You wanna cracker, Papa?

Anastasia: Papa, you wanna cracker?

Philip: I don't want one, Anastasia.

Anastasia: You want 2 crackers, Papa?

So, do you walk?

Philip was outside with Anastasia today when she spotted some kids picking up pecans. It was a family with 5 children. She darted over and instantly was one of them. While they were busy with their activity, one of the children asked Philip, "So, do you walk?"

Philip didn't tell me what he responded, but I imagine it was some form of what he tells most kids when the question is asked, "God made me this way." This answer usually doesn't satisfy the child, but hopefully it will communicate the truth that God controls his creation.

Anastasia has not only taken to sitting in big people seats, she is also getting pretty good at feeding herself. Of course, I make the oatmeal a little more sticky to help her out some.

I dropped it.

Anastasia spoke her first sentence today! Philip and I both heard it - doesn't the Bible say something about two witnesses...Anyway, her first complete sentence with a subject, verb and direct object was, "I dropped it."

We had some (amazing) fried catfish from Lumpkin's, a unique BBQ place here in Jackson. (If you're local, you should check it out!) I peeled off the fried skin and handed the fish to Anastasia. She dropped it on her shirt and Philip said just that. As I went to get pick it off, Anastasia looked down and said, "I dropped it."

Anastasia is very verbose. It's not all intelligable, though. Philip and I joke that she has been practicing so much, she is just going to wake up one day and start speaking complete and understandable sentences. I'll keep you posted.

Asleep in the high chair

Tonight while I was making dinner - which was a Tuna Casserole. Judge as you like. This was the first time I've ever made - or even eaten - a Tuna Casserole, and it wasn't half bad.

But back to the story: I feed Anastasia dinner while I'm making dinner for Philip and me. Tonight I had given Anastasia some string cheese and green peas. I guess I hadn't noticed she had been kinda quiet not asked for more. It wasn't until I heard a deep sleep-like breath, ie, snore, from behind me that I remembered Anastasia was still in the room.

She had fallen asleep in her high chair. It was at the same time very precious and left me feeling terrible that she was so exhausted. I don't know if this footage was worth her missing her afternoon nap, though. Debatable.

*That is indeed Anastasia that you hear lightly snoring.*

Resourceful

Philip, Anastasia, and I went to Inverness over the 4th of July weekend. I must have been extremely focued on something else when we were leaving Sunday, because we forgot Anastasia's high chair, diaper bag, and stroller. I already turned around once at Sid Windham's on Hwy 49 to get my purse. We probably would have gone back to get them when we realized the other forgotten items, but I knew Anastasia was going to be going back to Inverness today - 3 days later.

So we've been roughing here at the Soen homestead. Anastasia hasn't minded roaming around free outside rather than being in her stroller. A Bumpo and belt was my resourceful answer to the absence of a high chair. I was kinda proud of that concoction. Needless to say, I will be very grateful to get those back next week when Anastasia comes home!

New record...and new pictures

According to our pediatrician, Anastasia set a new 'world record' for the least amount of sick visits in the first year of life : none.

These are some of Anastasia's 1 year old pictures. Ragan Oswalt, a friend from my time at Mississippi State, took the pictures. We had fun taking them at Mynelle Gardens here in Jackson.

11 Months!

Anastasia turns 11 months old today. I find that a little hard to believe but thrilling all the same!

Anastasia has a few words: thank you, uh-oh, Mama, Papa, and a variation on Daddy that I think is Granddaddy.

Monday night she blew me a kiss - unsolicited. And this evening she said "thank you" when I gave her her Cheerios! Of course, earlier, when she was upset that I wouldn't let her feed herself, she very purposefuly threw the spoon down on the ground.

So, she's a pretty normal kid - cute and infuriating.

Ann Louise

Anastasia has obviously enjoyed spending time with "Miss" Ann Louise. Ann Louise has been babysitting Anastasia recently - and is doing an extraordinary job! She is a very trustworthy young woman.

Ann Louise is earning money by babysitting for a summer course at Ballet Magnificat! I bet Anastasia will want to be a ballerina like Ann Louise...especially if they continue spending time together.

Thanks, Ann Louise!

waking up happy

Anastasia usually wakes up in the morning happy! She'll play in her crib until I come get her - or until she gets lonely and lets me and Philip know it.

These pictures are from this morning when I went in to get her.

She is such a delight! Now if only she could teach the rest of us how to wake up that way...

Desitin!

Yep, that's right, this post is about Desitin - to praise this product is more like it. I had been using A&D since my daughter was born. Then she started having diaper rash and I started using more A&D and the diaper rash didn't go away.

I was at the end of a tube of the name brand A&D stuff when I found some Desitin that we had been given in a basket of goodies - well, they were goodies if you had just brought a newborn home. And lo and behold, this white gunk alleviated the redness on sweet Anastasia's bumbum!!

Woo hoo!

Our Lil' Pumpkin

Happy Halloween! I enjoy this holiday - fun costumes, fall colors, and candy; we can't forget the candy!! I found this Pumpkin outfit at RTS's (Reformed Theological Seminary) Clothes Closet - a "free store" for students, factulty, and staff. In fact, starting next week, I'm going to be working at the Clothes Closet part-time. We're hoping our Little Pumpkin will let me.

My parents, Marme and Granddaddy to Anastasia, came into town. Anastasia is spending Halloween in Inverness with them! I don't know whose having more fun, my parents or Anastasia. (My vote goes with my parents.)

Anastasia is 5 months

Anastasia turned 5 months old today. Whoa. Anyone who has kids says, "They grow up so fast." Philip jokingly remarked that we should start telling people, "This kid is taking forever to grow up!" We don't think that she is; we wish we could find her Pause button. But nonetheless, Philip and I poke at conventional and too-often repeated sayings.

The picture to the right was taken when Anastasia was about 24 hours old. "It seems like it was yesterday!"