Independence Day

On the Fourth of July, I got an early start to my day participating in the Freedom Festival 10K with a few ladies from my ward, while my sister Katie and her husband Jack ran in the 5K. It's nice to go to races with friends these days. In the past I felt like such a loner. It was my first 10K and I felt pretty sore the next day, but all in all, I was pretty happy with the race, averaging 8 min./mile.

We decided to take a dip in the neighborhood pool. Anna loves leaning off the side even though we dunk her every time. Those swim lessons we took in April are paying off.

Ooh! Cheetos! This was the highlight of Independence Day: her Aunt Katie brought Cheetos to our family picnic and let her eat some. By the end of the evening I had Cheetos fingerprints all over me.

This was Anna's first time watching fireworks. We can see the fireworks from our front yard, so last year we put Anna to sleep and brought the baby monitor outside. This year, Anna wasn't about to miss the party, but when the fireworks started to go off, she started to whimper and tried to bury her head in my chest. Even though I am mostly selfish and didn't want to miss the fireworks, I eventually took pity on her and took her inside. But as soon as Anna realized that everyone else was still outside watching the fireworks, she pointed at the front door and whined. So we went back outside and she nestled herself between my legs. She was pretty rigid and tense and as soon as the fireworks ended she sat up and started to look for the Cheetos again.

Bathtime and Bedtime

Look at this kid, flossing her six teeth and at such a young age. Actually, I think she just figured out that the floss tastes minty and is trying to lick all the wax off.

Another not so great thing that Anna is doing these days is peeing in the bath water. I'm sure she's been relieving herself in the water from the beginning, but I never had to see it before. Ever since she started walking, she likes to stand up in the tub when I first put her in. As soon as her feet hit that warm water, she pees. It's just a little disheartening to see, but I'm getting used to it.

Lately, our nap time routine has changed a bit. Up until about a month ago, every time I put Anna to sleep, first we would rock in the rocking chair and I would sing her lullabies to calm her. Recently she decided she wanted me to read her books instead. Her favorite books are Counting Kisses by Karen Katz and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox. I can almost recite both books, but they are teaching her her body parts. Already she anticipates the kisses on the nose and points to her nose.

Just this past week she started saying "hi." Now she likes to walk around the house saying "hi." I guess that's how she does things. Several months ago she walked around the house saying, "Mom?" and then for a few weeks it was "huh?"