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

When she grows up...

What will Miss Anya be when she grows up?

A swimmer? She loves kicking her legs and feet.
A dancer? She's starting to sway to her music.
An ice skater? She may follow in Mommy's footsteps.
A gymnist? She did the splits last night (not on purpose, but didn't cry.
A telemarketer? She loves phones and calling peoople.HA!
A chef? She has a diverse palate and loves everything she tries.
A ballerina? There is something adorable about seeing a toddler with a tutu.

Whatever she does I will love and support her!

Updates from January

Can it really be February 1st? It's time for a recap on last month. My little flower was been growing and changing so much! Within the past few weeks she started pulling herself up into a kneeling position and sometimes even managing to stand up on her own. More about her updates Friday for her NINE month old day!!
This month has been so different than last. We've enjoyed a very mild, spring-like January. It's been so nice! I've also noticed that the sun is setting much later than it did a few weeks ago. Another sure sign that spring is in the air.
This month my hubby and I had two bridal fairs for our DJ company "Spin N Play". We met so many potiential clients, many of which we have already heard from. God is so good! It amazes us at how faithful He is and how He truly provides for our every need. It has been such a relief to have the DJ business as a source of income, as I am a stay at home mommy now. Check out our new website: www.spinnplay.com
The first week in January I started babysitting for a friend's daughter, who just turned one. She is the sweetest little girl, and is becoming Anya's best friend. Since I enjoy staying busy, and giving Anya social time, this little job has been a great blessing.
My hubby is working hard with his students for their upcoming musical "Oliver!" In years past they did "Footlose", "Guys and Dolls", "Oklahoma", and "Wizard of Oz". I can honestly say, all biases aside that this is going to be the best show they've put on because my hubby is the lead director this year. He has such a talent for leading, directing, visioning, performing, creating (I could go on and on!) He has been working long hours, so it's just been me and my girl at home with Charlie Bear. I'm looking forward to the beginning of March when I have him home by 4:30!!!
As I look ahead to the upcoming months, I realize Anya's first birthday is coming faster than I thought! I guess now I need to narrow down my birthday party "Pins" and get crackin' on my ideas!!

This Moment

Today Anya and I went to babysit Ariana for a few hours. The girls are doing so well with each other. Ariana loves hugging Anya and tries to give her kisses...and Anya just sits there and lets her. It is so sweet! I think they will be great friends!

This moment...

Anya's Dedication

Yesterday at church we dedicated Anya to the Lord.  It was such a special day for our family.  I've been looking forward to this day since she was born.  You might ask, "What is baby dedication?  Why not baptism?"  Child dedication to us is when we, as parents, vow before the congregation and God that we will raise our daughter in the Lord, and that we will teach her about Jesus and pray that one day she will accept Him as Lord and Savior and get baptized. Yesterday was also a day when we acknowledged that Anya belongs to God and that she is His.  It was so refreshing to make this promise to God and brought us much encouragement to hear the support from our church family.

Anya wore her classic pink, poofy dress and looked adorable.  I was so glad it still fit her since it was a 0-3 month dress.  Ever since we got that dress I thought it would be perfect for her dedication day...and it totally was=)
After the service we had our family and a few friends over for brunch.  We had a great time and Anya enjoyed all of the love and attention...and gave her little friend Zeke tons of kisses!! 

Dear Anya, Happy 5 Months!

Dear Miss Anya,

Happy five months!  These have definitely been the happiest five months of my life.  You are learning and developing in new ways literally every day!  Life is so much more joyful with you in it.
This month you...
~ Started rice cereal at dinnertime!  You reach out for the spoon and pull it into your mouth and then stick you thumb in to suck.  We keep telling you the cereal isn't coming from your thumb, but you do it anyways=) 
~Love being sung to!  Every night Daddy sings "Go Fish" to you at bathtime and you love singing along.
~Everyone can't believe how long you are!  You just starting wearing some 6-9 month outfits.  Mommy just put away all of your summer dresses...it was a sad moment.
~Aare becoming more and more social every day!  Your friend Zeke came over yesterday and you talked his ear off.  You love your friends in the nursery at church and when we go to "play" groups!
~Love smiling all the time.  But for some reason Mommy has trouble getting it captured on camera! You commuicate your excitement by fake coughing.  There have been a few occasions where you let out this big girl giggle, but it doesn't happen regularly yet.
~Roll over both ways!  You always end up in a different position than when I last saw you.
~Have been doing small sit ups...you are determined to sit up on your own this month!  When I put you in a sitting position you balance yourself shortly and then tip over. Most of the time when I get you to sit you straighten your legs because you want to stand. I'm going to have my hands full with you!! 
~Use your paci a lot less than you used to.  Only when going down to sleep.  You now use it as a teething toy.
~Drool on everything and everything is always in your mouth! 
~Still wake up in the middle of the night for a feeding.  Sometimes more than once.  Needless to say, Mommy is tired!!
~ Your favorite book is "Isty Bitsy Spider".  You love trying to read it with me.  It's so cute!\
That's all I can think of for now!
I love you little Miss Anya Violet!  Happy 5months old!
Love,
Mommy

A Year Ago...

One year ago today, Josh and I found out we were expecting!  What a great day and early birthday gift it was.  It's amazing to think of how much happens in one year.  Now we have a 4 month old, precious baby girl.  She is a miracle!

Dressing my Baby Doll

Bow is in place...

(See that burn on my arm?  It's from our black patio chairs...ouchie!)

Dress is buttoned up...

Spit up is wiped off...

Shoes are fastened...

Paparazzi's camera flashing...

This lady is all dressed up for her daddy!

A New August

Normally at this time of year I am having back-to-school nightmares.  August days in the past were spent scanning the Target dollar section for teacher must-haves, decorating my classroom, lesson planning, and going on my favorite teacher websites. 
I am so blessed to say that this August my life is so different than it has ever been.  I have a new job....taking care of my sweet Anya Violet!  I'm trading in my calendar pieces, monkey name plates, and plastic coins for play dates, stroller rides, and tons of cuddles with my baby girl. 
I thank God that He has provided my hubby with a job and DJ company that allows me to be able to fulfill my life calling as a stay-at-home mommy!  These times with Anya are so precious and I thank the Lord that I get to spend this time with Anya on my hip. 
Staying at home means eating out less, generic brands, hand-me-downs, and homemade gifts but to me it is all worth it.  It helps that I am very frugal naturally and I enjoy the challenge of living on a tight budget.  My hubby goes back to work next Monday....I know, summer totally flew by!!!  That means that my new job also starts next week, and I must say that there are no "first day" nightmares involved this time around. 

Dear Anya, Happy 3 Months!

Dear Princess Anya,
Happy 3 months your highness!  We've noticed this month that you are quite the princess.  You make sure to tell us exactly how you are feeling, and when something isn't in your liking we know right away!
This month we can really tell you are going through a growth spurt.  Your legs stick over the bottom of the infant car seat, you've moved into 3-6 month clothes, and you've outgrown the headrest on your high chair.  That's right, I said high chair!  You LOVE sitting straight up in it with the shoulder straps on of course (you get crabby if it's tilted back.)  Within the past two days you have officially become a thumb sucker.  As soon as I lie you in your crib you put your thumb in your mouth right away.  It is so adorable!  You have started sleeping through the night, with occasional 10 minute feedings between the hours of 1 and 3am.  As soon as you are done nursing you go right back to sleep.
We have noticed that you are getting much better at holding your head up during tummy time.  Hand coordination is improving as you swing your arms to hit the toys on your play mat.  You love putting your hands in your mouth...sometimes you stick your entire fist in there!  When I walk in your room when you are crying you turn your head and notice me without me even saying anything.   You definitely know Mommy and Daddy's faces and voices.  It's really neat!
A day in the life of Anya at 3 months:
This month we have really started to notice you are getting a bedtime routine down.  We do the same thing every night.  Bath by Daddy, lotion massage and dress by Mommy, nurse with music or Daddy reads a story to us.  When I put on your diaper and bedtime routine you start to fuss because you know you will get fed next.  You are definitely in a night time routine!
We are starting to get in a morning routine, although you wake up at different times each day...most of the time around 7-7:30.  You get a diaper change, dressed for the day, nurse, playtime in high chair while Mommy unloads the dishwasher and eats breakfast.  Then you play on your play mat.  Within an hour you are ready to go back down for a nap (within an hour of waking).  You sleep for about 30-45mins.  Then back up again.  You take many short naps throughout the day with lots of play time, books, singing, and then after mommy and daddy eat dinner we go for a family walk with Charlie. We've been using the baby bjorn rather than the stroller.  You like the close contact and movement from walking.  When we get back from our walk we start bedtime routine...you like to go to bed early around 6:30-7:00. 
One thing we've noticed is you do not like to look at books!  I read them to you all the time when you nurse or when you are sleeping, but when I sit you up to look at the pictures you fuss and get upset.  haha!  I hope you grow to like reading!
This month you've had your first picnic (Arboredum), met your first baby younger than you (Zeke), went "swimming" in a pool, sat up on your own in the Bumbo, started going in the nursery at church (10 weeks) and started to suck your thumb as you fall asleep.   You've learned that you don't like being in the same position for long, don't like the taste of medicine, and love being naked! 
Anya, it's been another month.  It know I say it every time, but wow this month flew by!  You're growing so quickly and after meeting a few babies younger than you I realize that you really are getting big!  It's so fun though.  Your smile melts our hearts!  We can't wait to start to hear laughter=)
Love you always little girl,
Mommy