Monday, January 31, 2011

Happenings

I can't believe that tomorrow is February. Where does the time go? We've been up to a whole lotta nothin' lately as we are trying to dodge the RSV season with a still new-ish babe, but we're having fun doing it! Each day is a new day, which is the only thing that keeps me sane some days. I hear Addison say, "Pway wiff me!" about 4,300 times a day, and although it's cute and charming..it can get old! All she wants to do is play! I just wish that I didn't have things to do, like laundry, cleaning the house, and pumping..constantly pumping! Then, I could "pway" with her all day. Sometimes our days and routine get a bit old, but I wouldn't trade them for the world!

Hailey is growing WAY too fast. She acts like she's a six month old baby. She always wants to sit up, and can almost do it by herself. She's super close to rolling over, holds toys, blows raspberries, babbles, and constantly kicks her legs..all things that make me think she's much older than she really is. Not to mention that she is HUGE! Her cheeks have always been squishy and wonderful, but she also has wonderful rolly thighs and arms that I can't keep my hands off of!


The other day she was proped on the couch, and tipped over. She just laughed and cooed while she flopped like a fish on her belly. Apparently we need to be more cautious about just putting her down.

Today we ventured out of the house for a big adventure. Addison went to gymnastics, and LOVED it! She did such a great job following the teacher, listening to the instructions, and waiting for her turn. I was really impressed with her abilities. She got put in the younger class, but by the end, she got an invitation to move up the the bigger kid's class next week. Hopefully she'll continue to love it. It's just the sort of thing she needs to keep her busy, and give her something to look foward to each week.


If you've spent any time with Addison, you know that she is very particular about, well..pretty much everything! She has to do things in a certain order, say certain things, and wear certain clothes. She hates when things are uncomfortable or tight. Lately, she's been saying that her coat, boots, or pants are "teasing" her when they are uncomfortable. Seat belts seem like the biggest "tease" of all. Luckily, Aunt Berta created a staying safe incentive which encourages Addi to wear her seat belt safely. Each time she earns five stickers for not taking off, or wiggling out of her belt, she gets something fun, like a trip to McDonalds Play Place, or a prize from the Dollar Store. It's seemed to work, and makes car trips much more enjoyable! Now if there was just an incentive program that could get rid of her crazy OCD antics, I would be a happy Momma. Instead, I just have to play by her rules, and fine-tune my negociation skills!



Addison took this picture of her handsome Daddy. She loves him so much. Unfortunately, he works A LOT, and his work schedule is a bit crazy. He works noon to midnight Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and every other Thursday. He also works Mondays at 6 PM - 6 AM. Of course, it doesn't end there. Trav picks up shifts constantly. Most weekends instead of coming home after the end of his 12 hour shift, he stays on and works until 3 AM, and sometimes picks up shifts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and every other Thursday. Thank goodness we can share calendars on our iPhones, otherwise I wouldn't be able to keep track of him! Every morning before Trav heads off to work, Addison reminds him that she needs a kiss and a hug, and says, "I won't miss you, Dad. Here, let me open the door. Now leave." I guess that's her way of coping, but it sure makes us laugh! We have started Skyping with Travis while he's at work. It helps when we have long days to be able to log on and video chat with him. Addi sure loves it!

Travis has been working out like crazy. He's figured out a pretty sweet way to get the work out in too. His treadmill is right in front of his 11 foot screen, and he walks on incline while playing video games. He burns about 800-1100 calories in about 45 minutes. Our treadmill goes up to 40% incline. Currently he's at 33%. He's lost 25 lbs! He looks great!

There are no pictures of me..and things are pretty much the same in my life now. I'm still working for my Dad, but only just barely (only about 5-10 hrs/week). My kids are my life and are keeping me busy! I love being a Mom, and I'm lucky to do it full time. Thanks to Trav for making it possible for me!

Life is swell!

Friday, January 21, 2011

3 Months and 3 in 3 Months


Hailey turned 3 months old on the 19th. I can't believe I've had this sweet baby in my life for 3 months already. Here are some things for me to remember about my little lady.
- Hailey isn't the best eater. She doesn't nurse, except in the middle of the night. When she's eating her bottle, she likes to be held by her belly, facing out. She also shakes her head back and forth - making it really hard to keep the bottle in her mouth.
-Hailey is a wiggle worm. Madi calls her 'Fidget'. She is constantly kicking her feet, and moving her arms.
-Hailey likes to suck her thumb


-Hailey loves attention. She is content if she can see someone around her - if she's alone, and awake, she's not quite as happy.
-We started Hailey on reflux meds the first of Jan. She seems to still have an unhappy tummy most of the time, and is always spitting. Travis commented that the poor kid always has a bib on..it's true!
-Hailey is a big gal. She's rockin' mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes.
-She just started giggling, and it melts my heart!
-Hailey's cheeks are absolutely wonderful, and I love to kiss and squish them! Her thighs match!
-Hailey LOVES the tub!



Addison is turning 3 in 3 months. She's gotten to be such a big girl. Here are some things that I want to remember about Addi at this stage in her life:
-Addison LOVES her Daddy. He's her favorite person these days.
-Addi constantly wants someone to 'come upstairs and play with her'. Addison loves to role play, and she is quite particular about how she does it. She always has a script to follow when you play with her. She says things like, "I'm the Mommy and you're the big girl. I am going to tell you that I have to wash your blankets, and then you tell me no, and start to cry."
-She always says the funniest things, like out of the blue one day she said, "Hey Mom, Dinosaurs can kill you.", and "Here goes nothing."
-Addison is potty trained! We started working on it this summer. She had a set back when Hailey was born, but is doing really well now! She rarely has accidents, and can tell me when she needs to go!

-Addison loves her babies and blankets
-She still loves the Backyardigans
-Addison loves to color and to finger paint. Yesterday she even colored on her face.


-Addi is still Ms. ADDItude, and has her moments of ups and downs - lately it's been lots of downs. I hope that changes soon!
-Addison is picky about lots of things. She likes to have things her way. Addison will not wear jeans EVER. Things have to be done a certain way, or you'll hear about it!
-She's turning into a girly girl. She loves to put on make-up and put fingernail polish on.



I have TWO wonderful girls! I am lucky to spend my days with them, and love them so much!!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Big Fun!

The other day we went to Keith and Jo's house and played in their yard. We got our inflatable row boat and attached it to the 4-Wheeler. We even wrapped Hailey up warm and tight so that she could join in the fun. It was a blast!

Love Her!

Stuff


Since she started moving around on her own, Addison has been obsessed with collections. She loves to stack things, arrange things, and organize things. Every single day, Addison wakes up and gathers her favorite things...four buggies (blankets), three dolls, a large teddy bear, a puppy, and a plastic kangaroo (not seen in the picture), hauls them down the stairs, and arranges them carefully on the couch.

This wouldn't be such a big deal, but ALL of these items are carried with her up and down, back and forth, wherever she goes in the house throughout the day. Our stairs are steep, and her arms are FULL. I have tried to limit the things she can take, but she just can't live without one of these things. At the end of the day, she carefully tucks each one of these things in it's proper place - the dolls in the top and second drawer of her desk, the puppy and teddy bear jammed in the bottom drawer of the desk, the kangaroo on the floor next to the bed, and all four buggies in a very specific order, striped on the bottom, Jo Jo's next, then the Santa blanket, and her ultimate favorite - the flower one on top.

Seriously, this girl is a quirky nut! And I lover her dearly!

So Big


Hailey is getting so big...so fast! She is so strong and holds her head up so well. The other day I got out the Bumbo chair. She did really well in it, and seemed to like it.

I love her chubby cheeks!..and her jeggings!! (jeans leggings)


It's hard to get a picture when both of them are looking at the camera. What cuties!


Sweet baby



Hailey has a little temper. She has a bad tummy too..that's probably why she has a temper..poor baby!

Happy New Year


This year we rang in the new year at our house with some of our favorite people...Grandma Jer, Aunt Madi, and Ethan (Daddy too...he came home at 11 PM, just in time for the new year celebration.) We had a fun dinner with all sorts of finger foods. My favorite was the spring rolls that Grandma made us. Everything was delicious.

We had fun watching movies, playing, and staying up extra late!

Happy New Year Everyone!