Danika turns 13 months

Mail call for Danika.

Mommy and me at 13 months

Mommy and me at 12 months

Boo Boo Bunny makes everything better

Scrunch Face!

My new exersaucer is so fun!

I'm in love with bananas right now.

I can stand!

My mickey mouse ears hat, mom has some rediculous ideas sometimes.

Yikes, how can it be bedtime already?

Danika turns 13 months!!

We've had another busy week, lining up daycare for Danika for the dreaded day when Karen has to return to work. We found a place we feel will provide excellent Christian care for her, what a relief to have that process done with. It has been emotionally draining for both of us knowing we are leaving our precious daughter with strangers - we knew it would be hard but didn't know how hard (especially for Karen). Danika is still amazing us with her personality and her ability to comprehend. The other day Karen said, "Danika, it's been a long time since Mommy has seen your scrunch face", she promptly looked at Karen and made her scrunch face. Tonight Dan said, "Ok Danika, are you ready to get on your pajamas and go to bed?" she looked at him and said, "no". She likes to let us know she likes her dinner my saying, "mmm mmm" while eating and she still loves the word "uh oh". Wednesday night Karen was up with her for a 3:00 a.m. feeding, Danika couldn't get comfortable and pulled her bottle out of her mouth and switched positions and yelled out at the top of her lungs, "Daaaddddyyyyy!!" It is the clearest we have heard her say that word and there was NO mistaking what she meant. (Daddy did not indulge her whim at 3:00 a.m.) This weekend Danika will have her first Thanksgiving meal - we are having Thanksgiving with the Hermans on Sunday and next weekend we are traveling to Iowa for Thanksgiving with Karen's family. We are looking forward to having 21 others who can help us care for her there! On Wednesday Karen and Danika had an outing with Aunt Julie, cousin Mikayla and Grandma, what a fun day with the ladies! Danika loves to get together with her cousin, aunt and Grandma and it is cute to see how gentle she is with a baby. Danika has discovered our electric toothbrushes and LOVES to brush her teeth! Uncle Steve and Aunt Kim would be SO proud of her. Danika now has two bottom center teeth and this past week two upper center teeth have appeared. She loves to take bites of food with her new chompers. Yesterday, Danika turned 13 months, we cannot believe how fast time has gone by and how much we enjoy our precious gift. She continues to be a treasure. She loves to spin upside down, fly like an airplane, pull light cords on and off, and she loves our Minnesota cold weather. (she does not get this trait from Mommy) Sleeping has improved greatly but could still be better, we are thankful for the nights when we get good rest.