Monday, April 30, 2012

Anya Violet's First Birthday Party!

Saturday was Anya's birthday party! It was a beautiful day filled with: Yummy vanilla cake made by Auntie Cindy! Isn't she talented?
Shabby decorations with hints of giraffe.
A transformed garage for seating and eating...you have to use every space you have when your home doesn't have a basement and it's raining outside.
Hugs from Daddy
Girls in dresses
Generous friends and family
There were tears. Poor Anya burned her finger on the candle!
Family from far
It was an amazing day filled with so many memories for us! Anya will officially turn one on May 3rd! I can't believe how fast a year goes. I cried my eyes out the night of her party, and cried for moments during it too. I'm sure I'll cry all over again on her birthday. One of the problems with celebrating on two different days. My baby girl is growing up! But it is a joy to watch her. Thank you God I am able to stay at home with her and treasure every step of the way!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Someone is about to turn ONE!

This week is party prep week! Anya's first birthday party is today. I am excited to have everyone over to celebrate! Cindy and Tony (my sister and brother-in-law) are coming from KY with my cousin Julie her husband Nick and little one Luke. It's going to be a cold, windy, rainy day...unfortunately. But since there is nothing I can to change it, I'm moving past that. Anya decided to cut another tooth so she has been incredibly clingy lately, which is making it nearly impossible to get anything accomplished. Thankfully I have a wonderful sister (a.k.a Auntie Kates) who comes to help me out a lot.I don't know what I'd do without her. Pictures from the party to come soon!!!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

10 on 10::April 2012

10 pictures on the 10th day of the month!
{Document a snapshot of your life & find beauty among the ordinary things in your day!}

10 on 10 this month was a Tuesday, which means Women's Bible Study day. Anya had a quick breakfast before heading to church.

These are the ladies I meet with every Tuesday...plus one more, Dana, but she was absent. We are doing a study on how to be a wife of noble character. I love these girls! It was my week to bring snack, so I made my lovely sister's Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread and it was a huge success. Thanks Cinday!Sidenote: we can't stand the way the walls are painted in the room. Totally random and don't match...LOL!

Normally Anya takes a nap at church on Tuesdays, but she took a quick nap before we left from 7-8:00am since she woke up at 6:00. The ladies in the nursery said that she was great like always and was talking a lot. After church Anya fell asleep in the car. Yes, that is her hand in her snack cup! It was empty so I guess she decided to just fall asleep.

Sadly, her nap only lasted 30 minutes so we decided to have lunch. Anya loved exploring with her new spoon from the "Easter Bunny". We ate grilled turkey and avocado sandwiches. I even slipped some sweet potato puree on Anyas. She loves food with diverse flavors like her mama.

Anya is so curious to know how to open up the gates. Charlie loves being right by her side.

I called Auntie Kates to the rescue for a much needed break. She normally comes over every Tuesday anyways to watch Anya at night so Josh and I can go to our couples Bible Study. I asked her to come early so I could accomplish some things since Anya's nap was so short and unproductive for me. Katie is so awesome and such a huge help! I was able to run to Walmart and get some things for Anya's 1st birthday and some groceries.


Anya is getting so fast at climbing up the stairs! She is a little speed racer!

I love this view. Look at those teeth!!

I rock Anya to sleep every night. She and I listen to Daddy as he reads part of "The Chronicles of Narnia". More for us than her, but we're hoping one day she'll love our family storytime as much as we do! After Anya went down we headed out to our couples community group. Next time I'll have to get a picture. I always forget my camera!

Happy belated 10th!!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

An empty tomb

Today we celebrate an empty tomb. Jesus Christ is RISEN from the dead! He has conquered sin. He has provided a way for us to have eternal life with Him. Alleluia!





Our Easter has been wonderful. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day, both in weather and in spirit. Katie came to church with us on Good Friday and again on Easter. We had a wonderful time at church, worshipping our RISEN Lord, and hearing a powerful sermon from Pastor Jim. After church Anya got to see some Easter bunnies in the church "HUB". They brought in some real bunnies for the kids. It was very cute!


From Christ Community we drove to Grandma and Grandpa Nilsson's house for our Easter celebration with them. Anya was completely spoiled with gifts and baby treats from them. We had a wonderful brunch made by Grandpa: egg casserole, muffins, parfaits, and sparkling orange juice.
From their house we drove to my parents to celebrate with them. Anya went on her first Easter egg hunt. Eggs filled with graham crackers...what more could a girl ask for?! She also got to use her new swing and favorite toys at their house. We had a yummy pork roast, mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus. Anya stuffed herself!



Anya was such a trooper today! She had such a bad cold and you would never have known. She hardly slept all day and still played well and had a smile on her face. Love that girl!!







What a beautiful Easter day! What did you do to celebrate Jesus' resurrection?

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Dear Anya, Happy ELEVEN Months!

Dear Anya Violet,


Hi there Little Miss. You sure are growing quickly! Those cheeks are getting fuller and are even more kissable. Those thighs are getting rolls....finally! And we even see you cute little belly hang out now that you are wearing little tee's with the warmer weather. I could just snuggle you all day, if you'd let me!

Your personality at eleven months:
-Very active and such a busy-body
-Carefree and independent
-Happy and such a ham
-Playful and friendly (you wave to everyone!)
-Intellectual and strong


You probably weigh 22 pounds. Last month I took you to the dr for a cold and you weighed slightly over 21 pounds. You are now almost completely weaned and are doing great with bottles full time. We just started small doses for whole milk with formula and you didn't seem to mind at all. You are wearing size 12-18 month clothing, size 4 diapers (although we are still using cloth.) Your hair has grown longer and you curls that flip up by your neckline. I even started doing a little pony tail on you, but the band falls out sometimes.

This month you still take two naps a day. One around 9 am and the other around 1 pm. You wake up between 6:30-7:30 everyday and are in bed by 7:30. This week you napped amazingly! Two hour nap in the morning and two hour nap in the afternoon...thank you to spring break we were home much of the week to allow this. You love holding a paci in each hand when I put you in your crib. It provides you with a lot of comfort and you don't even cry when I put you down awake anymore for naps. It's awesome!


You have a huge love of flavorful food: spaghetti, chili, fruit smoothies, soups, guacamole. We give you pretty much everything we eat. This month you new favorite snacks are graham crackers! You already know the word.

At 11 months you are now clapping, waving, giving kisses, and starting to give "hi-5s". We were eating dinner when you learned how to clap. I showed you and then you did it and were shocked that you clapped. Then we could see you thinking "So that's how you do it!" It was so funny! We are working on blowing kisses, saying "Dada" (you are so stuck on Mama and haven't mastered Dada yet). You have said Dada before so we know it's possible. Yesterday we went to Ari's house to play with Seylah and Emma. I was holding Emma and you got jealous for the first time ever. You grabbed onto my leg and said "Up, Up, Up". First time saying "up"!! Last night as I was getting you ready for bed you kept saying "Ni-Ni" over and over....when I put you down I always say "Night Night Anya". Daddy and I think that's what you were saying.


The toys you have been playing with a lot this month are your "Anya Mobile", "truck"-actually a car/bike thing but if we say "car" Charlie goes crazy-happy thinking we are going for a car-ride. You have just started to push your doll-baby's stroller by yourself. It still makes Daddy a little uneasy, as he is afraid you are going to push it too hard and fly forward. We are both amazed at how well you are doing with it! And boy is it cute to watch a baby girl push her doll. You have yet to take your first steps on your own, but are gaining lots of balance and go from sitting to standing with ease. I love watching you squat...so cute!

You still love the nursery at church and going out in public. Yesterday I was serving in the nursery and you were next door and I watched you the whole time. You looked so cute through that little window. You played so nicely and played hard with the toys! At one point you saw me and smiled and came crawling to the wall, until you realized you couldn't get to me you started crying. I felt so bad! They gave you Puffs to calm you down. Eating always does! haha!


We traveled to visit Aunt Cindy and Uncle Tony last week. You did great in the car and slept better with your little strap pillows, plus you loved Auntie Kates entaining you! While we were in Ohio you saw Great Grandma Egbers again, you saw cousin Luke (gave him a lip smacking kiss) and played "dress up" with cousin Avery.


I've started planning and preparing more and more for you birthday. I can't believe it is almost here!
I love you so much Anya! You are such a sweetheart and I absolutely adore you!!! Happy 11 months!
Love,
Mommy