Anna's first Halloween, part two

For the evening of Halloween we had plans to go to the home of our friends Laura and Joe. I decided at the last minute to make Anna another Halloween costume that wouldn't be as hot indoors. I went to the fabric store to pick up some tulle and elastic to make Anna a tutu using online instructions that a friend had shared with me. The materials cost a total of $2.29- what a deal! When I got home I put it together while Bryan packed up Anna's baby swing.

Anna checked out the box for her swing while Daddy took the swing apart.

The tutu is finished!

When we first arrived at Laura and Joe's house we weren't so sure how Anna would do because she was acting unusually tired.

But she perked up when we got out some Cheerios.

She also loved Joe's Spiderman action figure!

Anna's first Halloween, part one

This morning Anna and I met our friends Karissa, Lillian, Lindsey and Gabe at Frederick Meijer Gardens for a Halloween event for children.

Stylish

Anna was feeling pretty sick yesterday, but today she's doing lots better. We decided to celebrate with a little hairdo experimentation. What do you think?

Anna knows that during meals she does not get more food until she has cleared her tray. The idea is that she eats what she's given. Anna has found an alternative way to get more food. She will selectively remove only what she does not want to eat. For some reason she was not wanting any mac 'n cheese tonight.

Dancing queen

This one reminds me of a dance Anna's uncle Nolan used to do back when he was a toddler. It was called "The Dirty Diaper Dance."

A trip to the doctor's office and a photo of the new tooth

Yesterday Anna woke up with the sneezes and a runny nose again. At first I hoped that perhaps it was just a symptom of teething, but it became apparent as the day went on that Anna was becoming sick again. By the time Anna and I went out for dinner she was very congested and she had very watery eyes (see photo below). Last night she was coughing a lot in her sleep. This morning we went to the doctor first thing. Her pediatrician thinks that she never got completely well from her cold and ear infection a couple of weeks ago. She probably has a sinus infection. We got some stronger antibiotics for Anna on the way home. On a happier, note I (sort of) got a photo of Anna's tooth at lunchtime today.

Photo from last night (Anna was not crying)

Anna loves playing in the exam rooms at the doc's office.

She did a thorough inspection of the exam room sink.

If you click on the photo you will see an enlarged image. Hopefully you will be able to see a couple of little ridges on her lower right gums.

A kiss for daddy

I'm not sure if Anna knows how to point to Daddy's nose or not, but she sure is sweet when she gives him a kiss. Anna has just started giving her kisses a week or two ago. Daddy is usually the lucky recipient.

NEWSFLASH

Anna cut her first tooth today! She is a little hesitant to have her mouth examined for a photo op, so you'll just have to take our word for it :).

Dance, baby, dance!

Anna loves music and has been dancing a lot lately. Her repertoire includes three moves- head bobbing, knee bending, and arm waving. Enjoy!

Anna and the squirrel

Trick or Trunk

Tonight we went to a Trick or Trunk event with my Mom's group. I'm always happy for an opportunity to dress Anna up!

When we got home Anna had a special treat from her goodie bag- an animal cracker!

Playgroup

Today Anna's friends Kayla and Emilee came over to play.

A new favorite

Mac 'n cheese!

A fall walk

This afternoon Anna and I took a walk to the duck pond. It was such a beautiful day!

The ducks are getting very hungry- and very close!

Peek-a-boo!

Bob

Anna has a giraffe whom we have named "Bob." He has become quite the favorite lately. We chose the name Bob because it is one of the words Anna can say.

Feeling much better

Anna has been on her antibiotics for a week now and she seems to be feeling much better. She has a runny nose yet and is a little sneezy, but she's not cranky anymore :).

Sixteen steps

A new record!

Our little girl is walking!

She's 10 months and 3 days old.

Sick baby

Sunday morning Anna woke up with a runny nose. Her congestion has gotten progressively worse and she has been becoming more and more irritable so I took her to the pediatrician this morning. She has a double ear infection. She is taking antibiotics so hopefully she will be feeling much better in a day or two.

Anna's first steps

Anna has taken a step or two on a few occasions in the last week or two. Tonight was the first time she took three steps.

Other December babies

Since this blog is primarily about Anna I don't usually include too many photos that she is not in. These are some of the December babies that I happened to get a good shot of.

Gabe was really digging this whole sand experience.

Asher

Another one of Asher. I tried for awhile to get a nice photo of Anna's sand-covered hands to show the sugary texture of the sand. Anna was not very cooperative, but Asher was happy to oblige.

Kyla

Lucy- a.k.a. Kyla's look-a-like

Parker (one of Anna's roomies)

Jacob

Parker and Jacob

Parker

Florida trip, day four

After a quick breakfast it was time for Anna and I to leave. I was pretty sad to be going today because most of our friends were staying until Sunday or Monday. We had to leave a little earlier because we used frequent flier miles for our trip and those days were black out dates. I was bracing myself for a very difficult day today because we had three flights, two long layovers, and were arriving in Grand Rapids at 10:30. Once again Anna did great on the layovers but had a tough time on the flights. She did take a short nap on the first two flights, which helped a lot.

Myself, Anna, Asher and Lora. Asher, Lora, and Kevin were kind enough to give us a ride to the airport.

Anna watched our plane being readied to go.

Lunch at the Dallas airport.

I took this photo on flight number two shortly before Anna fell asleep.

Anna's never been one to fall asleep in my arms so I really enjoyed being able to hold her while she napped.

Anna was so excited to see her daddy in Grand Rapids!