"Deh Der"

Translated into grown-up language that means, "Dexter," which was AB's new word today. Dexter is Julie's dog and has apparently made quite the impression on Annabelle, because she hasn't even tried to say, "Scout," "Kemah," or "Bella." Dexter was trying to get into AB's play yard with her today, and would point at him and say, "Deh der." So cute! She loves this little guy.

AB is saying quite a few words these days. Here are the things that Miss AB likes to say:
* Bye-bye (which has a very intense southern twang to it).
* Hi
* Mama
* Dada
* Thank you (That-tu)
* What's That? (Was sat?)
* Choo! (Which she says after I sneeze)

Things AB will sign:
* More
* Please
* All gone
* Thank you

Eleven Months Old

Eleven months old? Really, Miss AB?

How did this happen? Where did the last eleven months go? You are just getting to be such a big girl. Even today, your Daddy said to me, "She isn't really our baby anymore, she's our little girl." However, you are still our baby. You'll always be. This month has been so fun! You've lost your attitude...a little bit. :0) It's still there, but I think you're starting to come into your own a little more, so there's not as much of a need, at the moment, for attitude. However, getting you to sit down and take a picture IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE!!!

The bear that we take your monthly pictures with is MIA. I've searched and searched and can't find that silly guy. It makes me sad, too, because Jeannie and Larry bought you that bear the day you were born. We'll find him...eventually. So, we had to have a substitute for this shoot. Grammy and Grandpa gave you this bear for Valentine's Day. He's about the same size, so I thought it would work. The bear worked out fine. You on the other hand, didn't want to cooperate. It's ok, though, we get the idea.

It has really been fun watching you grow this month. You've become a lot more adventurous in the things you want to do and try. A random thing I've learned about you this last month. You love pillows and all things fluffy and soft. Every time you are near a pillow, you lay your sweet little head down on it and stay there for just a couple of seconds. Then, you're off to the next thing. One of your favorite soft, fluffy things is your frog chair. You love this guy. You love to crawl up on him and then sometimes you just let yourself roll right back off. You're still trying to master how to crawl up on him and then turn around and sit down. You haven't got the hang of it quite yet, but it's fun to watch you try.

One of my most favorite things you've started doing is giving me your paci when you're ready for your bottle. In the morning, I'll go and get you out of bed and then take you into our bedroom to give you your bottle. The second your eye is on that bottle, you don't waste a minute taking that paci out, and shoving it into my mouth. Hey, I think that's pretty smart. You know that the paci belongs in your mouth, so if you're going to give it to me, why not put it in my mouth?

Your first kiss took place in the 11th month. Hmm...11 months, for a first kiss. A little early wouldn't you say, Annabelle?!?! It's alright, it was Dylan. Dylan is about 2 and a half years older than you, and we totally approve of his family, so it's ok. Well, it's ok with me, I don't think your Daddy will ever be ok with any boy kissing you. It's sweet, though. Dylan loves his Nanabelle!

The 11th month holds a lot of significance, AB, because this month I completely transitioned you to table foods. You don't really eat baby food anymore. It's kinda sad...goodbye Gerber baby foods...goodbye oatmeal...goodbye to the days of Mommy and Daddy spoon-feeding you. *Sigh*

It's ok though, because you LOVE anything and everything I put in front of you, well almost anything; but the things you do love...you inhale!! I love watching you eat! It was hard for me, at first. I was terrified of you choking on everything. I did and still do, cut everything up in teeny tiny pieces....just to be on the safe side! However, you are very good about putting little amounts at a time in your mouth. You rarely shove it all in at once and you chew and then swallow. It's very impressive to me.

This last month you got to celebrate your first Fourth of July! You did such a good job with the fireworks at Mememama's house! I was so proud of you! I remember last year's Fourth of July when I was {very} pregnant with you. I kept thinking how exciting it would be that you would be with us, the next Fourth of July. It's crazy that it came so fast.

Another reason I will always remember and think of this month so fondly, is because this month took up most of our summer! We had such a blast this summer. We had our routine, and girlfriend, you have spoiled Mommy rotten. I will never forget this. Everyone who knows Mommy, {and you're eventually going to know this, too} knows how much I love to sleep. I cherish it. Not as much as you, of course, but it's something I hold dear. So, as you know, you spoiled Mommy and Daddy when you were a tiny infant. You started sleeping five hours through the night at two weeks old. TWO WEEKS OLD! That is nearly unheard of. Then you started sleeping 10-12 hours through the night at two months old. Crazy, I know! Well, this summer you would wake up at about 8:00 or 8:30 {which still isn't a bad time to wake up}. Then, I would make you a bottle, put you in bed with me, we'd snuggle for about half an hour, then I'd put you in your pack and play in my room. Girl! You would go back to sleep and sleep til nearly 11:00!! On really good days, you'd sleep until 11:30 or 11:45 AND you would still nap later on!! See! There you go again! Spoiling me and letting me get my sleep! Oh, how that means the world to Mommy! Yes, this has been a fun summer! We got to do so many "summer" things and have a blast together. I'm going to be sad to see it all end.

This last month was special, too, because it was Daddy's first birthday with his baby girl. Who could ask for a better birthday gift than that??

One thing that has really shown through to me is your personality and sense of humor. Both of these things, you were blessed to get good ones of both. You think it's funny when I put something cute on you {sunglasses, for example}, and whenever I stand you up to take a look at your outfit, you giggle and/or squeal with excitement. I think it's because you know I get a kick out of it, and so you do, too. You are such a blessing, you just don't even know!

AB, only one more of these posts, and your first year is over. I can't believe it. I can't believe that a whole year has almost passed. It's sad, but yet I'm so looking forward to see what the future holds. I can't wait to see your true spirit and heart. I can't wait to see what kinds of things God has in store for you, and what things you will do in life to bring glory to Him. You're not even a year old, and already I'm proud of you in so many ways. I love you so, so much sweet girl. Thank you for giving Mommy and Daddy the best eleven months of our lives. This next month is going to be a BLAST! Mommy is so busy preparing things for your first birthday party! We're gonna live it up!! I love you, Sweet Angel!

Love,

Mommy

AB's First Trip to Austin!

A few weeks back, we took AB on her first road trip to Austin to visit her Great Gran, Aunt Sheila and Uncle Mike. Austin and I have wonderful memories of each and every time we've gone down to Lakeway (outside of Austin) to see Gran. So, it was wonderful to add to those memories, by taking Annabelle for the first time. I absolutely love, love, love Lakeway and couldn't wait to share it with her. So, Austin, Nana, AB and myself packed up the car and headed Southbound 35! Of course, we couldn't go to Austin and not stop in Salado. THE most sentimental and nostalgic place of all. We spent the night in Salado and stayed at the infamous Stage Coach Inn. The pictures below are taken in front of the old stage coach in front of the hotel. I have pictures of myself in front of the stage coach with my parents when I was about three, and another shot of Austin and I in the stage coach when were were about 16. It was totally surreal to have yet another picture taken in front of it with our sweet angel.

After we left Salado we headed straight to Gran's. Not only was Annabelle going to meet Great Gran for the first time, but also Great Aunt Sheila and Uncle Mike. This was a very special treat seeing as that they live in California, and it isn't that often we get to see them. This was actually my first time to meet Uncle Mike, myself. The only thing missing was Cousin Shannon and cousins Ben and Alex. Oh, well. Maybe next time! AB immediately took to Aunt Sheila and loved her new Elmo book from her and Uncle Mike.

Of course, after we visited for a bit we had to go swimming in Gran's pool. It's a tradition that we always carry on the same day we arrive. It's almost like relaxation after a long drive. And trust me, there's nothing more relaxing than Gran's backyard and swimming pool.

After swimming, AB went down for a nap, and I went for a walk by myself. I absolutely get lost in the beauty of Lakeway and soak up every single minute that I'm there. Lakeway is full of rolling hills (big hills!) and beautiful views. Here is the view from Gran's front yard.

And it never fails, when the sun sets the deer always comes out. We caught a glimpse of them from the backyard in the lot next to her house.

Sadly, we were only able to stay one night. Daddy had to be back at work on Monday to train a new employee. I tried to figure out a way for AB and I to stay a big longer, but it didn't work out. Plus, we'd miss Daddy way too much! So, Sunday we had to say our good-bye's. Wouldn't you know it, right before we left, AB got attached to Uncle Mike. I think it was hard for him to say goodbye to AB, but I snapped some pretty sweet photos of the two of them! Same with Aunt Sheila...AB gave out kisses and hugs to her and I was so happy to capture all of it!

I hated we didn't get a picture with Great Gran, but right before we left was her nap time, so she was snoozing when I took most of these. It was hard for Nana to say good bye to her little girl, after she had three straight days of some Annabelle lovin'.