Christmas

We went to New Orleans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Special thanks to Sara for loaning her dress from last year to Anna!

Anna spent most of the night climbing up and down (and up and down) the stairs.



Around 10:30, Anna started playing around on the floor, so we knew our time was limited.



My cousin Matthew and his girlfriend, Annie, got engaged just before Christmas. We are all thrilled! Annie made some "reindeer food" for Anna to put outside so that Santa would know where to stop, since we stayed at Edmund and Kathy's house for the night.



Then, she brought Anna outside and helped her spread it out.



It was extra sparkly so that Santa and the reindeer couldn't miss it!



Santa made sure to leave lots of presents for Anna. Here is one of them. Once Anna had unwrapped the entire huge box, we asked her, "What do you think is inside of the box?"
She replied, in an almost exasperated way, "Kids in the box!"



Once Uncle Stephen woke up, he and Anna watched one of the movies Santa brought. The night before, Anna confided to me, "Uncle Teven, I yuv him!" This was the first time she said she loved anyone or anything, so I asked her excitedly, "Anna, do you love Mommy and Daddy?"
"No," she responded flatly.



A LOT later, we opened family presents. Anna helped everyone open theirs.



She got a wooden train from Stephen and my parents, and several movies from Amy and Mike.





On the day after Christmas, we drove to Ft. Walton Beach, where Shaun's parents were staying. Carl's birthday was on the 25th, and Mary Jane's was the 27th, so we ate some cupcakes. Anna LOVED the frosting, though she didn't really eat it.




Nanny asking, "Anna, why don't you lick your fingers? That's good frosting!"



Things went further downhill after that.

There was lots of "Nanny and Anna" time while we were visiting. Anna really enjoys all of the attention.

Here is the view from the condo. Beautiful.

We went out one day when it was a bit warmer and sunny. Anna had a good time playing in the sand. Too bad she didn't like it back in July.

Godmom Amy came over so that we could visit and exchange gifts. She brought Anna a cute T-shirt from Disney World.

This was the best picture we could get. Anna had just woken up from a nap (notice the princess nightgown she insisted on wearing?) and was very cranky, despite being showered with presents and attention. She was picking her nose in every other picture we took.

What a great Christmas holiday! We had such a nice time with family and friends. It was back to school on Monday of this week :-(

Christmas Vacation Begins

Friday the 18th was our last day of school, so we started our vacation off right- we went to play at the Pasquier's house on Saturday morning. The girls had fun, as always!




Here is Anna trying to take a picture with Sara's camera. She is still a little young to understand that you have to get the subject in the frame, THEN push the button. She took some super flattering pics of my belly and I'm hoping that Kristen erased them!




Sara taught Anna how to harass your younger brother (though, I think Mick actually liked it- he is such a happy baby!)




At home, we had lots of presents to wrap, so Anna helped me. She wrapped up the remote for Daddy, too.




Then, she demanded that I wrap her up! She WAS the best birthday present I ever got!




"Yook Mommy, I goin' fishin'!" Yes, we're working on the "L" sound.




Then, just to show the degree of disarray of the dining room at the end of our wrapping frenzy (which was not helped by Anna unrolling ALL of my ribbon while I wasn't looking).




Later that evening, Anna showed me the correct way to eat spaghetti. Silly me, I've been doing it wrong for so long...




Here's the 17-week belly shot. I never did this when I was pregnant with Anna, but wish I had. I just moved into the maternity (whale) clothes, which definitely accentuate my fat(ter) belly.

Finally, the big news: we went for an ultrasound today to check on the placenta and it's moved completely out of the way, so I can go back to exercise!

And the even bigger news: IT'S A BOY!! We are so excited!

However, the ultrasound detected a problem with the umbilical cord. There are supposed to be 2 arteries going away from and 1 vein going to the baby. There is only ONE artery. Luckily, the doctor said that usually this does not cause many problems except perhaps some growth restriction later in the pregnancy. I will have to have more frequent ultrasounds to detect any problems that may arise (no complaints here!), but the overall prognosis is good!

Guess who...

Ate this cheese, then put it back in the bag?



Decorated the Christmas tree?



Is eating with a big spoon and big bowl?



Has been getting herself dressed in the mornings?




Is ready for Mardi Gras, even though it's not Christmas yet?



Has been helping me bake (and perform quality control)?


ANNA!!!

If you're wondering what the heck is going on at our house... I don't know, I'm just her mom.

Happy Birthday Amy!

Anna has been enjoying singing and blowing out candles. In celebration of her godmother's birthday today, here is her rendition of "Happy Birthday!"



Happy 30th, Amy!!

Goofballs!

Here are some pictures of Anna (and accomplices) goofing off last weekend. Anna got herself into a spare car seat we have stored in our room.



Nanny and Poppy came over to watch the LSU game last Saturday night. First, we started off dancing in Anna's room. Anna insisted that Poppy put on her tutu.



Then, we put on Anna's favorite song, "Autumn" from Glazunov's "The Seasons". Poppy danced with her first.



Then, handed her to Nanny.



Nanny and Anna danced some more!



A video of Anna and Poppy (and tutu) dancing to Anna's favorite song.




This is a video of Anna dancing to the same song in her "ballerina dress" last Sunday morning.

Baby Scare

Here are some new pics of the baby. I wasn't supposed to have any more ultrasounds until about 20 weeks, but this little turkey has been up to no good. In the ultrasound technician's words, "it must be a little boy to be causing you so much trouble". I guess we'll see! It is impossible to determine the sex by looking at the pics, so don't even bother.


In the middle of the night on Thursday, I woke up with some heavy bleeding. Convinced I was having a miscarriage, Shaun and I didn't get much sleep for the rest of the night. A trip to the doctor's office and an ultrasound revealed that the baby is fine, but I have placenta previa. That means that the placenta is growing over my cervix and is easily jostled, causing red, scary, heavy bleeding.

So, I am now on pelvic rest until the placenta moves. That could be in two weeks or not at all. The doctor said that it is pretty common this early in pregnancy and that 95% of the time it will move eventually. Luckily, I am not on complete bed rest. However, I cannot exercise and have to take it easy. Shaun has been VERY helpful and is making sure I follow doctor's orders- because y'all know I'm going to push it.

This is an excerpt from our conversation:

Dr. D: "Ok, so Carolyn, you HAVE to take it easy. (thinking fast) No jazzercise... (thinking faster because he sees the look on my face) No long walks... (even faster, because he knows I'm looking for the exceptions) No running outside with Anna... (it's Thanksgiving soon) No traveling."

Me, looking for the loophole: "Can I swim?

Dr. D: "Absolutely not. That would jar the pelvis"

Me: "Can I lift weights?"

Dr. D, slightly amused: "NO! You can't exercise or move around much"

Me: "Can I walk up stairs?"

Dr. D, throwing his hands up and laughing: "NO, NO, NO!!! Don't do anything! Get some rest!!"

Sometimes, I think I drive him crazy. But he puts up with it because he knows we think he's the best OB/GYN ever.

Halloween

Anna decided to be a cowgirl for Halloween. She was VERY excited about the Halloween experience this year! Every year, our neighborhood has a parade that culminates at the park for a hot dog party. We started out walking.



But quickly fell behind because everyone else was riding in wagons.



Shaun ran inside quickly and got our wagon. It helps that our house is on the parade route.



Anna spent the party swinging.



And eating LOTS of Chee-tos.




Trick-or-treating was moved an hour forward so it didn't conflict with the LSU game.



She did a good job saying "thank you" but never did say, "trick-or-treat!" She just held out her pumpkin bag.



We walked down our street and the street behind us. Anna's bag was so full that she was dragging it by the end. When we asked her if she was ready to go home, she replied, "No, I want big candy! More!"


All in all, Anna had a good haul. We have enjoyed it. Grandpa, we're saving the Baby Ruth bars for you when we see you at Thanksgiving!!