Anita passing out candy

Happy Halloween!!

Shaun the wherewolf and Anna little red riding hood

Maddie is a chef

Had some company at home before meeting up with Kristina for some trick or treating.  Became cold quickly so we didn't stay out long.

Jim wearing Shaun's mask

Lucy as herself

Frank the chicken and Jack the lion

Jim, Anita the bumble bee and Kristina as Aurora

Aurora

Milwaukee Train Stop

anticipating some fun

Outside the train museum

grandma and her new friend

artist at work

first coloring experience, did not want to leave

searching for the perfect pumpkin, lost her shoe

Kristina's first tractor driving experience

Halloween Weekend

Trying out her blanket from Uncle Jim/Aunt Judy



saying tickle, tickle



Sara, Sara and Melissa at Luciano's for dinner

Cousin Shaun came to visit

Anita sporting her new Dora hat

Jim and Anita with his dads brother Bill and sister Pat

Jim and Anita with his cousins

Once again it has been a busy time and we are blessed to have friends and family to enjoy our time with.  Grandma and Grandpa dropped Anita off to me at work last night and then got rear ended on the freeway.  Luckily they are just a little banged up and neither of the girls were with them.  I think grandma would've knocked the guy out if they had been with her.  Last weekend we had a friend visit from Omaha and a cousin come by to spend time as well.  Jim started his new job on Monday this week and we are adjusting to that new schedule.  Thursday night he had family in town from CA so we had dinner with them in Sergeant Bluff.  Now we are all resting and preparing for this weekend.  Kristina was able to dress up for school today and Brenda helped with her class party.  More progress at home was grandpa asking Kristina if she felt like she had a little sister now since Anita is there so much.  She said she did and that she actually likes that idea.  Anita loves that idea and anything else that Kristina might be up to.  Tomorrow we are going to a train depot, fun day and then Sunday it's Halloween.  Bet we'll have the cutest Bumble Bee with her new molar that came in this week.

one year shots

As miserable as predicted when you get five shots and one finger poke.  Anita was not happy with this doctor's visit.  She has grown 2 inches since her first visit at this office in July.  She now weighs 22 lbs and is 29.5 inches tall.   Doctor said she is in the 50 percentile on both.  She is right on track developmentally with taking steps, saying words and eating whatever she can reach.  Today I was saying tickle, tickle to her and she was saying it back while rolling around and laughing.  We're supposed to start soy milk to help her tummy out.  Tonight we just took it easy reading, watching Gabba and taking a warm bath.  She passed out early and will hopefully be feeling better tomorrow.  She picked out a new ball at HyVee this afternoon to help her pain and held onto it all the way home.  Poor baby.

Anita is one!!

I'm one today

Kristina at the shower

Anita trying to get to the cake

Kristina chasing Jordyn around the yard

Anita and Tanner watching Kristina on the trampoline

Jordyn and Tanner cruising the loop

On Saturday Anita turned one.  Aunt Linda and cousin Patti hosted a wonderful baby shower that day and we had a great time.  Anita was sure to put on a show and enjoyed being the center of attention.  We received wonderful gifts and we are so grateful for all the love and support.  On Sunday, we celebrated October b'days with the Kaufman's.  Kristina turned six, Tanner turned two and Anita one.  We had a great time eating and playing.  Tanner and Anita really enjoyed each other and gave kisses and hugs.  Tanner called her the baby.  Before coming to the party, Jordyn asked April why we call the baby Anita.  What she was hearing was A need ah.  She thought we called her that because we need her a lot.  I think that sums it up pretty well.  Today I had the day off and we went shopping with grandma, played at the mall and had lunch at Chik-fil-A.  Anita loves playing with the kids and enjoyed going down the slide too many times to count.  This afternoon we picked Kristina up from school and us three girls went to Dairy Queen for ice cream and then to watch ballet class for a little bit.  One more day off before returning to work but this will not be a fun one.  Anita gets her one year shots and I'm hoping to not cry with her.

Walking and baseball



Preparing to throw her famous spit ball



Anita took six steps tonight at home and made me so happy.  Even more exciting was she was going after a ball to take those steps.  She has atleast five different balls here that she plays with and loves them.  I think we may have a ballplayer in training.  She already loves to wear her hat and baseball shirts.

Progress and independence

Anita took six steps today at gma and gpa's house so we all better look out!!  She had fun playing outside with Kristina and pa today walking up the slide, messing around and then coming back down.  Last week she gained bath privileges with Kristina.  The only catch was she had to wear a swim diaper.  Progress not perfection in regards to this relationship.  Kristina has come a long way and even lets Anita play in her room now.  Anita is on the look out for lady bugs that have invaded our area.  She yells for "da" and points to wherever the bugs are for someone to get them.  She is changing and growing so quickly we can't believe it, and on Saturday she will be one. 

Best poses of the week

Kristina the rock star on her 6th b'day

Anita in her toy container with no hands

Lucy is a tea pot or Vanna White

Pictures of last two weeks

Anita and cousins Frank and Jack at Katie's baby shower

Pa with his girls

Anita and Kylie at my work baby shower

At baby shower, found out Anita really likes apples

Kristina's b'day dinner

Pumpkin Festival.  Kristina paints and Anita eats the pumpkins

Anita getting ready for Joe's wedding

Anita and Alec at Joe's wedding

Birthday girls, Lula will be 8 and Anita 1 this week

After party snack of cupcakes and ice cream

10-10-10

Another busy week has come to an end and Anita is sleeping after watching a little football and Gabba.  Kristina turned six this week so we had a little family party Friday night and her dad came to spend the weekend with her.  Together they have conquered Sioux City and enjoyed all of her favorite activities.  We joined them at the pumpkin festival yesterday and enjoyed watching Kristina play games, paint, pet animals and go on a hay ride.  Anita tried the pony ride and was not very amused.  In the afternoon we went to my friend Joe's wedding and enjoyed seeing some friends we hadn't seen for awhile.  Today was Anita and Lula's birthday party for Jim's side of the family at Play All Day.  Lula turns eight just days before Anita turns one.  Last Sunday, Anita's birth mom had her baby boy, Fabian Rene.  Anita is now a big sister.  Tomorrow Jim starts new hours at work so we will all work on adjusting.  Back to work and looking forward to another busy weekend.

Busy Weekend

On Friday while Brenda was babysitting she felt Anita was getting dehydrated so we returned to the doctor that afternoon.  Felt terrible to disappoint Kristina.  Our play date turned into an afternoon at the doctor.  She was sad but then was a great help with Anita and even sang to her and cleaned her feet with wet wipes to keep her from screaming at the doctor.  After close to two hours ,the doctor saw us and said her throat was red but since the fever was gone we shouldn't worry.  While waiting she also broke out in a rash on her legs/butt and he said that is a positive sign that the virus is working it's way out.  Anita didn't get the memo that she was better so she's still been fussy but getting better each day.  We went to Riverssance yesterday with Brenda and Kristina to get us all out for a little bit.  Kristina had fun seeing all the kings/queens and fairies.  She rode a war house, threw a tomato at a prisoner and had a hawk fly over her head.  Anita saw some of this before napping and then woke up in time for the jousting.  Funniest thing was Jim running with the stroller and Kristina chasing him.  I was holding Anita while Brenda and I laughed our heads off.  Lunch at Applebee's to complete the day.  Today we stayed home in the morning and did some shopping this afternoon and visited Aunt Sue.  Now Anita is asleep after finishing her first bottle of whole milk.  The last few days she has been trying it but hasn't been thrilled so tonight was a great relief.  Diarrhea has definitely improved since she stopped the formula.

Long week

It's been a busy week since last writing and pictures will come soon.  Last Saturday was a baby shower for Jim's niece Katie, and Anita was able to spend time with cousins.  On Sunday, my work held a baby shower/potluck for Anita and we had a great time.  Everyone brought their spouses and children for a fun evening in the country with a bbq.  It's nice to spend time with coworkers relaxing instead of in crisis at work.  Anita has continued to struggle with diarrhea and Tuesday we went to the doctor in hope of getting more answers.  She said to switch to whole milk but the next day she woke up with a fever and has been sick since so we haven't even attempted that.  It has been a difficult few days as she is miserable and exhausted which means the rest of us are exhausted as well.  Grandma and Grandpa left for Kansas City this morning so Aunt Brenda is home with Anita.  I will pick up Kristina from school to give us some alone time that Kristina has been needing.  Can't believe she'll be six years old in a week.  Time has been flying by and she is such a great kid to be around.  Anita loves her so much too it's fun to watch them.  Funny thing earlier this week was me eating something hot and blowing on it so Anita was blowing on her cold food just in case.  She cracks me up