Halle's been home for a year!

Happy "Birth"day Halle!
A year ago today, Halle came home from the hospital just over 5 lbs after 4 mos in the NICU at IMC. We think having a birthday on Christmas Day isn't going to be real fun, and she wasn't due until April 10, so we have decided that we will celebrate her birthday on the day she came home from the hospital...April 4, 2008.

I can't believe how fast the year has flown, and how much progress she has made. She is a strong little spirit with a will like none other. She is now just over 13lbs and pulling herself up to things, cruising around things, and I am sure she'll be walking within months. She has been so healthy and such a source of happiness and FUN and sheer joy in our lives. The novelty hasn't worn off a bit -- we all still rush for Halle when we come home or when she enters a room. We feel so blessed to have her. We love our Halle Jae!


Halle is organizing cousin Tyler's papers. I am sure he appreciated it.








She also had her 1 year eval with DDI. She did great!




First kids meal---nuggets!











It's all hers! Even the toy. She is amazed.





mmmmmm cream cheese on everything!


She can do it all by herself.

And yes, she likes the cream cheese that finds its way on to as many things as we can put in front of her! We gotta get some weight on this girl!

She is such a sweetie. The year has flown. We are so glad she's part of our family!

Grandma and her babies...

Halle stopped by Grandpa and Grandma's for a little visit. Scrappy gets totally freaked out by Halle. Grandma tries to hold both babies at once!

It's April Fool's Eve...

St Patricks Day was festive at our house! Just look at Halle having fun with Brother Jenkins. Mat and I made our debut as Activities Committee Chairmen with a ward party ... "ShamROCK the House". We had a great pasta bar, limerick writing contest, and while I was hopeful we would have karaoke, alas, we ran out of time before that could begin. No worries, I plan to incorporate karaoke into the next ward party. (Assuming I don't get a quick release once receipts are turned in...)

Joey and Sara, helping and being good sports...as always!

Jodi and Pat, my committee...who do most of the work!

The kids are always shocked that they don't ever get a leprechaun, despite their amazing traps they set out the night before.


The Cream of Wheat turned green, though!

Mati just couldn't believe it!

And finally.....Miss Halle had her 15 month check up. She is a whopping 13 lbs 4 oz. So...Halle now gets an appetite stimulant. Yes, we are treading new waters in the Andresen home. If she can't get fat at our house, she can't get fat! We are working hard on it. She is just so tiny, and so busy when she's awake, I think she burns more calories than she could ever take in. She is doing great developmentally. She is going to have stents put in her tear ducts on April 24, but she did great with her last little eye surgery so we expect all to be well this time, too!

Chloe got her cast off. She has been such a trooper. She tries so hard to walk, and her foot is sore and stiff, but she presses on! She is a good kid.

Craig celebrated April Fools a little early - he gave himself a haircut. He came over and said "My mom's gonna be so mad. Will you call her?" So...I called Deb and gave her the good news. Craigy swore he'd never do that again.