Anastasia Sophia

More Family Pictures

2010-09-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

Family Pictures

2010-08-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

The Christiane Joy Original Yeah Yeah Yeah's Shirt

2010-08-08T03:18:00.000-07:00

"Thanksgiving" 2010

2010-08-08T03:03:00.000-07:00

Because it feels very much like an Iowa November in the Melbourne July we decided to have a Thanksgiving feast. Aleks made all the favorites including Turkey, Mashed potatoes, Sweet potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Oyster Stuffing, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie and a few other tid bits. The dinner was amazing especially since all the easily accessible Thanksgiving ingredients were quite difficult to find or had to be made from scratch (for instance the french fried onion topping for the green beans.) Everyone had a great time.

Aleks' big table of post its.

The master cheif prepares . . .

Mathew and Tobi deliver the Turkey and flowers for Anastasia

The Turkey! (The old man loves turkey!)

From Left to Right: Chris, Rachel, Tobi, David, Bernie, Christine, Anita, Ted, and Aleks

Animal Arrangements (just 2 of 100s)

2010-08-08T02:57:00.001-07:00

July 2010

2010-08-08T02:47:00.000-07:00

A sunny day In Elwood

Everybody working hard

Watching something scary!

"THE FORT!"

The only seat in the kitchen

Up!

The Trip to the USA

2010-06-07T17:51:00.001-07:00

Hanging with my BFF in Georgia--Ella

A very quick stop in Tennessee to see Aunt Ellen, Uncle Jason, and the kitties

And off for a few days with the Pogranicy cousins in Maryland.
Josh's pre-school graduation...and friend.
(His Mom kept calling,"Gabriel, you don't match that family!")

Even MORE birthday cupcakes--thank you Aunt Katy!

Some pizza (and Nuk) after the T-ball game! Yummy!

And finally arriving at Mom mom and Pop pop's in New Jersey.
A Jersey Shore carousel ride.
(I don't think she purposefully chose the sea horse because of her dress...
but it makes a great picture!)

A little pre-Memorial Day weekend Boardwalk adventure.
Her first Ocean City sweatshirt--a proud and teary day for Mom...

And how could a trip to the Shore possibly end without a sunset (and cocktail for mom)....?

Anastasia's Fourth Birthday

2010-06-07T17:42:00.001-07:00

Making cupcakes for the big event: Anastasia did the sprinkles....

All dressed up and ready to eat!

Bring on Year Four!

Australia

2010-04-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Out for a beach walk

Night time tubby!

January and February in Oz

2010-02-14T01:00:00.000-08:00

Anastasia's feet grew quite a bit this month.

Daddies little space alien.

New necklace from Great Gram "Digger".

First day of kindergarten.

Swim Class in Brighton

Anastasia's new boyfriend Harry and me with a new head-dress. I always ask her what she should say if a boy tries to kiss her and she says "NO! boy don't kiss me." I asked her if Harry could kiss her and she said "Oh that would be OK." I pointed out that Harry is a boy but the logic was lost on her.

In the Wombat Cave at the Zoo.

At the "Platypusary." Who knew such a thing existed.

2010-01-12T01:18:00.000-08:00

Playing with the Jellyfish

Helping Mommy make pizza.

With Dad at Lakes Entrance, VIC

Running in the surf at Lakes Entrance

A single moment in time where every emotion happened simultaneously.

For Aunt Christiane

Christmas in Australia

2010-01-06T03:03:00.000-08:00

Family in Front of the Christmas Tree (Our Lemon Tree.)

Santa's milk and cookies are ready for his visit.

Christmas morning - starting with the stockings

Wow, look at what Santa (mom mom) brought!

Too much excitement.

Talking to family on Christmas Morning (Christmas Eve in NJ).

Wow! Look what else Santa brought Miss Anastasia.

Out for a summery bike ride to try out the new tag-a-long bike.

After Christmas we took a long holiday. We started off in Somers at Kate Brigg's beach house for a couple of days of chaos. There were 3 little girls all running around screaming for all 3 days. After that we drove to Geelong to spend 2 days with Dave Harvey and his family. Anastasia and 5 year old Harry had a great time. After a day of resting at home we headed off to Metung for 4 days of beach and boats. The photos below are from Metung.

Running between the bay and the ocean.

Enjoying the sand . . .

. . . and the Surf.

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

December in Oz

2009-12-05T21:12:00.001-08:00

St Kilda Pier

Christmas tree on the beach

Chillin with my "guanna"

Thanksgiving in Iowa

2009-12-05T20:59:00.001-08:00

CJ, Tif. And Jason freezing in the park.

Dan and the Dog

Chilly swing

David James with Dan's sunglasses.

Dan warms up on the heating register.

New Video! 6 months late . . .

2009-11-02T02:25:00.000-08:00

Australia - Getting Settled In

2009-11-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

At the local "Farmer's Market". More like farmer's/ flea market with fun stuff for the kids.

Salad on the Sofa

Fondue on the Floor

Off to daycare

Dreaming of a prince? or perhaps a lolly?

Camping under the dining room table

At Elwood Beach

Walking along the retaining wall at the beach.

At a state park looking for roos

Kangaroos at the park (within the boundary of the greater Melbourne area.)

Off to Australia

2009-08-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

Mr Wickham wants to go to . . bye bye kitty

Everybody is tired after the long trip . . . .

Sleeping in bright sunshine

Sleeping through Mary Poppins

Daddy is tired too.

Then things get back to "normal"

Dance Class

At the beach near the new apartment

At the pier with mommy . . .

Ready for a patriotic bike ride.

City kid training day 8: Enjoying a cup of coffee (hot coco) at the St Kilda Pier.

Anastasia and daddy get ready for a ride back home after coffee.

What I Did on Summer Vacation; or My Weekend in Myrtle Beach with Jason, Ellen, and Mommy.

2009-07-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

After putting on my very special butterfly bathing suit, I ran right into the ocean to swim. When my lips turned blue, Mommy made me come out and play in the sand. I'm not quite sure why. I wasn't cold at all. I think she just didn't understand me because my teeth were chattering so much.

Dance break.

Next, I took a little swim with Jason.

OK. A lot of swimming with Jason. When he tried to bring me back to shore I kept pointing towards the horizon and saying, "I want to go there!" Jason is like my Daddy, but he has more tattoos and he is an astronomer. I asked him why the sun was at this beach. He told me something about grains of sand being rocks all broken up, but as I didn't ask a question about that, I was confused.

Next, I asked Ellen a few questions about the beach and sand and shovels and seashells and towels and anything else I could think of.

Then, I had a little ice cream (Mommy calls it lemon water ice, but that doesn't make any sense. I asked her why but she just mumbled something about growing up near Philadelphia). And I asked Mommy why there were waves, and why there were fish in the ocean and why there was foam on the waves, and what the lifeguard's name was, and what the person sitting next to us was named...

Even thought I heartily exclaimed, how un-tired I was, I was forced to watch "a little tv."
I then collapsed under the excitement of running and swimming for six hours in the sun for two straight days.

Mommy thinks that I collapsed from asking too many questions, but that can't be it at all as she gave me unsatisfying answers and I was forced to ask "Why" several times in a row for clarity. Next year for my summer vacation (which will be in about six months), I want to go to Ayres Rock in Australia and ask the tour guides why the aboriginals call it Uluru and why it is there and why it is red. Maybe Uncle Jason and Aunt Ellen will come with me.

Fourth of July Weekend--Georgia Style

2009-07-05T19:34:00.001-07:00

It all started with a birthday party at the Prancing Pony Equestrian Center...

Anastasia rode Rabbit and had some cake in honor of Autumn, the birthday girl.

And then we outfitted the "wheels" the next day in preparation for the Carrollton Fourth of July Parade (overheard on the way to the parade: "I already know I have pretty hair *sigh*!")

Prime parade-watching location with the Goldbergs

...there are many tractors in Carrollton!

Then a little low-country swim...

...and a lot of low country boil (by far, the best 4th cookout mommy EVER had)!

Finished off with a 3-mile hike (in the rain) at Sweetwater Creek State Park.
Hiking good until the thunder started. Mom "packed" me out.

(asleep by 7:30pm Sunday night for the first time in weeks)

Toddler 2 "Graduation"

2009-06-29T18:08:00.000-07:00

Mom and me at the "Toddler Tea"

Miss Carrie and Me!

A visit to New Jersey

2009-06-29T17:58:00.000-07:00

On Pop pop's boat with Josh

Dancing at the Anniversary Party (Grandmom and Pop pop celebrate 40 years!)

In the belly of the whale...

Partners in crime...

Anastasis'a Third Birthday

2009-06-29T17:49:00.001-07:00

Don't make me get you with my balloon...

Autumn and Ruby take a swing.

Goldilocks and the three cocktail umbrellas

March in Panama City

2009-06-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Duckie? Check!

Diggin' for "clamsters"

Hey there Hollywood!

March Snow Showers Kill February's Spring Flowers

2009-04-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

Hiding in the Kitty's hiding spot.

Reborn? Born Again?

Off for a snowy walk (yes in Georgia!)

No room on the couch for dad . . . .

February's Post - In April

2009-04-10T13:37:00.001-07:00

Face Painting with a Sharpie (Just kidding we used a washable marker.)

Testing Testing 1-2-3 (this was Anastasia's Idea, I supplied the gaff-tape, Kim supplied the microphone.)

Modeling the circus skirt, a gift from George and Mary

She loves the sleeping bag grandma and grandpa got her.

Not a baby anymore . . .

2009-01-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

The Princess prepares for a parade.

Aleks and Anastasia in the Kitchen

We've started school at a Montessori preschool and Anastasia is doing remarkably well. She is now about 99% potty trained (while awake) and the administrator at the school wants to move her up to the next class soon. They approached me on the second day at school and the said that they thought she was more advanced than the toddler class. I still think of her as a baby so this was really news to me! Anastasia has become quite the "conversationalist", she can put her own shoes on, help out in the kitchen pouring ingredients into the bowls, and she knows her letters.

I don't like to brag . . . but . . . she can also factor a complex polynomial and solve pi to 20 decimal places, it takes her about a week each to get through most of Shakespeare's plays, and she has written her first computer game (think combination of Pac-man and Grand Theft Auto). She has also been contracted to simultaneously dance the part of Clara in the Nutcraker Suite while playing the first violin part. In short we are very proud!

Santa Claus 2008

2008-12-14T16:48:00.001-08:00

School Pictures

2008-12-14T16:46:00.000-08:00

2008 Christmas preperations

2008-12-14T09:50:00.001-08:00

Anastasia chills out a bit before packing for the big trip.

The Nativity Story: ". . . and two golden felines of humorous proportion sprang from the manger and ate one camel and one wise man and the hand of Joseph, the father of Jesus. An unfortunate accident caused by the 'wise' man's mispronunciation of frankincense as felinesense."

Thanks to the poor economy and a shortage of funds mommy and daddy had to think a little outside the box. But we saved $200 and she doesn't seem any worse for wear.

Fall Comes to GA in late November

2008-12-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

So I was raking leaves and I found this pretty little girl.

We have decided to keep her.

Settling into Georgia

2008-11-06T16:49:00.000-08:00

The drought is not over but we do get a little rain here and there. Any amount of rain is cause for the ladybug rain outfit!

Our Dining Room

Prepping for the NYT crosswords in bed on Sunday morning.

Any one of the massive number of giant spiders sharing our home. At least this one is outside.

The new kitty "Wickham". (As you may have figured out mommy named the kitty.)

Halloween (though this could be just an average day too.)

Aleks' holiday treat

Hiding in the hopes that maybe we can avoid going to school today.

Anastasia and Wickham watch Dragon Tales on TV.

So there was this girl who moved to Georgia.

2008-09-10T15:56:00.001-07:00

Grandad and the too big truck that almost wasn't.

The Fabulous Miss Anastasia and the Alabama rocket.

The story of the baby who could use a camera and vomit in a car. . .

. . . and was never ever over-stimulated.

"My family's Georgia house."

Her smile hid the interpretation she felt as she entered these hallow halls, trying to keep in mind that the long journey of education starts with one small step . . . and learning to go poo poo and pee pee.

The Flinstones 2, filmed live in the stone-age (Georgia).

The tale of Anastasia and Ruby, two dirty kids, one bubble bath, and bedtime is approaching.

Well, its a beach . . .

Anastasia @ Two Video

2008-07-01T00:43:00.000-07:00

Anastasia's New House in GA

2008-06-07T13:33:00.001-07:00

Our New House

Close Up of the side porch

Fashion Show for Aunt CJ

2008-06-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

At the park with the Stanhopes

2008-05-22T20:33:00.000-07:00

Kim and George Stanhope. Without them Anastasia would run around naked (half of her cloths are hand me downs from them), diaper on backwards (Aleks and I are pretty new at this and one of us is finishing a dissertation) with a small choking hazards stored in her cheeks ready for a one way trip to her esophagus (Kim has the fastest don't-put-that-in-your-mouth grab this side of the Mississippi). They will be missed when we move to Georgia.

Jack and Anastasia chillin' in the sun

Kim's lap is prime real estate!

Claire playing in the 6th grade band

Jack and Anastasia on the slide

Anastasia's 2nd Birthday

2008-05-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

Making Cupcakes for the Birthday Party

Daddy: "That's called icing." Anastasia: "No its ice-cream" Daddy: "No that's called icing." Anastasia: "No its ice-cream" repeat ad infinitum.

Cupcakes at the lake house. Note the plastic drop cloth over the white carpet.

Some air, some spit, no fire

No Caption required. . . . (Caroline)

We're getting her cha cha cha lessons with her birthday money.

Graduation Day 5/10/08

2008-05-22T19:52:00.000-07:00

Grandma, Josh, and Anastasia before graduation.

Caroline (baby peanut)

The Beginning and the End

Baby wrangling before the ceremony

Aleks being hooded (That's Dr Aleks to you . . .)

Aleks in the hood.

The whole family

Professor Bob and Dr. Aleks

You gotta be pretty fast to keep up

2008-04-14T08:05:00.001-07:00

Daddy and Anastasia's Big Weekend (again)

2008-04-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

The Turtle at the Children's Museum

Playing with the blue sand (simulated water) at the Children's Museum

Reading in the brand New Champaign Library

Mardi Gras Presents

2008-02-14T18:33:00.001-08:00

Mardi Gras Presents from Grand and Pop Pop!

"I pity the fool!"

Pigtails!

2008-02-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

Miss Anastasia came home from school in pigtails. Too cute not to post.

She's quite the perpetual motion machine. Everyday we get up around 7am and have breakfast, consisting of some of the following: Bananas, grapes, scrambled eggs, cereal, yogurt, or if its the weekend pancakes. Last Saturday I asked her if she wanted pancakes and she said yes and then was really mad that she couldn't have them immediately. She cried and stomped around the house while I tried to explain that I have to "cook" the pancakes. Really there is no reasoning with a toddler (something moms already know but dads stubbornly refuse to believe).

During the week Anastasia goes to Theresa-Drea's for day care (two people one baby word.) Here she runs around with 3 other toddlers and one near-infant who is actually almost as big as Anastasia. If its the weekend we usually run some errands and then go to the Champaign library which just opened a brand new building choka-full of kid's books. We also take walks around the neighborhood which are long on time and short on distance as there is lots to stop and pick up. This requires removing mittens, which requires putting them back on while on the run. In the summer there is more to do like go to the park but its been pretty cold and due to the rabid hatred of mittens (little hand bondage) we limit most activities to the indoors.

Evenings with Anastasia usually follows this routine: We come home , have a snack and a juice cup, watch about a 1/2 hour of "The Curious Buddies" or "Sesame Street", eat dinner (well eating is a relative term - really we eat and wear the food), take a tubbie (un-wear the food), get dried off, run naked around the house screaming and laughing until we see the baba, which immediately halts the random screaming, changing to a chant "baba baba baba baba", then we have our baba, get fully lotioned from head to toe, put on the footy pajamas, read 3 books, sing 3 songs, and then fall into a blissful quiet sleep at 7pm. UNLESS she doesn't want to go to sleep, in which case she either lies in bed talking and kicking the bed (the kicking sounds like a big bass drum) or cries a bit (which usually doesn't last long) until sleep can't be held off any longer.

Then we do it all over again the next day!

January - Its cold and cloudy outside but the Baby it lots of fun

2008-01-13T17:19:00.001-08:00

Warming up for downward-dogs.

Heart of my Heart

Christmas 2007

2008-01-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

The all important photo op with the big guy.

Christmas Eve Dinner - Pirogies - Yum!

Christmas Morning

All dressed up for Christmas

Christmas Morning Walk

Thanksgiving in Iowa!

2007-12-05T21:46:00.001-08:00

Pirate Grandma Connie diciplines the grandkids!

Turkey Princess

Dinner is served . . .

After dinner story time

Christiane Joy and Anastasia

OK, lets take it again from right here . . .

Great Grandma Brady reads a bedtime story

Very Fancy!

All four cousins - Anastasia, Romeo, Kambree, and David

All the cousins attack Aunt CJ.

Romeo Paul escapes from the dungeon.

Ana Gets The Beat

2007-12-05T21:26:00.000-08:00

Daddy and Anastasia's Big Weekend

2007-10-29T17:58:00.001-07:00

Early in the morning we went to Allerton Park

The path to the fu dog garden

Admiring the art work.

Dolphin Dolphin Dolphin!

After a nap and lunch we went to Curtis Orchard to pick pumpkins.

An Ana sized pumpkin

Anastasia just climbed right up the fence.

We love to feed the goats and play with the chicken.

Look daddy I'm a sheep. Baaaa

Always Reading!

2007-10-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

Anastasia loves her book. How weird!
Her mother is getting a PhD in English.
Her father knows how to read . . .

Except when she's dancing. (You can't read all the time.)

August and September really flew

2007-09-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

Anastasia learns to cook for herself (finally- sheesh!)

"Grrrr"

Daddy tames the wild beast.

In the park on a sunny day.

Kaila and Ana take a summer time bath

Our big trip to Shed Aquarium

Caroline really loves fish!

I didn't do it. . . .

Aunt Vicki's Elephant Backpack is a big hit!

July at the Jersey Shore

2007-09-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

Pool Party At Vicki's

One year photos (2 months late . . .)

2007-07-31T20:04:00.001-07:00

4th of July in Sewanee TN with the Camerons

2007-07-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

8am Flag Raising with patriotic songs

Anastasia dressed for the occasion

At the dog show (owner-dog look alike category)

4th of July parade!

Our kind hosts the Camerons.

I don't have any photographs of the fireworks which is too bad since Anastasia fell asleep about 30 seconds into some of the loudest and brightest fireworks I have ever seen.

Kingsport TN with Jason and Ellen

2007-07-08T19:42:00.001-07:00

Ellen and Ana

Anastasia enjoys the full length of the big southern porch.

Jason and Ana

Astro Kitty!

Our Summer Trip to Iowa

2007-07-08T19:29:00.001-07:00

Anastasia, Kambree, and David James with Aleks

Kambree in her tutu and rain boots!

Grandma Hultquist

Great Grandma Brady

Hanging out with the cousins

Tif and a very hungry David James

David Joel and David James

Birthday In Illinois

2007-07-08T19:17:00.001-07:00

Kaila and Anastasia

William enjoys his cake

Erin really enjoys her cake!

Jackson plays with the truck he gave Anastasia for her birthday

Izzy's chillin under the gazebo

Kaila, well dressed and ready for a party

"Boom Boom"

2007-07-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

Anastasia months 7-12 video

2007-07-08T16:18:00.000-07:00

Anastasia's First Birthday May 11 2007

2007-05-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the cake!

Fancy hats were the rule of the day.

Cake by Grandad Pogranicy

Cake devoured by Grandchild Anastasia

What up yo! The cousins are in the house!

In The Nurffice (Nursery Office)

2007-04-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Reading in the big rocker.

Almost walking . . .

More Teeth

2007-04-24T08:58:00.000-07:00

Look! I have one on top too (and another close behind.)

Summer is FINALLY Here!!

2007-04-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

The Gazebo is all put together . . .

the trees are blooming . . .

sun hat is ready . . .

AND we'll be walking (and running) very soon.

March Madness

2007-03-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

What a crazy month! Anastasia learned to crawl, pull herself up to standing and her vocabulary is up to about 10 words which are repeated an infinite number of times. Here are the highlights:

Aleks and Ana getting ready for bed.

Kaila and Ana on a road trip (just to Urbana)

Its the sauce glued into the eyelashes, that's what's amazing!

I'm pretty sure she gets this look from her mother . . .

Or maybe not.

Smorgasboard head.

-----Swim class-----

If you won't wear your pants on your legs . . .

2007-02-12T10:26:00.000-08:00

First Tooth

2007-02-12T10:12:00.000-08:00

Anastasia has two teeth coming in! You may have to look pretty close . . .

Look Closer!

Look Closer!!!

Look Closer!!!!!!

Winter is here!

2007-02-05T08:17:00.000-08:00

It's been an extra cold winter (for Champaign anyway) and we've had a couple of weeks of below freezing temperatures. We've been trying to get Anastasia out of the house every now and then but after all the layers of clothing she "can't put her arms down!" (You can put them down when you get to school . . .)

Ana's favorite fuzzy blue coat

This is clearly no fun.

In front of our house in Champaign.

At the park

Christmas Pictures (finally!)

2007-01-31T08:16:00.000-08:00

Anastasia tells Santa she wants her two front teeth . . . well all of her teeth really.

(From Thanksgiving) Anastasia with her cousin David James (4? weeks old.)

Opening presents in Illinois

Some Christmas morning excercises

Too much excitement for one day.

Asleep on grandpa's lap in NJ

In Grands blue Christmas dress

Grandpa, Grand, Cousin Josh, and Anastasia

Uncle Larry and Ana

Christmas with the Cooneys

Some post Christmas drumming

Anastasia returning the favor

Naked time is the most fun!

The Most Beautiful . . .

2007-01-15T21:11:00.000-08:00

I thought I was being funny when I created this, but I really can't help being drawn to this little video. I'm always fighting to keep my sarcasm and cynicism (it kind of defines my humor) but the little scamp keeps picking it off me and throwing it on the floor like a soggy Cheerio.

ASH The First Six

2007-01-08T08:50:00.000-08:00

Pre Christmas Family Portrait

2007-01-08T08:45:00.000-08:00

When new fathers get new cameras for Christmas . . .

2007-01-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

For Christmas everyone chipped in to buy me a new Canon digital camera, and enough memory to hold about 600 high resolution photographs. The following marathon posting is the result of three days of enthusiastic shooting. Anastasia will be in her dressing room if anyone needs her.

Winter is here!

2006-11-05T15:33:00.000-08:00

'Twas the time before walking
Out into the cold.
Anastasia was ready
In her stroller so bold.

Rather swank in her headgear
All ready for fall
She wasn't so sure
About walking at all...

And wrapped in her jacket
And fun pom-pom cap
She was snuggly enough
For a long winter's nap!

First Solid Food

2006-11-05T15:32:00.000-08:00

Oh, oh! See solid food, Anastasia!

Taste, oh taste! Taste the yummy whole grain rice cereal...

(doesn't sound good to Mommy and Daddy, either)

Forget you Mommy. You are too slow.
I am going to feed myself. Just try and stop me!

We Become Obsolete . . .

2006-11-05T15:30:00.000-08:00

No one is allowed to see the picture where she's mastered holding Mommy's bottle...

Halloween 2006

2006-11-05T15:27:00.000-08:00

Cowardly lion...

Smilin' lion...

Dancin' lion (check out the tail!)

Greeting trick-or-treaters with Mom

Mineapolis visit starring George and Mary!

2006-11-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

You call this a mall! HA (Ana is on the roller coaster behind us.)

Add your own caption here . . .

At Minnehah Falls (Indian for "tiny laughs").

Outside the Atrium.

After a diaper change in the park

Strolling in the Atrium with Mary

Now everybody's doing it . . .

Gregg's October Visit

2006-11-05T15:19:00.000-08:00

Gregg holds a baby for the first time!

Now, the second time . . . Quick study!

CJ's wedding - color pics

2006-10-24T06:24:00.000-07:00

CJ just sent me these color photos a friend of hers took at the wedding. Anastasia is just 4 months old, I'm 39 years old, Aleks is 31, CJ is 32, and everyone else can keep their age a secret.

A Day in the Life of Anastasia

2006-10-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Going for a walk!

Helping mom in the kitchen?

Taking a nap in the swing . . .

Josh and Katy Visit Ilinois

2006-10-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

Allerton Park September 2006

2006-10-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

Ann, Andy and Aleks

CJ's wedding Elizabeth Arden Photos

2006-09-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

Christiane Joy's Wedding

2006-09-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

Uncle Johnny and Ana

After the wedding, Anastasia enjoys the view . . .

The Beautiful Bride (Jim's Sister Christiane Joy.)

Anastasia hangs with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Most of the Hultquist Kids (Jimmy, Danny, David, Johnny, and CJ.)

Anastasia at 4 months

2006-09-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

Baby Bear . . .

Baby Bear . . .

GRANDPA BEAR!

Aleks, Anastasia, and Liam (Ana's cousin.)

Will and Aleks breastfeed.

I'm not sure, but I think Grand Pogranicy is nearby . . .

Miss Blueberry eyes should be asleep!

Baby's first trip to New Jersey

2006-08-16T17:01:00.000-07:00

From the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Great Grandmother Pogranicy

4 generations of Pogranicys

Baby's first swim with Cousins Brian, Michelle, and Erika

Veronica and Michael's Wedding

2006-08-16T16:56:00.000-07:00

A Nice Formal Family Portrait

But then Grandpa and Anastasia have to ham it up . . .

Great-Gram DiGiorgio and Veronica

Great-Gram DiGiorgio and Mom

Formal Pictures at 2.5 months

2006-08-16T16:38:00.000-07:00

If you would like to download and print these pictures, click on the link below each picture to open the larger picture, and then right-click on the image and choose "Save-As" to save the image to your computer.

Chair 1

Chair 2

Arabesque #3

Angel

The Nursery

Lots of random pics from 2 - 2.5 months

2006-08-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Check out those groovy pants!

Sleeping is good . . .

I never know what the heck she is looking at! I think she could be the next Mark Rothko (a modern artist known for large canvases of a single color) as she is very fond of looking at blank surfaces.

Jason and Ellen visit on their way to Tennessee.

GET THIS MOBILE! She loves this thing.

Big Smile!

Her other favorite area is the changing table. Aleks thinks she likes the flower photos but I'm pretty sure the wall beside it is what she's often looking at.

HOLY COW - SO CUTE!

Friends

2006-07-16T08:59:00.001-07:00

George and Mary enlisting the baby for the circus.

Ana tells Jason a bawdy Joke. (Mom is not amused.)

Miles the cat

Anastasia at 2 months

2006-07-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

The Fourth Of July

2006-07-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Grandma Brady and Ana.

Kambree and Romeo (Ana's cousins)

Ana may be in mortal danger, if she does not clear grandma Hultquist's lap soon . . .

Six and 1/2 weeks

2006-07-01T08:20:00.000-07:00

We’re at week six and Stasi, who is remarkably advanced for someone with no fine motor skills, has begun sleeping in 4 to 5 hour clips at night.

This obviously means that Jim and I are now completely recovered from the shock of new-parenthood and that my dissertation is almost finished.

She’s growing faster than a sunflower; at her 5-week doctor visit, she weighed in at 10 lbs, 13 oz and almost 2 feet long! She has her Grandfather’s hair (she’s lost it all on top, but the sides are still thick and golden).

Stasi is very active and is almost ready for the Olympic baby-stretching trials. She follows objects with her eyes, lifts her head all the time, and likes to arch her back every time we pick her up or lay her down. She has already turned herself over twice and is training to hike up Everest in mid-July.

She loves bath time, and her squiggly, slippery body makes this a particular challenge for Mommy and Daddy (bathing her gives us an idea of what it must be like to wash a live salmon).

We are even starting to get little smiles, which is totally thrilling because all we do is look at her and we finally have some indication that she registers us even the slightest bit (although usually it just means she’s pooping).

Her favorite foods include Mommy’s right breast (which have better shades of oakiness and fewer tannens than the left one), and her favorite activity is going for a ride in the stroller while spitting up.

She also loves falling asleep in her aquarium bouncer, while looking at blank walls above her head, despite the music, lights and bubbles that Fisher Price has so thoughtfully provided. She’s confided to us through spit bubbles and grunts that when she grows up she wants join the band “The Talking Heads.” (Is this my beautiful hand?)

After an all nighter at 4 weeks old

2006-06-08T12:49:00.000-07:00

Anastasia's First Formal Photos

2006-06-02T14:07:00.000-07:00

Rock and Roll Baby

2006-05-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

Aunt Christiane's Couture Baby Yeah Yeah Yeah's onesey!

Grand's visit

2006-05-27T08:51:00.000-07:00

Grand and Grand Pogranicy

Multitasking

2006-05-24T08:25:00.000-07:00

Baby Missile Launcher

2006-05-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

So it was around midnight about a week ago and I was changing Anastasia’s Diaper. This has become an extreme sport for me as she seems to have an innate biological directive to do her business right at the moment when the old diaper is off and she is all clean and pretty. Because of this I usually try to keep something in the line of fire, but as many of you know, this isn’t always practical. You have to eventually clear the debris field to make way for the new diaper. It was at this exact moment that I experienced the mighty power of the BML (Baby Missile Launcher).

I had just lifted her legs off the table to get the new diaper under her bottom and in that instant she smiled, (maybe winked?), grunted and shot her payload. The BML was at the perfect angle for maximum distance and there were no obstructions to stop the delivery. The newborn poo shot up in an arc, completely clearing the white changing table pad, and sprayed all over the floor, garbage can, and wall at the end of the table (about 3 feet away!)

Ana cooed and gurgled looking as innocent as the day she was born and I cleaned the floor, garbage can, and wall with a baby wipe. The BML strikes again!

She's One Dozen Today

2006-05-23T05:45:00.000-07:00

Anastasia's 12 days old today and she's becoming a lot more active and sleeping less. So far there is very little method to her madness except that when she wants to eat, get out of the way cause there is no satiating her with any distraction. This means that if mommy is in the shower, daddy is tap dancing as fast as he can to try and let Aleks alone for a few minutes.

Look! I have a belly button now!

We've been getting a reasonable amount of sleep. She only feeds 2-3 times a night and stays asleep most of the other time. So far no fussin' just to fuss. Aleks did eat something she didn't like though and until she worked its way out she was a fairly unhappy baby, but that only lasted a day.

I'm having fun being a dad. She's so damn cute (and I'm such a pumpkin head) that everything seems note worthy.

Jim

Dude!

2006-05-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jason and Ellen for the cool threads from Berkeley!