First 'Lover'

So, I posted a while back about Addison's first "boo boo" report.  (If not, read it here.)  As we all know, she hasn't been mobile for long.  The three boys in her room, who were all moving well before she was, took advantage of that.

The one who tackled her in her first 'incident' of many will be a linebacker in the NFL- no doubt.  Although, today I heard that his Dad is a "bad boy."  I about died laughing.  The "bad boy's" son is beating up on my "petite princess."

On my lunch break today, I hung out in her room.  I really do enjoy the baby room.  They're all just so 'new' still.  Addie Lou included.  She's a clean slate...just absorbing everything that goes on around her.  Smiling and laughing at everything.  Life's easy being this age.  They don't have a language barrier b/c up until this point (9 months or so) the words you are saying don't register as communication.  They have specific cries.  Then they learn to sign and from there, it's words.

She was throwing a fit when I walked in b/c of a diaper change- a constant battle these days.  Well, if she's not distracted.  At school, there's few ways to be distracted since there are no toys or binkies on the changing table for sanitary reasons.  She had big ol' alligator tears falling from her eyes.  On top of the whole diaper changing issue, she hadn't slept a wink all day.  Oh lovely!  She threw a big fit for me when I tried to put her tights back on- arching her back, screaming.  She was a piece of work.  And in all honesty, she was burning up and exhausted.

After her fit, she decided to have fun and play.  Meanwhile, this "bad boy's" son is walking all over the room.  Crashing into everything- making a complete mess of the room.  He's a little tornado (and recently a big brother too- whoa!).  As he toddles around, he's FLIRTING with my daughter!  I kid you not, his eyes are set on her.  He smirks and giggles and laughs at her.  OMG I needed this on camera.  Addison crawls to their exersaucer, therefore, I'm lead to believe she wants in.  Once she's jumping like the crazy monkey she always is in these contraptions, little bruiser will not leave her alone.  He brings every ball he touches to her and tries to play with her.  He grabbed onto the edge of the exersaucer and jumps right along with her- no lie.  I have witnesses.  This little man will not leave Addie alone.  Too funny!

I guess it IS true...when a boy is mean to you/hurts you, he likes you.  Addison you are a mere ten months old and you have already experienced this.  Ugh!  So not ready for you to 'date' or have a broken heart.  Luckily, I think we have a little time for that ;o)

10 Months- Oh My

{Happy 10 Month Old Addison}

{I feel as if she's 'showing off' she's 10 months}

{Our proud baby girl}

Addison, I promise to keep updating this blog documenting your life.  It just may not always be on time!  I want to blog more frequently, so the task isn't overwhelming when I sit down to tell everyone the happenings in your life.

At ten months you are no longer an army crawler.  You've discovered that it is much more effective to crawl on all fours.  You are quick!  We have covered all outlets.  You don't seem too interested in wires, the cable box and PS3 set up, and moving places where there are no toys.  Although, I am sure those days are coming!  Just yesterday you got a thrill out of climbing up me and Auntie Kim.  We believe you will be pulling up onto things in no time.  You just need to figure out how to maneuver yourself.

You are still a great eater.  We are moving you to more chunky food.  You're not too fond of solids.  I say that, but you will gladly feed yourself cooked peas and carrots, puffs, and Cheetos!  You LOVE french fries just like your Mommy :)  Sitting at the table at a restaurant seems to be fun for you- I think you feel big and apart of everything.  As soon as food is served, some of it better be coming your way!  You do not like being left out.

You HATE diaper changes.  Well, at least when Mommy and Daddy do it.  You scream, arch your back, and relentlessly try to roll over.  It breaks my heart b/c we aren't trying to torture you...just trying to clean your butt.  And sadly, it's too early to potty train you!  You are still in a size 3 diaper.  There's a friend in your class at school that wears a size 5...and she's younger than you.  Holy cow!

You still babble all the time...saying DaDaDa.  I swear you are trying to say 'dog.'  Speaking of you absolutely LOVE Gracie.  It is SO sweet.  You always try to move towards her, share her treats/toys, and play with her collar.  Gracie does pretty well with you.  Once this past month, she pounced you and your head hit the floor pretty hard.  Both Daddy and I were there and Gracie felt terrible after her actions.  It was scary though.  Gracie was just jealous.  G is too skittish to leave you alone with her...I fear she doesn't quite know how to act around you yet and would freak out for no reason at all.  I just don't want the baby girl to get hurt.

On the 17th, your actual 10 month birthday, Daddy had you in your highchair feeding you breakfast.  I was getting ready for work.  Once semi ready, I came into the kitchen to get coffee and my breakfast.  When I turned the corner, I was talking to you and you said "Ma Ma."  I am not the only one that heard it.  However, you've only said it three times since then!  My heart melted any way.  Happiest day for me!

You have had two double ear infections....blah!  For the most part we don't even know you are sick.  You just tend to be a little more irritable, runny nose (maybe teeth?), sleepy (growing?), and snugly.  As you can see all those "symptoms" could mean anything.  You just seem to be such a good sport about everything.

Your smile and laugh are priceless.  I still like your sad crying face- it's so darn cute.  I miss those newborn days terribly, but I absolutely love watching you grow up into a little girl.  You are going to be someone great someday.  You are going to do amazing things.  Your demeanor has always been fabulous- now lets see what you are like when you are two ; )

{She has always loved the crinkle toys...so this sticker made her very happy}

{Nothin like a pretty baby in her onesie!!}

{Mommy- what is this???}

{so curious}

{love.this.baby.}

Nine Months

Addison at nine months- a few weeks late- is ON THE MOVE!

Yay little girl.  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of your hard work.  We truly believe that each child does things in the order in which they need to.  You crawled before Christmas- just like Mommy said you would.  Your Daddy and I were lounging around on December 22nd.  Luckily, Mommy had the day off work.  Dad was playing with you and put a toy just out of your reach.  It clicked in your little head that you had the ability to retrieve that toy yourself.  You laid on your belly, pushed off with your toes, and pulled yourself forward with you arms.  After a short while, that toy was in your hand!

Mommy cried.  I cannot believe you are so stinkin big!  We have a video we'd love to post if I could ever figure out why my videos won't post on my blog :(

Addison you are as happy as can be still...well, as long as things are going your way :)  You look like Daddy and you have a few of his other qualities too.  You're determined, stubborn, and have a slight attitude!  You got your fourth tooth in on the bottom- you now have EIGHT total!  Holy moly Momma!  You are much better with eating solid foods.  Although, you are not hip on anything that doesn't dissolve right away (ie. puffs, Cheetos, Cherios, and yogurt melts).  We will try every day until you figure it out.  You do enjoy feeding yourself though- whew!

You get three meals a day and one last bottle before bed.  The sippy cup is another struggle, but again, we will not give up!

You weigh 17 pounds 5 ounces, which means you dropped to the 25th percentile.  You are a little nugget still.  You usually go to bed between 7 and 8 pm and sleep until 7 or 7:30 am.  We are so very grateful for your great sleeping habits.

Daddy calls you his little 'stinkor.'  My nickname for you has been Lou and it seems to be spreading.  I love it.  I too call you stinkor from time to time.  You make this 'stink face' where you wrinkle your nose and breathe out of it quickly.  It's SO cute.  I've gotten it on camera a few times (pic will post soon).  You reach your arms up to the sky when you want to be held- it's adorable!

You wear 9-12 month clothes...the 6 month ones are too short in the sleeves and legs.  You still wear a size 3 diaper.  Sadly, we have still been battling your diaper rash issue.  Seems like your #2s hurt your bum no matter how quickly we smell them.  I don't believe it's the diapers, wipes, or cream.  Although we don't ever leave your butt cream free for fear of the rash.

You absolutely LOVE to play.  And still enjoy watching Baby Einstein videos.  We got a stroller given to us, so you love to go on outings in the big girl stroller.  I love it too, but it reminds me of how you are moving father and father from being a baby.

You still have your binky.  At times you fall asleep without it, so I am hoping that's a sign of how...dare I say it...easy it is to get rid of the thing.

The Holiday season was SO fun with you around.  Mommy and Daddy bought you your first two Cabbage Patch dolls...and you love them!  Just like Mommy did as a little girl.  You give them kisses and light up when I bring them out to play with.

You attend Primrose (school) twice a week and seem to be liking it more and more each time.  I think it's a fun change of environment for you.  Although, stranger danger did hit this month.  You aren't too terribly bad, so I have no complaints.  You will snuggle your head down into my shoulder and grab onto my shirt if you don't want to go to someone else.  Or you lean away from the 'stranger' or whomever it is that's trying to hold you.  A few times you have flailed your hands at the person telling them to stay away...or "No, thank you!" as we are trying to teach you soft touches and manners.  It's quite funny.  If you get the thumbs up from me that you are OK with someone else, you don't whimper or fuss.

Addison, you are great a communicating already.  I typically know what you want or need...and if I don't, you sure let us know :)

Ringing In The New Year

What an amazing year 2011 was...I feel like a lot of people are saying that.  As I read the faebook feed on my phone last night, 2011 seemed like a year to remember- for all sorts of reasons.  A year of change, no doubt.  I reminisced about the college days of planning a night out on the town.  Getting all dolled up, rounding up friends and significant others for festivities, a midnight kiss, and a cab ride home at 2 am.  (A lot of memories with Maggie Barta- girl we need to meet up soon!)  This year was a wee bit different to say the least.  And it was wonderful.

Michael was flying the friendly skies...of Canada.  This means no cell phone service.  Arg!  However, we are technologically blessed with an iPad and iPhone that create the ability to, not only talk, but to see each other physically.  Usually that's our "go to" plan.  We haven't ever been faced with a "what happens if the iPad doesn't work" gig until last night.  Of course it was New Years Eve!  Right?  I was that girl glued to her phone all night just in case he found the internet and could get ahold of me.

Addison and I spent our evening/night at the Two Bulls' residence.  It was great to be with family- thank heavens for them!!  Midnight brought tears to my eyes...being alone, not getting my NYE kiss to kick off 2012 was heart wrenching.  It happened last year also, but I got a phone call at midnight and a kiss via my ear.  This year...I didn't even hear his voice.  In fact, I didn't talk to him until 10:20 am today.  I am not ashamed to admit that I called him several times...just to make sure his phone wouldn't magically work ; )

It was tough, but it's over.  My hubby comes home tomorrow and thankfully I am off work.  We get to spend the afternoon and evening together...just our little family of 3 plus G.  Focusing on the positive.

I read another girl's blog today about the New Year.  Her resolution last year was to "just survive" as she was soon to be a mom of two under two.  Her year was tough.  She is a very good person, her faith is outstanding...so she goes on to talk about wanting to be a better person- give more than she gets, make more time to pray, serve the Lord more, teach/guide her girls to be good little people.  At the end of her post, she wrapped it up by saying, "This year my goal again is to just survive.  But I am feeling a little more in control these days...so, my goal is to treasure every moment.  We never know when it might be our last day.  We never know what tomorrow may bring.  I want to just survive this year and live the best life day by day that I can."

Amen sister!  I also want to survive this year and live the best life possible each and every day.  I can't imagine leaving this world and having Addison stay here (morbid thought, I know).  However, it breaks my heart more to think about Michael being on this Earth alone.  (This opens a whole new can of thoughts...ones that I don't want to blog about in this post!)

I also want to rid my life of bad carbs, get back into CrossFit, regain confidence in myself and enjoy the positive endorphins that so help me each day.  I hope to be a better mother.  I too hope to create a great person in my daughter.  I hope to be a better wife.  I hope to spend quality time with my family (my own and our extended family).  I hope to be more organized.  I hope to create a gym and change the lives of those around us :)  Looks like 2012 will be a fabulous year!

*I do have pictures, but my computer needs to be backed up first!