Annie's 9 Months!

Our last couple of days in Arizona were somewhat relaxing--some people were sick, which slowed down things--filled with playtime, games, and visiting. On Annie's 9 month birthday she got to spend the afternoon playing with Aunt Tonia while Jenia attended a funeral for an old pastor (Eric was sick in bed). Jenia was very glad to be able to be at the funeral and got to see many people from years ago...Annie and Tonia had fun getting lots of time to play together.

Then, we had to pack up and head home--we took a red-eye flight from Arizona--Annie once again did a great job traveling, she fell asleep during take-off, and then slept through the flight, landing, baggage claim (including having to stand in line because one bag did not make it!), taxi ride, and getting into bed, and woke up in the morning FAR more ready for the day than either her mommy or daddy!

Christmas Eve and Day

We had a wonderful time with Annie on her first Christmas. Christmas Eve we headed over to the Deans' for a tasty dinner fixed by Uncle Alex before going to the family service at Grandma and Grandpa's church. Annie loved looking at the Christmas trees and listening to the carols (singing along in her own way!).


Christmas morning she was delightful--she was quite excited to see her stocking, in particular the ball that rested upon it...that kept her busy for much of the morning. We had a relaxing morning opening presents, and then the Deans joined us for our traditional brunch...We relaxed, played with cousins, toys, and napped for the rest of the afternoon, and then headed to Uncle Larry and Aunt Tina's for dinner with the whole Olson family. Annie enjoyed playing with her cousins, and Jenia's cousins, and had great fun looking at the tree there with Aunt Tonia.

Christmas fun...

We've very much enjoyed the last week here in Arizona. Aunt Tonia and Uncle John arrived on Tuesday, Eric arrived on Wednesday, and the Dean family has been visiting each day--needless to say Annie is getting to spend wonderful time with cousins, aunts and uncles, and Grandma and Grandpa Olson.

Annie's mastered going from laying down to sitting up on her own, is seeming more and more interested in books, and is loving bath time in the big bath where she can splash and kick all she wants. She's enjoyed time with other little people--playing with cousin Elliott and closely observing and patting cousin Kate.

Annie's been introduced to Cheerios and is quite proficient at feeding herself, she would eat them all day long if we'd let her.

We're very excited to celebrate Christmas with Annie, and are enjoying simply being all together!

Cousin Time

Yesterday, Annie finally got cousin time! Elliott has been sick since we arrived, so we've kept them apart, but Monday morning Elliott came over (while his dad went to the hospital to get his mom and Kate ready to come home) and my Dad and I took Elliott and Annie to the zoo. Elliott was very happy to show "Baby Annie" some of his favorite animals there, namely the giraffe and lion.

We played and napped in the afternoon, and then Alex, Sara, and Kate came over to introduce Elliott to Kate, and to have dinner. Lots of pictures obviously ensued, here are a couple...

Kate Noelle

Greetings from Arizona! Annie and I have enjoyed our first few days in Arizona (though we miss Eric lots!). We've played lots with exciting toys in Grandma and Grandpa's toy box, we've played outside in the sunshine with Cody (she'll let Annie pet her for about two seconds before she's off to do something else), we helped pick out a Christmas tree, we've shopped, and we've walked at the Desert Botanical Gardens with Grandpa...None of this compares with the excitement of yesterday morning (December 15th) when Annie's new cousin was born!

Kate Noelle arrived at 6:54 at 9 lbs 3oz; she is quite a beautiful little girl. I was lucky enough to get to hold her for awhile yesterday morning while Sara and Alex rested/slept, but Annie will have to wait until she checks out of the hospital (probably Monday) to meet her as children under 12 are barred from visiting the hospital this time of year :(

We'll definitely post a picture of their meeting when it happens. In the meanwhile, here's one of Kate with her Grandma Kathy.

How big is Annie...

It's hard to believe another week has passed...I'm always thinking I'll post in the middle of the week so each entry isn't so long...alas...

In this past week, Annie has become far more intent on initiating games. This morning, for instance, we were cuddling in bed after Eric left for work, and she reached down to the quilt--which was by her feet--and pulled it over her face for peek-a-boo. Earlier in the week, she learned "...So Big." She'll respond to the question (how big is Annie) about 75% of the time, but often in the midst of other things--playtime, diaper changing, eating--she'll just throw her arms up over her head and wait for someone to say "So Big!"

Our weekend was again filled with holiday fun:

On Friday, Annie accompanied Mommy and Emily on their annual trip to the 8th Floor at Dayton's turned Marshall Field's turned Macy's. This years theme was The Nutcracker, and Annie was absolutely mesmerized by the sets, the animated figures, the lights...we tried to get a good picture of her, but she would not divert her attention to the camera!
For dinner we headed down to Mattie and Mike's for a tasty dinner, and lots of play time with friends. Annie seemed especially interested in their dog, Moses.

On Saturday, Grandma Barb came over to play while Eric and I ran errands. Annie enjoyed playing in the mirrors, reading stories, and dancing with her.


On Sunday, we lit the Advent candles at church and while Annie did not have any technical responsibilities, she did a great job looking cute and singing loud enough during the choir's anthem that she got a mention in the sermon! Annie and Daddy visited the new Macphail building in the afternoon for an open house and got to see where Annie's new classroom and Daddy's new studio will be! For dinner, we traveled to Erin and Kyle's Northfield for a beautiful Christmas dinner with friends...Annie got some extended playtime with River, and once again, seemed especially interested in a dog: Inu, their dog, was quite patient with Annie as she pulled his hair and shrieked every time he was in view!

Happy Advent!

Well, we are all content and tired after a very full and very good first weekend of Advent.

Annie had an evening with Papa and Nana on Friday as Eric and I enjoyed attending St. Olaf's Christmas Festival. We put her to bed before we left, but not soon after she woke up and convinced Papa and Nana that some playtime was in order...she did eventually go to sleep again for them and looked quite sweet sleeping in her crib when we returned.

Saturday morning we got up and headed to Wisconsin to celebrate our niece Emily's sixth birthday. It was a snowy day, fitting for the first day of December, so besides enjoying Annie's first trip to her cousin's house, time with family and birthday cupcakes, we made the most of car time (extended because of the winter storm) to bring out the Christmas songs...Annie seemed to especially enjoy Mommy and Daddy's rendition of "Jingle Bells," and accompanied us with one of her shaker toys.

Annie and Eric attended a high school choir concert (his percussion group was performing in part of it) that evening when we got home, and Eric reports that she was an impressive audience member: listening and watching intently during the songs, then clapping (one of her new favorite skills!) when they were done.

Sunday also was a big day--not only did we get our Christmas tree, celebrate Christmas with friends Emily and Brett, and do some baking, but Annie also got to meet Santa.

It seems like we spent all weekend out-and-about, and Annie has done a great job! Her biggest frustration these days is that she can't quite figure out how to crawl forward...She has the position right, she can easily crawl back, but when what you want (toys, paper, mommy or daddy) is in FRONT of you crawling back just isn't enough. She was quite interested in our Christmas tree when we got it up today, and finds it great fun to pat it.

We look forward to a week full of getting ready for Christmas; baking, shopping, wrapping, baking...and to a week full of so many new adventures for Annie!