Friday, December 26, 2008

Anna Claire's First Reaction Christmas Morning

Sorry it's sideways!! I turned the camera to get a better view and didn't realize I wouldn't be able to fix it on the computer, but you get the idea. :)
Her response, in case you can't understand her is, " awww, look, wow" with some other random sounds.



Here is what she was looking at............























I couldn't get it all in one picture.

I'll post a slideshow later with more pictures.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

No Pictures!! No Pictures!!

I realize that it's not very interesting when I don't post pictures of Anna Claire, since I know some of you come here to see pictures. (Daddy/Grandpa) However, it seems that Anna Claire thinks that I am the paparazzi and every time I get the camera or my cell phone out she hollers "NO PICTURES!! NO PICTURES!!" Now granted, she HATES the flash on the camera, but I don't use the flash on my cell phone and I have the settings on my big camera set so that I don't have to use the flash, for this reason only. LOL!! Anyway, every time I try to take her pictures, she yells at me, as I've already mentioned, and then turns her head and peeks at me.
Like this...........
In the video below (you cannot hear the sound~not sure why) she was riding her horse that she got from Nana and Papa Ern on Saturday and was consistently telling me "NO PICTURES NO PICTURES" every time she put her head down.

And yes, she has on her pants and shoes with no shirt on. I promise she had a shirt on when we got there, but she started acting a donkey (as her Daddy would say) while eating dinner bc she didn't want to wear a bib, so they took her shirt off of her and then she refused to put it back on. I let her be, because at that point I was tired of hearing her scream bloody murder when something didn't go her way. She is usually very well behaved, but I'm not sure what got in to her Saturday night. She does love her new horsey though.

We are very excited about Santa coming tomorrow night and can't wait to see Anna Claire's reaction. Kerry has opened all of his gifts already, so we've been playing Guitar Hero World Tour a lot the past few days. If you don't have this game, you should get it bc it is a blast to play!! It's the only game that I can beat Kerry at! YAY!!!!!

Ride a Little Horsey...........

Friday, December 19, 2008

Doodlebops..................

We have moved past the Elmo stage, as well as the Hot Dog stage (Mickey Mouse), and we are now entering the Doodlebop stage. For those of you who don't have younger children here is a picture of the Doodlebops.


I bought her a DVD a few weeks ago bc let's face it, I like the Doodlebops. I think it's because they are brightly colored and some of their music is very catchy. They freak Kerry and MeMe out!! Anyway, now in the afternoons when I get home she grabs my hand and in the cutest little voice says, "Doobops Doobops." I had to order another DVD so she could take one to MeMe's, not that she sits there and watches it, but it makes her, I guess, feel better while she's trying to figure out what to get in to next. ; )

I know some of you have asked why she calls Mickey Mouse "Hot Dog," so here's the link to the ending of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This should explain everything. ; )

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Orange Slices...........

So we currently have quiet the array of snacks at work right now, thanks to our vendors. Yesterday we got 2 fruit baskets and I went up front to open one of them today because I noticed some orange slices in them. I have very fond memories of sharing these with Granddaddy growing up. I got a few of them and took them to my office and got a little teary eyed, as I am now, knowing that I used to share them with him when I was a little girl. It's amazing that you always remember those special times when they are gone, that didn't seem that special to you as a child.
These are for you Granddaddy.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Where Did the Weekend Go?

Goodness we were busy this weekend!! Friday night I worked on the laundry and picked up the house because I knew I would be busy the rest of the weekend. While I worked on the house, Anna Claire tried to see what she could destroy. I was in the Kitchen and walked in to the Living room to find her BEATING the Christmas tree with her broom. I'm talking she was beating the tree like it had got up and tried to get her. I had to first laugh at her and then got her to stop. To my surprise nothing fell off of the tree. There was LOTS of glitter on the gifts from where the glitter was falling off of the ornaments. Then she got her pots and pans and brought them in the kitchen. She took a full bag of Gold Fish and dumped them in her pots and pans. I turned around for a split second and she had dumped them in the floor and was using the pots and pans as a broom and was slinging Gold Fish all over the Kitchen. By the time I got that cleaned up it was bed time. Phew!!


Saturday we had Christmas with Kerry's Dad, step-Mom brother, sister in law, sister, and 2 nieces. Anna Claire got a backpack with her name on it, a pillow case with Princess Anna Claire on it, a $25 gift card, an outfit, and the items below.

Anna Claire loves the necklace and watch (it's actually a bracelet) that came with this toy.



Saturday night I worked until 11:30pm, then Kerry and I went to the grocery store when I got home. Anna Claire was in Alabama with her Big Daddy. Shopping in Wal-Mart at midnight was very peaceful!! Sunday Anna Claire came home and spent the day with her Daddy, while Momma and I went to Franklin shopping.



I am still recovering from my lack of sleep!!

This Saturday we have Christmas with Kerry's Mom's side of the family.

Anna Claire is also battling a stuffy/runny nose in all of this traveling we are doing. Bless her heart!! She is a trooper!!

I forgot to add........

Anna Claire put on her rain boots all by herself Friday night too!! She even put them on the right feet!!!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Little Smarty Pants!!

Last night about 10:00pm I went to turn out Anna Claire's bedroom light. It just so happens that she was awake and waiting on me, so I put her in bed with me. Once we got in bed she was WILD!! She kept raising her legs up and dropping them on me saying, "fun!" I told her 3 times that is was time to go night night. After the third time, I said "ONE" and Anna Claire's response was "two, free, four, five" than she paused and said, "six, seven, nine." I had to laugh at her bc I was too proud to fuss at her. When I stated laughing she got even wilder and starting yelling, " GO TITES! GO TITES!" That is how she says Go Titans!!
Anna Claire and Santa 2007


Anna Claire and Santa 2008
Santa hasn't changed, but Anna Claire sure has!! The 2008 picture is a close up bc her MeMe was actually holding her in Santa's lap bc she didn't want to sit with him by herself.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Our Weekend...........

was busy!! We had our first Christmas visit of the season. Saturday night we went to the Christmas parade and Sunday I finished putting up the decorations. This will be a post FULL of pictures, so let's get started.

Here is Anna Claire's tree in her room.

This has rolled all over the house since we got home Saturday. When it wasn't rolling around the house or Anna Claire wasn't playing with it, she made me hold it while she was playing with her other toys. Needless to say, I have also carried it all over the house too. Thanks Grandpa!!

Here Daddy. Mommy won't hold it anymore, so you hold it.

Here are some pictures from Saturday at Daddy and Missy's. She got a Playskool Clip table, Ironing board, 16+ piece plate and cup set, a dirt devil vacuum and the cutest snowman sweater. When we went to lunch she got the hamster in the ball.

Playing with her new ironing board from Grandma and Grandpa. This is the basket that is suppose to be hanging from the ironing board.
Waiting for the parade.

It's was a very good weekend!!

Friday, December 5, 2008

It's Been a Good Birthday/Birth Week......

Today is my birthday and it has been great so far!! Kirby was the first one to tell my Happy Birthday this year. He tries every year to be the first person to tell me. So far out of everyone Kerry, my wonderful caring husband, is in last place bc he didn't realize it was my birthday until about 9:00am this morning. I never said he was thoughtful!! LOL When I got to work this morning, this was waiting in my chair for me from Misty. My co-worker's sang to me and Mary made these sausage breakfast things that we ALWAYS look forward to!!

Miss Anna Claire sent me this, with the help of her MeMe.

Don't those cookies look YUMMY!!!!

Tomorrow we start our Christmas tour. (That's what I'm calling it this year bc we have so much traveling to do.) I am so excited!! We go visit Daddy and Missy tomorrow and I can't wait. I know a few things that they got AC for Christmas and I can't wait for her to see them!!!! It's amazing how a child can change your outlook on everything. I get sooo excited when Anna Claire gets gifts bc I know how excited it makes her. Her happiness fills me with happiness!! I'll post pictures later this weekend.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Merry Christmas............

I think I have told you all before how awesome Angie at Gambill Photography is, right? We love her!!!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Sneak Peek at Santa

Click on the link below to see the Sneak Peek at Santa pictures that we had done Friday with Angie @ Gambill Photography.

www.gambillphotography.blogspot.com
*Scroll down and click view proofs on the right
*Click on "If your event was after March 1, 2008 click here" (The click here will be in blue)
*Click on Enter next to Pennington
*Click on Enter Gallery


Anna Claire DID NOT like Santa. After the first 2 pictures I had to go put on the Santa suit. The things you will do to get cute pictures!! : )

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Christmas is coming....







We have a very full Christmas, Baby Shower, and Birthday party schedule the next few weeks, so I decided to put the Christmas tree up Friday night with the help of Anna Claire. While I was decorating the tree she would get ornaments and put them in the tree to help. I had ornaments all over the house when she went to bed. She has done very well so far with not taking the ornaments off the tree. She will walk over and touch them, but doesn't try to take them off. When I turned the lights on to the tree, Anna Claire said, "I wike dat." She is so sweet!!





And of course you always have to taste the ornaments. ; )

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Our Trip to Portrait Innovations............


was a mistake!! The pictures were ok, but it is not the environment for an 18 month old full of energy!! Anna Claire could see the Lego table from where we were trying to get pictures done, so therefore all she wanted to do was go play. She kicked and screamed during the family pictures, hence the reason for the snot running out of her nose in the family picture that I didn't realize was there until the pictures were already printed. Yes, some of you may be getting one of those pictures, sorry for the snot. LOL!! We told the guy to let us stand and take the family picture. His response was, "sure no Problem. You sit here and Dad you sit here." Hello!?!? Did I not just ask if we could stand and you said yes? Moving on..........Anna Claire's single pictures were just as trying. All she wanted to do was play, so he got out the rocking chair, which was a plus. I knew she would rock rock and she did for a few pictures, then she was off again. The guy taking the pictures then asks, while he is looking at me with this look that had "please say no wrote all over it," "Do you want to change her clothes?" I, of course said YES!!! I am so used to Angie letting me change as often as I want, that this was not normal for me!! We change her clothes at Angie's at least 3 times, if not more. OK, dress on, boots on, tights on, ready for more pictures. YEAH RIGHT!! She was mad once again bc all she wanted to do was play with that freaking Lego table and of course ALL the children bc by this time the place was packed!! The guy taking the pictures finally decides to get the big bear out. (He should have done that 30 minutes ago~and I told him this as well) She loved the bear, which is why the bear is in most of the pictures. OK, pictures done and now it's time to pick them. Kerry's watching AC while Momma and I pick the pictures. 10 minutes pass and Kerry's tells me that him and AC need to go to the car bc he has issues. Well as most of you know, I just figured he had gas. LOL!! Not the case!! Apparently there was this little evil 3yr old at the Lego table that was hitting Anna Claire in the head. Anna Claire would go get a block from a little boy (he would hand it to her and smile) and then she would take it the little 3 yr old girl, who would then elbow my child and hit her in the head. (You know, elbow out, fist up) Kerry was fuming mad and looked at the child's Father who gave Kerry a dirty look. After this happened 3 times Kerry told AC it was time to go bc THAT little girl cannot play nice. So, needless to say, we will more than likely not go back to Portrait Innovations. Thank goodness for Angie!!!!!!!!! I loved her before and love her even more now!!

Yes, that is Pup Pup in the picture too!!















Friday, November 14, 2008

Patience is a Virtue...........

Kerry had an in person job interview Wednesday night. He had a phone interview with this company a few weeks ago and was called in for an in person interview for this week. This interview last about 3 hours. It sounds very promising, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. He is suppose to hear back from them in the next few days after they discuss the pay rate and make sure everything fits their budget. Please say a little prayer for Kerry with the hopes that he gets this job. He is very excited about and it could really ease us financially. I know he will be heart broken if he doesn't get it.

Pictures! Pictures!
We are going to Portrait Innovations Sunday morning for Family pictures and also single pictures of Anna Claire. So be on the look out for them on here, but not on-line. They do not put them on-line. Momma is going with us to make sure she get what pictures she needs/wants bc you view, order, and get the prints after the session.

November 28th we will be going to see Angie to have some more pictures of Anna Claire done. Angie is our regular photographer, so we had to include her in our picture budget, of course with the help of Momma. We will be doing the Sneak Peak at Santa photos with Angie and I am super excited about it!! You should all check her out for your picture needs www.gambillphotography.com . She's GREAT!! Those of you with children, the Sneak Peak at Santa pictures are SUPER CUTE!! You can see a sample of them on her blog. I cannot tell you how excited I am about these pictures!!!!!!!

Christmas is right around the corner and we are very excited. Kerry, Santa, and I finished almost all of our shopping for Anna Claire last weekend. I have 1 more thing to get her and Santa has to finish filling her stocking and then we will be done. Woo Hoo!!!! I must tell you, if you haven't started shopping yet that it was a nightmare last weekend!!!!!!!! There were people EVERYWHERE!! Toys R Us was PACKED!! We sat at the red light to turn on to Medical Center Parkway to go to the Avenue 4 times!! It was Crazy!! Kerry is so glad that he doesn't have to go out Christmas shopping anymore this season. ; )

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Fun in a Tote













I bought a tote the other day to clean out Anna Claire's Summer clothes. Anna Claire had a great time playing in it.


















Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?










SPONGE BOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





























I'm sure she's creating a new style with her bracelet and cheeto face.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

18 Month Appointment

We went to see Dr. Bradley this morning for Anna Claire's 18 month appointment. It's hard to believe she is 18 months old. Everything was great and she is growing perfectly. We will go see the Pediatric Dentist the first of the year for her first official dental visit. Anna Claire's eating habits, or lack there of, are completely normal. Dr. Bradley did give us some samples of PediaSure to try so that we can make sure that Anna Claire is getting the nutrition that she needs. We will give her 1 per day, but she said this was normal as well and that she gives her son PediaSure too. He's a few months older than Anna Claire. We go back in April for her 2 year check up.

Here are Anna Claire's stats from today.

Height - 34 inches (95th percentile - very tall for her age) - She's 2 inches away from being 3 feet tall!!
Weight - 25 lbs 8oz (75th percentile)
Head Circumference - 46 1/4 cm (50th percentile - normal size)

She got her DTap, Hep A, and Flu shot today. She did better with the shots than she did getting her head measured. She HATED getting her head measured. Dr. Bradley was very pleased with her weight gain since her 12 month appointment. I still think she is thin for her height, but I base it on the fact that her 18 month pants are way too big for her.

Anyway, the appointment was great!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Halloween Pics


Anna Claire loved Trick or Treating, but she wasn't in to taking pictures. I have only one of her smiling, but she had a blast so it's ok. You will see that she has a sucker in every picture. She probably had at least 6 or 7 through out the day. Her MeMe and Uncle Josh took her Trick or Treating at the bank and Celebration office while I was at work. Her bucket was full from them. We took her around our neighborhood and the neighbor's re-filled it. Then a trip to Aunt Laura's, Nana's, and Granny Upton's filled it for a 3rd time.



Anna Claire's Elmo pumpkin.