I have been working on a new site for our little blog but in the process have neglected to keep posting here.  I won’t bother trying to catch up but I do pledge to post more often.

Annabelle generally does not like hats.  Or socks.  Or shoes.  Really she would prefer to be in her birthday suit all the time.  I put this cap on her fully expecting it to come right back off but to my photographic delight, she was not bothered by it. 

This was our Christmas card:

Here are some more in the series.  (The third one looks like an oil painting!)

And this is one of my favorite photos of Annabelle this Christmas.  Aren’t her toes delicious?

Last night we went to a NYE party and didn’t stay long but when we got home Annabelle was wound up and actually rang in the new year with us.  At 12:05 she was asleep.  We went to eat our peas and cabbage today and she didn’t last long - I think this is the equivalent of an eight month-old’s hangover.

Earlier today I had lunch with two of my favorite people.  And Joy’s smoking hot new purse. 

It was a great day to start off 2009.  Happy New Year!

I haven’t posted many pictures of Annabelle in the hospital simply because it wasn’t something we wanted the whole world to see.  But today this popped up on my screensaver and I felt like sharing. 

I love that I get to work with the nurses who took care of her and I can thank them often and keep them updated with her progress.  Every day, miracles happen in a NICU somewhere - it is truly amazing what they do. 

Collecting shells at Crystal Beach

Lazy Saturday in November

Halloween 2008

A lot has happened since my last post.  We evacuated twice and Ike actually got us.  We had minor damage to our home and other than no internet (the HORROR!) we are very lucky. 

Annabelle turned 5 months old this month.  At her 4 month appointment she weighed 13 pounds.  She is rolling over and can even roll back.  She has discovered her toes.  She is starting to really chuckle and she screams for no apparent reason. 

Poppa took these a few weeks ago.  Isn’t she an angel?

 I have lots of video from our surprise trip to Mississippi thanks to Ike but I haven’t sorted through the clips yet.  Annabelle was a real trooper on our 8 hour journey and she kept us all sane while we watched Ike tear through our hometowns and our beloved Crystal Beach.  She really is an angel.

When Annabelle rolled over this week I realized I had not been documenting her life like any self-respecting, first-time mom should.  (Alright, she almost rolled over.)  I did manage to capture the moment on my new Flip camera.  (I am still trying to figure out how to post clips.)

I also took some very cute pictures of her Saturday.  Her personality is really developing and she is such a happy baby.  Almost always smiling. 

Annabelle Landry Claybar could not wait to get here and was born May 2, 2008 - six weeks ahead of schedule.  She weighed 4 lbs, 7 oz and was not quite 17 inches long.  We spent 11 days in the hospital but came home with the most beautiful creature God has ever created.