Perfect Baby

Here you are playing right beside me as I type this:

Annie, you are simply perfect in every way!
I've been meaning to update your little journal for the longest time but we've been positively swamped with holiday events. We have been busy busy busy with Christmas preparation and then we took you to Ogden and SLC for a week. Even Christmas was so packed we didn't get to opening our presents until the 26th and we didn't put up our tree until Christmas eve! Sorry baby. But I think a busy life is a full life and you seem to agree because you are so happy and love the action. You thrive in crowds and cope so well with so many strangers wanting to play with you. You are perfect. Even your hair is perfect. It curls out at your ears and you have a big curl on top. You look just like Cindy Lou Hoo! So cute! I took these pics just so you could see how cute your curls are:



Did I tell you what your dad said? Probably, but I'll say it again. Q thinks that if we had a baby made to order piece by piece, you would have been delivered to us just as you are. He's right. You're amazing. I'm so lucky to be your mom.

The latest:

• You still love to suck on your hands but have now realized they can be used to grab things. You are starting to grab my hair and any other object that crosses the path of your hands.
• You love soft blankets. In fact, you cuddle with them when you nap or want to snuggle. You also pull soft blankets up to your face or over your head when you sleep just like Grandma Cindy. It's so cute. I bought you a silky blanket for Christmas and you love it! I can't believe you are so attached to soft silky things at only 5 months! (Which BTW, is today! Happy 5 month B-Day).
• You found your right foot first but now you grab both of them when you are lying down and pull them up to your face. In fact, this morning you started sucking on your toes! So cute.
• I spritzed your hair with your first hair spray on Christmas. It needed it. Have I ever mentioned that you have mad scientist hair? You do. It is crazy hair and geting crazier every week. I finally had to cut four huge knots out of the back! Seriously! I can't believe I'm already cutting knots out of your hair. Q asked if it counted as your first haircut and I shouted NO before he could even finish asking. At least I haven't had to comb knots out since. You actually liked when I had to comb knots out- but it took forever!
• Baby sounds galore! And we love your voice! You say "hi" all the time (at least that's what it sounds like). You are talking more and more. We love your little voice. You also blow bubbles and drool quite a bit and make funny faces. We love your "straight smile" and when you play with your tongue.
• Did I mention that you still have one arm wild at play when you eat? You are now starting to move your little legs too whenever you eat. Busy busy baby. Plus, when you see a bottle coming, you cannot contain your excitement. You start shaking and bouncing and we've got about 5 seconds to get that thing to your mouth. You are starting to get quite distracted while you eat and play with your bottle instead of eat. Suck suck suck, look around. Suck suck suck, smile at mom. Suck suck suck, blow bubbles and make funny sounds.
  
• You never cry. Ever! All the other babies had their moments at Christmas, but not you. You are super content to sit on my lap and watch all the action. You also let all the kids poke and squeeze and play with you and all the while you smile and smile. We think this is a big reason why all the kids love playing with you best. Sometimes we feel bad for the other babies who don't get nearly the same amount of attention. Of course, we could just be thinking this since we are totally baised about you in every way.
• Toys! You suddenly love toys. In fact, last night you had your first toy playing session and entertained yourself with toys for about half an hour. You normally have about a 15 minute toy attention span before we have to switch toys.
• I love popping my head over your cradle when you've woken because you shout out an exclamation of glee with the hugest smile the instant you see me. It's the best part of my day. It is so easy to make you smile. You are so happy all of the time. I can't get enough of your tiny little face. I often wonder how we made such a darling beautiful perfect pretty gorgeous girl. Do all parents think this? I can't imagine they do because they don't have you!
• You are sitting up so much better now. In fact, we noticed a huge difference since we came back from up north. You are doing so much better in your bumbo and activity center and just last night you were trying to sit up in your tub.

Annie, I thank God every day for you and am amazed by you. I can not believe how lucky I am to have a first row seat to such an amazing person. You are so cool! In fact, right now you are sitting on my lap blowing bubbles and making the cutest baby sounds while we cuddle. Love you forever Annie bird. Forever and ever!

More pics:
Look how cute you were at lunch when we took Grandma Hadley out for Greek in Ogden.



Also- I ate this authentic Ritter Sport (the real kind from Germany, not the fake Target kind) while I pushed you around Cabellas. You were sleeping the entire time. Good thing, since we were there FOREVER. Q would move into Cabellas if her could :)

Reindeer Annie

Last night we wrapped presents for the Mortuary party at Mom and Dad's. Dad (grandpa Ron) put these antlers on you and you were so cute. I think you liked being the center of attention. Later that night you had a 30 minute giggle fest that melted all of our hearts (why didn't we video?!?!?. You are SO CUTE and SO MUCH FUN!

It has been much too long since I have written last. You are changing too fast for me to keep up! It is both exciting and sad to see you grow into and out of phases. You are interacting so much more now (but you were always an exceptional alert baby so interacting is no new trick of yours).

Two new tricks of yours are giggles and a funny trick you do. If I hold you on my lap you will tilt forward and touch your head on my tummy. You think it is so much fun. At first you are all serious business about it but if we play this little game long enough, you will start to laugh when your head is on my tummy. It is funny to watch you try to laugh when you are all scrunched up. Your little hands are also more advanced. You are now a pro and grabbing anything that happens to tough your hands and you are starting to reach for things too. You are even letting Q and I give you tummy time (which we are horrible at keeping up with).

A few more things of note:

• Whenever I take you out, people stare at you and crane their necks to see you. Q said that when I take you shopping, people follow the stroller to get a better or longer look at you. You are a captivating baby. Everyone who crosses your path is mesmorized by your darling tiny face and little features and your happy personality. You smile on cue no matter what. Even if you are tired or crying, I can always get a smile out of you. I've also noticed that you don't have a huge head like all the other babies. You are an itty bitty gorgous girl!
• My dad was holding you two nights ago and after he put you to sleep in the sling he came into the office to tell mom, Q, and I how perfectly pretty you are. He went on and on about how beautiful your features are and how gorgeous your long fingers are. He couldn't get over you and neither can we. I know I am your parent so I'm biased, but you really are a breathtaking baby. You are the most darling baby I have ever seen and based on the reaction of everyone who meets you, I'm guessing that I'm not the only one who thinks so.
• Did I tell you what Q said the other night? He said that if we had purchased a baby made to order, it would have been you! If we had designed you peice by peice, not a speck of you would be different. You are perfect. I find myself staring at you in wonder. I often marvel how you could have come from me! I look at our faces together and think how much cuter and pretty you are... and I love it! I am so proud to be your mum.
• You just woke up and are now sitting on my lap. You love to see pictures of yourself on the computer and you love to watch TV- expecially sports. Football is your favorite. Actually, I'm getting a little worries about your TV affinity. You seem to be quite happy though so we will let a few games slide for now. Did you know you go to bed at midnight and sleep tell 9 am? Now that's my kind of schedule. You still have to eat twice in the night, but you are slepping longer. It's awesome.

Well Annie, it's time for your lunch and then it's up to Pine Valley for us and the Mortuary party. Meg is going to tend you. You love her so much. You are so lucky to have such a devoted fan. Love you Love you!

Oh Annie my Annie

I can't get over the coolness of you. You are everything perfect and special in all the best of ways. Yesterday Q said to me that if anyone tried to order the perfect baby piece by piece, they would end up with you. I added that you even have the cute baby clip art hair that curls up on top and sticks out over your ears. Mom said last night that you are simply not usual. You are an extraordinary baby (and we all know she tells it like it is). For one thing, you are extraordinarily alert and for another, you seem to be quite aware of what is happening and the dynamics of life all around you. It quite often seems to me as though you've been watching us all for years and years from heaven and you have no wish to delay your picking right up with us and joining in all our craziness. You don't want anything less than life-as-normal only that we please include you as well with a don't worry, I've been studying how to fit in for a while now and I'm ready to roll attitude. Oh Annie, how I simply adore you. You are the poster baby as Janine would say. You smile on cue, in the middle of a cry, and even when you sleep. You find joy in everything. And you've even started melting my heart with a new trick: when I'm holding you (whether sitting or standing) every so often you will look up to make sure I am there or see how I am reacting to something and then you'll smile at me and resume your observations. You really are the cutest, smartest, most amazing baby on the planet. I'm so lucky! Q told me he feels like we have a little club, you and I, and he is on the outside looking in. I told him to let me enjoy it while I am your favorite because knowing him and kids, it won't be this way forever... but then I got to thinking, maybe it will. I won't be able to ever stand it if I'm not your favorite person in the world. Quite certainly, you are mine!

Developments:

• You squeal with delight! And boy is it a loud squeal.
• You are getting over your first time being sick. We had the humidifier and vicks plug-in going all night for over a week. Q rushed to the store and bought all sorts of remedies, and I've been wiping your nose. You even tilt your head back and let me suction you. You really only had a runny nose and were a bit congested but we hated every minute of it. For a while I thought your flamingo kicks were history but turns out, you just were feeling blue. Last night they came back full force. Thank heaven! I love your flamingo kicks.
• You have started to wave your arm vigorously up and down when you eat. It is so funny. It stays straight and goes back and forth from your ear to your side. I've tried to be modest a few times by putting a blanket over us when you eat but your little arm move wisks that blanket away in seconds. You think it is so fun. It really is cute.
• This week, really the last 7 days, have been huge for your hands! You have discovered this week that you can reach for things and grab them. As a result, I have introduced you to all your toys and ordered many new ones on the internet that I really can't afford. I don't care; it really is completely marvelous to see you learn and develop. My favorite toy is on back order: a plastic fish bowl with little fish for you to put in and out. Oh- I also bought you an activity center for Christmas and gave it to you early tonight. You are still a bit small for it but you love love love it: especially the part that plays music.
• Books, books, and more books! Tuesday I sat down and read to you for the first real time. I say real because it is the first time you really understood what was happened and were engaged with reading. It is crazy how you have favorites already. You absolutely LOVE the click clack moo books and squeal so loudly when we read them. You like anything that rhymes and especially like the 12 Days of Christmas book because I sing it. You LOVE music!!!! Tomorrow they are having a book sale for teachers at the district office and I can't wait to take you and buy you even more books books books! I love books more than most anything in the world and am so satisfied to share this love with you.
• You love looking at pictures. Tonight you sat on my lap while I edited all the thanksgiving photos on our computer. It seemed as if you recognized Emma and Kate especially. You were so cute because you made sound effects for the photos you likes best.

Oh Annie my Annie. You are my light, my life, my heart. I feel as though we have been reunited after the longest of waits. That we are kindred souls, the best of friends together again at last. I see you marvel at life as if you've been studying it forever but are in awe of the difference between watching it and living it. You are fascinated with your reflection. It seems to me that you are studying the body God gave you and facsinated by how in moves and works. It is as though you have been waiting for this moment of coming to earth for so long and you want to soak up every bit of the new-ness of it. You are completely enamored with your lot and tickeled to finally be here. Dad put it best. He said you seem to really be enoying being a baby. He's right. You feel each moment out for all it's worth and looks forward to the next. You are quite content being her, being a baby, and thrilled with you place on earth. I am so lucky to finally be with you. Mom said last night that if anything happened to you it would just kill us. She says you are different, circumspent, retrospective. She is right. I could never leave you in a million years. You are my best friend.

This is our first real reading session. I am still wearing my dance clothes after a very long day.

Happy Annie

I love you more today than ever! Look at how cute you are tonight. I had Q take these with his phone because I wanted to remember forever how completely cuddly and absolutely adorable you are. You sat on my lap and let me cuddle with you for a while. Every so often you would look up to smile at me and then you would go back to your finger sucking.



Happy Thanksgiving. We carted you up to Payson to eat at Anita's. It was fun to show you off and Emma and Kate were completely enamored with you. They must have asked 5 dozen times to hold you. They colored pictures for you and picked out you bow and dress. They entertained you by holding the computer up so they could see their movie from your spider chair. You were such a good baby. They pulled you and grabbed you and put your binky in and out and you smiled all the while. You loved the attention. I must say, you are not only thee cutest baby on the planet, you are the best baby too!

We drove home Thursday night and went shopping with mom, Michelle & co on black Friday. You spent most of the day in your Uppababy and were so content. I bought you way too many outfits at Old Navy (one of which is this stars number above) while you slept in the sling.

THIS WEEK you have been sick for the first time in your life. It is the worst. I can't hardly stand it. You have a runny nose and that's it but still I'm so sad. The cool thing is that you let me suction you for the most part. I show you the little suctioner and you tilt back your head and hold pretrt still for me. You hate having your nose wiped though and I can tell you are pretty sick and tired of the whole business of runny noses. At least it is pretty minor. What kills us all is that you smile through it all. Even in your worst feeling moment full of tears and runniness, you smile big enough to fill the entire room. You are so special and so sweet. Today mom said you were unlike any other baby. You are so observant of people and aware of everyone. You seem mentally mature beyond your age. You are always thinking and analyzing. You react and respond to people and smile on cue. There is something quite different and quite charming about you. I told Quinn, there is no way on earth I would be able to live without you now that I know what life is like with you. We are soul mates reunited and I adore you beyond measure. Everyone who sees you Annie adores you instantly. You remind me much of the little girl in Uncle Tom's Cabin who captures the hearts of everyone who meets her (but the comparison scares me to peices as you will find out why when you read this miraculous book).

DEVELOPMENTS: I am excited because Matthew told me that once babies start reaching for things, their development in exponential. A few days ago you started doing just that and in a matter of a week I can see a huge difference in your motor skills and connection between mind and body. Your little hands are now tools as you attempt to use them to reach for things, put your binki back in, and play with my fingers. I am the luckiest mum in the whole wide world to have a front seat for what is to come. Each day your hands get better and grabbing and holding. You got frustrated for the first time this week that your hands were wrapped up when you slept. There is so much happening so fast. You are even starting to try to sit up on your own. No signs of rolling though. Q and I figured out that you don't know about rolling because we never put you down long enough to let you try. You should also know that you got the first knots in your hair on Thanksgiving. Yep, it's that long at only 4 months. Rad!

Here you are just before getting sick. Little did we know...

...We had to sleep you in your spider chair so you could be tilted up a bit. I am worried that you won't sleep well in you cradle on a flat surface now that we have spoiled you with four nights of spider chair comfort. The worst thing about you being sick was probably when I realized you can't take a bink when you can't breath through your nose! That was aweful for us both.

And one more: This is the first time you leaned your head on my sholder when I held you. It was such an amazing heart warming feeling! I love you Annie, the whole world over!!!

I Can Hold You Forever- Impressions from Mother for Daughter

I wanted to tell you of some thoughts I've had about you. You should know that the first few weeks you were born, you could focus so well. Often times I had the impression you were watching someone in the room I couldn't see. Someone who was having a hard time letting you go but who also wanted to give you some last moments of encouragement to do your best and be your best in this life. You seemed excited for the challenge. You also always seemed excited to finally be with us. From the first moment I saw you, you seemed to say to me, "Here I am- Don't you remember me? I sure know you!"

It was crazy the first time I met you because I expected to have an overwhelming feeling of recognition- but it was exactly the opposite. It was a complete surprise to see you, I didn't recognize you one bit! BUT... you TOTALLY recognized me! I could tell instantly that you knew me, everything about me, and that you had waited much too long (in your opinion) to finally be with me again. You looked at me with complete knowing and I even had the impression that you were a bit put off that I was acting like I was seeing you for the first time. Often in the last three months you have given me the impression that you belong to us and that you can't believe you are finally here. I get the distinct feeling that you have been surrounded by your women predecessors who have nurtured you and groomed you for this experience of life and have helped to prepare you for what you will face. They have told you all about the women who will take care of you on earth and you are so comfortable with the women who care for you now.

Many times I catch you looking back and forth from me, to my mom, to Meg and your expression says, "Well, what are we going to do next?" Of course you're smiling when you give me a look that says I'm one of the gang so don't lose a step on my account. Just pick right back up in everything you've been doing because I'm up to speed about it all and I expect to be included. You seem to recognize and enjoy family traditions like music and clogging. You seem enthralled when you are with each of your grandmas and great grandmas. You seem to have a special kinship with women and to know and recognize the women in your life.

I have the feeling you were a very studious spirit before you came here because you haven't lost a step. You are eager to grow and progress. You observe everyone around you with great care. You seem very familiar with the life you have been given and those who care for you. You seem intuitive and cognizant and aware. Annie, you are simply extraordinary. One day I even had the impression that you are fresh out of preparation classes you took as a spirit with your cousins (Lailee and the twins). I could visualize all four of you together learning about what you would face. I could also feel that Lailee was lonely without you since she was the only one of the four of you left in the spirit world.

I also wanted to tell you of another impression I have had that your Grandpa Hadley especially spent some time with you just before you were born. I felt this way before you were born and even more so after your birth. I felt you could still see him at times during your first month and that he was saying, "That's your dad- see, I told you he was terrific. Now heal his heart just like I told you too and don't forget about my side of the family." Actually, I had specific impressions that he really did say those things to you and then I saw you smile like you had a big secret and he winked at you to remind you not to let on about it.

I also know he told you much about your Grandma Hadley. He loves her so much and he wanted to be sure you knew all the good things about her. I know this because when you were in my tummy you moved for the first time the first time you heard her voice- and you didn't stop jumping for over an hour! You also light up like a Christmas tree whenever you see her. It's like you're delighted that Grandpa Hadley was right about everything and that Grandma She She really is as wonderful as he said. A few weeks ago she was staying with us and you forgot. She came around the corner and you were so delighted to see her you gasped with pure joy! I know part of your love for her comes from him.

I know you are excited to be another link in a strong chain of women. You remind me of my mom. You seem introspective like her. You seem to understand her and know how she thinks. It feels as though you chose me and my mom and Meg as companions in this life and that we were all four of us, the best of friends before earth. You Annie, are the one that was missing. I can assure you, we were one short before you. I can also say I honestly know there is one missing after you. We have another girl who you've just left who is clamoring at the gates to join us as soon as possible. You are having all the fun and she can't wait to be with you again. I think you feel the same way.

I also think you are starting to forget a little. I feel the veil thickening between you and the spirit world with each week. I feel you settling into the blindness of life and those who have helped you transition into this life start to fade. They are starting to assume their positions of quiet protectors and observers and are starting to lesson their tactile presence in your life. They are saying goodbye to you in a way and passing you off to me. They are warning me and pleading with me and expecting me to do a good job as your mother. You are special, you are different, and they want me to know how diligent I must be and how hard I must work to guide you, protect you, and lead you. It should feel daunting, but it only feels like I've won the lottery of the greatest prize on earth. And it's the truth. You are the greatest prize on earth and the best comfort all of your angels have is in knowing I feel this way, that I have always felt this way, and that I will always feel this way. Together at last Annie Meg. To the ends of the earth. I love you LOVE YOU LOVE YOU!

Here are some picture of you from last night:

Aren't you cute in this photo! Dad and I raced to the door to see who could get to you first because we both wanted to hold you. Too bad you were asleep when we found you! Mom watched you while I worked and then she kept you while Q and I went to sign an offer for our dream house. We are so SO nervous and excited and hoping and praying that we will get the house. When we took you in it for the first time you laughed and laughed and laughed. That's how I knew it was the one. You didn't act that way for any other house! But it is not likely we will win the bid for the house and we have to wait almost a year to find out if we get it. The longer we wait, the more likely it is we will get it- but oh how unbearable that wait will be. Most likely we won't know until summer and it's not even Christmas now! How can I stand the waiting!?!


It was Steve Irwin Day (November 15th) and I'm sorry to say that you spent the day in "The Boy Outfit." My mom bought this for you before you born. Actually, she bought 2 outfits- one for a boy and one for a girl since we didn't know what you would be. It was one of only 2 girl outfits we had for you since we all thought FOR SURE you were a blond chubby blue-eyed boy and not a skinny dark-haired dark-eyed girl! You already grew out of the girl outfit and since you are so tall for your age (and weight), I am running out of PJ's for you. Boy outfit it is. I felt bad about it so today I put you in all pink with a pink bow. Also, I wanted to show you that in the picture we had been doing some serious cuddling! I just put you up on my shoulder, turn on your playlist, and we sway to the music. I tried to cement the feeling of it in my memory so it would last forever. It is the best!


Here are some pictures from today. See- I decked you all out in girl attire. I'm having to put you in 6 month stuff even though it is too big because you are so tall. Meg just loved your outfit and requested some photos of you. She is the one holding you in the photo. She loves you so so much! You always save huge smiles for her.

I'm sick, you're cute, please let us get the house!

Annie, you are growing like a weed! I'm not sure I like it, but I will tell you- it is exciting! Your little legs are so chubby tonight! I appreciate this fact very much since I am super sick and your legs are the only thing I dare kiss. I can't believe I haven't gotten you sick! It has been difficult. Imagine me not kissing you for two whole days! It is torture. So far (knock on wood) you appear to be healthy and showing no signs of the flu. I hope my efforts of putting you to bed extra long, placing a humidifier under your cradle while you sleep, and feeding you plenty of extra liquids will give you that extra boost to avoid being sick. If you were sick I would be terribly sad. I have been having everyone else hold you and I swear you feel neglected by me. I tried to tell you it is for your own good but I still know I'm your favorite person and you're a bit hurt that we haven't spent every waking moment together. Let me tell you, I miss you like crazy!

A FEW HAPPENINGS: Yesterday Mom, Meg, and I loaded you up and took you to visit my Grandma Polly. I brought my camera along but was so busy being sick that I didn't snap one picture. Rats! We picked up a quilt Mom won at Peach Days and then I took a huge nap while you played with Meg (thank heavens for Meg). Mom said you watch Grandma Polly with fascination and G.Po swears you recognize her. I was thinking how longs it's been (84 years) since you have been with Grandma Polly and you're probably just trying to soak it all up now that you're back together again. I get the distinct impression that you are coming to me from the arms of many women in heaven who love you, helped prepare you, and support you. I'm sure they told you all about Grandma Polly and you love looking at this fabulous person in reality. You study her face and listen intently to her voice. It is so fun to share you with Grandma Polly and Grandma Polly with you!

Developments: I had Q take these awful pictures (above) with my phone to show that I am starting to hold you on my hip now. It's the best. I have been looking forward so much to 2 things: kicks in pj clad legs and hip holds. The hip hold is progressing nicely. Too bad that you move right at the moment the picture is being taken so none of these are great of either one of us.

Something else I can tell you about yourself is that you love love LOVE to watch people! Your favorite place is in a crowd and you're a big fan of admirers. I may never need to buy you another toy if only I keep you in the midst of a few interesting subjects. Also of note: Your hair looks like the hair of a mad scientist no matter what I do with it. It always ends up CRAZY the minute I sweep you out of the bathroom. It's cute. You're cute. You're terrific! Tonight Q and I talked about how we will just DIE when you scrape your knee of bonk you head so we've decided it must never happen.

NEWS FLASH: Tomorrow Q and I are putting in an offer on a house for you. It's a piece of work... but a BIG peice of work. 5,402 sq feet with a HUMONGOUS yard peice of work. It is exciting. So exciting that I cannot sleep one wink and may never be able to sleep until we know if we get to buy the house. The bad part is that it will be months and MONTHS before we hear anything back so we have to keep house hunting in the mean-time. House hunting is exhausting and scary and unpredictable and so so.... so many unknowns. I'm suprised to hear myself saying that I will be glad when it is finally over and I know exactly what to expect for the next 30 years. I hope we get the house. Oh- I hope we get the house. And now I may never sleep for months and months. Great. Just what I DO NOT need: less sleep.

Love you LOVE YOU the whole world over.

-Mom

A bit about Annie

Dearest little Annie Bird,

It's high time we start a journal to keep track of wonderful you. You are the best and brightest part of my life and I can't bare to think I may lose track of all I feel about you and all that you are doing if I don't start writing it down. Already I am sad that I haven't captured your first three months but hopefully the lack of documentation ends here. The goal is for the people who love you most to update your little life story as it develops and have something fun to look back on and remember. I can't imagine you will ever be any bigger than you are (part of me doesn't want to) but then again, three months ago it never occurred to me that you would be holding your head up by yourself or starting to laugh!

Right now you are taking a nap in your cradle by our bed in the mortuary apartment. Scratch that- I just checked on you and the nap is no longer. Maybe if I leave you alone a bit you'll ease back into that great and dreamy state of sleep I so long for... probably not though. You are a very light sleeper and only take little cat naps {unless I put you in grandma Cindy's swing... I'm still mad about that}. Plus, you have a rough time getting yourself back to sleep. That's probably my fault for not being able to teach you to sleep on your own. You never cry. You just make little grunts until I pop on over. Once you see my head peeking above the cradle you deliver a HUGE grin and you're off for the day- there's no getting you to sleep after that.

A few qualities we have noticed already about you:

• You smile on cue. We can get you to smile whenever and to whoever we want. It's so endearing. You are such a happy baby. You have never cried once without a reason and so far I have always known that reason so we are making a happy go of baby-dom. I think all the other mommies are just a bit jealous of you (as they should be) because you never stop smiling. Even if you are crying (which is hardly ever), I can always get you to smile in the middle of it. My dad says you look nothing like me until you smile and then your smile lights up and fills your entire face. It's so true. Your smile brightens the room and is a HUGE people magnet. Complete strangers can't keep from aweing over you and last week in San Diego a Chinese couple even asked to have their picture taken with you!
• Your little birdie sounds are terrific. When you are hungry at night you open your mouth like a little birdie and make cute little "uh,uh,uh" sounds until I feed you. It's so funny. You don't even cry. That may be because I have never had to make you wait too long for a meal. Other sounds you make include fake coughs for an hour after you wake up in the morning and really spirited grunts. I love your sounds! You have only started to use your voice to sigh and sing. It is the most beautiful sound to my ears.
• You are the most alert baby we have ever met. All of your doctors and nurses were impressed with your alertness even minutes after you were born and your attentiveness hasn't ended. You love to be in the middle of a crowd or in a place where you can watch people. Your big dark eyes take everything in and you look as though you either recognize everyone and can't figure out why they don't already know you or you're trying to analyze the great mysteries of the social world. You have always been able to focus well and are so present. You are completely aware of everyone around you. It's cool.
• You absolutely love music. Mom and I swear you have perfect pitch already because at 1 month old you could repeat a note after we sang it. You also stop everything you're doing or thinking when a good tune hits your ears. I know most babies love music but you've got something else altogether. I joined the choir at church just because you absolutely love to sit on my lap and listen to choir practice. Your favorite part to hear is soprano and you are fascinated with Darcy Trumble's voice. You can spot it out of the crowd and focus on her with intent when she is singing. At only a few days and weeks old we discovered you loved Claire de Lune because when it played you stopped moving and listened until it was over. You didn't do that with any other song. Now you really love slow, soft country. Your favorite songs to hear in the day are American Honey and Free. You also laugh when I sing my best possible rendition of the Indiana Jones theme.

These are just a few things I adore about you! THIS WEEK you also started trying to sit up on your own, suddenly became fascinated by toys, and have almost figured out that your hands can be used to feel things or bring a bink closer to your mouth. You are so insanely cute! Everyone says so.

Today I asked you how on earth I got the cutest baby on the planet. You just gave me this duh look like you wanted to say, "Come on mom, we've know each other for centuries. Get a clue. We're best buddies and I've only been waiting to be with you again for 30 years." I can't believe I get to keep you forever. I love it! I love you so much so much so much it hurts! I've already got it bad and I've only had you 3 months! Annie, you are my heart. My entire heart.

Because there should always be pictures:

Last night I had to bundle you up to go and get my phone (I left it in the car).
This was the debut of your new bunny hat!
You also love the sling as long as I keep moving.





TODAY: I pulled your arms so you could sit up. You were trying to use your tummy muscles for the first time today to sit up. It was a big thrill for you when I propped you on a pillow and then pulled your arms so you were sitting up. You seriously think I am the most fun thing ever. You laugh at me no matter what I do or say and I'm your favorite person on the planet. Please stay this way forever. I could not handle it if you didn't think I was the coolest person ever now that I know what it feels like that you do.