Seven Months Old

She is so cute, she makes me hyperventilate trying to describe how cute she is! So cute, I can hardly wait for the garage door to open so I can rush in to see her. So precious, I have to actually work to keep from kissing her every five seconds. You can't imagine how true that is. I love how she rubs her face when we feed her peas and how she'd rather roll to her left and helicopter spin all the way around rather than simply reach to her right to grab a string of ribbon. I love how she bangs her wooden puzzle pieces together because she likes the sound they make and how she plays with my clothing when she nurses. I can't wait to tip-toe in in the morning to find her on her hands and knees always alert, always delighted to see me. I love how forgiving she is when I don't get to her in time or how she cries fast and quick when she bumps herself, but stops even faster than she starts. I love her sense of humor. She laughs in quick coughs when the cat enters the room and in pride when she bangs on her drum. In short, I love, I love, I love, I love, I love being her mother.

At Home with Anali

Though I'll be in school until July as a result of our snow days, it sure has been fun ("fun" can't even capture it, but I'm out of adjectives; I'm on vacation) to spend the week at home with Anali. Right now she's banging on her little piano, accompanying herself as she croons, "ahhh, ahhh, ahhh." ....Oop...she's crawling across the livingroom to her little stool, shrieking in an even higher pitch...nope, now she's pulling herself up on the table.

She's a busy girl lately! We love to watch her wheels spinning as she figures things and repeats the same moves over and over. A few days ago she climbed two stairs all by herself! Brandon taught her that, of course. She's into everything, but it keeps us smart and involved in her playtime. It excites me to see how much she loves being outdoors. Even accompanying us to the mailbox delights her. And it gets even better! I'm particularly glad that she will settle in my lap long enough for me to read her an entire book! That means more cuddle time and hopefully a love for reading, in time.

I have never loved anything quite as much as I love being her mother and Brandon's wife. Right now, as I end this post, Brandon has her wrapped in his legs She's patting his knee, looking up at him and "singing." The greatest joy in my life is sitting on my couch.

A New Year

Anali is crawling fast and pulling herself up now. I'll come in from the kitchen and find her standing against the sofa! Six and a half months. Who knew?

Snowshoeing at Snoqualmie Pass

Whee!

Bran and Anali