March 28, 2010: Post Dinner Excitement

Annika got really animated while walking back to the car after dinner!



She had something very important to tell her dad:

March 28, 2010: For Tom-Eating Lemon

We took Grandpa Fred out to dinner at Burma Superstar and gave Annika a lemon to taste:



Here is her second try of the lemon:



I think she likes them!

New Blogger on the Block

Dad started a blog of his photos (fotos, as he likes to spell it). He has some great bird pictures and even some of Annika! Here is a link to his blog: Fred's Fotos-Birds and Critters

March 27, 2010: Coyote Hills

Dad (Grandpa) signed up for a photography workshop in the butterfly garden at Coyote Hills. The garden was beautiful and went up the side of a hill and had lots of fountains and trees. There were also so many mosquitos and they were big! I took some photos of Annika in the garden, but they didn't really turn out too well. Here is the best one:



After the workshop, we took a walk through the wetlands and looked for birds.





Here are a couple of videos from the drive home. I just can't get enough of Annika's babbling, so I think you'll all be seeing a lot of these type of videos!



Here is Annika giggling:

March 26, 2010: Ba ba ba ba ba

Annika has started babbling all the time now. She only really says "ba ba ba", but she changes her tones and volume. It's quite funny. In this video, she was talking and then saw Grandpa Fred and got really happy.



This video is at Washington Park.

March 25, 2010: Marsh Creek Landing Raptor Count

Today we went to the Marsh Creek Regional Trail to do a raptor count for the park district. The count was led by a naturalist who knew almost everything about birds. We learned a lot and Dad got lots of good photos.

Here is Annika and me before the count.



The creek trail goes along side a housing development, but there is still an incredible amount of wildlife.



Here is our guide. He had lots of visuals to help us learn to identify the birds.



Finally, here is a picture of Dad photographing a bird.

March 23, 2010: Grandpa is Visiting!

Dad got here yesterday afternoon after driving down from Washington. Annika was happy to see him and the three of us went for a walk to Crab Cove. Last year at this time, Dad and I met some people who were fishing for smelt and they were there again yesterday. Here is a photo of Dad and Annika, you can see someone fishing in the background.

March 22, 2010: After Dinner

March 21, 2010: Balloon!

Annika loves balloons and Julian let her get one yesterday. Here is a video of her with her balloon:

March 19, 2010: Going to the Beach

We have been having such amazing weather this week! Since it's been so warm and sunny, we thought it would be perfect to go to the beach. First we stopped for frozen yogurt:



Then we headed to the beach. We only live about four blocks from Crab Cove which used to the be site of a huge amusement park. They closed the park during the Great Depression and turned the area into a park.



Here is Annika putting her feet in the water for the first time. At first she didn't like it, but after the initial shock, she loved it!

Finger Foods

Annika has been eating solids for about a month now. We decided to skip purees and instead let Annika feed herself and she eats pretty much whatever we are eating for dinner. It is so much fun watching her eat! Usually it gets pretty messy and most everything ends up on the floor, but she practices using her hands and gets to decide what to eat and how much to eat. We had spaghetti for dinner and gave some to her:

March 15, 2010: Play Date!

After Wee Play, we met up with a coworker and her son at the park. I'm not sure how she would feel about me posting pictures of her son, but here are some of Annika:

March 15, 2010: Wee Play

At the VA building in Alameda, there is an infant/toddler play time that happens a few times a week. They set up all kinds of age-appropriate toys and have a sing along, crafts, and games. Annika and I have gone a couple times and she always has tons of fun.



Views of the other play areas, as seen from the infant "corral":

March 13, 2010: Running is my High Fun Run/Walk

The Native American Health Center sponsored a fun run/walk this last weekend to celebrate sobriety. I thought it would be fun to support a good cause and get some exercise. So, I strapped Annika into the wrap and we did the walk.



After the walk, we watched the hoop dancer and the children do fancy dancing. Annika was entranced by all the movement and dancing.

Jan. 12, 2010: Milestone? Feet in Mouth

Annika started putting her feet in her mouth, but she can only do this when we change her diaper. This is because her cloth diapers are so big that they really limit her mobility.

First Christmas

Annika's first Christmas was wonderful. The day was actually sunny, so we opened gifts and then went for a walk. It was a little chilly, though, so Annika got to wear some of her new handmade knits.

Annika with her new toys:





Julian reading one of Anni's new books:



Flower hat from Kellie:

Finally, Some Updates!

I went back to work and have been really bad about updating. So, tonight I'm going to do a bunch that will hopefully fill in what has been going on with Anni over the last four months. Enjoy!