Lots going on...

We've been busy this month. Annabelle and I went to the Baltimore Zoo last Friday. We spent the day with Rachel and Treith and lots of animals. Although most of the time Annabelle just sleep or ate, but she still had fun. We got a few pictures as well. Last Sunday Annabelle tried out her new pool and hopefully this weekend she will be trying it out again. Tomorrow we are heading down to Baltimore the National Aquarium to send a few hours with Nana, Grandpa and Katelyn. On Sunday we will be celebrating Tim's first Father's day.

Last night we finally purchased new shades for the living and kitchen and nice valance. Although I've told Tim that I would like to replace the kitchen counter tops, flooring and cabinets. A girl can dream right??

Here are a few pictures of Annabelle enjoying her summer.

Annabelle's Photoshoot

For several months I've been debating if I wanted to get Annabelle's pictures professional done. We had plans to have newborn pictures taken of her, but Miss Annabelle had other plans in mind, when she arrived 7 weeks early. So we decided not to have a professional come to our house and just have the Hospital take her pictures a few days before she was going to be released from the NICU. I'm so amazed at how much my precious sweet girl has changed from the tiny preemie to a happy sitting 7 month old. My friend Charlene came to our house a few weeks ago and to take photo's not just of Annabelle, but of Ashlynn too. Ashlynn and Annabelle have been friends before they were even born. Michelle (Ashlynn's mommy) and I have been friends for several years and I was just overjoyed when they announced they were expecting a few months after Tim and I.

Here's the link to Annabelle and Ashlynn's photos.

If anyone is looking for a photographer in the Maryland area, please contact me, I'll be happy to pass Charlene's information along.

We have a sitter!

Not a babysitter but a sitting baby. Annabelle finally has decided to sit. It's so wonderful. I knew she would get it some day soon, but I'm so happy to share another milestone with you all.

Happy Memorial Day to everyone!

Sorry it's a tad bit fuzzy (taken on a camera phone yesterday)

6 months old

Yesterday, Annabelle turned 6 months old. Tim and I can't believe how much she has changed from that little baby we brought home just six months ago. Tomorrow she has her six month appointment with the doctors. She will be getting her last synasis shot too. I've been very thankful for six shots that she's received to protect her from RSV. I'm also happy that she made it through the flu season with only one cold. Two weeks ago she came down with the sniffles and cough, was just plain miserable for days. Although I didn't mind cuddling with her, but we lost a lot of sleep. We knew something was wrong, when she was waking every 2-3 hours, wanting to eat. But she kicked the cold with lots of cuddling with her favorite person, Daddy.

Check out some of Annabelle's milestones so far:

-Sleeping through the night since she was 3.5 months old.
-Rolls from back to belly
-Rolls belly to back (new accomplishment)
-Smiles and laughs
-Talking non-stop
-puts her hands in her mouth
-puts toys in her mouth
-drops and throws toys
-Sleeps un-swaddled
-Eats rice cereal
-Love sweet potatoes
-Love applesauce
-unsure on green beans
-unsure on squash
-Like carrots
-Likes snap peas
-Like Bananas

Still to try:
-apples
-pears
-peaches
-any so much more.

A splash of color...

Who knew a splash of color could brighten a room up so much. After almost four years of living in our townhouse, our basement has a new color. The old color, Tim would call it smoker white. Although the previous owners nor us have ever smoked in our house, the walls were just plain ugly. We debated for several years, what to paint the walls. Red (for Maryland), purple (for Ravens), yellow to just brighten up the room. But we decided to go with a bright blue. The room will officially turn into Annabelle's play room. We are in the process now trying to located or building some kind of storage unit to host all of Annabelle's toys. I wanted something that has cabinets on the bottom and maybe cubbie holes on the top. Maybe something like this or like this.

Now obviously we aren't going to pay this much $$$, but I like the idea. Plus we have a small space that we are working with. Just getting ideas. If you have any suggestions, please pass them along.

Bitter is the New Black and Hush

I finally finished reading Bitter is the New Black by Jennifer Lancaster. I've talked to several people about this book, all whom seem to love the book. I purchased this book back in May 2009 and finally finished reading it in March 2010. It was very hard to read, I have days or months where I would just put it down and not pick it back up. Not sure if it was the author's writing style or I just wasn't into the topic. The story seem to hit close to home for Tim and I. With Tim being unemployed for three months now, I just can't imagine being laid off for 2 years like Jennifer Lancaster, then her husband also gets laid off. That just scares me to no end. But somehow I make it to the end and I'm happy to had start another book.

I picked up the latest Kate White Book "HUSH". What a great book. I love her murder mystery books. It's one of those books that I just couldn't put down. I finished reading this book in three days. I'm sad it's over, I would if the author could write something weekly.

I'm currently reading "Wonderful You" by Mariah Stewart. Well see how this book progresses.

Some changes

I've decided to start with my new list today. I'm sick of my old list and it's time for a change. I'll be updating my blog shortly.

In other news... Annabelle is growing nicely. She has come so far from her birth weight of 4lbs 10. At her last appointment this morning she weighted 13lbs 14.5oz at five months. The doctor also told us that they may try and get her another RSV shot for April. We won't know until end of the month if the insurance company approved her. They aren't sure if RSV season will be ending this month or next, so they are highly recommending her.