My Sweet 10-month-old

My sweet Annelise Marie, you are ten months old now and I can't believe we're only two months away from your birthday! I've already begun planning your party, I've even started buying stuff for the favor baggies!

This has been yet another busy month, we started going to Water Babies this month and you love it! There are 6 other mommies and babies in your class and we get together twice a week and sing songs and play in the pool. You love to 'kick, kick, kick' and hate having water dripped on your face.

This month, we met Baby Yushin, he's my friend Junko's baby and looks like a little Japanese man! He's so adorable and I can't wait for him to be big enough for you to play with. We also found out this month that Aunt Carla is having a boy, I can't wait to meet Baby Quinn when we go back to Texas next year! Speaking of babies, you do not like it when I play with other babies, you like being the center of attention.

Your favorite toy right now is the dinosaur Roll-A-Round toy, there are places for little balls to roll all over it and you have finally figured out how to do so and to get it to make noise. At first, you just chewed on the balls or threw them, then you tried to climb on the dinosaur to get closer to Elmo on the TV, then you figured out how to push the buttons to get sound without having to deal with the balls! You are one smart little girl!!

We went to the Lake Towada Kunizakai festival this month and got to see some really cool floats and dancing. The best part was when some kids were handing out apples and you got one! We ate it the next day at the beach. That's right, we made another trip to Shipwreck Beach, this time with Daddy in tow. We got to hang out with the Gerst family and eat a yummy picnic. It's getting cooler now, so that may be the last time we go to the beach until next year, although I do want to take Babi and Grandaddy out there when they visit.

You went to the doctor twice this month, I was worried that you had an ear infection but it turned out to just be a new tooth. This tooth (tooth #5) came in twice, it went back down after it came in the first time and made me very angry. I hate that you were in so much pain and the only things that help are Momma Milk and motrin. The second appointment was for your well-baby check and you are doing great! Your doctor was very impressed and said you're right on track.

So what are you doing now that is so amazing?? You make a monkey sound, a dog sound (or 'Rona sound'), a horse sound, and an Indian sound. You also know to say 'Yah' when I ask if you're hungry and shake your head 'no' if I offer something that you don't want. You tasted a pork chop this month and I'm working on getting more solids in you to fatten you back up; water babies has slimmed you down a little.

And your biggest accomplishment this month??? You stood on your own!! We were at Daddy's tug-of-war tournament (his team placed third, they were the top American team. yeah!) and you were playing with some Japanese kids and just stood up! You haven't done it since then but I don't really mind, I want you to stay my baby for as long as possible.

We went to the base pool with Daddy last week and had a blast. You loved showing off all the things you're learning in swim class and wanted him to play with you the whole time. I might as well not have been there! I think next time I'll stay at home and take a nap while you guys hang out together...

We ended the month in a great way. Daddy and I went to the Air Force Ball on base while Auntie Kim babysat you here at the house!! Auntie Kim watched you a while back while I got my hair cut, but it didn't really count because she just walked around the BX with you while I was just down the hall at the salon. So yeah, this was your first official time to be babysat by a non-family member and you did really well!

I love you, Annelise, and hopefully by the time I write another one of these, we'll be in Florida!