Addie's First Christmas

I have been meaning to write for quite some time, but as many of you know, the holiday season gets so busy it's hard to carve out time for something like "playing on the computer." And speaking of the busyness of the season, I want to point to my friend Jess' blog (link to it by clicking on her name on the right). She reminded us all of the true meaning of Christmas.

Now...on to our last two weeks. Family Christmases. Emphasis on the plural. Last Sunday, we hopped around to three family gatherings on Brad's side and this past weekend we spent three days of non-stop action of family gatherings on my side. Addie loved every minute of it. She smiled and talked so much! She had a hard time taking naps because she wanted to be part of the action. I think today was a bit let-down for her. She's had so much attention over the past three days and today it was just Mommy and Daddy to pay attention to her. She fussed if we even tried to leave her side for more than about 30 seconds.

We were all spoiled this Christmas. Addie got some new toys and clothes. Cute stuff. She is enjoying all of her new light-up-and-make-noise toys.

Finally, I'll end with a few pictures. I hope to write again soon; don't give up on our blog! :) And to all of our family: it was so great to see you and spend time with you over the past couple of weeks!

Addie opening her first Christmas gift. Naturally, she got a fistful of paper and that was the end of opening gifts for her. By Christmas Eve, she was beginning to figure out there was something more exciting under the paper so she would just sit and wait for it to be revealed.

Addie on Christmas Eve. I couldn't let her be the worst dressed girl in the nursery at church, so she made use of a beautiful dress that was a baby shower gift. Add the white sweater and she was all set for Christmas weather. (Thanks, Kellie, for holding her up to pose!) :)

For whatever reason, I cannot add the last two pictures I wanted to add, so I'll try again another time.

May God bless you in great ways this coming new year!

Some of the latest...

First, we'll travel in time back to Thanksgiving. :) Even though it wasn't all that long ago, it feels like several weeks have passed. Anyhow...we had a fabulous long Thanksgiving weekend. It was great having Brad home for a couple extra days. Also, Addie thoroughly enjoyed her visit from Uncle BJ and Aunt Kellie. They haven't been able to come "home" since she was two weeks old. Wow has she changed. (Side note for those who don't know: BJ is my brother.) Above all, it was a great weekend of relaxing family time.

My family was having a little fun with Addie on Thanksgiving...

That's Addie with Uncle BJ. He LOVES his niece!!

As you'll notice in the above picture, Addie is now adorned with a bib all day long. It's annoying, but she has the baby drool just flowin'. We're expecting a tooth soon, but who knows.

As for the little one, she is sitting up so well. We have to be near, as she's just a little wobbly yet. But we are amazed day after day watching her be able to support herself better and better. She likes to worm herself onto her stomach and play for a bit, then start whining because she can't figure out how to get herself out of the belly position. She squirms and kicks and everything, but can't get the big belly off the ground to crawl.

I want to give a little shout out to my good friends from college. We enjoyed a great breakfast together this past weekend. Last time we were able to do that with all five of us, there were no kids. This time we had a toddler and infant, and another on the way. :) (no, that was not a hint!!! it's my friend who's expecting!!) :) Here's all of us together:

Girls--it was great to see you and spend time with you. Can't wait to do it again!! :) Love you all!!!

Lastly, I just have to share that church yesterday was amazing. Particularly towards the end when we had a time of communion. It was one of the greatest communion experiences I've ever had. Our church holds communion once a month, and this time it was just really powerful. There was a drama before the sermon, and after the sermon, as the elements were passed, we sang a song, then had communion. It was especially during that song and communion that you could just feel the Holy Spirit alive and moving in that place. It was amazing.

The sermon yesterday was about letting go of past regrets since they will just drag us down and eventually seep out in other aspects of life, making things worse. In light of that, I'll leave you with these words from Isaiah 1:18: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." As the song we sang says, "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." Jesus paid our debt.

Time...

...flies when you're having fun. :)

I feel like I should write at least a little bit so you don't stop checking the blog thinking I'm never writing again.

We've been really busy around here. Partly because I'm making sure we have things to do since it's cold outside and I am not fond of being cooped up in the house every day. And partly because the holidays are approaching and it seems like every year November and December get busier and busier. Thankfully, I've been able to squeeze in some time with some of my best friends (recently and coming up).

So speaking of time flying...Addie is already FIVE months old! Seems so crazy! She is such a joy! Here's her five-month picture:

I've been taking her picture every month in the same spot, next to the same teddy bear. It's a great record of her growth, and my intention is to create a scrapbook page with all twelve of the first year's pictures next to each other.

We got together with a couple of our friends this past weekend. Their son is four months older than Addie. We captured a few cute pictures when Addie wasn't busy wondering why some other baby was invading her territory.

I didn't realize how incredibly fair-skinned she really is until she was next to Dawson.

*By the way, my friend, Joy, will be so happy that her son is "published." :)

I will try to write more soon. For now I must go and attend to my daughter.

In case I don't get a chance to write in the next few days, Happy Thanksgiving! Remember to thank God for the family and/or friends that you hopefully get to spend the holiday with.

Big Smiles

Well, our little girl has graduated to a new toy. Or plethera of toys. Thanks to our small group from church, she has a Baby Einstein exersaucer. Since she's sitting up fairly well (with assistance) we decided to put it together and give it a try. She LOVES it!! She gets tired fairly quickly, but at least it's a few hands-free minutes for us. :) At her left hand in the picture is a grouping of about 5 buttons that make animal noises when pressed. Oh, but wait...there's more. If you press the same button again, it says what animal it is. Press it a third time? Yep, you get the name en espanol. Leave it to Baby Einstein! :)

Addie is also getting into cereal. Oh, it's supposed to go IN the mouth?

All in all, she loves life. You can tell already. She smiles lots and giggles all the time. She often gets so excited she kicks and squirms and then finally squeals with glee. As she did tonight when her daddy got home from work. Precious!

Thanks for the sympathy on the bad night. Turned out to be one full week of bad nights. But, after hitting rock bottom at 4 a.m. Thursday morning, things progressed. Thanks, Grandma, for your help! And let's not forget to say how awesome Brad is for taking over when I had completely run out of steam! Poor guy had two crying girls at 4 a.m. that morning, and he got up and took care of us both...then called in to work and stayed home to take care of us. I needed that cry--I think all mothers do once in a while! And bless his heart, he was so great!!! Anyhow, Thursday night, little one finally decided to sleep through the night again. Woohoo!!!

I was thinking today, once again, how amazing God is...hearing Addie's cute laugh just fills me with awe. Awe at the Creator who gave us the ability to smile and giggle and get through the rough times so we can truly enjoy the good times!

I can't think of a title

I'm blaming it on "mommy brain," but my mind has been mush lately. Oh well...hopefully it will get better.

I've totally been slacking on the blog thing as of late, but I just haven't had much of a chance to get online. Ironic as you would think a "stay-at-home-mom" would be able to do that...but then again, those of you with children probably understand the lack of time to do something like get on the computer and write for more than 3 minutes.

Addie is getting so animated. In fact, she was so worked up hyper on Wednesday, that she had major trouble sleeping Wednesday night. Hard to handle when you're used to the girl sleeping through the night (I know, our next kid--Lord-willing--will probably be an entirely different story). Anyhow, that night was bad. Usually, if she wakes up crying, you go put the paci in her mouth and leave and you don't hear from her for a long while. Wednesday night was different. She was up for over an hour at a time...twice. She wouldn't lay down, she was really fitful--kicking her legs and whining and just appearing to be quite miserable. I sort of have a rule to not pick her up when she cries in her crib at night...don't want her to get used to us holding her every night to get her back to sleep. Thus far, that concept has worked. Except for that night...nothing I could do would put her back to sleep, short of me holding her, walking around with her, and bouncing her in my arms for seriously over an hour...twice. The second time she actually let me sit on the couch while she nodded back off, but that was after almost an hour of trying other methods of consoling. I know several of you are thinking I'm an idiot or thinking of something you would do differently in the situation, but no worries here. It's not a recurring problem, so I guess a once-in-a-while deal isn't so bad. I finally got her put back down the last time around 6 a.m., only to hear Brad's alarm go off about two minutes later. Thankfully after that time, little one slept until a little after 8:30, and so did mommy! :)

Though I was quite perturbed, and nearly in tears myself after being up with her for so long that night, I did say a little prayer of thanks to the Lord, for at least I have a baby to hold!!!

Anyway...Addie is starting to laugh more and "talk" lots. She cracks us up. She just sits and talks and her face just lights up. It is super-cute! She also has been to "childwatch" at the YMCA for first time this week. It took me a while to get up the nerve to leave her with "strangers," but she's done great with it, and the ladies in the infant room are really nice and caring. It's a nice time...I get some exercise and someone else looks after the baby.

Remember to thank God for the little things we so often overlook!

good day for a warm bath

First, let me say, this is our beautiful daughter in her Sunday best with one of my bestest friends, who came to church with us last weekend. I really wanted to get some use out of these adorable dresses that a bunch of people have given us, so with the addition of tights and a white sweater, a summer dress is given new life.

So...today I introduced Addie to snow. Through the window, of course...we were not thrilled about venturing out in this cold weather...I'm so not ready for it yet. But, I suppose, we shall have to do what we have to do. :) It was not fun to look out and see snow coming down in October. Thankfully, it's not accumulating yet. Don't get me wrong, I can enjoy a good snow--at Christmas time (or when I want a day off school). But right now, snow means cold weather and cold weather means not only bundling myself up, but now I have a little one to consider. Oh well...

Addie decided it was a good day for a warm bath as she had another minor explosion in her pants. I picked her fussy buns up and decided I'd check her diaper. Good thing I checked then, because it was at that point all over her leg...and pants...and naturally as I tried to undress her, it was getting all over everything else as well. I was bummed because I loved the outfit she had on...it is so cute...and warm! :) So, I got her cleaned up, put a diaper on, and laid her on a blanket on the floor while I threw the clothes in the washer and got her bath tub ready to go. She LOVED laying on the floor all nakey...good thing! All I have to say is, I love Shout!! (and Dreft) The clothes came out spotless, so the outfit was spared, and I must say, she smells great, too, after a good washing. I'm still waiting for her to really enjoy bath time. Right now she just sort of tolerates it.

Hope you all were able to enjoy the last few nice days at the beginning of the week. I know we did! :)

Just a picture

Didn't have this on last night's post, so thought I'd add it today. Who wouldn't have fun with this cutie-head?! :)

Stuff

Sorry, no pictures...again. I have a few on my camera, but haven't downloaded them yet. Although Addie smiles more and more every day, I haven't been able to capture it on camera too much. I guess I spend too much time being silly playing with her, making her smile and trying to make her giggle, that getting the camera slips my mind. Will try to have one on here soon.

I kept wanting to update the blog this week, but time got away from me. So, this post will probably be a hodge-podge of random thoughts. A lot can go through a girl's mind when she's a stay-at-home mom! :) Anyhow...here's some of the "stuff"...

A. Earlier this week was awesome!! I think it was Tuesday that was the best. So beautiful outside! Addie and I actually enjoyed an almost 4 mile walk! Our housing addition has a "big loop" as we like to call it, and I was almost once around the loop, deciding where to venture next, and a lady down the street that we are friends with was setting out to walk with her two boys (6 weeks and 2 years). She asked if we would like to join them, and we did the loop twice together. It was nice to have someone to talk to while walking...made the time go way faster and proved to be great exercise as this gal likes to walk fast. The other days that we got outside were okay...I had some great prayer time walking the other days. Then of course the clouds rolled in, and the cold weather came. The weather man says warm weather is coming back next week...I hope he's right!

B. We had small group Wednesday night, and for part of our Bible study, we were to read Matthew 6:25-34. I highly recommend this scripture to everyone. It reminds us that God knows what we need and will provide it for us, so we shouldn't bother worrying about such things if we follow Him. Verses 33 and 34 sum it up:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

C. This week is the DeKalb county fair...a must for area natives. I love going simply to run into people that I rarely see. It was different this year having to navigate a stroller through the crowd, but really cool that some of my old peeps got to see Addie for the first time. It is so great
to see people that either I went to school or church with, or just old family friends. And, honestly, so much fun to show off our beautiful daughter! :) Brad got a little bored, but he was a good sport through it all.

D. Addie and Daddy have a new little game. Pretty much it's a game because that little girl knows she's got Daddy wrapped around her little finger. Anyhow, I'm really big on "night-night" time. I mean, lights are low, volume is low, little girl should be falling asleep. At least, that's what used to happen. Now this week, Brad will hold her after her last bottle and try to get her to sleep...only now she'll look at him, wait for him to look back, and then smile and sometimes try to talk to him. He loves it and it makes him laugh, so naturally that encourages the process to continue until she finally tires, gives up, and falls asleep. Oh well, I can't complain. He lets me go to bed, she sleeps through the night (most nights!), and they have their little bonding time. (it is cute, though!)

That's about all for now. Smile!! :)

Big week

Once they turn 3 months--watch out!! Addie is approaching 3 1/2 months already, and she is doing more and more every day. This week was amazing. "Maw" Debi came to visit on Thursday. It was a nice visit...and it gave me a chance to do some things around the house and run a few errands sans baby. But anyhow, I was showing her what a great job Addie has been doing with tummy time. She lifts her head well and looks around and is starting to scoot on her belly every so slightly. But maw Debi didn't get to see all of that because as soon as I put Addie on her belly, she pushed herself right over onto her back! Yes--the first sort of roll over!! I put her back on her tummy and she did the same thing. But that time got scared, so that was it for that kind of play. It was so incredible. Naturally, she hasn't done it since Thursday, but I'm sure soon she will be moving and I won't get her to stop!

Friday was the best, though! I was playing with Addie in the morning (her best time of day), and discovered that her neck is ticklish. She actually giggled!! It was the cutest thing. I was able to get her to giggle again when we called Daddy to share the good news. I'm sure it made his day at work brighter! She did giggle again yesterday while I was holding her and doing funny face kind of stuff. I look forward to her sharing her giggles with everyone soon! :)

Speaking of sharing, my mom and I took her shopping with us yesterday. We went to some little shops, so they weren't such busy places. The clerks in all the shops walked right up and talked to Addie and she just smiled and flirted with all of them. She definitely put her best face forward for our little outing! You go girl! :)

That's about it for my Addie ramblings. We went to church today...taught the little kiddos during first service and attended second. For those of you who don't know, we help with the 4 and 5 year olds every other month. They are super cute...challenging little group, but fun to work with. They definitely have a lot of energy!

I wish you all a great week!!! I think I'll go see how my husband and little girl are holding up watching the Colts game! :)

Fun with Addie

Who could pass up this picture?! :) Thanks to my sweet husband for being brave, strapping on the little stinker, and vacuuming the floor!! We had small group at our house last week, and I had managed to get most everything done to get ready for our guests, except vacuum. So, I kindly suggested that while I got some dinner ready, he could maybe put Addie in the Snugli and get the floor swept. He actually willingly agreed and the rest is history. She loved her bonding time with daddy. And the floor got swept. How great is that?!

So we made it through another fairly busy week last week, Addie's snot-filled nose on Thursday, and a great weekend. The weather really cooperated this weekend!! By the way, Addie's stuffy nose was better Friday, thank goodness! Anyhow...Brad's football team won their game on Saturday. For details, you can ask him. ;) Sunday after church, we took Addie to the Johnny Appleseed Festival. She was awesome. Sorry, didn't take the camera, so no pictures of her second festival attendance. It got hot, though, so we didn't stay for an extremely long time.

I found out yesterday that 30 seconds is too long to leave a 3-month-old by herself. OK--before you think I'm too bad of a mom, let me just say that she was on the floor, so get all images of her falling out of your head. Anyway, I put her down on her playmat because she loves to watch the animals move and she now bats and them and has just started to grab on and hold for a while. So...I went out to rinse her bottle and my coffee cup and came right back out to find this:
Yes, she had managed to twist herself sideways, get up on her left side, put both legs between the arches and was pulling down on the little toys so hard I thought she might pull them right off. I was impressed that she did all that on her on, but it was an eye-opener! I will have my hands full when she starts really moving! :)

Hope you all have a great day!!

Girls Night

Last Thursday, Addie and I traveled up to Syracuse (Indiana, that is) to have dinner with my awesome friends. Gracie is a year old than Addie, so she was walking circles around Addie, but loved exploring what Addison was all about.

These are 3 of my closest friends. They are so wonderful to have around. We have enjoyed so many great times together. Last week's girl's night was just as great. We laughed, ate great food (thanks Dina!!), and just enjoyed each other's company. Thank you girls for being there for me and for being amazing friends!! (ps...you can check out their blogs on the links at the right of this screen)

Busy weekend

We made it through a busy, but fabulous weekend. It all started with the biggest poopie diaper ever!! :) For all who know Brad, you can appreciate this story. We were on our way to Chili's to enjoy dinner out, looked in the backseat and saw our little red-faced, fists clenched grunter filling her diaper. When we arrived at the restaurant, we decided it would be best to change her in the car because Chili's in always cold and their restrooms are small and freezing!!! So, Brad got Addison out of the carseat to find that she had pooped through the diaper and her little outfit. Of course, her daddy has always gotten excited when she poops (talk to him about it!), but his excitement is dwindling after what he was exposed to Friday night. He unsnapped her onesie only to find poo-poo coming out of every part of the diaper, up her back, up her belly, out the sides. Whew---about 5 wipes, 1 diaper, and an outfit change later, we were able to go inside and have some dinner. I guess I should've put our name in while he was changing her...then we would've had no wait at all! :)

Sorry for the poop story if it grossed anyone out, but it was hilarious!!! I was just glad Brad got dibs on changing that one!

Saturday we got up and drove to Knightstown. Brad got to play golf with his brothers, so he was all about that. Meanwhile, his mom took Addie and me, and my sis-in-law, Wendi, and nephew, Clay to "Canal Days" in Cambridge City. It was nice to get out and enjoy the fresh air and I'm always up for a festival. It was nothing big, but it got us out of the house! Addie did great during her first festival...although she did get a little warm...thank goodness for canopies on strollers! :)

Later in the afternoon Brad and I left to go to his football game and Memaw got to enjoy babysitting her granddaughter for the evening! (thanks, again, Memaw!!) Since we were getting back from the game at 11ish, we stayed the night. Addie was amazing for her first night away from home. We took the pack-n-play and she slept in that and was awesome!!! Thanks to "Memaw" and "Papaw Jack" for your hospitality! Oh, and thank you to Jess and Gracie for being such great company at the football game!! :)

We drove home Sunday late morning. Addie spent the afternoon with her daddy while I went to a baby shower for a dear friend of mine. After that, we were off again for a family dinner on my mom's side in honor of my Grandmother and my Dad's birthdays. Happy Birthday to both of you!! :)

There's the recap...I've got to not write when I'm this tired and spare you the rambling... :)

The picture at the beginning of this entry shows Addie's discovery of her hands and fingers. She typically gnaws on her whole fist, but when the fingers go in, it's always the middle two...she hasn't discovered the thumb yet and I'm soooo okay with that!!

Enjoy your day and smile!

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." ~Psalm 11:4-5

I love her!

I suppose you're thinking "that's a good thing," judging from the title of the blog. But, really, I find it so amazing how much you can love your own little child. I really think I love my daughter more and more every day. (as Brad says, "that's a good thing because you're with her a lot!")

When Addie wakes up in the morning, she just lays there and looks around, cooing and grunting. I make my way in after she's had some wake up time and she smiles the biggest smiles in the world. It is a moment like that that makes me realize how totally in love and awe I am with my daughter. As I got her out of her crib this morning, I hugged her tight, telling her how much I loved her and thanking God for such a huge blessing in our lives.

Side note: my school's secretary says it well, "I don't know how anyone can look at a baby and not believe in God!" She is so right...the miracle called baby is just so awe-inspiring. To watch them grow and learn, and know that God is in control, is amazing.

I am totally a random thought kind of person, so if my blog entries drive you crazy, I'm sorry...but you're gonna have to deal with it! :)

Addison is learning more and more every day. She is so strong. Today she was batting at the little toys and rattles that hang down from her play mat. She kept hitting them and cooing (and drooling) and seemed fascinated that simply hitting those little toys was going to cause noise. And sometimes, if you hit just right, it plays music.

Thanks for listening! :)

Just a start

I finally did it--I'm starting the blog I told several people I'd be starting. It's not easy finding time with an infant in the house. But, Addie's daddy is taking care of her right now and I'm spending some time trying to figure out this blog stuff.

The latest with Addison: She is holding her head up very well and is very vocal! I included a picture of her excellent "tummy time." It's such a blessing to be able to have a full-time job as "Mom" for the first year of her life!! It's draining, but so amazing to witness the blessing God has given us!

As time goes on, I'll try to keep this updated, but of course, no promises!