Yesterday Mike, Annabel and I made the trip from Los Angeles up to Northern California, where Mike grew up and his parents still live. I haven’t been up here for quite some time – not since before Maddie died. So it’s bittersweet to be here now and see all the places she used to play.
This weekend is the Bay Area Brain Tumor Walk, and we are participating in honor of my friend Jackie!, who was diagnosed with an Anaplastic Astrocytoma (brain tumor) almost two years ago. We went to Jackie!’s walk last year and we are proud to be walking with her again. I walk with her every day in her fight against cancer.
Back to the drive up – it was Annabel’s first big trip, and she handled it like a champ. Much better than I did – I pretty much whined the whole time. I haaaaaaaate long car rides. Especially when the restaurant we stop at to eat has a big menu but SOMEHOW doesn’t have HALF of the menu items available at the beginning of the dinner rush. Annoying!
Annie has been busy taking in her surroundings here at Mike’s parents’ house. Luckily, being on the road didn’t stop her from checking in with everyone.
if you can’t see the video above, click here.
I prefer the real Rigby.
pamela says:
she is so beautiful!
.-= pamela´s last blog ..When I grow up =-.
Esther Crawford says:
Oh lil Annabel is so cute! (+ love the voice over & dog pillow)
Miss says:
Your blog ate my comment. Which is good because I meant to add more when I hit submit.
Love the Rigby replacement, even if it does give me nightmares tonight. *snort*
Cheering all of you and Jackie on during the walk!!!
.-= Miss´s last blog ..She is Love =-.
habanerogal says:
Keep fighting for Jackie and enjoy the visit with Mike’s folks
.-= habanerogal´s last blog ..A Quickie Quitting Update =-.
Sarah says:
Hey! Just wanted to let you know I gave you an award over on my blog!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..I got an award! I got an award! I got an award!!!!!! =-.
Anne Younger says:
Love the video!
She’s is so freakin’ adorable!!
Hope you enjoy your little getaway!
P.S. I miss Rigby
.-= Anne Younger´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Kate @ UpsideBackwards says:
Oh, you’re so funny! And Annie totally plays along. When she really starts talking we’re all going to be disappointed if she doesn’t sound like that… You’ll have to teach her “Peace out” as her first words.
Best of luck for Jackie!’s walk.
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..In which we exasperate each other =-.
Krissa says:
What a little cutie. … Glad you guys are able to walk with your friend Jackie. Hope the car ride home goes by quickly.
Catherine Lucas says:
Cooooolllll…. I thought it was Rigby sitting next to her. Guess I need more sleep… Lovely little movie, love her outfit… Go explore the world Annabel! I hope things are going in the right way for your friend. Sending good vibes to her!
harriet says:
Awww what a squiggly babe! Have a good trip, you crack me up!
amanda says:
ha ha ha peace out!
.-= amanda´s last blog ..a day in the life =-.
Erica says:
Hi Heather,
Its so wonderful to see Annie so happy and kicking her little legs with joy that she is no longer in her car seat! Today’s video is so funny, as always, I love your sense of humour. I hope you all have a lovely time with Mike’s parents and good luck for the walk tomorrow, I’ll be thinking of you all.
Sending you lots of love from afar.
Love Erica
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
At the restaurant, I’d be tempted to just nibble on Annie! So Yummy!
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..How to tell if you’re self-centered =-.
Sue says:
Gorgeous little Miss Annie was enjoying that whole interview,,,I could definitely tell!! She is quite the little celebrity!!Enjoy your visit!
charlane says:
I love that she is getting to know how to use her arms and legs.. SO cute! I’d bet that Annie prefers the real Rigby too!
.-= charlane´s last blog ..Frankencake =-.
Elise says:
Love the video, and love that you are walking for and with your friend!
Nikki says:
Such a little cutie! Am i the only one who likes the creepy faux-Rigby? LOL
Have fun walking with and for Jackie! tomorrow.
XOXO from GA,
Nikki
Mary Ann says:
Annie speaks so well for her age, I love her commentary. In no time at all it will be Oprah who? and did you see Annabel’s show yesterday? That was adorable, I always wished babies had little word bubbles over their head to let you know what they were thinking. Enjoy your trip.
Geminigirl says:
Dude that pillow is creepy
Java says:
Super cute! Have a great weekend!
.-= Java´s last blog ..Big and Little =-.
Lisa says:
Love it. Especially the Rigby pillow fill in, hehe.
Good luck on the walk with Jackie tomorrow. I’ll be thinking of all you and cheering you on.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..First Haircut =-.
Linda @ My Trendy Tykes says:
Such a little cutie pie : )
Molly says:
I love Annie’s voice! These posts always crack me up! Annie, show us embarrassing photos of daddy!
.-= Molly´s last blog ..One year =-.
Just Jiff says:
Your voice is SO cute when you do these. These really make me laugh. Soooo funny!!!
Thanks for the morning laugh.
.-= Just Jiff´s last blog ..Hodge Podge. =-.
Anna says:
Man, I am totally going to be one of those old ladies that pinches little kids cheeks.
Jen at Cabin Fever says:
My husband HATES road trips too… he is such a whiner in the car. Glad Annabel was so wonderful for the trip!
We once stopped at a restaurant on a road trip and they were out of everything, even straws. Pretty much the only thing they had to eat off their thirty item menu was hamburgers…
Cabin Fever in Vermont
.-= Jen at Cabin Fever´s last blog ..What Makes Vermonters Hearty =-.
Jen L. says:
She is so squishy and cute! I’m with you–I’m much whinier than my baby on trips! Have a great time!
.-= Jen L.´s last blog ..What I do =-.
Tammy says:
Favorite things about this video:
Her cute little tongue popping in and out.
At the end of the video her checking out her hands.
CHEEKS!
That cute belly.
MM says:
Wonderful baby and weird pillow make one funny video!
Molly says:
Awesome!
Pieces of a Sometimes Extraordinary Life says:
My dd was born in Ohio 6 weeks ago, and we had to drive her 8+ hours to our home a week after her birth. It was TERRIFYING for us. But Anna Lily was in a state of complete zen, gazing at the back of the car seat, occasionally waving an arm. Right now we’re having our roof re-done, it sounds like the house is imploding, and she’s fast asleep on my lap.
We are taking that as a sign of a peaceful nature. Or it could just be that she was up bawling all night.
(Anna looks SO MUCH like Annabel by the way…same puffy cheeks and mini-chin. Every time I see your photos/vids I do a double-take.)
cindy w says:
Oh man, I love your Annabel voice.
.-= cindy w´s last blog ..The most exciting Saturday night I’ve had in ages =-.
QF says:
Heather, she is so beautiful
Sorry about the long ride. I just went to Chicago with my husband and daughter and I feel your pain…we drove!
Candice says:
You crack me up. I love the fake dog. LOL
.-= Candice´s last blog ..Triple Score!!! =-.
Alison says:
Hilarious as usual! Little Annabel is so gorgeous.
I feel your long car ride pain. I’m not a huge fan. That’s what I get for choosing to live in NorCal now!
Have an awesome time at Jackie!’s walk, and hope you guys have a smooth ride back home!
xoxo
.-= Alison´s last blog ..IQ =-.
Lessons in Life and Light says:
LOL!!! The Annabel videos crack me UP! Soooo funny. Keep doing those, for sure!
“Peace out!”
.-= Lessons in Life and Light´s last blog ..Two Truths & a Lie =-.
Jennifer says:
I just love these videos Heather. Too bad Rigby couldn’t make the trip, but glad his standin could be there with you guys. Good luck at the walk for Jackie! Turk is Toast!!!
Peace out chicas! Jenn
~A says:
Have fun at Jackie!’s walk.
I love the Annie video – and agree that the fake Rigby is creepy!
.-= ~A´s last blog ..Marching on =-.
Eileen says:
You are braver than I. Driving that far with a 3 monther! I went to San Diego a couple weekends ago from Northern California, and we totally flew.
MissAujahAcron says:
LOL!
Glenda says:
The vidoe is too cute. Didn’t look like Annie was too upset about being couped up in a car for 7 hrs…. her chubby legs were kicking away… she seemed very content Have a great time with the grandparents! and a great weekend!
wonderchris says:
Love the rumor was he was a chubby kid. I bet those photos are beyond adorable.
Oh, and Annie is just a bundle of sweet goodness (but you already knew that)!
.-= wonderchris´s last blog ..I love you….sandwich =-.
Kat says:
It still amazes me 4 years out the “firsts” we still stumble across. Although Alex was only with us a few short weeks we had all these plans! It definitely gives us joy though to show his little brother Nate the wonders of the world we know Alex would have loved so much!
Kat
.-= Kat´s last blog ..Baseball season begins again! =-.
Veronika says:
Sorry about the sore tush Annabel! We’re not fond of long car rides either. We’ll be thinking of you during the walk this weekend.
Jennifer says:
She is sooooooo cute and your videos are hilarious!! Looks to be a perfect weather weekend for a walk up here in San Francisco. Will be thinking about you all tomorrow!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Signs, signs, everywhere signs… =-.
Amy Collen says:
Got a chance to meet the famous Jackie! at the March of Dimes. GO JACKIE!!!! THE TURK IS TOAST!!!! Have a wonderful time in San Francisco. That is our old stomping ground! We lived in the bay area for 9 years. If you are at Pier 39 be sure to have some doughnuts, they are WONDERFUL!!!!!
Samantha says:
Wow! She can already say so many words!! Think you may have a child prodigy on your hands! :D. Love this. Too cute.
Nicole says:
Have a great trip! You are such a great friend! LOVE the video of Annabel…so cute!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Tummy Time =-.
damaris says:
come down to Santa Cruz on Sunday. I’ll cook for you and Mike and give you tips on how to make easy meals, remember your previous post? I’ll also hug and kiss that baby of yours till she’s blue in the face.
Really, come! Santa Cruz is so much fun.
.-= damaris´s last blog ..luv =-.
themaggers says:
Send Jackie my love this weekend. She is such sweet person, I can totally understand why shes Annie’s favorite!
Beth says:
too cute! love it… annabel and the adorable commentary! =)
Michelle Pixie says:
Oh she is so super sweet! She has quite a talent at throwing that voice.
.-= Michelle Pixie´s last blog ..Lumps & Bumps =-.
Rebecca says:
Thanks for the video….please, keep making them. They are actually a hundred times cuter than even you think they are……Yep, adorable to the extreme!
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..One Hundred Miles =-.
Marti from Michigan says:
Enjoy your trip and going on a walk to support a friend!
Annie is so adorable, I love the “Valley Girl” voice over. She looked so alert and sweet, moving her arms and legs. Like she was going to say something herself!
I hope you have a good time, and be careful on the way home. Maybe you should take up knitting or crocheting, or needlepoint, so you can do something with your hands when you go on a long trip.
preTzel says:
Have a great, relaxing weekend Heather. I love listening to Annabel! Too soon and you’ll have to stop talking so we can hear the real Annabel.
.-= preTzel´s last blog ..Eleven Months…and More. =-.
Jess says:
Look at her belly! I love baby bellies! She is too cute, made a wonderful end to my stressful day at work!
april says:
Is it wrong to say that I love love love when you speak as Annie? So hysterical. She’s so frickin’ cute and she looks sooo much like Mike! Enjoy your walk for Jackie! Hope everything goes well on your mini-vaca! Hugs and love from NJ.
Ray says:
“And I haven’t felt so cooped up since mid-January.”
^^LOL! Love that! ;o) Annie is so adorable. And she’s getting so big. I hope you have a great time with the in-laws and at the tumor walk with Jackie!.
Kayla says:
That’s fantastic about walking for Jackie!(!) Good for you and your family.
Also, O.M.G please don’t be too shocked/surprised if/when one day you go into Annie’s room and find an Annie pillow posed next to a Rigby pillow. I’d probably return her eventually, but in the mean time I would just be NOM NOM NOMING her!! (;
vanessa Jordan says:
Me and Jada just adore Annie’s updates, please for the sake of humanity, keep them coming Annie, I have a three year old that would be totally lost without them, I have to play them over and over for her, she just loves you and sends mucho hugs your way, here’s from Eastern,Ky better known as the hillbilly’s to you Annie!!!!!!!
emily says:
i love when you do these videos – they always make me smile!
Angela says:
You’re in my neck of the woods. Good luck tomorrow on the walk.
Angela
Kelsey says:
The movies are so cute! Annabel is absolutely adorable.
Erin says:
Long rides aren’t too bad for me but Hubby doesn’t do them. Best wishes to your friend Jackie! It is SOOOOOO beatable. Hubby is 11 years post dx and doing darn well — driving, doing too much in general!
Deborah says:
I *love* Annabel’s reports! LOL!! Please, please, please keep doing them! They are sooooo funny.
Hope you’ve had a nice weekend in Northern Cali.
(((hugs)))
.-= Deborah´s last blog ..Food and Art and Focus =-.
Maria Delgado says:
She is SO CUTE!