Annie Update

Annie loves to be outside.


We go for a walk most days and she has so much fun pointing out colors and collecting treasures like dandelions, sticks, and rocks. Yesterday she found acorns.


And I'm in love with her hair these days--all blonde, wispy, and curls.


Annie talks ALL THE TIME. She will keep repeating her words until I figure out what she is trying to say.


Little blonde wispies with a hairbow.


Annie loves to be my helper so I am constantly trying to find things for her to do, like throw away dryer sheets, pick up the dog bowls, and put her cup in the refrigerator. She remains very interested in baby dolls and loves to carry them around and feed them. She knows lots of concepts, like letters, counting (she likes to count everything), colors, shapes, and opposites like up and down. Of course she gets them all mixed up but her Daddy and I are having so much fun watching her learn. Sleeping in the big girl bed is going great at night and okay at nap time. A couple of weeks ago I had to revert to the pack n play for naps because otherwise she would not stay still long enough to fall asleep. But this week we are back to napping in the big girl bed and so far so good. My biggest parenting struggle with Annie is dealing with her defiance. She is very into exerting her own will. Most of the time JJ does something, I tell him "no," and he moves right on to the next thing. Then Annie decides to try the forbidden thing and laughs at me when I tell her no, so she ends up in time out. I keep telling her that I am even more strong-willed than she is and if she decides to engage in a battle of wills, I will win. Mostly, though, I try to direct her will in positive ways (like giving her tasks to help with) and avoid the power struggles. I am also trying not to say "no" so much with her and with JJ. For example, instead of saying "no, we can't go outside" saying "after lunch we'll go outside and play." I don't know why it is so difficult for me to remember to do this but it does make a difference in our family's happiness when I do remember, so I'm trying!