Anna's Here! A month overdue announcement...

I owe an apology to my second-born. I promised I would not be the parent that takes fewer pictures of you or never gets around to making a scrapbook of your first months of life. I have failed to deliver on my promise - your bedroom (Holly's old room) still has pictures of Holly in the frames and some of her toys in the closet. And now one month has passed and I'm just getting around to posting an announcement of your arrival. But it is not for lack of love! Quite the opposite... it is out of pure love and devotion for you that moments spent holding you, rocking you, feeding you, and introducing you to life (crazy life!) with your precious sister take priority over pictures and scrapbooks. And even blog posts. I definitely want lots of pictures to record these first months and years, but we'll get to that. Right now, in these sleep-deprived and hazy days, I'm enjoying just enjoying you.

And my apologies to those of you who are just learning about Anna's birth! You must be wondering if she is a month overdue.

Anna Caroline Rife

November 19, 2008

8:08 pm

8 lbs 8 oz.

(I try to keep Facebook fairly updated with photos. If you're not on FB, you can check this link: http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2011456&l=df807&id=1171625296)

Here we go...

I was on the computer this morning while Holly played in the kitchen. Then I heard "I'm naked!" I looked up over the computer monitor and this is what I found.

I promise she started the day with clothes on. At least the socks survived.

Daddy's helper

There must be a Simpsons episode about this

Yesterday I packed Holly in the car and told her we were going to the store to get Daddy a present. She's really into presents these days, so I thought having that information would make her a little more agreeable on our shopping trip.

We went to a particular store (which will remain unnamed in the hopes that SOME of the surprise can be salvaged) where I picked out his gift. Handed over the credit card, picked up the bag, and we were on our way back home.

Fast forward to 6:15 when Matt walks in the door from work... After some hugs and kisses, Holly said to Matt "Daddy present!" He laughed and asked what it was. Before I could stop her (although I must admit, part of me was curious how much she would divulge), she said "Beer!!"

So much for my great gift idea. We laughed and wondered what else she is soaking up that we're unaware of. I've learned my lesson though - keep my mouth shut, because two year olds can't keep a secret.

Holly says the darndest things...

I'm always trying to remember the funny and cute things that Holly says so I can pass them on to others, mainly her grandparents. Here are a few for those of those you who are interested:

1) When she talks about babies (her cousin Evan or our neighbor Aiden) she always says "oh, he's so cute!" and squints up her eyes, as though she's 20 years older

2) After watching the Little Einsteins "Instrument Dinosaurs" episode, Holly flapped her arms around and called herself a piccolo-dactyl. This continues, but now her stuffed animals are the piccolo-dactyl.

3) This morning I spilled some juice on the floor. I said "Mommy made a mess!" She watched from her chair and calmly said "Don't worry, Mommy."

4) Out of the blue today she said "Fantastic!" I don't ever say that. Where does she get it??

5) Every once in a while she calls me "Mom" and calls Matt "Dad." Shouldn't I be Mommy until she's at least 7 or 8??

6) As Matt carries her upstairs to bed each night, she always calls down to me and says "I love you down there!" Just might be the best part of my day.

This is some of the cute stuff...I'll spare you the rest. We're in the middle (I pray not the beginning) of the terrible twos, and much of our day is spent correcting, redirecting, disciplining, and generally doing everything possible to avoid meltdowns. It's in the emotional aftermath of those tantrums that I make myself stop and remember the cute, sweet, funny things Holly says and does, and simply be thankful for such a bright and independent little girl. I tell myself that this too shall pass - and then feel a little guilty for looking a little forward to my upcoming days in the hospital while someone else is in charge...

Her first real haircut!

Yesterday was a big day for Holly - she finally had a haircut! Her bangs were hanging in her eyes but still not thick enough to really hold a barrette, so we took her to see our friend Brooke for her first beauty consultation. She loved it - didn't want to leave. She's been talking about her haircut all day. That's my girl...

Every girl has wardrobe changes...

Halloween was a lot of fun at the Rife house this year. Holly had seen a Dora the Explorer Halloween episode a couple of times, so at the beginning of the week she was walking up to me and saying "Trick or Treat!" By Friday, she was in full Halloween mode. Our little ladybug experienced her first trick-or-treating Friday night/afternoon. We were that crazy family who went at 5:30, while it was still light outside. Holly got some good stuff (I PROMISE I've only snuck into her stash once!). Special thanks to the Taylors, who had Dora stickers waiting for her. Those have helped us bribe her into brushing her teeth each night... The next night was our neighborhood block party, and Holly was a flower. I got this costume from ebay last year and it was too big then. It worked out perfectly this year - how embarrassing would it have been to be seen in the same outfit twice?

Since the weekend, Holly has come up to me a few times, pointed to the cabinet where her candy is, and said "trick-or-treat." A couple of tantrums later, she's learning that that little phrase doesn't work the other 364 days of the year.

Already looking forward to next year, when we'll have two little ghouls...