47 Week Update - Forward Facing

Week 47 Photo:

Over last weekend, we went to visit Daddy's family in Arkansas.  It was a good trip and Addie did great with the drive.  While we were in Arkanas, we were able to get (more) family pictures taken but this time with Shane's family included.  I think this photo shoot actually ended up a little better than the last one of Addie because we had a group of people able to get Addie to smile/laugh and look at the camera.  I'm excited to see how they turned out!  As soon as we get the disc from the studio, we will post some them on here.

Milestones:

Forward Facing:  Addie's new car seat came in.  This car seat is AWESOME because it can be a rear-facing AND forward-facing (as long as baby is over 20lbs).  I decided to go ahead and try it out facing Addison forward.  She looked so comfy in it!!  It also has cup holders on both sides and she has already figured out how to get her drink out of them.

Screeching: Addie is showing us how vocal she can be lately.  If something is going on that she doesn't agree with, she SCREAMS and then will look at you to see your reaction.  When it's a temper tantrum scream, I try to ignore it but sometimes it's hard not to laugh!

Chewing:  We've heard that babies can teethe for months before anything actually comes through.  Well she's nearly 11 months old and STILL nothing!  This week, it seems like she's back to drenching her shirts with drool and chewing on her fingers more than ever.  Here's hoping that those things come in soon!

No Bib:  Addie can't stand having a bib on.  Sometimes we can sneak it on her while she's busy playing with something at the table but the second she realizes it's on she will RIP it off.  I guess she has never really loved the bib but it wasn't until recently that she figured out how to take it off.

More Pictures From Week 47:

On our way to Arkansas in her new 

forward-facing car seat :)

Addie LOVES to watch the fireplace!!

She wants the mommy paparazzi to leave her alone! :) 

She loves to look under the rugs in the house... 

it's pretty hilarious to watch! 

In a trance... 

Cardinals opening day!  We weren't at the game, 

but we were there in spirit! 

Her first Cardinals baseball 

Her adorable outfit was a gift

from "Aunt" Amy (mommy's friend) 

Showing mommy her feelings about the camera... 

And posing :) 

She wasn't too sure about Fredbird at first but 

eventually warmed up to him. 

46 Week Update - Family Photo Shoot

46 Week Picture

Over last weekend, we had a photographer come to the house for our family pictures and Addie's one-year photo shoot.  I know she won't be a year for another month and a half, but we wanted a good pic to put on her invitations (which will be sent out in two weeks).  The session went..... well..... less than desired.  Addie was NOT in a great mood through most of it.  She hasn't been sleeping through the night lately so I think it was a combination of being sleepy and moody.
After some family pics, we changed Addie in her birthday outfit.  She went from angry to P*SSED!  It was pretty clear that there was not going to be much cooperation on her part.  We then decided to move on to the "smash cake" (Addie in a diaper and a small cake to destroy).  Although her mood settled a little, she was still quite whiny and not too interested in smiling.  She didn't seem to enjoy getting messy upon the first touch of the cake and looked for the first place to wipe her hand off.  After her leg went in the cake, it was all over!  She decided she was done!!!
Mommy and Daddy then remembered how happy their baby girl gets in front of the mirror, so we got the bright idea to sit her in the master bathroom in front of the large closet mirrors.  We should have done the whole photo shoot there!  Addison immediately smiled at herself and began cooing at her reflection.  So even though our family pictures may not turn out as we hope, maybe the bathroom pics will. :)

Milestones:

Water Baby - On Monday it was 80 degrees outside.  We took advantage and set up a small baby pool on our upper deck.  Addie couldn't get enough of it!  She kept kicking her legs and splashing around laughing.

Shy - Within the last few weeks, Addison has been showing a "shy" side.  Where in the WORLD do babies learn this?  It's so funny that this shy behavior came out of NOWHERE!!  If someone comes up and smiles at her she will smile really big and turn her face away or bury her face in something.

Photo Shoot - We had our first family photo shoot on Saturday.  Addie had a photo shoot of her own when she was about 4 months old, but this was the first time we had our pictures taken (professionally) as a family.  Although the shoot didn't go "as planned", some of the best memories are the ones that aren't mapped out.

Climbing - Addie is displaying some new signs of climbing.  If she is being held, she will try desperately to climb over your shoulder.  She has tried climbing onto the couch when standing next to it too.

Reaching to be held - She hasn't really ever "asked" to be held but recently she will put her arms out when you say "UP".  It's super cute!

"MaMa" - Addie will now repeat "maaaa-maaaaaaa" in a very distressed tone when she is tired of playing on her belly.  During the day I will let her play independently for a bit.  Addie does really well finding new places to explore and new things to play with and doesn't require help getting around.  Eventually though, she will get tired or hungry or just bored and will begin to look for me.

Food Update - Addison became incredibly finicky over the last two weeks with food.  She decided she wasn't interested in solids as much and would much rather the bottle.  Shane and I have been really good about not "force feeding" Addie and letting her have a little bit of freedom in what she eats so at first, we were giving into her pickiness and just giving her the bottle.  After a few days though, we realized that it would only hamper our efforts of introducing solids.  Now, we are still giving her the bottle but not as often and only between meals.
Another big change in her diet is that she will eat the dried yogurt bites that she used to HATE.  We tried giving them to her when we first introduced solids and she gagged.  We waited a bit and then tried a few more times only to receive similar reactions from her.  On Monday, I tried again and despite an initial sour face, she ate several!

Bangin' Around - On Wednesday, Addie seemed really interested in the cabinets around the kitchen.  Mommy decided to get some pots and pans out for her to bang on.  It was a HIT!  At first she seemed unsure but once mommy showed her how, she figured it out.

More Pictures from week 46:

The dogs usually aren't allowed on our bed, but

we decided to let it slide one morning :)

Addie testing out her baby pool.  She is SUCH a

water baby, she loved it. 

Mommy and Addie taking a break from 

playing outside in the baby pool. 

She was all giggles! 

What a sweetheart! 

She thought the baby pool was the greatest thing EVER!

It was adorable watching her bang on the pots & pans.

45 Week Update - Happy St. Patrick's Day

45 Week Picture:

Over last weekend, Addie and I went to visit "Aunt" Robin (Kristin's Cousin) and cousin Alexa in Morton, IL.  We had such a great time with them.  Addison loved crawling around with Lexi and exploring all new grounds.  It was really nice to see the girls interacting with each other.  While  we were able to visit with Grandma and Grandpa Kuntz, Nikki, Stacy, Taylor, and Aunt Sheryl.  I was able to get some cute pictures of everyone.
The weather was AMAZING this week.  The best part about such awesome weather was that we were able to go for lots of walks and soak up some sun.  Sometimes, the walks put Addie to sleep.  Other times, Addie will hum and "talk" as we are strolling.

Milestones:

First St. Patricks Day:  We didn't do much this year for St. Patty's day, but we did put on our green and meet daddy for lunch.  Most people drink green beer or eat Irish-themed foods.  Addie ate her green vegetables! :)

Closet Curiosity:  Addie has always been fascinated with our closet in the master bathroom.  It has huge mirrors on it that reach the floor so she is able to see herself.  The doors on it move left to right to access the closet.  Thursday, Addie was exploring as usual around to different rooms.  I had walked into the master bathroom and noticed that the closet door was open.  I usually keep it closed when she's crawling around in there so I thought it was unusual but went ahead and closed it and went on about my business.  Out of the corner of my eye, I began to see the door move.  I look down and see that Addie is opening it!  After that, it became a game.  I would close it and she would open it or vice versa.  Now it's her favorite thing to do when she's in our bathroom.

Exploring Textures:  Addison is at the stage in her life where textures are really interesting!  We just got new carpeting put in our master bedroom and she loves to bury her fingers in the threads of it.  Soft materials are also a favorite of hers.  The other evening, we were winding down for bed and Addie was sitting with us watching TV.  We looked over and noticed that she was feeling the bedspread (a satin-type material) and then burying her face in it.  It's neat to see her reaction to different textures.

Crawling Update:  Addie LOVES to crawl towards mommy and daddy!  We get on our knees or belly and no matter how far away we are, she will make the trip.  She gets the biggest kick out of it too!

Stuffed Toys: This goes a little bit with exploring textures, but Addie loves to bury her face in stuffed animal toys.  She does it mostly when she's tired or really playful.  She will smile really big and rub her face back and forth and sometimes giggle.  It's way cute!

Sleeping habits:  Addie hasn't slept more than 3 hours straight this week!  She's not acting sick or anything, just not able to sleep.  We put her to bed in the evening and she is up within 2-3 hours.  Mostly, once she's up she will either want a bottle or paci.  Sometimes she will get up and just fuss for a bit and go back to sleep for another two hours.  I don't know if this is common


More pictures from week 45:

Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse 

with the Mickey that Grandma Jenny and 

Grandpa Charley got for her.  She loves her Mickey!

Addison and her cousin Alexa crawling on their bellies.

Addie had lots of fun visiting with her cousin. 

There were so many places to crawl! 

Addison doesn't seem to interested in a hug at the moment.... 

Visiting with Grandma Kuntz 

Addie loves Grandma! :) 

Cousin Taylor (Nikki and Stacy's daughter) 

They're both chasing after the camera 

Addie loved her Grandpa Kuntz too! 

"Aunt" Robin showing Addie pics on the computer 

She was smiling and laughing between drinking the bottle ;) 

We met daddy for lunch on St. Patty's day.

Racing cousin Avryl on their bellies.  I think Addie WON!

Right after one of our walks this week.  Addie became

slightly moody.....

She really enjoys going for walks though :)

Sporting the hat that Grandma Jenny bought her.

And..... cue the mood ;)

We're happy again :)

Soaking up the sun.

Testing out our new carpet in the master bedroom.

She gets really excited when daddy gets home from work!

So do the dogs....

Racing daddy on their bellies.  

Now she's going after mommy's camera!

Uh oh... she's almost here...

Mommy has to back up to avoid slobber on the lense! :)