The Handley Family: Weekly Update

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