Visiting Cousin Tracy

Before we left Chicago last week, we had a great visit with Becky's cousin Tracy and their beautiful daughter Aven. They live a lovely apartment on the 23rd floor, which in retrospect I realized was probably the highest building the kids have ever been in. Tracy is a professional photographer (see http://tracypetersen.com/ for some of her great work) and took some amazing photos of the kids and what is probably the first photo of Becky & I together, without kids, possibly since our wedding. See them here:

Tracy's Pictures

Anna Wears a Dress

Anna just received a handful of very cute dresses from her older cousin Cecilia. As I was folding the laundry this morning, she pointed to this one enthusiastically, so we tried it on. Anna rarely wears a dress, but maybe she should start more often. This photos capture here demure and charm.

Anna Wears a Dress

Saying Sorry

January 8, 2013: Anna does not hide her emotions. This has been her personality since she was very young. When she is happy, there is no greater sight on earth (at least to this very biased parent). When she is pissed, though, watch out. Sometimes she'll swat at us out of frustration, often when we're trying to wrangle her into some awful task, like putting on shoes or wearing a coat. After this, we insist that she apologize before getting what she wants next -- picked up, a certain toy, her drink, etc. This has never been easy for her (or her brother) and often the event gets dragged out for thirty minutes or longer. Lately, she's taken to playing a game where she'll utter the first syllable ("Sah...") and stop there, then look at you as if to say, "What? You want the whole thing? Damn I'm cute.") After trying this endearing tactic for a time this morning, she went even further, saying "Sor..." but not adding the second syllable. What a stinker. What a smart stinker. Last week-end after one such game, Anna ran some errands with her mommy. Pulling into the parking lot of the store, at least a full hour after she had swatted her father's face (and with him still at home with James), Anna clearly declared, "Sorry, daddy." I guess apologizing is easier when the subject of your transgression isn't around.

February 19, 2012: I (Becky) just wanted to add a little note. James quickly caught on to Anna's sneaky ways. One day Anna owed James an apology but she was reluctant to give him one.  All she would say was "Sor..." over and over.  To this James replied (with a fist slam onto the table), "I demand a "re" with my "sor". Sometimes he is just too smart for words.

Christmas, etc.

Given that my last post was on Halloween, it seems that my parents only like to write about me on holidays. But so much has happened since then! I've learning hundreds of new words and, most importantly, learned how to remove all of my own clothing so that I can be in my natural naked state (as I do at home, but also at stores, parties, etc.).

This Christmas I had lots of fun celebrating. First was Gift Rhino day in Ames, then pre-Christmas in Buffalo, then Christmas in New Jersey. I got some cool stuff but mostly just went after whatever my brother happened to be playing with. Unfortunately, I got a little bit of the pukies on my second day in Buffalo. I'm tough, so it wasn't too bad...but it spread to most of my dad's family and then through my mom's family. Oops. Good thing I'm so cute!

Speaking of cute, there are some very cute photos of me and my brother here:

Christmas 2012