Miss Kitty Groupies

I had to share this video Shannon posted on their blog of Ella and Anna dancing together.  Every Wednesday we go to the Discovery Museum and see Miss Kitty perform.  The kids love her and it only took about three or four performances for Anna to get out of my lap and dance.  Now she's a total Miss Kitty groupy!

New do, new 'tude

The other day I discovered it was possible to put Anna's hair in pigtails so she's been sporting the new do everyday day since!  They usually last until naptime and then I have to go on a search for the rubber bands.  I love it though.  She looks like such a little girl now.  

Enough about the new do... now it's time to discuss the new attitude!  Our little Anna is going through some changes and it's safe to say we've entered the "terrible two's."  I heard it usually happens well before the second birthday and that's definitely the case here.  Routines that used to be so predictable and easy are no longer so - getting into the carseat, getting into the bath, getting out of the bath, going to bed, etc.  She has a very strong opinion about these things and it's usually "NO!"  Her furry little red monster friend (that's Elmo for those of you that don't have a toddler) will usually calm her down but I hate resorting to the TV or computer at such an early age.  We fought it for as long as we could but we're only so strong!

But we're adjusting and figuring things out again.  The fun, sweet, and happy Anna moments are way more frequent than the tantrum-throwing, back-arching, screaming-at-the-top-of-her-lungs moments.  So that's good.

Halloween 2008 & Baby Ava!

What an exciting Halloween! Anna had several opportunities to dress up in her mouse costume the last couple weeks, starting with a party thrown by the Southern Marin Mother's Club, followed by a party at a friend's house in the city, and ending with her first trick-or-treating in our neighborhood! It's hard to believe that this time last year she was barely sitting up by herself.

Our good friends the West's received a very special treat this Halloween. They welcomed their second baby girl, Ava Rose, into the world yesterday afternoon. We were able to meet her and see the family this morning at the hospital and everyone is healthy, happy, and beautiful! Congratulations Glenn and Shannon!

Our little mouse

This really was the cutest view

Glenn, Shannon, and Baby Ava