Monday, November 30, 2009

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!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Daddy's gonna be a DOCTOR!

Congratulations Andy!!!  All praise to Jesus!!!  
Today we received notification of Andy's acceptance to Suny Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY.  It has been a process of a couple of years, including night classes with homework and exams... volunteering at the Orosi Family Medical Clinic... and studying for the MCAT... all on top of his normal load of preparation for teaching, correcting students' work, coaching, being a loving husband and now daddy.  I've been confident all along, but for those of you who don't know what an amazing feat this is, it is EXTREMELY competitive to get into medical school (especially now with more people staying in or going back to school with the current economy).  Of course, all of this is to God's glory, the Great Physician who designed us as well as this universe and everything in it!  God has truly gifted Andy though, and he will be a great doctor!!!  (Can you tell that I am so proud of my Love?!?)

Does this mean we're definitely going to move to upstate NY next summer?  We're not sure yet.  He will accept within the next two weeks to hold his spot, but if he gets in somewhere else that we would prefer, he can withdraw his acceptance at Upstate at that time.  At least we know we're in now!  So we will keep you posted if we hear from any other schools and make any more definite decisions!  Thank you all for your love, support and continued prayers!  

Sunday, October 25, 2009

First AGO Event - Pismo Flag Football Tournament

As most of you know, Andy and I met through AGO - Alpha Gamma Omega, Christ-centered fraternity, and LSM - Little Sisters of Maranatha, 10 years ago.  Annaliese got to enjoy her first AGO event this weekend while we got to catch up with old friends!

While Annaliese was cheering her dad and the other Kappa (Cal Poly) AGO alum in the flag football tournament, she got to taste her first beach sand at Pismo... Yeah for their win against Zeta (Santa Barbara) Alum!...

Try as I may, along with the other mothers and their kids, I could not keep her from eating it again and again!


Notice the sand all over her lips!

Annaliese and Joshua Dauphin are only 7 weeks apart.

Although they don't know it yet, their parents have cooked up a plan for their future.

They're just not that interested in it... YET! ha ha :)

Uncle Jon Jon showing Annaliese how to throw a pass.

"I love my Uncle Jon Jon!"

Friday, October 16, 2009

DD time!

Annaliese was such a good girl for her Grandma DD while we were at a wedding in SF.  We also had a great time with family in San Jose for the weekend.
 



P.S. Annaliese is walking!!!!!! She took her first multiple step walk today, and then repeated it many times!  Here's a Facebook link to a short video although you may not be able to view it if you don't have a FB account.  I'll repost it when I get the video from Virginia soon!