If you're happy & you know it....

CLAP YOUR HANDS!!!

  This morning I got Addie on tape clapping along as I sang (and I use that term VERY loosely) "If you're happy & you know it".  She was so excited & animated about it...she had pretty good timing too! 

Visiting Santa

We were invited to personally meet Santa & Mrs. Claus at a friends' house. Josh was SO excited to talk to him, but we were curious how he'd react once he saw them in person. We shouldn't have been curious...he took right to him! Addie, on the other hand, didn't warm up quite as much!

Josh climbed right up on his lap...Addie pinched her eyes shut when we put her on Santa's lap & started screaming! Santa asked Josh what he wanted and then Josh had a memory lapse. He kept repeating "I want...um...I want...um..." over and over. He was in a daze...it was pretty stinking cute! He finally got around to telling Santa that he wanted monster trucks, a blue choo-choo (AKA Thomas the Train), a blue dress and a blue bike.

Addie, Ethan, Taylor, Bryce & Josh with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Getting ready for Christmas!

We got off to a little bit of a slow start, but we're finally all decked out for Christmas! 

Momma & Joshua decorating our tree at home

...even Addie was helping with the ornaments!

Decorating our tree was a 2-day adventure...and Josh FINALLY got to put the angel on top!

I asked Josh if he wanted to write a letter to Santa & he was so excited...I started it for him and let him go to town...he would "write" something, then tell me what it was...I thought I'd help Santa out by translating Josh's "shorthand" :)

(and yes...our son is in fact asking for a blue dress for Christmas along with Monster Trucks and a blue bicycle)

He'll LOVE reading all about this in 15-20 years :)



Addie is 7 months old!!!

Oh, how the time is just flying by...I know I say this every month, but I really mean it!  Before I know it, I'll be planning Addie's first birthday (that's bittersweet)!!  She is the 2nd oldest in the school nursery...there are lots of itty bitty babies in there now! 

We officially have another thumb sucker in the family!!  Addie is sucking her thumb now on a pretty regular basis.  She is still sleeping like a champ at night.  She is definitely showing signs of teething, but I cannot see/feel any bulges indicating that a tooth will appear soon.  Everything she can get her hands on goes straight into her mouth...including books, toys, her feet, fingers...you name it!  She has discovered her toes & fingers.  It's entertaining to watch her play with them!

She is eating cereal, pumpkin, applesauce, prunes, sweet potatoes & pears now and can't seem to get enough of it at lunch & dinner time!  Addie is rolling over all around now to get where she wants.  Her preferred method is still to hollar until someone picks her up or gives her the desired toy, but if she must, she can get to it!  She's sitting pretty all by herself and much more graceful now when she does fall backwards. 

Addie has developed separation anxiety and a little adversity to strangers.  She likes to have Josh, Momma or Daddy around her at all times!!  She does well at school though...she seems to love her teachers.  She gets especially excited when she sees Ms. Linda (who I recently found out feeds her)!!

Here are some pictures from our 'photo shoot'!! She sure is getting big!

I LOVE this little grin!!

She loves playing with her toes!

Thanksgiving 2011

I know...it's a little late, but better late than never, right?!  I think this momma has bit off more than she can chew for the next few weeks...BUT, I didn't want to get too far behind, so here goes!

We spent Thanksgiving with MeMe & Grandpa (Mike's parents) this year!  We thought it was just going to be the 6 of us (including both Josh & Addie), but Andy, Christi, Hailey & Jenna ended up joining us for lunch as well.  After lunch, Mike & I got to do something we haven't done in what seemed like FOREVER...we took a walk just the two of us.  No kids...no dog...just us!  We walked for almost 45 minutes...just chatting and holding hands!  I loved every minute!

Josh helping MeMe decorate her Christmas tree! 

On Friday, Mike went to the deer lease with David.  Josh, Addie & I visited with Allison & Ethan for a while, then stayed the rest of the weekend in Rosenberg with Grammy.  Poppy went to his deer lease too, so we missed seeing him this time around!  We visited with Granny Hudec & Grandma Pilcik.

Addie's a little stinker!

After battling Addie to try & get her to eat baby food for almost a month now...I think we finally figured out the problem....MOMMA!  I tried rice cereal, oatmeal, applesauce & even pumpkin puree (Josh tried it first & he really liked it) :)  She wouldn't eat any of it for me...she'd throw her head back & forth & cry...flat refusing the food. 

Yesterday, her teacher at daycare suggested bringing some baby food so they could try today. Well, I did & guess what?! She ate all of it without hesitation! To test this, I mixed up some oatmeal tonight for her & Mike fed her. Again, she ate all of it without hesitation! 

mmm...she couldn't get enough oatmeal

my lil' stinkers (all 3 of them) :)

Guess we'll have to work out our evening routine so Mike can feed Addie dinner. 

Addie is 6 months old!!!

It's so hard to believe that in 6 short months, we'll be celebrating Adelyn's first birthday!  I know I say this each month, but I really cannot believe just how fast time is flying by!  Addie had a pretty exciting half-birthday!  She had a check up with Dr. Fitch.  She weighs 14 lbs 2.5 oz, her length is 24.75" and her head circumference is 15.75".  Dr. Fitch said she is proportionately petite :)  I had to laugh and asked Dr. Fitch how she could be petite with so many rolls. LOL!  She's hit a little bit of a growth plateau, but he is pleased with her interval growth.  She's about 25% on all measurements.  Overall, he said she's perfect!  Addie is still exclusively nursed; however, he encouraged me to start introducing some baby foods now.  I tried starting rice cereal when she was 5 months old & it seemed to upset her little tummy.  I kept trying periodically & she just didn't want anything to do with it.  So, I tried oatmeal cereal next....same story :(  Yesterday I decided to try applesauce.  I mean what kid doesn't like applesauce, right?!  Well, apparently my daughter doesn't like it.  She cried & wouldn't eat it either.  So...at this point, I'll keep trying, but we may have a very picky eater on our hands :-\

 

Developmentally, Addie is right on target.  She's cooing & talking...  She's laughing & gets so excited when she sees someone she's knows!  She's rolling over all over the place & wiggles like crazy!  Most mornings (and some nights), I cannot even see her in the video monitor because she's moved around so much! :)  She is sitting on her own now!  Exciting times!  I still don't trust her on the tile, so we mostly let her sit on the rug in the living room or on the carpet in the bedrooms.  She also loves playing with Josh's toys...especially his books and playing in her Baby Einstein exersaucer!  Addie is showing some signs of separation anxiety when she cannot see Mike or myself but she will freely go to just about anyone who wants to hold her.

In addition to her regular check up and immunizations, Addie also got her 1st flu shot.  We have to go back in a month for the 2nd dose :(  She ran a bit of a temp today and was extra fussy...I hope the next dose doesn't have the same ill effects on her...poor baby!

And...last, but certainly NOT least, Addie got her ears pierced by Dr. Cevey (another pedi in Dr. Fitch's group).  She did great!  They put some numbing cream on her ears and Addie didn't cry at all when she got her ears pierced!  She's got some pearl inset studs on...  I told Dr. Cevey, "Well, since you don't offer the diamond studs, I guess she'll have to settle for the pearls!" LOL! 

Look at my beautiful baby girl!

Happy Halloween 2011

click on this picture for link to recipe!

Candy Corn Cookies I made for the kids friends/teachers at Concordia

Monday evening we took the kids trick or treating around the neighborhood. Josh had it down pat...he knew to say "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you" and wanted to visit EVERY house that had someone outside. His bucket was FULL by the end of the night, but he had a great time!

Josh was ready to 'race' out & fill his bucket with goodies!

My cute lil' pumpkin!

Walkin' the neighborhood...

 After making our loop around the neighborhood, Josh was ready to shed the car & eat some candy!!  Addie was ready to eat & go to bed...  Josh was running laps around the picnic table on the driveway...it was hilarious!  We let him stay up a little later than normal, but when it came bedtime, he layed down fine, but would NOT go to sleep.  In fact, he was in his bed talking well past 10 pm last night.  Not fussing, just talking...  Needless to say, this morning he told Mike "Daddy, I tired!"  No kidding....it'll probably be an early night tonight :)

We had a very busy weekend!!!

We had a very busy weekend, but we had a lot of fun & did some exciting things!  This post is picture heavy...FYI :)

First, Saturday we had portraits taken for the Church directory.  Although the morning didn't exactly get off on the right foot, the session went great & we did find a family picture that we really liked :)

Saturday after naps, we took the kids downtown to the Auto Show at the convention center.  Josh had a good time looking at the BIG trucks & fancy cars (and let's face it...he's 2, he loved just being able to run around like a crazy kid!)  Afterwards, we walked up the river walk to the Rainforest Cafe.  I had forgotten it was Halloween weekend, so the Riverwalk was crowded, but we got to see a Halloween Riverboat parade.  Addie fell asleep pretty quickly after getting seated, but Josh was very intrigued by the atmosphere and the moving panda bears we sat next to.  The only thing he wasn't crazy about were the "thunderstorms" that happened every so often (where they dim the lights & have thunder & lightning). 

Sunday, Mike made an early morning trip to the dear lease to get some work done out there.  I enlisted the help of our friend Laura to take the kids to the pumpkin patch.  We went to St. Thomas Episcopal School and it was great!  The people there were so nice & the kids really seemed to like it!

He could NOT decide which pumpkin he wanted...I think he picked 3-4 different ones before he finally decided on one :)

Our beautiful babies!

I really like this backdrop...made for a cute picture!

This is the pumpkin Addie wanted...this girl knows what she wants!!!

The funniest part was Josh's fascination with the rotten & broken pumpkins in the woods.  He kept saying "Oh no, pumpkin's broken" LOL

After the pumpkin patch, we went home & carved our pumpkin.  This was the first time for Josh (and it had been a LONG time since I had carved one).  We started with the obvious....cutting the top off & getting the seeds out!  I am going to roast the pumpkin seeds so we can snack on them as well...waste not, want not! :)

Josh diving in to retrieve some pumpkin seeds and some "gluey" stuff as he called it :)

Our finished product!!!

Sunday, after naps, we headed to the Concordia Fall Festival.  This was our first time to go & it was pretty fun!  They had pony rides, a train ride, bouncing houses, slides, bingo, snacks...you name it :)  Josh got to see acouple of his friends...Anna & Ella but he missed Reese & Kayla too!

 

Josh enjoying the 'bouncing' house!

Addie enjoying the stroll outside!

Josh hugging Anna...he loves his friends!

Josh riding a pony...should've worn his cowboy hat!!!

Josh & Daddy riding the train!  CHOO CHOO....

Both kiddos were exhausted by Sunday evening & went to bed early....so they could be well rested for Halloween festivities! :)

another first....

Josh started running a fever on Friday and complaining that his mouth was hurting.  We kept an eye on him and started alternating Tylenol & Motrin for pain.  He seemed okay and was eating good until yesterday.  He was drinking okay (as long as the liquids were cold) but he complained everytime he tried to eat anything.  Last night he was up every 1-2 hours crying because his mouth hurt, so needless to say, neither Mike nor I got much sleep. 

I called the pediatrician today & took him in.  Dr. Fitch confirmed within a minute that Josh in fact did have the Hand-Foot-Mouth (HFM) virus :(   Today his nap was pretty much the same....1 hour, when normally at home he naps from 3-4 hours.

The good part is that typically it lasts 3-5 days and he felt like it probably started on Friday, so we should be on the downhill stretch.  Dr. Fitch also asked about the rest of us.  I told him that Addie & Mike were fine, but that I had a sore throat.  He checked me out & said it looked like I had it as well.  I didn't know adults could even get HFM, but he said it was possible.  He also said that its typically worse in kids than adults for some reason and most adults discount it as sinuses, allergies or a cold.  So, now we just pray that Addie & Mike stay symptom free!!!  Oh & that we all can get some rest tonight!!!

Weekend festivities

We replaced our fence this weekend...  It was a rough weekend (due to some Home Depot shortcomings), but it got done & looks great!  I am very pleased!

Our 5th Anniversary!

Mike & I both agree that on one hand, the past 5 years has flown by....but on the other hand, it seems like we've been married for more than 5 years since so much has changed in our lives.  All good, of course! :)

We enlisted Grammy & Poppy to come to San Antonio to watch Josh & Addie while we 'escaped' the city for a couple of days.  We rented a "little house" on the Blanco River in Wimberley, TX.  It was called Shade Ranch (www.shaderanch.com).

Friday night (our actual anniversary), we opted to eat at the Gristmill in Gruene, TX.  It was where we ate the night Mike proposed to me 6 years ago :) 

Saturday, we were able to wander around the 25 acres that the "little house" was located on & hung out down by the river too in between rain showers.

While it was raining, we enjoyed some uninterrupted college football on the couch & even got to enjoy a nap! :)  Saturday night, Mike grilled some amazing ribeyes...so we ate, drank & we watched the A&M vs. Tech game (both wearing our alumni t-shirts in silent support of our respective team!)

We got up & headed back home Sunday morning...  The weekend couldn't have been more perfect and to top it off...we were greeted by a HUGE hug from Josh, a toothless grin from Addie & a very hyper chocolate lab.  As much as we enjoyed our time together, we know that part of what makes us who we are today is our children!



Too cute not to share

Addie isn't the only one growing up too fast.  Josh surprises us every day with his new expressions, statements (some good, some not so good) and his actions.  He is quite the character though!  Here are a few cute updated pictures that I can't help but share :)

...eating edamame.  He does love to get the beans out of the pod!

...watching Shrek 2 in the Expedition

...just lookin' cute :)

...relaxing on Greer's recliner watching football

...hiding behind his 'cape'

...being 100% ALL boy playing outside!

Addie is 5 months old!

Addie turned 5 months old yesterday!  I cannot believe how fast time is going by...seems like only yesterday when I first held her! 

We made a trip to Rosenberg this past weekend to celebrate Taylor & Bryce's birthdays.  Addie did MUCH better on this road trip!!!!  Thank goodness! :)

She still loves to smile and "talk", but this girl knows what she's wants.  She gets frustrated and lets you know if things aren't going the way she thinks they should.  *Sigh* Unfortunately, I know where she gets this from and I have a feeling this will be the case for some time to come! LOL

She is sitting up with the assistance of the Bumbo and loves to see what's around her!  She's found her toes & even managed to get them into her mouth.  She is not sucking her thumb as adamantly as Josh did at this age, but constantly has her fingers/hand in her mouth.  I suspect we'll be seeing some teeth emerge in the near future.

She is still sleeping 11 1/2 - 12 hours at night and taking 1 decent nap (1+hour) and 2-3 short cap naps (30-45 min) during the day.  She's happy & it's not affecting her nighttime sleep, so I don't worry too much about it.  She is really moving around in her crib....back to tummy to side and spinning around the crib.  And much to my dislike, she's found a new sleeping position that she seems to really like :-/

A couple of firsts happened this week too.... 

Addie took a bath with Josh in the "big tub" and...

she ate dinner with us at the table last night.  She loved the cereal!!  She was ready & willing & ate the whole bowl of rice cereal!

Addie is 4 months old!!

Our sweet baby girl turned 4 months old yesterday!  I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by.  She had an appointment with the pediatrician last week & she's 12 lbs 9 oz and 24" long.  She seems SO much bigger than Josh at this age, but believe it or not, when I went back to look at his 4 month stats....he was the exact same length and only 1 oz smaller than Addie!  Dr. Fitch was very pleased with her growth & told us she looked perfect! Always good to hear that :) He said we could start cereal/food now if we wanted to, but we'll wait like we did with Josh.  She's getting everything she needs from her Momma right now!!

Addie is a pretty laid back baby...  She is still eating 5 times a day and she's sleeping from about 7:00 pm to about 6:30 am.  She takes only 1 good nap (1 hour +) during the day and the other 2-3 naps are mostly 30-45 min catnaps :)  She is starting to notice when we leave her sight & cries out for us.  She will occasionally roll over from her tummy to her back but she has mastered arching her back to spin herself around to look at something specific.  She's definitely found her voice and likes to coo and 'talk' to us while making eye contact!  She also recognizes our voices...and LOVES to watch Josh when he's acting silly!