Sad Day at the Berry House!

We were very sad that our fish named "Dog" passed away Sunday. Samuel had changed his water earlier in the week and we guess he just got too stressed out and never made a full recovery. I guess we should all take a lesson from Dog about getting too stressed out!!! We will miss Dog and will probably soon buy another "dog" to replace him. Dog was a birthday gift from Mimi (Mrs. Peggy), NaNa and the girls.

Other than our loss, we had a great weekend! Friday night Gran and Papaw came to hang with Anna Claire so that Sam and I could go out to dinner for my birthday! We went to Bravo, which is a favorite of mine. Is it sad that when we finally get some adult conversation, all we can talk about is how cute Anna is?

Gran and Papaw brought Anna Claire her toy box that was made for her by a man in their church. It is beautiful. She is so funny. As soon as they came in with it, she wanted to sit on it. Like my Mom said, she just knew it was for her. It was Christmas come early for her, because she also got a new car that Daddy can pull her in for our walks around the neighborhood, a sit-n-spin thingy, and some just-her-size lawn furniture.

When my Mother saw this picture, she said that is how Mema (her Mother) used to sit. She does kind of remind me of Mema here!

Saturday we just enjoyed having Gran and Papaw around. Anna Claire is very taken with Papaw. She wants to sit in his lap and love on him whenever he is around. I think they are "on the same level" and this is why they are so connected! Anna Claire was very upset when Gran and Papaw left. My mom said she was ready for that day, but when it happened, she felt really bad they had to leave her reaching out her arms and crying. You'll notice there are no pictures with Gran in them because she runs from the camera!

Sunday we went to church and then a fun trip to Wal-mart before getting in our pool. Daddy would not get in, despite my pleadings that I get whatever I want when it's my birthday. He really doesn't buy into that. Anna Claire and I enjoyed a little sunshine! Anna Claire looked very cute in her polka dot swim suit that Aunt JuJu gave her!

This is her new toothbrush, that she thinks is a toy. She hung on to it with a death grip. Note to self, boil new toothbrush!

Beautiful artwork on the pool thanks to Crayola bath time crayons! These crayons continue to be a hit. We have had no more problems with bath time since I bought them! By the way, this is the color purple, which Anna Claire can identify and say very clearly!!!


The child loves some bread. She will walk into the kitchen and point and say "bread, bread, bread" until she gets a piece. Tonight she asked for bread and I tried to give her one of the last pieces from a loaf. She would not have it. She kept pointing to the new loaf and would not stop crying until I gave her a piece from the new loaf. What is that about? Picky, much? While I'm on her eating habits, she has also picked out what she wanted to eat the last two nights for dinner. I usually just give her whatever Sam and I are eating, but last night she went to the fridge and picked out some leftovers and ate every bite. Tonight, when I got in the pantry to get something, she picked out some mini ravioli and that she was all she would eat. I'm not sure if I'm ready for all this!!!


Funny face... in her "wing"!

Just Molly, hangin' out...


The best place for her to be when I am cooking dinner, right where I can see her...

My Mom and I did some shopping Saturday and Anna Claire desperately needed a nap. This is where I found her when I came home. They are pretty sweet, aren't they?

This bow stayed in her hair for about twenty minutes, which we thought was a record, but she did actually keep it in the whole church service Sunday. I wish she would get used to keeping it in. It looks so pretty and is necessary to pull back all that crazy hair! Notice my Mother hiding behind the pillow...


A few other cute ones...

So many people have asked me if I had a good birthday. Well, I really did, because I was surrounded by family and lots of love. Who could ask for more? Samuel is the best husband in the world, we have a perfect baby girl and incredible family. I'm a pretty lucky girl.

Something new every day!

Anna Claire loves to teach her Daddy all about her books and games. Daddy's lap is the best place to be!

Anna Claire loves playing with her name puzzle that KayKay and Popa gave her for Christmas. So far, she can say "a" and "e", but hasn't learned any of the other letters yet!

She's not prissy at all!

Not sure about this face...

Aunt Kristi was in town for a short visit tonight. It didn't take long for her to break the rules and give Anna Claire a piece of ice! They both got in trouble for that one! Kristi was so excited that Anna knows her name now, even if it does sound a little bit like "tee-tee". She couldn't believe how much Anna can say and how big she is getting. Love you, Aunt Tee-Tee!

I think this is pretty!

Every day Anna Claire is learning new words and new facial expressions. She is so funny! Last night I was playing with her after her bath and started asking her "where's your nose, belly, head, ears, eyes..." and so forth. She repeated each word after me and patted each body part. She is so smart! We never know what she will come up with next. She's pretty good at communicating most of her needs and doesn't mind repeating herself if we don't understand her the first, second or third time!



In case no one has noticed, Sam and I are so proud of Anna Claire! She is the joy of our lives!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Daddy always knows how to get a smile... BUBBLES!!!

Uncle Brandon is cool! Anna Claire always takes a few minutes to warm up to him, but after she does, he gets lots of love from her!

Papaw and Anna Claire reading a book together. This is a new book Gran and Papaw bought for Anna Claire. She liked the music it played!

My Dad had to leave and go to church early in the afternoon and Anna Claire did not want him to go. That is the most clingy we have ever seen her towards him. He ate it up! She must have known it was Father's Day and wanted to show him some extra attention. She cried when he left; I think my mom (Gran) was a little jealous!!!

Not too happy in this picture, but it was the best one I got of them together all day. Anna Claire has the best Daddy!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

This is the sweet little dress Aunt Judy brought Anna Claire yesterday and those are the pink polka dot shoes KayKay bought her. She looked beautiful, but that collar kept flipping up on her and bugging her. Again, she wouldn't stay still for a picture!

Hangin' with the boys...

Dancing and playing ball with Papaw!

Father's Day is really a day of thanksgiving for me. I have been blessed in my life to be surrounded by wonderful men and I am so thankful. That didn't quite come out the way I meant it to...

Let me start with my Dad. He's the kind of guy that calls up at 2:30 on a Thursday, just to say he has been thinking of me and to let me know I am the "apple of his eye." He prays for me every day and I feel the power of his (and my Mom's) prayer on any given bad day at work! He never meets a stranger, he is kind, generous, tenderhearted (cries over Sleepless in Seattle) and he's probably going to come after me for what I am writing in this blog!!! I am so very thankful for you, Daddy and the role model you are for me. I am thankful that Anna Claire has you as her Papaw.

A word about my brother, Brandon. Brandon is a cool kid. I guess he's not a kid anymore, but he will always be my kid brother. I realize he is not a Father, but I know that one day he will make such a great Dad. Brandon has this quality about him that I am so proud of; he is just a natural with children.

Thomas Samuel Berry is an incredible Father! Gary and Kay should be so proud to have raised such a strong, loving, and kind man. I think it speaks very highly of the father Gary has been because Samuel is the best Daddy any little girl could hope for. I have always loved him more than I knew it was possible to love someone, but when he became a Daddy, I started loving him for all new reasons. Anna Claire is completely a "Daddy's Girl" and she has Sam wrapped around her finger. I love to watch them play and laugh. I think they are each other's biggest fans! I thank God for my wonderful husband and the Daddy he is to our little girl. She is going to grow up knowing that her Daddy adores her and will always be there for her!

That's all the gushing I am going to do for now. I am going to go rejoin Sam and Anna Claire for the rest of the evening. Happy Father's Day!

THE BERRY FAMILY REUNION!

Reading a book on the way to Holmes County State Park...

Aunt Judy considering putting me on that slide... first the shoes come off...

Family Photo

Don't ask me what Anna Claire and Aunt Judy were doing, all I know is they were having lots and lots of fun!

This is a tired litte face...

Trying to chase after all the big kids is a very hard job for such a little gal...

Bouncing with Aunt Janet!

KayKay, please brush my hair!

Tired and ready to go home by this point!

Anna Claire, Aunt Judy and Cousin Amber

Hangin' out with Popa!

We really enjoyed the family reunion! Anna Claire loved getting lots of attention from everyone, especially her Aunt Janet and Aunt Judy! KayKay and Popa spent the night with us Friday and we were able to get in lots of loving with them, too. Hope you have a great Father's Day, Popa! We love you!

One more thing...

Anna Claire is not naked in the fridge picture, she has on a diaper! I showed Kimberly the new post this morning and we decided that she looked bare! I thought I better clarify!

Time for an update!

This weekend, like most, went by way too fast! Here's how it went down...



Sitting in her favorite spot again! EVERY single time we open the door, she just has a seat. She is fond of the mustard in this pic!

We have conquered bath time!!! Crayola Bath Time Set! This has to be one of the best little inventions in the world. It comes complete with colors, paint and little fizzies that make the bath water turn different colors. It is great fun, even for me! Anna Claire loves it! She can color and paint, all the while bathing in green water. Who wouldn't be excited about that? We made it through the entire bath tonight without even a wimper. Thank you Crayola!

This picture takes some explaining... Anna Claire has a little plastic set of accessories that came with some of her animals. In this picture she is playing with a barrel and a bunch of bananas. She has never paid these particular toys any attention before this weekend. She was determined to get those bananas to fit inside the barrel, which was just not going to happen. For hours, she played with it; it consumed her. Sam and I just watched in amazement. She, after much struggle and strife, gave up and moved on to something else. Her attention span and determination are STRENGTHS, not stubborness, right?



Anna Claire watched Daddy mow the grass Saturday and was very upset with him for not letting her come outside! She kept knocking on the window, "knock, knock, Dally, knock, knock." Can you believe how long her hair is getting?

Saturday afternoon we went to the Mississippi Natural Science Museum. It was pretty fun and Anna Claire particularly enjoyed the fish! We are excited about an upcoming trip with the grandparents to New Orleans to see the Aquarium of the Americas! We think Popa would have liked the museum because of all the bird displays (he has become quite the avid bird watcher)! Maybe we'll take him back soon! After the museum, we went out for Mexican, which Anna loves and then to Lowe's to buy this bench for the front of the house!

I just think she's cute tooting around in her little dress...

Sunday afternoon Anna Claire and I went shopping. What a little trooper! She did not get fussy until the very end and this is when I became a very bad mama! I did what I swore I would never do! She was fussing and trying to get my Dr. Pepper and I did it! I poured some Dr. Pepper into that sippy cup. I know, I know, I should be reported to DHS!!! After that, she was fine and just plugged along with me singing her famed "low, low, low, low, low". She gets a good deal of attention wherever we go for singing this song! How completely embarrassing. Please note that her Father taught her that song!

Monday night Kristi Crane was in town, so Sam kept Anna Claire and let me free for a night out with the girls. We went to Julep and had a great time. While gone, apparently Sam and Anna Claire watched "Americas Funniest Home Videos" where Anna saw a child sticking green beans in her ears. Tonight we are eating dinner and what does she do? She sticks green beans in both of her ears. I kept "redirecting" her and finally Sam spoke up and explained this new fascination. Can you believe she remembered that from television the night before and imitated it? The memory this child has is scary!

Every day Sam and I are amazed at how quickly Anna Claire learns. I realize we are bragging, but that is the intention of this whole blog!!! If not interested, skip this part and just look at pictures! Anyway, the crayola set has about eight different colors. Anna Claire can pick out blue and red out of a "line up" of colors and can also say the names of these colors. I don't know about you, but this is pretty impressive to us. She also says "water" and "splash".

This one is for Kristi... Anna Claire and I were reading a book this afternoon and she was repeating words after me... car, bus, plane and so forth. The book had a picture of the Eiffel Tower and Kristi said "Paris", and like clock work, Anna said "Paris" and I thought Kristi would die! She is going to teach Anna Claire to be a world traveler like her! She also overheard me saying something to Kristi about my "butt" and repeated that, so Mama is going to have to start watching EVERY word!!!

We are very excited to see both sets of grandparents this weekend! Popa and KayKay are coming up Friday night to spend the night and then Saturday we are all going to the Berry Family Reunion! Sunday we will be in Laurel seeing Gran and Papaw! Gran and Papaw have been on a trip to the Grand Canyon and we are excited to see what goodies they brought us (I mean, Anna Claire).