Anniversary, Nine Months and Beach Trip!

I just looked across the room to find Addison sitting on Wally's bed with his chew toy in her hand.....it's amazing how quickly she has learned to crawl across the room! She has been on the go for a couple weeks now.......crawling everywhere and pulling to stand. She has even started to experiment with one handed standing and bending her knees to sit on her bottom from a standing position. Crazy how quickly babies learn!

We have had an incredibly fun couple weeks!

On Memorial Day, Addison got to spend the holiday with daddy while mommy worked. I was so happy that they got some time together before we headed out for our trip.

May 31st was Noah and my 3 year wedding anniversary! I can't believe it has already been three years! We were lucky enough to have the night together as Noah got off early. We ordered in some food and had a cocktail to celebrate. Nothing big and expensive this year.....we were just able to spend some valuable time as a family, which is most important these days with our crazy work schedules!

The next day, June 1, Addison and I left for North Carolina. My wonderful friend Maisie gave us a ride to the airport with all of our luggage and off we flew!! Addie did great on the trip down, and we were lucky to be given an extra seat next to me for her car seat for nap time. This made the flight so easy!! We met Noah's parents in the airport, who were headed back from Italy, and spent the night with them. They were amazed at how much Addie was moving around and babbling, giggling, clapping, etc. It was so much fun to see their excitement, as they had not gotten to see her since Thanksgiving! The next day my friend Nell and her 10 month old daughter, Louise, picked us up and we headed for Wrightsville Beach. It was a long drive down (only 2 hours)...full of babies screaming and babbling back and forth! Nell and I sang many rounds of "you are my sunshine" and "wheels on the bus." :-) We spent 3 nights and 4 days at the beach with my 7 best friends from college and their children! It was an absolute blast!!! We went on lots of walks/jogs, sat on the beach, played with the kids, relaxed on the porch, drank wine and chatted, and had amazing dinners! I loved every minute of it!!! Addie did really well at the beach and seemed to enjoy herself and meeting all of her "aunts" from around the country! We also got a chance to meet up with Addie's uncle Adam, and his daughter Victoria (4 1/2) at the beach one afternoon. The girls were super cute together! On sunday, the 5th, we headed back to Raleigh and my friend Morgan dropped me with Noah's parents again. We spent until Tuesday afternoon catching up with Addie's nana and papa. It was relaxing and, again, so exciting to see them enjoy little Addison!

The flight back to Minneapolis was the only stressful part of the trip. Addie came down with a cold the night before and spent much of the flight back struggling to get comfortable. The flight was crowded and hot, and it made for a long trip! I have never been so glad to see my friend Anne at the airport to rescue us when we arrived! Thank you Anne!

We are now back and feeling better. Addison has been enjoying her exploration of the house, even more now that she has gotten quicker and better at getting around.......and seeing her brother Wally.

We had our nine month well-baby visit today! Addison has grown a ton and is doing just "perfect" per her pediatrician! She is now 18 pounds 10 ounces, and 27.25 inches long! She is now in the 40th percentile for length and 46th for weight......yea Addison! :-)

My little peanut continues to grow up......and our love for her continues to grow as well!

Enjoy the pics and videos from the last couple weeks........

On the Move!!! :-) A couple new firsts........

Addison at her first Twins game, wearing her May hat!
Addison in her summer clothes!
Addison playing with Riloh
"Look where I ended up mommy!" A perfect hiding spot!
I spoon feed myself!!!
Thank you Emily for the adorable summer skirt!
No shirt and jeans....just like my daddy!

It is definitely time to update the blog.......as the last week and a half have been full of new "firsts" for Addison!

Addison started crawling in the evening on May 25th. I had just met a friend for a play date, and was telling her how Addie was "so close" to crawling....when she suddenly transitioned to four point, and the next thing I knew she was slowly moving across the floor towards her cell phone! We couldn't believe it! The next two days she would very slowly crawl for short distances to retrieve toys that were nearby..... Now, just a few days later, she is moving much more quickly and really getting the hang of it! She is so proud!!! (and of course we are too!)

Addison pulled to stand for the first time on May 28th! She crawled across the floor, as daddy and I cheered for her.......she reached her music table, pulled up on to her knees, and the next thing we knew she was standing on her own playing! So cute and so exciting! The problem was she had no idea how to get down....so "plop"....she landed on her bottom! Oops! I guess she'll eventually figure out this part too!

We took Addison to her first baseball game on May 28th. Daddy and I decided to walk down and scalp tickets about ten minutes before the game started. Addie was the good luck charm and cheered the Twins on to a 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels! She was a popular fan in her "May hat." (see picture!)

Other highlights of the last week and a half were a bbq at our place with our friends, Jessie/Brett, Jesse/Kristin and Riloh; several playdates with Stacy/William, Ali/Levi, Kristin/Riloh; a couple runs with mommy and a couple of her friends; a trip with Annie to her preschool for a graduation and story time; Addison "feeding herself" yogurt with a spoon for dinner one night (she has started to protest being spoon fed-and wants to use her hands for everything!); and lots of time playing outside!

Unfortunately, we lost a very close family friend, Lucille, over the last couple weeks. We will be traveling home to Indy for the funeral in mid-June. Luckily Addie was able to meet her over Christmas when were home, and we took some beautiful photos of the two of them. Although Addie will not have the memories of her that we will cherish forever, Addison will learn to love her and "remember" her through all of the stories we share with her throughout the years ahead.

This week Addison and mommy are traveling to NC for a few days to hang out at the beach with mommy's best friends from college and their little ones! We will also get to visit with Nana and Papa at the end of the trip. Looking forward to it! Mommy got a new cell phone...so daddy will get to see lots of fun clips and pics from the beach! :-)

More activity, Less sleep!

(pic: playtime after bath time)
(pic: "hi mom!")
(pic: four point-i can move backwards and in circles...but not yet forward!)
(pic: standing at our music table-we love standing!)
(pic: all clean after bath time!)

It has been a fun couple of weeks in the Twin Cities! Beautiful weather and lots of time to enjoy the sunshine!

Addie's highlights of the last week and a half include: a couple play dates with Stacy and William (including a several hour trek to Lake of the Isles....lunch outside, playtime, a walk and a nap while mommy got to sunbathe!), a play date with Stacy/William, Ali/Levi outside one afternoon, a get together with mommy's friend Jen-lunch in the park and a long walk, a dinner/play date with Ana, Chris and Benjamin (Benjamin loved the playground and feeding Wally his dinner!), a few hours spent with our new nanny Molly (who starts with us mid-July for a couple months)!

The crib is officially lowered and Addison is getting up on her hands/knees and rocking, transitioning between sitting/four point often, scooting backwards across the floor, enjoying standing at the ottoman or music table (one or two handed for brief periods), pushing up in to plank position (hands and feet). She is not officially crawling....but finding her way to move around much more each day.

Addison has been experimenting quite a bit with finger foods, and doing a great job feeding herself! The problem is that the boring puree blends aren't so exciting anymore...so mommy/daddy have to find ways to fit in a few bites for additional nutrition between the self-feedings. I am in the process of researching more soft finger foods to continue adding additional things to her diet in this new form!

The difficult thing lately has been SLEEP! (or lack thereof).... Addison is still a fantastic napper-goes down when she is put down awake in her crib, and sleeps two times a day for 1-1 and a 1/2 hours. She also goes down great at night. The problem is that she has begun to awaken each night 1-2 times and is pretty much inconsolable without being nursed! Ugh! I can't tell if she is just hungrier with all of this new movement or what! Hopefully we can get this straightened out sooner rather than later. I have tried letting her cry a little, but after 30 minutes or so, I'd rather just feed her.....then she goes down again great! Hmmmm......

We are excited to have found a new nanny for mid-July through September, Molly! She is a friend's sister, and seemed to enjoy Addie quite a bit on Sunday afternoon when she watched her! Addison did great....seems like the stranger anxiety might be improving! We are still on the search for a new nanny for the Fall...but have had a couple good leads....thank goodness!

Daddy returns tonight from a four day trip to Boston for fellowship interviews....looking forward to seeing him again....he sure misses his little girl! :-) Mommy is back to work tomorrow for four days....another fun daddy weekend for Addie!

Enjoy the couple pics from the last week! And a video (late post from our Indy trip!)

Trip to Indy!! :-)

We just returned to Minneapolis after a wonderful week in Indy visiting family! Addison's highlights of the trip include: flying on an airplane for her 3rd round trip; treking to southern Indiana to shop the outlets and have lunch with Courtney and her two girls, Molly and Gabby; visiting the Indianapolis Children's Museum with mommy and daddy; spending lots of fun playtime with Opa and Jojo (giggling, playing boo!, patting Opa's head); harassing Lager just like Wally (he was a trooper and took it well); playing at Nanny's house with her dancing chicken and bunny; sitting outside and feeling the grass; eating out at restaurants with the entire family-dinners and brunch; bathing in a "pioneer tub"-silver bathtub; attending the Decorator's Show House with mommy, Jojo and Nanny; enjoying brunch out with mommy, grandma, and great-grandma (and daddy and Opa) for Mother's Day; having dinner at Nanny's with the extended family for Mother's Day; enjoying some nice walks/runs with the family!

Addison is now 8 months old! She has two teeth...both on the bottom; although the upper teeth appear to be approaching the surface as well). She is still not crawling, but gets in to four point regularly and rocks back and forth, and backwards. She also scoots all over the floor and in circles reaching for toys from her belly. Just a couple days ago she started exploring the thought of pulling to stand...she has been reaching up to ottomans and tables, but isn't quite able to complete this task on her own. She is very pleased when we help her though! Today she lifted herself up on her feet leaning over her music table and lunged forward on to her belly....poor girl! Each day is full of exploration and learning! Addison is wearing all 9 month clothes now.....and feeling heavier each day (quite a load now!) We have started some additional finger foods (in addition to her long-time favorite now, the mum-mum teething biscuits)! We have tried scrambled egg yolk, banana and melon pieces! With a little help, she is enjoying this new form of eating in addition to her boring puree blends.

Daddy, Addie and my parents treated me to a wonderful 1st mother's day.......and two amazing gifts!! My parents are paying for a professional house clean and Noah is signing Addie and I up for music class this summer!! So excited about both!

What a great trip to Indy......we loved it!!! :-)

Enjoy pics from the last week!

First tooth! and Four point!

(An Easter stroller ride with daddy in my April hat! So serious!)
(Look at me mom!)
(Snuggling with my monkey!)
("I'm still having more fun taking the hat off!")
(Opening my Easter present!)
(So focused on reading and feeling!)
(All smiles!!)

What an odd Minnesota "Spring"?!?! The last couple weeks have consisted of a few beautiful days in the 60s, followed by a few rainy days in the 40s! This change is crazy......difficult to decide if it's time to put away the Winter clothes or not! We are looking forward to our trip to Indianapolis for a week, and hoping for some warmer weather! Noah heads to Chicago tomorrow, then to Indy on Sunday. Addison and I leave this Saturday!

The highlights of the last couple weeks include:

-Addison's first Easter! (she got a new tank top and skirt for summer and a book)

-playing outside for a few hours a couple different days (yeah for sunshine)-Addison loves the grass and dirt!

-Addison getting her first tooth!!!-the left bottom central incisor! (a few others are close to breaking through as well)

-Addison still working on four-point, but no crawling yet! She scoots around the carpet reaching for objects and sometimes moves backward, but hasn't yet put it all together. (sometimes leading to frustration for her-poor thing!)

Enjoy the pics from the last couple weeks.....!! And the video below!

April fun!

Best buddies-Addie and Wally!
All of us at the museum, 4/14...Addie was worn out!
Breaking in my Easter PJs!!
Snuggle time with daddy during the Masters!
Mommy trusted me to feed myself prunes! I did a great job!
Playing naked in my crib!
Mommy tried and tried to get my April hat picture...but I like to take it off!

Cuddles in my crib!
Playing outside with daddy!

"Babababa, dadadada, babababa".................the last couple weeks have been filled with sounds like these!!! It was hysterical to come home from work yesterday to Noah and Addison having a conversation back and forth with these same sounds.....Addie loves to impress her daddy! :-)

Some of the highlights of the last couple weeks include:

-acheiving four point position a few times...but no crawling yet

-feeding ourself some teething biscuits and really enjoying them!

-mommy figuring out the key to fixing constipation...Earth's Best multigrain cereal! Amazing!

-actually enjoying peas for the first time! no tantrum when they are mixed with brown rice!

-enjoying playing in our crib sometimes in a sitting position

-a fun playdate outside with Riloh (the weather was beautiful for a few days last week!)

-a trip to the Children's Museum with mommy, Kim and Nora (she is one now!)

-the return of Sophie.....yes, mommy splurged after we lost our first one and Sophie is back!

-a visit from our friends in NC, Ryan and Sanghmie, who shared their exciting news with us!

-playing outside in the grass with leaves with daddy!

-acting like such a big girl getting a flu shot at the Dr.-only a couple seconds of crying this time

-getting to spend a couple days/nights playing with Annie while mommy and daddy went out to a dinner, the Guthrie and a wedding reception....she loves her Annie!

The unfortunate news of the last couple weeks is that we are going to lose Annie a little earlier than we had anticipated...probably mid July....due to her course schedule for PT school. As excited we are for her...mommy is dreading the search for a replacement! The next month or so will be spent trying to figure things out for the months ahead.

The exciting news....in just a couple weeks we are all (except Wally unfortunately!) headed to Indy for a week, May 1-9, to visit family! Can't wait!!

Addie and Riloh video on our playdate! Our little instigator!

7 months old!!!!

me on my 7 month old birthday!
more of my 7 month photo shoot with mommy!
Kisses from Wally before bed!
Watching TV-I'm a remote hog like daddy! :-)
Clapping for my octopus...I see you peaking at me mommy!
full attention to my favorite octopus! practicing my clapping for him!
all smiles!
pulling on Wally's ears...love my brother!
Wally coming over to play!

Today is Addison's 7 month birthday! I feel like the older she gets, the more quickly she is growing and developing!

Updates from the last week:

-learning to clap!!!

-progressing from two to THREE solid meals per day (although lunch is just a few bites)

-wanting to always use the spoon without help!

-starting to fit in to some of her 9 month old clothes!

-sleeping all but one night for a consecutive 10 hours

-sipping on water from a bottle during the day on our own

-going for lots of rides in the stroller with mommy while she jogs or walks Wally

-spending the weekend with daddy while mommy worked

-getting to play with Riloh ( a couple months younger) and her fun toys Saturday night

The weather is beautiful and it is finally Spring here in Minneapolis!

Enjoy the pics from the last week, including some from our 7 month photo shoot this morning!