I hope you're all having a great start to your summer. We're loving it! (Just the fact that we don't have to bury the kids in various snow gear is reason enough to celebrate!)
Little Jakob just turned 1 years old May 30! He is the most adorable bundle of chubbiness I've ever seen! He "cracks me up" as Annika says whenever they play the Throw The Bottle Down and Have Annika Pick It Up Game - over and over.
Jakob is finally sleeping on his own in his crib - woohoo! He hasn't started walking yet (nor even crawls), but does scoot around. Honestly, he's such a big baby I don't anticipate him being able to get himself walking very soon; although since he was a wee little one I've been stunned at his strength. Annika never had the ab muscles to pull herself up from a lying position to a sitting one without a lot of effort, but Jakob in contrast has amazingly strong abs (and arms and legs) and can do that almost effortlessly. Pretty amazing.
Annika's greatest joy in life is swinging on the swings and reading books. She lays in her crib for hours every night (and in the morning before we go in and get her for the day) "reading" to herself and carrying on imaginary conversations. She is also extremely empathetic and responsible. It's uncanny. It's like there's a full fledged adult living inside this child. She'll say "Mommy, do you have your phone?" when we go out. For about the last year she's taken on the responsibility to remind us to give Jakob his medicine (for acid reflex). I could go on... Crazy!!!
On the other hand she can be the biggest goof ball, full of joy and energy. Her whole being just explodes with happiness! When she and Jakob get laughing, it's absolutely contagious.
It's just so much fun to see them both emerge as people.
Happy Summer Everyone!
Jerilyn
