These are a Few of Her Favorite Things...

Anna Lee is 16 months old now, and has several items and activities that are her favorites- some I have pictures of and some I don't. Here they are in no particular order...

1. Books/Reading

Anna Lee loves to read books. She has a bookshelf full of them in her room, and we have read every one of them so many times. She loves to go in her room and sort through the books to find the exact one she wants to read. In the process, she makes a really good mess! Here she is one morning, "reading" a book on her own.

2. Her Blankie and Passy

These used to be for bedtime only, but they are becoming more and more of security items...uh oh! (As you look through these pictures, you will notice the blankie in many of them.) Anna Lee's blankie is a blanket that was mine when I was a baby. She nuzzled up in it one time when we were in San Antonio, and she has loved it ever since. I have wondered if I should cut it in half, just to make sure we have another half in case we ever lose it....

Here is a picture of Anna Lee one morning when she realized her blankie was in the dryer. She was truly distressed! She stood at that dryer until it was done, waiting and watching for it to come out. She worked as hard as she could to get the dryer door open on her own.

3. Girly Things...Purses, Jewelry, and Make-up---already!

It has been amazing to see how Anna Lee has been drawn to "girly" things without being taught. She loves wearing necklaces and bracelets, and pretends to put on lipstick (ever since her Aunt Kasey taught her how). The other day I saw her put chapstick on her little toy puppy! Anna Lee especially loves purses, and is constantly going to my closet and asking me to get one out for her. She carries them around the house, and many times wants to take them with us when we leave.

4. Doggies

I don't have a picture for this one, but it is definitely one of her favorites. Anna Lee can spot a dog a mile away, and when she sees one, she immediately starts barking. There are many times when we are riding in the car that she starts barking and I can't find the dog for a long time. We will probably get one for Anna Lee at some point, but Jim and I will have to agree on the indoor/outdoor part first! Once we have one, though, it is all she will want to do!

5. Music

I have honestly been very excited about how much Anna Lee loves music. She loves rhythm, singing, dancing, and instruments. We put her in a baby music class one time each week, and she LOVES it. The class came with a CD of the songs, and we all know them now by heart! Anna Lee does the motions to the songs, and dances along, whether we are at home or in the car. Many mornings, we have a "dance party" of sorts and dance around the living room together. When I suggest that we go dance, she runs into the living room so excited. Here she is dancing to one of her Jana Alayra songs.

6. Swinging

Anna Lee loves to be outside...and she especially loves to swing. We get the most fits thrown when we try to get her out of a swing and leave a park. (Sorry to those of you who have had to experience this.) Sometimes she laughs and giggles in a swing, and sometimes she gets so relaxed she almost falls asleep. (I have decided that her love for swings comes partly because that is where she slept everynight for her first 6 months, since she had such terrible reflux!) My parents put up this swing at their house, and the last time we were there, she spent most of her time in it.

7. Making Messes---particularly with toilet paper

Oh how that girl can make a mess....and fast! I know I have posted a blog about this before, but it really is amazing how quickly Anna Lee can destroy a room! She is getting better and better about picking things up lately, and will usually help clean things up if I ask her. Her latest obsession is with all things bathroom. After many a spanking, she has finally learned to not splash and play in the potty---but she now has put herself in charge of keeping all of the lids closed and the toilets re-flushed. So far, we haven't had any items flushed down the potty yet...I know it is coming. Here is where I found her yesterday, as proud of herself as she could be. (Again notice the blankie...in the "cleanest" place of the house.)

8. Crackers and Chips

With all of her eating issues, Anna Lee LOVES crackers and chips. I have never seen anyone one love them more. She has a cracker in her hands most times throughout the day. When Anna Lee eats crackers or Cheerios, she likes to eat them while holding the box or bag. (This has been the cause of many messes lately- thank goodness for my Swiffer Sweeper!) I thought this scene was so funny this afternoon...Anna Lee hiding out in her playhouse...Baked Lays in hand.

9. Talking!

Anna Lee can jabber like I have never heard! She has long conversations back and forth with people, but it is all babble (at least to us!). If I can figure out how to work YouTube, I will post some funny videos of her talking. She has a lot to say!

What a joy it is to have Anna Lee as our daughter!