Merger!

Two kids plus two blogs proved to be too much upkeep for this busy mom, hence the long break I've taken since the last post. Every time I'd think, "I really should update Annalise's/Tommy's blog," that thought was quickly followed by "But I don't have time to do both right now, so I'll just wait..."

So, our family's new and improved blog can be found at: www.wedewer.com/blog. New pictures and posts will appear in the not-too-distant future.

Visit often to keep up on the latest and greatest of the Wedewer Four. All content found on our blogspot pages can be viewed on the new site as well. Thanks for keeping up with us!

Peas

In the same manner we tortured her brother (see: http://tommywedewer.blogspot.com/2005/10/peasmake-it-stop.html) Annalise's first vegetable was green peas. See how much she liked them?

But after a few bites she kind of got into it! She lumped down the rest of her peas with poise and ended the meal with a big smile.

At five months, she shares breakfast and dinner with the family. Rice cereal is the foundation for both meals and so far we've introduced peas and sweet potatoes, too. She eagerly waits with an open mouth between bites and she really seems to enjoy being a full-fledged member of the meal. Tommy loves to comment several times during each feeding "Bee has a messy face!" I'm going to try to make homemade veggies and fruits this time around. I just got myself a 14-cup food processor, which is basically big enough to puree a whole watermelon (okay, maybe not THAT big!), so it'll be easy to sneak veggies into big brother's food and liquefy anything that she might like to try.

Pretty Blankie

Aunt Michele hand-crocheted this beautiful blankie for Annalise. It's so soft and our baby girl loves to relax and play on top of it.

How happy is SHE?!?

Exersaucin' is Serious Business!

What a look she has on her face! Annalise LOVES to hang out in the exersaucer, though you wouldn't know it from that serious expression. When she presses the animal noise/music buttons it startles her a bit, but the dragon is her favorite friend to hug and she gives lots of kisses to the sunshine. Tommy likes to spin the globe for her while giving a commentary about "Planet Erf."

The dynamic duo in action:

Easter

Annalise's first Easter was a wonderful occasion. The weather was beautiful, the kids were in great moods and we were able to snap a few cute pics before we went to church.

Henry's Visit

Tommy wasn't the only one who had fun with Henry! While Tommy was in school one morning, Jess and I took the kids down to Town Square for a little shopping. They rode side-by-side in our double stroller. They debated pacifiers...Henry's is called "Nummy," Annalise calls hers "Poppy." And they admired each other's snuggle blankets, handmade treasures by Auntie Jess.

Big Girl Bath

Annalise took her first bath in the big tub March 5. She certainly enjoys splashing and kicking her legs in the water (which is why we had to move her to the big tub...she was soaking my kitchen every night!)

Move Over, Sis!

Tommy politely made Annalise move over on her tummy time mat. Since this was once his toy, he felt compelled to show her how to do it right. She's now boxing at the fish like a little Mike Tyson thanks to sparring lessons from big bro.

Rice Cereal

Annalise tried rice cereal for the first time March 1. We had to coax her to open her mouth at first.

She ponders the taste and texture.

She goes for it! She's now eating her cereal twice a day, often waiting with an open mouth between spoonfuls.

Now she's a pro!
A short video of our tiny diner:

Another Sunday Best

Annalise loves to dress up! This pretty dress was a Christmas gift from our friends Lesley and Brian.

Four Months Old

Happy Leap Year! Our baby girl is four months old today. Here she is pictured at her well-baby checkup this morning...this is before the four shots and oral vaccine, so she still has that pretty smile on her face! She did NOT like the poking this time around and she was very vocal about it. This afternoon she was pretty fussy, but by bedtime she was back to being our smiley little princess.


Her stats at four months are:
25" tall (75-90%)
15 lbs. (75-90%)
40.5 cm head (25-50%)


So, she's obviously been very busy growing! I just took a peek back at Tommy's measurements at the same age...Annalise is just a few ounces lighter, but already an inch taller than he was (24"). Considering she started out over an inch shorter at birth, she's on her way to towering over him! Well, probably not, but a girl can dream!

In other news, Annalise rolled from back to tummy for the first time this evening. Both James and I MISSED seeing her do it! James was upstairs getting Tommy ready for bed and I had ducked into the laundry room for a few seconds while Annalise chilled on her blankie in the family room. When I came back from throwing the towels in dryer, there she was on her belly, looking more confused than accomplished. We tried to convince her to do it again but she wasn't up for a performance this evening. I'm sure it will be all she wants to do come morning.

p.s. A great big welcome to Roman Thomas Heuser! Our friends Tom & Serena welcomed their baby boy in Albuquerque this afternoon...a leap baby! Big sis Carissa is surely thrilled.

Lady in Red

Slap some mouse ears on this girl and she could stand in for Minnie Mouse, right? Here she smiles laying atop one of the new blankies Auntie Jess made for her. I've really been a fan of pink and purple outfits until now, but I think I'll be dressing our little lady in red more often...she's so darned cheerful!

Belly Fun

Annalise enjoys time on her tummy more and more each day. Now that she can hold her head up really well the prone position offers a great new perspective on the world. She's particularly happy when we help to prop her on her elbows as shown in the pictures.

Sunday Best

Annalise posed in her adorable little church clothes before we went to mass. This little ensemble was a gift from Auntie Amy and I'm so glad she got to model it at least once before she grew out of it!

Exersaucer Fun!

Annalise graduated to playing in the exersaucer this week. She LOVES spending time upright and really was all smiles for the duration of her play session. Big Brother Tom gave her a detailed orientation on how each toy functions, so she has a good start on hand-eye coordination training. Just kidding...we're not that rigorous!

Love My Mobile

Annalise is fascinated by the mobile hanging above her crib. She stares at it constantly and watches it go 'round and 'round as long as Tommy keeps pressing the button. She's such a content little girl...we are a very lucky family!

I Found My Hands!

Annalise is fascinated with her own hands. She spent most of her waking hours today wiggling and stretching her fingers in front of her face. She had a look of surprise and glee when one hand would "catch" the other. She's full of smiles, as usual, and she is SO close to laughing...we can get "heh-heh-heh" out of her, but no "ha-ha" or "hee-hee" just yet.

She is transitioning out of her 0-3 month clothes and moving into the high-fashion duds we have for months 3-6. Future supermodel in the making! Here she shows off her very first pair of jeans while taking an impromptu snooze on the family room floor.

Tummy Time

Annalise is tolerating tummy time a little better these days. Her neck muscles are getting stronger, so now that she can look around at more than the blanket below her she finds it somewhat entertaining.

"I...can...almost...reach...it..."

Sister & Brother

Annalise and Tommy enjoy a little brother-sister bonding. They already make such wonderful friends.

Three Months Old

Annalise is already three months old...time is certainly flying by much faster with her than it did with Tommy. She weighs approximately 12.5 lbs. and she has such a sunny disposition. This girl has enough smiles to light up a whole city!

A short video of her grins in action:

A Chat With Daddy

Annalise has a little chat with Daddy:
Look how full her cheeks are getting! A little smile.

Sleeps Through ANYTHING!

I think we'll try a freight train next time...that might wake her?
p.s. She doesn't spend ALL her time in the swing!

Snoozing and Swinging

Annalise loves to doze off in her swing. Wish they made these in grown-up sizes...what a way to nap!

Smiles

Annalise showers us with big smiles more and more each day. We still haven't figured out what triggers the beaming expressions, but we sure enjoy the show when she decides to give us a grin.

Here she relaxes in her high chair, though this isn't the greatest pic...she really does like it! She sits with us at the kitchen table during meals and "talks" with the rest of the family about her day. This is also a favorite spot for her to sit while Mommy prepares meals, cleans the kitchen and washes all her bottles.

And here's our little water baby. She likes taking baths, but doesn't like the whole drying off/putting on lotion business. Fortunately Mommy and Daddy are speedy with the whole process so she doesn't stay upset long. I love this picture because you can tell she's finally getting some chub on her little bird legs!And here is my attempt at a self-portrait with my little girl. Hard to get a good shot, but worth a try.

Wild & Crazy New Year's Eve

Not a chance at making it near midnight this year! By 10:20 pm this was the state of affairs at the Wedewer home. Maybe next year...