Happy 1st Birthday, Anna!

Anna had her first birthday on our vacation, so no homemade cake from Mom or friends around to invite over, but we had a little family celebration in our hotel room with cupcakes from the store and balloons.  Big sister, Alia, was quite concerned that Anna was going to touch the candle, as you can tell by her restraining hand on Anna's arm!

 Alia got to help Anna blow out the candle (Anna was not too excited about that though!)

 I accidently bought trick candles, so it kept re-lighting. 

 Anna devoured her cupcake!

 Fun with balloons!  Anna's main mode of exploration these days is her tongue!

 Yes!  Finally got that headband off!  This is Anna's preferred look these days . . . hair falling freely into her face . . . much to Mom's dismay, who wishes she would keep cute barrettes and bows in her hair.

Ways we have seen God’s hand in Anna’s first year. . . 

-          Her natural birth without complications was a huge answer to prayer, since this was a VBAC!

-          Anna was a good nurser from the beginning which was another answer to prayer after the difficult time Alia had learning to nurse

-          At 2 months of age, Anna had her first plane ride back into Ebony, and God kept her very healthy her first year of life there, living in a place with little access to health care.

-          At 9 months old, she had a difficult bout with 2 ear infections, which was the most trying time with her during her first year.  But through the advice of “Doctor Grandpa” and a kind doctor at the local hospital in town who looked in her ears to affirm she had an infection, when we finally figured out what was bothering her, it cleared up well with antibiotics

-          Anna has responded warmly to our house helper and goes to her easily with smiles.  She is also usually warm with other local people who want to hold her, as long as mom is around.

-          Her favorite friend has been Grace, her 10-year-old babysitter, who has learned exactly what Anna likes since the time Anna was two months old.  When Anna would cry with other strangers, she would be happy with Grace.  And Grace was a huge blessing to me in giving me a break from caring for Alia and Anna.

-          Anna struggled a lot with staying in the nursery for the first time during our conference last week, screaming inconsolably each time we tried to leave her.  Interestingly, on the last day, one of the men was helping out in the nursery and when he had Anna, she was content.  He has a big bushy beard, and I wonder if since she is used to the guys on our team and our doormen who all have beards, if this guy was someone she felt at home with!

Characteristics we see in Anna at one year. . .

-          Anna seems to be intense, throwing herself completely into what she is doing with reckless abandon sometimes.

-          Anna is cuddly when she wants to be, coming up and laying her head down on your lap or leg or whatever part of you is near her.  But when she is playing and you want to cuddle, she will strongly push you away so she can keep doing what she is doing.

-          She is sleeping well these days (at home, not on vacation!)—about 7:30 pm to 6:30 am, with a 2 hour morning nap and 1-2 hour afternoon nap.

-          She is a good eater on her terms, loving to eat lots of things in little bits that she can pick up, but spitting out most pureed food now, except for oatmeal and yogurt.

-          She has two bottom teeth.

-    She prefers scooting on her bottom to crawling and not showing much interest in walking yet.

-          She mimics a lot of things we do, but is stubbornly resisting to do sign language to communicate, no matter how much I try to show her and hold off giving her things until she signs “please.” 

-          She seems to be the more aggressive one of the two girls, sometimes climbing over Alia or being the stronger one to pull things away. 

We love you, Anna Elyse, and are so thankful for the gift you are to our family!