Annabelle is 8 months old! And our little lady is so mobile! It’s almost as though I blink my eyes and she’s started crawling faster, standing more, and walking along side everything so much more confidently.  Annabelle’s teachers keep telling me that she’s a daredevil and likes to hang out with the “big kids” (you know, the 1-year olds).  I’m starting to realize what they mean; she just has all kind of energy and never wants to stop moving.

This weekend I helped host a BBQ and diaper party for some friends of mine who are having their third child this summer and it’s been the first time we’ve all got together since my friends and I have had babies (and since our little ones are old enough to realize that there are other babies around). It was so much fun to see Annabelle play with some of the kids I hope she grows up around and becomes friends with.  I see lots of play dates coming in the near future.

Although Annabelle is very mobile now, it’s still so much easier to take her places because she’s able to sit on her own and doesn’t need her carrier. Restaurants specifically have become a whole lot easier.  Meeting friends up for dinner or drinks with Annabelle is actually fun.  We’re training Annabelle early to be an awesome restaurant patron.  So this week Annabelle and I met a girlfriend of mine for a little sushi.  Annabelle was great, eating her dinner and smiling at everyone.

Annabelle helped  cheer my sister Jodi on this weekend.  Here’s a picture of the two of them right before Jodi ran her 5K race.  Annabelle loves supporting her family!

Here are a few party pictures of Annabelle and two of her friends, Rowan and Emma.  Rowan wasn’t too happy with Annabelle’s overwhelming personality.  She was all about getting in his personal space and he wasn’t.  I wish I could have gotten a better picture of Emma and Annabelle but there were just too many more exciting things going on than smiling for a picture.