Things I love about Anna

Since this blog has sort of become my online journal, I thought I'd share some of the things that Anna has been doing.

Words she says:

shooowww (show)

daa (dad)

Mom (when she wants something)

mama (when she's sad)

cookie (code word for anything that remotely resembles a cookie)

mickamickamickamicka...(milk)

bookabookabooka...(book)

buba (bubble)

side (outside)

amol (animal)

heeshe (please, chesse, & Jesus. It kind of sounds like a snake hissing.)

Gampa (Grandma and Grandpas' get this one)

baby

bock (block)

Eemo (Elmo)

appo (apple)

Meimei (Amelia, cousin)

Mayee (Maylie, friend)

noway (saved for times when she is really upset)

shoe

utoh

baa (bath)

various animal sounds

Really, she babbles all day long. I'm sure there are others as well. It's so much fun to watch her figure out words and pick up on language skills, i.e. intonations, pronunciations, facial expressions. So cute.

Anna is not afraid of anything! This is a blessing and a curse. I love to watch her curiosity and independence as she tries new things, but she gets herself into trouble. Example, she decided it would be a good idea to start climbing onto the kitchen table to play with the centerpiece. She pulled herself up on the chair and then on to the table. On the descent she missed the chair and found the floor. But there are good things about her lack of fear. I took her to the pool yesterday and she would jump from the edge of the pool into my arms. So fun! She didn't even want me to hold her once she was in the pool.

Anna loves books. If someone were to ask me what Anna's favorite thing to do is, I would say reading. She is always carting books everywhere! When I take a shower, she'll grab two or three books and plop down beside the tub and read until I'm done. She also likes to read behind our big recliner, under the kitchen table, in her crib, and in my closet. I think she likes to feel cozy when she reads. Lately she has been dragging an empty pillow case, stolen from the laundry basket, and using it as a blanket. She'll pick her spot, lay the pillowcase over her legs and start reading. She's very animated when she reads. There is lots of pointing and hand-waving, and various volumes of blabber. She always likes to throw in some words she know in the mix. "Shebo do da sinka 'daddy' mabo 'animal' la goma 'cookie' gogga..." and so on. I can't help but smile thinking about it.

Anna loves to give hugs and kisses as long as it's on her agenda. If she's busy, she has no time for such frivolities. But when she does give them out, they are the best. There is nothing like a baby wrapping her arms around your neck and nuzzling into your shoulder, nothing.