Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas from Us!

Words can not fully describe how special it was to celebrate Anne's first Christmas.  Thinking back to last Christmas, I can definitely say that this year was filled with so much joy.  Anne won't remember much, if anything, of this year's Christmas but we will.  On Christmas Eve, my family celebrated Christmas at my parent's house.  We had dinner and gave each other the wonderful gifts that we purchased.  I love Christmas.

Christmas Day, we got up early and got ready to travel to Aunt Michelle's house.  Anne was well rested.  She gave her mommy a Christmas present by sleeping for 7 hours straight between Christmas Eve and Christmas.  Anne and I sang some Christmas songs while she ate breakfast and I got her dressed.  Then I read her the Christmas story out of Luke chapter 2.  She was wiggly and doesn't yet understand the amazing gift that was given to us on Christmas, Jesus, but she will as she gets older.

She will just love the presents that she received.  Great Grandma made her a rainbow colored baby blanket.  I love it.

 My mom gave her this wonderful bear.  It talks and will teach her about her body, sing songs, and help her learn language.

 The many faces of Anne's first Christmas.

 ...And now we are ready for start the journey back and go to bed.  The drive was really snowy, but Steve got us home safe.  Christmas wore her out and as a special Christmas present to mommy she slept for 7 hours again last night.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM WYCLIFFE

Bob and Dallas 2013 Christmas Greeting from Wycliffe USA on Vimeo.

Thank you so much to the people that have supported our Wycliffe ministry this year. 
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Let It Snow

* Now 25°,  Light Snow Feels Like 14°

It's a cold snowy day today.  The snow looks so pretty but I'm not looking forwarding to going out in it later.  It's been coming down pretty steady all day.  The news stations are predicting 4-6 inches before it's done.   Anne was just staring out the window earlier in awe.

We bundled her up in her snowsuit to get some pictures of her in First major snowstorm.  She was not a fan of the cold.  We did not stay out for very long.

Decorating for Christmas

Anne 'helped" me today decorate for Christmas.  Steve put the tree up this past weekend, but I haven't had a chance to put the ornaments on it yet.  I took advantage of the fact that mom was over to get the Christmas decorations up.

 I love this picture.  The Christmas tree is an ornament that was given to me by my Aunt Honey on my First Christmas in 1981.  The other was given to Anne for her First Christmas,

 Anne has her own little stocking.  I can't wait to put a little toy in it for her to open on Christmas.  She won't remember this Christmas since she is so young but we still want to make it special.

Two Month Update

I captured her laughing.

Our sweet little girl is two months old today.  Yesterday, we had her baby dedication.  She was beautiful.  She had her 2 month doctor's appointment today and got her first shots.  She did such a great job.  She fussed and cried a little while getting the shots.  Poor girl.  After I gave her some infant Tylenol, she calmed down a bit and has napped most of the afternoon.

This is Anne before her shots

 

This is Anne after her shots.  She seemed so confused about what happened.  She knew that the nurse hurt her but didn't know why.  She looked at me to rescue her.  She was pretty snuggly when we got home.  Then I put her in her swing for a nice long nap.

Weight: 9 lbs, 15 ozs

Eating: Milk is still her favorite food.  Steve has been taking the first morning feeding to give her a little extra sleep.

Sleeping: We have started trying to set up a bedtime routine.  If it's a bath night, we start with a bath.  She loves bath time.  Then we put her in a sleeper for the night and give her a bedtime snack.  She gets a new diaper and while she is getting a diaper change she gets bedtime lotion (a little baby massage) on her belly, arms, and legs.  Last, she gets swaddled and rocked to sleep.

She usually sleeps between 3 and 5 hours before waking up again for a new diaper and a snack.

Milestones & Firsts: Well, everything is new for her.  

Some noteworthy things were:

* I love her smiles.  I know sometimes it's just gas, but other times I think it's because she recognizes us.

* She celebrated her first Thanksgiving with a trip to Michigan.

* She had her first sleep over and Grandma's over Thanksgiving weekend.  Steve had to work all weekend and I didn't want to be alone in the house the whole time.

* We took her for her first Black Friday shopping.  We didn't stay out long and went in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.

* She loves her morning sing-a-long time during her breakfast.

* Her floor mat has gotten quite a bit of play in the last few weeks.  She is starting the focus more and reaching for the toys.  She isn't grabbing yet, but I think she is close.  For now, she just hits them to get them where she wants them and sometimes gets fussy if they don't "listen."

* She has started rolling on her side more and if propped up on her side she will try to roll over.  She is not a fan of "tummy-time" anywhere other than on Steve or myself so if she does roll over she gets fussy fast.

* She absolutely loves bath time.  It won't be long before she grows out of her sink bathtub.

* She loves to nap in her swing.  Sometimes she sleeps up to 3 hours during the day in her swing.