A Surprising Success!

I love to sew... but I have never attempted to make clothes before! My usual projects include quilting, making bags, blankets, pillows, etc. But I decided that I wanted to make Anna's Christmas dress this year. I bought a pattern and some fabric, and spent an entire day trying to read and understand the pattern. After many hours, the dress actually turned out pretty good! It is a little big, but hopefully by Christmas it will fit just right. I am about to start my second dress, and I have a feeling it will go much faster now that I have the pattern figured out! I wonder what kind of fabric I will be able to find in Panama!???

A Whole New World!

Anna finally figured out how to roll! For several weeks now, when I have laid her on the floor on her back, she would roll onto her side (mainly so that she could see the TV). But just yesterday, she truly started rolling onto her tummy! Now whenevery I place her on her back, it's only a matter of seconds before she rolls over! She hasn't quite mastered rolling from her tummy to her back... although she has done it in her crib a few times! It's so fun to see her learn new things!

The Happiest Place on Earth!

I did a report on Walt Disney in the 4th grade. On the day that I was scheduled to make my presentation to the class, I actually dressed up like Walt Disney (I have elected NOT to share those pics with you). My childhood is filled with memories of Disneyland... insomnia the night before we were going, the joy and excitement of all the rides and attractions, and the sheer exhaustion after we returned home.

My nephews, Devon and Dylan, have the month of October off school... the blessing of a year-round schedule. My mom decided to take the boys for their first official Disneyland trip together. Devon is 8, and Dylan is 5... the perfect ages to be swept away by the magic of the happiest place on earth. Eric and I were thrilled to go along and be a part of this childhood milestone.

Mommy, Daddy, and Anna at "It's a Small World" ride


Anna is mesmerized by the sights and sounds of one of Disney's oldest and most humble attractions. (I'm going to be singing the "It's a Small World" song for days...


Grammy shows Devon and Dylan the Matterhorn.


Dylan makes himself sick with cotton candy... (okay, who are we kiddin? Grammy and I had a bunch, too!)


Dylan and I waited 30 minutes to meet Mickey!


Anna can't contain her excitement...


Sugar and air.... YUM!

Dylan didn't mind posing for a photo here... but only after I explained to him that this whale was not real...


Eric sacrifices himself to take the boys on the tea cups...


After being tricked into going on Space Mountain, Dylan harbors some bitterness until we let him pick the next ride... ta da... we waited over 20 minutes to ride around in a circus train.


Anna's not sure what's going on... what is "Disneyland" anyway???

My Latest Project

I like to have at least one project going at all times. Usually, I am working on a quilting or sewing project. At the moment, however, I do not have the $ to go buy fabric to start a new quilt, so... I walked around Michael's for awhile trying to think of a fun, yet inexpensive project that I could work on when I have some free time. I like doing crafts, but I don't want to make things just for the sake of making them. I want my projects to have some purpose and usefulness in the real world. So after a nice cruise around the store, I was inspired! I decided to make Anna (and the other future rug rats) a set of fun magnets. I found bins upon bins of small, wooden cutouts... everything from trees, cows, and crocodiles to planes, cars and sailboats. At the jolly good price of 5 for $1.00, I gathered a large collection of objects and creatures, as well as a can of glossy spray finish, and headed home. I already had many paints and brushes at home, so I was able to spend just a little mula and get started on my new project right away. I have finished a few of them, and am very excited about how they are turning out. When Anna is older, I hope she will enjoy using her magnets on the refrigerator, and anywhere else that a magnet will stick! (My mom and I already tried, and magnets will stick to some lamps, the stove, and even the cabinet hardware....... who knew???)

Groovin' in the Jumperoo!

Anna spends lots of time movin' and groovin' in her new Rainforest Jumperoo. She jumps and dances and spins until she gets too tired, and then she just puts her head down to signal that she is satisfied. (Sorry the image is so dark, still trying to figure out how to get better lighting!)

Cousin Bonding

This week, Anna got to spend some quality time with her cousins, Devon and Dylan. Devon, who is 8 years old, was so great with Anna. Everytime he walked into the room where Anna was, he would wave and say "Hi baby Anna!" He was constantly trying to play with her and take care of her... so cute!!!


I left Anna in Devon's care for a few minutes, while I was doing the laundry. When I came back into the room, I found that Devon had gotten down right next to Anna so that he could keep a close eye on her.

I Found My Thumb!!!

This week, Anna has taken to sucking her thumb. She also reached down to play with her feet for the first time yesterday. It is so neat to watch her discover and enjoy new things! This morning, we went out for a stroll and rested on a grassy hill... I took this pic of Anna relaxing in the shade... sucking her thumb.

A FUN WEEKEND!

On Saturday we headed to the LA County Fair. We didn't end up arriving there until 5 pm, just as the sun was getting low in the sky and it was cooling off. It was so fun to bundle up and enjoy the cooler weather after a hot summer! The highlight of the fair was the Maternity Barn. It was so sweet to see the newborn babies! In one pen, newborn sheep babies were just learning how to walk... taking a few steps and then falling. The mama sheep would walk behind their babies nudging them to get back up.... so cute! In the pig pen, little pink piglets were running after their mom trying to get milk. Their little curly tails are adorable.

Then on Sunday, we had a church Baptism and BBQ at the Aquatic Center. We took Anna swimming... she didn't smile or laugh, but she didn't cry either... :)

The Latest Statistics!

Anna had a doctor's visit today. I absolutely love her pediatrician... she's young but very thorough! At the appointment, Anna was given her first set of shots... three in her thigh and one oral. Poor Baby! I thought my heart was going to break when I watched her sweet little face scrunch up and let out a huge cry. But she made it... and now we are home and cozy.

Here are the statistics at 11 weeks:

Weight: 13.8 lbs (89th percentile)
Length: 26 in (95th percentile)

Everything looks good and she is happy and healthy! (And BIG!!)

Watching "Bambi" in Her "Bumbo"

Anna likes to sit upright, although she is still working on the whole "neck control" issue. She spends a few minutes in the Bumbo each day practicing the art of holding her head up. The only way to get her to look up while sitting, rather than staring down at her hands, is to plop her in front of the television. I swore I would never do this... but alas, she loves it! What can you do? (At least it's Bambi and not CSI)
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Some Pics of Eric's last trip to Panama! AUGUST 07

Eric and Shawn... Buddies

Some members of the team: Shawn, Genaro, Eric & Alejandra

Lush vegetation...

La Chorrera (30 minutes outside of Panama City)

The boys...Genaro, Shawn, Eric, Pastor Ray, Pastor Bert

My Happy Girl!

Milestones and updates this month:

Anna is smiling a lot!

She is reaching for and grasping her toys!

Today she even held a toy up in the air! A First!

She talks constantly to her toys with the sweetest cooing you have ever heard!

She has been sleeping all night since 6 weeks!

She is wearing size 6 months!

We are very proud parents!!!

PASSPORT PLEASE!!!

Eric and I have been praying about serving as missionaries in Panama. For several years, we have been doing the necessary preparations at our church... and Eric has been down there twice in the past few months to scope things out. Now it is our turn! Anna and I get to go to Panama in November! Which means she needs a passport! Very exciting!

Say "Cheese!"

Anna Grace at 8 weeks! First photo shoot... (well, mom and dad's attempt at a portrait studio look)

Cousin Abuse!

This past week, while Eric was in Panama, Anna and I went to stay at Grammy and Poppy's. For a few days, we were joined by cousin Hailey. As you can see in this picture, the girls are already having conflicts! Uh-Oh!

(Just a note: Hailey is actually sweet as pie and would never intentionally punch her dear cousin Anna in the face!!!) :)

A Whale of a Tale

Fish have always been a part of our relationship. While we were dating, Eric and I would spend time walking around PetSmart looking at fish (not much to do in Temecula!) After we were married our love of fish continued... we even spent several hours in a fish store while waiting to go to the airport to leave for our honeymoon!

A few months into our marriage, I bought Eric a 20 gallon aquarium to fill with his very own fish! This birthday gift was a huge hit. After a successful go at building and establishing an aquarium, Eric and I purchased a large 75 gallon aquarium... it was beautiful.

Not long ago, we decided after many expensive trips to the Aquarium of the Pacific, to become members. It was very exciting to receive our membership packet and get ID cards! We now can go to the aquarium anytime and we even have our own special entrance (we feel very important).

While in labor, we made a trip to the aquarium that proved to be the transition from easy labor to agony! And so, it was only fitting that we take the result of that agony, our beautiful baby girl, to the aquarium for her first encounter with our beloved fish!


Clearly, she loves it! She especially enjoyed the Baja California exhibit.




A father imparting his hobby to his firstborn.

Taking a break in the Scuba Cafe (surprising, the aquarium cafe has great food!)