Isn't she cute?

While doing some cleaning last night, I ran across Annika's sunglasses. She thought they were just about the best thing ever! Ironically, we couldn't get her to wear them last summer, but last night, we couldn't get them off of her ... even when it was time for bed!

1st haircut

Yesterday, Annika experienced a momentous first.... she had her first haircut. Annika was an absolute champ! We took her to see Jan, who has cut Eric's and my hair for years. Jan has 2 little girls and knew exactly what to do to keep Annika happy. The goal of the haircut was to clean up Annika's hair (aka, find her eyes), not lose length. For the first time in a long time, we can see Annika's eyes without her requiring a ponytail.

Before



Playing with a comb



Getting bangs


Trimming the back


Combing Daddy's hair


Combing Mommy's hair

Annika and Momma in front of the camera

I love, love, love, love, love words!

An e-mail went out to our entire company today that has me crying with laughter. I love moments like this. In order to protect the innocent, I won't post who wrote the e-mail, but still had to share it. My word-loving friends, prepare yourselves...

This is to let you know that we will have a crew here this afternoon to install some soundproofing in the conference rooms in Building 2. I apologize if this causes any incontinence.

All I can say is I'm REALLY grateful to be working from home today if the soundproofing might have such unpleasant results!!

What a week!!!

Last Friday, I was laid off from my job. Last Friday, I found a new job. Well, a new old job. I returned to my former employer, but now work for a different department than I did previously. It's funny - I worked here for 8+ years, left for 4 months, and now feel like I'm back home. I'm doing a different style of writing, which is great, but there's still a sense of familiarity that is quite comforting. I'm working part time, which means we were able to take Annika down to two days per week at day care. YES! I now get 3 days per week with her that we didn't have before. Talk about a blessing in disguise. Who knew getting laid off would open such amazing opportunities??

This week, during our new-found time together, we went on a walk, did plenty of housework (ok, I worked, she supervised), and even got some baking done.

On Tuesday, Annika cut her 13th tooth. Number 14 won't be far behind. It has been awhile since she sprouted any new teeth, and seems to have them cut in batches. It will be interesting to see if she loses them in the same way.

A few of Annika's latest words are "ssss" (imitating a snake sound), "shu-shy!" (butterfly), "BUSTH!!!!" (bus - that one is always yelled and we are never without notification when a bus is near), "boon" (balloon), and she has learned how to imitate an elephan's sound ... there's no way I can attempt to spell out that one.

What do we do when it snows?

We woke up to a surprise this morning... a blanket of snow and a two-hour delay for Annika's day care. As I worked from home waiting for her day care to open, Annika occupied herself in a way that would make Eric and Uncle Troy proud. Toys R Us is really missing out on a marketing strategy - forget building blocks! Give kids bottles of beer! Not to drink, but to pack and unpack, pack and unpack, and then line in a variety of ways.

Step 1: Unpack Daddy's beer


Step 2: Repack Daddy's beer (repeat steps 1 & 2 a few more times)

Step 3: Commense beer relocation program

Step 4: Continue beer relocation program

Step 5: Show pride for a job well done

Step 6: Commense reorganizing relocated beer until satisfied (or it is time to go to day care, whichever comes first)

New Pictures

I realized that it has been a bit since I posted pictures of Annika. Here you go!

Washing Daddy's face


TP is way too much fun for words


Quite proud of her work


That was a mighty fine lunch!


Waving from her "car" while hanging out with Bunny