Today Annie turned 9 months old! Here are a few of her latest pictures (some with food included on face) as well as a few videos I thought you would enjoy. Annie now stands up easily holding on to things and even challenges herself to let go and free-stand with her arms slightly out, balancing, for up to a minute or more. She has added to her "vocabulary" the 's' sound, 'ta', as well as 'dada' (finally!), 'nana' and 'yaya'. One of our favorite things she does is when she sings in a very sweet, high pitched voice, going up and down in innocent tones. Usually it's when she's playing with a toy, and she doesn't seem to realize she's singing happily. She loves to clap, enjoys waving at people, even Billy the doll and her own pictures, and also loves to make a little motor sound with her lips. Annie found her tongue the other day- she twists it (an inherited trait, apparently), rolls it, and sticks it out. She also has 2 bottom teeth in view, one completely out and very sharp. She's a very happy, loving baby and loves to have us pay attention to her. She understands "No", but sometimes tests us as she slowly turns to do the forbidden thing all the while watching us. She's been doing better since she immediately stops the forbidden deed as soon as we say "no", and then we say "thank you" and "good job" and she seems to respond well to that. She's also in a pointing phase, especially pointing at pictures around the house which we have to go look at and identify right away.

Brad and Regina went on a much needed date for many many many many hours! (just kidding- but I, Regina, was nervous leaving Annie for so long for the first time.) The date happened to be centered around their 6 year anniversary! Brad surprised Regina with a wonderful Italian dinner and Michael Buble concert. We had a great time, and it was so nice to get away together. Many thanks to Roger and Terry Self for keeping Annie for us!

And last but not least.... Annie will not be the only baby in the Renfroe household, Lord willing, by December or so. Regina is pregnant again and what a surprise that was. We'll find out how far along he/she is on May 16th with an ultrasound, but the Dr. thinks I'm around 6 or 7 weeks. And I thought I had been feeling so crummy and exhausted for weeks now because Annie still doesn't sleep through the night. Joke's on me! The joke really is on me because I called my best friend Meagan on April Fool's day and told her I was pregnant, like I was funny or something. So Annie and this baby will probably be around 17 months apart or so. Always some excitement going on in this family!