Here are some pics from Anna's first birthday party (I know it has taken me forever). We had a party on her actual birthday with our baby group friends (Anna shares her b-day with her boyfriend Evan who was born in the room next door 30 minutes before she was born). Then on Sunday we went to the zoo and went on the train. Anna loved all of the animals and had a blast! Then we came back to our place and had a big party with all of Anna's friends and family. She had so much fun getting into the gifts and the cake!

Now she is almost 15 months and is a true toddler. She gets into everything (thank god for baby proofing kits) and has so much energy all of the time. She cries if people she loves leave the room, chucks food on the floor, throws tantrums including hurling herself on the ground to get attention. She mimics alot of sounds and tries many words. Her favourite words right now are: Daddy, Mum, Baby, Duck, & Yep. She likes to click clack her tongue, squeal in delight, walk around shaking her head "no", she gives the best hugs and the sweetest kisses. She has bruises and scratches everywhere from playing so hard. She can climb onto and off of some furniture on her own, no longer walks but runs most of the time, dances to any kind of music (even commercials), and can't get enough of being outside.

That's all for now!

Here are some pics from Anna's first Christmas sorry it took so long we have been very busy. Anna is almost 1 year old...I cannot believe how fast time has flown by. She is walking (all over the house), climbing stairs, opening cupboards, throwing tantrums, and constantly chatting in her own little jibberish. She has 8 teeth, and is growing like a weed. I love her soft chubby cheeks...they are so wonderful to kiss. I love her giggles and squeals, and the way she copies the noises we make. I will try to post pics from her 1st b-day next week (the party is on Sunday). Make sure to check back...

Anna has changed so much in the last couple of months. She has 6 teeth (and two more on the way), she eats meals with Chad and I and loves chicken, pasta, bananas, and cheerios. She crawls, pulls herself up on furniture, and has recently started to stand on her own for a few seconds...She will be walking in no time. She waves "Hi and Bye" claps her hands when she is excited, and dances to music, and I am in the process of teaching her how to give a high five. She is completely obsessed with Elmo (we watch Sesame Street every morning) and we got to go and meet him which she loved. She is so full of energy we run out of ideas for things to keep her busy but as you can see in the photos above we try. Although she is sometimes very cranky because of the nonstop teething she is so wonderful to be around and is so much fun. Everyday is a new and exciting adventure with Anna and while sometimes very tiring it is a blessing to be able to spend my days with her.

Ok so it has been a really long time since we have posted...sorry. Life with a 7 month old is very busy. She is rolling around all over the place and is able to pull herself up on all fours, she can even "crawl" backwards. But she still cannot quite figure out how to move forward. She is trying so hard though, she spends all day...trying. She is also babbling like crazy and says "da da da da da da." She especially likes to be vocal in public places like if we are out for dinner... everyone in the restaurant has to know what is on her mind at that particular time. She cries when you take a toy away and if you leave the room or are not paying attention to her. She reaches for you to pick her up and will mimic some of your movements. She is eating 3 meals a day...baby cereals, fruits, and veggies and has just recently started to eat meat. Time is going by way to fast...

Sorry about the pictures not being in the post below, but the blog isn't letting us add photos properly...

I know it has been a while since we have posted...we have been very busy!
First of all Anna got her second tooth on the day Chad came home from California she is so cute with her two little teeth! She really loves to chew on EVERYTHING...as long as it is not my fingers I don't care. She is also eating baby cereal and we have started giving her vegtables (baby food). She can also sit up on her own in a restaurant highchair. She is such a big girl!

She also sits up completely on her own, pretty much holds her own bottle, shrieks with excitement, holds her arms up to be picked up, and giggles like crazy.

We took Anna camping with Stu and Erika up to Cultus Lake, it was so fun, Anna wouldn't go to bed she wanted to stay up and sit by the fire with all of us. We had this huge tent so we were able to bring Anna's play pen, she slept so soundly, we woke up freezing in the morning and she was completly asleep, so I went and got her and we cuddled all morning. The next day we went to the waterslide park, we took Anna on the kiddie slides it was so great to be able to do these things with her.

Anna, my mom, and I left for Ottawa on Aug 9th our flight was at 6am so we had to get up at 3:30am. I thought for sure Anna would sleep but she got up with us and stayed awake all morning until the flight took off and then she passed out in my arms. Because of the early morning I had forgotten to pack a change of clothes for Anna so ofcourse half way through the flight she took a huge dump and it came out of her diaper all up her back and all over her sleeper. Anna was naked for the rest of the flight! When we got to Toronto we went to the Roots store in the airport and got her an outfit. We got back on the plane...before we had even levelled off in the air Anna had taken another massive poop, and sure enough it came out of the diaper and all over her new outfit. What a crazy experience! (but hilarious though).
Ottawa was lot's of fun everyone loved her so much, and it was great to see all of my family. We got to meet my cousins little baby Adrian he is only 2 months old and so cute. But I gotta say I definatly do not miss the 0-3 month age...I forgot how hard it is. Having an almost 6 month old is so fun and easy I love it.

I think that is all for now...I will post pics later cause they won't go up right now for some reason

Jen

Well the second week without Chad ends tonight he is on his way home right now! I can't wait it has been a really tough week. Anna was very good but I was sick with a high fever for two days (turns out I have a throat infection). I also had 5 weddings and there is always stress with that. So on Friday I caved and went over to Joan and Denis's (Chad's mom and dad) and had dinner... and stayed over night...I didn't leave until Sunday afternoon. It was so nice to be taken care of and to have some help with Anna and most importantly have some company.

On Sunday I felt better because the fever went down so I went to the ball field and watched my friends play baseball and then we ended up at Jeff's house for a BBQ. Everyone loved Anna so much even the guys. I don't even think I held her for the first hour I was there. I had such a good time. And so did Anna apparently...

Chad has the day off tomorrow so I can't wait to be able to spend the day together.

Hello from San Jose...

Hi Gals, I miss you two. This trip as been a little quieter than the last, so I have had way too much time to sit around and think about home. I can't wait to get back, I saw the last post and it reminded me of last weekend. I had a great time being home and having a nice three and a half days off to spend with you two.

Jen, I hope you feel better baby, I can tell the stress is getting to you. I hope you understand that I do need to travel for work...and it finally paid off with the news I told you about earlier. I am so happy and I hope this will mean a bit more of a standardized schedule at work for me, and possibly a bit less stress to bring home at the end of the day. I am excited for the future and I hope it will make things a bit easier for all of us.

Anna, daddy misses you hun, I hope your teeth aren't bothering you as much as they were when I left. Mom said you were finally eating full meals again, keep it up, it is hot outside and you need to stay hydrated.

Not sure if Jen mentioned it, but Anna had her first tooth come through the last weekend, and now she is full on teething with the other bottom tooth coming in right next to it. When I left, she wasn't eating much, she was very irritable and her cheeks were very rosey. This wen't on the two days prior to me leaving and at least one and a half days after I left. The second one hasn't broken through yet, but I think it may come soon. I just want her to get these two out as soon as possible so she can feel a little better for a while before anymore start to come.

I miss both of you very much, hugs and kisses,

Dad

so it has been a busy week my aunt Sandra and my 5 year old cousin Patrick came in from Ottawa on Monday the 10th and we were on the go pretty much from that moment on. Tuesday we went to the Aquarium and my mom joined us we had so much fun! Anna was mezmorized by the fish in the tanks for the first little bit then she pretty much slept for the rest of the day. There was a huge Sea Lion that was showing off and swimming right at Patrick and then swooping up he would shriek in excitement. It was so cute, I can't wait for Anna to be able to experience things like that when she gets older.



















On Wednesday we took the ferry to Victoria and we went to the Sratch Patch in Sydney and panned for gold and got to pick out shells and stones etc. Then we went back to my mom and dad's house in Sooke. Thursday we went down to Victoria and went to the wax museum and saw the downtown sights...again Anna slept through all of it. We picked Chad up that afternoon!!!! It was neat to see Anna's reaction...at first she was like "who the hell are you?" and within a short time she was smiling and giggling and cooing for her daddy. That day was my mom's birthday and Anna decided she wanted to give grandma a birthday gift...her first tooth! it is on the bottom (I would take a picture but she won't open her mouth wide enough to see it). I cannot believe that she has a tooth already.























On Saturday we went to China beach, it was so windy and awkward with Anna but it was beautiful, and she loved the hike from the car to the beach in the baby carrier with Chad.

Since we got home on Sunday Anna has been very cranky crying a lot more than usual, and she has totally lost her appetite. When she finally wants to eat it hurts too bad to suck on the bottle so she pushes it away and crys...I wish the other tooth would just come through already so that she will not be in pain any more.

Chad left for San Jose this morning...I hate being at home alone especially at night. It is especially hard because Anna is so cranky, it is going to take everything out of me to keep the stress level down this weekend, especially since I have 4 weddings to worry about as well.

Chad: I miss you already, I just pray that this week will go by fast, call me tomorrow when you get a chance, good night, I love you.

Daddy: Wuv you, hugs and drools xox