teefies

I have noticed, almost instantly after becoming a mom, that all words now end in Y. that eee sound. Diapers now diapeys, wipes are wipeys, toesies, feetsies, boogies (boogers!) blankies, nappies instead of naps. My question is, moms, do we try to make everything sound more fun? Either way, I guess I'm just gonna go with it.

So, anyway, that was just a little sidenote. My real news today is Addison got her first 2 bottom teefies a couple weeks ago. Teeth, yes, teeth. Aside from a few nights with some big tears, she handled their arrival quite well! Special thanks to Humphrey's all natural tablets for a little help on those sleepless nights and experienced mom, Allison Martin, who clued me on the secret teething tablet. Attention Moms of three, don't keep these secrets from us newbies!

Anyway, I love it now when Addison looks up at me with that big toothy grin. So, I tried to capture it on camera but of course, didn't happen. At least not well. Here's a few attempts though.



She was actually clapping here and looking at her hands, but doesn't it look like she's praying?! I look forward to hearing her sweet bedtime prayers when she gets older.




The picture is a little blurry but you can see two blurry white spots, and trust me, they are teeth!




And with teeth, comes chewing on everything. Her and Bella are two peas in a pod.



Here Comes the Sun, Do Do Do Do

What a B-E-A-utiful Saturday! Gahh. It was amazing. Unfortunately, the crud has been going around our house and although I'm on the mend and Addison just has a little sniffly nose, Matt is still pretty sick so we stayed home today. :(
But, I decided that we shouldn't waste this day so I took Addison and Bella for a walk through our neighborhood in the jogging stroller my sister gave me! (thanks Joy!) Although, I might mention, no jogging was done, just leisurely walking. Nevertheless.

Since today is the first day that's actually been warm and sunny in quite some time, it seemed the whole neighborhood had the same idea. Every kid was out playing in the street. The playground was full. Kids were riding on go-carts they probably got for Christmas. People were out washing their cars, playing basketball, and I saw more than one motorcycle go by. Talk about spring fever.

Bella (the boxer) was pretty excited to get out for a walk too. And may I say, she has been the BEST fur sister Addison could ever have. I think she considers Addison her little pet. I'm betting they'll be best pals.

On our walk, Addison also discovered that she can look up and see me through a peep window in her stroller shade... every now and then she would check to make sure I was still there...

If ever I was ready for spring, it's now!

Oh the Seasons

I love snow. I love to go visit the snow and then go home. I enjoy a weekend away snow skiing. (as long as there aren't many other people on the slopes because I might run them over. I have very little control...) I really love snow tubing mainly because I don't have to concentrate or work so hard at it as snow skiing.  I love to see it fall because it really is beautiful. But I HATE being snowed in! I get stir crazy and just want to get out and do something probably just because i can't.  Therefore, I live in South Carolina. Haa.. so we've had lots of snow and I've been outside VERY little but I did enjoy a spontaneous snowball fight with Matt while Addison was sleeping last week. I won, just for the record.

But anyway, TODAY. Today, the sun is out and shining and my walk to the mailbox felt like winter in South Carolina is suppose to feel-- perfect with nothing but a light jacket and yoga pants on. And so my spring fever kicks in, even though, it is only January and spring still months away, I can start to dream about flowers and the ocean breeze and I've just started to wear my tropical mist scented deoderant which smells like the beach in Mexico. I want to go to there.

So I've had fun in the snow

But I'm ready for, as zac brown would say, toes in the sand ....

Baby Food and other Fine Arts

When I first started Addison on solids foods, I thought I was going to be all Susie Homemaker and make all her baby food and be so creative and ingenious with fabulous vegetables and fruits that I've never even tried myself. Haa, what a joke. I suddenly didn't have all the spare time I imagined and the convenience of pre-made baby food won me over quite a bit but we stick with organic, like Earth's Best where I know there are no additives.

But the cost difference is HUGE so on the days when we are at home most of the time, I try my hand at making some baby food. I have made  fresh, organic zucchini, butternut squash and carrots, froze them in ice trays, then put them in freezer bags. Now, I can pop out one or two cubes out for a serving or recipe. She also loves fresh mashed ripe avocado or banana. 

Yesterday, I made some fresh apples and sweet potatoes with cinnamon for her when she woke up from her morning nap ready for lunch. I cut up 1 apple and 1 sweet potato and boiled them on the stove with a dash of cinnamon.

Cook them separately because it takes about 8 minutes or so for the apples and about 25 minutes for the sweet potato. Once they were tender, I strained the water and put them in the blender with a little of the water reserve from the apples to give it a good consistency.

I had one serving ready for Addison when she woke up and 3 more generous servings in the freezer for next time. I tasted this and it was delicious.

Addison was hungry and licking her lips!

"temperature is good, mom"

she  LOVES to eat! but it's a good ego booster when it's my own creations... :)

Snow Snow Go Away

Bella is gazing out the back door longing for spring. She's not a fan of the cold or having to poop and pee in the icy snow. She tiptoes through the yard...

Our backyard is also a little Final Destination-ish as Matt says. We have some icicles hanging from the roof of our house. Some are at least 3 feet long. These are above the back door. We are a little nervous walking out and getting impailed... I keep having the confiscate them from Bella. She keeps grabbing these huge chunks that have dropped and bringing them in the house to eat.  We're going to have puddles all over the place. 

Bathtime Fun

Some Momma/Baby dialogue

Addison is 7 months old today! She's become quite the talker. Here's some recent dialogue.

Addison: Da Da Da Da... Da Da Da Da.. .Da Da

Me: Ma Ma. Ma Ma.

Addison: Dada dada dada Da Da

Me: Ma Ma. Ma Ma.

Addison:  (smiles) (chuckles) Da Da. (smile)

Christmas

So I confess that while I take a lot of pictures for other people, I rarely turn on my camera when it's just us! Yikes! I need to change that. But here are a few pictures captured during the holidays. I love this first picture of Addy with her daddy! I couldn't ask for a better husband and father to our sweet girl!





Enjoyed several days with Gigi and Pop Pop just before Christmas. Addison loved opening presents





Christmas morning ride with Daddy



So excited to have a White Christmas so we bundled up to play for about... 5 minutes.




Gameday for the Gamecocks Bowl Game. No win but Addison was happy sporting her Carolina onesie while playing with her toys.



Addison's Half Birthday

On December 4th, our beautiful baby girl celebrated her half birthday! Here's my favorite of her 6 months pictures..

And a letter I wrote for Addy remembering all her latest accomplishments...

On your half birthday,
Today, you are 6 months old and I must say, part of me is sad that these first six months are already over. Every day has been full of new and exciting milestones. I’m so lucky that I get to be your mom and spend my days watching you grow.

We have all been amazed at what a happy and content little girl you are. You are full of smiles and laughter all the time unless you are hungry or sleepy! Who wouldn’t be upset then right? It brings me so much joy when you are content playing on the floor and you look over at me with your huge blue eyes and give me the biggest smile and chuckle you can muster.

Lately, you’ve started doing a lot of new things. For one, you’ve discovered your tongue. You are sticking it out at people, flip-flopping it up and down, and licking your face. Your daddy is convinced you can just about touch your nose with it.

You’ve been rolling over from your back to your belly for quite a while but now you are getting good at getting back to your back from the belly. You fling your head back and throw your arm up in the air until the weight pulls you back. It’s so cute that you finally figured this out. Before you would just put both arms out to your sides and fly like an airplane and holler.

You’ve also started spotting your toys and reaching out to grab them. I’m sure that alone makes life a lot more exciting for you since the first few months you only got to look at these exciting things!

More recently, you’ve started sitting up and this is a whole new world. You can sit up on the floor by yourself but we put the boppy behind you for a soft landing when you tip over. Yes, when, not if. Sometimes you’ll dive forward after a toy and end up on your belly… You are really diving after the remote control , xbox controller and cell phone these days when sitting in our lap. You see all those buttons and just lunge forward.

Everywhere we go, restaurants, grocery store, church, the mall-- strangers and friends alike say two things pretty consistently. 1. She looks just like the Gerber baby! And 2. Look at those big blue eyes! They’re beautiful. And I concur with both. Your adorable cheeks and dimples and your beautiful eyes make it absolutely impossible for people not to stare and google at you…. Me included.

I confess, although I’m not a super paranoid mom, before we go to bed, your daddy and I always go into your room and stare at you and google at you (again) and for just a minute, even though neither one of us will admit it, we are watching your chest to make sure it’s still moving up and down with each breath.

I never imagined in a million years, that I could feel so much love for another person, but instantly, my precious child, I loved you with all my heart and soul. I have no greater calling than the one I received when I became your mom. You are my greatest joy and I pray you will know Jesus and He will show you what true Joy is. I love you.
Mama

33 days...

Wow, this blogging therapy really isn't working. I haven't stopped by in 33 days. Oops. Well here's the whirlwind update in photos starting with Thanksgiving...

my mom, my sister and I got to cook together for the first time in quite a few years! So much fun!

Bella gazes on as mom glazes the turkey. Later, she stood watch at the table just in case any of the little ones dropped any turkey goodness...

Addison has a photo op with her cousins, Hannah, Kara Beth and Micah. You should see the outtakes.

we wrapped up the Thanksgiving weekend by taking some family pics to send in our Christmas Cards!