture but didn't have my camera with me...will try to get it next time, it was really a hoot.)

We made sure to stay hydrated.

She now stands up on her own with the help of some object --- a toy bin, ottoman, kiddie pool, crib. Oh yes, she now stands up in her crib. Mattress level is at its lowest.

I'd say her favorite activity now is reading. Girl loves books. And a lot of them. Touch and feel and flap books, Eric Carle and finger puppet books. Large ones, small ones, board books and soft books.

 

and a little video of our avid reader...

Motherhood

Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body. ~ Elizabeth Stone

I don't know if it's just hormones or the heat, but this whole motherhood thing has got me really emotional. I am soaking in this experience of having a precious little human being in my life so much that I feel I am just oozing with emotion. I can cry at the drop of a hat at the mere thought of how quickly this time is going. She is already 10 months, with under 2 months left of this tender age of - babyhood. And I can barely remember her as a newborn. Which was an unbelievably amazing experience, that rocked our world - that raw and pure newborn stage. When she was brand new to us and we to her. When we brought this tiny being just days old back home with us. Our lives changed forever.

They say you don't know what you are missing. And they're not kidding. If I had known then what I know now, we'd have five more. Okay, well maybe not five, it just sounded good. But the reality is that we weren't ready for a baby for a really long time, weren't even sure we wanted to try. Man, am I glad we did.

Having a baby is a gift. That little girl upstairs who is so dependent on us - our little blessing - she has brought us so much love, and now, I can't imagine my world without her.

 

I guess the point of this post is simply that a day doesn't go by that I don't thank my lucky stars for our baby girl. That I try to take the time to stop and breathe and take it all in, and dance in the middle of the kitchen with her in my arms, and sing and read and play with her. That I have a daughter, a beautiful, healthy and happy little girl, who is going to grow up in our home, her home; that we have so much to look forward to, so many new experiences, stages, and I don't want to forget any of it. I want her to know how loved she is, that we would go to the end of the earth for her. That truly, we love her all the way to the moon --- and back.

A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for. ~ Author Unknown

July 4th

Anna spent another fabulous Holiday with her family. And this Fourth of July was extra special because she celebrated it with her cousins - Gracie from Ohio, Brennan from California and James and Jennifer at Aunt Cathy and Uncle Jim's House in New Hampshire.

 

 

The icing on the cake was seeing her Mimi and Papa and Grams and Opa.

The day consisted of this: yummy food and ice cold beers, parents and grandparents comfortably seated poolside as kids splashed and played in the water.

We played games, caught up on each others latest happenings and had lots of laughs.

Anyone who knows me knows I love Holidays. And celebrating them with the people you love...well, that's the cherry on top. Happy Summertime!