Spring Has Sprung

Spring has sprung and Anika is loving it.  We've been taking in the beautiful weather, enjoying the great basketball (go UNC!), and having fun with our baby girl.  This morning, Anika woke up and was clearly inspired by all of the March Madness basketball:

Playing good defense and keeping those hands up and out wide

Reaching out for a steal

Watching her three-point jump shot---swoosh

Landing on her feet after a big slam dunk

As you can see, she's striving to be a multi-dimensional player.  Coincidentally, we learned at the doctor this week that Anika's height--21.8 inches--puts her in the 17th percentile (not accounting for her pre-term birth).  It doesn't look like she'll have Uncle Rob's height.  But since she's demonstrating so much basketball promise, we've chosen not to tell her she'll probably be short.  We don't want to burst her bubble.  Plus, there are some pretty short players out there in the NCAA tournament.

After practicing her basketball moves, we went for a long walk to Lake Nokomis (and to the Grand Ole' Creamery Ice Cream Shop).  Anika was quite the trooper.

Anika pre-walk, getting ready to go in the Ergo carrier

Anika in the carrier--she promptly went to sleep

Many miles and two hours later, Anika was quite hot and a bit dazed

And she got quite upset . . . when she found out that I spilled ice cream in her hair

Luckily, getting ready for a bath (and thinking about basketball again) cheered her right up

  Here are some other recent shots from the last week:

Enjoying the 70 degree temps with Dad

Hanging out with Aunt Jen and the girls

Meeting Uncle Craig for the first time!

Just looking cute

Being smiley and happy in the morning

Posing for the camera with her hand behind her head (this may be too provocative of a pose for a 9-week year old)