It has been quite some time since I have written on this blog and mostly this is because we were blessed with a month long visit from Nana Roseanna and PopPop Morty. So whenever I had down time, I was soaking up being with them and not being on the computer. Believe it or not, I am writing this blog entry from Missoula, Montana. I couldn't get enough time with my parents, pass up the opportunity to visit my new baby nephew Solomon, introduce Annabelle to the rest of the fam and all be together at such a precious tiny stage of these little ones lives. I am so glad I came! The road trip was way better than I imagined. I was sure I was crazy to try to drive with 7 week old Annabelle. It was really hard to make the decision but once we were off, it actually turned out to be a fun road trip! It was a beautiful day, Mort was my copilot and I felt like we were together in an airplane shooting down the bad drivers and the Clark Fork River signs that just kept coming! Rosie was the master shussher for the baby, kept her happy and helped out driving. Annabelle slept great along the way, took the bottle when we needed to use it and showed us her adventurous spirit as she looked around at all the new sights when took her out of her seat for some fresh air. She loves fresh air and being outside in general.
Annabelle is 2 months old today. Whoo hoo! At 7 weeks, she began to really look at you and smile. Now this skill has become so much richer and fuller. She smiles at you and coos with her many sounds, talking to you. Its really cute! She has a new favorite position to hold her, the airplane, where she can look out and fly with her great neck strength. When in doubt, take Annabelle outside and swing her like that and she's usually good to go! Plus you get a super arm workout. One other fun new thing she has done twice now is her middle and ring finger land in her mouth and starts sucking hard on them Her pinkie and pointer finger sit on either side of her mouth. Its pretty cute and I wonder if she will continue with this later. Jack misses Annabelle and I a lot but he has been able to tear out our kitchen floor and by Monday we will finally have our new floor put in. He is one of the most productive, motivated people I know. He has helped me also learn to not get so worked up when Annabelle is crying. He stays calm and assures her it will pass whatever it is. I am learning slowly but surely.
We had such a good time with my parents. My mom helped me clean out all my kitchen cupboards and my linen closet and we got my picture frames up on the wall. (They have been sitting there for two years I think). She is trying to also help instill some system for me to control Biyou's hair in the house and keep thing tidy with our new baby around. We'll see how it works. Mort and Jack watched a lot of WWII documentaries, ran errands together and flew the remote control helicopter a bunch. Pop Pop passed on some of his favorite baby games to us that we find ourselves using a lot. It is great to see baby Annabelle recognize Nana's voice and face and smiles and coos at her. I guess 5 weeks together paid off. We thank you both for sharing that precious time together. We will cherish it always.
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-Kelli
