I hope everyone is well out there.

Annikka had her six month doctor's visit on Friday. Everything is going well.

As you know, she started eating solid foods a couple of weeks ago; right now she's eating rice cereal and sweet potatoes. She loves it.

She is also drinking from a cup:



It's pretty funny: if she sees me or Dana with a cup, she wants in on it. Right now, however, she only gets water from a plastic cup.

If you're keeping track of Annikka's physical development at home, you'll be interested to know that she started sitting up this week:







We only started sitting her up this week, but she's so good it, Dana and I wonder whether she's been able to do it for some time now.

We've had a number of visitors in Corvallis in the past couple of weeks.

Two Fridays ago, our friends Garrett and Lynette (from PDX), and our friends Tia and Zac Gonsior (from Oklahoma -- Zac is in the natural gas business) came to town. Our plan was to meet downtown for some chinese food at China Delight, but before we got together, this dude crashed the party:



That's right, Barak Obama made an unannounced visit to our little town. Tia muscled her way to front of the sizable (and emotional) crowd to get these pics:







She also took this pic of Zac (left) and Garrett (right) peeking over a black SUV.



Tia loves celebrities, and she's a stalkarazzi in training, so it's no wonder her pics were so awesome. She should have tried selling them to TMZ or perezhilton. Thanks, Tia!

Here are my pics:





I know, they're pretty weak.

Once downtown calmed down, we made it over to China Delight:





Lynette went home Saturday morning (she's in the middle of a demanding PA program), but Garrett, Tia, and Zac stayed for the weekend, and we had a great time going to a Beavers baseball game, watching movies, and playing Phase 10.





And Annikka had a great time with Tia:







And Oliver loves Garrett:



And Anani peed on Tia's pants ... and she wiped her butt on our carpet.

Anyone want a playful, raspy voiced tabby with terrible hygiene? Let me know. We'll pay shipping.

Long Overdue Update

It's been too long since the last post.

In non-Annikka news, Dana had her first paper published as lead author. Very, very cool. It has something to do with tiny worms that are missing some of their genes ... you know, you should really just read the paper yourself. (Good luck.)

In Annikka news:

Yesterday we felt Annikka's first teeth coming in -- looks like she'll have two bottom teeth in no time. We'll post pics when they're in! (Keep Dana in your thoughts ... I can only imagine what this means for breastfeeding.)

Annikka starting eating solid foods last weekend. She's eating rice cereal right now, and she LOVES it.









Annikka has taken notice of Anani and Oliver (our cats). She smiles and screams (in a happy way) when she sees them, and she loves to grab their fur! Oliver is her favorite, but at this point her affection is unrequited.





Annikka has a new teletubby (sp?) suit.





It's not really a teletubby suit, but sure looks like it, huh?

Our friends Willy and Kelle brought their son Zane over to visit recently. We babysat Zane while they went to Juno (the Movie). (As an aside, I am so glad we dropped the name Juno. Aside from the fact that Juno does not work with the last name Howe, who knew that there was going to be a major motion picture about teenage pregnancy with the same name?)









Annikka really enjoyed it.

Finally, Annikka has a new exersaucer. She thinks it's great.





We're having a great time. Every day Annikka is interacting more and more. Hopefully you'll get to see her in-person soon.

Shakedown 1979

Just sitting here trying to figure out our new scanner. It's the perfect time to show everyone how awesome the Howe family looked in the late 70s, early 80s.









And finally, what everyone cares about, a couple pictures of Annikka:

Tummy Time

If there's one thing Annikka LOVES, it's tummy time! And by "loves" I mean "hates with a passion."

But you wouldn't know it by these pictures:









Annikka rolled over for the first time tonight. Pretty cool.

Work those abs ...

Annikka got a crazy new hat today from the Tappe's:



It'll do until we get some hair on that head.

Lately Annikka has been working on tightening that tummy of hers:

Update

Hi there. Joel here. Just sitting here watching the Super Bowl, so I thought I'd post some new Annikka news and pics.

Two weekends ago, our friends Garrett and Lynette (engaged) came down from Portland to visit. Garrett (chef, nutritionist, member of the Oregon dairy council) brought lunch (yu-um!), and Annikka entertained:





Well, Garrett kind of entertained himself:



This weekend Dana and Annikka visited our friend Kirstin Carrol (Gustavus Grad! MIAC in the HOUSE!), and her new daughter Jessica (four weeks old):









In other news, Annikka wore overalls ...



... kicked Anani off the couch ...



... took a bath ...



... and read a book with mom.



Fun, huh?

Finally, in non-Annikka news, Garrison Keillor's latest editorial is a must-read.