Our friend Aaron noticed that I forgot to mention on the previous blog posting how Anne did on the plane to and from BC. So, here it goes:
In both directions it took two flights to get to our destination, so we had one 4-hour flight and one 1-hour flight to deal with. On the way out we had the 4-hour flight first, with no spare seat around us. It was just around Anne's bedtime so we made the mistake of thinking she would sleep. Anne had other plans and so for most of the flight she was upset and tired. Although she didn't bawl outright, she made enough upset noise that I'm sure the woman sitting in our row didn't get much sleep. This was very stressful and tiring. By the time we got on the second, 1-hour flight, Anne was so exhausted that she passed out for the whole thing.
On the way back, it was just Anne and I since Jeff had returned the week before. This time we had a different plan: exhaust the baby ahead of time. This actually turned out pretty well. Instead of letting her sleep for her morning nap, we took her to the aquarium, which she really seemed to like. (Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera.) By the time our plane took off Anne was exhausted. She spent about half of the first, 1-hour flight sleeping and the other half quietly fighting sleep and observing the plane and the people. At the Calgary airport we ate and she played with the toys at the gates (the Calgary airport is a great airport for kids incidentally) and she met a new friend: a 4-year-old girl who just loved her. So, during the 4-hour flight, Anne spent about 1 hour sleeping, 1 hour watching her new friend (who came to visit us at the back of the plane and ask me all sorts of questions), and the other two hours quietly fighting sleep as she observed the people and especially the 18-month old sitting in the row behind us. It was as good as I could have possibly hoped for. On both flights I was lucky enough to have an empty seat next to me (although I had to ask to be moved for the second flight). Although the day was very long and very exhausting, it all turned out pretty well. And I didn't even have to use Plan B: drug the baby.
So, that is that.
Since the last blog post not too much has happened. Grandma and Grandpa G came to visit last weekend, despite it being only 1 week until our new niece is due. They got to see Anne's excellent walking and witnessed her standing up on her own from the middle of the floor, without any supports, for the first time.
On Wednesday and Thursday I had the flu and mostly stayed in bed while Jeff stayed home and took care of Anne (thank goodness, I don't know what I would have done without him!). On Wednesday Anne started babbling in a whole new way, very high pitched and variable. She says "dada" and "mama" all the time now, but we have no evidence that she is trying to actually say our names and not just babbling away.
Anne's main method of communication however is the chirp, or the hoot as Jeff likes to call it. If she sees something she likes or if she is looking for something or if she wants something, she emits a series of high pitched chirps. To me, it sounds like a dinosaur sound from Jurassic Park. Or like she is trying to use echo-location like a bat. It is pretty funny. Unfortunately I don't have a video of that yet.
Anne's understanding of words is improving daily. Today she learned what a nose is. I can often say something to her and she knows what is coming next. For example, "Let's go into the kitchen and get some breakfast" to which Anne will respond by walking toward the kitchen. Or, "Go get your book and bring it to Mommy." Today she even brought me the specific book I asked for (although I did ask for one of her favourites, so it was a pretty good bet).
Anywho, here is the usual barrage of photos and videos. Enjoy!
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| A beautiful photo, taken by Grandpa B, of a ferry from the house in BC. |
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| A slightly-gruesome photo of the bald eagle eating something, also taken by Grandpa B. |
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| Anne enjoying bubbles in BC, taken by Grandma B. |
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| Anne enjoying bubbles at home. |
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| Anne walking around. |
Anne babbling.
Anne crawling down stairs. She has been doing this for quite some time, but this is the first video I have of it. It's not a great video. Excuse Anne's hair; Jeff decided it didn't need to be combed after her bath.
Anne petting the neighbour's cat (again) and doing some interesting yoga moves. Again, excuse the hair.
