First Birthday Party

Happy Birthday my sweet baby Annabelle.

Reminding myself of what a wonderful and sweet cuddle bug you are. I cannot believe that first year flew by and just like that we were celebrating your birthday. We had a very small party for you. In attendance were: Grandma and Grandpa Nance, Nana and Papa Gratz and Auntie Jenna. You spoke to your Uncle Adam and Auntie Jen on the phone that day too.

First cupcake and you loved it. Mama made a healthy whole wheat cupcake recipe and we are all thankful that you ate one and enjoyed it. I also went through 2 batches of scratch frosting to make sure you had the perfect one.

The biggest surprise to us all....you starting walking full time the day of your birthday! You spent a couple weeks taking 2-3 steps but all of a sudden you just woke up and chose to walk that day.

You love your toy box, swing, little green chair, soccer ball, silver cup, blocks and all the books and other wonderful gifts you received on at your party. Quite a fan of opening presents.

I must say that for a "non party" we had quite a party. Dada and I spent a lot of time preparing. We made your birthday sign and bunting and we enjoyed every single bit of it.

Annabelle Dawn Gratz, you are our shining light and our reason we wake up each morning so happy. Your energy uplifts everyone around you as you share your spirit so willingly. I have no idea where this year has gone and why on earth it happened so quickly. At the year anniversary of your birth we continued to be so impressed at your development and your desire to learn. Doggie still continues to be your favorite thing and sign. You love all your family and give hugs to everyone...well maybe still a little shy towards Papa and Grandpa. We love every bit about you Annabelle and are so blessed each moment we get to spend with you. We continually praise God for the biggest blessing we've ever received.

5 months!

Happy 5 months Annabelle

Your Dad and I just cannot believe that we have had you with us now for 5 whole months.

Everyday is something new and fantastic. This month has brought on your sweetness and you are now full of cuddles and hugs, but also quick to whine if something is not how you like it.

You went to your first wedding this month and had so much fun that you fell asleep in your sling as we danced.

Cousin Wes and his beautiful wife Andrea were so happy that you were there to celebrate. You also met your Great Oma this month, and my Godfather Steven. Everyone is so happy to meet you and continue to admire at what a good baby you are.

We also celebrated Dad's birthday this month. The day we found out you were a girl we purchased a blue dress for you in hopes to wear for Dad's birthday. You were still too small to wear it for this birthday, but maybe by the end of summer.

This month you have:

-continued to be a great sleeper. We put you to bed between 8:00 and 8:30 and you sleep till a bit before 7:00 am. You still talk to yourself in your crib in the morning before we come get you.

-spent about two weeks waking up at 5:00 am and talking in your crib for an hour before falling back asleep.

-moved to eating 5 times a day.

-At the beginning of this month you were eating approx.: 7am, 10:30am, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, 7pm and 8:30pm

-At 5 months you are eating approx.: 7am, 11am, 3pm, 6pm and 7:45pm.

-switched to 3 naps a day. This took a while for mama to figure this out but you got the hang out it right away. Normally 2 naps at 1.5 to 2 hours and one smaller 45 - 60 min. nap

-started to stand while holding on to a table.

-sit well by just holding onto my fingers.

-learned how to do push ups while playing on your tummy.

-continued to prefer sleeping on your tummy, and sometimes with your knees tucked up under you.

-learned how to take the paci out of your mouth and put it back in.

-continued to grab my ears, nose, eyelids and hair.

-likes running errands while being in your moby wrap and sling.

-started rolling to get somewhere.

-started to pull on blanket to pull a desired toy to you.

At 5 months you wear:

-6 month onesies and jammies

-0-3 month shirts, pants and dresses

At 5 months you weigh 12 lbs 10 oz

Annabelle, we continue to love you more and more each day.

We are all so thankful for you and all the joy you bring to our lives each day.

Graduation Time

Congrats Auntie Jenna!

We all had such a great time this weekend celebrating Auntie Jenna graduating from the University of California, Irvine.

Annabelle did better than expected with all of the busy happenings of the day.

Of course, with all of the action, Annabelle was way too excited to enjoy any proper naps. Thankfully though she exceeded our expectations on her fussy scale, most likely due to her loving Nana Carol who gave some good cuddle rest time during dinner.

Jenna we are all so proud of you and all of your accomplishments.

We wish you a fantastic time in Washington DC this summer.