January 15th 2011

My mom passed away today and I found out while we were having Annabelle's newborn photos taken. Pretty crazy. It's still very hard to believe that I'm a motherless child. I may be an adult and have my own daughter but I will always be my mother's child. Here are just a few good memories:

- We always watched Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers neighborhood together from the comfort of a bean bag chair.
- When it was time to go to preschool she taught there...when it was time to go to grade school she taught there too...she was a great art teacher.
- In the 1st grade she took me to see Dirty Dancing. Yep..age 7. Because I wanted to see the dancers.
- During a trip to Hawaii we spent 6 hours 'touring' Oahu on the public bus...needless to say we went to the liqour store straight after the bus.
- On a trip to Rome we spent hours and hours circling the city looking for the fountain of trevi only to discover it was about 2 minutes away from where we started. Thankfully it is beautiful at night. :)
- Whenever I requested, she would make endless supplies of her famous pinto beans...even at midnight as I drove down from Bellingham in need of some comfort food.
- In 2008 she visited me in New Zealand and we had a memorable road trip together even if she complained about the length of the flight endlessly. :)
- In 2010 she flew to Washington DC right after a massive snow storm to see Jason and I get married.
- Every summer she could be found on the deck with my dad and whomever was blowing glass that day enjoying a refreshing drink and good conversation.

She lived life the way she wanted. She made me feel like I was always loved and always first in her life.
She raised a happy, independent and sometimes creative daughter who just hopes to be as wonderful a mom as she was. I'm so very thankful that she lived long enough to see her grand-daughter born and see me living the life she always hoped I would have. A life full of love

I will think of her daily and hope that she will watch over us all. I love you mom.

Bathtime fun

Annabelle is quite content in her bath. Especially when she is discreetly covered with her ducky towel. ;)

First snow!!

We just had our first snow and got about 4-5 inches so it was time for some winter wonderland exploration!!

1 month old!

My attempts at a 1 month birthday photo...

First Christmas!

It's been too long and way past Christmas but Annabelle celebrated her first Christmas just a mere 11 days after her birth. Here are a few photos of the fun!

First days!

Annabelle had her first doctors appointment yesterday and did amazing. Not a tear in sight even though she had to get nakey in a cold room. :) Daddy was her heating blanket while we were waiting for the doctor. She's gained good weight and is looking great!

A photographer came around at the hospital the day after she was born and this is my favorite photo that they took:

First Baby Days!

Annabelle so far has been voted the most beautiful baby ever by her loving parents. Here are a few shots from her first days including visitors and her first car ride home!