The butt splash and other tubby fun

Apparently the most fun about a bath is pulling yourself up on the side of the tubby and sitting back down with a splash.  (don't worry, it is an inflatable tub.  Despite having an insanely large bathroom, we have no tub - go figure)  She also discovered her fish are magical jumping fish, if you throw them out of the tub, they instantly jump back in.  (unless you throw them out the back side of the tub - Momma can't reach back there ;) )

We had a great weekend in Western NY with West Hartford friends.  Anne-Marie had a great weekend hanging with Auntie Christina, Mimi and Grandpa.  She was really excited to get to see The Mann Family and JoNanna.  

Anne-Marie's First Birthday

Sooo...  I can't figure out how to rotate this in the blog editor...

Anne-Marie playing with her boy Jack, isn't he a cutie!

All decked out in her party dress

While I thought her birthday hat was the cutest thing ever, Uncle Nate thought differently

All we need to do is embroider a zero after the one and Bella can use this for her birthday

Really Momma, did you think I would leave these on???

Mom!, you need to read the card BEFORE you open the gift

It's hard work opening all these presents, I have to hydrate

What's in this bag?

Daddy's beautiful flowers for his Birthday Girl

Balloons are fun

I have a feeling this tongue will be in lots of pictures

A big Thank You to all who joined us in celebration of Anne-Marie's 1st birthday.  The only casualty of the day were two cupcakes who met their match in a very happy little girl.  I do have to apologize however to everyone else who was there that my picture taking (and Gwen's during presents) was wholly focused on Anne-Marie.  As I was looking at the pictures to post here, I realized I missed just about everyone there.  Hope everyone has a great summer!!!

My first real dinner in a while and other rambling updates

I have the best husband in the world!  My dinners lately have consisted of what ever I could grab and eat with a baby in one arm on the fly between feeding her and getting her ready for bed.  Usually the only reason I am in the kitchen is to get her bottle ready.  BUT NOT TONIGHT!  Alex made me a yummy turkey burger and veggies and cheese.  I really don't remember the last warm meal I ate for dinner.  THANK YOU ALEX!

We have been having lots of fun playing with different foods.  Today she had peas for the first time.  I think next time I need to cook them a little longer but she seemed to have gotten used to the texture by the end of dinner.  I still don't think she likes apples.  They are my favorite food, she should love them too!  So far, avocado and sweet potato seem to be her favorite.   Sadly, I had to buy her first can of formula today :(  We are running out of frozen breast milk.  I think we have enough for about 1.5 weeks left.  She will have her first formula bottle this weekend.  Hopefully she will tolerate it ok.

We now have consonants.  We have moved on from all vowels and so far we have gotten NA-NA-NA-NA-NA and BA-BA-BA-BA-BA.  Keep your fingers crossed for MA-MA!

Anne-Marie had her Child Development Services intake evaluation.  No surprises, she needs more physical therapy.  She still has some gross motor delays that we need to work on.  Getting the physical therapy has been the challenge.  Our insurance company is not really playing nice.  I am on a mission!  I will get her PT and if there is anything I can do about it, it will not be paid for with taxpayer dollars. 

My promise to you all - not to go another month without an update again, my apologies!

 

March for Babies Kick-off at Big Moose Harley Davidson

Saturday was the kick off for all the March for Babies walks throughout Maine this year.  Anne-Marie did great on her third tv appearance.  No nerves at all.  She was happily chomping away on her giraffe.  A big thanks to Big Moose for hosting the event and for our gift basket.  I can't wait until she wears her HD sweatshirt.  We had several pictures taken of her on some beautiful bikes, I will post as soon as Big Moose mails them to me.  Thanks too to Binga's Stadium for some yummy food.  Check out this link to see Anne-Marie on Channel 13.

http://www.wgme.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/wgme_vid_7126.shtml?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d7cf441490cb629%2C0

Don't forget to sign up for Team Anne-Marie for the Portland walk in Payson Park on May 1st!

http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1508452

We're on Twitter!

@TeamAnneMarie is on Twitter!  I have never been on Twitter so this is all new to me.  Alex set up our profile today and we are up and running.  He has been spending the last hour answering my questions on all things in the Twitter-verse.  Don't forget - join our team for the March for Babies, here is a link to the Team Page  http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1508452

Hope to see you on May 1st in Payson Park!

Oops

So apparently, Anne-Marie's little cold packed a big ole punch on the whole family.  Sorry everyone.   Thankfully the reports are that everyone is on the mend.  Anne-Marie is finally off the nebulizer. I have moved back upstairs to our bedroom and we are even attempting a night out of the bouncy seat! I am not sure Chester is happy I am back upstairs however...

A GREAT report from the eye doctor

Anne-Marie had her eye check up today and wonderful news, her eyes are perfect.  This was a follow-up with the eye doctor who checked her eyes in the hospital for Retinopathy of prematurity.  Today he was checking to see if she would need glasses.  Often, he will have to see preemies a few times to monitor their eyes but he said there is no need for Anne-Marie to have to come back!  (Unfortunately she has me for a mother so she will likely need glasses at some point in her life.)

A new thing

Anne-Marie has figured out that if she "talks" while you are bouncing her on your knee, her voice will make funny sounds.  It is now my favorite thing to mess with her and get her bouncing and "talking" then stop and see what she does.  She usually stops and looks at me.  When I start up again, so does she!  She is so much FUN!

Baptism weekend

A great weekend had by all in New York for Anne-Marie's baptism.  We were joined by friends, family and cherished members of the North Granville United Methodist Church (who are really more like family) to welcome Anne-Marie into the church.  Uncle Wayne (Liz's uncle) and Tara (great friend of ours) were her godparents.  The weather timed it perfectly so we could all get there and home safely. 

Uncle Nate actually got a hair cut and trimmed his beard for the occasion

Pastor Meredith performing the baptism (they heated the water a little so it wouldn't be cold)

Uncle Wayne (Godfather) singing Jesus Loves Me

Auntie Tara (Godmother) showing Anne-Marie off to everyone

Now she has two sets of parents

Pastors Meredith and Ginny gave us a lovely baptism

Bella and her cousin!

In Great Grams arms is one of Anne-Marie's favorite places

Gumby giving her a little bit to eat, Mangia Mangia

Neither one of us really wanted to wake up

Auntie Gwen rocking Anne-Marie in a chair we have all been rocked in

Anne-Marie loves her new toys - Pig, Cow and Chicken

Anne-Marie's first of many rides on Daddy's shoulders

Hanging with Gramps, Anne-Marie is looking forward to being able to
spend lots more time with Gramps when he moves
back East! 

Weekend with Mimi

Anne-Marie had a great weekend visiting with Mimi.  The storm forced a little bit of a change in plans but a nice weekend regardless. 

 Auntie Christina came over to the house on Saturday, not sure who is copying who but they seem to be dressed alike.  

We are off to New Hampshire this weekend to see Auntie Gwen, Uncle David and Isobella then over to New York for Anne-Marie's baptism next weekend. Hopefully the weather plays nice!

March of Dimes 2011 Ambassador Family

I had a lovely time last night at the March of Dimes annual meeting.  It was great to meet the board and hear of all the great things March of Dimes is working on in Maine.  Alex, Anne-Marie and I were chosen as the 2011 Ambassador Family and we couldn't be more excited.  We will get several opportunities to tell Anne-Marie's story and how thankful we are for March of Dimes and MMC.  We will find out on Tuesday all that is involved and if we can still have our own team for March for Babies or if we will need to walk on the Chapter team.  Mark your calendars everyone, March for Babies is May 1st.  I hope you can all make it and walk with Anne-Marie.  I will send everyone information next week. 

Anne Marie is very excited to have her MiMi (Alex's mom) come visit her this weekend.  It has been a while and the peanut has grown!

Christmas Pictures

I think this is my favorite picture taken of her to date.  I think my girl is sooo cute however rarely does a picture give her justice.  This one does the trick, therefore, that is what we used for the holiday card.

Nice and toasty warm in the Jonanna (Alex's aunt) sweater

We can't forget Chester.  He did so well on the photo shoot. 

So this is one of my New Year's resolutions.  I am not the greatest about keeping everyone posted as to what is going on with Anne-Marie.  Hopefully this will help.  I have no expectations of posting everyday but I do hope to post something each week, even if it is just a photo or two.  Feel free to send this link to anyone you think might be interested. 

Happy New Year Everyone!