Visits, 1st birthday, babbling

It's been a while since I've had time to put up anything new here. Meanwhile we've had Grandma R visit for a week and had Easter and a first birthday. We also took a short trip to southern Oregon with some friends on Anja's actual birthday. And Anja has really been "talking" a lot lately.

She says a few things that are recognizable to us, but definitely not to anybody else. She says things likes "Bayee Buh" (bellybutton) and "Dah!" (daddy) and "Fowowowlow" (flower), and "Bawowowl" (ball). She has also learned to repeat sounds and noises that we make as a fun game. She definitely understands a lot of what we say, though.

Here we are on a hike we did a few weeks ago by a massive eucalyptus tree overlooking the ocean.


And here we are on the nearby beach. Anja has gotten a lot better about not eating sand, although you do still have to watch her really closely.


We drove up to the top of Mount Vision at Point Reyes to see the view:


We also drove to Goat Rock in Jenner and watched some seals or sea lions swimming in the surf.


Anja had a fun Easter, getting some fun new toys and cute new clothes.


She is currently fascinated by shoes. She wants everyone to put on shoes.


She is almost always in a good mood and thinks a lot of things are funny. She knows it's funny to run away from you when you call her.


Here she is with Grandma at a winery in Sonoma, having a good time even though it was her nap time.


She was not very impressed by her birthday cake. Maybe a little scared.


She picked up the entire cake and dropped it straight into her lap.


After we pulled it back out, she realized it was pretty fun.


On the beach in Oregon, watching tiny shrimp-like creatures in the water.


Still trying to eat some sand...


...and some shells.


Climbing on some rocks.


And taking a first hot tub.


Cooling her feet in a stream in a redwood forest.


And just being cute.