Y3W: Merry Christmas Addison!

Merry Christmas Baby girl! Daddy and I are so excited to share our first Christmas as a family. This year Christmas is going to be very busy! It's Christmas Eve now, and today you are spending the day with Grammie and Grampie Knight (probably being more spoiled than I will ever know) while Mama cleans the house and packs and Daddy is at work.

Later, Daddy and I will come over and we're all going to have Chinese food for dinner before we go to church. You have a beautiful little dress to wear to church tonight, but if you're too tired, we may have to cancel church this year and tell you the Christmas story ourselves. It will be bedtime after church and we're hoping you get a good night's sleep since tomorrow is going to be so busy.

Tomorrow is Christmas day, and we are going to be hurried all day. Daddy likes to refer to the "run run Rudolph" song when we talk about how busy a day it is. We're going to get up at Grammie and Grampie's, open all your presents and then get ready to go to the airport! Grammie and Grampie are taking us to the airport so we can catch our plane to Miami, and from there, we're going to rent a car and drive to Marathon Florida where we'll meet up with Grandma and Grandpa Phillips, Aunt Nikki, Aunt Jackie, and Uncle Ryan (who left last night to drive). We should be in Marathon around 10pm. It's going to be a long day sweet girl, but it's your first Christmas and it is going to be fun too!

Merry 1st Christmas Addison!!

Love Mama and Daddy

xoxoxoxoxo

7 Months Old

Dear Addison,

This has been one busy week for you and me. We are getting ready for Christmas AND for our first real family vacation, all happening on the same day. But, even though we've been busy, and I'm posting this late, I did not forget that you turned 7 months old on Monday.

It is so weird for me to remember this exact day last year because daddy and I were just getting our first ultrasound of you. I cannot ever explain to you how I felt when I got to see your little body and count your fingers and toes on that day. It was this day last year that we found out we were getting a daughter, and boy have we loved that you are our little girl.

So here's what you've been up to this past month. You've decided you like to sleep through the night, but only if you get to sleep in mommy and daddy's bed. I usually put you down for the night at 8pm and you will sleep until midnight, then you want a bottle. You're still only drinking a 5oz bottle, but if I feed you and put you back in your crib, you'll wake up at 2 and then again at 5 am before getting up for the day at 7:30am. If at midnight I put you in with us, and you share my pillow, you sleep until 8am. Most nights I keep putting you back in your crib, but lately I've been so busy and sick with a cold that I just let you snuggle.

You are teething right now and it is really hard for me to watch. I hate watching you in pain, and sometimes your little gums hurt so much that even your baby advil doesn't help. You chew constantly on your fingers, and anything else you can get near your mouth, and your cheeks are all chapped. You are starting to get a little drool rash around your chin, and have been spitting up quite a bit lately too. I can feel the little edges of teeth through the gums, so I hope they break free soon and you are no longer in pain.

You are doing really well at eating solid foods! So far you've tried sweet potatoes, butternut squash, peas, rice and oatmeal cereal, pears, bananas, applesauce and prunes. Your favorites are applesauce and prunes, and you hated the peas. You eat solids at breakfast and at dinner every day, and when I have time off with you, you get them for lunch too. You usually eat quite a bit and then still drink your bottle.

Your little personality is getting stronger every day. You are hilarious and you know it! You love to imitate your family members blowing raspberries, and fake coughing, and you have the cutest laugh. Your favorite things to do right now are to bounce in your jumperoo, play pat a cake, and pretty much anything involving your daddy. You are extra snuggly with your mama, but you love to play with your daddy. You are no longer afraid of uncle Ryan, but you now hate the bird tapestry that Grandma Phillips has in her hallway. You look at it and cry, or scowl. No one really knows why you hate it, but you will turn your head in its direction to scowl at it when we turn you away from it.

As far as milestones go, you made your first signs a couple weeks ago. You signed "more" and "milk" and although they weren't perfect, you did a very good job and both mama and daddy knew exactly what you meant. We practice signing every day, and you love the songs we know in sign language.

Tomorrow is Christmas eve, and I cannot tell you how excited your daddy and I am to celebrate our first Christmas together as a family. We can't wait to see you open your presents, and we even got you your own vegetable and turkey dinner. I am anxious about our plane ride in the afternoon, because I am afraid your ears are going to pop and you'll cry the whole time, but I am trying to think positively that everything will go smoothly and you will sleep.

Well baby girl, I'd better go for now, you are awake from your nap and want to play. Here are some pictures of you this month, my beautiful 7 month old baby girl.

Investigating mashed potatoes at your great grandfather Phillips house

Playing video games with daddy

Playing in your jumperoo

Enjoying the wrapping paper from your Christmas party

Love always, your mama

xoxoxoxoxo

Addison's Christmas Party

Friday was Addison's first Christmas party! It was held with our mommy and me group and it was so much fun! 8 of the 10 babies were there and it was super cute watching the babies play with each other. Addie loves playing with the other babies. It's really cool that they've known each other since they were literally weeks old, and they actually recognize each other. I am fascinated by Addie's clear preference for Xavier though. We won't tell Daddy that her BFF is a boy, but wow did she pick a cute one!

The party was great. We ate good food, had good conversation, the babies played and entertained each other, and there were so many hands around that it seemed like there were more mamas than babies. We also did a secret Santa gift exchange and Addie got a couple really cute outfits and a first Christmas blanket.

Here are some pictures of the party.

Addie and Mama opening her present Addie enjoyed eating the wrapping paper more than the gift itself

Addison + Xavier = BFF

8 Babies on a couch, does it get any cuter than that?

What's all this white stuff?

Well Addie girl, this is what it looks like out our front door today.

Welcome to the snow belt of Canada. Last winter we hardly got any snow at all, but that was the first year that Mommy and Daddy had ever seen a winter like that around here. I'm sorry you weren't lucky enough to live in Hawaii or some other tropical place that is warm and beautiful all year, but you are lucky to have a Mommy and Daddy who know how to enjoy the snow!

You're in luck! Because we get so much snow, Mommy and Daddy are experts at digging snow forts and we also know how to make a mean snowman. Mommy can't wait to teach you how to skate (maybe you'll even love figure skating like Mama used to do) and Daddy swears he'll still be good at snowboarding when you're big enough to stand on your own board. Another advantage to having parents who grew up in the snowbelt, is that we know where all the good sledding hills are and aren't afraid to ride with you on a crazy carpet or a GT.

I can't believe how much snow we have already Addison, What a first winter you're having! You should see how cute you are all bundled up when we go out. Here are some pictures of you in your car seat all nice and cozy and in your new snowsuit.

Weekend Wrap Up

We packed A LOT into this weekend.

Friday Addie and I spent the day with my mom. My little brother was kind enough to put my winter tires on for me (which it looks like I'm REALLY going to need this winter) so while he was doing that, us girls went where else... shopping. We went to Toys R Us and my mom got a few toys for her friends kids, she got us our umbrella stroller for Florida, and I got Addie a bundle me for her car seat. If you don't have one, get one. It is so much easier to snuggle her into that than trying to fight to get her coat on and then strap her in while she's all bulky. Addison clearly loves her little baby nest since she now falls asleep as soon as she warms up in there. In the afternoon, I left Addie with my parents while I did a little Christmas shopping. Ryan and I are almost done our shopping, and I am excited to finally finish it this week!

Saturday we went with my parents to Drysdales Christmas Tree Farm. First we went to see Santa. They have this entire little cottage set up so that when you walk in, it's like walking into Santa's house in the North Pole. Very cute. But the best part is that you can take your own pictures for free! You just give Santa your kid and start snapping away. Addie did much better with this Santa than the mall Santa and although she still didn't give us a smile, it was very cute the way she was watching him so intently. Then we went on a sleigh ride with these beautiful horses through the tree farm, and Addie really enjoyed watching everyone on the sleigh and seeing the horses moving. After the sleigh ride we got some hot apple cider, and then went off to the gift shop. I found the perfect Baby's First Christmas ornament there. It's a glass ball, and it is open on one side with a yellow glass duckling right in the middle. On the top it's etched in the glass ball to say Baby's First Christmas. Considering Addison's love of ducks, it couldn't be more perfect.

Next we left Addison with her grandparents and went to look at some houses. It is really handy having Ryan's dad as our real estate agent. He knows exactly what we're looking for. This time of year there isn't much on the market in our price range, so when we saw this house that was a little below our budget and had everything we were looking for, we jumped on it.

Sunday Ryan's dad called the listing agents office to get some more info on the house since it had only been on the market for like 4 days. The office said that there had been 10 showings on Saturday, it was booked up all of Sunday and there was already an offer on the table. The sellers had decided to wait until 5pm Sunday to review all offers. So Ryan's dad put our offer together, we even offered them $3,000 more than their asking price, and we waited.

Unfortunately, there had been 4 offers altogether by Sunday at 5pm and when ours was considered, it sounded like we bid the highest amount, but we lost it due to our condition that we have until the end of March to close. The couple wanted to sell immediately. Because of the multiple offers, we never even got a chance to negotiate.

Ryan and I were pretty disappointed, especially since we have been looking for months and this was the first house that we both loved. It really had everything on our need list, and just about everything on our want list too. A little discouraging, but at least we've now been through the process and know it's not that scary, and we have faith that God will find us a home when the time is right. So for now we just keep looking. We know our house is out there somewhere.

Christmas Card Preview

I am working on photoshopping a picture of Addison for our Christmas cards, but here is a little preview of our little Christmas baby:

Weekend Wrap Up

Wow. Is the weekend over already? This weekend was a complete blur.
Friday night we went to dinner with the lovely ladies I work with for our Christmas get together. It was nice for me to get to meet all the other team members I have since we are all self contracted and most of them I had never met before. Poor Ryan was pretty bored though. Maybe next year I'll go stag and he can have some alone time with Addie girl.

Saturday we raced up to North Bay to spend some time with Ryan's grandfather since we won't be around for Christmas. Ryan's parents, his brother in law and both sisters were there too. Addie was a good girl in the car, which was a great surprise because the 2 1/2 hour drive was what I was dreading the most since Addison is only good for very short trips in her car seat. As long as I was entertaining her she was happy though, and made for a great drive.

Saturday night my mother in law made a great turkey and ham dinner, and we enjoyed spending time with the family eating a good meal, playing cards and just relaxing. Addison decided she wanted to be part of all the action too however and extended her bedtime by about 4 hours. The kid has more stamina than anyone I have ever met. Between 9am and 11 pm she had only slept for 15 minutes but she was still full of energy and the happiest baby around. She finally fell asleep at 11pm and slept until 4am when she woke up to eat and refused to go back into her pack and play to sleep. I tried rocking her to sleep and putting her down 4 times before I gave in and let her sleep with us yet again. But in my defense, I didn't want to wake up the whole house. The instant she had her head down on our bed she fell asleep and stayed that way until 9:30am when we all got up. It was actually nice sleeping in a little bit.

Sunday morning we got up, went out for breakfast, packed up and left. Ryan had to be in Toronto Sunday evening to set up a trade show booth for work, so we couldn't stay. Addie slept the entire way home. What a treat! We were only home for about an hour before Ryan had to leave, so I gave Addie her bath and massage, read her a Christmas story and she went right to sleep.

It feels like it should still be Friday night. It was so great to spend time with the family, I'm not sure Ryan's grandfather has another Christmas in him, and he was so thrilled to see his great grand daughter, it was worth the rushing just to see that. Ryan's grandfather also handed down his old hunting rifle to Ryan which was very special for both of them. Thank goodness it's staying in North Bay until spring though. I appreciate the sentiment, and Ryan got involved in hunting this year, so I do know he needs his own gun, but I am really apprehensive about having it in the house, even though it is unloaded, has a trigger lock and will be kept hidden somewhere in a gun locker.

Oh, and in case you're wondering how the baby whisperer was..... you're going to have to find a review online. I forgot to bring it with me to North Bay and Addison is currently sleeping soundly in my bed after waking up literally 7 times within an hour in her own crib.

Y3W: Still Not Sleeping!

Y3W: Still Not Sleeping

It's now been 6 1/2 months since Addison graced us with her presence. I can hardly believe that it's been that long and that she is growing and learning so quickly. But.... it also seems like an eternity since I have gotten any real sleep!

Addie started sleeping through the night at 4 weeks old, and we were so happy and everyone in our mommy and me group was jealous, until her 2 month shots when she started getting up every two hours. Things haven't changed much. Lately, she's been sleeping like this:

7pm goes right to sleep in her crib
9pm wakes up for a 5oz bottle and goes back to sleep in her crib
12am wakes up for a 5 oz bottle and goes back to sleep in her crib
3:30am wakes up for a 5 oz bottle and goes back to sleep in her crib
5am wakes up and will not go back to sleep unless I bring her into bed with us

By 5am, I am exhausted, and I have been doing really good about letting her complain in her crib and only getting up to rock her back to sleep when she starts crying, but this week I have given up. By 5am, she will go directly back to sleep as long as I am holding her or she is in our bed. If I put her back in her crib, she'll wake up every 10 minutes or so for almost an hour until she falls back to sleep.

I've tried feeding her more before bed, and it doesn't help, she either stops eating when she's full, or if she eats too much she just throws it back up (she has a small tummy that only holds up to 6oz). I am not willing to let her cry herself to sleep, but I also don't want her to think it's okay to sleep in our bed either.

What are you other moms doing that works? Aside from her dinner of cereal, with a veggie or fruit, she is strictly BF if that makes a difference.

Who does she look like?

I carried this kid for 9 months, I'm the one that couldn't sleep, I'm the one that dealt with morning sickness, I'm the one that got fat, and I'm the one that gave birth to this beautiful baby. Too bad you'd never know she was mine!

Since the day Addison was born, I've been getting all kinds of comments like " She looks just like her father", "Doesn't she look like her daddy", "She must take after her father" -> from people who don't know Ryan, and my favorite: "I'm so sorry but she looks nothing like you". At first, I thought it was hard to tell since she had that wrinkly newborn look to her, but there's no more denying it. She looks exactly like her daddy.

Here is a picture my father in law found of him holding Ryan when he was about Addison's age. If Gary didn't look almost 30 years younger in the picture, I would even swear he was holding Addison.

What do you think? Think she looks like her Daddy? (Poll on the side)

Ryan between 4-6 months old

Addison 6 months old

Me at 3 months old

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Wrap Up

Wow, last week was awful, and felt like it would never end.

To sum it all up:

Sunday I started getting sick
Monday I was sick
Tuesday Addie had her 6 month shots and ended up in the hospital due to her awful reaction, plus I was still sick
Wednesday Addie was still super sick and so was I
Thursday Addie was still sick and Ryan got sick
Friday Ryan was still sick and Addie was just starting to feel better
Saturday We were all feeling somewhat better and went to see Santa. While we were in line, Addie filled her diaper and the line was so long we didn't want to have to wait again so we handed Santa our poopy baby who hadn't napped and was hungry.... She actually didn't cry, but gave absolutely no expression either. So, it was a scratch and we have the funniest picture of her just tolerating what was going on.

On the up side of things, this week is already going really well. We are all feeling better, and best of all, Ryan got his Christmas bonus today. Sweet! Put it this way, there were two ways we were looking at it when we were waiting to see what it was. There was what we expected, and what would be really nice. He got the what would be really nice! So our Florida Christmas trip is fully paid for, and we are set to buy a house as soon as we find one we like. Too bad the market is fairly empty right now.

But, what a great start to this week!

Six Months Old

Happy half birthday Addison!

Saturday you turned six months old, and Daddy and I are really struggling to figure out where the time is going since you arrived. Every single day seems to go faster than the last and there is never enough time to play with you, hold you, watch you, teach you, snuggle you and love on you.

Your little personality is really shining through right now. You are so social that I actually feel bad when we stay home for a whole day since I know you enjoy going out and seeing new people and things. It doesn't matter where we are going, and what we are doing, you are always so well behaved and enjoyable to be with. We get compliaments on you everywhere. You are so funny that Daddy and I think you are going to be a class clown. You do everything to make us laugh, and you and Daddy have been having some pretty serious laugh offs lately. As outgoing as you are though, you still love having your snuggle time, especially at night while I rock you to sleep. You are a little diva, you know exactly what you want when you want it, and I can't wait to see what you have to say when you get the hang of baby sign language. You are so stubborn, but you are also really delicate and are really sensitive when you get hurt.

You are absolutely gorgeous! I don't know how it is possible, but every single time I look at you, you are more beautiful and undeniably adorable than the last time I looked at you. I am so serious about this my love, you are the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen. Your eyes are the deepest hazel colour and just suck in anyone that looks at them. You still don't have much hair, but it is starting to come in now. You are quite petite, at 15lbs, 2oz, you are in the 32nd% for your weight, at 25.5 Inches, you are in the 45th% for your height, and at 42cm, your head size is in the 37th %. You are small, but you are very healthy and growing strong.

I am really loving making you happy, and it is so easy to do. You are always happy when you get attention. Just sitting on the carpet with you playing with your toys makes you laugh, and since it is my most favorite sound, I make sure I do it every day. You love watching Sesame Street, (just like your Mama used to) especially Elmo's world. You dance and laugh when you watch this. You love any kind of music, and you think dancing is so much fun. Your favorite games are peek a boo and pat a cake with Mama, but you play make Daddy laugh with Daddy and where's the baby with Grampie Knight. Your bath is definitely your favorite part of the day, and we can tell you are really tired when you don't splash around much. You are getting so good at swimming, that you keep getting complimented on your kicking ability from all the other moms.

Things you don't like are still the same as they always have been. Still not a fan of the car seat, but you do so much better than you used to at tolerating it. Uncle Ryan is still pretty scary, and no one knows why, because some days he's scarier than others. You don't like loud noises, and you still don't like to be left alone for very long.

We tried feeding you solids this month, and although you tried your sweet potatoes, and bananas, you prefer your milk to anything else. More milestones you achieved this month were yelling and sitting up! Even the doctor was amazed at how you sit up all by yourself.

Your sleep pattern has improved, you go to bed between 7 and 7:30pm, wake up to eat around 9 and midnight then sleep to 3 or 4am before you eat again, and get up for the day between 7-8am. You are eating a 5oz bottle every 3 hours during the day, and when you wake in the night, it's because you are hungry again.

Every morning when I go in to get you, I tell you goodmorning sunshine. I tell you this because no matter what the weather is outside the window, inside you make it sunny. Your smile when I come in to get you brightens up the whole room. I am so ridiculously in love with you Addison. Every waking moment is spent thinking about you, watching you, and playing with you. In just six short months, you have taken over my life, and brought me so much joy. I wouldn't change a thing.

Daddy and I went Christmas shopping for you last weekend, and we had so much fun picking out all your presents. I can't wait to see you experience your first Christmas. So much has happened in your first six months, and so much is yet to come in your next six months. Just know that no matter what you are doing, your Daddy and I are always your biggest fans, and whether you are ahead or behind your peers, you are always perfect to us.

I love your guts,
Love your Mama
xoxoxoxo

Weekend Wrap Up

So Christmas shopping for our little Addie girl was amazing! Seriously, anyone remotely close to a Samko and Miko should make the trip. When we walked in, someone handed each of us an enormous red shopping bag and Ryan and I looked at each other like "ya... pretty sure we're not going to need two of these", I mean the bags were about the length of me, and at least 3 feet wide. Well, once we found the preschool section, we weren't long filling them both up. And then we found the book section and by the time I had filled my arms up with books, Ryan was practically pulling me out of there because we had only planned on spending about $100 on this trip and we looked like we had well over $250 worth of toys and books. What a pleasant surprise when the cashier asked us for $103.00!! The prices are THAT good there. Books that I normally pay $25.00 for at Chapters, were on for $1 and $2. The most expensive book I got was $3.75.

The only thing I could possibly complain about is that because it is a distribution center, the merchandise is always changing and you never know what you're going to find. We got Addison a lot of gifts, but they didn't have anything that was on my original list. In fact, we got so much stuff that we decided the only things on the original list that we are still going to buy are going to be the seahorse (which I am hoping she loves on the plane trip to Florida Christmas day) and her first baby doll.

After Samko and Miko, we went to The Pottery Barn Kids store to buy Addie her Christmas stocking. They have the most beautiful stockings there, and we totally agreed on which one to get her as soon as we saw it. They also have a baby doll that would be perfect for Addison. Her name is Abby and she is really soft, has all her features sewn on so there are no choking hazards and she is really cute. I wanted to buy her while we were there, but Ryan really wants to pick out her first doll for her, and I thought that was so sweet I agreed. I can't wait to see what he picks out.

So this week I will pick up the seahorse and the rest of the stocking stuffers, and I am officially done shopping for Addie's first Christmas.

Sunday I put up our Christmas tree and decorated while Ryan took Addie around to some open houses for their "Daddy Addie Day" as Ryan called it. Addie is so fascinated by the tree and wants to touch all the ornaments, I am so excited to see what she thinks of her first Christmas morning.

Y3W: Christmas Shopping Tomorrow

I LOVE Christmas shopping. It is something I look forward to all year long, and when it finally comes around, I really enjoy it. I am so lucky that Ryan loves Christmas shopping too. Ryan usually hates shopping, but when it comes to Christmas, he always helps me save money for it, and enjoys picking out gifts with me. This year, because of Addison, Christmas shopping is going to be more fun than usual. It has been almost 17 years since we've had a child to buy for on either side of our families, and Ryan and I are thrilled to be able to buy for Addison this year. Tomorrow we are going to a place called Samko and Miko, a toy distributer in Toronto that opens to the public only 2 months a year and sells all kinds of toys at 50%-70% off. Addison will be staying with my parents for the day (because well, we are shopping for her!) and Ryan and I already have a few things on our list that we really want to buy for her.

The Fisherprice Ocean Wonders Jumperoo was Addison's main gift and we gave that to her early because we wanted her to get the most use out of it since she's growing so fast. What a good decision because Addie LOVES this thing, and gets really excited every time we go to put her in it.

The Fisherprice Lil Movers Race Track. I think Addison will love this, because she loves bright colours and noise! And who said a little girl can't play with cars?

The Playschool Busy Ball Popper. This is bright coloured, makes noise, and spits balls out the top. Addie will love watching the balls pop out for now, and when she is bigger will learn cause and effect by putting them back in.

The Fisherprice Seahorse. I know A LOT of moms who swear by this seahorse as the reason their babies sleep so well. Addie goes to bed really well right now, but I want this for her because she has a glo worm and loves it, but she can't press the button yet to make it glow and sing, and when I press the button for her, it only lasts a couple seconds. The seahorse goes for 5mins at a time, so Addie can enjoy it longer.

The Fisherprice Please and Thank-you Tea Set. This is super cute. What little girl doesn't love having their own tea set? This tea set plays music, and talks, but most of all, it teaches manners, and I'm thinking I'll take some help with a head start on manners for my little diva.

Fisherprice Shake and Rattle Pooh. Addie will love this! When the baby shakes the rattle, Pooh shakes and I think it plays music too. I know Addie will get a kick out of this.

These are the things I know I want to get her, but we'll see what they have tomorrow. I also want to buy her her first baby doll, but I haven't found the right one yet, so I am still looking.

Ryan and I are also looking forward to picking out Addison's Christmas stocking and filling that too. Some ideas I have for her stocking are: board books, some new pacifiers, bath toys, some teething toys and stuffed animals and a tooth brush (gum brush) set. Can you tell the theme for Addie this Christmas is toys? Fisherprice is going to love us!

Wordless Wednesday

Traitor

Yesterday was the first day I worked all day. I had dropped Addie off with my dad around 8am and came to pick her up at 4:00pm. I had missed her so much, and was so excited to see her.

When I went in the room where they were, Addie was sitting on a blanket surrounded by toys and was watching Sesame Street (I've never seen a 6month old like TV so much!). I went to pick her up, and she completely ignored me! I never got a smile, a laugh, or even eye contact. I was pretty disappointed, but I figured maybe there was just too much going on for her to focus. So I grabbed her up and sat her on my lap facing me hoping that she'd realize I was there and at least look at me, but no... she actually turned her head away so she could look and smile at Grampie.

Ryan was already home when we got home and when he went to take her out of the car he got big smiles and laughs the second she saw him.

What the heck???? Ryan's gone every day, all day and he gets a King's reception as soon as he comes in, but I leave her once and I get snubbed.

What a traitor.

Y3W: Battling Acid Reflux

Battling Acid Reflux

We're at war with acid reflux... it's only been a week and already I am beyond frusterated with it. I have no idea why, but this past week, Addie has had major issues with reflux and it is really starting to bother her. She's spitting up a lot, she's arching her back when she eats, she's only eating a couple ounces of milk at a time instead of her usual 5, and we've had to stack books under a couple legs of her crib because she can only sleep when she's elevated. I feel so awful for her because I can see she's in pain at night when we lay her down, and through the day when I hear it bubble up her throat and see the disgusted look on her face as her mouth fills with sour milk. She's up for her 6 month shots in a week.. I don't know if I should call the doctor now or wait it out.

For now, we've done the books under the crib, I rock her to sleep sitting up and make sure I only put her down when she's totally out, and I've started feeding her bananas at bedtime because I know they are good for heart burn, and having something thicker on her stomach seems to help a little. She won't eat any kind of cereal so I can't use that.

I feel so bad for my baby girl, and so frusterated that she's uncomfortable and there isn't anything I can do. I don't want to give her medication if it's just a little phase, but I can't stand seeing her uncomfortable or in pain either.

Rememberance Day

This post can be summed up in 2 words: THANK YOU!

Thank you to all the soldiers past present and future who have given their time, their health and their lives so that we can live in the beautiful and peaceful country we know and love. Thank you to all the soldier's families, the wives, mothers and children who also sacrifice so that their husbands and fathers can fight for us. I am eternally grateful to all of you, because of you, I have the freedom to work, and live in peace, and most of all, I have the freedom and ability to raise my daughter in a wonderful country that we can be safe in and proud of.

THANK YOU

Wordless Wednesday

Addie's new jumperoo

Christmas came early for Addie this year. We bought her a jumperoo and gave it to her this weekend so that she can get the most use out of it, and she loves it! Ryan and I can't get enough of watching her play and bounce, and we totally agree it was the best money we ever spent.

Y3W: We're house hunting

After 6 years of dating, and 3.5 years of marriage, Ryan and I are finally ready to buy a house. This is so exciting for us, because we've been saving and daydreaming about this for years. Every night this week we've gone to look at houses, and we're starting to figure out what we're looking for. We thought we knew what we wanted when we started looking, but after seeing some places and thinking about how things work for our family, we've had to adapt our ideas. This is great progress though because it really narrows down what we're after. So far, our list goes like this:

We Need:

At least 3 bedrooms (because we'd like to have two more babies in this house and need room for them)

At least two bathrooms

A decent sized kitchen (we're finding this the hardest part since apparently builders don't think people use their kitchens anymore)

An open concept layout (this is what we've discovered is most important to us)

We Want:

A big mature back yard so we can have a swing set for Addie

A double car garage

A finished basement

A turn key house

So there it is, I don't think our list is too unreasonable, we're open on the square footage as long as the layout is good and works for us. We've looked at 1200sqft places and 2000sqft places and both would work well for us with the right layout.

We need to buy before May 2011 because at that point my maternity leave runs out and I will actually have to claim only my self employment income which is an annoying process that we'd like to avoid, .

Stay tuned for updates and eventually our new home tour!

Wordless Wednesday

Adventures in pumpkin land

A couple weeks ago, we visited the pumpkin farm. Ryan and I thought it would be cute to take Addie to pick out our pumpkins to carve at Addie's Halloween party (at that point we didn't know we wouldn't make it).

The day started out great. Addie was in a great mood, and our first stop was to the little petting zoo to see the goats, lambs and geese which went over very well. Then we went to the corn maze which was a little too easy to get around, and next we headed on over to the pumpkin patch via wagon ride to pick out the pumpkins. It was during the wait in line that someone pointed out Addie had lost a shoe... so we left the one on and Daddy kept his hand over Addie's sock foot to keep it warm. We had a great time picking out a couple perfect pumpkins, and started to head back to the car, but on the way back we noticed the sign for the boo barn.

The boo barn is a haunted barn for very little kids. It is basically a brightly lit path with cut outs of cartoon ghosts and obviously plastic spiders. We thought Addie might get a kick out of it and there was no line so we went inside. And that's when it happened.... we became the worst parents ever. We realized a little too late that we were in the wrong barn. Instead of taking Addie through the boo barn, we were taking her through the adult haunted barn, and it was pretty scary. It was almost totally dark, there were creepy lights and loud shrieking music, things that popped out of nowhere and cobwebs in our faces. Since Addie was in the baby bjorn and Ryan was wearing her in front of me (it was single file only in there) we couldn't see Addie's face until we got to a room of mirrors. She was absolutely silent, but she looked terrified and her poor little bottom lip was quivering. It was at that point that we basically started running to get out of there as fast as we could. When we finally got outside (it was a much longer walk than we expected), Addie cried for a long time, and it took both of us to calm her down. We felt so awful.

Here are some pictures of our adventure:

Our pumpkins Checking out the goats Kissing on my baby girl

Addie and Mama
Addistein

Her first wagon ride

With daddy in the corn maze

Close up in the baby bjorn

Our little family

Y3W: Addie's New Hat

Addie's New Hat

Addie needs a new winter hat and I am having a hard time deciding between these two that I love. Please vote for the one you like the best (poll at side of blog)

This is her little coat

Option #1 The Owl Hat

Option #2 The Bear Hat