Monday, November 30, 2009

29 and the best is yet to come!

Andy celebrated 29 years young on Saturday! His family including our future sister-in-law came to our house for brunch on Saturday and my family came over for dinner on Sunday to celebrate! Andy said that it was one of his best birthdays ever because we got to celebrate with family and good food, just like he likes it - low key :)

We took a quick picture for a Peters family Christmas card on Sunday but forgot to get out the camera at brunch on Saturday with the Dollahites.

Ji Hae has been living with us since June and has become Annaliese's Korean big sister! We love "our Korean!"
Although I am far from being a good public speaker, I gave a quick toast to Andy with our mimosas at our brunch with the Dollahites...

You are…

A Toast to My Husband, on Your Birthday

You are a wonderful provider, taking care of our family’s needs so that we do not have to worry about anything which allows me to care for our daughter and home full time.

You are our spiritual leader, setting an example of striving to know and love Christ through everything that you do.

You are generous, as shown by your welcoming Ji Hae into our family and loving to give good gifts to many people, including me (and good restaurant servers ;)

You are industrious with the many talents that God has given you, serving your students, BJ’s customers, soccer and football players, your colleagues, our church body, our friends, our family, and, in the future, your patients.

You are a tender and gracious Da-da, so gentle and loving toward our daughter Annaliese.

Though there are many other things that you are to people who love you in this room and elsewhere, lastly, to me, you are my best friend and the love of my life, and I couldn’t be happier with the blessing of being married to you and having our foundation together firmly in Jesus.

To all that you are to me and to each of us! Happy Birthday!

Annaliese at 1


Annaliese loves taking a bath!

Annaliese is getting a lot better at walking and she just loves to walk around the house, picking up things and carrying them to another location. She knows a few signs: more, all done, water, I love you (blows kisses) and waves for hi and bye-bye. She can identify all of the following body parts: head, hair, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, tongue, cheeks, shoulders, arms, elbow, tummy, feet, toes (I guess we're just missing legs & knees - those just happen to not be in her "Your Baby Can Read Books & DVD's... can you tell that I'm a proud mama??) Although she babbles constantly throughout the day, the words that we can definitely understand so far are Ma-ma, Da-da, and Ball, but she's also working on Na-na (for Nannie Pie or could be Banana and Ji-ji for Ji Hae - her Korean big sister who lives with us). She is also gradually learning what "No!" means and how to test those limits!

She is no longer the chunky baby that she used to be - kinda sad :( because she is growing longer and losing her baby rolls. She is now in the 20th percentile for weight at 19 lb and 4 oz and 75th percentile for height at 29.75 inches. She still takes 2 naps a day and sleeps for about 11 1/2 hours a night. She drinks 4 bottles of whole milk a day (4-6 oz each) and eats most of what we eat (in little chunks). One of her favorite foods that is funny is frozen peas - she doesn't like them when they are thawed out or warm!

Like most kids these days, she loves screens, buttons and lights, although we try to limit her watching videos and save Sesame Street as a treat when visiting at Nannie Pie's house. She adores our cats, even though she doesn't always know how to pet them gently or make them come back to her. Being outside is another favorite activity as well. She loves to read books... fast!... and lets you know by turning the pages quickly or pushing a particular book away if it is not the one she wants.

Her little personality is coming through more and more each day. She is not a big fan of crowds, but loves to be the center of attention and slowly warms up to people, especially those who have Cheerios or a set of keys in their hands. She loves to breathe fast when she's excited (which is often) and wave both of her hands in the air. She is sometimes a little jealous of others, but we're working on that too. It is so funny to me that she has opinions about so many things already - where she wants to go, what she wants to do and eat! As you can tell, we are having a ball with her and being a parent is one of the most amazing God-given gifts on earth. I can't believe it has already been 1 year.

Happy Birthday Annaliese! & Congrats Jon & Ashley!

As you can see, Annaliese enjoyed her birthday celebration with friends and family on Nov. 15 (3 days before her actual birthday). She absolutely tore into her little home-made decorated cake in true Dollahite fashion

It was so joyful to celebrate the gift of family and what a glorious blessing Annaliese is to us all. Words just do not describe how happy we are to have her in our lives.
It was a double celebration for the Dollahite family too, since Jon had proposed to Ashley just two days before Annaliese's birthday party!

They took this awesome pic as re-enactment of the proposal after the real thing ;) They got engaged up near Huntington Lake overlooking a waterfall. Awhhh! So excited for Jon and my future sister-in-law!

Half Marathon

Although I've never considered myself a runner (and still don't) I completed the Two Cities Half Marathon on Nov. 8th, 2009. Yes. I jogged 13.1 miles (in 2 hours and 28 minutes) and paid to do it.
And I actually had a good time and my knees held up (just sore later)!
Thanks for all the encouragement Virginia!

My sister Jenn completely whooped on the race, finishing in less than 2 hours, without really training! I didn't see her until the whole thing was over, but good job Jenn!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Baby Giraffe

Um, seriously, can this baby giraffe be any cuter???? I don't think so!!!!

Practicing taking steps between things

Annaliese's friend flower friend - Ellyann

Sneaking up on Ellyann for a little "BOO!"

Looks like Annaliese got her!