Anna's Tenth Month

So it seems to me that months 1-6 went by verrrry slowly...but that six month mark was, like, yesterday.  And here we are at ten already!

There is a whole novel worth of new things this month, and I know I'm going to forget some of them.

But before we go any farther, I have to share this video if you haven't seen it yet.  It's a little long; you don't need to watch the whole thing.  Just imagine she's standing on the dais immediately after her election, addressing the crowds.  Because that's clearly what she is doing.

She's pulling up like crazy and trying so hard to stand by herself.

She can push with her hand against a wall and just will her body directly from lying on her tummy to standing...it looks like a killer of an ab workout.  Her daddy likes to lie on the floor with her as she plays.  This gives her a little variety in surfaces against which to stand.

We help her practice climbing on the stairs every now and then.

She loves to take stacks of cups or blocks apart piece by piece, put toys into boxes, and take toys out of boxes.

She obeys sometimes, too!  I tell her to "put the toy back, please," and she does!  And she stuck her toes in her mouth for the first time the other day.  She doesn't do it often; probably because of her bulky cloth diaper (sorry, kid).

She's waving hello and goodbye.  We think she's signing, too, but it's hard to tell what she's going for: it could be "milk," could be "drink," or it might be "all done."  She seems to have "more" down pretty well.

And we're 80% sure she's saying "daddy" and "mamamama" on purpose.  The word "kitty" (always said in the highest falsetto she can reach) is sort of a multi-purpose word that generally means "I am delighted"...

...or maybe "how cute!" - she says it to the actual kitties, the stuffed animals and puppets, dollies, real babies and children, dogs at the park, and once or twice she's said it to me.

Anna started practicing social laughing at the beginning of this month.  I didn't know to expect this.

She is playing with something, looks up at me, and laughs this very forced laugh, then watches to see what I will do.  It has gotten more natural-sounding as the month progressed, but it's still a little odd to watch.

I think she's learned that she can use laughter as a social tool.  Sometimes she gives great big belly laughs, and that's one thing...but other times she seems to actually be using her laugh to achieve something...more like an extra big smile or an invitation to interact with her.  She does it to her toys as she "talks" to them.  Fascinating.

She hasn't really gone through a shy phase (yet), though it does usually take about 5 seconds for her to get used to the idea of a new person.

But once that 5 seconds passes, she gets really, really excited about that new person, especially if it's a baby person or a lady with long hair.  I love her enthusiasm so very much; it's a little much for some of the babies we meet, though.

We're still going strong with the two front bottom teeth, anticipating the uppers any day now.

But even without much equipment, solid foods are going well.  She tries everything we hand to her, though at the moment she seems partial to salty, savory foods (and squeezy pouches of any kind...she loves those).

She hesitantly licked this corn chip, smiled real big, and shoved it into her mouth.

Checking out the ladies at the next table.  By the end of dinner, they were having a full-on conversation.

Cucumbers are popular on her tray, but only if I sprinkle a touch of salt on them.  She also loves offering to feed us her food (and Monkey).

She's enamored of the camera.

As soon as I point it at her, I get a big smile for a split second, and then she's crawling toward me.

It's hilarious, but also I have about a split second to get a good photo.  Kimie, I don't know how you do it.

The outdoors have been calling this month.

We had a few pleasant, warm days that weren't too soggy from massive rains, and Anna (and Monkey) got a good taste of what they've been missing the last six months.

It's gonna be a good summer.  I can't wait to hang the bucket swing we ordered from Amazon.  Bubbles will be even better outside, too.

Yes, we had our first bubble session this month, and Anna got her first big helium balloon, too.

(I think Monkey is going to be her best bud even earlier than Dave and I first predicted...it helps that they seem to have similar interests).

Of course, this month was Anna's first Easter.  The night before, Anna and I went down to our good friends', the Davis', house for a delicious Easter dinner and good times playing with a BIG box of toys and beautiful friends who doted on her (with NO pictures 😖).  The next morning, our little family all hung out together until Dave had to leave for work. Then Anna and I hiked over to our friend Bonnie's house for Anna's first Easter egg hunt (indoors because of the cold and rain).

She didn't super get it, but Esther was there along with Esther's cousins, Grandma Bonnie, a kitty, roasted brussel sprouts, and lots of new toys, so she had a really good time.

WOW, this was an eventful month!  And those were really just the highlights.

Anna, your little voice, your bright face, your rough-and-tumble good nature, and every little thing about you makes you precious to us.  Your daddy and I adore you from your head to your toes, and we delight in getting to know you day by day!