In an ill-gotten attempt to remind me of the sleep-deprived newborn days from a year ago, Annelee spent about an hour in the middle of the night up. Partly crying, partly chatting, always restless crawling back and forth in the crib and kicking her legs. Sigh. I don't miss those days.
But it got better after that. She did not cry at daycare drop-off (as has been her habit lately) and was mostly happy in the evening. Quite happy after consuming her sugary cup cake, in fact :)
We opened presents before dinner. Vivian was very eager to help Annelee. Annelee most loved the beach ball and the toy that Vivian got. Of course. Vivian was most enamored with Annelee's new doll (of course). She told me that she wanted the same doll for her next birthday :)
For dinner, Will made mac'n'cheese - Vivian had suggested that Annelee would choose that if she could talk. Nothing to do with it being Vivian's favorite food, I'm sure. After dinner, Jenny and Rowan came over to sing Happy Birthday with us and have cup cakes. Annelee very much enjoyed her cup cake (I had to strip her down to her diaper once she was done).
Anne - have I made amends for serving Vivian a muffin for her first birthday? ;)
The gift bag is bigger than Annelee!
Vivian is helping Annelee unwrap her gifts
Blowing up the beach ball - Annelee can't wait to hold it!
The train from Grandma
Just after Vivian tried to borrow the beach ball for a second
The new doll (with magnetic binky)
Vivian and Rowan help Annelee blow out the candle
Annelee started very slow and deliberately on her cup cake ...
... but liked it enough to even rub it into her hair. Does frosting encourage hair growth at least? Pretty please?
Vivian's and Annelee's cousin Rachel is in Pittsburgh this week for training from work. She decided to come in early and spend the weekend with us. It was about time she met Annelee ... we figured out the last time we saw her was Christmas 2009 when we announced we were pregnant with Annelee.
Now, Annelee may not have agreed a lot of the time (she loved flirting with Rachel as long as Mommy was still holding her) but even those barriers were broken toward the end of the visit.
Saturday, the girls and Rachel and I went to the Aviary (Vivian's favorite, as she reported at dinner: the birds!) and then Rachel, Will and I saw the fantabulous Roddy Barnes at a house concert (what a cool concept).
Sunday brought more Roddy Barnes as he performed at church, lunch at Molly Branigans, and then we just hung out until Rachel had to pack up (Vivian helped her pack twice) and leave for the welcome dinner for her training.
Thanks for stopping by, Rachel, we had a lot of fun having you visit! Don't wait another 1.5 years til the next visit, ok?
Vivian took her job feeding the Lories very seriously. She was disappointed that none of them would come on and sit on her arm though
One of those rare moments where Annelee was willing to sit next to Rachel and smile :) Vivian on the other hand, after 10 mins of shyness would not leave Rachel's side for the entire time she was staying with us!
Our church is getting a new member directory and hired a photographer to take professional photos. As part of the deal, they also took additional photos and poses and we could then order copies if we liked. I think they did a great job ...
Almost every Wednesday, and usually one time during the weekend, we all head to the local pool in the late afternoon. We got season passes so we don't feel too guilty about staying for just an hour or two. We knew from last year that Vivian is an absolute fish (not only does she like the water, she seems to spend more time under than above- by choice). Annelee loves bath time, so we were hopeful that she, too, would like the pool. And, she does, even though the water is much colder than her bath!
Since we don't have any spare hands while we are at the pool, or waterproof cameras, you probably won't get pictures from the pool. So, instead, I took some today at our "baby pool" at home for your viewing pleasure. The girls lasted a long time in the water. I finally pulled Annelee out when I was tired of taking cups away from her because she kept drinking the water. She was probably confused, because, cups - they are for drinking, are they not?
Then Vivian got out soon after. Vivian's favorite toys (at the big pool and at home, and on dry land) are Barbies at the moment. So, Barbies get to swim an awful lot in our house, too.
Hamming it up for the camera
Ken and "newBarbie" and Barbie
Splish Splash!
She *HATES* having to go into the pool!
A typical scene - Annelee retrieves toys she threw out. Vivian pours water from one container into another in the background. And often on Annelee's head, too ;)
I just couldn't get them both to look up at the same time...
Oh, THAT'S where you wanted me to look!
And, last but not least, a couple of videos. I especially like how Vivian pours water over Annelee's head in the second one and Annelee just wonders for a split-second where that came from and then just gets on with what she was doing.
Daddy here, guest blogger. I put these on facebook, sorry if you are seeing them twice, but I wanted to share with the family.
Here is our beebalm patch, the resident hummingbird loves it.
The resident humans prefer this:
The next day, Sunday, grilling operations had to deploy amphibian mode, as the skies opened as soon as I laid down some veggies. Franziska helped me keep the food dry while Vivian helped by doing an umbrella dance.
On the holiday, Vivian took advantage of local festivities:
