Keeping warm...

We've had the coldest February we remember in awhile here in Minnesota, and so we've had fun trying to keep all of us entertained indoors. Luckily, Annie's antics, a festive Valentine's (and Arizona Statehood Day, of course!) week, a trip to South Dakota, and a visit from Jenia's parents (who remind us daily that if we were in Arizona it would be 77 degrees as opposed to the ridiculous subzero temperatures we've had) have kept us busy.

As Annie approaches eleven months, she is increasingly confident in her mobility, and here and there will even stand by herself for a few moments. In recent weeks, she's found two new loves: rocking and paper. Before my parents arrived, she was enjoying rocking in the big rocking chair in her room, but when my parents got here they had with them a rocking chair my grandpa had given me when I was little, and Annie is enjoying that even more. With paper, well, she loves every aspect of it. She loves the sounds it makes as she crinkles it, she loves to look at the pictures on it, she loves to rip it into tiny pieces which she then carries all over the room with her, she would love to eat it if we let her...Our magazine basket is now one of her favorite spots in the living room.

Annie has enjoyed having lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa, and has been entertaining them with her wide variety of silly faces, sounds, as well as her frequent dancing, waving, and clapping. Bath time is becoming more and more of a treat for Annie as she's discovering the joys of splashing. Her new music class has continued to be a blast, Annie is very outgoing and comfortable with all the kids and the teacher, and enjoys interacting with them as much as possible. In whatever she's doing, she loves to get people to laugh and smile, and we of course do so often in her presence.

Last weekend, we traveled to South Dakota for Annie's cousin Kate's baptism, and had a great time playing with cousin Elliott and Kate. It's fun to watch Annie interact more and more with Elliott and to watch her fascination with Kate (who she pets a lot). Kate and Annie are just 9 months apart--right now that seems like a whole lot--but as they get older, it's fun to think they'll be so close in age.


We are quite relieved that warmer temperatures are being forecasted for the weekend, and are planning on spending some time outdoors!! (I know I've been in Minnesota too long when the 30's feel like a warm up...)

It's hard to believe next month Annie will turn one...