Faces of Christmas

Santa Claus!!!

Last Monday, Mommy and Daddy took me to see some guy named Santa Claus. He was old, and seemed to have misplaced his razor about three years ago. He was a jolly ole fella though, and was very nice to me.

For some reason, he was at the mall, and there were a bunch of other kids of all sizes waiting in line to see him. Here is dad driving me into the mall in my new stroller. I like it, because now I can look around and see everything!

Santa better bring me what I asked for, or he'll get a knuckle sandwich! Momma said knock you out!
He kept asking me if I have been naughty or nice? Heck, I don't know! So I told him, "both." Daddy took this picture.

And here is the "official" Santa picture. Maybe next year I'll smile too. :-)

If you want to see our family (with Santa) as dancing elves, click here.

Merry Christmas! Love, Annabelle

Let me out!!!

Tupperware!

Hi folks.

Here is a pic from the other day after I went to the doctor. As you can see, the one shot I got and the heel prick had no effect on my cheery demeanor. I had a good checkup. I am still growing...21 lbs, 5 oz and 28 3/4 inches long.

Today, I discovered the Tupperware cabinet! Boy was that fun!

I will try to post more pics and vids soon. Until then, I will keep crawling EVERYWHERE. It is fun when mom and dad have to chase me.

Love, Annabelle

Turkey Day Pics

Hi y'all.

I had a great first thanksgiving! It was fun. Here are some pictures that tell some of the day's story...

It is almost dinner time here! I was salivating. Notice how dad could not fit all his food on one plate, so he had to get two!!! Like he could not get seconds, right???

I was so hungry I tried to eat my turkey headband! The real Thanksgiving grub was much better!

It was all finger-licking good!
I guess mom and dad called this my "butterball" outfit.

I liked dad's pilgrim hat!

Since I am crawling now, I tried to make like a real turkey and make a run for it.

I hope you all had a great day! I sure did!

Love, Annabelle

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I am so thankful on my first Thanksgiving for all of you! Love, Annabelle

A few other pics

We have not gotten our new PC yet. But dad just figured out his work laptop has memory card slots...GENIOUS!!! Love, Annabelle

Here are a couple pics from Halloween that are much more clear than his cell phone pics below...

GO HOKIES!!!! Werd!

Crawling Videos

Here are a couple crawling videos dad took of me this morning. I was trying to get to the sunlight coming through my room window. Unfortunately, dad is not the best cinematographer, so I apologize for the unsteadiness of the videos. Love, Annabelle

Another First

I did it! After a month or so of "skooching" and doing the Army crawl, I finally crawled for real on Sunday! Boy was it fun.

Dad and I were playing with the Cracker Barrel checker pieces in the study when I did my standard army crawl to get to one. He called mom in, I guess to show her how I could do that. Well, I figured I would surprise them, and make their day. Dad laid me a few feet from the checker pieces, I got up on my hands and knees, and took 5 or 6 crawling steps! Boy did I surprise mom and dad! They were so proud of me. I was happy that they both got to see me crawl for the first time.

I practiced even more yesterday. Soon, I'll be a pro and mom and dad won't be able to let me out of their site. I have noticed that dad has done some baby-proofing. I am sure that there are some things I can still get into.

In other developmental news, I can now sit up on my own. That is fun. Yesterday after a nap, I sat up in my crib and waited for dad to come and get me. He liked that. I thought it was fun too.

I should be able to post more pictures soon...maybe even some video too. Dad FINALLY bought a new computer last night. It should all be set up by the first of December.

That is all the new news for now. I can't wait for some Thanksgiving turkey!!!!

Love, Annabelle

Happy November

Hey y'all! Happy November.

I wanted to post a few pics of me from my first Halloween last night! Aunt Jily got me a costume. I loved it. Thanks Aunt Jily.

I can't wait to go trick-or-treating next year! All he kids looked like they were having so much fun.

For you all, sorry the pics are grainy. Dad took them with his cell phone. Once we get a new computer, I promise to get more pictures up here.

Anyhoo...here are the pics! Enjoy! Love, Annabelle

Happy Birthday MOM!

I love you!

(dad loves you too)

Sorry it has taken me so long..

It is all dad's fault! Our computer is still not working, so I can't post any pictures. Some pics though from our weekend at VT for the first home game on Sept 1 are here on Aunt Jily's blog...

There has been a lot going on in my life! I am almost 7 months old! Time flies when you are having fun. At my 6 month doctor's appointment, I had a perfect check-up. I was 18 lbs 4 oz and 27 inches long...which put me in the 90th percentile for both measurements. Mom and dad say I am about to grow out of my first car seat.

I am getting more mobile to! I am this close to crawling. I can get up on my knees, and get up on my hands, but not at the same time. I still need to figure out how to get the hands/arms and knees to work together. I can skooch around like an inchworm though. I don'l like sitting still.

My diet is expanding and I am getting to eat a lot of great food that mom and dad make for me. Here is some of what I have eaten...turkey, chicken, banana, blueberries, strawberries, green beans, pears, apples, peaches, broccoli, edamame, peas, carrots, mango, sweet potato, tater tots, yogurt, tofu...So much good stuff. I love to eat. Maybe that is why I am 18 pounds,

I have gotten to spend a lot of quality time with family too. I love all of my family and they take great care of me. Grandma D and Gramie J have both visited and watched me. I have been to VT twice so mommy and daddy could go to football games. Gramie J, Aunt Jily, and Uncle T have watched me there. That is fun! I love my cousins (Cash and Gris the dogs). They are so funny when they bark and wrestle. They lick me too.

I am starting to talk more too. I used to only make sighing noises, but now I can make some noises starting with consonant sounds (I bet you didn't know I knew what a consonant is, did you?). Mommy and daddy are real proud of me.

Well, I will try to get some more pictures up here soon!

I love you all! Stay tuned.

Love, Annabelle

Been a while...

Hello family and friends. Sorry I have not posted in sooooooo long. It has been almost a month! dad says things have been real busy and our computer is acting up, but I will get him to help me post some good stuff soon. I have so much I want to tell you about.

Aunt Jily came to visit last weekend...it was so much fun. She has already posted some pics, which are here...Aunt Jily' blog

Hey dad, how come she can post pictures in 2 days, but it takes you a month?

Maybe dad will help me post my own stuff with lots of pics this weekend...

Love, Annabelle

After 108 Days and Nights, It Happened

I slept through the night! You are reading that right...the whole night! I usually like to have a party in my crib between 2-4am. As anyone knows, a good party requires food, so I invite mommy or daddy to the party so they can cater the event. Once they feed me they usually bust up the party and put me back to bed. So I take a cat nap and then get up to start my day around 5:30. On the nights mommy and daddy both have to work the next day, I sometimes have a couple of parties during the night. They say that makes them really tired the next day at work. I just enjoy spending time with mommy and daddy during the night because I get them all to myself and I can snuggle and cuddle. Plus it's helps keep our neighborhood safe because they keep watch out the window while I eat. I think late night parties are great, but the folks are party poopers (and they are getting old...I know they had to have partied late at night before I came along), they think late night is for sleeping. Daddy says nothing good happens after midnight.

Recently I've noticed they both look a little tired. I am not sure why though. They only haven't had a full night's sleep in 15 1/2 weeks, not like that is a big deal or anything. Who needs sleep when there is a world to see.

Anyway, I decided last night I would do them a favor and let them sleep the whole night through. So I went to bed at 8:30 and didn't wake up until 6:30. That should have given them 10 hours, but I don't think they slept that long. They haven't figured out how to go to bed when I go to bed. Instead they stay up watching tv, reading and getting ready for the next day. But this morning they both looked a bit more perky and were full of kisses and atta girls, so I think they must have gotten some good rest. They even said I was the Baby of the Year!

Not sure if I'll continue to sleep all night, or if this will be a one time deal just like my rollover. Depends on how good mommy and daddy are and if I get in the mood for some late night parties :)

Love, Annabelle

PS- I'd like to give a shout out to my Daddy - I had a great time with you Father's Day, you're the best daddy ever!

Just a Few Pics

Hey y'all. I am 14 weeks old today! It is hard to believe it. So far, being a little (but growing) baby has been fun! I have been pretty lucky having the parents, family, and friends that I have!

Here are a couple pics to share with you.

A month or so ago, mom painted these wooden letters and hung them over my changing table in my room. Mom and dad tell me it spells my name! I like to look at them when I am getting changed so I can learn how to spell my name. It makes me smile a lot :-)

I like sitting in dad's recliner. This time though, he almost sat on me!

This picture was taken yesterday. I don't know what I was doing, but it sure was fun!!!

That is all for now. I will make sure mom and dad keep taking pictures so I can share them with you!

Love, Annabelle

In My Bouncer Repost

Well, when I posted this video yesterday, there was some inappropriate stuff at the bottom of it, so I am trying to post this a different way. Thanks for bearing with me!

Love, Annabelle

Video!!!

OK. Dad took some video of me to share with you all. This is my first time trying to post a video of myself for all my friends and family to see. Let's see if it works!




Happy belated birthday to Auny Jil!!!!

Hope you enjoyed the videos. I am going to give dad a hard time for taking so long to get pictures and stuff ready so I can post more entries on my blog.

Love, Annabelle

It Took 82 Days

82 days for what you may be asking...

Well, I have been moving around quite a bit in my crib while sleeping the last few nights, waking up at different angles from what mom or dad put me down in. This morning when dad came to get me though (I know how to whimper just loud enough for them to hear and come get me), I had done it. I was on my BELLAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!! You read right, I had turned over from my back to my belly. I don't know what this means, but I guess it is good.

In other news, I spent a couple 1/2 days this week with my new nanny Leah and baby friend Sloane. That was fun. Mom goes to back to work next week. I am going to miss her. Luckily, I only have to spend 2 days with the nanny. I will get to spend 2 days with mom, and 1 day with dad during the week.

I am smiling even more now, making more noises, and am getting to where I can sit up in a chair or on the couch and not fall over. I am also getting better at holding my head up. It is fun to look all around.

I really don't have any other new news. I will get on mom and dad topost some more pictures. Maybe they will even figure out how to post a video!!!

See ya later!

Love, Annabelle

My Stare

When my dad was a wee little one like me, his cousin Jere took a cool picture of him and called it "Joshua's Stare." It was taken over gramie's shoulder as dad was looking into the distance. At Aunt Jil's wedding, Jere recreated the photo with me. Check it out here. It is pretty cool. Also on his blog is a nice picture of Aunt Jil holding me mere hours before going Fath to Metz. Thanks for the picture Jere!

Love, Annabelle

PICTURES!!!!

Hello friends and family! These are just some random pictures I wanted to share with you!

Here I am around 2 weeks old celebrating my first St. Patty's Day!

Chillin with the Hokie Bird around 2 weeks old.

This is one of dad's favorites. I was around two weeks old here too!

This couch sleeping is nice!

My first trip to the park with mom and dad! It was fun!

Whoa! Someone said something funny!

Or maybe I am looking at my funny looking dad.

Sleeping down at the River during Jil and Todd's wedding weekend.

All dressed up for Aunt Jil and Uncle Todd's wedding.

My first trip to Virginia Tech!

I like sitting in dad's big chair. I am still learning to keep my head up straight though.

They keep on saying..."smile". That the heck is a smile????

This diaper changing is fun!

I hope y'all enjoyed those! I am sure mom and dad will only take a bizzilion more, so I will post more later.

Love, Annabelle

I Am Two Months Old!!!!

Hey y'all! Or shall I say hey 10 people who read this :-)

I am two months old today! How did I celebrate you ask? Well, I pooped on dad this morning while he was burping me...tehehehehe.

I did get to go to the doctor this morning for my two month checkup. They say I am healthy and to keep doing what I am doing! I am growing like a weed too. I think mom may be slipping Miracle Gro into her milk or something. Here are my numbers for today...

Measurement / Number / Percentile
Weight / 11 lbs 12.6 oz / 75%
Height / 23 ¾” / 95%
Head Circumference / 15 ½” / 70%

Mom and dad think I may be getting dad's size and may end up being taller than mom. I also got 4 shots today...2 in each thigh. And boy did that HURT! I only cried for 5 minutes though. that made dad proud. Then I fell asleep on the 5 minute ride home.

I went to my Aunt Jil and Uncle Todd's wedding last weekend near Virginia Tech. Congrats to the Metz's! It was fun. The best part may have been when I pooped on Jil. I seem to have fun doing that. I got to do lots of fun stuff, like see a train and dogs, play (well actually sleep) by the river, and see lots more friends and family. The wedding was really nice, and I didn't cry once during it. My parents told me I was very good all weekend. Mom also said it was my first trip to my future alma mater. I enjoyed riding in the car OK too.

Dad has been slack on downloading pictures, but I will keep asking him to do that. Once he does, I will post some here.

Well, I am tired, or hungry, or have to go to the bathroom again. Stay tuned for pictures.

Love, Annabelle

SMILE! :-)

Hello friends and family. Sorry it has taken me two whole weeks to post. Dad has been slacking on uploading pictures. I told him I will poop on him if he does not get with it! I almost got him the other night, but he had just covered me bum. Things at home have been going good. My parents tell me I am growing real fast. I also have been a little fussy because of some gas problems. Mom and dad do their best to alleviate my uncomfortableness. I have also been out to eat a couple times, but I slept right through it. Something my parents are really diggin' is that I am learning to smile more, and am doing it more often. It cracks them up and makes them smile even more. We just end up smiling at each other. It is fun! Here are a couple pictures dad took with his phone this morning when we were all just smiling at each other.

I am looking forward to watching Aunt Jil get married this weekend. My first Road Trip...whooo-hooo! I promise to try to behave and not keep the entire Inn up at night :-)

Talk to you all later.

Love, Annabelle

Big News!

Hey y'all! During my 3 AM changing this morning, my umbilical cord stump FINALLY fell off! Usually, they fall off between 1 and 3 weeks, but mine held on for 5 weeks 3 days. It must have really been stuck on because of all the nutrients mom fed me through it.

This means it is time for more tummy time! This is not exactly my favorite thing to do, but mom and dad tell me it is important to build my neck muscles...so I'll grin and bear it.

Have a happy hump day!

Love, Annabelle

Happy Easter!!!

Hello friends and family! I want to wish you all a Happy Easter! I am not quite old enough for an Easter Egg Hunt...maybe next year. I can be all messy coloring the eggs next year too! I can't wait! Here are a couple pictures of me in my various Easter and bunny outfits. I hope you like them.

ONE MONTH BIRTHDAY

Hey friends and family. It is hard to believe it, but I am one month old today! The time has really flown by so say mom and dad.

I went to the doctor today for my one month check-up. They say I look good (and beautiful) and am healthy. I was 22 inches long and 9 lbz 7 oz. For those of you keeping score, that means since I was born, I have grown two inches and 2 lbs 3 oz. That goes to show you that I enjoy eating :-) I also got a shot today and boy did that hurt. I cried some after that, but I got a really cool bright pink band-aid.

Sorry I do not have any new pictures to post. Dad thinks he has fixed the internet at home so I should be able to post some soon. My Aunt though posted some pics of me in my Hokie gear on her blog though. I told dad I would cuddle with his school's mascot too, but it is hard to cuddle with a feather.

Well, I am getting hungry, so I need to go find mom.

Talk to you all soon.

Love, Annabelle

25 Days

Yup, I have been around for 25 days now. My apologies for not blogging for a while. Dad tells me that our internet at home is not working. Should be up soon though.

I have spent a lot of time chillin lately. If I am not eating, sleeping, pooping, or crying...I am chillin. I seem to be crying a little more lately, and sometimes it really spooks dad out. He and mom take it well though. If only they knew why I was crying. Most of the time, I am just hungry.

I have taken a few walks around the neighborhood which is fun. I enjoy the fresh air. I also took my first trip to the mall over the weekend. That was cool.

After last weekend, I have met all my grandparents too. I also met an aunt and uncle. Grandma is back this week helping us out. They are all great grandparents!

Here is a picture dad took of me last night with his phone. Who knew phones could take pictures. He told me to smile, but I don't know what a smile is. So I just decided to look cute like usual.

I am back!

My dad finally got off of the computer long enough for me to use it. Plus, I have been sleeping a lot so I finally found a waking moment. I am 10 days old today! So far, I am having fun. My parents seem to be cool people. I think we are all going to have fun together. They do a great job feeding me (for some reason, only mom feeds me) and changing me. I try not to keep them up at night, but sometimes that happens. They seem to forgive me though because all they seem to do is kiss on me and talk to me and hold me. It is a great life I tell ya.

Grandma Debbie and Uncle Albert visited me over the weekend. They were great to have around! Thanks for coming to see me! Happy birthday Uncle Albert and good luck in your marathon this weekend! Run fast!

I had a couple first's yesterday. Since it was 80 degrees outside, I went on my first walk. At least that is what mom and dad told me because I slept the whole time. I also peed on dad's lap right after my bath. I thought that was pretty funny. I think he did too. Little does he know worse than that will end up on him by the time I grow up. I hope he realizes I can not help it. When I gotta go, I gotta go!

Here are a few pictures from the last few days...

Here I am looking over dad's shoulder. I think he was burping me.

They are already playing dress up with me. Either that, or I was eaten by a bear.
How about a little post-nap break dancing!!!

All strapped in for my first walk outside. As you can tell, I was excited ;-)

Here's my mom walking me!

I hope you all enjoyed this post. I will talk to you soon.

Love, Annabelle Grace

My Own Internet House

Instead of taking over my dad's blog, I asked him to set up my own. So here it is! I hope you like it! I may tell some stories about growing up, and I will definitely have pictures. So stay tuned!

Here are a few pics a photographer took at the hospital before I came home. It was my very first fashion show. As you can see, I was just ready to get home and see my new house.

Love, Annabelle Grace