ONE YEAR OLD!

I can't believe our baby is one year old today!

What a difference a year makes. She's got such a little personality now.

And even though she didn't want to sit still much for our photo shoot, we still had a good time.

She is talking up a storm these days, and says Dada, Hi, Baby, Ball, and Gog (dog).

Her Mommy took the day off to spend with her and Daddy. We are heading to the pumpkin patch later today.

She loves babies and kids, and enjoys her books and anything musical. As soon as she hears music, she starts dancing. And when the music is over, she claps when it's done.

I caught her dancing here, while I was singing to try to get a smile out of her.

And when the legs go out front like this and lift off the ground....well...if you can't guess what she's doing, you would know a few moments later when the smell hits! Yep..such form and concentration! Oh, the things we post on the internet! She'll hate me for this some day I'm sure.

More birthday posts and pics to come. We have a fun week planned!

Peek around the curtains - also a fun new game!

Someone little in this house discovered her Daddy was working outside in the yard.

And really happened to enjoy peeking at him, and hiding in the curtains.

And we were all giggles and smiles every time we peeked out!

Gosh, I love this kid!

New Game!

Caroline has decided she likes to put things on her head- blankets, clothing, pretty much anything soft. We like to call it 'Crazy Pants Head'. I believe that game was originated by her Uncle Matt.

And she thinks she's quite the ham for doing so! Silly girl!

Trekking Cross Country

It's a hike to the northwest corner of Iowa. And Caroline has done it twice in about 3 months. What a trooper she is! Here you can see her red hair in the sunlight.

Here she charms my cousin Kent at Grandma's funeral. He agreed to put her through college for us if we make him another one just like this for him to keep. Tempting...

Cousin Kirk and his beautiful family.

A picture display with many Ankerstjerne's! Grandma and Grandpa have 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Cousin Adam gets in on spoiling Caroline too.

Do you know what this is?

If you live in Iowa, you do!

Other than being absolutely huge, this is a propeller for a windmill. Approximately 90 feet long..

And this is what they look like when installed.

These windmills tower over farmland -almost like aliens. Look how tall they are in comparison to the trees and silos on this farm. They are simply amazing. We're told that 2 propellers side by side are like the wings of a 747. I venture to say they are even larger. Just a little bit of the charm you'll find in northwest Iowa, so I had to throw it in there. What can I say? When you spend this much time in a car in one week, you get a little bored.

Future Star?

Well? We think so!

Someone is quite happy with herself when she puts on her Mom's sunglasses.

Watching the effort is half the fun!

And this has to be my favorite pose of all! So thrilled with herself, and losing the glasses at the same time. I think the paparazzi would get paid big bucks for this shot! Yep, this one's a keeper!

The 'finger'

Our daughter has discovered how to point. There's just one tiny problem...

With the right hand, she does just fine using that pointer finger.

The left hand, not so much.

Back to the right hand...

And yes, she's flipping her Mommy off, dont' you think? At least she's consistent. Friends told us we needed to capture this on film. I just went through a set of pics I took on Labor Day..and found the evidence I needed! Ahhh..we're so proud!

Milestones!

You might have to click the picture to see them up close...but we finally have two bottom teeth sprouting. They made their first appearance Sept. 23. Exciting news! Mommy had to make Caroline mad in order to get a photo!

We're also crawling everywhere these days. She decided to crawl after Labor Day full time. Before then she would take a few scoots, stop and sit and then stretch to reach toys. Now we are at full speed ahead!

And sometimes we stop and sit up in the middle of the floor. She loves to bounce on her knees and reaches up high even though there's nothing there to stand up on!

And today we discovered the steps. Uh-oh. She also discovered her belly button today, but wouldn't sit still long enough for a photo op. She's changing and growing so fast. Eating like a horse and napping a lot, so she must be growing! What a ride! We are anxious to celebrate her first birthday in a couple weeks. It's already October- when did that happen?