The Month of October

October has always been a favorite month around our house.  It was month we got married and always signals the beginning of fall.

We started off our month with the final camping trip of the season.  We were sad it is the last of this year but ready to get a full season of camping in next year.  We headed down to Pomme with Sandy and Jay and we camped right next to Ryan, Kristy, and Grace.  It was a cold weekend but nothing that a campfire couldn't fix.  We had a great time sitting around the campfire and as a bonus we got to listen to the Royals on the radio.  It felt a little old fashion but a good reminder you don't always need a tv to have fun.

Later in the month I planned Annabelle's first trip to the pumpkin patch with Aunt Kristy and her sister Stephanie and of course all the kids.  Both of Annabelle's grandmas came along and she had so much fun.  We ended up going on a day that was not fall like at all but instead was very warm.  It didn't stop any of us from having a great time.  Annabelle loved seeing the different animals they had there, the goats and bunnies being the favorite.  She also loved playing in the corn pit but she really wanted to eat some of that dried corn everyone had been playing in.  Yuck!  I think the idea of the actual pumpkin patch and picking a pumpkin was lost on her but she will get it one day.

Then the month of course finished out with Halloween.  We dressed Annabelle up as a pea pod and she didn't seem to mind at all.  It was a very cold night so we just met up with my family over at Great Grandma's house and then came home to visit a couple of the neighbors.

The month was great and we look forward to watching Annabelle grow and enjoy October as much as we do.

This is the best I could do with the two of them

Cheering on the boys in blue

We are having a great time cheering on the Royals and we still believe we can bring home the crown! 

9 months

I know that I am a little late posting this but I was waiting on the 9 month check-up so I could post some stats.

Annabelle weighs 19 pounds 9 ounces and is in the 50th percentile for weight.  A far cry from when they were saying she was too small.  She is only 27 inches long and in the 25th percentile for height.  Are we really surprised she is short?  She has 2 teeth now and 2 more trying hard to come in.  Her favorite thing to do right now is stand up and she is quickly learning to walk around holding onto things.  Annabelle is trying to stand up on her own so I think it will not be long before I am posting about her walking.  She is happy most of the time and loves to talk all the time.  Her favorite word is DaDa but she is saying MaMa more and more.  Annabelle thinks that Rescue is about the funniest thing she has ever seen and she just loves puppies.

I am amazed every day but the new things she does and I love her more and more every day.  I am the luckiest Mommy in the world to have Annabelle.

Fall Camping Trip

I have always loved camping in the fall.  The cooler weather allows for being outside without sweating to death and then you have to love the campfires.  We took off on Thursday for a long weekend of camping.  As it turns out the weather changed just in time for our trip.  We got set-up on Thursday and checked out how to work the furnace in our camper so we would be ready for the cold night (I know not real camping).

Friday morning it rained while Chad and Rescue slept and Annabelle and I played.  Annabelle laid down for a morning nap and with the rain I figured why not sleep some more too.  Well, the rain brought in even cooler weather so most of the day was spent inside.  Annabelle being mobile this trip made things a little different this time.  Luckily the camper is set-up pretty safely for a mobile baby but the tile floor is not the easiest thing for a baby in socks to navigate.  So we laid a big blanket down and we were set.  Annabelle did great playing with toys and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (once again I know not real camping if you have a TV).  Chad and I thought the cold weather was a good opportunity for a campfire but we were wrong!  We quickly learned that when it is 50 degrees out that camping on the windy side of the campground is not ideal.  The wind was so strong and cold that even standing over the fire we were freezing.  So we abandoned ship on the fire and hung out inside.

Saturday, I slept in with Rescue while Chad and Annabelle played.  The sun was shining and we all ventured outside.  Chad took Rescue for a walk while Annabelle and I made breakfast.  After a late breakfast we all went outside to take in some fresh air.  My cousin Kyle and Grandma were over at Bennett Springs for the weekend so they came over for a visit.  We all had fun seeing them and Annabelle got to spend sometime with Kyle who she doesn't get to see very often.  That evening we took a family walk and saw some camping friends that I grew up camping with.  Annabelle quickly took to Aunt Carol and was happy to let her hold her for a short time with Mom nearby.  Saturday evening was the perfect night for a campfire and we took full advantage.

Sunday was going home day which is always sad but we are going again this weekend so it was not too sad.

Getting the royal treatment and being held while I eat

Why can't I go outside?

Tired after a long weekend of camping

 

Baby on the Move

It has happened, we have a baby on the move.  To be fair she has really been on the move by scooting for a while, but she officially started crawling yesterday.  Crawling is something she has been working on for several weeks now and she had mastered going backward several weeks ago.  However, yesterday she decided she really wanted some toys and made it forward.  Annabelle is also pulling up and walking around if she can hold onto furniture.  She is really more interested in standing and walking than crawling so I figure it will not be long before she is walking everywhere.  So let the baby proofing begin!

First Tooth

After a week of being up in the middle of the night for hours on end, Annabelle cut her first tooth.  I came home last Thursday and began playing with her and she put my finger in her mouth and I felt a tooth.  It became very clear why we were having so many sleepless nights.  I was confused about her not sleeping through the night because she sleeps for 10-12 hours like a champ most nights.  A week with being up for 3-4 hours in the middle of the night was killing Chad and I.  She never really cried unless you laid her down but she wanted to be held and was just really restless.  We had tried giving her ibuprofen but it didn't seem to help.  We thought the tooth had broke through and we hit the jackpot, but that was true for one night.  Looking in her mouth again reveled that she has 3 more teeth trying to come in.  This time she seems to be handling it a little better and we are sleeping again.  I have to say the sleepless nights are hard, but I am never too sad to have cuddle time with my Princess, and I am just happy to know the cause.

Aunt Kristy gave us the tip of giving Annabelle frozen waffles to help with teething so here are some pictures because I can't resist taking her picture.

8 Months

The time really does go by so fast.  I enjoy every minute that I spend with Annabelle but still can't believe that 8 months has past.  She is such a happy baby and watching her grow is the best thing ever.  Annabelle is really growing up and has her own personality.  She loves to watch and play with other kids.  I think that Annabelle is going to be a dog lover too because her face lights up when she sees Rescue.  She has always hated tummy time and that has not changed but she will stand it long enough to get up on all fours.  One of her favorite things though is standing up and she has started pulling up as well.  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a favorite show at our house these days mostly because Annabelle loves the music.  The only problem is that Chad and I can't stop singing the songs because the are stuck in our head.  Talking and laughing are by far the Annabelle's favorite pass times.  We have started giving Annabelle table food and she is very happy to eat most anything we give her.  Like I said she is growing up fast and her are some pictures to prove it.

The Lake

We took Annabelle's first trip to the lake with Uncle Ry-Ry, Aunt Kristy, and Gracie.  We also took Rescue along so she could have a fun weekend with cousin Tysie.  Snickers stayed home with Uncle Jay because she is not a fan of the lake and got a little break from all of us.  

Annabelle was a true lake rat.  She liked the water although it was a little too cold for her.  She loved going out on the boat and having the wind blow in her hair.  Gracie loved spending time with Annabelle and the feeling was mutual.  I loved spending a weekend with both of my girls.  

Rescue loved being at the lake too.  She was a little scared of the water at first but after watching Tysie swim she quickly followed.  Rescue spent a lot of time off the lead and working on listening to voice commands.  She did a really good job and only wondered off a couple of times.

We had such a good time at the lake that we even bought a camper for ourselves this weekend.  So the Kershner's are officially campers now and have many more lake trips in our future.  

Selfie with my girl

First boat ride

Swimming but a little unsure because of the cold water

Finally in but it didn't last too long because it started raining

Puppies swimming

Snuggling with Aunt Kristy after swimming

First Zoo Trip

We took advantage of the long Memorial weekend with our first trip to the zoo with Aunt Kristy, cousin Gracie, and Kia.  It was a little warm and a lot humid but we still had a lot of fun.  Annabelle got really tired after about 2 hours but what can you expect.  I see many more trips in our future. 

On the way into the zoo

My happy girl

With Cousin Gracie

with Gracie and Kia

Annabelle love the hippo because it popped up and surprised her

Rolling over

On Monday, May, 19th Annabelle surprised us with some rolling over.  She has done from her back to her stomach a few times but never the other way.  I set her down for some tummy time and she decided that she didn't want to do it and quickly rolled to her back.  She then proceeded to do it over and over.  Here is a real short video.

Solid food

Tonight Annabelle reached a new milestone by starting solid food. 

The past few weeks we have noticed she seems interested in our meals so we thought let's let her have some solids. I have been planning for months to make baby food when it was time. So I started researching what foods she could have and planned a shopping trip. 

I had a plan in my head for her first food after lots of debate. However, I really just couldn't wait to give her food. So today I bought her green beans as I knew that I didn't want to deal with making those. 

Tonight I made up some baby oatmeal mixed with green beans and striped her down to bib and diaper. Annabelle did great! I was prepared for her to spit it out but she didn't. Instead she held it in her mouth like what do I do with this and then ate like a champ. 

Easter

We spent our first family Easter together this weekend. It was a busy weekend but you can't beat the smiles from Annabelle.

We had to spend some time taking care of the puppies Saturday morning so Annabelle got some Aunt and Uncle time. Annabelle with with Uncle Ry-Ry and Aunt Kristy to and Easter egg hunt at their church. Cousin Gracie was there of course and loved having Annabelle there. I see many more church events together in their future. 

Saturday evening we had dinner with my family and egg coloring at my brother's house. Annabelle played outside with Gracie in the swing and even went down the slide with her (a little nerve racking for Mom but everybody lived). Annabelle only made it through part of the egg coloring though before turning into a pumpkin. Rescue was not left out of fun and came along to play with cousin Tysie. They had lots of fun wearing each other out and Snickers got a much needed break at home.

Sunday we went to church. Chad had the task if getting Annabelle dressed because I was teaching Sunday school at early service. He called in some reinforcements with Grandma Sandy but did great getting her ready. After church we had lunch with Grandma and then came home to relax a little. 

It was a busy but blessed weekend! 

She found an egg

Trying on my sun hat

Easter Morning

Introducing the newest member of the family

Our family added a new family member on Friday evening.  A nine week old boxer puppy named Rescue.  

We picked the name Rescue because she is rescuing us all from the sadness of losing Marley.  We think Rescue and Annabelle will be great friends growing up.  Snickers and Rescue are already becoming friends.  

Rescue is a great mix of playful and cuddly.  She is all clumsy puppy and so funny to watch. Here are a few pictures of our new baby. 

Girls weekend

This weekend Chad went to Lincoln for a guys weekend so it was just us girls at home.  We actually had a really busy weekend.  It started off with a little bit of a rough morning on Saturday because Annabelle had some trouble sleeping.  We have just moved her into her crib since she is starting to rollover and she is still adjusting.  However, since it was Saturday we were able to go back to bed and get the sleep she and I needed before starting our day.  Grandma Tena came over that afternoon and we went up to Smithville.  I ordered a basket of fruits and vegetables from Bountiful Baskets (this is a great deal by the way, you can check it out at bountifulbaskets.org) and we had to go pick it.  The travel fell right at Annabelle's nap time so she slept on the way up had a bottle in the car with Grandma while I waited in line and then slept on the way home.

In the afternoon we had lots of visitors.  Grandma Sandy and Uncle Jay came over for a short visit.  Also Aunt Kristy and Gracie came over to hang out and have dinner since Uncle Ry-Ry was with Daddy.  Gracie is so fun to watch with Annabelle she definitely loves her and can't get enough.  Gracie read her books, held her, and talked to her but she did let Aunt Kristy get some snuggles too.  We ordered in pizza and Gracie had to sit by Annabelle at dinner time.  Annabelle just loved watching Gracie and I know they are going to be great friends.  While I feed Annabelle, Gracie did a favorite activity at of hers when at our house and played on the iPad.  Then came bath time which is one of Annabelle's favorite times of the day and Gracie loves to help.  She is such a good helper and just laughed as Annabelle splashed in the tub.  After the bath Gracie picked out a baby doll she thought Annabelle should sleep with and put it in the crib for her.  Then came the time of night that melted my heart.  Gracie picked out books for me to read and then said prayers for Annabelle.  It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen.  She folded her hands and then started praying while she touched Annabelle's head when she said her name.  She maybe got a little distracted along the way but she is only 2 and half.   It melts my heart to think about how much Gracie loves Annabelle and I know that Annabelle will feel the same way about Gracie.  

Sunday morning we got up bright and early so that I could teach Sunday School.  Annabelle spent the hour in the nursery with the other kids while I taught.  I guess Saturday wore her out because she slept most of the time and was still asleep when I picked her up.  Since she was sleeping I decided to get a trip to the grocery store out of the way.  Annabelle slept the whole time which I can't blame her it is not a super fun place.  Grandma Sandy and Uncle Jay came over in the afternoon again after Daddy got home.  They played with Annabelle while I got a few things done around the house which is always nice.  After they left we had some family time and put the weekend to bed. 

It was a fun spending the weekend with my baby girl but we missed Daddy.  

Saturday morning before the busy day

Sunday afternoon with Grandma Sandy.  Also ready for football season with my Giants gear.