Anna Grows

The weather was unusually nice over the weekend. Eighty degrees for a day in August in Washington is almost unheard of, so we took advantage of the sunny skies to head to the mountains to pick peaches. The original vision for the trip was taking a picnic lunch, which we would enjoy under the lovely peach groves as we gazed over the mountains while Anna ran through the wild flowers. The reality was much different. First, Joe was the victim of the flu over the weekend and was just starting to feel somewhat human again on Sunday. Theresa had found a day trip listed in the newspaper earlier in the summer of a nice fruit farm outside of Berryville, VA (appropriately named). As we loaded up our picnic lunch and took off, Anna began singing the ABC song in the car until she fell asleep. As we drove west, the sun was interrupted by clouds. By the time we drove over the mountain, it was raining. Determined to press on and pick our fruit, we finally located Maintosh Fruit & Berry Farm. The f...

It has been a few weeks since the start of full-fledge potty training and I am happy to report that Anna is doing well. She is down to a diaper only at night. Of course we still revert to disposable "pull-ups" when we go out just in case. These are clutch when going somewhere, especially if you are visiting someone's home. Anna is very good at charming people when we visit; however, you can see fear in the eyes of our host when we mention Anna is being potty trained as they eye their rugs and nice furniture. I can't really blame them as I try to keep her in the kitchen and uncarpeted areas at home for the very same reason. Unfortunately, Anna still does not always tell us when she has to go so we are left to guess based on the timing of her food and drink consumption. Whenever she goes into the potty, we cheer and she gets a sticker. I've cheered for a lot of things before, but never using the bathroom. Parenting is truly a humbling experience.

It is a lifelong skill that everyone attains. This weekend, Anna moved a step closer to learning an important life skill - going to the potty. Gramma Kohler has repeatedly told me that "you were potty trained by the time you were 1." Of course I was......Gramma was using cloth diapers. If Anna were using cloth diapers, she would be potty trained by the time she could sit up. After conversations with numerous "experts," the advice on when to start ranged from as soon as they can walk to whenever the child decides they are ready. We decided that Anna is ready now and found some good web references to get things started in 3-days. With that, the entire weekend was dedicated to non-stop potty training. The events kicked off Saturday morning with the ceremonial presentation of the "big girl underwear" in assorted colors and characters. This choices included "Dora the Explorer," "Minnie Mouse," and "Sesame Street" to name a few. Ann...

Actually, it was a visit from Aunt Mary, Uncle Joe and Cousin James the weekend of July 12. Aunt Mary came bearing gifts for Anna - a very stylish pink flower purse to hold her beads and sunglasses and an animal book. Dad was the recipient of some authentic New York bagels and is guarding them religiously. Anna was swooning over her cousin James, who is a very big kid to her at the age of 15. Anna was the envy of the other girls at the local park when James took her for some quality play time on the slide. Aunt Mary also kept her entertained with coloring, books and bubbles. Uncle Joe taught her to hold up her thumb and say "Aye" like Fonzie. Anna will only use this greeting for Uncle Joe. Anna has made a few "phone calls" this week to her Aunt Mary, although it was hard to make the connection considering the fact that she was using the electronic outdoor thermometer as a telephone. Perhaps next time Uncle Joe can teach her that skill.

Anna got to spend some quality time with Gramma and Grandpa Kohler in Ohio for a long 4th of July weekend. For Anna, it was more like Christmas in July as Gramma went on a shopping spree and was armed with all sorts of toys and games when Anna arrived. It was a challenge getting there. After an anticipated 3 hour flight delay courtesy of United, Mom & Dad opted for a refund and decided to drive. We arrived in Ohio at 3 AM at Uncle Rod's house. Uncle Rod and Uncle Tim left early for work, so we drove to Wapakoneta to join Great Grandpa Kohler for lunch. Great Grandpa enjoyed playing ball with Anna while she entertained other retirees at the assisted living facility. She even made 20 cents from one of the residents who thought she was cute. The rest of the weekend was non-stop entertainment at Gramma and Grandpa's that included lots of ball games, coloring books, story books, dolls, stroller rides, a personal swimming pool, and ice cream. It also included some practical trai...

Anna is not the youngest one in the neighborhood anymore. Henry joined the neighborhood gang on February 1 and is celebrating his 5 month birthday today. He will be joining Anna at Ms. Be's soon. Anna has promised his parents that she will watch out for him until he can at least stand on his own two feet unattended (better yet when he can not only stand, but run). In the mean time, Anna took advantage of being the older kid at a recent visit to Henry's house and proceeded to play with all of his toys while Henry watched. It's tough when you are too little to be mobile and take back your stuffed bear. It won't be long before Henry's in charge!

Anna and her parents enjoyed a fantastic week on the beach at the Outer Banks in Duck, NC. Anna decided to forgo eating sand this year (something she did nonstop during her first trip to the beach last year, causing panic between her parents) in favor of running in the waves and building sandcastles with Dad. Well, she really did not build the sand castles. Dad built the castles and Anna knocked them down. Her big discovery during vacation was not the sand, or the fish, or the birds, but the Wiggles. Thanks to the kids video collection at the condo, Anna became a big fan of the Wiggles. Anna also decided to start calling her father by his first name. The weather was beautiful every day but one and the rainy day provided an opportunity to visit the North Carolina state aquarium. Anna enjoyed all sorts of fish and turtles, including sharks. Anna is definitely a big fan of the beach and looks forward to going back (as do her parents)!