39 weeks

Enjoying her first serving of yogurt!

My 39th week birthday fell on Grandpa C's 61st (year) birthday!! 
So we did the only logical thing... wish him happy birthday!

Loving on her glow worm.

This past week was very dramatic... mostly in regards to sleeping.  It went from bad, to really bad, to terrible, to down right nightmarish.  I discovered that I am NOT a nice mommy at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30.   Although, somewhere between the hours of 2:30 and 3:30 I decided that Anna needed to see her pediatrician.  There must be some reason for this frequent wailing.  So, we went to see Dr. H on Friday morning.  She graciously listened to my plight.  I asked her if it was possible Anna had acid reflux, and the doctor thought it was unlikely due to her age, however... she agreed to let us give it a try.  (And since the report on it would be part of the 40th week blog... you will have to wait to hear how it is or isn't working....)

Either way, I have found myself saying that I am soooo glad that she is super cute...and happy... because night time has been awful.  I must also say, I am so blessed to have people in my life that are willing to put out a call to others to hold us up in prayer.  I can definitely feel the hand of the Lord working in this area... so thank you to those who are praying for us during this time.

Anyway, here's her current stats.

As mentioned we went to the doctor on Friday.  She's measuring in the 50th percentile for height, weight, and head circumference.  She is 27 inches tall, and weighed 17 pounds 2.5 ounces.  (I cannot remember her head circumference... 42 cm?  unless that's super big... then it's not 42 cm.)  She is still in size 3 diapers... and also still in 6-9 month clothes.  Although there are a few of her pants that are 6 months that work well still... and there are still a bunch of 6-9 month pants that just don't fit they fall off like crazy.  (Poor girl she needs suspenders!)

Sleep well... last week was terrible (as the opening section said).  So.. .we're still working on that.

Anna is still nursing every 2-3 hours, although it is closer to 3 hours most of the time.  Also, she is doing a great job eating.  She doesn't prefer pureed food, and likes anything that she can feed herself.  This week she tried some yogurt or the first time and loved it!  She also had some cheese, too, and enjoyed it as well. (See the picture above) Her favorite foods include small pieces of bread, sweet potato puffs, turkey, chicken, cheese, Gerber Graduates Lil Grabbers Cinnamon Maple flavored.  She also likes this veggie puree that I got as well.  It came in a little pouch and she likes to suck on the one end while I gradually squeeze it.  It's a good relationship.

She is making GREAT strides toward crawling.  She is almost there.  She tends to crawl more on our bed then on our actual floor.  But... she is getting closer on our floor.

Also this week she said "papa" and continues to do so.  It's cute!  She still prefers "mama" over "dada" but is now throwing papa in their regularly.

Anyway, as always... I am blessed beyond blessed to be Anna's mom.  I love her so much!  Even though sleeping isn't her strong suit... I find myself more and more in love with her each day.

Anyway thanks for reading!!

38 weeks

action shot of breakfast!

Happy little baby

She swiped a penguin from the bathtub.

Anna always enjoys baths.

Well, this is a very late 38 week post... but, my goal is to always have the week post BEFORE the next week turn over.  While that may be tomorrow... I still am meeting my goal.

It's been a busy 2 weeks.  So, there hasn't been much time for blogging.  Not to mention, we have once again struggled with our phone issues.

Here's the basics...

Anna is still not sleeping through the night.  Some nights are definitely better than others.  But, most nights are frustrating to say the least.  (That is all about that.)

Anna is still in 6-9 month clothes.  Some fit really well... and other's I need suspenders for!  Ha!  She is still in size 3 diapers.  I didn't have her weighed this week... but I'm sure she's just over 17 pounds.

Anna is doing well eating, although she really, really likes to do it herself.  If she can't put it in her mouth on her own, there is very little chance she will eat it.  And, she tries really hard, but most of it ends up on the floor.  Her pincer grasp is doing a lot better.  At dinner on Friday night (her 38 week birthday) she was using her index finger and thumb to grasp most of what she was eating.  So, she's doing well.  I just keep the broom and/or dust buster handy.

Anna still isn't crawling, but she is awfully close.  We got a rug for her Saturday (the day after her 38th week birthday) in hopes that a little friction will push her over the edge of crawling since all we had were hardwood floors.  I don't think it will be long now.  She does get around.

Well, that's aabout it... I do plan to blog the 39th week earlier (maybe even the day off), so there will be more to read... and hopefully a video showing off her skills.

Thanks for reading!

37 weeks old

So cute after bath time!!

We visited Great-grandma and Great-Grandpa Surso
this week.  Grandpa played with me!

I helped mommy with the laundry (then I helped pull out all the folded laundry).

Enjoying Watermelon... I didn't like it so much on 4th of July, but now I'm digging it!

A fun photo with Aunt Kimmee at the Captain's game.
Boy do I love my Aunt Kimmee!!

Well our dear Annie-Bananie has officially been out longer than she was in!  It's crazy to think about it.  Our lives have been completely flipped upside down... in a good way of course.

Anna is developing such a personality.  She is a regular ham.  Last week I caught her making fart noises while slimming her arm.... it was hysterical.  She laughs at funny things, and in general, she knows when she is being a goofball.  I love it!

We were really busy this week and weekend, thus the late posting...

Anna still isn't sleeping great, but she is sleeping better than she was... she will typically wake one or two times a night... and then again about 7:30 in the morning.  Usually Jeremy will take her downstairs for me, put her in the swing, and let her swing for  bit.  That usually buys me some time, and she'll sleep til 8:30 or 9 which is NICE!

Anna is still in her 6-9 month clothes.  Some are big... some are small, and some are just right.    She has a whole slew of summer clothes.  They are absolutely darling.  This weekend, while we were camping, Grandma C and I went to a Carter's outlet... and we scored a killing at REALLY good deals.  It was a lot of fun.  We got a coat, some long sleeves, and even a dress for Thanksgiving.  It was a lot of fun.  Anna wasn't weighed this week... so I don't know how much she weighs... but she is still in size 3 diapers.

Anna is still eating every 2-3 hours, but most of the time it is closer to 3 hours.  I've been working really hard this past week to get Anna sitting in her high chair eating real food.  Anna LOVES to feed herself.  She will let me feed her sometimes, but prefers to do it herself.  She's getting a lot better with it.  Her favorite foods are gluten-free rice crispies, avocados, chicken, turkey, sweet potato puffs, green beans, and new to her this weekend was gluten-free bread.  SHE LOVES gluten-fre bread!!  LOVES IT!!  She even tried some gluten-free pancakes.  (Now some may wonder why she is eating gluten-free... well, I read a while back, that if a close family member has celiac disease, then it is better to wait til 1 year to introduce wheat into their diet. And since my mom has a gluten-allergy, we are playing it safe and waiting.  We're making due.)

Anna does a lot of babbling.  Apparently she has gotten my "gift of gab"... most of the time she is just babbling "mamama" or "dadada" (but mostly mamama).  She is full of all sorts of sounds.. it cracks me up to watch her all the time come up with something new. 

Anyway, I think that's about it...thanks for reading!

36 weeks old!

Morning bath time.

Who me?

Gotta love that baby bod!

Enjoying a Captain's game with Aunt Kimmee!
They really do LOVE each other.

Grandma let me chew on her sweatshirt strap.
(Guess their are perks to being the 1st grandbaby)

I caught you taking my picture, Mom!

This week, I spent some time going through her clothes, and packing up the ones that didn't fit any more

Well, it has been a while since I've actually blogged on her weekly birthday... so, rah rah to me!  We seem to have gotten a lot of our technical difficulties worked out with my computer and phone.  So, hopefully the blog will once again be full of pictures.

I realized that with today's birthday, as of 7:28pm Anna will have been OUT longer than she was IN.  Haha... What a milestone, Anna!  And, I sit here and smile as a type that.  My how our little princess has turned our lives upside down in soooo many ways... but, I couldn't imagine life without her at this point.

Anna has been doing well this week.  We have done A LOT better in the sleep department this week.  Anna will usually wake sometime between 2:30-4am to eat.  Which, sure I'd love to sleep through the night, but if she isn't going to sleep through the night, waking up half way isn't bad.  A lot of days this week, she even slept til 9 as well.  So, I really can't complain.  Now, we have had a hard time getting her to go to sleep... she has just been WIDE awake at times... ya know til 10, 10:30, 11ish... crazy.  She was still happy as a clam, and a sheer delight... but just "not tired."  We survived.  And, since we're not waking up every hour to two hours (or less), I am doing much better all around as well.

As I mentioned in the captions of the pictures above, I spent quite  bit of time this week going through her clothes. (Man, does that girl have clothes!!)  I was sorting them, and putting away the ones that are too small for her, and pulling out others that would now fit. Some were so sad to put away.. they were my favorites!  But, it brings in a new era... and I look forward to seeing our sweet girl grow and grow.  I can't wait to see how her personality develops, and what the Lord has in store for her.  I know we're just at the tip of of the ice burg... it was a bittersweet time putting some of the clothes away, and remembering each one as she wore them.

I did not get her weighed this week... but I would imagine she is either super close to, or is 17 pounds.  She is still comfortably in size 3 diapers (and I'm sure will remain there for a while.).

We have made some headway in the eating solids department.  I got Anna to eat some applesauce, chicken, pulled pork, sweet potato puffs, mum-mums, rice crispies, avocado, banana, and grits.  She still doesn't eat a large quantity of any of it, and it certainly won't replace nursing yet, but I feel like we're at least getting somewhere with her.  I don't believe there were any tears either.  :-) 

We have been doing some baby sign language with her for a while...I do 3 basic signs... "more", "eat", and "all done/finish" with her.  And this week, I am certain she signed "more" and "eat" on 2 separate occasions.  She seemed happy when I gave her "more" of what she wanted and when I let her "eat."  So, maybe we're on to something. 

As far as other skills go, she isn't crawling yet, but she is definitely getting around.  Since our entire house is hardwood... she can pull herself or scoot herself around the living room fairly easily... other times she rolls over to help her get where she wants to... she can go forward, backwards, and do a 360 on her belly... no toy is out of reach, really.  Last night it looked like Anna was getting really really close to crawling.  Anna was able to get up on 3 out of 4 limbs... but then didn't know what to do with it at that point.  So... soon.  Very, very soon, I fear.

Also, Anna does not have any teeth yet... but I think that will also think that will be very soon as well.  (However at 4 and a half months old, I thought it was soon then... so I guess we'll have to see.)  I love her gummy smile... and I will definitely miss the look.  But, again, I guess it's all part of growing up... :-(... Love her!

Anna and I went to a couple Captain's baseball games this week.  The season is winding down, so we had to take advantage of it while we could.  It was fun, and of course she gets spoiled by her Grandma and Grandpa C, and Aunt Kimmee. 

Speaking of her Aunt Kimmee... It is so sweet to see the two interact.  It's like they have this special bond/connection.  Kimmee LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to hold Anna on her lap.  And our little wiggle worm loves to be on her lap.  I think she knows that her Aunt Kimmee is one really cool, and special Aunt.  Kimmee just grins from ear to ear when she gets to hold her as well. 

Anyway, I think that's about it.  Thanks for checking in on us!

35 weeks

This picture was taken the day she turned 8 months old!!

Hey Everyone!!
Yep, this post is late... that seems to be the norm these days.  I'm hoping now that I have a new phone, I will have more pictures to put up on the blog.  It's been way too long with sub-par blogging!!

This week was a pretty big one for the princess and I, and my phone was on the fritz.  Oh well...

Here's the ever-important stats...

We had Anna weighed this week.  Guess how much?  She weighed 16 pounds 13.5 ounces.  Not too bad... she's getting bigger and bigger!!  I love it. So much so... I finally put her clothes that don't fit away... yes, yes yes... that includes a few straggler newborn clothes.... a bunch of 0-3 month clothes, and a ridiculous amount of 3-6 months clothes.    While it's true, Anna can still fit in most 3-6 month clothes without a problem, I'm trying to get some use out of the summery 6-9 month clothes that she has... after all she is 8 months old.  She is still in size 3 diapers as well.  :-)

This week I worked really hard on what I call "sleep reform."  Her night time sleep habit was getting out of control.  Sometimes she would wake up after 45 minutes... or after an hour and a half... and I.WAS.EXHAUSTED.  It finally "hit the fan" if you will... I just stopped.  I shut her door, I shut our door, and I said "have at it."  I did it in the middle of the night.  We also started putting a little bit of cereal in her night time vitamin bottle. Hopefully to give her night time vitamin ooomph.  So far it seems to be helping. Anna seems to wake up anywhere from 2:30-5 to eat, and then will go back down to sleep usually until she hears Jeremy in the morning... (on the weekends she seems to sleep longer after the initial in the middle of the night feeding... so I assume it's because she hears some action going on).  So, its probably more for me... sleep training me to not go in when she cries.  I know why I did that a lot of the time, it was so, I wouldn't wake Jeremy up....But now i just say "sorry, hon" and I put an ear plug in if I have to... she has done really well, and our sleep as a family has improved.  :-)  So that is good.

She had her last Wednesday date with Grandma C this week, since Grandma C has to go back to school.  We'll see you again come Thanksgiving & Christmas Break I would imagine... but until then, it's Grandpa C who gets to have all the fun.

We are making some strides in the area of eating solids... as in I've actually been able to get her to eat some.  She still really likes to eat things that she can put in her mouth herself.  Anna enjoys gluten-free rice crispies, sweet potato puffs, chicken, baby mum-mums, and avocado spears.  I also have gotten her to eat and open her mouth even, for some applesauce, but she really likes to feed herself.  :-)

Well... I think that's it for now. 
Thanks for checking in on us.

34 weeks old

On Friday, we had dinner out on our deck.  It was a beautiful night.

We went to a baseball game on Tuesday afternoon with Grandpa & Grandma C.

One morning it was really nice out, so we ate breakfast outside too.

Anna helped me shop for a bridal shower gift.

We had coffee and donuts with Miss Lindsey on Saturday

Despite the concerned look, Anna loves being held by her Aunt Kimmee.
Just before I took this picture, she was smiling and laughing.

This week was pretty busy for Miss Anna Banana and I.  We went to 3 baseball games, and Anna did well at each of them.  Other than the day game, we left a little bit before the end of the game, so she was happy the entire time.  As it got later, we left early.  That kept the world happy!

Anna did very well last week, except for the sleep department.  We seem to have taken a huge step backwards... some night sshe wakes up every 2 hours.  To say the least it is exhausting.  I am trying new strategies to see if we can help right the wrong... and please... keep your strategies to yourself unless i ask.  It is very exhausting, and quite discouraging at times to hear "how I should do things" to help her sleep better.  Some babies just aren't great sleepers.  Anna is a pure delight all the rest of the tie, this is her flaw.  The Lord is definitely using it to grow me, and show my dependence on Him.  It is by His grace, that I am keeping on.  We take one day at a time.

Anyway, here's the run-down of our little lady.

As discussed sleep is a definite issue... we had one day that she slept for 4 hour stretches... other days it was regularly up every 2 hours (or less some nights).  We are using some other strategies to see if we can get her to sleep longer.

Anna is in 6 month clothes, or 6-9 month clothes, but I put her in some 3-6 month clothes as well.  However, I will be phasing them out soon...  I just haven't yet.  We did discover that size 1 shoes are too small, and so we've started putting her size 2's on her.  Those are still quite large, but they stay on her feet.  She is also still in size 3 diapers, and I think we'll be in them for a while.

Anna is still eating during the day every 2-3 hours.  But, if she is napping, she sometimes goes longer... now if we could only get that to happen at night!  Ha!  I do not know how much she weighs, but hopefully we will have her weighed this week.  I did have a breakthrough with solids... she seems to like to eat food she can grasp, and feed herself.  She ate some banana chunks,  grilled zucchini spears, and some chicken as well.  She still likes her Baby Mum-mums... although she doesn't seem to keen on the banana flavored ones. 

Anyway, I think that's about it.  Our little girl is getting sooo big!  We love her so much!  She is the perfect addition to our family, and we thank the Lord for her!

Thanks for checking in on us!!

33 weeks

Girls are so much fun!!  Finally her hair is getting long enough!!
Auntie Katie gave her a "spout"

We were rockin our pretty dress with cherries on it.

Later that day, Anna and I got locked out of our car... we took pictures while we waited. 

Smiley girl.

On our way to see Auntie Katie in Lynchburg.

Playing on Auntie Katie & Uncle Todder's bed... happy as a clam.

Then we got all tuckered out!  A little nap time.

Dinner with Auntie Katie.  (Look at that baby belly!!)

Well, this past week was super busy!

Anna and I went around Monday looking at joining the YMCA (think Mommy/Daddy & me swim classes!  The gym and childcare is a perk!).  However, as the picture above shows, after we got our tour... we went out to our car to discover we had been locked out.  Boo!  So I did what any sensible wife would do... I called Jeremy, who called AAA.  In a complete surprise... we were only locked out about 20 minutes!  So, yay AA, and thank you!!  As my sister pointed out, too, we were fortunate that Anna was with me, and not locked IN the car.  So, thank you Lord, for your protection.

Monday night, Anna slept horribly... Tuesday morning we discovered that she had a fever.  So, I went into hypermode... since we were supposed to leave Wednesday to see my sister in Virginia.  Well, I've known for some time that Anna has been teething.  But, Tuesday it was occurring hardcore.  She had a fever (not too, too high), she was drooling like a faucet.... but other than that, she was her normal happy self.  So, we made several calls, postponed our trip til thursday, and just "watched her"... in the evening her fever started going down.  So, when she woke on Wednesday I took her temp, and she was completely in the normal range.  So that sent us into a whirlwind.  We decided to leave that afternoon.  (Yikes!!  I thought I had a whole extra day to pack and get last minute stuff together.)

We arrived in Charleston, West Virginia on Wednesday evening... we had a good drive, and just happened to miss the President's motorcade.  (Yay, because the other side of the freeway was completely stopped waiting for his arrival.)  We spent the night, and then drive the rest of the way to Lynchburg, to see Auntie Katie.

We were there Thursday through Sunday (we left in the weeeeeee hours of Sunday morning), and got home Sunday afternoon.   Anna and I had a whole bunch of fun staying at Auntie Katie and Uncle Todder's home.  Thanks for sharing with us, guys!  It was a blast!!  We miss you tons already!!

That was last week... this week will be just as busy if not busier than last week.

Here's our basic stats...

Her sleep is definitely hit or miss.  However, we are working on a "routine reform" as I call it.  I'm trying to get her in a good groove, and be consistent... my hope is that she will sleep better at night if her day is more consistent.  So... we'll see.  Last night she didn't sleep that badly.  So maybe it just was the stinky teeth (which aren't in yet), and not just bad habits. 

Anna is in mostly 6-9 month clothes, but can fit in 3-6 month clothes too.  She is still in size 3 diapers, and I imagine it will be this size for quite a while.  I didn't get her weighed this week, so I don't know how much she weighs but I would venture to say it's 17-17 1/2 pounds. 

This week, Anna started babbling "mamamama"  So, we're going with it!!  Occasionally we get a "dadada." So we're headed into the babbling talking stage!  hehehe  Yay!  I love to hear her little voice.  We are still attempting to do baby sign language... so hopefully we'll see some of that in the future as well.

Anna still isn't crawling, but she definitely gets around.  She rolls all over, or she spins her self around (sitting or lying down) to get to us, or a toy, or just to switch her position.  She is getting closer to crawling, and can do an army type crawl if she wants... but that isn't often.  She regularly gets up on her hands, or her knees, but never both.

This week's first (depicted in her picture above) Auntie Katie gave her a decent "water spout" ponytail!  hehehe... SOOOOO cute!!

Anyway, that's about it... thanks for reading!