Happy birthday Anne Marie!

Happy birthday sweet kiddo. Three years ago, in the early morning hours of Jan. 24, you came out, looking like a scrawny little scrapper.

From Anne Marie hospital

It was three very long weeks before you came home, and when you finally did, it changed our lives forever.

On your first birthday, you developed what I’m sure will be a lifelong love affair with cake.

From first birthday

By your second birthday, you had learned to talk, walk, play and wrap people around your little finger.

From Anne Marie birthdays

Now, it’s your third birthday. It’s been a big year. You learned to use the potty, ski, dance and have tea parties.

It also seems that you have learned to be a bit more sneaky when it comes to your love affair with cake.

From Anne Marie birthday

It’s just one of the many things I love about you. Here’s a few more:
• You aren’t a shy girl. Not that there is anything wrong with being shy, but I love that you always have a smile for everyone, and that you aren’t afraid to speak your mind.
• You are an observant little girl, and you take everything in. I am constantly amazed by your memory – both the way you can memorize an entire book in just a couple of readings, and the way you see even the smallest item in a room.
• You have a vivid imagination. You can play for hours with your dolls or toys, making up the greatest stories. I love listening.
• You give the greatest hugs.
Happy birthday, a little late! I love you!

Anne Marie skiing

Here is proof of her prowess. Also note the lack of snow in the background. We could use a bit of help in that arena.

From skiing ANne Marie

2009: A year in review

Change was in the air this year in the Frandsen household. I guess when you have little ones, time just flies and the changes keep coming, but for us, this was an especially big year. I had a new baby, new job, two new cars (only one now), a few struggles, some sad times and a lot to be thankful for.

January:
It’s sad- I honestly don’t know how I rang in the new year. Probably I was at home. The end of the month was when change began.
My grandfather died Jan. 24, on Anne Marie’s 2nd birthday. He was 94. He lived a long, full life, but it was still sad to see him go. I didn’t really have a father growing up, and my granddad was one of the most important male role models in my life. I love him and still miss him.
It was a strange birthday for Anne Marie, I’m sure. My grandma insisted on buying a cake and celebrating. I think it brought some normalcy to the situation.

From Anne Marie birthdays

February:

From Thomas Michael

Thomas came, ending February on a happy, crazy note. We all know how he’s working out so far. :)

March:
March was the month of colicky baby and NO sleep. In the beginning of March, I was asked to fill out an essay test of sorts for a job I’d applied for. They were kind enough to give me a two-day extension since I was still in the hospital with the baby.

From Twin Falls

In March, I didn’t think I was going to survive. Thomas would cry for 12 hours or more straight, and it seemed like that would never end. I had no idea how to put Anne Marie and Thomas both to bed, and since Matt was working night shifts, it was up to me most evenings. I remember crying one night that I had ruined Anne Marie’s life by having another baby. Luckily, by the end of March, it was a lot better.
In March we also bought a Ford Escape that turned out to be a total lemon and cost us several thousand dollars. It was kind of a rough month.

April:
I found out I got the job- and it was a really good one! Thomas was still colicky, but we were getting the hang of things, finally.

From Easter redone for Thomas

May
May was big! Thomas stopped crying. It was amazing. He cried almost straight from birth to 3 months old, then just stopped. He also sat up for the first time.
Also, started my new job, and found Amber, a wonderful person to care for Thomas while I was at work.

From another zoo, Thomas sitting up

June
Thomas was baptized, and we saw our good friends Greg and Denise, also his Godparents. I’m excited to see them again soon!

From Thomas baptism

July
July is always busy- we went to Massacre Rocks for the Fourth of July, and my family reunion at Redfish Lake.

From massacre rocks and fourth of july

October
We bought a van, ditched the Escape and drove to Yellowstone. It snowed the whole time we were there, and the road was closed past Old Faithful, but we still had a great time! Anne Marie was funny- she said her favorite part was staying in a hotel.

From yellowstone

December
Anne Marie’s eye surgery. Uggh.

From eye surgery and random fun

Really, since then life has been fairly uneventful. We’re just continuing on. Here’s to 2010!