Happy Half-a-Year!

Time is passing us by...6 months already gone. I can't believe Annelise is 6 months old today! When Bryan left for work this morning he gave all of us his routine kiss goodbye--Shelby, me, and then Annelise--and then he told Annelise: "It's been the best 6 months of my life." Mine too.

She is growing up so quickly. To get where she is going, she just log rolls everywhere...and she's fast! I bet it will be just a few more weeks before she is crawling. She gets in the "crawl" position and then her arms give out. And she gets so frustrated! She may skip crawling and just start walking though. She does great standing while holding on to something in front of her. And she LOVES to stand. She squeals (very loud) with delight when she's standing!

She is learning to eat food with a spoon. Loves carrots, squash, apples, and pears, but she doesn't like anything green so far. I also think she knows that it drives me nuts to have her face so messy, because she smears the food all over everything as she eats. Then she laughs and sprays it on me. Such fun.

Love my carrots!

Poor Shelby!

It actually snowed in Jackson, which of course is a rarity. It didn't last long, but we played for a few minutes before the sun came up. Annelise didn't think it was too great. I bet she's going to be a beach girl, like her Mom.

9 days until Christmas...we can't wait!

So Much to be Thankful For

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had! Annelise made her first trip to Arkansas--she was a perfect little traveler! The 5 hour drive actually went by rather quickly. Shelby, Annelise, and I all napped while Bryan drove us there safely.

Annelise was greeted by her cousins Sam, Tolly, Bonnie; Uncle Mike and Aunt Jess; Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa, and her Grandma. Bonnie was so excited to see "Baby Weise"--so cute!!!

Thanksgiving is a reminder for me to be thankful for all of the blessings in my life, including those that I take for granted. Bryan and I have worked out a way for me to quit my job and stay home with Annelise and my dissertation. My last day at work was November 12. It was a tough decision because I really enjoyed my job, working at the hospital, and the people I worked with. And, life as a stay at home Mom/FT student isn't as easy as I thought it would be. But, I'm so very grateful for the chance to spend every day with our precious Annelise and time to finish my PhD, and for Bryan's support in this major decison.

Bryan and I are thankful everyday for a perfect, healthy baby girl who has added so much joy to our lives.

The Gardener and Her Flower

Visiting the pumpkin patch...but not happy about the photo session! Happy Halloween! I guess I have a green thumb after all...well, with help from Bryan! I was dressed as a gardener and Annelise was a beautiful flower. Our costumes lasted about 10 minutes after which Annelise spit up on both of us. Fun while it lasted!

We visited Bryan in New Orleans and Annelise said she is ready for Mardi Gras!

In New Orleans, strolling down the Riverwalk
Taking a nap with "Katie" the bunny

Found My Feet!

This week has been especially hard since both Annelise and I have both been sick. I feel awful and don't want to get out of bed. Annelise sounds terrible, but she's not letting it get her down. She found her feet! And they are super-cool!! She's working hard to get her big toe in her mouth. Since Bryan had to work, Annelise took over cheering for the Hogs. And she is really starting to play with her exersaucer...which gives me time to wash dishes, and clothes!

3 months old and no stopping her!

Last Monday we finally received Bryan's good news in the mail...he passed his board exam!!! Yahoo!! Of course we knew the news would be good all along, but the wait was still agonizing! Annelise and I were home and stalked the mailbox every few minutes until the letter arrived. So, we got to call Bryan and share the good news. We are so proud of him!!

Annelise has accomplished something too! She's learned to roll over. She rolled over for the first time without any warning while Bryan was sitting next to her. So sweet of her to wait until Daddy could see! She can roll from back to tummy, but her tummy to back trick is still evolving. She's getting so big! Below is a photo in her first swimsuit...

This past weekend Annelise, Shelby, and I went to Hattiesburg to particpate with Gran and Papa in the USM Heart Walk. It was Annelise's first trip to the campus and I think she really liked it! She also visited the Kappa Delta house...my little KD legacy.

After the Heart Walk Annelise's cousin, Lilah, joined us for a trip to Bogalusa to see my grandparents. Lilah and Annelise are always fun to watch together, but it was obvious that this trip their great-grandfather had the best time!

Our big girl was 3 months old on September 16, which meant we could introduce her to solid foods--rice cereal. It took a few tries (and a few bibs), but she actually seemed to like it after a little while. Bryan watched from a clean distance.
She's growing so fast and I keep trying to think of ways to slow our lives down! The day I found out I was pregnant (October 2, 2008), I bought this onesie that says, "I Love Daddy" and gave it to Bryan when he came home from work that day, as the news that we were expecting. It was huge on Annelise when she was born, but it is already too small now. I put her in it one last time...

Watching the Arkansas Razorbacks and cheering for her Daddy's team!

Not sure about her new toy--the exersaucer!

A Child of God

We have had such a great weekend! Yesterday Annelise was baptized at St. James Episcopal Church, where Bryan and I were married. (And she was baptized by Rev. Christopher Powell, who married us last May.) Annelise wore a christening cap that was made almost 100 years ago for her namesake, my great-grandmother Elise, who wore it first in 1912. Her gown and slip (which Granny Elise made) have been worn by several generations in our family for christenings over the years. This was the first time that the cap and gown were used when Granny Elise wasn't here. But, we know she was smiling down from heaven at our sweet Annelise.

My wonderful friend, Tonya Malone, is Annelise's Godmother. Tonya and I became friends first as sorority sisters and then in nursing school. She passed on her maternity clothes to me and her daughters' clothes to Annelise. She was my support through every step of pregnancy and the first few, difficult weeks, of having a newborn. I could never repay her for everything she's done for us and I'm so thankful for our friendship. Annelise is lucky to have a wonderful role model and I hope she grows up to have a heart as big as Tonya's. Tonya gave Annelise a beautiful pearl bracelet with a silver cross, which she wore during the ceremony.

Powell and Sarah Millard are Annelise's Godparents. Bryan and Powell have been friends since college and Powell was Bryan's Best Man in our wedding. They accepted me as a friend from the first time I met them and we are fortunate that they traveled all the way from Little Rock to be here for this special day. They gave Annelise her first "Book of Common Prayer" (readings and ceremonies) with her name engraved on the outside. We read from the book during her baptism.
Granny Ruth (Granny Elise's daughter) and Gran. Four generations together for the ceremony!

Yummy cake that everyone enjoyed except Annelise!

Also in town for the baptism, were all of Annelise's cousins--Sam, Tolly, Bonnie, and Lilah. This was the first time for her to meet Sam, Tolly, Bonnie, Uncle Mike, and Aunt Jess! It was so fun to see all of them together! The Fagan family came into town on Friday afternoon and it was wonderful to spend time with them! It was a full weekend--eating out, putt putt golf, ice cream, swimming, and we even fit in a MS Braves game Saturday night with the entire group! The weekend flew by, but we are so grateful that everyone came into town to celebrate the special occasion with us.

Cousins Tolly and Bonnie meeting Annelise for the 1st time

Sam and Tolly enjoying ice cream at Maggie Moo's

Annelise was a perfect little angel all weekend, with only one "tomato head" episode. (And it was truly warrented.) She didn't even cry during the baptism when water was poured on her head. Whew!

Below are some other recent pictures of our growing girl:

Granny Ruth and Gran fitting Annelise with a new dress hand-made by Gran

Hand-me-down outfit from Sophie and Mia Malone--thanks Tonya!!

2 Months...Already!

Thinking back on my life I always was in pursuit of the "next" thing and wished time would go by quicker--to get my driver's license, to start college, to finish nursing school, to get married, and so on. Now, life is suddenly in fast-forward and I want nothing more than for time to stand still. Annelise is growing so fast and maternity leave is quickly coming to an end. I try to stretch every minute of every day with her. She's changing quickly and developing a personality. We have less and less time as "tomato head" and more time smiling and "talking" to each other. Precious moments that I don't want to end.

Bryan started his fellowship at MS Sports Medicine on August 3. He's been very busy, but seems to be enjoying it and is learning lots. We miss him already as he leaves early in the morning and doesn't make it home sometimes until late. He will be the (football) team doctor for MS Valley State University. Go Delta Devils. Yeah.

Daddy and Annelise after work one day

My super-creative Mom made Annelise a special swaddling blanket, but apparently I don't know how to use it. Annelise doesn't have patience for me to figure it out. Actually, she was content when I got the camera out, but "tomato head" appears in an instant.

Mom--can you send us some directions?

Whoops. Sorry Daddy! Must have had too much milk!

Fancied up in a dress and bonnet for an evening out on the town!

Her 2-month birthday meant 2-month immunizations! Awful! We had a good visit with her pediatrician and she is in perfect health and development. She weighs 11 lbs, 6 ounces! All was well, but then the nurse came in to give her the injections. THREE!!! She cried louder, but I cried longer. It was pitiful. I held her tight for a few minutes and she settled down, but Bryan had to hold me for a while. Here's a picture of her sporting her two band-aids--one on each leg.

Watching T.V. with Papa

Talking to Gran about all sorts of things...

Grandpa is so funny!!!

Annelise's great-grandparents from New Orleans (Maman and Papa) made a trip to Hattiesburg to meet her. At the same time, her great-grandparents from Bogalusa also visited. So, we now have a very special picture...Annelise with two sets of great-grandparents. It was a fun day with lots of "spoiling" going on! We are so fortunate to have a total of 3 sets of great-grandparents!

This past weekend Annelise and her cousin Lilah had their first slumber party together at Gran's house. Lilah was very interested in Annelise and couldn't figure out why she made so much noise! Lilah is a sweet girl who smiles way more than she (softly) cries. Maybe Annelise is trying to show off her lung capacity? Lilah went right to sleep, but Annelise stayed awake for a while worried she may miss something! It was so much fun to watch these two together!After going to church with both babies (which was quite an experience!) the cousins played on Gran's pretty quilt. They played well together for a while until Lilah decided to explore Annelise's face with a gentle poke in the eye. Annelise was not very forgiving.

Shelby is impressed that someone figured out a pillow design to fit around a dog--a Boppy.

A sweet face I could stare into all day...

Ready for football season--GO HOGS!!!