Holy Cow!

So just a 10 minute walk from our village is a small farm near the lake. I walked down the other day and talked to one of the farm hands out driving in the cows from the pasture. I wondered whether he ever sold fresh milk . . .
turns out, not really, but he agreed to give me some if I brought my "bucket." So today we walked down again and watched a bit of the operation. It was so interesting! It's fun to remember that both Daniel and I have grandpas who worked with dairy cows, so it's fun for Analise to see them.
And see them she did . . .up close and personal!!

measurements . . .

So Analise had a Dr. appointment on Monday.
She had some shots and had a regular check-up.
Everything was good and the Dr. thought that she looked very healthy.

Today I plugged in some of the numbers into growth charts . . . just
for curiosity sake.
She still falls in the 75th percentile for length and between the 25 -50th for
weight. So no surprise there, she's long and thin - just like her papa.
As an afterthought I went back and added in the head measurements
too, even though I don't really know what they're good for or what they mean.

Her's came back in the . . . wait for it . . .
90th percentile!!
Yikes!
All I can think of is Mike Meyers saying "Now he'll go cry his' self to sleep on his
gigantic pilla' "
Guess we'll see where this goes . . .

Bers in a basket

Dad has fun surprising Analise and never fails to get a laugh out of her.

Fun in a Puddle

Mommy went to quick grab the camera while her little cute baby was in the buff . . . but - uh, oh!

all day

Over the weekend we went on a little hike and I collected some flowers along the way. I had thought all the little white ones were Edelweiss but after doing some research I think I'm wrong. But they're cute anyway and have me thinking that next year I ought to collect a bunch more to press and then use to make paper. But first I need to learn how to make paper . . . .hmmm.

Analise has been teething and is quite feisty so I'm really appreciating nap times. Today I used it to make some teething biscuits - yum, yum. I put the dough in a baggie and snipped the corner off in order to pipe it out onto the cookie sheet. I will admit, it did not look pretty. I would expand on that but this is a family blog.
Later that day . . . dad and daughter having a little quality time reading some Bible stories before bed. What's that in your hand Mr. Mueller? I see . . . Bible story time for some happens to coincide with happy hour for others. What's today's story - Jesus changes water into wine or is it Jesus changes water into beer?

sharing with mr. chicken

Happy Birthday Andy!

Hard to believe a year has passed already . . . seems like yesterday we worked one this!
Eli says Happy Birthday too, but he didn't make it into any pics today.

Andy, Grady and Analise have something they would like to tell you . . . Analise will hold the sign for you . . .
oops, it slipped, here . . . let mommy help . . .
There we go! Happy Birthday favorite Uncle Andy! Hope you have a very special day!
We love you!

so not funny . . .

a picture is worth a thousand words

Something for everyone

Yesterday it poured rain all morning, which always puts me in the mood for baking. So I ended up making something for everyone . . .
for Analise it was baked apples. They are really easy to do and then I cut them up in bite size pieces and froze them for an easy finger food snack.For Daniel it was short bread cookies - plain and simple and so delicious.
And for me . . . chocolate zucchini cake - with a few "modifications." The ever present flax seed was subbed in, as was coconut oil instead of margarine. I also opted for raw cane sugar, chopped hazelnuts and of course an extra sprinkling of cinnamon, cocoa and sugar for a crispy topping. yum, yum (I'm not kidding! You might be surprised!)


The view from the couch improved throughout the day until finally the sun came out. We are so thankful for the balcony. I've already planted some herbs and flowers, we've grilled a few times and always enjoy being able to sit outside (something we missed living in Paris). Grady especially appreciates his little perch.The view to the lake opened up in the winter but with the arrival of the new leaves it is quickly closing.



A view of our little village . . .

We like our 'nanas

Dancing with Dad

Analise wants to be standing whenever she can but dancing is even better!
I've finally figured out how to put videos on the blog - I guess the others that I had taken were too long. (thanks Beth for the help) :)

Saveant's visit

The family that I nannied for in Paris took their vacation in Switzerland and were able to stay with us for a night on their way to the ski town. It was fun for the girls to see Analise after only seeing me pregnant every day and then the baby only briefly. I've said that if they ever want to come to the U.S. they would be welcome to come stay with me and teach my kids French!

Empty the basket

Again, the game here is - move my object of choice from point A to point B and then move on. Do not slow down, do not repeat.
Thus, the basket has been emptied countless times already (then secretly refilled).
We have come to the conclusion that we won't be buying her any more toys because it's not the toy that's entertaining. The toy is just a tool in her master plan to move it outside the basket.
caught red handed . . .
and she doesn't care
hmmm, maybe this arm is a little longer . . .

Some close up shots from dad

Easter

Analise is sporting this season's vintage collection of Easter dresses . . .
this was my dress and bonnet! During our photo shoot she noticed an essential piece . . .


and she just had to have it . . .
the passy completes any ensemble adding that soothing calm that every lady needs.
Where is that Easter bunny? Mom said he should be coming today . . .
Analise is getting down right cranky in her desire to stretch and reach things out of her grasp. No toy will appease - it has to be the thing that she can't quite reach.


She leans WAY over her feet with a little rump in the air (this is only a small demonstration)
Just a little dolly. Happy Easter everybody!

pull up

well . . . even as I was finishing my last post Analise was quite busy with her own agenda. She pulled herself up on the coffee table and while Daniel and I sat there gaping and unable to react - she fell backwards, plop! onto the floor.
She surprised herself so much she started to cry and Daniel and I are assured that this is the beginning of the end . . .

froggy bib

I guess I take a lot of pictures at lunch time . . . something to do with the fact that she's slow eater and needs lots of breaks and I get a little bored waiting.

I went to Ikea the other day with my friend and got some plants for the balcony as well as a few little odds and ends for Peesers. If you think you're ready to go postal after a normal trip to Ikea, imagine one with three kids in tow . . . you guessed it, SUPER postal!!

Here's her new froggy bib from Ikea. In theory it's great, the plastic is super practical and easy to clean, the little pocket at the bottom allows ample room for spills - it's great - in theory.

Actually though it's like wearing a breastplate and Analise has a hard time bringing her arms together to grab at those little bits of food. So frus-er-a-ting!

sleepy girl

Coming home from church Analise fell asleep in the car (a 10 minute ride at most) . . .
usually she pops right up when you take her out of the seat, but not today