T.G.I.F.

Just wanted to amaze you all with a second update this week!! I'm not sure what's gotten into me... so don't get used to this. I've tried to take more pictures, but forcing candid moments with a 5 month old doesn't always work.

Here are a few from today and yesterday. All of them are just before a nap, so she looks a little sleepy. She enjoys mommy and daddy's big bed!

We're going to enjoy the rest of our lazy Friday, and look forward to the weekend! Addison can't wait to see Grandma Lou next week and then visit everyone in Peoria! Happy weekend!

Baby Steps

NO! Addison is obviously not walking yet. I'm referring to myself with today's title. I'm finally taking baby steps toward regaining my sense of "self." But I guess it's a new version of myself. I never used to iron Matt's clothes, but last week I did; and I'm trying to "cook" a couple of meals a week; and I've started working again - a little. The last few weeks I've worked half-a-day each week. This week I'm planning 2 half days, and maybe a full day next week. It feels good to be a PT again. I really do love that job. But being Addison's mom is still my favorite job in the world. One day a week is going to be enough.

Addy's drinking her bottles much better these days. I discovered that a "fast flow" nipple is much easier for her, now that she's such a strong "sucker." She's not, however, consistently eating solid foods yet. She seems to like squash better than sweet potatoes, but the last few days she likes to spit it all out. Not just push it out on her tongue, but forcefully spit it out. To the point that I should probably wear a bib as well. She's doing that even when she's not eating too. Kinda cute, but at times frustrating.

We went for a walk yesterday... Addison's big enough to ride in the stroller without the carrier. She looks so big in it!

The rest of these are just kinda random... I tried to get a couple of Addy and me together. Most of those didn't turn out very good. The flash on my camera makes capturing a smile challenging!

"Hats Off to Addison"

Addison turned 5 months old this past Monday. I really can't remember where the time has gone - likely due to sleep deprivation the first 3 months. But now time needs to slow down. My little girl is so much fun!

Matt got lots of compliments on his hat Sunday at church, so when we got home, I took some pictures... but Addy got the hat!

I've tried to capture some of the many attempts Addison is making to grab her toys. She's strong enough and coordinated enough to grab the dangling toys on her activity mat and pull the entire archway down to her face! She's also mastered the art of grabbing the dancing animals on her bouncy seat.

She's also getting pretty close to sitting up. I've been propping her in the corner of the couch with some pillows. We're also just waiting for the day she decides to roll over in her crib. She's gone from back to tummy in the living room a couple of times, but then gets stuck... and not happy. Don't misunderstand me though - I'm not in a hurry for any of these milestones. I would love it if it took years for her to grow up any more. But as you will notice, I haven't been any more successful at slowing down time than any of you!

Here are a few of her latest smiles. Some are in her crib - I love it when I go in to wake her and she's already awake and happy. The smile just gets bigger when I say "Good Morning!" There's not much better than that in the whole world!

Frozen... and Thawed

We have weathered the ice storm of 2009 and seem to be none the worse for wear. Other than the poor maple tree out front. We'll have to wait and see if it will come around. And, I guess we're also cutting down the 2 trees on the side of the house that showered our yard and fence with most of their branches/limbs. It's a miracle our roof wasn't damaged. We were blessed to only be without power for 13 hours, most of which were "sleeping" hours, and out gas fireplace kept the living room plenty warm for our cozy little family.

In the mean time, Addison has been practicing her laundry skills and swallowing rice cereal. She got to eat in her high chair for the first time this weekend; we had to go without the tray on top - it was too hard to get to her "moving target" of a mouth.

I know her hair looks wet, but it's not. I've been trying to keep baby oil on it to help the "cradle cap" issue. Not sure if I'm doing any good, but it makes me feel better. I can't believe how big she looks in that high chair... she's growing too fast already!

Finding her feet

I know I promised Christmas pictures... but I also promised I'd write again "soon;" so how many of you are surprised?? I'll do some Christmas pics, but the ones I took today are too cute to wait on. Addison has recently discovered that her favorite "toy" is her feet! How handy that she can always reach them! She's also just starting to get the idea of her "Jump and Go" we have hung in the doorway. Check out how cute she is!

Addison is also learning how to eat rice cereal. Sadly, I have no pictures of that adventure. Someday I'm sure I"ll stop long enough to document the mess it makes. We're having fun with that. Our sleeping hours are finally beginning to stretch out a little. It seems that if we can keep her fingernails from scratching herself when she flails about in the middle of the night, she sleeps through it. That task has proven difficult. We're resorting back to mittens most nights.

The rest of these were taken over the Christmas holiday. Some here in AR, and some home in IL. We had a wonderful time! I'll have to work on downloading more later! Enjoy

Happy New Year!

Well, we've started 2009 off pretty well. After a wonderful Christmas celebration with Matt's family in Arkansas, we set off on Addison's first trip to Peoria. She's turned out to be a great traveler, which we're so thankful for. And, by the way, she seemed to kick her cold right before we left, so thank you so much for your prayers. We had so much fun introducing her to all of my family that had yet to meet her. Addy met her Great Grandma and Grandpa on my side, as well as all my aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was a star, and behaved perfectly all week. I don't have all the pictures from my mom yet, so I'll get them up soon. Our return to Arkansas greeted us with nice warm weather, and we're settling back in.

Last night we watched the Razorbacks beat Texas and kept updated on my alma mater as the Bradley Braves beat their conference rival IL State. Addy supported my Braves last night, and will be back in Razorback attire for the next Hog game, I promise.

Addison is definitely growing and changing right before our eyes. I love to watch her play and listen to her chatter and coo. I really can't believe how much I love her. She loves her activity mat and bouncy seat; I'm trying to convince her that sitting up in the "Bumbo seat" is just as entertaining, but she's not convinced yet.

I promise I'll have some Christmas pictures up soon... I need to gather them from all the different cameras in our families. Have a blessed day - I know I will!

Cold, cold, go away!

I've never truly understood the desire to take someone's pain or illness on myself to relieve them of it... until motherhood. Of course I hate it when Matt gets sick. But I so desperately wish I could take this persistent cold of Miss Addison's and live with it myself. We're going on 3 weeks now. And hopefully she'll kick it before we head north to the really cold winter land of Peoria.

We had pictures taken at Bedford Studios last month, and I figured I could share a few. She was 10 weeks old then, and catching a smile on camera is still challenging! I'll bring all the proofs home with me at Christmas, don't worry!