Weekly Update - Merry Christmas

Addie's Weekly Photo, Week of December 30 2011 (86 Weeks):

We were especially excited about this Christmas because we figured at Addie's age, she might be a little more likely to participate in opening gifts.  Since we had a gift opening in Branson a week ago, and then opened a few during the week, and then Christmas Eve.... I think Addie became a bit burnt out by Christmas morning.  Overall, I say she did really well.  I can only imagine what went through her head each time she opened something and we had to eventually take it away so she would focus on opening a new toy!!  Maybe parents of toddlers should just set it up so that their children open one gift a night the week before Christmas instead of all at once Christmas morning because at Addie's age, they don't seem to want to push the new item aside once they open it! LOL
We had Nana, Uncle Dillon and family over Christmas eve and then it was just mommy, daddy and Addie Christmas morning.  Daddy made pancakes for breakfast Christmas morning and we watched cartoons.  Once we were done eating, we lured Addison into the living room where Santa had left the goods!  The first thing she went for was the ball, of course.  We had to eventually hide the ball because she didn't want to focus on anything else!! LOL  We spent the next few hours opening gifts and playing.  For dinner, we decided to go over to uncle Dillon's for a relaxed evening.  What an awesome day!! :)

Addie's weekly Milestones:


Sit-On-It: Addison's newest fave is to sit on just about anything.  It started with all of the gift boxes from Christmas.  Before AND after she opened gifts, she wanted to sit on them.  Even now, Addie has tried to sit on her drums, books, a stuffed dog, elmo, a ball, etc.  It's actually quite funny to watch her balance and sit on these items and she doesn't give up easily if she can't quite get steady right away.


Sleep:  We noted last week that Addison had yet another ear infection.  She seemed to sleep fine from the time she was put on her antibiotics until around Tuesday of this week and all of the sudden, she has become really restless at night.  She's not crying or anything, but we can hear her tossing and turning and making noises.  We're thinking that maybe her ears have begun draining and perhaps it's preventing her from staying asleep.


Vocab: Addie's ever-changing vocabulary is in full spin lately.  Sometimes it's a new word and sometimes it's just a matter of her saying a word better than usual.  This week, we noticed that instead of calling a balloon a "ball", she calls it a "bag-een".  Another new word she picked up is water, or "wa-wa".

Singing:  For the first time, Shane and I heard Addie actually put several words together while singing along with her cartoon Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  She has tried to say words in songs before, but it's usually just bits and pieces.  We were watching Mickey Mouse and during the "hotdog dance", Addie sang the part "Clubbbb-Houuuusssseeee".  The cutest part is that Addison tried to hold the notes as long as the song held them.  Hearing Addie sing was so heartwarming!!

Favorite new toys:  Addison received SOOOO many toys this year.  Some of her favorites were books, a pop-up tent, wagon, Rock n Roll Elmo, a drum set and a baby stroller.

Baby #2 Update:

Un-COMFORTABLE:  I'm not sure if there is an expectant mom out there who doesn't complain about being uncomfortable.  I've tried my best to keep the complaints to myself, but in the last week or so, it's been difficult! LOL  Shane is a trooper because he's always there to listen and sympathize.  I LOVE HIM!!  The smallest tasks are becoming increasingly hard because of the lack of flexibility on my part.  Just sitting can be a chore lately too.  Shane usually has to grab a few pillows for me to put behind my back.  What a trooper he is! :)

More pictures from the week:

Our Christmas morning pile

The "other" tree, and Addie sitting on

one of her newest gifts (from Nana) 

Addie opening one of Daddy's gifts for him Christmas Eve 

Just a small example of Addie's new fascination

with sitting on just about everything.  

Another one of her new favorite gifts 

It was unseasonably nice outside for Christmas Eve! 

What a cutie! 

Addie didn't care about gifts once

 she was handed a twizzler. 

Another one of her new favorite toys!! 

Weekly Update - Branson Holiday

Addie's Weekly Photo, Week of December 23rd 2011 (Week 85):

Over the weekend (16th and 17th) we went on our Annual trip to Branson, meeting up with Shane's family.  Shane took Friday off so we decided to head up early.  After a bit of shopping in Springfield, we ate lunch at Chuck E Cheeses.  It was awesome because we went early enough that the restaurant was not busy.  Addison had a BLAST!  We were most surprised because Addie liked watching the animatronics on stage.  I figured she would be scared of them.  Her other favorite was the racing arcade games.  Once we would sit her at one of the racing games, she didn't want to move!  I think Addison had an amazing time, but mommy and daddy had a pretty good time too ;)
Branson was a good time as always.  Addison's favorite was probably the lights parade at Silver Dollar City.  During the parade, Addie kept waving and blowing kisses at all of the participants.  I wish we would have taken pictures!  I'm hoping that Shane's family took a few.  If we get a hold of some, we will definitely post them.

Addie's Weekly Milestones:

Shaking head "no" then "yes": It's pretty funny but Addie will answer many times by shaking her head "no" and then immediately follow up with shaking her head "yes".  I'm not sure where she picked this up from, but it's both confusing and cute all at the same time!! LOL

Fish lover:  Any time we go into Petco, Addison wants to go over and look at the fish.  She could spend hours walking from tank to tank saying "ooohhhh, fish!".  The bad part is that she never wants to leave and will usually throw a bit of a fit when we try to pull her away.

Ear Infection #3 :(  Starting Sunday evening (upon coming home from Branson) Addie had been pretty constipated (sorry if TMI).  Wednesday, I decided to give Addison some PediaLax before bed.  Only an hour within putting her down for bed, she became really restless.  By 10pm, Addie was crying and Shane and I could tell something was REALLY wrong.  We figured that her belly was probably hurting from the constipation, so we decided to sit up with her for a while.  Eventually, Shane had to go to bed to get rest for work in the morning.  Luckily, Nana was staying with us so I had another hand to help out.  We noticed that Addison began pulling at her ears started to become pretty hysterical.  The only way I could get her to fall asleep was by holding her upright in my lap and gently bouncing her and even then, she would pop up at times and begin throwing herself around crying.  I called the E.R. to find out what to do.  The nurse on the phone suggested alternating Ibuprofin and Acetaminophen.  By 3am, we were FINALLY able to get Addison to fall asleep.  In the morning we made our way to the doctor where we found out that the issue was, in fact, ANOTHER ear infection :(  The doctor said that since this is Addison's third ear infection in 4 months, we need to start keeping a close eye on things to determine if tubes will be necessary.

Baby #2 Update:


Mommy Checkup:  As usual, the appointment was short and sweet.  Everything is looking good (per the Doctor).

Sleepy:  During my first pregnancy, I was most tired in the first and beginning of the second trimester.  I really didn't experience the exhaustion this time around.... until now, that is.  It seems like within the last week or so, I've been very sleepy around the clock.  The worse part is, that I've been putting a lot of tasks off thinking I've got plenty of time to take care of them.  Now that I'm loosing my motivation from been too tired, I'm not so sure all of the tasks will be completed!! ha ha



More pictures from the week:

One of our recent visits to Petco

Chuck E Cheese 

She LOVED her cup with the fun straws! 

Just as the animatronics were starting.

LOVE her facial expression!! LOL

Nana came to visit.  Addie likes reading

books with her Nana. 

Watching cartoons in daddy's "man-cave" LOL 

She's mesmerized!  

Weekly Update - "Al-RIGHT"

Addie's Weekly Photo Week of December 16, 2011 (84 Weeks):

Addie's Weekly Milestones:

"AL-RIGHT" - This week, daddy was reading Addison books before bed and she was pointing to different pictures and saying their names.  A few of the pictures are difficult to pronounce and Addie had said one of them correctly so daddy held his hand out for her to give him five and before he even said it, she exclaimed "AL-RIGHT!"  I could hear them on the nursery monitor and couldn't help but laugh, it was super cute!!

Hair Cut - Addie received another hair trim this week. This was her third ever!

More pictures from the week:

Weekly Update - 19 Months

Addie's Weekly Photo, Week of December 9, 2011 (83 Weeks):

We finally have internet at the house!  It may be a bit slower than our last service, but better than nothing!! :)  Hopefully I can stay on top of the blog now.  This week was pretty eventful because we started Tuesday off with a drive to Chicago to visit with Nana and then a trip to Hudson to visit with Aunt-T, Uncle Mark, Cousin Michele, Grandma & Grandpa.  Addie and mommy made it back home by Thursday.  While in Chicago, we finished all of our Christmas shopping in ONE DAY!! I couldn't believe how well Addie did with the shopping too.  At one point, she was entertaining several people in the mall, dancing to an a small band playing in the background. After the long day, Addie slept really well though :)


Addie's Milestones:

"OhNo!"- Addie's vocabulary is constantly expanding, but her latest ADORABLE phrase is "Oh-No!".  She uses it in the right context too.  For instance, if she drops her sippy cup or a toy, she will say "OH-NO".  The funniest part about it is HOW she says it, like she's really concerned.

Fly In the Sky - While in Chicago, Addison's biggest obsession was the airplanes!  Nana lives really close to the airport so planes are constantly flying right by her balcony.  Every time Addie would see one, she would point and say "pane!! PANE!!".  It's super cute though because even when she sees a bird in the air she will still say the same thing! LOL

Smarts - We bought an ABC book with pictures on each page for the letters of the alphabet.  Upon turning the first page, Addison pointed to the picture (apple) and said "APPA".  Shane flipped through the rest of the book with her and several pictures she already knew (fish, nose, sippy, etc.) but even the ones she didn't know, she repeated after Shane mentioned them.  What a little smarty!!! LOL

Christmas Pics - Usually we take our family pic at Thanksgiving because we take advantage of having people around to make Addie smile/look at the camera.  This year things were hectic and we didn't think about it, so mommy just took a few pics of Addie to put on a card.  Addie wasn't 100% cooperative, but did okay considering she was in desperate need of a nap :)  I will scan a copy of the cards and get them on here sometime.

Baby # 2 Update:

Checkups: My next dr. appointment is on Monday.  Checkups are every three weeks now since I'm nearing the end of my second trimester.

Movement: Coop is a really active baby still and his kicks are getting stronger every day.  It used to be that he was most active at night, but I'm noticing more movement during the day now.

More Pics from the week:

Taking a break from shopping in Chicago

And another break..... 

So stinkin cute!!! 

An attempt at Christmas Photos.  I could get

her to laugh, but not look at the camera... lol 

Showing mommy her shoes 

Attempting to snag a smile with a sucker.... 

IT WORKED!!! HA HA 

Two smiles! YAY!!!! ha ha 

Weekly Update - "Ride?"

Addie's Weekly Photo, Week of December 2, 2011 (82 Weeks).

Addie's Weekly Milestones:

"Ride"? - Addison's new obsession is going for Ride's on our Ranger (utility vehicle).  Every day, from the moment she wakes up in the morning until right before bed, she will ask "ride" followed by nodding her head and saying "yes...yesssss".  Daddy and Addison have developed a routine now that they take the ranger up and get the mail or take out the garbage every day together.  They will usually drive around on the lot for a bit too.  Once daddy pulls the ranger into the garage though, the fit begins!!  Addie will ask again "ride....yesss...yessssss" and when daddy unbuckles her, she will freak out and begin crying :..(  She loves the Ranger!!!! LOL

Hi and bye- Addie loves to say "hi"  First thing in the morning when I go in, she will say "hi mama".  If she's in trouble or is doing something she doesn't think she should, she will say "hi mama".  Sometimes it will just be a very exaggerated "hiiiiiiiii".  Wether talking on the phone or in person, she just loves to say HI!  Saying "bye" is just as entertaining though.  Every day when daddy goes to work, Addie will say "bye-bye dada" even without being prompted.

Ornaments - Our trees are up in the house and Addison loves to go over and poke at the ornaments.  Sometimes she will take them off the tree but will promptly put them back on when we tell her "no-no, put them back".  She's pretty good about getting the ornament back on the tree too.  Sometimes the hook won't latch all the way and it will go tumbling to the ground, but she will immediately pick it up and try again.

Presents - This week, I was able to get a few presents put under our family tree downstairs.  Addison isn't too sure what they are and likes to pick them up.  Daddy is usually the one around when she tries to move them and tries to be quick about keeping her away but isn't always successful.  I think Addie knows when Daddy is distracted.  Luckily she hasn't opened any yet or ripped any of the paper.  I'm dreading the day she does open one in advance because my luck is that the gift will be a toy she likes and then she will want to unwrap ALL of them!! LOL


Baby #2 Update : 

Movement - Cooper's activity at night has increased significantly.  From around 10pm at night and for a few hours, he is in constant motion.  Thinking maybe it was because of something I was eating or drinking, I didn't eat anything after 6pm for a few nights in a row and he was still REALLY active.  There are times when I lay in bed for several hours before he lets me fall asleep.  Although it's frustrating to not get much sleep, it's still comforting to feel his kicks and twirls and still makes me smile each night! :)

More pictures from the week:

She loves sitting at the dining table....

despite the look on her face! LOL

Breakfast and cartoons.... Addie is mesmerized 

Daddy and Addie hanging out before

daddy leaves for work..... 

Apparently they BOTH like cartoons! LOL 

Weekly Update - Happy Thanksgiving

Addie's Weekly Photo, Week of November 25, 2011 (81 Weeks):

This week was Thanksgiving and we planned to have TWO days of turkey with family and friends.  On Thursday, we had Shane's parents, his youngest sister and her boys along with my brother (and family), my mom, and our friends Michele and Adam (and family).  The food turned out great, thanks to my mom who was there to help get everything ready.  Addie seemed to having everyone around.  Getting her down for naps was a little more difficult because she could hear all of the fun going on, but we set her up for naptime in our room and turned on a fan to help muffle some of the partying noises.
On Friday, the group was Shanes family and my family for round two of turkey.  It was nice to have both families together.

Addie's Weekly Milestones:

Thanksgiving - Addie isn't too picky on trying new things anymore.  For Thanksgiving, she tried just about everything and seemed to like it all too.  Of course just like her mommy she was more into the sweets than anything.

Bad habit - For a while now, Addie will say "go away" but usually it's only when she hears mommy yell for the dogs to get out of the garage or to keep them from coming in the house.  On Thursday though, she started something and I'm not sure where she learned it.  Along with saying "go away", she would swipe her arm and people if they came up to her face.  This behavior is completely out of the blue.  Although some of the family members found it cute and would laugh, Shane and I made a decision to try and correct her actions immediately to prevent her from thinking it's okay.  Hopefully this habit does not stick around long!!

Pushing Boxes- Addison loves to "help" mommy push boxes around the house.  When we were first moving in, she would see mommy push boxes (instead of trying to lift them) and lean in to help.  Sometimes, I will go over to get something out of a box and it won't be in the same place I left it.  After looking around though, I will find that Addie has pushed it into a new room or into the hallway.  If she gets to a box that is too heavy to push, she will grunt and yell until one of us go over and help her.  LOL

Baby #2 Update:

Dr. Appt:  I had my 6 month checkup this week.  Everything looks good to the doctor but when I mentioned a pain that I often have under my rib cage on the right hand side, he said "uh oh"..... Not something a pregnant woman wants to hear!! LOL  Sometimes the pain goes through to my back.  The doctor said he's pretty sure it's my gallbladder and it will more than likely need to be removed sometime after I deliver.  Of course it was a HUGE shocker to hear.  Doc said it's not extremely common but pregnancy can cause excess stress on the gallbladder for some woman and require it's removal. BUMMER!  I'm going to miss that thing! LOL

Growing:  Of course I feel HUGE as usual and I'm definitely much bigger than I was with Addie.  I'm carrying a bit lower than the first time around though.  My doctor isn't concerned with my weight gain, but I am.  I can't believe how big I've gotten already.  It helps to know how quickly the weight came off after I had Addie, but I'm not guaranteed that it will happen the same way the second time around.  Perhaps a diet is in order immediately after delivery!! LOL

More Pictures from the week:

Addie still loves getting in the dog cage! LOL

 Strolling around the house, Thanksgiving morning.

Finally giving mommy a "cheese" fake smile. LOL 

Asking mommy "push" to see if 

I will help her push the box around

the house. LOL

Reading books to herself 

Cousin Avryl stayed the night Wednesday.

They wore matching PJ's and thought they were pretty cool!! LOL 

Giving Avryl "hugs" 

Helping daddy close up the tree box. 

She's a big helper 

Pushing the box around the house. 

Her Friday Thanksgiving outfit 

In a daze... 

Addie and AV giving hugs 

Ignoring the paparazzi 

Something very interesting on TV... 

Reorganizing one of "her" drawers 

Too cute to be mad at!! LOL