Then there’s laundry. She loves to push the laundry bin across our laminate floors from the bedroom to the laundry. Or, really, anywhere. The other day, we were on the couch reading a book when she heard the song to say the washer was done (yes, our washer and dryer sing a song). Anna signed “all done! [I] help!” and quickly slid off the couch and beelined for the laundry. She likes to put things into the washer and really really likes to push the buttons, which also make cheerful noises. She’s pretty good at following directions “press the circle button…” Yes, the laundry has a child lock.

Anna helps with the mail sometimes, especially at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, where the mail is a journey.
Her favorite way to help with dinner is to use the salad spinner, with or without salad.

Her proudest accomplishment to date is helping me fill the bird feeder, as watching birds is a favorite pastime. At least once a day, at mealtime, Anna will look out the window at the birds and say/sign, in some order, “Mama. Help. Bird. Eat.” “Yes, Anna, you helped Mommy put the bird seed in the bird feeder!” This is nearly always followed by Anna nodding sagely.

In other news, she now says a word that sounds like a real word–”sit.” She first said it when our neighbor Janice commanded her dog to sit, prompting Anna to say “sit!” and sit in solidarity with Lulu the dog. She even helps with dog training.

Four weeks old: What was that?!

Seven weeks old, first evidence of limb control: Dancing with Mrs. Bear

Three months old: Giggling at Daddy

Five months old, one of the most commented upon videos of Anna-time: Anna in a Box

Seven and a half months old: Reads Dear Zoo with Daddy

Eight months old, the game that led to her first word, “ball”: Anna Playing Ball with Mommy

Nine months old, begins to clap: Claps for Aunt Megan’s Birthday

Ten and a half months old: Squeals for the Ducky Toy

Eleven and a half months old: Finding the Chipmunk in Charlie the Ranch Dog with Uncle Max

One year old: Showing off Some Words With Aunt Megan

Thirteen months old: Walking assisted

Thirteen and a half months: Anna Plays with Crayons–Includes a Surprise

Fourteen Months: Reads to Grandpa

Visits from Lucy; Sara; Great Gram; Christina, David, and Joshua; Bryce; a black swallowtail; Aunt Peggy, Uncle Glenn, Aunt Betsy, Uncle Chip, and Austin; Mari-Anne, Bruce, and Amy; and Aunt Anna W and Mr. Carl.

Also check out new videos here.

Whew! That was exhausting!

It looks like Anna takes after her friend Joshua K (as seen here), as she now loves to crawl around with an identical object in each hand. Uncle Max got her some Melissa and Doug animal puzzles for her birthday, which she loves. Yesterday she pointed to the puzzles and I pulled out one of the four of them. She pointed back at the puzzles again, and I pulled out a different one. Nope, not that one either. I got to the ocean one and she pulled out the octopus and the whale, put one in each hand, and started to crawl around the floor. For most of the day, they were her constant companions. This morning, she asked for the puzzles, and I put several out. She pulled out the octopus and the whale and started crawling around again.

Not only is it cute, it keeps her from picking things up off the floor. Usually, when she finds something, she picks it up and offers it to whomever’s around. If they don’t take it, she disposes of it in her mouth. mmmmmm tasty floor.

Thanks, Grandpa (or should I say “pah”) and John (Dada)

We had a family “Megan’s Home/Anna’s One” party the weekend before Anna’s first birthday. We had a blast. Check out photos here. Here’s a video of Anna playing with her second cousin Joshua, and here’s us singing Happy Birthday to her. Anna also enjoyed playing with the wrapping about 20 times as much as the gift for, well, all of her gifts. Here’s a video of her playing with the wrapping from Grandpa Bill and Darlene.