26 1/2 weeks and growing!

Our computer has been dead since the last entry on the blog due to Addie throwing a piece of her wooden puzzle at the screen, just as I was about to submit the last entry, July 31 (hence, why it appears as August 1.....had to figure out how to do it on my phone the next day).  Luckily, we ended up ordering a new screen online and Noah watched a you tube video to figure out how to install.  We are only out $80, so not as big of a deal as I originally had imagined!!!
The month of August has absolutely flown by......if these keeps up, the baby will be here before we know it!
Addison has been busy checking out a neighborhood pool, attending Little Gym classes, playing with friends in the neighborhood, having brunch with friends, having movie night with friends, swimming with daddy at the ENT bbq, running alongside Wally on many evening walks, and riding in her favorite backpack!  The amount of energy inside an almost 2 year old is absolutely amazing.....and as I grow larger and larger this pregnancy, it continues to amaze me even more!
Addison is talking a ton...new words and new phrases constantly.  One of her new favorite things to say is "come on mama" or "come on daddy".....she will then grab our arm and direct us to wherever she wishes.  The other day at daycare I was dropping her off and she sat down on the mat, tapped the floor next to her and said, "sit down mama."  Maybe a little bossy....but definitely cute at this age! :-)
She still is adament about picking out her clothing each morning, and outfits continue to get more entertaining each day.  If it isn't her favorite choo-choo shirt (which I've started hiding), it may include odd accessories such as a bib, a hair bow that doesn't match, underwear over her shorts or leggings, or even two different shoes (today she had a sneaker on the wrong foot and a sandal on the other).  This morning she demanded to keep her pj shirt on when we went to the OB.  It is always entertaining regardless! :-)  The good part of all of this is that she has learned to put on her own pants and shoes.....
Addison continues to have some accidents in her crib at night when she doesn't like her wet diaper and pulls them off without letting us know......we have definitely gone in to her room to find a mess after nap time or even in the middle of the night.  We are preparing to start potty training after vacation.
As for the new baby, she is growing a ton and very active!  Last night I felt hiccups by my left side, and this morning at the OB her head was up toward my belly button on the right side.  She was kicking the doppler like crazy this morning after my glucose test....that really got her excited!  I am measuring right on track for my delivery date....and luckily my weight gain is right on track as well.  I have gained 22 pounds so far.....so hopefully only another 10 or so and I'll be within the 25-35 recommended weight gain.  I am still managing to work out a little on the elliptical...I aim for 3-4 days a week....and still doing lots of Wally walking in the evenings as a family.  This morning I had my glucose test and hemoglobin test....so hopefully all will be ok when I hear the results.   I am now on an every 2 week schedule for the OB...and next time I get my rho-gam shot already....it is just flying by!

 our little musician....we are looking forward to starting McPhail music classes again in september!

 snack time with friends, Nils and William, at the park!

Addison and I at the park with Wally and daddy....my best little girlfriend!

 Addison's first very own milkshake.....she was sick, and she loved it!!!

 Movie night and bbq with friends!

 Mama's car....she loves to pretend to drive!

Addison snoozing after watching her choo-choo movie when she was sick :-( poor girl

Addison and I are leaving for NC on Wednesday morning....wish me luck flying with a 2 year old.  I did trek to Best Buy this morning and bought a travel DVD player.....I figure not the worst investment as hopefully this will provide hours of travel entertainment for the kids over the years!  More news when we return from NC the first week of September...just in time for Opa and Jojo's visit and Addison's 2nd birthday and birthday party!!! :-)

I can't believe it is the end of July!

I have been absolutely terrible with keeping up to date with the blog lately....apologies!!! :-)  I promise to be better in the months ahead, and especially when our new little one arrives!!!

We'll start with the new little peanut, since I just got back from my OB appointment this morning!  I am now 23 1/2 weeks in to this pregnancy, and growing by the day!  I am measuring right on track, and have already gained 18 pounds (although my doctor assured me not to worry, even though this is more than last time).  Baby is super active....especially around 10:30pm when I am just snuggling in to bed! :-)  Lets hope this changes come November!   Noah and I have been making a list of girl's names and have pretty much decided on a middle name.  We are planning to keep it all a surprise just like last pregnancy!  I have also been busy looking for the few little things that I think we need for the new baby.....sheets, blankie, some of the basics!  It is fun to get an idea of the new stuff that is out there....although with another girl on the way, there isn't a whole lot that we need this time! :-)  One of these days I will head down to storage and start going through the newborn bin of clothes to see what we need in that department!  So much to think about and do in the next couple of months!  Addison was adorable at the OB this morning....she said "baby doctor" and even said "baby sister" when the doctor said, "Listen to your new baby sister's heartbeat."  It's hard to know what she really understands of all of this, but regardless it is so cute!

Addison has really been becoming a little girl lately.....preferring "big girl pants" (training pants), counting, singing her alphabet, and pretending to be a gymnast  AT ALL TIMES (she walks on every stone wall or flower bed outside)!  

 Coloring!  Addison loves when we write her name....we are working on learning on how to spell it!

 Swimming in her new pool!

 Teeth time!

 meeting baby Aspen!

Napping with Wally!

 Addison eating with chopsticks!!!

 Pretty dress!

 Addison loves to hide in her stroller now!

Addison running to daddy on a walk outside!

We spent the fourth of July with some of our friends just relaxing and cooking out.  Unfortunately, Addie was exhausted and it was so hot that night that we decided to skip out on watching the fireworks on the river....but were able to catch a few glimpses from our condo windows!   Addison had a great night running around with her friend "Wiwi" and practicing her dance moves!  Other highlights of the month included a trip to the Mall of America, spending some time at the city's splash pads and pools, attending Choo-choo bob's story hour, having the Graven family in town (and getting to meet baby Aspen), continuing to attend our weekly Little Gym class, playing in our new outdoor pool (yes, it fits on our balcony!! :-)), and spending a day at Lake Calhoun!  Addison has had a great month!  

Addison can now count to ten!  We have no idea where or when she learned it....but one night in the bathtub she first did it for me, and now has continued to "perform her trick" over and over again!  Hopefully the video will attach to this blog!  :-)  

We have lots to look forward to in the next couple of months!!! Addison and I are heading to NC August 22-September 3 (and daddy is joining us August 25-September 3).  We will be spending some time at the beach with mommy's UNC girlfriends and children, visiting with Nana and Papa in Raleigh, and attending a wedding in the mountains!  So excited!  We return on Labor Day, and then Opa and Jojo come the next day!  They are going to be spending Addison's second birthday with us this year!  We are planning a choo-choo birthday party for September 8!  :-)  

Enjoy the pictures of the last few weeks...and my huge belly! :-)