It has been a long time since I last posted but I haven't had much time. And when I do have time, I haven't really wanted to. But a lot of people have been asking how our trip to Missouri and Addie's birthday went. I am sorry! Here is a condensed quick catch up post.
The flight to Missouri was easy! Addie slept most of the way on the plane and the 2ish drive to St. Robert. It was nice to get away and get out of our normal routine. We were able to hang out with friends and get business for the foundation done. We had a birthday party in Missouri. Addie had a lot of fun! We blew up a lot of balloons and she had fun chasing them. Her party wasn't on her actual birthday - I think it was a little over a week before. She started walking a lot on this day.
It was so nice to spend time with everyone and to visit Missouri. Addie learned to walk there and to high five. It was great to be around wonderful people who love us.
The flight back was not so good. I was completely stressed out because the flight went in this cycle: Addie crying, Addie using me as a bouncer/playground, Addie wanting to pull on the chair in front of us, Me telling Addie no, Addie crying. Over and over again. I think she fell asleep for 30 minutes. So we were those people. So sorry to the people on that flight. I did everything I could to keep my little girl happy.
After we got back home we had a couple of days to settle before my sister came. Jess had to get surgery on her ear. My friend, Jenn, watched Addie overnight and Jess and I went to Seattle the day before. It was weird being away from Addie for so long. I enjoyed it but then I felt guilty for enjoying it. Jess' surgery went well and we were able to spend a lot of time at home relaxing. It was nice to be at home to figure out our schedule. Addie has completely changed when she wants to nap (if she even does now). Nursing is just once a day now! Crazy to think that a short couple of months ago we nursed 5-6 times a day. And now it is just one. Uno.
The last year has been crazy! It really is true that they grow up too fast. Addie is now walking all the time and is almost running. I guess we will see if I lose weight chasing after her! I always wondered about that when someone said "Oh I lost a lot of weight chasing after my kids". It could be the next exercise fad! Addie is starting to talk and can hand things when I ask for them. She enjoys being read to and has a funny personality and sense of humor. I love spending time with her and can't wait to see what the next year holds!
So it has been awhile. But with Christmas and family visiting, I really didn't have the time or energy. Speaking of, Addie is a ball of energy pretty much from the time she wakes up until the time she needs a nap. Her new thing now is to take all of her toys out of the bin and throw them around. I've decided to just let go and clean it up at the end of the day. I used to clean up whenever she took a nap but really, it is counter productive. The second she gets in her play area, all the toys are scattered around the floor again.
Her big achievement? This happened a week before Christmas. We were all hanging out and then all of a sudden, Addie stood on her own for almost 10 seconds. Just standing there. It was so cute because when she fell she clapped for herself. She is getting better and better at it. She hasn't tried to take steps without holding anything because she does not like to fall. Well, unless she is throwing a fit. Oh wait, I thought this was supposed to happen around 2? This is an area that she has decided to excel in. I make her stop pulling all of her diapers out of the diaper caddie? Throw yourself on the floor in a crying fit. I set her down to grab something from outside of the play area? Meltdown city. Jamie and I are not reinforcing it and we have been ignoring when she throws a tantrum. So far? Not working. I knew she was feisty but she takes feisty to a whole different level!
I don't want to paint the wrong picture for you. She is a happy little girl 95% of the time. Tantrum throwing is usually right around nap time and is a good indicator that she is ready for sleep. She loves to be chased and that is our new favorite game. Usually after bath time we will play chase for a good while before getting ready for bed.
It is so crazy that Addie is now 10 months! In 2 short months she will be a year. I am excited but also sad. I think we are going to do a small celebration before Jamie leaves. Jamie really wants to see her eat cake so she will get a good practice round before the actual day! I will post pictures of her eating her practice birthday cake!
This month has been full of exciting developments! Addie is interested in everything and is not content sitting in one spot. I knew this day would come but I didn't think it would be this quick. Grocery shopping is now difficult because if I don't pay attention, she will grab (and drop) things from the shelf. Same thing at home. Good thing I moved all breakable items out of her reach. It is fun to see her explore things around her and see more of her personality.
Addie can do so big, wave good bye, clap, dance, and play peek-a-boo. The key here is when she wants to. If she isn't interested, then good luck. She will just stare at you. But she will do these - mostly when she is happiest. And that is when she is sitting in her high chair eating. The girl likes her food. Baby food? That was so last month ago. Addie now wants anything and everything that you are eating. If you don't give it to her she will demand it. Loudly. Her new favorite foods are grits, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese. Guess the south is in her!
We visited Jamie's family in Alabama. It was a nice trip. We were able to spend 3 days hanging out. The whole time we were there, Addie had only 1 jar of baby food. The rest was all food that we were having. I think it is funny that some people refer to non-baby food as "table food" or "people food". Makes me think of a dog. She took her first picture with Santa and it was surprisingly uneventful. On the way there I imagined one of those classic baby screaming pictures. If you were around Addie enough you would figure out pretty quickly that Addie has a short fuse. She is a feisty little one (Flo the 2nd). So I thought she would be upset that we would dare to place her on a strange guy's lap to take a picture. Nope. Not even a whimper! Couldn't get her to smile but we always have next year.
Addie will be 9 months in a little over a week. The day she turns 9 months is the day my family is coming out for Christmas. I can't wait to see them interact with her. She is a lot different from when they saw her in July and August. I'm sure there will be many new and fun things to write about.
These are a few of Adalyn's favorite things:
1. Dancing. She will do her little bop when she hears music and I think it is adorable.
2. Her dog, Violet. This dog is from Leap Frog (I think) and it will talk and sing to her. The neat thing about this is that I can put in favorite foods, songs, and Addie's name. So the dog will say "I love you, Addy" or "My favorite color is pink". She gives her hugs and will snuggle with her.
3. Cookies. I found some cookies in the baby food aisle and she loves them. They get really sticky though and by the time she is done eating one, she has sticky cookie mess in her hair and all over her hands and clothes. But to see her face light up when I get the bag of cookies out to give her one is worth all the cookie mess in the world.
My baby girl is growing up too fast. She now crawls and is not content with her little play area. Up until now, I was able to use the ottoman and the couch to create a nice closed in area for her to play. She was perfectly content to crawl around and play. Not so anymore. Now she wants to explore the rest of the house and well, I guess I am just not prepared for that! Not only is she moving on to bigger places to explore but she is now a champ at feeding herself. Wow. I mean, it's amazing. She sits in her high chair and is able to pick up food while I sit by her typing this. I guess I just can't believe that we have come this far already. Everyday it seems that she is able to do something new.
Five days ago she said "dada". But! A little over a week ago she said "mama". Mama! Made my heart want to explode. Now that she figured out how to say dada I haven't heard mama since. I'm glad that she says it though. Some of you may not know that Jamie is getting deployed in January. So I am thankful that he is able to hear her say it - even though she says dada for everything! She also thinks waving hello/good bye is fascinating. At times she will open and close her hand as though she is practicing. She just looks at her hands as though they are just amazing and she is realizing more and more what she is able to do with them.
Another development? She is able to pull herself to standing. She started out on the ottoman and is now able to do so on the couch and in her crib. From what I hear this means that my little girl may be walking soon. Wow. The more I type the more I am so incredibly thankful that I am able to see all of her developments first hand.
Someone asked for me to do what I used to do. So here it is...
Addie's Favorite Things
1. Food. Can you blame her? Recently I found out that she loves apples with cinnamon. So now she will not eat plain applesauce. However, she does not like some veggies and meat.
2. Her babies. She likes to pin them down and lick their face. I guess that is fine now...hopefully I won't get a call from her teacher saying that she did this to a kid on the playground! :)
3. Kayla (our cat). She loves Kayla. The feeling is not mutual.
I can't imagine what 8 months will bring. Who knows? Maybe she will be climbing trees or composing a symphony.
It seems like just yesterday Adalyn was born. It is so hard to believe that she is 6 months! Actually, almost 7. I just love spending time with her. I'm not going to lie but it has been a hard transition from working to being a stay-at-home mom. I feel like I have to be overly productive that I just exhaust myself. I am learning to take it slowly - to not get caught up in to-do lists. Sometimes I just feel so much pressure to be the best wife and mom. Things are getting better - not sharing to alarm anyone! It feels good to share.
Addie and I spend our days together. I love to watch her make new discoveries. I am so thankful that I am able to be at home, to see this firsthand. That was always my fear I guess. That I would go back to work and miss all of this, especially after losing Alyssa. I treasure my time with her - even the days that she is grouchy.
Addie is crawling now! She is so mobile now it is crazy. She likes to crawl but when she wants to get somewhere quickly she will not crawl on her hands and knees. She will just low crawl and sometimes dive. I have had to rearrange the living room to accommodate her moving. I also need to baby proof.
This weekend was great! We got to spend a lot of time with Jamie. We found a church that we are going to as well as a small group. It's nice to feel like we are getting settled. It is also wonderful that God has blessed us with good friends as well. Today we got Addie's 6 month pictures! She did really well but towards the end she was in meltdown mode. I can't wait to get them framed! Here is one of my favorites.
Happy 6 months Addie!
Addie's new talent? Blowing raspberries. She does it - usually when she has a mouthful of food. So now I need to get a shield or something to avoid getting carrots and peaches all over my face! It is really funny because once she figures out a new trick she likes to do it all the time.
We visited my sister in Ellensburg. It was nice to see her house and the town where she lives. It is weird though. Years ago I can remember playing house and now I see my baby sister all grown up. I liked to look at how she decorated and organized. I know, weird, right?
We went to the fair there. Addie was super excited to see all the animals! She is funny when she gets excited because she just giggles and screams.
Once she is outside, she's off!
Once she is outside, she's off!
This is the day that she saw her shadow for the first time. Here she is trying to grab at it. She was so excited and was laughing the whole time!
Here she is watching some kids from the neighborhood ride around on their bikes. She wanted to play with them and kept walking towards them.
The great thing about running around outside? It makes for a sleepy baby and she sleeps well! Looking forward to more sunny days!
