12 month update

I can't believe we made it through our first year together as a family! As I reflect back on this year it is almost overwhelming to realize all of the changes, triumphs, struggles, tears, and laughter we experienced. I have to admit that this year wasn't an easy one. I have learned so much from my daughter (I am still getting used to saying that phrase) about myself and my relationship with others, especially my husband. I have also seen through her eyes both the most beautiful and ugliest parts inside of myself. I am grateful for the opportunity to rise to the challenge of becoming a better person through raising her, and I hope that my endeavors will be rewarded with her trust and love. I hope to have an understanding of what she needs to be a happy child so that she can grow up to be a fulfilled adult. I am experiencing the Refiner's Fire and I pray that the end product will be something treasured and beautiful.

My baby isn't a baby anymore! Anslie is almost a full-blown toddler! Once she is walking, that's it! Although I will miss having a tiny little one in my arms, I am excited for all that toddlerhood will bring.

Some of Anslie's favorite things to do are playing with any kind of string or ribbon, banging things together to make noise, spontaneous dancing, being tossed around like a little gymnast, clapping her hands, and waving at any and all people within sight.
She also thinks she is very funny and will laugh at any random thing she does...then she stops to make sure you are watching and think that she is as funny as she does. It's really cute that whenever she see's someone clapping, in real life or on TV, she automatically thinks they are clapping for her and will join in the fun. Anslie gives kisses on demand, although if you try to pucker up when she doesn't want a kiss, she will dodge it!

Anslie is a pretty good eater. She really likes peas, cottage cheese, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, graham crackers, and cheese. She does really well with chicken, fish, and hot dogs too. We try to give her whatever we are eating and she really seems to like that. She is still on the low side for her weight (14 lbs, 10 oz) so the Pediatrician has decided to start testing her, as a precaution, for anything that could inhibit her weight gain.

Anslie endured her 12 month shots and having a TON of blood drawn all in one day. Poor baby! We have also suffered through collecting stool samples (so gross!) and are still trying to get a urine sample from her, but the means by which we were instructed to do so isn't really working out. I fear that they may need to catheterize her, but we will cross that bridge when we get there. At the end of the month we are taking her to Children's Hospital to have a sweat chloride test performed (not sure why). Once all of the results are in we will meet with the Doc. We are all confidant that nothing will be found, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Other than being underweight, Anslie is developing exactly as she should.

Anslie is also starting to take an interest in books. She likes to touch the pictures and turn the pages while I read. I hope this is a sign of good things to come! She also has so much fun playing with all of the new toys she got for her birthday! One of the games we play is going shopping. I give her a paper bag and we put her blocks and other toys inside of it and pretend they are all kinds of groceries. Anslie helps by putting her blocks in one by one. Once the bag is full we unload it and then start all over again.


School is going really well for me. I really like my class because it is challenging and also provides a creative outlet. I hope to be able to continue with the program once this class is finished. It's convenient that it's only once a week, but we just have to work Kevin's schedule out before I will know if I can take the next class.

Kevin is working as hard as always and enjoying what he can at work. It's the "slow" season so I think he gets a little bored, but he tries to keep himself as busy as possible. Things are going really well for us and we are enjoying this time in our lives. We are really blessed and we try to remember that everyday.