Great article for new BFing moms!

If you know someone with a new baby, pass this along!
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/control.html

Anna's newest word: Book and she learned the signs for Cat and Horse yesterday. It helps that we have many many horses next door!

Anna update ...pics to come later

We had a wonderful last minute/surprise visit to Virginia for Easter. It was one of those "I'm going to America...tomorrow" kind of trips. There were several reasons of course, but there also happened to be a soldier in Brian's company who needed his dress blues to be in America the next day and that kind of sealed the deal for the trip. I was glad to help Josh out, see family and the Easter bunny of course.

During our stay with my sister Anna's vocabulary doubled! Ahhh the joys of a speech therapist! We had been working on several signs with her: please, thank you, cracker, love. When she wants something she points to it and signs milk, which is OK, since she and I both know what she wants, which is the whole point of signing at this age. She really nailed them down within 24 hours of being in Virginia. Jenni also taught her to sign sorry She also nailed down a few spoken words: duck, door, more, up. I was just amazed at how quick Jenni could get her to mimic any sound she made. Jenni feel free to comment if I forgot words.

She has also learned to blow kisses, snap her fingers and in the last few days...jump!

edit: I forgot to add she signs potty and wash hands (as she reminded me today!)

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Antibes, France July 2010

Bundle Me Toddler

You may remember I added the bundle me to my 'favorite things' list. Sadly Anna outgrew the bundle me very early this past winter. :( We were still able to use the bottom in the stroller and put a blanket over her. Low and behold with a little Amazon searching one night I found out there is a TODDLER SIZE bundle me! and it was on SALE! It arrived in the mail today and I'm sooo excited! We've had some chilly weather the past faw days with lots of wind. Wind makes it hard to keep a blanket on Anna. The Germans have some VERY nice buntings that are very similar to this one, but in dollars with free shipping is nice too ;) I'll get some photos during our walk today.

Cheerios ...do a body good

Anna's new ride!!

Mom, stop taking photos and push!!!



Druuuum roooooll ...the new bundle me!!






vs the old bundle me

Anna

Today I unloaded my Nikon which had all the photos from my recent trip to Nove and Venice, Italy. It also had a few photos of Anna from last week.

Guess who this kid belongs to!
(I was in such a hurry I forgot the flash)




I think she looks like such a big girl in these photos!




playing her in fort




It never gets old


Precious!










THE CLAW!






my sister, Jenni, sent me some ribbon so I could make some clips for Anna. I bought the clips when I was home for Christmas. 4 so far and loving them!

Anna catch up.

I just noticed there are a ton of videos and photos on our P&S camera of Anna. So I'm finally getting them loaded to the laptop and on to the blog...
Anna's new "fort"

I should have had a boy

Really...this took 10 minutes to do! She won't hold still to save her life.



Look Ma! I cleaned out the basket! and I'm so close to being on top of the WORLD!

pimpin snowmen



lounge lizard

riding daddy's new bike

playing house

first waffle with the new waffle maker from Oma!

awesome waffle maker! yum yum yum!

Grandma made us a snuggie and it keeps us super warm

Where is Anna?!

homemade finger paints

I've been doing a little homemade finger paint research. I like things made out of flour, water, and food coloring, sounds safe for a 15 month old to eat! Yes, 15 month old! oy! So exciting and so sad all at the same time. She is such an amazing little person. I'm kind of biased, but yeah, she's pretty amazing.

This coming weekend marks a huge milestone in this Smit house - Mommy's first night (2 in a row!) away from Anna and Daddy's in charge! OY! I'm sure he'll do great. I've stocked the pantry & fridge with all of Anna's favorite foods. Brian is a pretty amazing dad and for sure the 'fun parent' so I have no fear all will go well.

I am going on a trip to Nove, Italy to go pottery shopping!! Then we're off to Venice for a day. SO SO SO EXCITED!! But so so sad to be away from my little person.