Boxed In

It all started innocently enough with a photo I took of Vivian in February 2008.

When I took another one a while later and realized that it happened to be exactly a year later (February 2009), Will wanted (and got) a diptych for his cube at work. 

 In February 2010, Will requested another photo for the series and a triptych.  I managed to take the photo, but never put the triptych together.

This year, for Will's birthday, the girls and I got together, added two more photos and framed them all individually.  We even bought spare frames so that we can keep this going for the next couple of years.

Favorite Toy

Daddy's baseball cap is always a favorite around here!

Wait, let me get it on properly ...

... there we go ...

... all done, your turn next!

Front-yard Picnic

Not the greatest picture of the girls (especially of Annelee, who, with hindsight, was miserable not just with an ear infection, but also with roseola that day), but definite proof of our first front-yard picnic of the season.  There are many more to come ... Vivian asks for every meal to "eat outside on a blanket".

Trip to the Zoo

RHS hosts an annual birthday party at the zoo every year, and this time, I decided to take the girls.  Free tickets, and Vivian is old enough to enjoy the zoo now, so it really was a no-brainer.  This time, we started at the end (since we have always bailed before we got there) and visited the tigers, petting zoo, kangaroos, beavers, deer, playground (where we had lunch) and then headed over to the polar bears, with a detour through the tunnels to see the sharks.  Then, we headed over to the RHS party where we saw some of the staff, picked up gifts for the kids and watched the beginning of a puppet show before Annelee decided enough was enough and we left. Both girls were fast asleep on the way back in the car ... a sign of a good outing, I think.

Tiger cub, tired of playing

Vivian and Annelee are hanging with the 'Roo

Riding the camel at the playground

Watching the sea lions

Smiling

Watching the sharks

Shark attack!

Books are more interesting than sharks!

 Tiger cubs at play

Nine Months

Annelee had her nine month check-up yesterday.

Let's start with the vitals, as usual.  She's in 90-95th percentile for both height and weight:

• Height:  29.5"  (75cm).  Vivian had her beat (just) with 30"

• Weights:  21 lb 12oz (9.87 kg).  Vivian continued to be a lightweight by comparison:  19 lb 11 oz.  At least the gap hasn't widened from the 6 month check-up.  In fact, it has shrunk  :)

As usual, the pediatrician was overall very happy with Annelee.  She asked if Annelee already recognized any words, but immediately added that it would be very early.  The only one I could think of was "Vivian".  So I turned toward the wall with her and asked her where Vivian was.  She turned around to try and look at her.  Imagine the beaming proud Mama I was to have one of my girls perform on command for once in my life ;)

I later thought of another word she recognizes:  "fishies "(I guess I should teach her "fish" one day).  Every time we change her diaper, I ask her where the fishies are (the mobile over the changing table).  She looks directly at them.  Then, when the diaper is changed, I pick her up and we look at each fish and the shape of his mouth (they are different) and make the sound they would make if they could speak.  I used to do the same with Vivian and both girls love it.

Anyways, the pediatrician was pleased with her eating (in addition to all sorts of jars of baby food, Annelee has eaten mashed potatoes, pasta and sauce, blueberry pancakes, bagel, bananas, avocado, soup, cheerioes, grits, and probably a whole other host of things I forget).  She recommended adding meat for iron.  So, that evening Annelee had BBQ chicken and corn mixed with one of her jars.  To round it off, she had applesauce and a taste of Daddy's home-made mango sorbet.  That little baby of ours is such a gourmet!

Her grasping at things and pince grip as well as sitting up were all on target, too.

Then came the (not so) fun part.  Because of her recent throwing up and stomach pains, they wanted a urine sample.  Which they do with babies by taping a bag over their "girly bits" and waiting until they pee.  And wait we did ... but she finally performed and all looked good.

We then went for a blood draw (finger prick) that afternoon (which they always do at 9 months) which Annelee did not appreciate.  When we were leaving, someone in the waiting room asked "What were you doing to that baby?".  Ooops.  They may have to sound proof their office next time.  :)

Next appointment after her 1st birthday.