Lets Go Krogering

Anna's first ride in the shopping cart! Sitting up, just like a big girl!

And flirting with the other shoppers. :)

8 Months Old

Today is the 26th and Anna is 8 months old! Can you believe it?

We wrapped up her 7th month in style! Here's the catch up....

Yesterday was Memorial Day. Brent and I had the day off work and we spent the day being a family of three! We went to a lovely Memorial Day celebration at the circle in Grosse Pointe Woods. There was nothing cuter than Anna waving her Memorial Day flag!

She loved to wave it, when she wasn't trying to eat it!

Dancing with Daddy to the band music.

Happiest Girl on the block.

Brent caught this shot - we're holding hands.

Brent's parents were here on Saturday and Sunday. What a nice time! I had to work both days, but they had a fun-filled visit with Brent and Anna! Lots of walks and play time. It's always great to spend a couple of days with Grammy and Grampy!

On a walk with her new sunhat from Grammy and Grampy!

Loving the Johnny Jump Up - hand-me-down from Aunt Ang!

My mom was here all of last week to visit. She took some time off work while my dad is still in school in Chicago. It was wonderful having her! We had a relaxing week together - our days filled with outings and Anna. What can be better?

Hanging out with Grandma on the porch.

Grandma loves me in this chair!

Anna got her first little cold a couple of weeks ago. A stuffy, snorty little nose and a few cranky days. We didn't need to go to the doctor, just stayed at home with the blue nose bulb syringe (booger sucker, I call it) and some extra fluids. Anna also may be teething again. Chewing on everything! She also growls every once in a while...it's very silly and so very Anna. But, she seems to be perking up - not as congested and not as growly. Her 7 month old blues. :)

Well, I'd say Anna's 7 month was a success! Lots of memories and lots of fun. Aside from the little cold, what else can a baby ask for?!

And here we begin month number 8. Can't wait!

Mother's Day

Sunday was Mother's Day. My first one!
I had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!!

We started it off right on Friday evening after Brent got home from work. He took me and Anna to a nearby flower & garden shop and we picked out flowers for my window box on the garage. And we shared my favorite ice cream later that night.

Saturday morning we took a nice walk outside, it was sunny and windy! Anna's little hair was blowing in the wind, it was so cute. Then we drove to South Bend for a weekend with our moms. Unfortunately, Brent's mom came down with strep throat and was very sick. We didn't get to see her for Mother's Day - we were all disappointed! What a bummer to be sick on Mother's Day! Thankfully, she is feeling better now. Kathy and Greg will be coming to see us here on Memorial Day weekend, so we'll celebrate then. Saturday evening we had a great dinner with my parents and Scott - my dad's grilled chicken, Scott's potatoes, and mom's brownies. I just realized that I didn't contribute a thing. I just ate!! A lot!!

Anna woke up around 7:30 on Mother's Day morning. Brent, Anna, Jo-Jo, and I took a lovely walk. It was a chilly morning, but sunny and so peaceful. Anna snoozed in her stroller. :) We came home and I kissed MY mom on Mother's Day! This is the first Mother's Day in three years that I've been able to actually spend with mom. Brent made us a great breakfast and we all went to church at 11am. We bought carnations for the important mothers in our lives and placed them at the feet of Mother Mary of Guadalupe. Anna fell asleep in my arms for the last half of mass. A treat for me to hold her close in prayer.

After mass we had lunch at my mom's house on the porch outside. Scott came over and he brought me the nicest gift - he hand-made me a birdhouse. I love it! We hung it up already on our pine tree in the backyard. It's waiting for the first birds to move in. Brent and Anna gave me the BEST gift. Brent made me a picture frame with Anna's picture and her foot print. It's just beautiful and I cried, of course. For my mom, we always buy her flowers for her flower pots for the front porch. And they look lovely!

A wonderful first Mother's Day.
Certainly one I will remember always.

We are so blessed by our mothers - me with mine and Brent with his. And through our marriage, we get to share our mothers with each other. Now, I am a mother my self. To my beautiful baby Anna. On Mother's Day, I was told that Anna is lucky to have me. But I think I'm the lucky one to have her. She is the light of my life and she holds half my heart. Brent has the other half. I'll just have to keep dividing it as our family grows. :)

Swinging at the Park

Anna and I went to the park on Tuesday with our friends, Abby and Katie. It was an awesome spring day and we had a great time! Anna and Katie are loving the swings!! Check out the picture of the two of them. If you click on it, it gets bigger. Look at their faces ...pure joy! I am so happy that we met Abby and Katie. They are both so great - Abby and I have a lot in common and Katie is such a sweetie. And Anna has the best little playmate now! It's so great for me to have a friend in the area. I was so hoping for this. And the girls are so close in age (Katie is 6 weeks older than Anna). We are able to talk about all our baby stuff and get ideas and support from each other. I feel so lucky to have them as our new friends!

Today was a little cloudy and chilly, so we didn't get out much. I took Anna to Target for a few things, so that was our big outing for today. Brent had to work late at school for a parent meeting and didn't get home till after 7pm. We were glad to see Daddy! Anna was a little clingy today, so I didn't get much done around the house. But, we got in a lot of play time and cuddle time. That's what's most important. And the most fun. :)

Lists

My sister-in-law, Angie, challenged me to complete a few lists...so, here goes....

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO....
1. Watching Anna grow up
2. Brent's summer vacation from school
3. Getting my air conditioning fixed in my car
4. My dad's graduation from his school in Chicago
5. Our next trip to South Bend
6. More sunny spring days
7. Kitchen re-model...coming soon
8. Play-dates

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY....
1. Slept in till 9am with Brent and Anna
2. Fixed Anna oatmeal and prunes for breakfast - yum!
3. Worked at the hospital from 11am-7:30pm
4. Washed my hands about 800 times at the hospital
5. Ate a Hostess Zinger from the vending machine
7. Came home to my wonderful family and super smiley Anna Marie
8. Tucked Anna into bed

8 THINGS I WISH....
1. For Anna's complete happiness
2. For the health of all my family and friends
3. That the world was a safer place
4. That I didn't have to work on Sundays, so I could go to church with my family
5. That all my family and friends lived in the same city
6. That junk food was really good for you
7. That money was a little easier to come by
8. For continued blessings, for which I am so grateful