Checking in

So our trusted eye doctor told us last year during our annual visit that he wanted to see Annabelle before she was 18 months old, this past Saturday at 16 months she attended her first exam. Tom & I both figured with both of us wearing glasses since grade school Annabelle did not stand much of a chance of dodging the bad eyes bullet. He explained at this point he really couldn’t give us a diagnosis as far as what she is seeing (i.e.: 20/20) but he could determine if her eye muscles are developing evenly and properly, also if she was nearsighted.

The great news is she passed with flying colors! She was able to pick a small piece of paper out of the doctors hand several times (didn’t even try to eat it!) and watch the Bert finger puppet move all around while he held her head still. The only part she hated was at the end when he got real close and shone the light in her eyes.

Afterward while I had my exam she trashed the waiting room, fingerprinted the glass door and made a new friend. A man waiting for his wife let her play with his watch and encouraged her to sing (not that it takes a lot of egging on). When he asked her name she said proudly “Grandma!!”, and then cracked up laughing.

Annabelle has turned into such a good helper with all things domestic. Here she takes the corn after I husk it and pulls the silk off, well most of it, just some of it, maybe 2 or 3 strings.

Then she brings it back.

Then she heads over to see Nana for a quick rest from all this manual labor.

Then she comes back over announcing "walk" and takes the corn for a walk around the porch.







And finally she stacks it just so. I hurry up and take it in the kitchen before she wants to throw it over the rail into the flower bed. This of course, causes some tears, "corn, pease" but she quickly recovers and we move on to our next task, sweeping up the porch.

So this weekend we were hanging out on the deck, I was painting my toe nails. Annabelle was watching and wanting to imitate Mum.

Annabelle - "petty toes" (pretty toes)
Me - " do you like pretty toes? What color are they?"
Annabelle - " "pink"
Me - "pretty pink toes"
Annabelle - " petty pink toes"
Me - - " do you want pretty pink toes?"
Annabelle - " OK"

So we proceded to paint her toes pink. As soon as I was done she reached down and wiped it off the big toe. A huge tantrum insued, complete with tears, back arching and loud yelling. Enough to bring Daddy outside. "Are you having fun yet?" Go away, Daddy, we can handle this.

I fixed the toe then we sat on the swing so they could dry. We sang songs, tried to distract her from constantly wanting to touch them. It worked, my little Diva is so happy with her pretty pink toes.

We had a lovely visit with Jeremy & Josh on the 4th of July. Annabelle just adores them and had so much fun showing them her toys, running around the yard and here they are on the swing with a good many of her stuffed animals.

We also went to a big parade that morning with Aunt Heather, Annabelle really liked it for about 15 minutes and then wanted to run around. She found an old couple to attach to, called them Pap & Grandma and showed them how she could dance. Then she took off and made it her job to pick up every stray bottle, tissue or leaf on the ground and hand it to the person closest. One lady gave her a big red balloon which made her day.

She didn't make it to watch the fireworks as bedtime is 8:30, as I was putting her pj's on I said "I'm sorry you are going to miss fireworks this year" to which she replied "No problem"

Yes, it's true - New Years Eve.
We are so very blessed.