Movement in the Night

I promise that we put Anika to bed normally...really, we do!  When Ben and I left her room last night she was lying in the middle of her crib, with her hat on, tightly swaddled with the "super swaddle" technique, the blanket tucked over her feet, lying lenghwise. 

At 6:30 this morning I awoke to the Anika Paging System (APS) and this is what I saw when I went into her room:

She looked slightly confused and I was baffled...I guess its time for the sleep sack!

By the way, I was starting to kind-of worry that the APS was broken since Miss A. has been sleeping from about 9:30 pm until sometime between 7am and 9am...I found out this morning that it wasn't broken.  Most likely a growth spurt!  Not that 9:30 pm to 6:30 am is anything to be upset about!

Taking the Town by Storm!

Anika and I have been busy little elves lately.  We've been working on Christmas presents, filling up the pantry with yummy food, and hitting the doctor's office for her 2 month check-up.  Let me tell you, she has been the HIT of everywhere we go.  Especially with her strawberry hat - we went to the grocery store yesterday and Miss A. didn't want to be completely tucked into the Moby Wrap (more on that contraption later), so I let her keep her head out until she fell asleep.  That resulted in spending way too much time in the produce section - everyone wanted to take a peek at our little cutie - it resulted in many sweet compliments and a very proud mommy - happy to brag about how this little 8-week old girl is such a joy!

Here are a couple of shots of our little berry when I got home:

Bismarck was very interested in what Anika and I were doing when I was taking her picture and had to get involved.  He and Peli always check on Anika when they come in.  Biz is generally "on alert", and gets worried whenever Anika cries, freaked out when she sneezes, and excited when we play with her.  Peli, on the other hand, doesn't worry too much, although she does keep a close eye on Anika.  Both dogs appear whenever it seems like we might go outside with Anika - one of these days she'll be a fun playmate for them!

Kisses from Bismarck

Sgt. Bismarck on guard

Anika giving Sgt. Biz commands

The 3 Stooges lazing in bed

How do you wake up?

Anika likes to stretch for a few minutes before breakfast.  She's still in the bassinet and makes rather persistent and consistent grunts/squeaks when she's ready to get up.  When she's ready, I unwrap her and just let her go to town with waving her arms and kicking her legs - this way I can brush my teeth and get some clothes on before I feed her.  Below are some shots of our happy little present this morning, ready to greet the day.  (We decided to have her start wearing some Christmas outfits prior to the big day, so she gets some use out of them before she outgrows these adorable outfits!)

Doing her Cpt. Jack Sparrow impression

Happy girl!

Notice the eyebrow :-)

Working those arms

Ready to go!

Announcing...

Anika Grace Linstid was born on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 7:27 a.m.! She was 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and 19 3/4 inches long.

Ben and I were very excited to finally meet her - especially since she arrived a week early, but labor started at 9:30 on Monday morning. One of my first thoughts after she was born was, "Holy cow, are we in for a ride now!"...along with "Whoa, we really have a baby - this whole pregnancy thing was REAL!".

Here are a few first photos.

First Photo

Finisher Photo!

Dr. Sarah displaying her 2nd delivery of the day - she barely got her booties on before Anika appeared!

Tic and Tac (a.k.a. Daddy and Anika)

Our EnchilAnika :-)