Where has a year gone?

Hello to all of my faithful followers; some of whom check my blog daily (I believe)in hopes of a new post or a few new pics. I have to apologize for how infrequently I update my blog these days. Motherhood becomes more challenging by the day, and I have less discipline to get much anything done, especially blogging. Anna is crawling all over our house, and pulling up on anything she can get her hands on. She even uses the skin on the back of your legs if nothing else is available...OUCH. She speeds around the house in her "walker", pulling frames off of shelves, waving to herself in mirrors, and pulling around anything she can get her hands on...her high chair, her stroller, etc. Everything is a "guh" these days. We thought that meant dog, which sometimes it does, but she often looks at Ross and says, "Guh." I think it's funny to say, "Yes, Anna. Dog!" (Not that funny to Ross.) Ross is working super hard as always, trying to make a few real estate transactions here and there to pay to clothe his wife and daughter...it's just the beginning of a lifetime of changing sizes and styles. Anna is quickly approaching the one year mark, which truly amazes me. Where has one year gone? She basically refuses to eat anything off a spoon these days. I think she is saying, "Mother, I am too big for that. Please just sit and visit, while I eat what I choose, at my own pace." She still has a few bottles a day, but I think we are to transition her to a sippy cup beginning in just a few months. I was able to nurse for nine months, which was beyond my initial six month goal, so I have to feel good about exceeding my goal. As far as we know, Anna still has her milk protein allergy. I hope it's short lived, because I know she would love cheese and yogurt.

We still think Anna is the smartest and most beautiful baby that ever lived. I guess all parents feel this way. When I hand her a picture of a baby and it's upside down, she turns it right side up. Isn't that smart? Then we say, "Kiss the baby" and she does. When I show her a picture of a banana she says, "mmmmmm." So cute. And she waves hello, and folds her hand for bye-bye.

We are basically smitten with this adorable angel that we feel so blessed to have. Ross looks at her every day and says, "I can't believe she's mine." I can't believe she's ours either. She looks so much like both of us...which is just wild. She has stolen our hearts forever...and she can keep them...we are forever changed by her presence and the miracle of her life. What else on earth were we ever meant to do...besides love each other and love her?