Scootin' around

Pinwheel, pinwheel, spinning around.

Anabelle and I were shopping in Target the other day when I spotted this pinwheel, it kept her quiet while I did my shopping so I decided to buy it. For only $.99 it has turned out to be a pretty entertaining toy. It reminded me of teaching with Darcy, we used to have these in our classroom for the kids to play with, and they always like them. I even find myself falling under their spinning spell sometimes. Anyone out there remember the old tv show Pinwheel? I know John was a fan, and I used to watch it as a kid sometimes.

Is there anymore in there?

Anabelle can now hold her bottle on her own and feed herself. Periodically during eating she will stop and hold up the bottle to examine it. Here she is checking to see how much she has left.

Kisses

Waiting for the purple line train

Park

Go Cubs Go!

Mirror, mirror on the wall who's the cutest baby of all?

Spring Break

Last week we took a little Spring break vacation to Houston to visit John's family. His Aunt Tish was also able to fly in from Las Vegas to visit, which was a nice treat since she had not met Anabelle yet. We started off the trip by picking up John from work on Friday; of course we had to go in and say hi to everyone and they all oohed and aahhed over Belle. Some people even exclaiming that she was so adorable we needed to look into getting her into commercials. She is way cuter than that Gerber baby! After that it was off to the airport.

We have previously had pretty good luck at the airport, but as you can guess it is never a sure thing when traveling with a baby. We arrived with plenty of time to get through security, eat some dinner, put on pj's and walk around before our 8:30 flight. We were hoping having a later flight would work out well and Anabelle would just go to sleep. Well it didn't quite work that way. About 20 minutes before boarding she started to get pissed, but I was able to stroll her around the airport. But then it was time to board and she was not happy. She pretty much screamed the entire time until the plane took off, which is about 25 minutes. People around us were not looking pleased and John and I got a little panicky, we had just read about a baby that got kicked off a flight because it screamed so much and no one could hear the safety schpeal that they give. But they let us stay and as soon as the plane started moving Anabelle fell right asleep and slept for the whole flight like a little angel. Thank goodness!

We arrived to a happy Grandma and Grandpa and some great weather. We were blessed with warm weather and sun most of the trip with temps around 70-80. The week flew by with lots of activities. Saturday we relaxed a little and then in the evening Tish arrived and we went to the race track for dinner and to watch the horses. I won $8.50 on a horse called Christy's Explosion- funny.

Hanging out on the back patio enjoying the sun.

At the race track, first time sitting in a restaurant high chair.

Sunday John's brother Mike, wife Mary and our 4 nieces and nephews all came over for a cookout. As well as some friends Vivian and Russell. We visited, ate, and played some games. It was good to see everyone, the kids grow so fast! Monday Sue and Tish and I did some shopping while John and Anabelle relaxed at home. On Tuesday it was time to get out and play some golf. Anabelle and I enjoyed riding along in the cart and watching as we caught some sunshine, and looked at all the trees, birds, wildlife and houses along the course. It was beautiful weather!

Grandma and Anabelle hanging out.

Playing golf with Daddy.

Wednesday was girls shopping day as Sue, Tish, Anabelle and I went to lunch and then shopping at a great outlet area they have called Sam Moon's. You can get lots of great stuff there. Anabelle got her first pair of sunglasses there and also an assortment of hair clips for her newly sprouting hair.

Shopping with Grandma and Aunt Tish

Wednesday evening Grandma, Grandpa, and Tish were nice enough to babysit Anabelle for us so that John and I could enjoy dinner and a movie; something we don't often get to do anymore. We went to a restaurant where the food was just ok, but we were able to sit outside overlooking Lake Houston-great atmosphere! After that we went to see Hot Tub Time Machine, which I thought was pretty good. Thursday we had brunch at one of our favorite places, The Humble City Cafe and then it was over to Sue's work so that they could meet Anabelle. She is becoming quite the celebrity! Friday John and I took our nieces and nephews bowling which despite our terrible scores was really quite fun. When I say terrible scores I mean it, in the first game 5 year old Dominick had the highest score! It was nice to spend some time with them, they are great kids.

John helps out Dominick

Giana getting ready to bowl

Taylor and Donte hoping for strikes

Saturday morning Anabelle and I went to visit the Easter bunny. She stared at the bunny in awe, and only looked up when I called her name to smile for the camera.

Just before meeting the bunny

Luckily she smiled for the "real" photo

After that we celebrated Easter with everyone coming over for a big dinner. There was lots of eating, lots of goodies and treats, lots of card playing and lots of fun! That evening we were exhausted as we tried to pack everything up. Our flight left at 10 am the next morning.

Taylor, Donte, Mary, Dominick, Mike & Giana

Vivian watches while John entertains Anabelle with her new Easter Bunny

Grandpa, Grandma and Anabelle

Anabelle loved her Auntie Tish, and always had a big smile for her

Trying on bunny ears

The plane ride home was different than the ride there, but just as bad. Anabelle was great the entire time through the airport, security and boarding. She fell asleep just as we took off, and slept for about 40 minutes. She woke up and was pretty happy for about 15 minutes and then she decided she wanted off the plane. Unfortunately we had about another hour to go. She fussed and squirmed and cried and moved around while we tried to entertain and soothe and distract her. She then bumped her head on the window which really sent her into a fit; I think it startled her more than hurt her, but by that point she was just done! People were not pleased with us, but there wasn't much that could be done. I felt some activity in her bottom and thought that maybe she needed a diaper change. I hemmed and hawed and after some more screaming thought -Ok lets try this and maybe a little walk will help? Let me tell you changing a baby in an airplane bathroom is not a fun experience! And after all that she hadn't pooped and it just pissed her off more to be changed in an airplane bathroom, she was probably thinking- Really Mom? You thought this would be a good idea? What is wrong with you people?! It's like you are new at this or something! So back in our seats she finally appeared to be tired but couldn't sleep, at this point the plane was making a slow dissent and I think her ears were starting to pop. However, we were trying to save her bottle for the last 15 minutes when the rapid dissention really hurts babies ears the most. We all put up with a little more screaming and then finally it was time to feed her. She happily drank, we all enjoyed the peace and quiet and landed just after she finished her bottle. I hate flying.

After landing we went over to Michael and Stephanie's for Easter dinner.

Anabelle checking out her Easter basket

Mmm...these eggs are good

Grandma helps Anabelle with her basket

We had a nice visit with Steph, Mikey, and my parents and then headed home after a long day of traveling. We were greeted at the door by two cute furrballs who missed us very much.