Suzuki Music Classes

Today was the last day of the winter group Suzuki lessons so family members were invited to participate. We'll start the spring session in a few weeks. Martin came along and took some pictures - they turned out kind of dark but give a good idea of all the fun things we do each week.

This was a big drum that that the students all play together - it helps teach them forte and piano although they were pretty loud with the forte part this time and Anna got scared.

The eggs in her hand were little shakers - every session they play an up-tempo classical song and everybody free dances. She loves to shake her little eggs while I swing her around the room.
This is one of her favorite parts of the class - she really focuses on what the mallets are doing.

During this part each student runs the mallet up and down the xylaphone and everybody else raises and lowers their hands accordingly. Anna kept trying to grab the bars on the xylaphone.

Anna's New Wheels

For Christmas Anna received this present from the Miners. We brought it out last weekend to see how Anna liked it and it was a BIG hit!

I think Martin liked the car too - he took Anna on a few laps around the house. Butkus thought it was fun but Meiko hid on top of our bed.
Let's ride!!!!

Anna's First Haircut

Did anyone notice....

that I have Anna's shoes on the wrong feet in the pictures below? I guess Martin will have to teach her how to put on and tie shoes because I am clearly not qualified!

Our Little Valentine

For Valentine's Day we had a relaxing day at the house until we discovered a drain had backed up in our basement. Luckily it wasn't the sewer drain and a quick visit from the plumber got it all fixed up. Here's some pictures of our Valentine. Anna wore a dress that Grandma Joelyn purchased for me when I was a baby :)

Showing off her newly acquired skill of standing up on her own!

Standing up can get pretty tiring - sometimes you need a break! Anna would lay her head down and suck her thumb for a few seconds to get re-energized.

If you are looking to play a good game of peek-a-boo, Anna is your girl! It's her favorite game!

Love you Banana!

8 1/2 Months

Anna continues to keep us on our toes - she's now crawling and standing up on her own so cruising is probably not too far away. I took her into the doctor's office last week thinking that she had an ear infection - both were clear so that was a relief. They weighed her and she's up to 21 pounds, 8 ounces! We can tell she's not herself though, but isn't running a fever and still has a big appetite. We don't feel any teeth coming in so I guess we'll just watch her for now.

We've started to give her non-baby foods (crackers, rice cakes, tofu, bananas, Cheerios) and she's done really well. Here's her happy face after a few crackers.

I think it's time for Anna's first haircut!

We had a disagreement about whether it was bedtime or not. Anna won.

We love peas!