Tuesday Morning Brag Book

I'm feeling a little behind on my blog... a lot has happened in Annabelle's world and I haven't talked about it at all. But first things first: pictures! Here are the latest and greatest.

Two weekends ago Dave and I went down to San Diego to visit with his folks and go to his cousin's wedding. We had a great time at the San Diego Zoo, visited Old Town, shared some awesome food and played with Annabelle. Here is Dave playing on the bed in the hotel room with Annabelle... (Her latest all time favorite toy is a water bottle with about an inch of water left inside- she shakes it and laughs, over and over.)


The wedding was on the naval base at Point Loma. It was beautiful (and cold.) It was SO GREAT to get a couple pictures of us as a couple (thanks Katie!), especially since we were dressed up.

Looking over the wall and grunting at the waves was fun and hilarious for Annabelle. But after about ten minutes of that, all she wanted to do was suck on the wall. A few concerned strangers kept informing me that she was eating the wall, but what could I do? I was chasing her around in the cold for nearly two hours before the wedding started and her wall sucking was the least of my concerns.
On Mother's Day we went to Balboa Island to walk and hang out. It was the first time we let Annabelle out of the stroller to test her own legs. She waved at every stranger, approached every dog and touched every flower.

I love this picture so much because I didn't realize just HOW SMALL she is until I saw it.

We had our first swim in the pool at our new apartment. It only lasted a few minutes. Annabelle just wasn't sure about it and clung to me like she was scared out of her mind. She only relaxed when I put her on the side of the pool and she could kick her feet. Looking at this picture I can see the confusion and anxiety began before we even approached the pool.

Please wash your hands before touching mine.

My dear friend Jennifer and I had our babies mere days apart. We met at a prenatal swim class and swam lap after lap in the pool together while gossiping, complaining, commiserating, and sympathizing. Among other things, we share an obsessive need to protect our daughters from the germs and whathaveyous that come from strangers touching them.

Just to offer some perspective on my neurosis:

I am not one of those moms who hand their kid over to any happily smiling stranger who wants to hold her. I cringe when someone grabs her hands or feet while they state their sing-song oohs and aahs. I have been known to yank the stroller out of reach of some oblivious stranger while loudly stating, "No!" I have pointed out to cashiers who reach across to tickle her feet that they are touching MONEY FROM HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND WHY ON EARTH WOULD THEY WANT TO EXPOSE MY DAUGHTER TO ALL THE CRAP UNDER THEIR FINGERNAILS?

I carry a bottle of alcohol and thoroughly clean off the shopping cart (or restaurant high chair) BEFORE putting the cover on, just in case she reaches underneath it to touch the cart. I carry paper towels with me everywhere I go to be used for opening doors, pushing elevator buttons, keying in my debit pin, etc. I carry my own pen so I don't have to use the one in the store when I make a credit card purchase. After every shopping trip we both clean our hands with a WetOne, then a baby wipe, and then a rinse with water. I sit Annabelle on the edge of the kitchen sink and clean her hands and feet at least four times a day. Every person who enters my home is expected to wash their hands immediately.

Anyone who spends any time with me knows to expect the questions, "Have you washed your hands?" At least once a day, if not more.

And so my friend Jennifer recommended that I buy this little sign to stick on Annabelle's stroller in hopes of deterring all the touchy feelies out there. It was only six bucks so I bought the red one because I thought it looked like a stop sign. In two day's time I can honestly say it's working! We road tested the sign at the mall and only ONE illiterate guy reaching in and made contact. Everyone else waved and happily complied. I was so pleased. Thanks Jenn!

Our new space

Dave and I are happily getting settled into our new place. We like it a LOT. We have already sat down to eat as a family like eight nights in a row. Annabelle walks all around, exploring every crevice again and again and again. She especially likes banging the kitchen cabinets. Once I accidentally left the toilet seat up and I found her swishing her hands around in the water, giggling uncontrollably.

Two things I've discovered that surprised me, but ultimately made me very very happy:

1. I own eight pairs of pants, six pairs of shorts, and NINETEEN skirts. This fact made me instantly aware that I wear the same pair of jeans nearly every single day. So, in appreciation for my skirt collection I have worn a skirt every single day for the past week and will continue to do so until it gets boring and/or cold.

2. When I'm sitting on the toilet in my bathroom (yes, for the first time we live in a place with two bathrooms so we designated a his and a hers) I can see Dave while he's sitting on the toilet in HIS bathroom! I found this hilarious. (You may only appreciate HOW MUCH I love this if you know me very very well.)

How many skirts do you own?