Dancing with Turtle

We have been so busy running after Madame Monkey that there has been little time to post. We have entered a new stage. Anna will be 18 months at the end of November and my goodness, life is an endless world of wonder. Everything is interesting to her. It is really great to see and incredibly exhausting to experience. As one book comes flying off of a shelf, another shoe is brought to the kitchen table to be identified. Everything is seen as "Anna's this" or "Dada's that". She is starting to figure out language and is experimenting with how she asks for things. For example, to be carried down the stairs, she says, "Carry You"; presumably because she hears us ask, "Can I carry you down the stairs?" She also has an affinity for saying, "I love You", with prompts of course but, it just melts my heart.

It is just a crazy time. I feel so privileged and grateful that I am able, at this time in my life, to pursue my studies and be a mother. I couldn't do it without all of the support from family, it just would not be possible. I am starting to get the groove of school just as the quarter comes to a close. I am hoping that next quarter will be less of a shock on all of us as we will know what to expect

This little clip was taken after we spent a night at Bill and Susan's house. They babysat while we went to a wedding. She cracks me up.

In the past few weeks I also celebrated my 30th Birthday. Dave put on an amazing surprise party. I almost fell down I was so shocked to see all of my friends and family at a very unexpected time. I don't have any pictures,we were all so surprised that we forgot to capture it on film.