It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everwhere you go. Unless you step outside where you'll wonder why you aren't wearing short sleeves. Strange weather.
Well, it looks like we'll hold off starting Anna on solids until probably mid to end January. I've been eating more and Anna did great this weekend so I think she's getting plenty of nourishment. Chris on the other hand- he realized on Saturday that he had only eaten leftover Pizza Hut the entire day- breakfast, lunch, and dinner. What kind of wife does that guy have? Looks like another Gourmet Week coming up...
Anna seems to mature every day. She spins the rattles on her infant seat and grabs the toys hanging from her playmat. She is starting to entertain herself for longer periods of time, but she still prefers Dad and Mom to at least be watching her if not playing with her.

Earlier this week we had Eleanor over to play. We read books and Eleanor wiped Anna's chin every time she started to drool- that kept both of them busy.


We don't let Anna watch TV- read that somewhere- but the other night we looked over and saw her living it up:

4 Month Check-up
Anna and I just returned home from her appt. Her stats: Height just above 75th% and weight 33rd%. So, not a porker. The doc says she's fine, but he would like to see her put on some weight. My options as mom are 1) Eat Ice Cream Every Day, 2) Supplement with formula, or 3) Start Anna on rice cereal. Option number one is dandy fine to me, but that is kind of a paraphrase of the doctor's exact wording. I had planned to wait until Anna was 6 months before starting solids, but today the doctor said that starting at 4-5 months helps the baby develop feeding skills better. I don't know.
Also, to increase Anna's calories, the doctor recommended some sort of feng shui tea- it sounded like feng shui; I don't remember the precise name. And he also recommended, and was half serious, a beer a day, for me, to drink. No thanks, I'm not a Lager girl. He said that beer drinkers recommend that option. Righto.
Immunizations today- not so bad. They gave her four shots, which is better than five, and she stopped crying the moment I picked her up. She did better than the little boy in the next patient room- I put my hands over Anna's ears so she wouldn't hear his screams. =( After it was over, he kept howling "I hate when people shot me."
So, that's the story on Anna's check-up.

Anna's looking at the pendulum of our clock.

That little outfit she's in is so soft and cuddly. Thanks, Grandmom!

Here's a little video of Chris making Anna laugh.

Saturday morning post.

Christmas Present Dwarfs Recipient!-











Child Unsure of New Toy; Dad Comes to Rescue.
















Sitting Independently: Benefits of the Bumbo Seat.

Infant Grows Up Overnight- Parents Weep!

Anna looks so much older in this picture. She looks like a little girl instead of a baby. Then also, she tries to eat both of her hands and reassures us that she is indeed a little baby still.

The rest of the story.

Flew back into Baltimore the day after Thanksgiving to spend a little time with the Schwartzes. Chris and his dad had things to do Saturday morning so we girls hit the mall for some Anna shopping. Grandmom found some darling outfits for Anna and here she is in one:


Anna met Dad's longtime friend Jonny.
We drove home Saturday night, had a relaxing Sunday and started back at it. Anna and I drove Chris down to Delaware Monday morning to pick up his repaired Jeep. BTW-there was a tearful goodbye at Enterprise before we went to GA.
This past week, Anna seems to have grown up so much. She holds her hands midline and has better control over them. She started to grasp toys and bring them to her mouth.

She also started talking at her toys. Yesterday, she noticed her hand was her's for the first time and was fascinated. Our favorite development is her laughing! It is so sweet! We have some giggles on video but it's on the camcorder and I am not sure if I can post that. I'll work on that.
Today, we went out and cut our Christmas tree. The weather was cold and Anna's nose was a little cherry, but we found a tree and it is now in our living room. Anna likes the lights, a lot.