Windy City Fun!

Memorial Day Weekend was such a fun time around here!!! Our friends Melissa and Reid drove 11 hours to stay with us on Thursday and we had a great time showing them around the Peoria area. Friday we all celebrated Melissa's 27th birthday at Olive Garden. I know now why there's so much hype for Olive Garden- the breadsticks are delicious!!!

Saturday morning we all hoped in the car and drove up to Chicago. We parked outside the city and took the train in. First stop was the Willis(Sears) Tower. We went all the way up to the 103rd floor.

Can you believe I got to control the elevator?!? Going up?Melissa and Reid in the tower!!Thanks for coming to visit Andersons!!!Here's our family of three at the top floor!!

Mommy was 21 weeks preggo with my brother here.WOW! What a great view of the city!!Daddy found this quiet spot for us to have a few minutes to enjoy the view. Finding a "quiet spot" in the Sears Tower was the hard part on a Saturday afternoon!!! Next stop was Giordanos, to get some Chicago style pizza. I guess we weren't the only ones hungry for pizza because there was a long wait. We had fun outside though and, both Mommy and Daddy starting acting a little silly. Here, Mommy's trying to steal my blanket!Come here Mom, so I can give you a big kissey!!!

Dad's modeling his new shoes.
We did lots of walking after eating this pizza!!!After lunch, I was ready for a nap in my stroller so we walked over to Millenium Park and checked out the giant bean.

Daddy was nice enough to carry me on his shoulders...... it was awesome!!!I can see why they call Chicago the "Windy City!" We were walking towards the Navy Pier in these pictures. I think I must've been trying to hail a cab here.:)

We stayed in a hotel on Saturday night and Sunday Melissa and Reid went to the Cubs game. I went with Mom and Dad to the Museum of Science and Industry and then we walked over to the beach. It was another fun day but, Sunday night I was happy to get home and sleep in my crib!!I'm not a big fan of getting sunblock put on my face as you can see.

The Museum of Science and Industry(i.e.- Dad's favorite part of the weekend)The Beach. Our stay here was pretty short because I was exhausted. I fell asleep as soon as we got back to the car.I think I'll enjoy the beach more after a nice long nap. zzzz

Tight Squeeze!

Dad and Mom are in the market for a new bed and bed frame but, until they find the right one they have a mattress sitting on six big totes. This might sound a little crazy but, I think it's great and I'm having a blast trying to crawl in between the totes. Here are some pictues Mom took the day I had a blast crawling under the bed.Mom was busy putting clothes away when she heard some grunting and caught a glimpse of two little tootsies moving under the bed!
I made it through! Now watch me go back the other way!!!
Almost there!!!
This is tough work!!! Notice my tongue sticking out?!

Mom took lots of pictures this day and Dad had quite a laugh when he looked through them that evening.

O BOY!!!

Mom had her 20 week ultrasound last week and I was so happy to find out that I'm going to have a little brother!!! I was standing on Dad's lap so I had a good view of the screen and when I heard it was a boy I started clapping and squealing. It was so neat to see him in Mommy's tummy kicking and moving his arms all over the place. Everything is developing properly, we heard the baby's heartbeat (164bpm), and the scanner told us the baby weighed 13 ounces!!!

Now I get to help Mom and Dad decide on a name! If I was a boy, I was going to be "Henry." Daddy loves that name and Mommy loves "Michael" after Grandpa. "Henry Michael" is definitely a frontrunner but, it's still early.:) Within seven days of finding out I was a girl, my name was picked... Norah Grace.

Here's a profile picture of my little brother.

I'll post the 4D pictures soon too- it was so neat to see all my brother's facial features. We continue to pray that baby continues to grow healthy and strong. God is good!

Mommy's Day and 10 Months!

I was so excited to celebrate Mommy's Day this year; last year around this time Mom was about 32 weeks preggo with me. We had a great day together as a family; we gave Mom her gift in the morning, went to church, picked up some buffalo wings (Mom's favorite), and spent the afternoon outside doing yard work and gardening(also Mom's favorite). A few days later we planted flowers by the house.Here I am showing Mom how much I love her.
Mommy told me that she's very blessed to have such a sweet little girl.... I'd have to agree.
Dad and Mom worked out in the yard while I napped. I told them they could wake me if they needed help. :)
Dad's making room for some pretty flowers. I'm awake and ready to help guys!!

Did you honestly expect me to stay on that blanket?!
Here Mom is with the flowers. This year Daddy got to pick out which flowers we planted but, next year I may have a couple ideas....

Also, this past month I have hinted that I have a great love for music; Mom or Dad turns the radio on and I bolt over there to turn the volume up (yep, I know exactly which knob to turn) and then I sit and wiggle my body and bob my head. I do obey(usually) when told "no"... unless it's one of my favorite songs!!

Just shaking my hips like Elvis!!
I'm always busy exploring.
WHOA!!! This feels so weird!!
Just up from a nap. I like to look out onto the patio while I eat and, watch the birds land on the deck.
Are you going to chase me???
Okay my turn, I'm coming to get you Mommy!
I can crawl really fast now.
Soooo Big!!!
Hahaha I'm so funny!!!

Dad and I have started having a blast together after supper. First, I chase him around the house then, he turns and crawls after me. We both roar with laughter during this time and our knees are tender and sore the next morning but, coincidently they're pretty much healed by suppertime. :)

Dad and I after bathtime.
The other night I slept for a whopping 13.5 hours straight!! Went to bed at 8pm and woke up at 9:30 am. Mom came in to wake me and found me sleeping on my tummy. Here I am waking up... it took about 5 minutes to get all my stretching out!

I hope all the Mommy's out there had a great Mother's Day Weekend and felt apprecited for all their hard work!!!

Here I Crawl!!!

May 4th marked the monumental day that Mom and Dad scrambled to find a baby gate! That's right folks, I have perfected my crawl. No longer do I crawl in reverse and back up to the toy I'm in pursuit of but, I set my mind on something and I can get there in 3 seconds flat! Also, I can pull up on the couch, toy box, or even Mom or Dad for that matter. I'm still getting over my cold and runny nose so, my goal is usually to get to the kleenex box and shred as many as possible before Mom can stop me. I'm on the move!!
Just trying to have a seat here....
The other day I decided to sit on my barn! Can you see me balancing?The look of determination. Now that I can crawl, what task should I tackle next???Maybe reading???Maybe we'll tackle reading in a few years.
That's all for now folks, next time I post hopefully I'll be feeling much much better. My little nose is tired of running.:)

Today is May 5th which is my Aunt Allison's 13th birthday! We wish you a very happy birthday Ali and we wish we could spend the day with you. We love you!