The Hopper House

thankful hearts /pointless rambling

2011-11-27T14:52:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving was great and I am so not wanting to go back to reality tomorrow. Boo.

These are the pointless thoughts of my brain today:

* Anna is confused about stockings. She keeps asking about our "shoes" hanging on the mantle. Logical question my dear.

*However, "da TEE!!!" is amazing. She keeps going and looking at it and so far is resisting the urge to manhandle Muh's pretties. I let her 'help' when I decorated it yesterday wondering if I was initiating a bad habit but apparently it got all the curiousity out of her system and she hasn't touched it since. Whew.

*She also informed me that there are ''kircles" (Muh's beautiful gold balls) on our tree. Yes. My child can identify circles in her environment. I take zero point zero credit for this. She truly finds them everywhere we go. I asked her babysitter if she'd been working on this because I was going to have to contact the TODAY show to give them an interview with world's smartest toddler if she had

-you know-

just figured it out

but they had in fact been working on them but have since moved on to squares.

Good to know. I cancelled our interview and bumped up her work in trigonometry.

*Just curious. Does any other 17 month old go and sit on command when her Mom gets out the camera? What about saying 'cheese'? Nope? Just my child?

*This picture is just proof we actually attended Thanksgiving this year. I have developed a terrible habit of forgetting to take pictures.

*This is my precious child. She loves Christmas "TEEE!!!" and this morning was delighted to have a dress with "TEEE!!" on it.

*This picture is titled, "keeping it real".

She didn't care for taking Christmas card pictures and made sure I knew it.

17 months

2011-11-12T15:25:00.000-06:00

Anna Reese Hopper, you are WAY too close to being a year and a half.

We've had an absolutely crazy last month and you've been nothing but a trooper.

You still love your 7 pm bedtime and have no desire to stay up any later- I am just fine with this. However, having to wake you up at 6:45 every morning is not fun. It hurts my heart to make you leave your nice warm bed but you know the drill and are usually ready to run out the door. As soon as Daddy shuts your car door you start asking for "Nana". We call her every morning on our way to Mrs. Jennifer and have a nice morning chat. When we pull into Mrs. Jennifer's driveway (we are always the first one there...7:15 on the dot) you are jumping out of your seat you are so excited. You run right inside, take off your coat, give me a kiss, say "Bye Mama!" and take off to grab a baby doll.
Every. Single. Day.
I love how happy you are there.
Occasionally, you are not ready to leave when I come to get you after school but most days you come running and it's just awesome. :)

You are 110% a Mama's girl. You make sure everyone we see knows I'm your Mama. You pat me and say "Mama." if anyone says hi.
I find this wonderful.

You may be a bit ornery.
Maybe.
Don't get me wrong. You have sweet running out of your pores but- oh, my the spunk. Where on earth did this come from?

We had your (cough) 15 month appointment this week. Yes, that's right. And you my child are healthy.
You are exactly 23 pounds of cute {20th} and exactly 30 inches {25th} and your noggin' is 19 inches {95th}. You continue to be short and smart.

The talking. Oh the talking. There's no way I could write all of your words. You repeat anything and are putting words together. Funny things right now: your change in tone when you say 'please'- it's quiet, pleading, and your tone changes through the word, your 'tan too' {thank you} is just hysterical to hear and you never fail to say it. You've also started (out of the blue) telling us when your diaper is dirty. Last Sunday you even told our sweet friend sitting next to us in church "Poopy." Yikes.
At home you'll even go and get a diaper and lay down for us to change it. How did you get this?? Genius child.

Finally! You have some teeth. Four on top and two on the bottom and a few days ago I found a MOLAR coming through on top! Who knew? A grand total of seven.

You still have a paci for sleeping and love to 'smell' your blanket {particulary your 'hink' Muh made you}.
You eat. Eat. And eat some more. Mrs. Jennifer always talks about your appetite and how you will eat
anything she makes...beef stew, chili, pork chops, tacos...I think I'm going to start eating there as well.

You were a flower girl this past month in Uncle Will and Aunt Jen's wedding. You and your spunk actually made it all the way down the aisle holding Libby's hand and followed by seven other miniature attendants. It was precious and nerve-wracking all at the same time.

And only sweet Jen would hold a toddler in her wedding dress...and love it. Precious.

Elmo {"Lello"} is completely amazing right now.
You will sit and read books as long as someone will read them.
You've started 'running' and that's just funny. You use a lot of elbows and twisting when you do it.
You had your first night(s) away from us when Mommy and Daddy went to Ashdown for a wedding. Nana came and you did great.
You have a magna doodle and it blows your mind. You drag it around all the time, try to eat, bathe, and go places with it.
You call a cat a 'meow'.

Annie- you are a joy.

BOO!

2011-11-01T19:33:00.002-05:00

Annie Lately

2011-10-16T21:23:00.000-05:00

Sixteen months old.

Whoa.

This age is precious, hysterical, busy, and oh-my-exhausting.

Thankfully my sweet friends at church knew I needed a little encouragement after ~~our wrestling match~~ service and reminded me this was just a season. Oh how I love them.

Needless to say- I have no idea what our preacher talked about this morning.

Or the past sixteen months to be exact.

Anna has a 'Daddy shirt' and I think she'd wear it daily. Also. She started playing Ring-Around-The-Rosie out of the blue a few weeks ago and sings it nonstop with her babies.

{our babysitter is amazing}

She has been a road warrior this month and has been nothing short of a champ. Discovering Elmo didn't hurt anything though. Neither did a few DVDs of the little red monster.

She also talks. All. The. Time. She's started putting words together and it's so crazy to hear it come out of my baby. "No" May or may not be her favorite word but we won't dwell on that right now.

Every night after her bath I wrap her up in her towel. Ok fine, I swaddle her and carry her out of the bathroom. She never fights it and for approximately two minutes I get to hold a clean, cuddly, and still baby. She stares at me and I say "This is my...." and she finishes it for me "baby!" It's silly and precious all wrapped together in a wet towel but it's the highlight of my day.

She loves a good song and can fill in all of the me's in Jesus Loves Me.

She's still the best sleeper I know and loves to go to bed. She is officially taking only one nap each day. At night she has a great routine of bath, snuggles, ask her if she's ready to go night-night {which is ALWAYS followed by an 'uh-huh'}, a kiss for Daddy and lay her in her bed. She needs her paci and her blanket and life is good {she goes down around 7pm and we usually have to wake her at 6:40am}.

She's a solid mixture of sweet and sassy right now which keeps us on our toes.

She's making her first flowergirl attempt this weekend in Uncle Will's wedding. *cross your fingers

abusing our friendship

2011-09-26T14:24:00.003-05:00

Well, hello there!
Long time-no typie.

Life is busy and crazy and wonderful and sweet and slightly exhausting but how blessed are we? I had a great little reminder this past weekend and feel ready to jump into the week.
Except...
now Annie is sick. And I am home with her. And will be tomorrow. And am focusing on the time I've been given with her these couple of days and not the disaster my classroom probably is.
*she has the hand-foot-mouth virus. It's as pretty as it sounds- I assure you.

So. In the meantime why don't you help this sickly house out and do me a hu-mongo favor.

Way back in June we had professional pictures taken by Blaire Perry Photography.
(She's amazing by the way).

She was so patient and generous with her time and the results have been my most prized investment. All that to say she is offering me a FREE, yes FREE 11x14 print of my sweet girl if I can get 50 NEW LIKES to her facebook page and 50 COMMENTS on her blogpost of our shoot BEFORE NOON TOMORROW! I'll even give you the links to the pages to save you some time: =)

BLOGPOST: http://www.blaireperryphotography.com/blog/

FACEBOOK PAGE: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/B-Perry-Photography/266330022573

Will you help me out??
My living room wall is crying out for a picture of our Anna! :)

Thank you for letting me abuse our friendship! =)

alive and kicking

2011-09-04T15:50:00.000-05:00

The days are flying by at warp speed but oh, are they sweet.

My child eats anything -but on the weekends she prefers blueberry pancakes.

Who can blame her?

We are about to start our third full week of school. My class is precious-as always-and absolutely cracks me up all day. *funny story ...Friday I was telling my kiddos to "Go sit quietly on the carpet so we can start our craft." One little boy stopped and looked up at me and said in his little accent...."Ummmm....Mrs. Hopper...what kind of CRAP are we going to do?"
Yes. He did.
Of course I tried to correct is speech..."No sweetie. Cra-FT. Cra-FT. FT. FT. "
Yikes.
I'd talked about our 'Craft' all day.
Hanging our 'Craft' from the ceiling.
Decorating our room with our 'Craft'.
Making our 'Craft' pretty so everyone can come look at it.

Go ahead and fill in sentences with the wrong word and try not to laugh. Poor guy. He thought his teacher had said that bad word all day.

Here is my sweet baby on our first day of school.
Yes. That's her banner from her birthday party. I haven't taken it down yet.
Yes. I store her sunblock in the fruit bowl. Don't you?

Anna loves spaghetti.
And her 'Buddy Fruits'. They are amazing and so convenient to pacify a hungry baby while Mama makes dinner. (Or of course as a side to spaghetti:) )

Our mornings are busy and our evenings crazy but a routine is almost coming through. Luckily, Annie is easy and pretty much goes with the flow. She loves her babysitter- Friday she jumped into her arms and turned and said "Bye!" to me. Ouch. But at least I know she loves it. :)

Speaking of 'coming through'...we now have five teeth. *cue chorus* I think she might possibly be the worst teether in history. Good thing she's cute.

We had our first Game Day of the season yesterday and loved seeing our family. Happy Labor Day! We are going to relax and enjoy this fabulous weather!

watering, go go go, and the smell of sharpened pencils

2011-08-08T13:56:00.001-05:00

It's been a little warm. Sheesh. It's been warm.

I've been doing a little early morning watering but don't worry....

I've had great help.

'Scuse the pantless-look. It's hot and her mama is too lazy to put her pj pants back on in the mornings.
Plus those legs get me every time. :)

Speaking of lazy...this child is not.

Those chubby legs go all day.
Saturday morning we were rushing around getting ready for Aunt Jen's shower-Dal was ripping out the garden {good ridence} and this little thing started a new thing. She stands still looks at the ground and takes off running going "GO GO GO GO GO!"
Now where on earth did she see that?
Needless to say Dal and I don't do that very often so it wasn't from us.
Now she does it all the time and it's hysterical.

I can smell sharpened pencils- can you? Truly, I love the smell and honestly I'm a little excited about starting the year. Don't get me wrong. I'd much rather be home with this sweet baby but a little part of me is ready. A very little part. Teeny-tiny in fact.
But.
God's hands are all over this transition. I can feel it. He's with Anna at her sitter's and with me and my kleenexes. It's true. And that makes it all ok.

She's so stinkin cute.

My heart is sad...and excited...and tired...and stressed...and incredibly thankful for this past year.

Anna These Days

2011-08-03T07:00:00.002-05:00

I haven't done an update on little Anna in almost two months and it seems like she is changing so quickly right now.

She is still quite the talker.

She babbles all day but honestly it sounds like a conversation. When I respond, she reacts to whatever I say as if it exactly answered a question or fit perfectly into her discussion-including head shakes and hand gestures. It's hysterical.

She can now say : daddy, mama, bible, bye, hi, kitty cat, go, no, nana, thank you...and she 'signs' please, all gone, and of course "I don't know".

She talks all day about 'bible'. She loves her bible class and every time we go somewhere she says 'bible?' hoping that's where we are going. She was sitting at a little table at the babysitter's and she kept saying 'bible? bible?' because it reminded her of her table in bible class.

Last Sunday her bible class teacher was walking up to her to say bye in the lobby and Anna pointed to her and said 'bible!'. Ha!

The poor child has been working on her four upper teeth for over a month. they.are.right.there.

She can feel them now and she rubs her little tongue on them all the time. And of course, now two more bottom teeth are coming. I don't care for teeth.

If she sees something she wants she quickly pats her chest over and over {please}. Opening the pantry or the door outside will get that hand going so fast. :)

She still needs two naps a day but occasionally {mainly on Sundays} she goes with only one.

She loves her soy milk and any food I put in front of her.

We have discovered the Wonder Pets and she loves it.

She can't decide how she feels about animals. She goes crazy if she sees a kitty cat or puppy and wants so badly to touch them...but when they get close...she just can't do it. Then she tries again....and again...it's so funny to watch her squeal and clap-then turn and run.

She was weighed when my sis checked her ear two weekends ago and she now weighs a whopping 20.3lbs ;)

She loves to hold hands with someone and will reach up and grab your finger and melt your heart all at the same time. If she wants to get on something like her little car she will hold her hand up in the air for help.

My girl loves her mama- But she 'calls' daddy at least 20 times a day on her play phone and if I even mention his name she'll run to the door and call for him.

She understands so much. All of the sudden if I ask her if she's ready to go night-night she goes and stands by her bed. Tonight she even grabbed my shirt and tried to pull me up when I asked her :) She can go and get several different toys if you ask her to and will back her little booty up and sit in your lap with a book she wants you to read.

Anna you're a joy and pure sweetness.
I love you, sweet girl.

cousins, tears and the babysitter

2011-08-02T12:01:00.000-05:00

Hi-de-ho!

We are recovering from a jam-packed four days and trying in vain to stay cool. Whew, it's hot.

Will's bachelor party was this weekend and every boy I know packed up and headed to St. Louis for the cub/card series...including my Wack. What's a poor mama to do? Yep. Tell her mama to head over here and to bring as many little girls her car would hold.

And she did.

My house turned into a hen house.

This picture melts me.
Anna is in love with Libby Grace Dewey. Her new favorite thing is to hold hands with someone and poor Libby volunteered her hand for three long days. {can you see their hands in the picture?} She followed Libby everywhere she went and did exactly what she did. Libby was such a good sport.

Whatever you do. Don't tell Annie she's barely over 2 feet tall and about 8 years younger than these girls.

It'll crush her.

She was right in the middle of these big girls all weekend and thought that's right where she belonged.

My built-in sitters were fantastic entertainment for my dimply-legged daughter. They got her to do a few cheer routines and pretty much just fascinated her... and dressed her, combed her, changed her, fed her, carried her, played with her, and overall gave me a free weekend. :)

Anna Reese Hopper started with her babysitter Monday morning.
Let me just be frank and admit that I cried for over two straight hours Sunday night about it.
I had to.
I've had her every moment for over a year and it's been nothing short of precious.
But...I'm going back to kindergarten and it's going to be great. She's going to have a wonderful time with Miss Jennifer and I'm going to teach some sweet five year olds.

It's still totally tear-worthy and I have a feeling the tears aren't over yet.

When we walked into the sitter's she immediately wanted down and played hard all morning and crashed hard at noon-right when her mama walked in. She was asleep before we were out the door and came home and slept for three hours. Went back down at 7:15p and was giggling in her bed at 8:20a this morning. I'm thinking she had fun :)

Her first day of 'school' picture. :)

why i'm too busy to update this blog

2011-07-25T15:19:00.001-05:00

We've been too busy:

celebrating my sweet friend Meredith's wedding,

facing the front,

playing with the big kids in lifegroup

taking little late afternoon walks {which usually include at least five trips up and down our driveway....whew she likes climbing that}

stealing a kiss whenever I can

discovering the 'Wonder Pets'. I hereby declare this show fabulous.

petting the animals of Nazereth at VBS

playing in the waterhose

playing with the tractor sprinkler

{and obviously giving up on the garden}

visiting family in MH for a few days and swimming in the pool at Nana and Papa's

losing her britches {and apparently a swim diaper}

enjoying this place

missing pictures but we've also been :
working in my classroom
talking! daddy, mama, uh-oh, kittycat, thank you, bible, please (sign), no, go, bye-bye
getting ready for a babysitter
A recovering from a nasty ear infection
going to LR with Dal's family
getting excited about a wedding in October
and of course...sweating from this oppressive heat

whew!

Fourth of July

2011-07-04T22:11:00.002-05:00

what we've been up to

2011-06-28T11:35:00.002-05:00

* Anna is a walker. Everywhere and all the time. She can get up by herself now w/o pulling up and has unending patience when she falls ten times in a row. She's teaching me a lot.

*She's had several playdates with her friends.

*We are trying to revive the garden and it's stinky attitude.

*Anna is a big girl and eats on big girl plates that you need to order right now from JEN.

*My geraniums were beautiful and now they are ka-put. I'm working on it.

*We went to a beautiful wedding {dal's cousin} this past weekend and watched the ASU fireworks.
{A didn't cry but needed to sit in my lap during the fireworks}

*The 'spider' continues. She needed a late night diaper change {that she slept right through} and even with her eyes closed sthe spider came out...poor sleepy spider.

*I commissioned a silhouette of A from Brookie. It's priceless.

Annie is walking and I love lists

2011-06-18T22:16:00.000-05:00

1. My daughter decided she'd like to walk today. Dallas was home and got to see it. She'd been taking 6-8 steps walking back and forth between us but today she went from one side of the room to another, clapped, and has kept going ever since!

2. My BFF Kelsey Walker Hency was in town and I got to hug her neck. She got to see my little toddler 'toddling' and gave her a beautiful dress that Anna 'loved' on. So funny.

3. My garden stinks. I mean STINKS. The only thing I can think of is that it was so cold for so long, rained for a month, then turned super duper HOT. Rats! I was really looking forward to fresh goodness but it isn't sharing much this year.

4. I've been bit. BIT. By the coupon bug. It's addicting and I'm actually excitedly looking forward to getting my inserts in the paper tomorrow. I've even gotten as silly as taking pictures of my deals and sending them to my mom and aunt. Oh my, Bekah.

5. Annie, aka: the walker, fell when KWH was visiting and hit her eye on the coffee table. It immediately started swelling and turned blue. It's not completely terrible but it's her first {of many to come}. What color bow goes with a blue shiner?

6. Annie Bananie is OBSESSED with the 'Itsy Bitsy Spider'. She tickles her fingers together ALL DAY LONG. I go to get her from her crib and her arms are stretched out with ther 'spider' going crazy, in her high chair, in the car, walking...obsessed. She shows me her spider all day wanting me to sing the song. Which of course I do...and the smarty then shows the 'rain coming down'. Genius child-she is. Genius.

7. I haven't cooked in two weeks. Yes. That's right. Dallas says he's too hot to eat when he gets home and who am I to warm up the kitchen to feed myself? ;) I think it's a fabulous idea. I think it's too hot to do laundry too. Don't you?

3 years and 1 year

2011-06-14T16:35:00.000-05:00

Today is our anniversary. It's been three joy-filled years and we are looking forward to many, many more.

Three years later and look we get snorgle {old picture but I don't have any since her bday}...

She's the best.
And she also has some stats from her ONE YEAR checkup {did I just write that??? gracious.}
Weight: 19.5 lbs {25%}
Length: 28.5 inches {25%}
Head: 18.5 inches {90%}

I call that 'small and smart'. :)

Saying 2-3 words? yes.
Taking steps? yes.
Still nursing? yes.
Plays well with others? yes...{except precious Libby. Sorry Libby. I think it's just b/c she loves you so much}
Sleeping through the night? yes.
Points at objects? yes.
Looks for dropped or hidden objects? yes.
Is precious? YES.

She passed with flying colors!

She also is apparently sprouting teeth by the handful. She was UNbelievably cranky all morning and it turns out she is working on ALL four top teeth. HUH?!? He said they are 'right there' but I don't have the nerve to hold her down and look today.

Poor kid. And she got four shots. Poor kid.

Anna is ONE

2011-06-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

12 months

2011-06-12T06:30:00.003-05:00

My sweet Anna Reese Hopper is 12 months old today.

My little one year old is still a fantastic little eater and eats what we eat at her meals {with the occasional baby-food-medly I mix trying to clean out the remainder of the baby food supply}. We are still working on cow's milk and have been for a month. We switched to soy milk and it's going a little better.

She is busy. busy. busy. busy.
Forget looking at the camera, let's just try to sit or stand still for one second. {I think she wanted to show off her cute outfit : ) } She is a very fast crawler and chooses to roam the house. Her favorite spots at the moment are the guest bedroom, our closet, and the window at the back door.
She is still not walking but took six steps the other night, we turned her around and she did it again. She hasn't done it since though-one step here and there but nothing consistent.

She has two words!! One trip to MH she started waving in her carseat and saying 'bye-bye' out of nowhere. Last weekend she started saying 'uh-oh' and now takes great pleasure in dropping her food from her highchair followed by an 'uh-oh'. Good thing she's cute.

A 'mama' or a 'dada' wouldn't hurt anything though.

She's still a great sleeper {7:30ish-6:30ish} these days and will play in her bed for as long as we leave her when she wakes up. She is still taking two naps a day and there is no sign she's ready to drop the morning nap.

*She's in all of her 12 month clothes but of course she's still wearing size 2 shoes with plenty of room to grow.
*Her two bottom teeth are through and growing in all their white glory.
*She will let you know if she doesn't care for something you're doing. Loudly.
*She loves her swimming pool and has already enjoyed it a couple of times.
*She sometimes cries when I pick her up from the nursery at church if she's not done playing.
*She's wearing size three diapers.
*She's a mama's girl :)
*She loves her baby dolls, books, and her push toys these days.
*She will shake her head 'no' if I tell her 'no-no'. She knows exactly what it means.
*She has a 'fuzzy little catepillar', a little light, and she's 1-year-old. Her finger is so busy these days.
*She is still cuddling a blanket when she sleeps {and a paci -but only for sleeping}
*Crawls as fast as she can to her Daddy when he gets home.
*Can do 'Itsy Bitsy Spider'...in her own little way.
*Will 'love' on things -which is her laying her head on it/them and will occasionally give a kiss.
*Nurses twice a day.
*Is absolutely, without a doubt, one-hundred-percent, completely and totally precious.

Annie, your Mama loves you so very very much. You are a delight. You've made this year so special and it's an absolute honor to be your Mama. I am so excited to spend the day celebrating you. I love you sweet girl. Happy Birthday!

be nostalgic with me

2011-06-07T16:02:00.001-05:00

from the far corners of my brain

2011-06-05T15:14:00.000-05:00

I lied to someone today.
Yep.
Lied.

I told them my daughter had a birthday next Sunday.
Hahahaha! That's so funny!
Hahahaha! That can't be true!
Hahahaha! I'm such a liar.

-----------------

On a serious note. I have about 1.3 bazillion things to be doing right now and the rest of this week to get ready for the babe's birthday celebration. {ok. maybe I didn't exactly lie. but it sure felt like it wasn't the truth.} I'm so excited to celebrate my precious girl's first birthday.
---------------
We had real pictures taken Friday night by a real photographer and Dal and I are both in them. Crazy. I'm super excited to see more of them. She's teased me with two on facebook and I may have teared up they are so sweet. Blaire Perry took them and she is unbelievable. She's fantastic and a sweetheart.
---------------
Weeds have overtaken my garden and I spent a few days disheartened by that. They just duplicate faster than my little fingers can pick. Dal felt sorry for me {or...I stomped my foot and told him he better help me...but I'm not admitting to that one} and killed them for me. He's swell like that.
---------------
My parents are in NYC with my bro and I'm jealous. Yes. j.e.a.l.o.u.s. I've never been and am itching to go and wave behind KLG and Hoda. {and tell Anne that she's my favorite}
---------------

happy birthday Dallas

2011-05-26T10:55:00.000-05:00

We love you so much!

Weeds and Cooking Italiano

2011-05-18T11:01:00.000-05:00

I despise weeds.
Let me set the record straight: I have 3 little bitty gardens. I like them too much and currently they are filled with teeny tiny weeds and a whole bunch of bermuda. I've tried to ignore it but it turns out that doesn't make them disappear. Therefore,

I've decided to hire a weed picker. Apply in person and bring me a sonic drink.
Thank you for your interest.

-----------------

I have a recipe to share and it's going to knock your socks off.
I CANNOT take any credit for this recipe whatsoever. My sweet friends Becky and Bonnie shared it with me and goodness sake it's good, easy, and not super unhealthy.

Cook a box of penne pasta {I used whole wheat because that's how I roll and it turned out great}. Use the oil from a large jar of sundried tomatoes and saute 3tsp of garlic and a bundle of asparagus {that I cut on a pretty diagonal because it made me feel fancy}. Now poor the garlic, oil, and asparagus over your cooked and drained pasta. Add the meat from a rotisserie chicken and some sundried tomatoes {I used about 1/3 of the jar because their flavor is pretty strong}. Now hurry out to your herb pots and pick some fresh basil. It's ok. I'll wait.

Ok. Go ahead and julienne those basil leaves and toss them in along with some feta and freshly shreaded parmesean cheese {yeah right. I used great-value italian cheese blend because I draw the line with shredding my own cheeese}. Stir and ta da.
Now this is how I did it and may not be the exact method but ladies...OH MY did it work.

Serve it to your hubs with a salad and watch out...consider yourself warned.
He'll close his eyes and break into song. He will grab you and you'll dance around the kitchen while he professes his unending love to you. Your baby will laugh, birds will chirp, your garden will grow....oh wait.

Actually. He'll say it's good and if he's as swell as my husband offer to clean the dishes.
Which if you ask me.
Is just as good.

mother's day weekend

2011-05-15T20:26:00.001-05:00

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend in MH. Dal and I enjoyed 2 {YES t.w.o. nights out and about town by ourselves...ok...the dates included wal-mart and tjmaxx BUT we did get frozen yogurt one night}. Anna was loved. I mean LOVED by all of her family. Especially by..Libby Grace Dewey.

Anna was a good sport, bless her.

And for kicks...this was Mother's Day 2010...

and Mother's Day 2011.

11 months

2011-05-15T15:07:00.000-05:00

Anna turned eleven months on Thursday!

I can't believe her birthday is so close. Where did this year go?

She has become such an eater these past few weeks and she's looking longer and rounder. :) She pretty much just eats table food now with rice cereal with her dinner {and a jar of meat}. She not really interested in nursing anymore but we're still trying three times a day. I still haven't discovered a food she doesn't like but her favorites are grapes, crackers {she thinks she's so big when I give her a whole one}, turkey and green beans....and ANYTHING we are eating.

She's a busy little bird and will travel all over the house. She has discovered the pantry and the coffee filters inside and can hardly stand it if she gets her hands on paper.

Her tricks are many and she demands a reaction when she does them. Oh. Dear. She loves blowing kisses and has just started covering her eyes when she's playing peek-a-boo. Apparently I talk on the phone too much because suddenly she will put her hand to her ear if I say 'hello'.

She is a Mama's girl and my heart might swell straight out of my chest because of it.

She still sleeps from 7:30pm-7am and wakes us up each morning talking away in her crib.
The little smarty will now go peek into her crib if I ask where her baby is and point to it sitting inside. I've also just realized how much she likes to snuggle with a blanket. I've caught her putting her blanket on her nose when she's going to sleep and it looks like she's smelling it. I guess it's the familiar smell of her bed that she loves.

Walking is getting very close. She pushes her little strollers all over the house and doesn't need to hold onto our finger when she walks but will drop immediately if we pull it away. She's stood on her own several times but never taken any steps.

She's as sweet as ever and so much fun!

We love you sweet Anna!

pigs and Annie's favorite book

2011-05-04T15:10:00.001-05:00

I hope your day is as sunshine-y as ours.

If perhaps it isn't, take a look at this and possibly it will improve a bit.

I LOVE her.
And her hairy little head.

Annie is quite the little book worm and I'm thankful.
She has one book that she can't get enough of and it's easy to see why.

It was a shower gift from Uncle Will and Aunt Jen and has pictures of Anna's family in it with a sweet repetitive phrase of "_{name}__ loves Anna." on each page. It starts with me and goes through everyone including all of her little cousins.
I'm pretty sure it's from a 'shutterfly' -type website and it's completely perfect since almost all of our family is 120 miles away.

I catch the little monster reading it a lot.
I try to be very sneaky when stealing a picture but when she hears that shutter click....

I'm caught.

Sometimes she'll continue reading...

But most of the time...

she feels obligated to greet me at her door, bless her little heart.

But she's so torn...

Book? Mama. Book? Mama.

Mama.
She knows who serves her meals.

But I send her back.

She picks up right where she left off...

makes sure my feelings aren't hurt...

and reads about her family who loves her.

Thanks Will and Jen!

hello sunshine!

2011-05-03T13:48:00.000-05:00

royal

2011-05-01T15:22:00.001-05:00

I did it.

I set my alarm and got up at 3:30am.

Holy moly.

I wasn't even all that excited about it but felt some sort of obligation to watch it because it doesn't exactly happen daily.

And I'm so happy I did.

It was neat-o.

Right after Anna got up they came out for their 'kiss'.

{Please excuse the Easter disaster behind her. I'll get right on that.}

She watched it with me and saw them kiss...and even clapped along with the crowd.

teething and easter

2011-04-27T10:35:00.000-05:00

Hello. This is Rebekah Hopper reporting live from the trenches. The trenches of teething.

I have made the decision that I don't want my daughter to have any teeth. Nope. none.

My little baby's first tooth showed it self last Tuesday.

It brought a fever, tears and oh my the crankies.

Anna was NOT thrilled about it either.

Honestly. I'm having a pretty rough time with it. Tears may have been shed from myself as well. I just can't imagine that gummy little smile disappearing. I can't. And from the looks of her swollen bumby gums this is the first of several about to take over my precious baby's mouth. I need a kleenex.

We headed to MH Friday and brought the downpour with us and it continued all weekend.
{I'm kicking myself for not taking more pictures of the weekend- I have about 15 of her eating in her highchair.}

Anna woke up on Easter with a little fever from her teeth-poor baby. She did love what the Easter bunny left for her in her basket {ears, mum-mums, a book, some eggs...and some other goodies from all of her grandparents}.

One tooth has broken through and she's working on the next one. Poor Annie. Poor Mama.

10 months

2011-04-12T07:17:00.001-05:00

Anna Reese Hopper is ten months old today.

She is really developing a little personality - and it's hysterical.

She's such a happy baby.

She is so chatty right now. It has a bossy tone {who knows where she got that} and can be very loud but she'll also whisper really quiet. She has a little finger that she points at whomever she's talking to.

She means business that little stinker.

I caught her mid sentence here.

She is turning into a quite the show girl. Her tricks are constant and are very entertaining. She can still call the HOGS, wave hi and bye, has a terrible cough, clucks her tongue, will stick her tongue out at you, can find your nose, will pat anything, tickle you with her little sweet fingers, has one little light for 'this little light of mine', dance, clap, blow somewhat of a rasberry, and will say 'ssssss' if you say 'shhh'.

All very important life skills.

She now sleeps from 7:30pm-7:30am with a nap at 9:30am and 2:00pm for an hour and a half each.

She eats three meals a day with a snack in the afternoon. She loves eating real food. For breakfast she usually eats either greek yogurt or oatmeal, lunch is veggies and fruits with some kind of protein, dinner is the same plus cereal, and her snack is usually some kind of fruit or cheese.

She only nurses three- sometimes four times a day now.

A mighty little eater-but she's still pretty small. I'm guessing she might be eighteen pounds now but still a little shorty and her feet- oh her feet. They are t-tiny. She's still very much a size two which is very difficult to find with good support for ....walking.

Yes. It's around the corner. She hasn't taken any steps but it's way too close for this Mama. She has a baby stroller that she pushes all over the house- from one end to the other- and we yell "Make way! Baby with a baby!" because we're goobers and think it's funny.

She will let go for a second to turn and grab something else but I still think we have a little while before real walking. She does love to hold onto fingers and 'walk' around.

She's precious, sweet, and such a joy.
We love you Anna!

my heart may explode

2011-04-10T16:08:00.002-05:00

Hello April!

2011-04-04T22:03:00.000-05:00

We are exhausted.

Our weekend was packed and we loved it. Dal's work is crazy right now {which is wonderful} but makes long days for both of us.

Friday night Dal reloaded the garden beds with dirt. We may be a little behind but I opted out of covering my plants every night because of the cold and thought I'd chance it and try planting {I'm only doing lettuce this year} a wee bit later. We'll see!

Reece stopped by after work.

I supervised.

I don't really know how this happened but I'll accept the break.

Anna quickly found her Daddy outside after dinner and watched his every move.

Saturday morning Annie and I went to my sweet friend Meredith's wedding shower. It was a beautiful shower and the bride was glowing.

After lunch my freshman-year-at the UofA-almost-under-his-belt cousin came over.

I was seven when Drew was born and he pretty much became my baby doll for the first few years of his life. I played house, church, and babysitter with him.

Sadly, this could- be- cute picture shows just what a mess our garage has become {minus the two humans}.

Because I eventually ran out of things to do- I put Anna in the umbrella stroller for the first time. I may have squealed in delight at how light it is and easy to push. Why have I not been using this stroller??

Out of nowhere this weekend Anna's little 'light' became one single finger. Such smart girl.

And just in case your DVR wasn't recording it {cough, cough}

The CUBS started their season.

We talked Drew into staying for dinner and Anna {fresh from a much needed bath} preyed on his kindness and begged for some pizza.

She really thought she needed some.

Sunday brought another beautiful day, and a VERY large project.

It took an unexpected five plus hours but Dal and Reece got it done and we love it!

Doesn't it look great? They did a wonderful job expecially in the 40mph wind.

We really appreciated Reece giving up his entire Sunday afternoon to help.

I guess we'll have to name our child Reece or something.

Oh. Wait.

April, we welcome you with open arms.

sync

2011-03-31T15:20:00.000-05:00

I just want everyone in the whole-wide-world to know that I just synced my iphone.

All by myself.

ah-thank-you.

I have no earthly idea how I did it and why it worked and I'm fairly certain it will never happen again but today- I'm a techy.

All of that effort to record some funny memories from that silly phone.

Take for instance the day I found Anna in the shower. I was putting on my makeup and getting dressed and turned around to find this. Luckily she was still in her pjs so the wet booty was temporary.

This is just sass.
Sass in a highchair.

The bunny house from my parents continues to be a hit. For Easter we got her the barn and it's just as cute.

Someday last week she's decided she wouldn't keep socks on anymore.

Besides being barefoot- she now sits 'indian style' a lot. As a kindergarten teacher- it warms my heart.

Her Dad has been to target approximately three times in his adult life.
This tshirt was his purchase on his third trip last weekend.

We went on a family mini vacation last weekend to Branson.
Glory- it was nice to be away even for only one night.
Anna did great. She went swimming {didn't exactly care for it} and slept in her pack-n-play great.
She got summer clothes and some new shades- go ahead and laugh.

Dal sent me this from one night in the tub.
Relaaaaaxed.

sync complete.

fruit salad, yummy yummy.

2011-03-23T21:14:00.002-05:00

silly ear

2011-03-22T14:35:00.000-05:00

Bad news.

Annie's ear is infected.

Boo to the otoscope.

In that case I'll leave with an old but never posted picture of my sweet girl playing with her toys.

PS: There's dirty talk about a freeze early next week so leave your garden beds alone this weekend.
PPS: Anna has eaten an entire bunch of grapes over the last week.
PPPS: Anna's Easter basket has been ordered.
PPPPS: I may be addicted to mysmockeddress.com. "Hello. I'm Rebekah and I have an addiction to smocking."
PPPPPS: My Momma got A this for Easter. I filled it with some plastic eggs and between them and the bunnies that come with it- she can hardly contain herself.

concrete, sunshine, a little cold, and a cutie

2011-03-21T14:58:00.000-05:00

I wish I was creative enough to have more interesting titles but sadly I'm too boring.

Where did the weekend go? My Momma was wondering the same thing this morning when we chatted. Something about great weather makes them just whiz by.

Anna and I have been putting some serious miles on the stroller lately. The sun has me itching to be outside. This was some morning last week.

If you feel the need to snorgle my baby's cheeks just give me a call. We will set up an appointment for you.

Since we moved into our little Hopper House we've wanted to extend our patio in the back yard. We have finally done it and are excited to scratch it off the 'someday we'd like to' list.

Two men started Friday morning and worked all day having it completely finished by early Friday evening.

Anna spent the entire day monitoring their progress from her favorite perch.

We more than doubled our area back there and are thrilled at the new space.

After church on Sunday we came home with a sickly baby and worked outside.

Also, if you have a terrible cold, are nine months old, and cranky- it is possible you will wake up from your nap looking like this.

Dal grilled dinner and Anna enjoyed the scenary.

I tried to get some pictures of a little Anna-

and this is what I got.

And this.

And this again.

All tricks and no smiles. Apparently she's all business.

I told this fella he's swell. Because he is.

And then I even snuck into a picture.

oh, libby.

2011-03-17T14:17:00.000-05:00

9 months

2011-03-15T14:00:00.002-05:00

Anna Reese Hopper turned nine months old Saturday.

She is a busy little bird. She is crawling all over the place, pulling up on anything, and cruising around anything that will hold her.

She has also developed quite the flair for the dramatic over the last month.

She still loves her 'babies' and usually has one with her all day and has started sleeping with this one.

Her hair seems darker some days and lighter others but her skin tone seems to be getting a little more olive.

She has also decided to look in any direction but the camera these days. It's becoming incredibly difficult to get any good pictures but I'll take this sweet one of that precious neck any day.

Her stats at this month's appointment were:

17.10 lbs- 25%

27.3 inches- 25%

17.5 inches- 75%

She was declared 'petite' by her doctor-ha!

She is still full of tricks: waving {at anyone that will look at her}, calling the hogs, bad cough, gives the occasional high-five and now has a 'little light' when I sing "This little light of mine"

-well actually five little lights but hey, she's only nine months old and she closes her eyes when I sing the "don't let Satan phew it out" part so you don't blow in her face. Genius.

She's also started dancing which is hysterical.

She is starting to branch out into more 'real' food and loving every bite.

She still sleeps from around 7:30-6:30 with a morning and afternoon nap.

She is one hundred percent precious and is such a joy.

I love you sweet girl!

how does your garden grow? part one

2011-03-08T11:02:00.001-06:00

Sunday was glorious. Great church service, bible class and oodles of sun.

We {ok, mainly Dallas} spent the afternoon pulling weeds, grass, and what-have-yas out of the garden beds.

Annie joined us after her nap and thought the grass was pretty amazing-she was covered by the time I brought her in.

I'm planting my cold veggies in a few weeks folks.

Spring is almost here!

Now go dig a garden so you can have more money to pay for gas-yikes.

she's a ham

2011-03-06T20:23:00.000-06:00

snapshots

2011-03-04T13:49:00.000-06:00

Bobby

2011-03-03T08:00:00.001-06:00

We were at Guido's eating with Dal's grandparents and look who sat right next to us. I thought Dallas was going to come UNGLUED. I knew I had to get a picture of him with Anna to go with her collection-and yes, we are those people who use their kids to get a picture with a famous person. Sheesh.
And ps: he was such a nice man and told us Anna was "Precious, just precious."
We agreed.

A Few Things I Need to Tell You

2011-02-23T21:40:00.000-06:00

1. Move your video monitor from it's perch on the crib to a much safer location when your baby finally finds it sitting there {noted in picture}. If you don't, you will assuredly wake up at 5am to her sitting in her bed staring straight into it and shaking it around. {Or much worse things that don't need to happen- read about those on another site} I'm sure you've already done this because you're not lazy or have an unnatural fear of putting a hole in the wall to mount it. Mine is now moved.

2. This weather is rediculous and yet glorious. I'm plotting dirt, flowers, and romain lettuce. I also have the fire going...I cannot make sense of anything anymore.

3. Go buy your baby a $1 baby. It will make her heart sing so buy extra. Teach her to 'love the baby' and smile because she is just so stinkin' smart.

4. I am scattered, frazzled, and plum worn out.

5. When it gets really quiet and your baby is playing alone in her room...go check on her. She most likely has pulled out a wipe and is sucking out it's moisture.

Or is that just Anna? Every five minutes?

6. When you have chased your eight month old all over snapping a million horrible pictures and finally give up and sit her in her crib to contain her mobility you will likely get this face because- doggone it! It isn't naptime yet and it really hurts her feelings when you make her sit still!

7. Pray for my Dad. He is having back surgery tomorrow in LR.

sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

2011-02-15T13:48:00.001-06:00

Oh what this sun has done to my spirits!

This one is just too funny not to share {this is how the sun makes us feel}.

Oh. My. Word.

I may have my hands full.

the bottom lip

2011-02-14T10:52:00.000-06:00

Sadly, we've seen a lot of that bottom lip these past few days. Annie still isn't feeling so well and really needs her Mama to hold her...all day. I chased her around for three days trying to get some pictures and ended up with too many pouty lips to not share.

But I just can't leave a Valentine's Day post without a happier picture of my sweet girl.
Happy Valentine's Day!

8 months

2011-02-12T14:01:00.001-06:00

Anna Reese Hopper is eight months old today.

And she's our perfect little Valentine.

She's still not over her 'bug' but definitely on the mend. Because she went to the doctor this week we know she weighs 16.6 lbs which isn't hardly any gain since her six month checkup but she's crawling, pulling up, and just plain too busy to bother with being chubby.

This month has been so fun with Anna. She is Miss Personality these days. She turns it on {or off} whenever she wants and has a new and very cheesy grin that is pretty much adorable. She wrinkles that little nose and closes her eyes...and we melt. Oh, she's got us trained.

She is crawling everywhere and pulling up on everything. She hardly sits still anymore and would prefer to play than to be held and everything goes in her mouth. We've fished out large amounts of unrecognizable objects from her gummy little mouth.

She has lots of tricks these days and is happy to put on a show. She can 'Call the Hogs' like a pro and wave 'hi' and 'bye'. She still clucks, sticks out her tongue, and throws in the occasional 'bad cough' too keep it interesting.

She plays so well by herself. She will sit and empty that bookshelf in five minutes. I'll find her sitting in a mess reading a book, tossing it aside, and grabbing another one. When she's done in there she moves to her toys in the living room.

She still a great sleeper {7ish to 7ish} with two naps in the day, and a good eater {three meals and nurses four times}. She's really starting to like her sippy cup and any little piece of 'real' food her Mama will give her. She loves her cheerios, puffs, little crumbs of bread, pieces of green beans, and water from her Mama's glass.

She appreciates a good trip to Target and singing her favorite songs. She still doesn't have any teeth but I think they are on the way. She has starting crossing her feet when she's sitting on our laps, in her high chair, or in the tub-it's adorable to see those tiny feet crossed so proper.

This month has been so fun! She loves to crawl all over her Daddy when they play on the floor and is usually found with a baby in her hand. Her favorite one is the tiny, $1 {of course} baby she got in her stocking. She used to put it in her mouth to carry it when she crawled but has since figured out how to hold it and crawl. {She has, however, tried to pull up on something only to realize is didn't come with her. She would fall, grab it, and try again only to keep dropping it so her hands were free to pull up. She kept doing it over and over until I just finally put it on the couch so it was waiting on her. So funny!} She now has one in her diaper bag and in the house.

She's precious, funny and oh so sweet. I love our days together.
Happy eight months sweet baby!

cough due to cold

2011-02-10T15:12:00.000-06:00

Poor Anna.

My poor baby has been very sick this past week. She has a terrible cold, a nasty cough and an ear infection. It's required two trips to the doctor, an inhaler, antibiotic, and some serious cuddling but I think we are finally on the downhill of it. This last picture was yesterday...so sad.

But here is Annie at lunch today!

She's not back to 100% yet but today she finally played a little bit. Poor sweet girl!

She is pulling up on everything when she does play. Everything.

So far we've only had one bruise {right above her eye} from falling.

It's pretty funny to watch a not even eight month old pull up on things.

Sixteen pounds of mighty!

But oh how the mighty ~~fall~~ sleep!

Spring...please come early!

God is SO good!

2011-02-09T10:58:00.001-06:00

I think I've said that a hundred times in the past couple of days.
My heart is singing and this is why.

snow day stream of consciousness

2011-02-02T14:34:00.000-06:00

Last weekend {after battling Anna's first icky cold the week before} we headed to MH and GREATLY enjoyed the warm weather. We took little Annie to the park and she thought the swings were pretty much amazing.

Dal asked if I had anything to 'put over the swing so she wouldn't have to actually touch it'. I'm thinking I might need to tone down my germ issues...but I'm pretty sure I won't.

Anna has started wrinkling her nose when she smiles really big and it's just precious.

Ironically, we are now on snow day number two round these parts. Yesterday it started snowing in the morning and I thought I'd be winter savvy and take a picture of our backyard every hour to show how much it snowed. Pretty big commitment, huh?

8:45am

9:45am

10:45am

11:45am *Dal wants you to know that this picure, while representing the snow for 11:45am was actually taken at 12:10pm. A true flaw in my endeavor if you ask him. Sheesh.

12:45pm

1:45pm

And...then I quit. I curled up on the couch with my book and decided it was much more entertaining than freezing my piggies off at the back door. So that concludes our winter experiment. It snowed a bunch-somewhere between 5-6 inches I guess.

Yikes. Guess who is officially pulling up? Yeppers. Anna has given her mother 31 heart attacks in the last five days. It's quite amazing to see that little squirt reach up and stand up. Especially when she somehow managed to move from one side of the ottoman to the other. I'm not even going to talk about that one.

It's my precious Mama's birthday today.
She's absolutely a peach and my dearest friend.
I love you Mama.

thanks Grandpa

2011-01-19T10:47:00.000-06:00

Anna didn't have anywhere to store her books and lovies but her Grandpa fixed that.

It's just perfect {and beautiful}.

We love it! Thank you Grandpa!

scorched

2011-01-18T14:46:00.000-06:00

The cider episode left it's mark.
As previously noted my house smelled horrible. Just. Plain. Horrible. I sat out to remedy the odor and I'd love to share.

How to get the scorched smell out of your house by Rebekah Hopper
Step 1. Post on the internet that you are currently not taking visitors due to the odor.
Step 2. Open windows and doors. Oops. There's a cold spell and it's 10 degrees. Put a snow hat, extra layer and furry boots on your infant.
Step 3. Change the sheets, wash clothes and your baby's hair. Go ahead and light some candles, my friend.
Step 4. Cook a good dinner in hopes your hubs won't even notice the nasty odor.
Step 5. Go online and google a remedy.
Step 6. Select the cheapest one. Boil vinegar, water and lemon juice. Bundle your baby up because it's 10 degrees and go purchase the silly lemon juice.
Step 7. Notice you are feeling a little dizzy due to the boiling 'remedy'. Discard the liquid and regain a healthy mental state. Didn't help at all.
Step 8. Go online again to your favorite blog and find another 'remedy'. This one looks good and you have all of the ingredients! Water, apples {apple juice for me}, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and a splash of lemon juice.
Step 9. Add additional liquid so you don't create another scorched episode.
Step 10. Simmer all day. Yum. Problem solved! I enjoyed it for several days and pretty much I fixed the cider episode with cider. huh-the irony.

Once this problem was solved, I realized I had to deal with the pot the cider was in.

sigh.

How to clean a scorched pot without saying any bad words- by Rebekah Hopper
Step 1. Cry.
Step 2. Soak the pot in hot water and soap. Continue for three days scrubbing between soaks.
Step 3. Tell your husband the only way the 1/4 inch of black will ever come out is if he uses his strong muscles to scrub it. This won't work.
Step 4. Buy SOS pads and scrub until you scrape two knuckles and crack at least one fingernail, then call your Momma.
Step 5. Soak in baking soda and use a razorblade.
Step 6. Scrub with comet. Scrub with dishwasher detergent {powder kind}.
Step 7. Go to Target and Walmart and price the exact pot. Cry again.
Step 8. Put it in the dishwasher-right where it will get the most action.
Step 9. Borrow a wirebrush.
Step 10. Use your brain and google it. Duh. Find the cheapest solution: boil baking soda and water in the scorched pot. Then use your favorite spatula and scrape the black while it's boiling. {make sure your crawling baby is in her bed pretending to take a nap in case of splashing} Now scream in delight and look at your sparkly pot. Eight days later-problem solved.

Lesson learned.

bless her heart

2011-01-16T14:18:00.000-06:00

My little mover gets so tired. However, now that she's more than capable of getting to wherever she wants- putting her to sleep is becoming a little difficult. Earlier this week she'd be asleep within five minutes. Now naptime involves a thirty minute playtime in her bed crawling, sitting, pulling up {that quickly lead to lowering her mattress}. Just when you think you have it all figured out, huh?

She fights sleep hard.

Then it gets quiet.

Really quiet.

And I look at the monitor to see this sad picture.

Bless her heart!

We've had to go in and lay her down at every naptime and bedtime for the past couple of days.

She'll figure it out-soon I hope! This is just pitiful!

She's Crawling

2011-01-15T15:46:00.000-06:00

Thursday night after her bath, Dallas put her on the floor and she took off crawling!
This was Friday afternoon.
My world just got busy.

7 months

2011-01-12T14:18:00.001-06:00

Anna Reese Hopper is seven months old today.

Sweet mercy she's getting big.

I'm guessing she weighs about 16.5 pounds now. She is wearing 6-9 month clothes and size 3 diapers. Her tiny feet have finally started to grow and we are beginning to wear size 2 shoes...but just barely.

She is a mover. Not an official crawler but any day now I know she's going to take off. She 'creeps' very well-getting to whatever she wants. She can get from her belly to sitting up and pull up onto her knees. She's busy, busy, busy and plays so well by herself. She knows where her toys are and currently prefers her books {especially the touch and feel ones...they make her giggle when she touches the furry animals}, her 'love bug', and anything with a mirror. Her 'moo' has taken a backseat these days but every now and then I see it tucked under her arm.

She is still a great eater and has branched out very well. She's had a lot of new foods this month {butternut and acorn squash, prunes [mixed with peaches], cheerios, and tiny pieces [if not crumbs] of strawberries and bread.

She has given in to a bottle and we hope the skill sticks this time. Her Mama will do better about giving her one more often. She is pretty good with a sippy cup {with applejuice and water} already but right now we are just focusing on bottles.

She is quite the little trickster and I can't believe she already has so many. Perhaps I'm reading into them a little-but I'll happily be that Mom and say she's just plain smart. Her 'bad cough' is old news this month and now she can wave 'hi', click her tongue, stick out her tongue, kind of do paddy-cake and babbles 'dadada' all day long.

But pretty much she's just plain SWEET.

She's still a great sleeper {from 7pm to 7am} with a nap at 10am and 1pm. I lay her down with a paci and shut the door. Sometimes she cries for a couple of minutes still but is usually asleep within five minutes.

She still is torn between a paci and her thumb-she likes them both.

She's still a healthy little girl but had her first tiny ear infection this month and took ten days of medicine perfectly. So thankful for such a healthy baby!

She loves her bible class, her 'big' friends in Lifegroup, Jesus Loves Me and Paddy-Cake. She thinks her Daddy is hysterical and won't stick her tongue out all day until he comes home. She saves that trick for him. She smiles all day long and is happy sitting in anyone's lap. I love this little girl more than anything. Happy seven months Anna!

because a list is so pretty

2011-01-10T20:03:00.000-06:00

1. We had an official 'Bottle Bootcamp' this past Saturday and my husband earned a minimum of a hundred stars for his crown for doing it. See, it wouldn't do any good if she'd only take it from me. That wouldn't work well in the long run so he hunkered down and did it-all of it. He's swell to say the least. If you think it was easy...call him and ask him about it. It took 2 {read two} hours for Anna to give up and finally take the first one. It involved a few tears from me, several breaks, and a TON of patience from Dallas but he did it. And the little stinker {that would be Anna} took the next one perfectly and has every single bottle since. Still nursing- but throwing some bottles in to keep it up and to free me up.

2. I wanted some cider to go with my snow today so I made me a little pot of it. As it warmed on the stove I went and played with my little girl. As I sat there-I thought I smelled something a little funny. SMOKE funny. I turned around to see smoke filling the hallway to the kitchen. I ran to a VERY smoky kitchen to see a few inches of burned cider in my pot. I thought the smart thing to do was to run into the smoke, grab the pot, and put it outside in the snow. Uh Huh. I did. Because I'm educated like that. So I ran out the back door and chunked it in the 1/4" of snow as the smoke pushed outside behind me. Now, because I made this quick, unannounced exit- I also set off our alarm system which you could say set off my almost seven month old. Now of course I left her safely in the midst of her toys and knew she was in no danger as I dashed around opening windows and chunking my nice cookware into the frozen tundra. However, she truly did not appreciate the SHRIEKING of the alarm. Who could blame her? Long story short-kind of- I'm a blazing moron. Literally.

3. A potty in our house got backed up today. Why me?

4. I broke a fingernail and it really, really, REALLY hurt.

5. My house and hair smell horrible. Burned cider is not is not an appealling fragrance. Please don't come over.

6. Anna is going to crawl this week. She moved both of her knees forward tonight after her good Daddy washed the smoke out of her hair. She was playing on the floor in her room and she wanted my glass of water.

7. I'm torn on who to cheer for in the National Championship. Auburn-SEC, Oregon-Neon Shoes hmm. Oregon it is. The shoes look neat on TV.

8. Last night I dreamed my mom and I ran a marathon with Michelle Duggar. We had great conversations and I wish it had been real. I think there is something figurative in that but I'm still working on what it all means.

What a day.

a Friday list

2011-01-07T13:16:00.000-06:00

1. I stayed up waaay too late last night. I don't stay up late- just ask my poor college roommates. I can't physically do it. Somehow last night I did and I'm paying for it today.

2. Dal is out of town again today. He's been gone for the past 4/5 days.

3. I had professional development on Monday morning and my aunt Paula kept Anna. Thank you Paula!

4. Anna continues on her strike against bottles. (made Monday morning interesting- to say the least) The last bottle she took was in early November. It seems she will only take bottles from her seven year old cousin. Lauren- will you come live with us? Hurry! Go ask your Mama!

5. My sweet niece Kate came and spent the night with me on Sunday night. She's a sweetie who prefers Mexican food, hot dogs, and skinny french fries. My kind of gal.

6. Anna has lots of tricks these days. Her 'bad cough' is old news. She now says 'hi!', waves, clucks her tongue, and does paddy cake. I'm not teasing. I raise 'em right around here. Her next trick will be taking a bottle- promise. Still not officially crawling but I've noticed one leg has started raising -then it just hangs in the air like it doesn't know what to do next. Yikes.

7. {A note about the bottle- I love nursing and have no intentions of quiting but sometimes Mommas needs to be gone. Say-a mtg for school, a quick trip, a date with her hubs or Heaven forbid something happens and she needs to take one. I don't anticipate her needing one often but after seven months...Momma needs a break. I've tried lots of bottles, nipples, people, positions...and it seems she has my stubborn streak. I know she couldn't possibly starve in the few hours I might be gone but honestly, what kind of break is it if you know your baby is crying and hungry the entire time your gone? No worries though. She will be fine-I am fine-she doesn't really need to take one. I've chanted this mantra all week during bottle bootcamp- she'll get it.}

8. I've started thinking about my garden. Dal wants to add another one and I'm planning on tweaking my plants.

9. It's supposed to snow and I'm really excited!

10. I've officially mastered putting a diaper on a baby that's on her belly. She's a quick roller and I've adapted.

11. I've had a pile of about ten clothes in our room all week. Today just might be the day they get hung up. I'm a rebel like that.

12. I have a new cake recipe I'm itching to try. It's orange flavored and from Pioneer Woman-it's sounds good after the rich holiday food. I guess cake still qualifies as 'rich holiday food' but it currently also qualifies as a counter staple right now at the Hopper House. I digress.

13. It's beautiful outside and it just might be warm enough for a little walk with Annie.

14. This list is sounding whiny- sorry about that.

15. I don't really have anything for this one but I think it's a much nicer number to end on.

Have a great weekend!

what it's all about.

2011-01-05T07:59:00.004-06:00

I am so thankful for my little family.
I don't know what 2011 is going to be like - but I know right now-today-this is what it's all about.

*the way 16.1 pounds of sweetness feels sitting in my lap
*stepping on a singing toy turtle on a midnight run to the bathroom
*3 different bottles and 5 different nipples-and she just might actually take a bottle
*Anna's warm, soft cheeks after her naps
*Dallas asking for seconds at dinner because he likes my cooking
*diet coke, on ice, in the perfect coke cup stolen from my Mom's house
*Muh doing a crossword puzzle every time I call
*hormones
*Anna recognizing the theme song to Golden Girls
*weekends
*10am phone calls from Dallas
*flexibility
*putting up laundry
*a husband that wants to help

everything is sweeter with SUGAR

2011-01-04T14:16:00.000-06:00

go HOGS!

the best yet

2011-01-01T11:14:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!
1-1-11....I was hoping I'd get to write that sometime today.

I'm not exactly resolving to do anything this year. I'm more of a 'new day/every day' kinda gal but I do pray that this year is full of good health and lots of love.

I want to look back at what a blessed year 2010 was.

January:
We found out our little butterbean was a girl.

February:
Nesting. We {term used loosely} painted Anna's room and the dining room and bought some new furniture.

March:
It snowed on Spring Break, we gained some new neighbors, and the belly was quite noticable.

April:
The winter veggies were starting to grow and I had my first baby showers.

May:
I had my first Mother's Day, planted the rest of the garden, my minor bp issue started, Dal turned 27 and nesting was in full speed.

June:
Sweet Anna came on the 12th, celebrated our 2nd Anniversary in the hospital-Dal's Mom and Nana brought us our Anniversary dinner, Mom stayed for the first week, had lots of family and friends visit, Reece and Brooke got married on the 26th-I was a bridesmaid and my dress fit-whew!

July:
Wished America a Happy Birthday with a party at the Bailey's.

August:
Went to MH for the first time with Anna, school started and Momma didn't go back, the garden became no more and Will and Jen got engaged.

September:
Let the Game Days begin! Anna became a hostess and drew a large crowd, I didn't go to any games and turned 26.

October:
Continued Game Days and trick or treated with the cutest little lamb.

November:
Celebrated Thanksgiving with our families in MH.

December:
Celebrated Christmas in MH with our families.

happy birthday, happy new year

2010-12-29T20:05:00.000-06:00

It's been a bit busy around here unpacking from Christmas in MH, packing up Christmas, and planning a trip back to MH for a special lady's birthday. Anna, of course, is taking it all in stride and anticipating a party and seeing her cousins again.

I'm pretty pumped because it's my Muh's 90th birthday! Her birthday is on New Year's Eve which means she just pretty much has to party on her birthday. I'm bringing shirley temples and sparkling grape juice so everyone just needs to watch out!

Anna wanted to say hi and that she's very sorry she hasn't been photographed in a few days.
It's a tragedy.
She's just been a little preoccupied with her new toys and spreading them all out over the floor every time her mother picks them up. She's quite skilled in getting in the basket and chunking them across the room. Something tells me this is a little game we will play for oh, say, the next 18 years.
I must work on my need to tidy.

She also told me to brag about a fun new trick she's started.

It's called "getting on all fours...and rocking...endlessly...then crashing face first".

It makes her mama cry and her daddy get the camera.
I'm estimating I have about two weeks before I have to find a new home for a plate and china bowl sitting on the bottom shelf of my entry table.
I caught her eyeballing my pretties.
Sweet mercy, time flies.

Speaking of her Daddy. He's on vacation this week-his first vacation all year. If you exclude the two days he was able to take when Miss Priss was born. {luckily she was born on a Saturday so it worked out alright} Poor boy. My man works hard. Very hard.
I love him.
But he's kinda up in my business. I'm used to being here alone all day doing my duties and well, I'm threatening to send him back to work.
I'm kidding! I love having him here.

We are excited about seeing everyone again on our day trip and celebrating our Muh and wishing for a happy and healthy new year.

A Merry Christmas Indeed.

2010-12-27T14:57:00.001-06:00

We had such a merry and blessed Christmas!

We left for MH on Thursday the 23rd but not before opening our gifts to Anna. She loved her new toys and books.

She had been running a low fever and pulling her ear so we went and saw Aunt Liz at her clinic. She checked her ears for me {so nice to have your sister examine your baby} and gave her an antibiotic for a minor ear infection. It wasn't terrible but it was her first. She didn't feel her best but definitely enjoyed all of the attention.

She woke up on Christmas Eve a little sicky but on the mend.

We helped my Mom {Nana} cook and visited with family.

It wore my girl out.

That afternoon we went to Dal's Grandma's house and celebrated with his side. Anna is Grandma Joyce's first great grandbaby.

After Dal's Grandma's we went to my sisters to celebrate with my family.
I had to include this picture of Libby Grace Dewey who refers to my child as Anna Reese Hopper. She loves formality I guess...
and her red boots. Smocking and boots. It's a new trend.
She refused to wear anything else...she even wore them with her jammies.

Anna was exhausted but was such a trooper.
Her bedtime is 7pm and this was at about 8:30. Poor girl.

Christmas is so fun with the kiddies. They are so excited!

And it's so special to see their little faces when they get just what they'd hoped for. This picture of little Kate melts me.

I had my hands full with a tired baby and Dal was videoing so I handed my camera off to my Dad who at one time liked cameras too. He got most of these pictures and he did quite a good job-thanks Dad!

We woke up Christmas morning and Anna had a little something from Santa. {I can't believe I'm putting up pictures of me without makeup but this is for Annie}

Santa left her 'Rose' and a sweet baby. She loved them!

We showered and ran over to the Hoppers and enjoyed a great morning. Anna must have been really nice this year!

Anna had a wonderful Christmas and loved all of the attention and the wrapping paper and bows.

She wore her little Christmas outfits for the last time and sadly her Mama lost her little tree clip. :(
We changed our plans last minute and came home late Saturday night instead of Sunday afternoon. Our car was overflowing with gifts and clothes which made for a comical trip. Anna slept the entire way there and back but woke up when we stopped for gas on the way back in Alpena. I got her out of her seat {actually Dal had to get out and pass her from the back seat to me} and changed her diaper, gave her medicine and fed her all in the front seat of the car behind a nasty gas station. It was snowing and there was Christmas music playing and we started laughing at Anna spending her first Christmas behind a gas station, in a car, eating her 'Christmas dinner'! Poor girl.

She has taken extraordinary naps and slept in both mornings since we've been home. She's so tired from her big holiday!

I kept saying the entire time that I couldn't believe this Christmas I had a child at Christmas. It was so special for me to see her react to everything-the presents, tree, family etc.
So special.
And merry.

Happy Holidays!

Bedhead

2010-12-17T11:49:00.000-06:00

6 months

2010-12-12T14:28:00.002-06:00

Anna is six months old today and to say I can't believe it- is an understatement. Where has the time gone? She is growing so quickly and it's such a pleasure to have a front row seat to watch.

Her six month measurements from her Dr. appointment this morning are:
weight: 16.1 lbs {50 percentile}
length: 26.1 inches {70 percentile}
head: 17.5 inches {90 percentile}

She's pretty much mastered sitting. She can reach out and grab toys and come right back to the same up- right position. If she's on her belly she can push herself up and turn in any direction to get the exact toy she wants. I have a feeling crawling will be sooner than later.

She sleeps from about 7pm to around 6:30am each night. She wakes up happy and ready to play and it's such a sweet sound to hear over her monitor. She takes her first nap around 10am {lasts about an hour} and her second nap at 1pm {lasts around an hour and a half}. Somedays they are longer and somedays they are shorter but I'll take it to have such great sleep at night.

She has had three {yes three} official haircuts by her Mama. It's growing fast and getting thick. If she doesn't have a bow in it will hang in her eyes-crazy!

She is eating breakfast {a little cereal with a little fruit}, lunch {a fruit and veggie}, and dinner {cereal, fruit, and a veggie}. She is a good eater and has yet to not like anything I've given her. She's had peaches, applesauce, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes and spinach.
She still nurses four times a day at 7am, 11am, 3pm and 7pm {like clockwork}.

She loves her "Moo", her 'Touch and Feel' Animal book, her Elf book, and has a recent love of a little rubber duckie. The duck easily frustrates her because she can't fit it all in her mouth-but it feels so good to bite-and will usually end in several frustrated screams. It's pretty funny to watch but I hope she learns self control soon and will just put the duck down peacefully. We are working on it! ha!

She will stick her tongue out if you stick out yours. But truthfully, she pretty much has it hanging out all the time. A few days ago she started blowing 'rasberries' at Dallas when he did it to her. It's messy but it's funny.

Diaper changes are getting seriously hard. She is so strong and can roll so fast! We really have to watch her.

It's still a debate over her paci or her thumb. I think she'd just prefer both. Usually she falls asleep with her thumb. She has definitely learned what her pacis are for. If she sees it she'll grab it and put it in her mouth. Then she'll repeatedly put it in and take it out stopping to look at it-then sticking it back in. Over and over and over again.

She still loves 'paddy cake' and you're guarenteed a grin if you do it with her.
She loves 'Jesus Loves Me' and I can get her attention with 'This is My Father's World'-we sing them daily. She loves to suck on her toes and talks all day. The drool oh, the drool. Bless her heart maybe teeth are next. If the door to the garage shuts and we are in the living room, she will turn her head to look at the hall looking for Dal. {That's how he comes in each night}.

She's completely sweet and has stolen her Mama's heart.
I love you sweet girl!

Who loves Santa?

2010-12-10T13:36:00.000-06:00

Just checking.

happy thursday

2010-12-09T10:31:00.003-06:00

typical for us

2010-12-08T14:36:00.000-06:00

I keep this blog for us: me, Dal, Anna and any additional Hoppers that might someday come along. It's my digital diary that's sprinkled with pictures and ramblings. It's my hope that one day Anna {and any others} can have a hard copy {finding a company that will do this *cheaply* is currently on my to do list } and look back at what our days were like.

It's for us.

I want to capture these sweet moments and routines so years from now-when I'm sure I won't be able to remember- I can have a resource that will remind me.

Anna is a few days short of six months old and I cannot for the life of me figure out where the time has gone. Our days are sweet and precious and go something like this:

6:30am Anna is ready to go. We usually hear her talking in her bed over the monitor. Usually she wiggles to get her paci that has fallen out sometime in the night or pats the birds on her bumper. We 'divide and conquer' from there on who will go get her and who will start the coffee. We usually meet in the living room shortly after for our 'good mornings' , coffee, and a look at the news. {I am a rebel that enjoys two cups of coffee in the morning and a diet coke in the afternoon. I've never noticed a difference in Anna's sleeping when I drink it but that's generally my limit and I feel satisfied-and awake!}

7am Daddy is out the door and Anna nurses.

7:30am Anna eats her breakfast of a little cereal mixed with some peaches. I dress her and set her down to play with her toys. She's remarkably good at playing by herself and I don't take it for granted. I've done enough babysitting to know I'm lucky. Then I get ready. I have a little personal goal of being showered and dressed for the day by nine. I makes me feel better to do that early. If I need to go to Walmart I go at this time. Crazy early, but I like it that way-less crowded.

9am Anna is getting very sleepy. I give Anna her paci and lay her down in her crib. {I'm trying to move this time back-closer to 10. Today she fell asleep while playing. Poor girl. It's going slow but we'll get there} This is when a load of laundry goes in, breakfast dishes are done, and I try to do some online professional development.

10:15ish Anna's up. She plays. I switch the load of laundry and join her.

11am Anna nurses and then plays. I sometimes make a batch of baby food {that mean food processor hasn't been waking her up though}. I start making lunch around noon {this consists of nothing fancy and generally the same thing every day}

12pm Dal comes home for lunch. Usually it's already made and we eat right when he walks in. Anna eats her lunch too which is a veggie and fruit. Right now it's two 'cubes' of each. {her current meal is sweet potatoes and applesauce} She rarely eats all of her lunch {maybe because her Dad is making faces at her, talking to her, and generally distracting her and laughing the entire time- but it doesn't appear to be hurting her any-ha!} Dad gets some Anna time and I clean up.

1pm He goes back to work and Anna gets a paci and goes down for her second nap. This is what I affectionately call 'diet coke time'. I fold laundry, start more if needed, housework {there is always something that needs cleaning} and enjoy that cold, fizzy goodness. If I haven't done any pd I'll try to do it now. I also try to do some Bible reading because I need it. I'm not in the Word enough and am working on sitting down, being calm, and being closer with Him. Currently, Dal and I have a pact to memorize a few verses. I am terrible at memorizing verses but truly believe that great strength can come from quickly recalling God's Word. I'm horrible at it so my end is coming slowly.

2:15-3:00 Anna is up. My child, however great she sleeps at night, takes such short naps right now. It's hard to get anything done in an hour and fifteen minutes but some days I'm lucky and she will sleep closer to two hours.

3pm Anna nurses. I run errands or we go on a walk.

5pm Dinner is started. Anna eats her dinner which is a different fruit and veggie from lunch {two cubes each though and usually a green veggie and peaches} and cereal. Dal {he's usually home at a normal time in the winter} and I eat after her and she plays in her highchair and talks to us.

6pm Dinner is usually over. I clean up the kitchen and Dal grabs Anna. He gives her bath and gets her ready for bed each night. I love it and so does she.

6:30pm We play until bedtime.

7pm Anna nurses and falls asleep. She's out for the night! I love my girl with all that I am but oh, bless this hour of the day.

Dal and I usually go to bed around 10 and I sleep like a baby. These days wear me out.

I'm rereading this and thinking I sound very bored and like I have nothing to do. How far from the truth that is. There is a mess somewhere, laundry stacked somewhere, dirty diapers and spit up everywhere, and a list of things that need done. It's easy for me to feel guilty if I sit too long no matter the reason. Staying home brings so much joy and part of that joy is the ability to squeeze in a minute to sit down and enjoy being here. I'm working on being better at that.
I really don't like the TV being on just to be 'on' and it's usually off during the day.
The computer, on the other hand, is used a lot. I manage to get on here too much with pd, emails or even if just to edit some pictures.

Typical day-for us.

"He's making a list,"

2010-12-07T15:14:00.000-06:00

"And checking it twice. Gonna find out who's

naughty

or nice."

I walked in to Anna's room last week when she was supposed to be napping and the little mess had reached through and untied the bow on her bumper.

But pretty much, my little blue-eyed-girl is just nice.

I'm trying so hard to remember these sweet moments and so thankful for this 'digital diary' I can have to help me remember them all.

Merry Christmas Dallas

2010-12-06T10:12:00.001-06:00

First, as much as Anna dislikes that food processor-

she loves the spinach it makes for her.

I think I might have succeeded this year with Dal's present.

At the Farmer's Market this summer I found this flyer for custom paintings by the artist that designed the Fayetteville's Farmer's Market T-shirt. She will do custom (watercolor) paintings of houses, front doors etc. plus she has a bunch other paintings online at her etsy shop.
I called her, emailed her several different times and she was very patient with me. I tend to be a little picky.
Yesterday I got to pick up my painting-
and I was impressed.

I love it! She let me give her a list of things I wanted included in the painting. It was a long list and all were included. {the plants we have planted-when I was waayy too pregnant to be digging holes with a shovel, my summer potted plants by the front columns, Anna's window treatment, Dal's rediculously green grass, the hill we sit on, our mailbox, house number and of course our gardens.} The gardens wouldn't be seen because of our fence but I chose to forego the fence in the picture so we could see them.

I even gave her a list of what we plant. ha!
You can see our tomatoes, squash, peppers and she even included the landscaping timbers we use.

We planted that japenese maple, the crepe myrtle on the side, and rearranged those green bushes in the spring.

I'm serious when I say Dal's yard is that green in the summer.

Pretty neat, huh?
Here is her website and I highly recommend her.

PS: Dal has already seen this so I'm safe to share.
PPS: It's in a plastic sleeve that I haven't removed yet-hence the sheen in the pictures.
PPPS: I have no idea where this is going in our house!

We love this house and this will be such a treasure.

the MOO, take two

2010-12-05T13:57:00.000-06:00

Just a little evidence of her love for her 'Moo'.

I could do a 'take fourteen' of the Moo, but I'll try to stick to this final one.

Dallas was playing with her on the floor Friday evening and said, "You wrote about the Moo too soon." {there's a lot of o's in that statement!} He was right. To fully describe her love for it- I needed to add pictures.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
I have to go wipe sweet potatoes off of Moo's nose.

Anna's 'Moo'

2010-12-03T13:41:00.000-06:00

This is Anna's most prized pocession.

We lovingly refer to it as her 'Moo' .
She's a lovely little cow and holds a precious little daisy.
Poor girl has been mauled a bit-as noted in the stray threads.

Lucky for Anna-it's washable and her Mama likes to wash things.

It's a blabla rattle and we intend to get some more despite their price.

Don't tell Anna but I'm pretty sure she's getting Rose the Cat for Christmas.

It's soft, chewable, and easy for an almost six month old to grab.

Did I mention it's washable?

She truly seeks it out in that mess of toys she sits in all day.

It comforts her when that darn food processor starts sschuuzzing.

And when she's making fun of her Mama.

It travels with us {on long trips} and is starting to feel like a member of the family.

Uncle Will and Aunt Jen got it for Anna at a shower along with a cow book-who knew she'd love it this much! It's a hit. Thanks guys.

The Story of Jonah

2010-12-02T20:48:00.001-06:00

This makes me smile so so big!
I found it on a favorite blog and had to share.

the tale of the food processor

2010-12-02T14:35:00.002-06:00

A's veggie supply was hitting a low last night and required an early morning run to Wal Mart this morning.

I love Wal Mart in the morning.

It was my lucky day because sweet potators were on sale for 10 cents a pound. Whew hew! I picked up some frozen goodness as well, came home, put Anna down for her morning nap, and peeled and cooked some orange goodness.

Now. I am have become aware that my precious, sweet baby doesn't care for a few things in life:

vacuums

and

the food processor.

{and when her mother tries to clean her nose but that's a whole other story.}

Because she was asleep I couldn't shhuzz {process the food} because I didn't want to wake her up.

But if I wait until she's up...she will assuredly cry and tears will roll down those sweet cheeks.

What should a mama do?

I waited.

Usually my little side kick is playing in her exersaucer which is just in the kitchen-too close for comfort if you ask Anna. So today she sat with her toys in the living room and I ssschhuzzed.

It didn't help one bit.

It's horrible isn't it?

I turned the sshhuzz-er off and picked up my girl. I snorgled her neck and brought her in the kitchen with me since it was quiet now. I put her in her highchair, gave her her favorite toy {that cow that is in every picture}, and cleaned up my mess.

This part is where Mama cries.

I reached down to grab the grater portion of the processor and missed the knob you're supposed to grab it by and grated my finger across one of the blades.

ouch.

Friends, I bled like a stuck hog.

{don't look below if you are a quesy person}

Like my dressing? Two paper towels folded a million times and a rubber band.

Good as new!

I know that's gross but it is quite funny. I didn't really cry by the way- it actually didn't hurt that bad at all and still doesn't. However, I am most certain it could have used some stitches but:

A. I wasn't about to drag my healthy baby to a germy ER. B. It's on the tip of my finger and they probably wouldn't even give me any. C. I didn't want to get a shot.

Surprisingly that's the exact finger and very similar cut I had when I played softball in highschool. I slid into home and got cleated by the pitcher while playing in Rogers. I scored by the way. Her cleat ripped the top of my finger off- just like today.

Poor finger.

Dal has me all fixed now with a real bandaid and all. How do I not have appropriate bandages? Didn't I have a gaping wound just about...oh say...5 and half months ago?

Poor Anna.

Poor Mama.

But my girl has sweet potatoes.

monkey see. monkey do.

2010-12-02T08:00:00.002-06:00

I was sitting next to Anna on the floor stuffing Christmas cards and licking the envelopes. I may have been singing Christmas carols but that's not the point.

Envelopes leave the ickiest taste in my mouth and I was being a little dramatic about it because I knew my little side kick was watching. I continued on...

I thought my tongue was going to shrivel up.

Then I look over at Anna and this-

is what I saw.

She has one of those thingies too Mama!
We thought she'd been doing this for a few days.
Now. I'm sure she's doing it on purpose.

Monkey see.

Monkey do.

ps: i do comb her hair. i promise.

she's a sitter

2010-12-01T08:19:00.002-06:00

It's official- I have a 'sitter'.

sigh.

And she is so proud of herself.

I'm not ready for this.

She's also doing this 'reach, push up, move your legs, get a knee under herself....let me at it' thing.

I can't. I can't handle it. Nope.

I swoop down and grab her and tell her to never do that again. Surely I have some time before that starts. I also asked if she'd please go back to my little baby swaddled with a little hat on.

She declined.

This sitting up thing started a couple of weeks ago and now she is primarily sitting when she's playing-falling rarely. Crazy little girl.

We've also added lunch and now breakfast-why not?

And let me tell you- she loves it.

"Are you kidding me?"

2010-11-29T11:58:00.001-06:00

Saturday was such a fun day of nothing. That night {like every other Arkansasan} we watched the Hogs beat LSU. Anna had just enjoyed her green beans, peaches, and cereal and was playing on the floor before her bath. I promise-she usually has clothes on.

I think dear Bobby Petrino is just great. He gets pretty fired up and you can read his mouth and see everything he says which is comical {and sometimes offensive...}

He got angry {as he should have} at one call and screamed, "Are you kidding me?" to a ref. I laughed so hard and then Anna started laughing and well....I couldn't help but doing it again and again. Oh to hear that baby laugh!

last weekend

2010-11-29T09:40:00.001-06:00

Last weekend was the Christmas parade and they turned the lights on at the square.

We bundled Anna and met up with Reece, Brooke and her family.

Friday night Brooke and I went to the Boutique Show in Springdale to see Jen's booth and other goodies there. Jen's got some great Holiday treats available-go look at them!

Anna got some new clips (a puppy and a Christmas tree) at the show and a new dress from Brooke.
Isn't it sweet?

It's not a great picture -but trust me it's adorable.

Happy Cyber Monday!

thankful, tired, and full

2010-11-27T15:45:00.001-06:00

Hello! I hope everyone's holiday was fabulously full of turkey and loved ones. Ours was nothing short of that and has left me in an everlasting turkey coma, way too many loads of laundry to do, and wrapped in the holiday spirit.
It's such a great time of the year.

I spent all day Tuesday packing us all up and I can't believe how much it takes to bring a five and half month old baby along. Gracious. This is when making her baby food becomes a hassle. I thought about just buying some to take but the prices! It costs 87cents for a two pack of green beans. That's about exactly what I pay for a frozen bag of fresh green beans that makes three weeks worth of food.
I opted out of purchasing the two pack. I couldn't stomach that.

We left at 8am (thank you very much-I'm patting myself on the back for that one) picked up Jen and hit the road. The weather was icky the entire time but we had so much fun.

We had dinner with Dal's family on Wednesday night and went to church after. I love seeing MH's church family,Then breakfast with Dal's family on Thursday morning at his Grandma's. Anna and I went to my parents after that and helped Nana and Jen cook up a storm. I don't think we sat down until we ate and I'm not kidding. We ate my family's Thanksgiving at 3pm and then Dal's family at 6pm.
Whew.

For Anna's Thanksgiving meal she ate a sweet potato for the first time. It was love at first bite- but then again she's loved everything she's tried.

The girl knew she was getting something good and she was excited.

Can you guess what I'm most thankful for this year?

We all (30+ of us at my family's meal) said what we were most thankful for.
Not many dry eyes during that one.

The only family picture of us during Thanksgiving. I have to get better at taking family pictures. Thanks Jen for taking all of these for me. I never took one picture!

Nice apron, huh?
It says "Hog Feed" if you can't read it. Nice.

Friday we got up early and went to Branson. Crazy idea but it worked out so well. My Mama, Allyson, and all three of her babies. It wasn't bad busy and we got Bananas some clothes. We got home last night and every one crashed. Bananas was so happy to see her Christmas tree and her toys. (we got our Christmas up last weekend thank goodness).

We are having a lazy day today (which is long overdue).

We are so thankful -especially this year with sweet Anna.
Happy Holidays!

last game day

2010-11-18T13:57:00.000-06:00

Thank you Mimi and Grandpa!

2010-11-17T07:52:00.002-06:00

Anna {and her Mama!!} wanted to thank Mimi and Grandpa for coming Monday, staying all night, and keeping Anna all day yesterday. We had a lot of fun and really appreciate it!

5 months

2010-11-12T09:06:00.001-06:00

Is that really possible?

Anna Reese Hopper is precious. She smiles all day. She loves to play on the floor with her toys and rolls all over the room. She still loves books and will sit and 'read' for quite awhile.

She's a great sleeper and always has been. At night she goes down after eating at 7 and usually wakes up between 6-7am. Not too shabby. However her new habit involves a 5 am chat with herself in her bed that usually lasts for 20 minutes. After her chat she gets fussy which is my cue to go in, roll her over and give her her paci. She falls back asleep and wakes up for the day between 6-7. She sleeps for about an hour in the morning, maybe two hours in the middle of the day, and almost an hour in the late afternoon.

She's eating solids now and loves them most nights. She's a big fan of green beans and applesauce. Peas..eh. Cereal...yummo. {that's all I've given her so far} I love it when people like my food!
She still nurses 5 times a day but I'm thinking we're about to drop to 4.

She's getting close to sitting up! She still sucks her thumb and loves her paci. She has started squealing and is so loud. Our quiet little baby has become quite noisy. She loves to reach for my face and hair and if she sees the remote control- she'll do anything to touch it.

The sad news is-we don't rock anymore. I knew that time was fading. She does so much better if I just lay her down in her bed. sigh. I usually have to go back in and give her a paci and then she's out. She's getting big!

She's sweet and gentle and oh so cuddly.

She loves her bible class and anyone that will hold her. She's a big fan of 'Paddy Cake' and 'Jesus Loves Me' and such a lover of her blabla cow that I might have to buy their entire stock of them!

I'm a lucky Mama.

tomorrow is friday!

2010-11-11T16:51:00.000-06:00

And that makes Anna smile BIG.

We are ready for a busy weekend but so excited for my precious friend Katie. She is having her sweet baby Liberty tonight and we are so excited to meet that little girl!

it's a love/hate relationship

2010-11-10T07:42:00.001-06:00

...with Anna and her food.

While you are here-will you please pray for our cousin Bill. He was in a serious motorcycle accident and needs our prayers.

Saturday=Free Day & Anna's Going Green

2010-11-06T14:42:00.001-05:00

Hello friends. I hope this Saturday finds you outside frolicking in rusty colored leaves, eating a caramel apple, and sipping some cider. No? You're doing some laundry? You're wishing you'd remembered a few items at the store? Wondering if the sheets can change themselves?

Ahh. I knew we were just alike.

I have approximately 20 minutes before you know who calls my name from her crib so let's mark this off my list.

Somebody thought 5am was just dandy this morning. Her mean ole Mama did not and ~~told her~~ let her fall back asleep {like her Mama did on the floor next to her crib. No. Not me. Surely I wouldn't be that tired or too lazy to go get back in my own bed. Nooo.}

When 7:10 rolled around {I was back in my bed. I only took a short nap on the floor}little Banana was telling a whopper of a story in her bed. This is how I found her...sorry for the flash Bananas.

I noticed this during our 5am chat but didn't think pushing it back in and snapping the 42,874 snaps would help in lurring her back to sleep -so I left it. Yes, I did.
And by the way. There isn't a leg in the entire world that's cuter than that chubby little leg. Seriously that's stinkin cute.

Now that you think I'm crazy, lazy, and never going to win Mother of the Year let me redeem myself. After a rough morning yesterday that involved spilling the coffee grinds all over my kitchen floor {this isn't off to a good start for redemption} today I made my hubs some breakfast. Nothing fancy but cooking before 8am deserves some recognition.

Anna was very interested in the cover story.

See. I fixed her little leg.

Now for some really good things-like peas.

Have I mentioned I'm making Anna's baby food?
I am and it's off to a good start.
Bananas is loving her cereal every night and our doctor would really like for her to be having a lunch and dinner at our six month appt. And since I am such a fabulous eater-I only want to raise her right. You know?

So we are starting some veggies. Green-yellow-orange is our expected progression and I made our first batch this afternoon in twenty minutes.
I selected {as recommended by my sis Liz} peas.
Yummo.
I'm doing frozen peas because:
a. I had them
b. They are salt free and as close to fresh as you can get

I cooked them for a few minutes, put in food processor, added a little of the cooking liquid (there are lots of ways to thin it a bit but this was the most recommended from recipes I found..except for carrots-can't add the liquid for them) buuuzzeed the blade for a bit..and
ta da.

I used my handy dandy cookie scoop to scoop a tbsp or so in each ice cube tray and threw it in the freezer. Once they're frozen they go in a labeled freezer bag. I'll have little pea cubes perfect for pulling out and thawing in perfect portion size.

Pretty easy huh?

There are a lot of different methods but this looks like the one for us. I can thin it more or thicken (in several different ways) if needed when I serve them but I think they look just right.

I'll let you know how it goes with Anna.

Times up!

Enjoy the rest of your Free Day!

Jesus Loves Me

2010-11-04T10:01:00.000-05:00

Jesus loves me, this I know

For the bible tells me so

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The bible tells me so.

hello november

2010-11-02T09:33:00.000-05:00

It's been a bit busy around here. We had a fun weekend with family, hog game and trick or treating. Let's catch up in pictures-shall we?

Go Vote!

Trick Or Treat

2010-10-31T15:56:00.000-05:00

Happy 1st Halloween Anna!

my husband is so famous

2010-10-29T08:46:00.000-05:00

http://nwaonline.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=32395151&event=1106205&CategoryID=58958

He went with Rotary to hand out dictionaries to 3rd graders at my school-Bayyari.

What a cutie.

who's the boss?

2010-10-27T13:01:00.001-05:00

Apparently, this little mess.

I have a massive Walmart list to conquer and very few windows to get it done. This week is completely crazy and on top of that I'm really trying to get Banana back on a schedule of a good morning nap, great afternoon nap, and quick evening nap.

After she got up from her nap this morning her Daddy offered to take me to lunch. Holy smokes I was excited. We ate lunch together and and talked to our little cutie then away Anna and I went to Walmart. I thought it was funny that she was crying when she was back in the car but figured she'd stop once we got out at Walmart.

She didn't.

I checked her little jacket to see if it was bunched up or too hot, tried to give her paci-nothing worked.

I kept heading through Walmart, got my list out, tried to calm my sweet girl and then she lost it.

Completely.

Screaming. Crying. Screaming. Wailing. I'm talking arms shaking, eyes closed, tongue vibrating, tears rolling wailing.

Yikes.

People were staring.

Everyone was staring.

People were commenting on the 'poor thing' in my cart. They'd pass us and then turn around to see which torture device was attached to her toes.

I tried to give her a paci-pleading her to take it and quit screaming. My pleas went unheard due to the sound decibal we were now experiencing.

On top of this I was trying to grab at least the essentials for the rest of the week and the gameday I'm trying to prepare for-and they'd rearranged the aisles. Really? Just my luck-it had to be today. I couldn't find a silly thing we needed.

I'd like to tell you I filled myself with Mama confidence and busily filled my cart with items from my list.

I'd like to tell you I just smiled when people looked at us and shook their heads at the hot mess we'd become.

I'd like to tell you I told Annie to straighten up or else I'd tell her Daddy-and she listened.

But friends, I hightailed out of there.

I put my head down, flipped down my shades (not really-that part is just for humor) and avoided the main aisles until I found the exit and the safety of my car.

Homegirl screamed the entire way home. I washed my paws, grabbed the screamer, and she calmly laid on my chest and stared out the window.

I guess the bee had left her bonnet.

I have no idea what went wrong. It didn't make any sense but she sure was happy in my lap-sheesh.

I've heard these stories from Mommas with babies going beserk in the store.

I guess now I've been broken in-

and next time I'll remember to ask Anna if now is a good time for a walmart trip.

Miss Laine Swart

2010-10-26T14:31:00.000-05:00

Sweet Laine came to visit with Anna.

They had some catching up to do and so did their Mommas.

Look at this sweet baby!

I could have eaten her-but I didn't.

Laine is about six weeks older than Anna and I have to admit I watch her and think.."ok..Anna should be doing that soon" No pressure Annie!

Look at these cuties.

Carman (Laine's sweet Momma) and I were in college together. We did the master's program the same year and were very lucky to be at the same school for our internship. We are a lot alike and became good friends quickly. She's such a sweetie {and a good resource}.

Laine is a little explorer and was checking Anna out.

This is just hysterical-seriously!

Thanks for visiting with us girls!
And happy 6 months Laine!