We have reach double digits 10 months

Today as I peeled back the 10 month sticker from the paper I began to get a little teary eyed. It caught me off guard since I am not the emotional type so it was short lived but none the less it happened. Only two more stickers (the ones that I have used in the onesies) until the first year is over, where did the time go, they say it goes by fast but no amount of warning can really prepare you for the speed of light the year as felt so far. Now not only is Annaka's first birthday coming up but the holidays as well. I know at the end of the next two months I'll wish I hadn't blinked.

As always our sweet little lady filled our month with more joy, laughter, frustration, exhaustion, concern and love than the month before. Our once tiny little infant is now not only crawling but walking with assistance. I can't believe it, I was not wishing for this day to come SO soon. I was fine with the fact that the only way she could get around was crawling and pulling herself up. Of course I couldn't be more proud of our smart daughter. I am sure I have said it often but watching someone grow is truely one of the most amazing gifts from God. Besides my husband, Annaka is the most wonderful earthly gift I could have ever been blessed with.

Our little world traveler was on the road again this month. We finally were able to visit the sunny land of California. It was so great to be able to see family and friends. Of course I think that they were all more excited to see Annaka understandably. :) We were there for a week and we stayed with Lydia my best friend from college. It was so great to be someplace that even though we had never been to was so warm and familiar. Lydia wrote a great post and posted some GREAT photos on her blog. http://syniahsmama.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-baby-in-our-home-smith-visit.html I was so glad she took so may pictures, I tend to slack on taking pictures when I know someone else is, then when I get home and have no pictures I am always upset with myself (hopefully my dear friend will send them all to me ;) One day I may learn. We were also able to see my dad's family, my dad goes out every year for his mother's birthday and this year we joined him. We also say my very dear friends Haiza and Christine and her family. All in all it was a fantastic trip.

While we were in California we also visited the world famous San Diego Zoo. Annaka did pretty good she lasted a whole 5 hours! She enjoyed seeing monkeys and birds. She did also enjoy watching the elephant relieve himself we did not photograph that event.

This month on the way home from California Annaka had A LOT to say and has not stopped talking since. She was very friendly with the people that we meet at the airport, mixed feelings about that one. She also had her 9 month visit and she is doing great! She got her last round of shots for a while, and is in the 50th percentile for height and weight. Her head is in the 75th percentile. Annaka is also getting her top 4 teeth, yes at once, poor baby and poor mommy and daddy a little bit. Like I said ealier she is walking with the assistance or whatever and whoever is around and mobile. She moves FAST!

The biggest event I think of the whole month is that she spent the first FULL night away from her mommy. It was a success and only a few tears were shed. I had a girls weekend with two of my best friends from high school Auntie Miss and Auntie Kris. It was nice to get away to know that she is fine with out me. :(  But it was also nice to see her smile when I got back. Sometimes I really go nuts being home all the time and I miss working but it does make a mommy feel all warm and fuzzy inside when their baby is so happy to see them!

Kyle and I are going to try and really soak up these last two months of Annaka's first year. Soak up all the baby goodness that we can get.

Happy 10 months Annaka! We love you and are so glad that you have many more wonderful milestones ahead of you. We plan to enjoy them all as we get to witness you grow into a beautiful little lady.

Your adoring fans,
Mom and Dad

What happened at 9

9 Months

On the Move

I feel like every time I sit down to write a blog it has gone by so fast and she has grown so much, I even say it. I say it because I can't believe how much babies change. You hear about it everyone tells you enjoy the moments they go by fast and you try. I try to soak up all the baby that I can get before it's gone. I try and smell her sweet little head, kiss her chubby cheeks, rub her round, soft belly and listen to all she has to say. I try to do this every minute of every day because I believe all those experienced mommies out there who say it goes by way too fast and I don't want to miss anything. I am beyond blessed that I am able to stay home with Annaka. I know that not all moms are given that opportunity and I feel that because I have been given that opportunity I need to take advantage of it as long as I can have it!

So at nine months Annaka Thea is moving around she loves to crawl and be close to mommy and daddy whenever she can. She loves to find the doggie bowls and play with the water. She also does an EXCELLENT job at pulling herself up setting herself down with NO assistance. It is amazing. Sometimes she will use furniture that is near by and other times she will just do it all on her own, I am amazed by her. She was able to visit with her Grandma Sue and Grandpa Bob who came out to see our new place. We had an un-Birthday for her since they will not he here in December. 

With her favorite red spoon

We had Strawberry Shortcake

Annaka is gaining so much strength in her legs I think that she will be walking very soon! She has had swollen gums and can get a little cranky sometimes. Kyle and I are guessing that it might be her two top teeth but we have yet to see anything. 

One nice thing about moving when your baby is beginning to crawl is that you get a fresh start at making your house baby proof. 

Standing oh so proud

Annaka had her very first tea party where she enjoyed a tomato, avocado, cucumber sandwich. Her great Aunt Caroline and second Cousin Hannah were able to join us. She is still enjoying lots of fruits and veggies, string cheese and yogurts. Annaka also enjoys an avocado every night at dinner. Our goal next month is to start introducing meats and move veggies. 

She also enjoyed some fresh peppers, but never again

Annaka seems to be growing out of her infant toys, she likes toys that make noise, do something other than just look at her, or toys she can make noise with. Like her red coffee scoop. It is her FAVORITE toy at the moment. 

While her grandparents were here for a visit Grandpa Bob did teach his little monkey (that is what he calls his granddaughters) to CLAP. We were so excited and so was Annaka. She also loves to play in her new yard and when it gets cold I think that she will be a little sad to not be outside as much.

We were able to get a shot with ALL her grandparents, so nice

Annaka, you are more fantastic all the time, everyone who meets you loves you. You are so blessed to have so many people who would do anything for you. Of course your biggest fans are your mommy and your daddy. You already make us proud. We are so beyond happy to be your parents, that will never change. We are so excited as you grown, learn, make mistakes, learn from your mistakes, achieve goals, fail goals, love, experience life and become the beautiful person that you already are to be a part of it. We love you more each second of everyday sweet girl. 

Eating a leaf

In a dress that is about to be too small

Proud of the leaf she found

On the go

We bought a house

We live in the bottom and we rent out the top

Kyle and I have been on a LONG journey in the buying house department! When we were first married living in Portland we tried to buy a house. I don't remember the year now I think that it was probably when we wanted to move from our first home together at 29 Kellogg St. We looked and looked but it ended up going no where. We put offers in on a few places but nothing ever worked out. So we figured it was not what God wanted so we moved to 9 Whitehall Ave in South Portland. We loved it there, we loved the neighborhood, the apartment and the landlord, but after a year things changed.

Kyle and I had been in Portland trying to start a church but in May of 2010 it was time for a new adventure and that meant a move, to where we had no idea. So we moved in with my parents in September 2010. We were very sad to leave Portland but we really believed, and still do, that we needed to move.

So after some thought and prayer we tried to settle down in New Hampshire. Again we looked and looked and nothing. We put in offers and nothing ended up working out so we rented an apartment in Portsmouth and waited. We waited to hear from the Lord, we waited for a sign, we waited for ANYTHING but we got NOTHING! So after a year and a half of not being super happy about our living situation and with our growing baby in our tiny apartment it was time to go.

I didn't want to be far from my family with a growing family of my own and in our hearts Kyle and I still loved Portland Maine. We started looking again in Portland Maine. After a couple of months we put an offer in on 23 Edwards St and they took it!!! WHAT? NO WAY?!!!

That brings us to the present. We are now in a two unit in a wonderful neighborhood right near downtown. We love it! and we love our tenants and we love our yard and we love our space.  And it just so happens that Allison, my sister lives ACROSS the street, BONUS!

So we are thankful to be in Portland, we do not like being cold and we do not want to be here forever but we know that we are exactly where we are suppose to be. Exactly where the Lord wants us for now.

Unloading the truck

Thanks fellas

It was a hot day, Annaka is enjoying her new lawn

Yay!

Our front door

How we felt at the end of the day

Eight is better than GREAT!

What a month for our sweet little bug. I am starting to realize that the first year of life is to say the least busy. Annaka is learning and growing so much I can barley keep up. If only we grew a tenth as much as a baby in their first precious year we would all be a little bit better, I think.

I fall more and more in love with our little munchkin everyday. She is so sweet and so funny. Time does seem to be slipping by so fast. Some days I do wish she would grow up fast so I could sleep and have a schedule and some days I wish she was still that tiny little baby that would snuggle on my chest for all of her naps. I pray that I savor my time more and that I don't let it pass with out enjoying every moment. I don't want to look back at pictures and wonder where the time went, wonder how it went by so fast and wish to go back in time. Maybe every mom wishes that no matter how much she savors all those sweet little moments.

Well this month not only has Annaka been surrounded by boxes and packing tape but she is also becoming such a "big girl" or as some would call it mobile. Annaka got her bottom two sweet little teeth. I don't believe that they have completely come in but they have made an appearance.  I also learned that her favorite bath time toy is her comb. It is so funny when she lets go of it and a few seconds later searches franticly from side to side to see who has snatched it from her little grasp. The look of relief in her face once it has safely found it's way back to her hand and mouth is priceless. Annaka has also been saying "da-da", as well as lots of other babbling, is this to Kyle we are not quite sure, does she know what she is saying we don't really think so, but who knows. Our little love bug also enjoys waving hello to Blazer our cat or to nothing. Not only has Annaka finally mastered the task from rolling back to belly and belly to a sitting position this Wednesday she CRAWLED!!! I am not 100% sure but I believe that our lives as parents will never be the same.

As always Annaka is the greatest joy in our lives. Kyle and Annaka have play time in the morning while mommy catches a few zzzzz's that is nice. They also take a walk every afternoon when Kyle takes a work break. She is still enjoying all types of foods. Mainly fruits and veggies. We have given her cheese and eggs as well. I think that this month I will be brave enough to offer her meats. She is still nursing 5-6 times a day. Once or twice at night, I like the nights it is once. We are still at 3 naps a day sometimes only 2. I think that when she is sleeping better at night she will go down to two naps. We are all very excited for Annaka to get her own room! Kyle and I think this will help at night. She seems to be such a light sleeper that the slightest noise in our room and she wakes. We have yet to get rid of the pacifier. It's on our goal list.

So this is our bugs update. She is more fun, sweet, lovable, funny and full of personality everyday. We could not be more grateful for her in our lives.

Goals

I know that it is not the new year or my birthday (which both happen at the same time-ish), but I have some current goals.

1.) Make something of this blog. Which means posting at least once a week. I don't want to write just to write. Where this blog will go I am not sure yet, we shall see. My plan is to post on Fridays to begin with and on the 24th for Annaka.

2.) Complete my portfolio for a photography business by the end of the year. Currently have several photo shoots this summer and fall.

3.) I don't know if I have a third one now that I am sitting here declaring these for all to see. I feel like I should two seems.....lame but three seems like more of a challenge. Let me get back to you on this one.

So I am posting this here so that I have told the world my goals and will feel very embarrassed if I do not follow through.

Do you have any goals that you are currently working on?



_______________________________________________________________________________

I just thought of a third one.

3) Sew a quilt after successfully moving and unpacking in our new home.

To my sweet 7 month old....

My dear sweet Annaka,
I can't believe that I am sitting down to write your 7th month blog. For some reason this month seemed to fly by faster than the others. Maybe because we had a lot going on this month. We threw a 30th birthday party for you daddy. Your dad's traveling has slowed down and we traveled with him one week so that was nice. We also are currently under contract for a two unit apartment in Portland Maine. So I guess that is a lot on top of the normal day in and day out events.

You are changing and growing so fast. I simply adore you. You do things all the time that I never want to forget. Things that I don't quite know how to capture. you recently started to do this smacking noise, it's not with your lips but with your tongue, I love it! When you sleep you hold on to your tiny little clammy feet with your sweet little clammy hands, we bought a monitor this month and your father and I love to just watch you. At first when we realized we could hook it up to the TV I said "Why would we do that to just sit and watch her, lame." and then that is exactly what we did. We don't have too many pictures of you sleeping since we don't want to wake you (the sleeping beast). One day we will have to be brave and snap the once in a lifetime shot of you in those adorable positions and suffer the consequences before we miss our opportunity. When you were very, very tiny still sleeping on our bellies you use to make this face when you work up it was like a stretching face, you would press your lips together and move your head side to side like Steve Wonder then your head would collapse back on to our chest like your head was the heaviest object you had ever lifted, it probably was at the time. It was adorable I hope I never forget since every time I pulled out the camera that was the time you decided not to do it. When I am watching Gilmore Girls I mean, when we are watching Gilmore Girls, you always stop whatever you are doing and stare at the TV while Carol King plays and the credits roll. I hope never to forget this sweet little things that make you so special.

So this was a big big month for our little angle. We moved you from the co-sleeper bassinet to a full size crib, well a pack and play until we move and you get your own room. You stopped using your baby bath and are using the WHOLE tube. you love it! You started solids, we are taking a baby led weaning approach which I will post about in more detail in a later post. You love avocados, zucchini, strawberries, watermelon cantaloupe, sweet potatoe and bananas. You try everything that we put in front of you. I think that your all time favorite is the avacado though you have one everyday! You also tried an egg for the first time yesterday made in coconut oil with some pepper and spinach. You are also learning to express yourself with your voice. You had a little tantrum the other night in front of your dad and I, we couldn't help but laugh. You have also gone down to two naps. We'll we just started that yesterday. I am sure I will have more to say about it next month. You also are getting your two bottom teeth, very exciting!

I love your relaxed personality you go with the flow, are never really fussy unless you are tired, wet or hungry for the most part. You are smiley and loving. You love to cuddle with people you are comfortable with. When you enter a room or come across a new space I love how you need a minute to asses the environment before you leave my side. Even though you don't rush into anything you never shy away from new experiences.

Annaka your father and I adore you, We are so grateful to God that he picked us to be your parents. We pray everyday that God will give us wisdom when it comes to making choices for your sweet little life. Thank you for being you, we love every single bit of you and we are already so proud of the little person that you are turning out to be.

With all the love in the world,
Mommy

This is us at the Alabama Zoo. You seemed to enjoy yourself.

You love your avocado. 

Our little girl getting bigger!

A glance at my breastfeeding adventure

Most women who think about having babies, talk about having babies, are trying to have babies and never want babies know exactly, well maybe not exactly, what they will and will not do once they become a mother.  I had my fair share of things as well. So far many of them have come and gone, I have given some of them a try, some I never attempted and others I have stuck with, breastfeeding is one of them

Breastfeeding, I DO NOT enjoy it, some of you mom's out there are gasping at the thought. Sometimes I think that I may be the only mom in the world who is looking forward to the day that my little angle is weaned and I no longer feel that my only purpose in life is to me milked by my sweet little girl. Now it's not that I want her to get any older I still want to enjoy all her first and soak up all the baby time I can get but without the breastfeeding. Now is it possible that one day I will look back on these days and wish for them back, it's possible but feels unlikely most days. There may be something wrong with me, I'm okay with that.

I wanted to breastfeed for a few reasons: breast is best, it's FREE and all my mom friends said it was convenient, all positives for me. So like anything I did my research, talk to other mom's, took a class, found useful websites. I wanted to be successful at this and be prepared for what I was about to do. Of course you can never be completely prepared for anything that has to do with baby but I felt that I had all the knowledge I could find. Of course I had to make sure Kyle was full of all this knowledge too because I knew I would forget half of it because of my baby brain, which I have yet to get rid of. 

Now it started off like most things when you are a newly sleep deprived walking corpus wondering how in earth you are surviving off of and hour and a half of sleep, I mean parent. It had it's up and downs times I cried, yelled, swore at my poor infant daughter, wondering if my breast would ever look the same and begged my husband for formula. But like most things as a new parent after a couple weeks, and many calls to the wonderful Lactation Consultants at Wentworth Douglas Hospital, we all got the hang of it and mommy began to heal both physically and mentally and we were on the road to success, it was a long road with a few detours but non the less we were making progress. It's hard to move forward quickly when you are tired. 

Annaka is still exclusively breastfeed at 6 months and we are starting to introduce yummy veggies and fruits. I still don't get warm and fuzzy when she is nursing, I don't look down and wish for that moment to last forever and as amazing as it is, the fact that God made my body to nourish this little one, I still feel unattached to breastfeding. I feel that this is my job I am her mother and that is that. 

I have wondered if it is because Annaka and I get lots of time alone together, I am grateful for this, so It's not that in the midst of a busy day we are searching for time to connect. We still have plenty of opportunity to be close. We play together while she is awake during the day. For this I am so thankful for and love every minute of it, well maybe not EVERY minute. 

Maybe if/when we have more children when things are crazy and hectic I will cherish the time that I get to spend with a little one. Maybe it is now you go into it. While I was doing all of my research I looked at breastfeeding as a job that I mother does if she is able. I was able so it was my job and I like to do my jobs with excellence. For now I am thankful I can feed my daughter for free and give her lots of healthy antibodies. But I don't think that come a year I will be sad to say goodbye to breastfeeding. 

Stay tune 6 months from now I may be eating my own words.