3-30-11 - Moving around everywhere

My baby girl is just changing and doing new things all the time!  I am just absolutely astounded by how she is growing and learning constantly.  Every day she is different than the day before.  It makes life so very interesting!   Today she is rolling and moving really, really well and happily traversing the living room on her own.  She can't crawl quite yet, but that isn't stopping her one bit!  She got into a little basket that I keep next to the fireplace that I put cards in that are special, or that I need to return a thank you card for......this is the result!

Something else funny - today we had lunch with Andy and she just entertained all the Mexican workers - they just talk to her and tell her she is "preciosa" and today they commented on her big smile and teeth. It's fun to interact with them. Wish we could break the language barrier enough to have a real conversation about their faith and maybe reach out to them...

And Daddy is introducing her to tea....

3-29-11 - Mommy's girl!

Nothing really exciting going on today - it's Tuesday and so we were alone together most of the day. Plus, Andy had lunch with the ministerial staff, so we barely saw him at all today.  Makes me a bit lonely for company, but Anna Claire and I do pretty well together!  She's such a joy to her mommy!

We are continuing to go into tight spaces and not be able to get out without help though!

Mommy had to get a haircut, so we took the stroller and walked there and back.  My sweet girl was pooped afterwards and I didn't have the heart to wake her to take her hat off.  Also - she has just started liking pacifiers again.....don't ask me why.  But hey - whatever! :)

3-28-11 - crazy sleeping position

This cannot be comfortable....

Later tonight - during his break before College & Career service - playing with Daddy on the bed:

3-27-11

Quick funny things....

Anna Claire is getting to be so aware! Tonight I got her to sleep - but she was just BARELY asleep, so I had to get down on my hands and knees and crawl out of her room. It wasn't the first time I've had to crawl so she doesn't see me, but it's becoming more regular an occurance nowadays!

Last night as we were driving home from Jax, we decided to stop at Sonny's to let her get out for a little while. Not sure if that was a good idea or not, because she cried for probably fifteen minutes afterwards - didn't want to be back in the carseat. She's really in a "mommy mode" right now - we were finished eating and I got up to walk to the bathroom and she started to fuss a little, but when I was in the bathroom stall, I could hear her WAILING! I came back to the table as quickly as possible, and she was suddenly happy again. That's unusual for her not to be happy with her Daddy, but I guess she was just extra tired and clingy.

While we were at Sonny's we gave her a lemon - she really does actually like them, but she makes faces! Then comes back for more! (Just like her Daddy - he makes similar faces! haha)

Then tonight - we had the dodgeball tournament at church - she was POOPED from going all weekend and then not having a good nap. She wouldn't let anyone except me hold her (Andy was busy and couldn't) and she finally fussed herself to sleep against me. Unfortunately I had to stand up and hold her in order to watch the dodgeball tournament myself! 45 minutes of holding an 18 pound baby made for some SORE arms!!! :) But it was great - good memories! Everyone couldn't believe that she could sleep in such a noisy environment. Which is really ironic, considering at home, if I walk by her room she wakes up sometimes. :) Silly baby. Great fundraiser though - we raised enough money to pay for one child to have clubfoot surgery!

3-26-11 - Trip to Jax

Took an unexpected trip to Jax this weekend to see family.  Granny and Carol were down, so that precipitated our visit, but we ended up seeing everyone, so that was nice.  Made some significant progress with Andy's family, I think, so that's good - a much-oft asked prayer.  Not saying we've arrived, but on a better road, hopefully. 

That being said, we had a get-together that was about the closest thing to a mini family reunion that his dad's side of the family has had since we've been married.  I suggested to Andy's that we have a picnic at the park and just invite everyone, and whoever comes, come.  So we did.  He threw together the details of who would bring what and everybody came except Steve, because he had pre-made plans.  But Mama and Papa, Andy's parents, Billy, Leslie and their families and Uncle Mike all came.  Also, my parents, Granny and Carol came also, as well as Andy's Aunt Barbara and Uncle Vann.  So it was a nice large get-together.  We had a lot of good food and the cousins were able to play together.  I hope we can continue this pleasant road and do this again in the future.  Anna Claire got to meet her 2nd cousin, Zachery Richard - Mike and Kerri's new baby.  He was born July 6th last year, so he's about 6 weeks older than she is - maybe 7.  They enjoyed looking at one another.  She babbled and cooed at him, but he just smiled at her.  (I'm supposing the men are from Mars, women are from Venus thing starts at birth - she's started her 20,000 words per day already!)  We tried to get a picture of them together, but Anna Claire discovered dirt first and proceeded to start to cover Zachery's leg with dirt!

But it was a good day - my girl got to visit with everyone and was soooo cute!

I made sure we got a group pic of Andy's side of the family - this may not happen again for a while! But I hope it does!

From left to right: IN FRONT: Krista Hunter, Andy Hunter, Dylan Hunter, Emily Beck, 2ND ROW: Laurie Hunter w Anna Claire Hunter, Richard Hunter, Charles Hunter, Mike Hunter, Leslie Beck, Betty Hunter, Rhonda Hunter; 3RD ROW: Vann Van Boskerck, Barbara Van Boskerck, Alicia Hunter w Brooke Hunter, Billy Hunter, Kerri Hunter (hiding behind Mike), Nate Beck (behind Leslie)

Then I had Andy's immediate family take a pic - none wanted to do so, but who cares!?  I dont' think they've had one as a family, ever....if they have, I haven't seen it!  The kids have, of course, but I don't think they have with Laurie and Richard.

Big change from when they were little people! haha! (See below):

3-25-11 - Sweet, coughing baby

Oh man, tonight Anna Claire has the WORST cough.  Really a hacking, bad cough.  We had to give her 1/4 tsp of Delsym (accd to doctor's instructions) and it seemed to help, but it was pitiful until it kicked in.  She would cough, cough, cough and then moan.  Broke both our hearts.  :(  She couldn't get settled in the pack and play so, of course, we put her in bed with us.  She was sleeping kind of fitfully at first and ended up horizontal in the bed with her head at Andy's side and her feet on me.  What made this arrangement so funny was that in the middle of the night she must have sensed skin and assumed it was me, because she tried several times to suck Andy's back! :)  I guess she was trying to nurse! :) hahaha!

3-24-11 - Sam's Club

As I've said before, one of the greatest things about staying home is being able to spend time with Andy together as a family while he runs errands or does work stuff.  If I worked, that time would be wasted entirely.  Today he had to go pick up prizes, food, etc. for the Dodgeball Tournament Sunday night.   Anna Claire made herself completely at home in the Sam's Club Buggy. 

First gnawing on it:

Then "chillaxin" in it!

3-22-11 - Louie licks Anna Claire's foot

Today Anna Claire hasn't felt good.  That being said - she's still just adorable!

All day today, off and on, while playing, she's been whispering "da -da....da.....dada....da"  - just in her own little sweet voice in her own rhythm. 

Then I took her outside because she was VERY fussy.....she LOVES being outside!  I was holding her and Louie walked by and just nonchalantly licked her bare foot - she thought that was HILARIOUS and cackled out loud! :)  So then I enticed Louie to come back and he sniffed her foot and licked her a couple more times and she was soooo much happier!  (Then of course we washed her feet!)  Louie is such a gentle giant - I wish he could be indoors, but two dogs are just too much inside right now - too much mess and too noisy.  I would really consider finding Joey a new home, but we can't part with Louie.  And frankly, we don't want to part with Joey.  It's a conundrum, for sure.

She's still exploring - getting underneat the exersaucer today!

3-21-11 - Dr. Visit / PROVISION - bike trailer

Today was Anna Claire's six month doctor visit - yes, I know she is almost seven months, but hey, that's just how it worked out!

She weighed 18 lbs on the dot (with a diaper), she was 27 inches long and her head was 43.5 cm. around.  Dr. Blaxton said we need to keep doing the hormone cream - she's not fully healed yet.  She said, "she's strong!" when she picked her up and Anna Claire tried to stand up on the table!  Dr. Blaxton said that she's moving ahead of scheduled developmentally - talking early, trying to crawl early, etc.  and said she looked really good.  THEN she got her Prevnar shot - for pneumoccocal - yuck. :(  I hate shots.  Not for the initial pain of it, but for the worry that shots cause me and for the fact that she feels so bad afterwards.

We got to try out our new super-duper bicycle trailer today after Daddy got home from work!  She's a bit young for it and leaned over a good bit - (it's not recommended until 1 year old) - but she liked it all the same.  We went to Subway and back home.  Mommy HAS to have a new bicycle this year if we are going to keep this up!  (BTW - Dad got this for me for free!  It's amazing how God has continually provided EVERYTHING we need and so much that we just want!  This was on my "want" list - but at $100-$150, we couldn't afford it yet, and Dad just happened to be at a friend's house who had it sitting in his carport and gave it to him.  The craziest part is that I never told Dad I wanted one! PTL!)

Lastly, my husband is ready John Macarthur's new book, Slave, in the other room, yet he is reading aloud....or rather singing the words aloud like a gregorian chant.....why?

3-20-11 - Anna Claire gets her first TWO teeth!

Well tonight we see why Anna Claire has been a bit fussy - TWO teeth popped through tonight!  Two little cute white SHARP teeth on the bottom!  She is growing up so fast! Andy said, "It's kind of sad - her having teeth and all, isn't it?"  We adore our little girl and don't want to miss a minute because we know we will blink and she will be grown!

(This pic is from 3/23/11, but it's the first pic where you can see her teeth barely showing through!)

3-19-11 - Sits up on her own

Another first today - Anna Claire can officially sit up on her own from a laying position.  It kind of shocked me - she hasn't really been trying to or anything, just kind of did it all of a sudden.  It was fun that mom was here to enjoy her and see her new "trick." :)

Spent a little time outside on this beautiful day!

Yes, the water is still cold, but she loves it nonetheless!

3-18-11 - Ma-Ma!! FINALLY!

Tonight we went to Ricky and Leah Plummer's house for dinner with the other staff families - got to meet the potential new music guy - Kevin Brannon and his family.  They were nice, but we'll have to see how things go.  My personality doesn't get too into an idea until it is official.  I hate getting super excited and then being let down.

That being said, Bro. Ricky is like a crazy uncle to Anna Claire - she doesn't see him that often, but when she does he wants to give her something she's not supposed to have.  Last time it was strawberry cake icing, tonight it was chocolate pudding!  Of course she loved it!  (I was nervous because I think I read that chocolate may be one of the no-no items for babies for the first year......)

The BIG NEWS though was that she was sooooo tired on our way over to their house and was just crying her little heart out, and then all of a sudden she started saying, "ma-ma-ma-ma-ma!"  Of course, it was pitiful and she has no idea what it means, but I loved it all the same!! :)

3-17-11

I have the best husband ever. He sent me to relax with a long bath and new book while he watches our sweet (but very active) baby!

3-16-11 - Mommy rock her

She NEVER lets me rock her to sleep - don't know if she just always smells milk when I'm around, but that is a joy that she has deprived me of! :)  So, I made Andy take a pic of us tonight when she actually did fall asleep on me! Love, love, love that girl!

3-12-11 - Thankful

Lord, I cannot thank you enough for the good and perfect gift you have given us in our daughter.  She is more precious than we could have ever anticipated and brings more joy to our life than we could ever deserve.  When I look at her, I am overwhelmed with the realization that truly - ONLY YOU - could have created something so perfect and wondrous.  Please give Andy and I the wisdom and insight necessary to parent well - help us to continually abide in You - knowing that apart from you we can do nothing.  I am so grateful to be Anna Claire's mommy.  Thank you - praise be to our Father in Heaven!

3-10-11 - Another lemon face...

Lastly, note to self: for the same reason you can't handle sad movies, you can't handle sad books. Why, oh, why, did I think it was a good idea to try to read "Choosing to See" by Mary Beth Chapman? (Great book by the way.....I just am an emotional basketcase. haha)

03-09-11 - Big smile!

Love this picture!  It's my wallpaper on the computer right now!

03-08-11

After six months, I think Anna Claire and I have finally learned how she likes me to hold her to get sleepy....she likes to be held low against my chest - laying against my left shoulder, so she can such her right thumb.  THEN after a little while - she will propel herself to my right side so she can lay across me and continue to suck her thumb.  She's so funny - very particular about these things!

When she lays across me and is almost asleep, it's the most touching feeling - just knowing how priceless the time is - how trusting she is - the bond between us.  I know that she will get older and won't *want* me like she does now, and that's a hard reality to anticipate, but for today she loves me and I can meet her needs.  What a blessing - words can't convey the emotion properly.

Andy said to Jackson yesterday, "Man, I thought youth ministry was rewarding....but it can't compare to her." She has just rocked our world in the best way.

03-07-11 - Miss Mischief - playing with Walmart bags

Yes, I know this is a no-no - but Miss Mischief LOVES to play with Walmart bags.  (Don't worry, I keep a VERY close eye on her, and I don't let her put them in her mouth!)

Of course, the toys she is allowed to have, she doesn't want - it's the stuff that she is NOT allowed to have that she wants!

03-06-11 - Tags, tags, tags....

My baby girl LOVES tags - anywhere she can find them!  It's beside the point that the mobile has been there since she was a month old, but alas, now it is interesting because she's found out that the bear has a tag!!

Oh, and mom brought Anna Claire some hats over when she came - she's so cute in them!  She's just our little dress up doll!

03-05-11 - So very tired..... / PROVISION - jeans

I'm so blessed!  I've been needing new jeans, but obviously I don't want to spend a lot considering that I want to lose more weight.....so, one of the ladies from church was having a yard sale and I decided to stop by.  She had SIX pairs of American Eagle jeans for sale - well, I'm a weird size - short legged and NOBODY wears short/petite length jeans.  Well, she does!  I was able to buy all size pairs for $2 a piece!  One pair of American Eagle jeans is around $45 and I got six!  Awesome! More jeans and better than I would have been able to afford any other way!  God is so good to meet our needs - even the little things!

3-4-11 - Weighed / Doesn't like meat puree

Busy day - six month pics with Wendy Jones:

Then off to be weighed and visit with Keitha Madrie.  She weighed 17 lbs 6.6 oz!

THEN back to the church to wait on Daddy to do some things to prepare for the Children's Wired missions event thing that the praise band is playing for this weekend.  We waited in the nursery.  Notice how she puts her little feet up on the rails....she LOVES to touch things with her feet!

Then back home.....trying to introduce Anna Claire to new foods is fun - so far she hasn't been picky at ALL (I guess she gets that from her Daddy, because I'm a much pickier eater!) and there hasn't been any food she has totally rejected.  She's not crazy over baby cereals, but she'll eat them drenched in some other food with more flavor.  But tonight we tried to give her pureed turkey.  That was a big N-O.  She hated it and acted like she was going to throw up - coughing and gagging - (yes, she's going to be dramatic like her mother apparently!).

3-3-11 - play outside - eat leaf

Today, just to break up the monotony of being inside, and since it was SO beautiful outside, Anna Claire and I had our first picnic!  Of course, there wasn't much eating involved, but she was just as content as she could be - just watching the dogs and looking around.  I bet we stayed outside well over an hour.  I did next to nothing to entertain her - she just wanted to "be."  She didn't want to just "be" on the blanket though - had to go around in the yard and play in the grass!  I DID however, have to scoop a leaf away from her that she was about to add to her menu.  Unfortunately, I wasn't fast enough and she got a little bit in her mouth - YUCK!  Then she went to coughing and gagging, like it was a crisis, and I knew she hadn't gotten but just a tiny piece!  :) 

03-02-11 - Shutting the laptop

Anna Claire learned to shut her baby laptop today.  I might as well throw it out now - all she does is want to shut it!  She likes the music and gets annoyed when it stops once it's closed!

03-01-11 - under the entertainment center

Our baby is learning to move around!  Unfortunately, she doesn't always end up where she wants to go!

She can't crawl just yet, but she has just started to get up on her knees and rock back and forth!