Long overdue decision

i.e. - blog hijacking by wife!

Since life has gotten busy for Brad, I'm taking the reins and seeing what kind of chaos I can cause! Sit down, strap in, and hang on - it may be a bit of a bumpy ride! Short intro - I'm Katy, wife of Brad, momma of Anya, creator of mischief and all things orderly in our home (oxymoron I know, but roll with it) - nice to meet you!

And now back to what you're REALLY here for! ANYA!!!

Since September, she's grown many teeth, several inches of hair, and multiple bruises, while momma and daddy now have more grey hair! But she's doing well, and growing like a weed - short photographic evidence as follows!

Anya as you last saw her - at 16 months old!



Anya at Christmas sharing her exuberance!



Loving on her buddy, Jasper...



And those long-awaited curls - YESSSS!!!!!




Tune in next time for some snow-rompin' and snow-cream bliss with daddy!

Bouncing on the Horsey

We recently got Anya a bouncy horse for the house after she took a liking to the old school spring-loaded one at grandma's house. Of course finding one like that nowadays is a chore and a half so we bought her a new one made by Radio Flyer. It has industrial strength rubber bands instead of springs but Anya likes it just the same. I think she enjoys showing us that she can get on and off it by herself more than anythings.

And now....the pics....

1st Birthday Portraits

Today Anya and Katy spent the day together for her birthday, something we intend to make a family tradition from here on out. Before the little one tired out for the day she got her 1yr portraits made.



Click here to view the entire album!

Birthday Cupcake

While her birthday isn't actually until Wednesday we celebrated her big 1st Birthday today with my side of the family. She was treated to a good lunch which was followed up by her own cupcake. (Actually 2 by the time we were done)

Needless to say in true fashion she wore the cupcake with pride. Not really sure how much she ate but she seemed to enjoy it regardless.



/cheers

B

I Love My Mommy

 

Sometimes after a busy day there is no better place to be than snuggling with mommy.

Woot! - Now lock the cabinets

A Daddys Joy

A daughter is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious, everything wonderful and precious and your love for her knows no bounds.
-- Barbara Cage

Trip to the Zoo

Today we took Anya for her first ever trip to the zoo. The Memphis Zoo is at the very least a yearly visit for us. Today was just too pretty to pass up. So we loaded up the car and had a family outing.

In this first scene we had already been though several exhibits. We were leaving the bird aviary and headed towards the penguins. Anya needed some time to stretch her legs for abit. Anya was kind enough to give her early opinion of the zoo.




Anya takes in a few minutes of penguin watching.




For all the wild creatures to be seen nothing was more intriguing to Anya than a common farm chicken.




- Hanging Out With Mom....Literally -




- Checking Out A Goat -




- Daddys Girl -

Giggles

The other day we managed to get a few really good giggles and laughs out of the little one and got some caught on camera.

Enjoy

b

Proud Daddy

/cheer

Anya's New Ride

We got Anya a Push-and-Ride and needless to say she loves it. The riding is a little easier than the pushing for her but she will get it soon enough.



b

Making Tracks

It's been a long time coming since the last update but we have a good one for you. In just the last few days Anya has gone from scooting around her play mat to finally getting the crawling down to an art.

Here is a video of her in action!!



Laters

b

Final!

It's late and we are all tuckered out but before we call it a night I wanted to let everyone know that as of today Anya is our legal daughter!!

It's been a hectic few days but we made it to Texas for our finalization and appeared before the court and finalized the adoption. We were able to do the finalization on the courts "Adoption Day" where they decorate the court room for the kids. There were stuffed animals and books all along the judge and witness ledges. And to top that each kid got to choose a stuffed animal and book to keep to mark the occasion.

Katy's parents came with us to help out and be witnesses and Anya's transitional mom was able to join us to mark this very special day.

Image posting is being weird tonight so use the Adoption Finalization link under the Links section to the right to see a few images from the day. More will be uploaded when available.


-b

Pulling Up!

Today we were treated by a picture from daycare that shows little Anya pulling up and standing! She continues to amaze us with how quickly she progresses and learns new things. On one hand its really cool to see her new feats but on the other hand our little girl is growing up so fast.


I continue to tell her to slow down but she wont have anything of it.

-b

Mourning

Tonight we are mourning the loss of my Uncle Alton. We lost him to a heart attack this morning.

I am glad that Anya got to meet him a few months ago but I regret that she won't have the opportunity to grow up and really get to talk to him and enjoy the wonderful person that he is. Someone that I highly respected and so greatly miss right now.

Several years ago after the passing of my aunt Jo's granddaughter Audrey, a poem was on the service page and I always remembered it. It's a reminder that while we may physically leave this world our essence in the hearts of others does not go with us. We continue to be touched by our loved ones long after.

Do not stand at my grave and weep,

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am in a thousand winds that blow,

I am the softly falling snow.

I am the gentle showers of rain,

I am the fields of ripening grain.

I am in the morning hush,

I am in the graceful rush

Of beautiful birds in circling flight,

I am the starshine of the night.

I am in the flowers that bloom,

I am in a quiet room.

I am in the birds that sing,

I am in each lovely thing.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there. I do not die.

- Mary Elizabeth Frye

Christmas Fun

We celebrated our first Christmas with Anya and what a day it was. Santa was very kind to her and we now have plenty of marginally noisy toys for her to enjoy at the wee hours of the morning. We only have a few pictures available at the moment but I wanted to share some that we have.







Have a happy holiday !!

The Townsends

Pray For Kayleigh

I honestly don't know how many people visit our little corner of the web here but for those that do I ask for a brief moment of your time.

Some may have noticed the banner above on our blog leading to the story of a little girl named Kayleigh with a story that I can hardly summarize for you and give it the respect it deserves. She was born the day before Anya was born and at 5 and a half months her fight for survival has reached a dark hour.

As a first time parent I cannot fathom the emotions that her parents, Aimee and Adam, are going through. I am in awe of them for their strength. I am not sure I could travel their path with the example they have shown.

I ask that in whatever way you wish to do, please send out some love or a prayer for little Kayleigh and her family. If you haven't read her story I greatly urge you to. You will be amazed how someone so tiny can have such a large impact on your life.

Brad

Catching Up

Well the last month or so has proven to be quite busy in the Townsend home. All of us have been passing around the sickness of the week on a fairly steady rotation and keeping up with the little one is an acrobatic feat unto itself.

So to make up for lost time we have another post with several pics to enjoy.

First up is one of Anya's favorite new activities...The Jenny Jumper. We set this up at grandmas house and she just went to hopping around and really had a blast.



Next up we have a trip to Grandma Ford's house for Thanksgiving where Anya got to try out a new chair that grandma got for her. As usual, the trademark smile is in full affect here.


And whats your first Thanksgiving without some holiday noms, sweet potatoes!


And last but not least we have a few pics of Anya in another new exotic location, her first time in her play pen. Jury is still out on this one.


Till next time...

The Townsends

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween from the Townsends!!

For the little ones first Halloween she is going as a little kitty cat. Enjoy the pictures!

Oh Nom Nom Nom

The little one continues to grow like a weed. We have recently started giving her a little bit of cereal along with her bottles. She loves to wear it as much as she loves to eat it. (These pictures don't do the mess justice by any means.)



She also started daycare this week and it has gone fairly well so far. She is napping during the day and has been a real charmer in the nursery. Today was a little rougher than the last three but she may have a little cold giving her some trouble.