Santa Henry

My mom's one request this Christmas was to have a family picture of her girls, their husbands and her granddaughter with Santa. Since the real santa from the North Pole was busy at the mall, Santa Henry stepped up to the plate....and he was the BEST Santa! Addie was not scared of him at all...a little perplexed, but not scared. It was a lot of fun and a great memory.

Addie sees Santa Henry for the first time

We had an amazing Christmas. My heart was overflowing with joy!! I don't know if it is b/c I'm a mom now or what, but the true meaning of Christmas was at the forefront of my mind this year (which was a nice feeling). I can easily get caught up in the commercial side of Christmas (unfortunatley). So, so thankful for the birth of our Savior!!

Hope everyone enjoys the last day of 2010. Hope I can stay awake until midnight! :)

My childhood obsession and my current obsession collide

Our little unicorn

Go Addie, Go!

Well it is official people! Addie is crawling!!! She had recently been crawling a little bit here and there (and by little bit I mean moving the left arm, then right foot and that's about it). But now she's got the hang of it. We had a play date this morning and Addie saw her friend Brooklynn crawling around and she did about 4 crawling movements in a row to try to catch her. Then this afternoon I knew just what would do the trick. Addie LOVES the remote control and we do NOT let her play with it. But in a moment of weakness I sat Addie down on one end of the rug and put the remote control at the other and she went for it! I did let her play with it for just a few minutes. We are so proud of our baby girl! However, she has not quite mastered crawling on our wood floors...it is kinda like Bambi on the ice pond!

sweet baby Paige

Our great friends Corey and Amanda had their beautiful daughter, Paige, on September 27th! (I am late, once again, on my post). She is the cutest little thing and looks like her momma. Addie and Paige already have matching outfits (it is so cute). Addie is actually modeling the outfit and can't wait for her and Paige to both wear them on a game day! We love Paige so much and look forward to many fun times with the Bolding and Bockus families!!

the new family of three

best friends

Dads and their daughters

Addie meeting Paige for the first time

She wanted to give Paige a big hug!

Wordless Wednesday

Addie and her beautiful Gran

(OK, so I guess it is not-so wordless Wednesday)

Catch up time

Well since it has been over a MONTH since I last posted, I have a lot of catching up to do! Of course Addie Rose needs an update first! She'll be 8 months old in 4 days. 8 months old - I just can't believe it!

UPDATE #1
- Addie is starting to give hugs and kisses! It is the sweetest, most precious thing. We've been loving on her since the day she was born and it is the best feeling for her to show us love back. You can ask for a hug and she'll usually give you one. Her kisses, on the other hand, are totally spontaneous. They are big, slobbery, open mouth kisses and we love them.

- We've started feeding Addie the Gerber puffs and she is obsessed with them. She much prefers them to any other baby food. It has been fun watching her motor skills develop. She can now pick up an individual puff and successfully put it in her mouth. What a big girl!

- Addie is finally getting teeth! I know the teething process is no fun, but I've been awaiting their arrival. :)

- Addie has started saying "dada" in addition to "mama".

- Addie can wave "bye" and "hi" now! It is so cute. When we go downstairs first thing in the morning she'll see Ethel and wave hello to her.

- Addie reaches for mommy and daddy. It is so sweet to see those chubby little arms reach for you to pick her up.

- Addie has had several play dates and loves them (and mommy does too)

7 months old

Addie giving her baby kisses

Addie and Ethel

UPDATE #2

OK, on to the next update....which I can't believe I'm announcing publicly...I'm doing the Tie Dye Tri next weekend! aaaaahhhhhhhh!!! Last year we went to the tri to watch Hank's dad, uncle and aunt and I was inspired. I was preggers with Addie at the time and made it a goal then and there to participate in it next year. I thought it would be a good goal and an even better way to lose the baby weight. Well here we are a year later and it is really happening! I've been training since June, bought a bike, a one-piece swim suit, a swim cap, and a ridiculous looking tri suit and I think I'm finally ready. Did I mention that I am not a swimmer, or a runner, or really even a biker? Thankfully I have some people in my life that are all of the above and have been great encouragers. I've been training with my sister Mel and our goal is to finish and feel good! During one of our bike rides Melissa (my younger sister) was totally kicking my booty and I jokingly said, "hey, I'm allowed to be slower b/c I'm a mom" Melissa then responds "That is no excuse" but from then on whenever I was tired or worn out from training I would say it was b/c I'm a tri mama. So if you think about it next weekend, say some prayers for this tri mama!!!

UPDATE #3

The fair! We go every year with the Bolding's and this year Amanda happened to be 38 weeks pregnant! She was such a trooper! We tried to tell her we didn't have to go this year, but she insisted that we go. Amanda wanted to do some walking to help move things along with Paige. We were hoping for a good story (like Amanda going into labor at the fair, ha!), but instead we just had a good time!

WOW

Mr. Wyatt Owen Ward was born early in the morning on July 17th, 2010 to Sam and Crislyn Ward! Crislyn has been one of my best friends for over 20 YEARS and Hank and I couldn't be happier for them! We were so thankful that we were able to meet that little guy before we left for Minnesota. (He was born the morning we left for vacation which is why I'm a little late on this post...) He is handsome and absolutely perfect! I have literally gone through almost every phase of life with Crislyn by my side and it brings such joy and amazement to my heart that we both now have children. Addie and Wyatt are destined to be great friends! Crislyn and Sam are incredible parents already (the lack of sleep hasn't even phased them). It will be so fun to watch that little guy grow up!

Momma Crislyn and Wyatt


Addie and Wyatt

Friends

6 mo pictures

We were so excited when Uncle Randy agreed to take Addie's 6 month pictures in Minnesota! We just love these pics!

6 mo info:
weight: 17lb 8oz (75%)
height: 26" (50%)

Addie is now eating carrots, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, and she does not like squash. We try a new food about once a week or so. She is loving her solids and has little interest in her bottle. She has been learning to use a sippy cup with some help. She threw her first official fit the other day when I took the sippy cup away. And what did this first time mommy do? Well, i promptly returned it to her, of course! oops! :)

Who wants to go ta.... Minnesota?

We just got back from our annual Minnesota trip and couldn't be missing it more! We spent two full weeks of bliss on Lake Vermillion. This was Addie's first official road trip and she did GREAT! We drove 16 hours in two days and Addie handled it like a champ. (Just FYI, we used a "the First Years" car bottle warmer and it worked like a charm) She took lots of naps and I sat in the back and played with her a lot. When we finally arrived in Minnesota the temperature was an amazingly wonderful 72 degrees! It even got down into the 60's at some point. We love going to Minnesota b/c we do a lot of relaxing, fishing and eating. This year was especially fun b/c Addie was with us. I felt like she reached a lot of milestones in Minnesota, which makes for great memories. We fed her solids (and by solids I mean something besides cereal) for the first time, she mastered sitting up, and she turned SIX MONTHS OLD! Addie also had her first boat ride (which she loved), her first dip in the lake (which she loved) and her first sip of water from a glass (which she loved). Her Uncle Andy got to spend some time with us in Minnesota too - Addie adores him! Hank and I also got to go on a date night while we were there and Grandma Teresa did most of Addie's morning feedings for me so that I could sleep in (thank you!!!) I also toted my bike and Henry's bike up this year and we got to do some riding. Hank, as usual, did not shave the entire trip and I caught the biggest fish this year (a 30" Northern - it was scarrrry). Also, Addie's great Uncle Randy took her 6 month pictures while we were there and they are incredible! I will post those soon.

The beginning of our road trip! (We actually bought this Minnesota T-shirt when we were there last year and I was preggers....we didn't know we were having a girl yet, so we bought something gender neutral that our little one could wear when we went this year)

Addie eating sweet potatoes for the first time. She actually loved them.

Addie in Lake Vermillion. I was very surprised how much she loved the water - it was pretty cold!

Addie at the Wilderness Club

Addie snuggled up with her daddy. I love that little face. And yes, it was THAT chilly!

Naked baby loving the lake!

Mamamama

Guess what??? Addie has said her first word.......MAMA!!!! She is a 6 month old baby genius! Ok, well technically I don't think she knows what she is saying or that it is me who she is talking about but I'm going to go ahead and count it! Whether it is baby jabbering or intentional - it doesn't matter b/c I absolutely love it.

Sorry if the video makes you a little dizzy. I had to sneak up on her b/c every time I get the video camera out she stops talking.

Addie's baptism

Our sweet daughter was baptized on June 27th, 2010 at Lakeside United Methodist Church. It was such a joyful and emotional day! We thank God for the precious baby He has blessed us with. Hank and I pray that we can be good examples to Addie and encourage her to know the Lord. We say our prayers every night and Addie always smiles during them like she knows exactly who we are talking to. It is so sweet!

Addie did great during her baptism. She was all smiles as usual. We are so thankful for the people who were able to share this day with us.

Auntie Mel and Edy

Uncle Andy (we miss you Aunt Caroline!!!)

Corey, Amanda, baby Paige in the belly

Great-Grammy

Addie wanted some cake

Norm, Jackie, V and Abbie

Gran and Pap-Pap

Great-Grandad and Great-Grandma

Grandma and Pa

Uncle Bruce and Aunt Suzanne

Rice cereal - NO, oatmeal - OH YES!!

About three weeks ago we had Addie's 4 month check up! She is doing great - growing so fast! Our doctor gave us the go ahead to start feeding her cereal with one bottle feeding. We decided to try the ever so famous rice cereal! It was so much fun to feed Addie "solids". She is getting to be such a big girl. I'll let the videos speak for themselves!

Very first time to try rice cereal:

5 minutes after eating rice cereal

So, obviously Addie was not a fan of the rice cereal....but she sure does love oatmeal! We tried it about a week later and it was a success! It was so cute to see her eat the oatmeal! :)

Benton is here!

Welcome to the world Benton! Our dear friends Jen and Landon had their sweet baby yesterday afternoon and I must say he is an absolute cutie! Mom and baby are doing just perfect. Benton has lots of hair and the cutest lips. We introduced Addie to her very first boyfriend! hehe :) I was shocked to see how huge Addie looks compared to Benton. I forgot how small she used to be.

This picture makes me laugh b/c for some reason it reminds me of the movie Elf. Addie looks like a giant compared to Benton!

Cuddle session!!!

We love you Jen and Landon! You are going to be amazing parents to Benton. Can't wait for play dates!

Day of firsts

Addie and I had a great day today! I absolutely look forward to the days I am not working and get to spend lots of time with my sweet baby. My mom, sister and I decided to get our first pedicures of the season today and we had a blast. Addie LOVED watching me get a pedicure. As you can see Addie can't take her eyes off the nice lady who was working on my feet!

So today Addie tried formula for the first time. This was kind of a sad moment for me because I think that breast milk is so wonderful. However, Addie and I did not catch on to the whole breastfeeding thing, so I've been exclusively pumping for the past 3 1/2 months and my supply is starting to run out. So I mixed up the formula and tried to feed Addie -she absolutely HATED it! She would drink a little bit of it and then make a disgusted face and spit it out. It was kind of funny actually. Also, looking back I probably should not have tried to "capture the moment" for my blog - it just added to the chaos! So anyway, I called my friend Jeanna (I call her for all my mommy advice b/c she has a little one who is 3 months older than Addie) and she told me to mix the formula with my milk - and it worked! Thanks Jeanna.

And to leave you with a "good taste in your mouth"....