1st Steps & Good News

We were SO excited that we were able to get this picture. Anne Marie took her first steps without us holding on to her the other night. She took 2 steps all by herself, then the took 3 steps today!! Can you see that smile on her face?? She LOVES this!! I've told Mike once she actually does start walking, we will NEVER be able to keep up with her! We're assuming at this point that she will probably never get to the crawling stage. Every time we put her down on her stomach and try to "coach" her to crawl, she rolls over and sits up, then pulls up on something so she can stand!

On the good news front, I've been offered a part time job that I can do from home. I will be starting sometime soon, and am very excited about it! I did really like my job & the people I worked with, but Mike and I just felt that we could not pass up this opportunity. God has provided a great way for me to still earn some income, stay in the work force, but not have to leave Anne Marie with anyone until she is absolutely ready. I'm just so blessed that I will not have to miss any of these great moments in her life. They seem to be coming so fast at this point. We were told that she would go through her "stages" faster than normal, so I was really dreading going back to work next month. This past Sunday she did not do well when we tried to leave her in the nursery at Church - she only lasted about 1/2 a second before she lost it. I was so thankful that day after seeing her reaction that I would be able to stay home with her. I do hope however, that one day she is comfortable with the nursery workers enough to stay and play while we get to listen to the sermon in person and not just over the speaker system. (ha)

Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie

Birthday Girl !

We just can not believe that our little Anne Marie is a year old today!!

We are just so blessed that God gave us this little girl before her first birthday so we were able to spend it at home with her.

Nothing big today, but a great day just the same. We went to the park and had lunch & cupcakes with all our new friends. We took a few pictures & then home for a nap. Once Mike got home we got ready and went to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner (and more pictures). Then we came home and gave her one of the presents we bought her, had another cupcake, sang happy birthday, and of course more pictures. I will say she LOVES cupcakes -- she actually screamed at me when we were done w/ the cupcake!!! Let me tell you, she has quite a temper when something comes between her & her food!

I will say I have always been the one that said "we're going to get educational toys, toys that don't make tons of noise." Well, as you can see by the picture of the toy she got today - not quite. She first saw the toy at Cousin Naomi's house and I must say, it makes her smile, dance and jump up and down. So when Mike saw that he said "we're getting that", he ran out to the store that night and bought it for her.

We're having a bigger birthday party this weekend, so I'm sure we'll have more pictures to share.

Mike & Melissa & Anne Marie

A Big Weekend

Well, this weekend Anne experienced her 1st snow here. She touched it -- then made a "sour" face -- then looked at us as if she was saying "what the heck is this stuff, and why am I out here in it?" I don't think she likes the cold -- yea!! Now that's 2 against one in this house! Guess she'll be hanging out with Mom & "Auntie" Diane in the spa while dad goes skiing w/ "Uncle" Brian!! (And he thought he'd have a ski "buddy" -- hee )

Also, this one is especially for Jenn H -- Look at the very first "quail tail" on top of her head -- We did it especially for Church on Sunday! The picture is her with her & her new friend Katie when she came to visit for the first time this weekend!! Katie was so cute with her -- took care of her just like a little mommy! But after her referral pictures we just never would have thought that there would be enough hair on her pretty little head to actually put in a pig tail (even if it is only one!!!)

Then, later Sunday evening -- she picked up the bottle and drank from it BY HER SELF!! I couldn't believe it!! She did make a mess, but it still is a big deal for us, no matter how much water she got on her dress trying to drink it!! Now, maybe she'll even want to drink out of a sippy cup?!?!?! (Probably not, but we'll try!)

Bye for now...

Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie

Spring is Here!!!

What a beautiful day it was today here!! It was somewhere around 73 or so and Anne Marie, myself, Aunt Ashley & Cousin Naomi decided to go to the park today. Anne Marie's first visit to the park!!

She LOVED the swings - hated the slide - and had fun sitting by the river looking at the ducks. She didn't want to get back in the car when it was time to leave! We're so excited that the nice weather is finally here. We hope to get the bikes out & put her bike seat on, break out the baby helmet she got as a gift & ride!!

She's just soooo much fun -- I just don't know how I'm going to go back to work (even if it is part time) when thinking days like today could be something I might miss!!

Melissa - Mike - Anne Marie

Well, Mike finally had to go back to work -- and that meant bye bye to the hair growing on his face! (ugh -- I'm soooo glad -- not that he had to go back to work - we were sad about that - but that he had to shave!) We made a video of it -- everyone was making fun of having a "going away party for it" -- hee

Anyway, we really missed him today! She was happy to see him this evening.

Anne Marie is doing great! She's started shaking her head yes & no -- we laugh, so she does it quite often! She's even started to dance (sitting down) when she hears music... very cute!

She went to her first Sunday School class (our adult class) and did very well. (See the picture above - that's her and I on our way to Church) She was quite a hit @ Church.

She also got a Baby Einstein saucer to work her leg muscles (Thanks Nana Peters!!) She really likes it -- it only keeps her attention for about 20 minutes & then she wants out, but it's good for her legs -- and a lot of toys on it to keep her busy! (See the picture above)

She got all her test results back from the Dr. & everything looks good!! Yea!! She had an awful time getting her blood work done, so I'm glad that's over for now!! She's also finally getting over her cold I think - so by the end of the week, we should all be better!

Melissa & Mike & Anne Marie!!

P.S. -- A BIG side note : Today is one month that God placed little Anne in our hands -- February 5, 2007 was the 1st day we held her & were able to "love her in person". We just want to say that God's timing - though longer that we "humans" thought, was SO perfect. We can not believe that it's been a month - it seems she's been in our lives forever - I guess that's because God has had her in our hearts forever!!