I Get it Now!

To all of you who have been saying, "Enjoy it while it lasts . . ." in reference to Andrea's lack of mobility: I get it now!

Although Andrea's still pretty slow, she is now starting to get into everything! Her favourite is the fan cord (and plug!) in the living room. I tell her "No!", I move her away, I try to distract her with toys . . . no way. She makes a beeline for the fan!

And today, while I am on the computer . . .

"Woohoo! Mommy's magazines!"

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So, I put her in the Jolly Jumper to keep her in one place! (And it's still lots of fun and exercise.)

http://media.putfile.com/Jolly-Jumper-92

New Toy/Saturday Afternoon Fun

New Toy

On Friday, we decided to visit Toys R Us. I thought that we should buy Andrea a musical activity walker, because it might encourage her to stand up more, and help steady her first steps when she's ready to take them. Actually, the toy is more of a gift from Andrea's Great-Grandma M. and Grandpa Vic, because it was their gifts of money that we put toward the toy. :))

Daddy had to help her a lot with the walking. I don't think she's ready for it yet. And I'm not going to rush it. :))

Actually, it seems to me that Andrea is going to crawl first. She has really started to pick up on it this week. I have even seen her move a few inches forward! I've noticed she also has another way of crawling: she sits up, then goes down on her hands and knees, then stretches out as far as she can, then goes down on her belly, then sits up, and starts again . . . almost looks like an inch-worm!

In the meantime, she loves her new toy anyway, because it has lots of music and lights. I caught her on video, dancing and singing along. When she saw me filming, she got even more happy! What a ham!

http://media.putfile.com/Dancing-Ham

Saturday Fun

Well, Mommy and Daddy don't find doing laundry very fun, but Andrea seems to enjoy it.

At least, she enjoys unfolding what Mommy folds, and pulling items out of the basket!

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Brig came over for the afternoon and evening, while Uncle C. worked overtime. She was in a really silly mood, and it was contagious! She was laughing like a crazy child, or a demented bad guy. It was kind of like Jekyll and Hyde! Then, Andrea caught on, and started imitating Brig!

http://media.putfile.com/Crazy-Laugh-Girls

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After dinner, things calmed down a little bit. Brig was writing secrets in a diary she got in her Happy Meal, and she made a fort to hide in so Uncle Rod and I couldn't see what she wrote. Of course, Andrea wanted in on the fun!

12-month Check-up

Everything went well at Andrea's 12-month check-up yesterday morning.

She weighs 25 pounds, 4 ounces!

The doctor addressed all my concerns about Andrea's development. She said if Andrea is at least trying to crawl (which she is), I have nothing to worry about. :))

I also talked to the doctor about allergies. Andrea sounds stuffed up a lot; she rubs her nose and scratches the inside of her ears quite a bit, too. Also, she had some hives on her thighs from sitting on the grass at her party on Sunday. Plus, Rod and I both have allergies. The doctor said we can't test her until she's four years old, but it sounds like she's inherited our allergies. The best we can do is make her comfortable (Cortaid cream for itches), and keep an eye on her symptoms for the next few years.

Andrea was so cute with the doctor--smiling, and grabbing her stethoscope, and chatting away. That is, until immunization time! Once that one-year booster shot went into her thigh, she howled for a few minutes straight. At least the doctor had warned me this one would hurt, so I was expecting Andrea's reaction! But within 5 minutes she was completely back to normal.

Last night, though, she went to sleep around 7:30 pm, and then woke up at 8:30 pm. She felt a bit warm, so Gram and Grandpa G. (babysitting while Mommy and Daddy went out to celebrate their 2nd anniversary) gave her some Tylenol drops, and let her get up for a bit. When we got home, I changed her from pajamas into a cooler t-shirt. We tried laying her down again around 9:45 pm, but she wouldn't have it. She wailed. So, Daddy got her up and cuddled with her in the living room. We gave her ice water to drink, and sat up with her until about 11 pm, when she finally went to bed. Poor little thing! Between her whirlwind weekend and her booster shot, her normal routine has gotten really off track.

But today (Tuesday) she is feeling much better, and seems to be back to her normal self--except she had a 2.5 hour nap this morning! I think she needed to get caught up on her sleep. ;))

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Lookin' good--new outfit, new chair, new drums!

Birthday Party--Guests

Here are some pictures of Andrea's guests. Looks like they enjoyed the party!

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Umm . . . at least, we thought they all enjoyed the party . . .

Birthday Weekend--Sunday

On Sunday morning, when I went to get Andrea out of bed, she was giggling and wiggling and all excited, like she knew it was her special day. :)) Then, we got Daddy out of bed, so Andrea could open her presents from Mommy and Daddy, and also the ones Grama Marty and Grampa Rick sent from Montana.

Here are some of the highlights:

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We decorated for the party while Andrea napped that morning. Besides balloons and a banner, we also had two kiddie pools, a water table, and a Slip n' Slide Splash Zone for the kids.

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Once Andrea awoke, it was time for the festivities to begin. Again, I'll go with the highlights:

ready to party!

visiting with Grandpa Vic

swimming with A. and Brig

in the Splash Zone

visiting with Grandpa G. and Great Grandma M.

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It's time to open gifts!

lots of cute clothes, but Andrea likes the tags!

time to sit and rest for a minute

A. and Andrea try out her new wagon from Gram and Grandpa G.

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Cake time! Mommy made one especially for Andrea to enjoy, but she also made sure to get a nice one for the guests!

made with much Love (if not talent!) by Mommy

"Woohoo! Yummy! Squishy! Sticky!"

"Look at the hole she put in her cake!"

"Dig in, kids!"

"This is great! Can I eat like this every day?"

I also captured two videos around cake time. One is of Andrea enjoying her cake. The other is of Andrea playing a little game of "catch" with Uncle C.

http://media.putfile.com/Birthday-Cake-53

http://media.putfile.com/Andrea-and-Uncle-C

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The party ended on a festive note, when D. and J. set up the bubble machine they got for Andrea. The kids loved it!

Birthday Weekend--Friday and Saturday

Friday

Andrea is really trying hard to get into crawling! She is getting up and all fours and rocking, but most of the time, she ends up going backwards. Since she can't see where she's going, she often backs into things and gets stuck!

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Saturday

We spent early Saturday afternoon at Aunt T. and Uncle G.'s, for Aunt T.'s retirement party. It was fun--a BBQ and a pool party. Andrea received some birthday gifts from Daddy's family while we were at the party. Gram G. helped her open them. :))

She also got to visit with her G. Family relatives:

Aunt F. let her chew on pea pods fresh from the field, and she loved it! She is wearing cousin L.'s Tigers cap, which he kindly offered her to play with.

We worked on Andrea "being gentle" with her new cousin, Izzy. The first time, she patted her; the second time, she pushed the baby away!

Here's Andrea with Aunt T. --Guess what? They share the same birthday!

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After dinner at Aunt T.'s party, we were off to Daddy's work gathering at a partner's house. Andrea was pretty tired by then. She just wanted to kick back, and have a few drinks!

But you know how hard it can hit you when you're tired . . .

(Just kidding! She wanted Daddy's beer in the worst way, but he didn't let her have any!)

Happy Birthday, Andrea!

On this special day, my heart is too full to put into words just how much I love my baby girl. So, I decided to make a photo/music montage to share with everyone.

Please click on the link below, and join in the celebration of Andrea's first year!

Our Little Rose: Celebrating Andrea

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In My Daughter's Eyes, by Martina McBride

In my daughter's eyes, I am a hero
I am strong and wise, and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light, and the world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me
Gives me strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes.

And when she wraps her hand around my finger
Oh, it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes.

In my daughter's eyes, I can see the future
A reflection of who I am, and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see
How happy she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes.