This Stefanie Matters: Anna Moments

Despite feeling a bit under the weather recently, Anna has been so stinkin' cute... We've had some beautiful weather since Fall came upon us, and one of our favorite things to do around the city is find a cheap prixe fix brunch, sit and people watch over coffee refill after coffee refill (or as long as the kids last). A few Saturdays ago, Anna was so excited (*sarcasm*) to people watch that she decided sleeping was much more fun. I remember when Gabe was a baby, he absolutely despised being on my lap like this... He always wanted held with his head on my shoulder... But Anna just loves swaying in my lap with her head rested on my leg and usually always go to sleep in this position if we aren't at home. All the waitresses that passed by put out there pouty bottom lip with Ohhhs and Ahhhhs.

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We are very excited to report that Anna has started role playing with her toys, but especially with this doll her great-grandma Yiyi bought for her when she was baptized at 4 months. We always kept the baby close by, knowing one day Anna would want to cuddle with her... And a few days ago, we gave her the baby, and I asked, "Can you kiss the baby like Mommy kisses you all the time?" And Anna completely mimicked me, holding the doll with her little mouth opened wide and smothering it with kisses. I always make these dramatic kissing sounds when I kiss Anna, and I could hear her breathing out these little sounds... It was the sweetest moment. The doll has also become her little couch buddy, and I place her arm around the baby and they watch t.v. together. There have been a few moments, though... Of funny protests when Anna is just agitated and doesn't want to be near anyone... And she's chucked the doll to the floor. I laugh and tell her that isn't it very nice, but she yells at me... And I can't help but laugh more.

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We are gearing up for an augmentative communication evaluation next week, and the evaluator asked us to take photos of some of Anna's favorite things. This of course included her pink satin blanket. When I showed her the photo, she started laughing and smiling. It was definitely her way of asking for it.

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