Y3W: We're Moving Tomorrow

We're moving tomorrow!

Two and a half years ago, Ryan and I moved into this rental house and we were so excited to have a whole house to ourselves after spending our first year together in a 600 sqft apartment. I remember being so happy that we had a garage, a basement (with our own laundry machines), a backyard and wait for it.... a front door!! I was so happy that I wouldn't have to struggle between the car, the lobby and the elevator to get groceries into my kitchen anymore!

We've been really happy here and have had some great memories in this house (the greatest one of course was bringing Addison home here). But since Addie girl has arrived, and brought most of Babies R Us with her, we have definitely outgrown this little townhouse, and it is time to move on. Our new house (see it/read about it here) won't be ready until May 2nd, so in the meantime, we are moving in with my parents so we can save some money before we give it all to the bank.

We could not be more excited to move into our own home, but I will miss this place for a little while. I'm glad we've grown together here and become a family here. I'm happy we've been so blessed in this little house, and it will be a little sad that this house will now be part of our past. But as much as it's sad to have these things in the past now, I am so looking forward to the future and everything that will come in our new house.

I can't wait to decorate Addison's new room, to cook in my new kitchen and to really have a place to come home to, but most of all, I am excited to continue building into our marriage and our family in this new home. This is where I'll bake cookies with my daughter, and where we'll bring the rest of our children home to. This is where our kids will play in the backyard, where we'll have first birthday parties, and where we'll run down the stairs on Christmas morning to see what Santa has brought.

One chapter closed, and one about to begin. And a little intermission in the meantime.

Stars and strollers

Today was Addie's first day at the movies! Our theatre has two movies that they play just for mamas and babies once a week and they call it stars and strollers. You take the car seat in or the stroller and they turn on some lights and turn down the volume of the movie.

Today Addie and I went and met some of our friends to see "No Strings Attached", and things were great until about half an hour into the movie when the film stopped working. The manager came in and apologized for the problem, gave us two free tickets and then offered to start another movie next door for us. All the babies were being really good so we took the tickets and headed next door to see "Country Strong". That was fine until almost an hour in when all the babies got tired and hungry at the same time and they all started screaming. The theatre staff had a table in there to change them which was pretty cool because we didn't have to miss any of the movie, but I still had to feed Addie and then try to get her to go to sleep. She was NOT interested in sleeping in the theatre when there was so much going on around her. Neither were any of her friends though, and so all the babies cried for almost another hour until they finally all fell asleep. Guess what happened when they all fell asleep.... the movie ended. So we all had to wake up our quiet sleeping babies and listen to them cry all the way home. Fun stuff. We're going to try again in a couple weeks and see what happens. It is cool that we can all go see a movie and not worry about disrupting other people if the babies cry or babble loudly.

As for the movie review.... Definitely not my kind of movie. I am not into country music at all, and the story was really boring to me, but I did find I enjoyed most of the music, and there was a lot of music, so it wasn't too bad. I think Addie liked the music too because she sat and watched most of the movie very happily.

What does this mean??

Addison's last Dr. appt was at 6 months. It was an awful appointment because she ended up in the hospital after her shots that day. So she had an off schedule appointment today to check on her growth and see how she's doing.

I could hardly believe it when the nurse told me she is 16lbs! wow! She's getting big! She has not grown one tiny bit in length though. I am completely confused since she's outgrown two clothing sizes in the last two months, and it has been mainly in the length that she's outgrown everything.

So she has another appointment in the beginning of March to check up on her height and weight again, the typical 9 month appointment. It is also supposed to be a shot appointment but we'll see about that (I haven't decided yet if I'm going to let her get them again).

I am guessing one of three things has happened.

1. Addison's clothes are all shrinking at an incredible rate that just so happens to coincide with her peers growth.

2. The nurse was generous in her measurements at the 6 month appointment and Addison has definitely grown in the past two months.

3. Addison has for some odd reason not grown at all, and I am imagining that her clothes are getting too small.

My go to option would be #2, but I guess we'll find out in a month.

Formula is not poison

So I have finally decided that formula is not poison. Even though I was raised on formula and I have always been very healthy, I had this idea in my head that I just couldn't do that to Addison, and so even though she wouldn't nurse, I stood strong and have been pumping for her almost every two hours for eight months. I have been sick of it since the second month.

I do have my reasons for breastfeeding as long as I have. Addison showed signs of a milk allergy very early on, and most formulas are milk based so I wanted to keep her away from that (most babies with a milk allergy will also be allergic to soy). It was much easier to just stay away from dairy myself and know what Addie was getting. The other reason I have kept up with it so long is because Addison never gets sick. Considering I work with my clients at their daycare centers, I pick up all kinds of germs, and have personally been averaging getting sick at least once a month. Addison hasn't gotten any of my colds so far. I am very sure that Addie is getting the best from my immune system and I'm getting sick because I'm getting stuck with the leftovers, but that's okay. I would much rather be sick than see her sick.

However good my reasons though, the time has come to wean Addison to formula. Her milk allergy is under control and I've started her on lactose free formula which she seems to like and is gentle on her tummy, and I am really tired of having to drag the pump around with me anytime I go somewhere. Ryan is pretty excited about it too. I don't have to make special meals without milk or cheese in them, I'm not constantly holding us up before we go out so I can pump first, Addison can spend the night at her grandparents house without worrying about a milk shortage, and we can have a date night where I can actually have a glass of wine (or two) without worrying about getting the baby drunk or having to waste milk. I also have to consider that Addison has had complete control over my body for almost two years now, and I would like it back at least for a little while before I go through it all again for her brother or sister.

It's time.

Eight Months Old!

Dear Addison,

It has been such a busy month for you, and I hardly know where to begin. This month started just before Christmas, and what a first Christmas you had! After waiting up all night long for Santa, you got to open your entire load of presents (and by load, I mean you could have opened your own toy store afterwards) right before we left for your first vacation to Florida. You were such a good girl on the plane, and you made friends with everyone that paid you attention. You were such a joy to have, and Daddy and I really enjoyed watching you take in all the new scenes, like your first trip to the beach, and how mesmerized you were by the jellyfish at the aquarium.

When we got back from vacation, you really had changed in the two weeks since you'd been away. You were much more interested in Grammie and Grampie's cat Sam, and if someone asks you "where's the kitty" you start looking all over the place for him. You are really playing now, and are interested in touching and experimenting with all kinds of textures and sounds. Speaking of sounds, you have some new ones too! You are really babbling up a storm these days, and talking to everyone very excitedly. You say ma ma ma and da da da the most, but we aren't quite sure if you know what they mean yet. You definitely understand the meaning of milk in sign language and when you're asked if you'd like some milk.

You are almost ready to crawl, you know how to kick your legs and squirm, and you know how to pull with your arms, but you just haven't figured out how to co-ordinate the movements together unless I hold your feet and you push off from there. I am expecting you to get it and start becoming mobile any day now, and I really hope you learn on a day I am home from work so I can see it for the first time. I am going to be so very proud of you.

Swimming classes are going really well, you are really getting the hang of moving your arms and legs together, you're really comfortable having water in your face and putting your head under water, and you love to splash. It's nice having your lessons with your friends Xavier and Peyton this term, and you recognize them right away when you see them.

We got your new big girl car seat this week, and it is much roomier than your little infant carrier. I thought you would be okay in your carrier for another couple months, but after seeing you in your new seat, there is no doubt that you prefer the bigger one, and lets face it, why would you cram yourself into a bug when you have an escalade in your driveway.

Baby girl, you have grown so much this month! You have officially outgrown not one but two whole sizes this month. There is now nothing in size 6 months, and hardly anything left in 9 month sizes that fit you. Not only have you grown in size, but you are finally starting to get some real hair too, and it looks soo cute!! Your new hair is kind of a reddish blonde and very soft. Grammie says it's like goose down, and I have to agree. Soon you'll have enough to wear some barettes in it.

During our vacation, you slept in bed with Daddy and me, and you loved sharing my pillow and snuggling with me, so when we got home, you didnt want to sleep in your own crib. It's taken us two weeks, but you are finally down to getting up only once in the night to eat and sleeping on your own. I have to hand it to you, stubborness comes to you honestly, and you really get the hang of it. We are not looking forward to the terrible two's!

You are just learning how to hold your own bottle.... you definitely know how to do it, but still prefer Daddy or me to hold it for you. You drink much more if we're holding it than if you are. You are getting really good at eating solids though, and have tried most foods that you are able to. Your favorites are: sweet potatoes, butternut squash, apple sauce, bananas, and you tried mango for the first time this week and loved that too. I am having a really hard time getting you to drink water though, and have had to mix it with milk to flavor it a little.

There isn't really anything I can think of that you dislike right now. You still aren't a huge fan of the car, but you're getting really good at going on longer trips these days. You really are a little trooper, and are happy as long as you are with people you love, and have something to look at or play with. Daddy and I are both so very very proud of you, and not a day goes by that we don't thank God for you, and wonder why he favored us so much. You are the biggest blessing we could ever get.

Daddy and I love you bigger than the sky,

Love your mama
xoxoxoxo

You on your new ride.... so proud!

Holding your own boarding pass on the plane

And your new big girl car seat. Please slow down the growing just a little bit

Wordless Wednesday

We bought a house!

WE BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOUSE!!!!

Isn't it cute??

Ryan and I finally bought our first house, and we could not be happier or more excited!

The house was actually built for another family, but their financing fell through, so we were able to scoop it up for a good deal. The house is completely finished on the outside, but the inside only has drywall up, so we get to pick out all the finishes! Even Ryan is excited to grab a couple coffees and head over to the office on Saturday morning to pick out our ceramic tile/counter/carpet and cabinet colours (he even made the suggestion to get some home magazines for inspiration.... who is this man??)

Since we knew the builder would want to get rid of the house, Ryan and I put in an offer requesting a ton of upgrades for free and were lucky that the builder didn't hesitate to give us everything we asked for, except for a glass corner cupboard. We're not too greedy though, so we settled on a regular corner cupboard and we'll add the glass door down the line if we still want it.

So here's the list of upgrades we got for free:

Pewter handles on all the doors/cupboards/drawers
Hardwood staircase/landings
Upgraded tiles in the ensuite/main bathroom
Extra ceramic tiling to make the foyer bigger
A corner cupboard
A lot that backs right onto a park ( I am super excited about this because I can watch Addie playing at the park from my kitchen window, and there are no neighbours that will ever be able to see in the back of our house!)
Two four ft windows in the basement which makes the basement super bright
All brick house
All 5 appliances brand new are included
A year of free cable TV, Internet and home phone service
Upgraded underpadding where there is carpet
Upgraded trim/baseboards
Deck from the kitchen sliding doors
3 peice basement bathroom rough in

And I am probably forgetting a couple other small things. A few of my favorite things in the house are the upstairs laundry room (especially since I am washing diapers almost every night) the walk in foyer closet (so my foyer isn't clutterd with a carseat, two strollers, and a sleigh anymore), I love that Ryan and I will have a beautiful ensuite, the basement is really bright and ready to be finished whenever we need the space, and the size of the rooms is awesome! Addie's room is 14.5 x 11.5ft! Her room is actually bigger than the livingroom in the house we have now! And I already know how I am going to decorate it (the same as we decorated her nursery here, except we're going to add wainscoting to her walls). The house is 1850sqft which is plenty big enough for our family now, with lots of room for our family to grow.

And here's the floor plan.

So we get to move in on May 2nd! Just in time for us to unpack and set up for Addison's first birthday party! I am so happy that we are able to celebrate Addison's first birthday in our own house. In the meantime, as of next weekend, we'll be staying with my parents until the house is ready, and Ryan's sister and her husband (Ryan) are taking over our rental house. It is kind of neat that Addie's cousin will be brought home to the same house, just a little over a year from when Addie was born. Maybe they'll even use the same room for Baby Benn's nursery.

Stay tuned in May for the the official home tour!

Christmas Vacation Week Two

The second week of our vacation was my favorite. I LOVED the house we stayed in. It was gorgeous, and Addie bumped us up to the room with the great ensuite! We spent this week hanging out by the pool and checking out Key West! Here's a picture of us at the Key West Toy Factory. What a great toy store! They didn't really have anything there for babies though. If Addie was even two years older I bet I wouldn't have been able to leave the store.

We also took Addie to the aquarium in Key West. We were really surprised how much she loved it. She took a special interest in the jelly fish, and we had to drag her away from them, however we don't have any pictures of her with the lobsters since she started crying immediately when she saw them and we had to leave the area fast.

We didn't get any 6 month pictures done, so I took a few 7 month pictures around the house there that I thought turned out pretty cute. But then again look what I have to work with. How could they not be cute?

Since we missed the first day of her new session in swimming lessons, Dad volunteered to fill in as swim coach. We may have heated the pool to like 86 degrees for Addie's sake.

Look at this face!!

And this tongue that is always working overtime these days

Key West Toy Factory again

Christmas Vacation Week One

Christmas Vacation Week One

The first week of our vacation, we stayed in the Florida Keys just outside of a town called Marathon. Marathon was really effected by last years recession, and it shows in the form of many houses for sale or abandoned all together, including many lots where only the foundation was poured. There are many shops that are closed as well as restaurants, and the K-Mart is the busiest store on the key. The place we rented had one empty lot on one side (the owners can only afford to camp on the property now) and an abandoned foundation on the other side. The house we stayed in however was finished. I say finished instead of nice, because the decorating left A LOT to be desired.

The house was on the most beautiful property with lots of palm trees surrounding the house and it was right on the ocean. It was really quite a breathtaking view, especially watching the sunrise in the morning. The house though, looked like it had been decorated by someone who has a garage sale fetish. Nothing in the house matched or went with anything, and some things were so old it felt like we were breaking something every day we were there. Here's the list of things we broke in the week we were there: a door frame, two chairs, a coffee table, a couple glasses, and the jury is still out on whether or not we were responsible for the third chair. It was a good week though.

Week one we relaxed a lot. We hung out on the beach, we swam in the mini pool (the kind you use to swim laps in place), we went for walks, and enjoyed having the whole Phillips side of the family together. We did go on a couple outings though. One day we went on a four hour fishing charter. Fishing was a lot of fun, and I caught the first fish (a Sandtile fish) but it was not really the type of event for Addison. I spent most of the time trying to get Addie to drink cold milk since there was no where to heat up a bottle, and trying to keep her warm since we went for the afternoon and it was starting to get pretty cold in the early evening. Keeping Addie entertained was easy at first, but she got bored and fussy for the last hour or so and was really miserable.

Our second outing went much better. We went to a little theme park called The Theater By the Sea and saw a sea lion show, and a parrot show. We went on a bottomless boat where dolphins swam right in the middle of the boat (Addie loved this) and we went on a walk around the park to see all kinds of animals. Addison loved the parrots and was able to see them right up close since they weren't kept in a cage of any sort. Of course Addie even left with a souvenir: a new book called Hide and Seek Coral Reef, where you get to pull out tabs to learn what creatures live where in the coral reef.

After the week was over, we packed up and went to IHOP for breakfast while we waited for the second house to become available. Addie loved IHOP because they had a highchair that she actually fit in, and they even had a little section of the table that came out just for her. This is really genius because it meant she couldnt grab everything off the main table.

Here are some pictures of week one:

The house we stayed in
The kitchen

Bananas on the beach

Watching the sea lions

Floridian Christmas decor

sleeping on the fishing boat

Enjoying a nap with Daddy

The view from our room

Addie's first day at the beach

Y3W: So Far Behind!

Y3W: So Far Behind

Because we left for vacation on Christmas day, things have been really hectic since we got home last weekend. With trying to pack to move, buying a house, work, and of course, tending to Addie who has gotten used to being held and entertained 24/7 for two weeks straight, not to mention sleep training for said child who got used to sleeping with mama and daddy for two weeks, there hasn't been much time left over for blogging. So, as far behind as I am, I am going to try to catch up over the weekend.

Starting of course with Christmas! Christmas this year was great. It was a quiet Christmas Eve spent at my parents house where we enjoyed each others company, ordered Chinese food, and watched Christmas specials, and Ryan started a new tradition of reading The Night Before Christmas to Addie. It was extra special this year because he read the book that my mother had kept from when she was little.

In our family, it has always been tradition that everyone gets to open one present on Christmas Eve. When we were kids, it was usually something to wear to church that night, a small toy, or a new pair of pajamas. This year, Ryan and I got a video camera and were very surprised! Addison got to open quite a few presents, and she got so excited that she decided to wait up for Santa for the rest of the night! Grammie Knight stayed up with her until 3am, and I took the rest of the morning. Addison got herself so excited that she was doing all kinds of exercises and got herself to the point where she was sweating so much I had to strip her down to cool her off. By the time everyone else got up around 8am, Addie had slept about two hours total and looked like this:

Addie got right into the action when it came time to open presents, and was very happy with her enormous haul!

It is only fair to mention also, that this is not Addison's entire load. I forgot to put in the rest of her polka dot luggage, her sleigh, and the rest of her toys that are still over at Grandma and Grandpa Knight's house. Next year we may need to build an addition on our house to keep it all.

After presents, we had a nice breakfast and then my parents drove us to the airport for our flight to Miami. I had been so afraid that Addie was going to cry or be miserable the whole flight, but she was an angel. She was happy in her stroller until we boarded the plane and then slept on take off. After about an hour she woke up and played with some of her new toys I had brought along and was super happy to make new friends on the plane. We were seated at the back near the washrooms, and as the washroom line moved up, Addie found more and more people to befriend. She was totally in her element. At the end of the flight, the flight attendant came back and said she didn't even realize there had been a baby on the plane. Addie then slept in the car the whole way from Miami to Marathon, and slept the whole night when we got there. We were so proud of our little girl.

With all the travelling, we did get kind of sad that Christmas had been so short, and decided that we won't be travelling on Christmas day again, but it was a great day, and we are looking forward to next year when we can celebrate our first Christmas in our new house!

A New House Update!

There has been SOOO much going on for our family this month that things have been totally crazy. Christmas and our vacation you know about, but then we came back, headed back to work, and decided to buy a house!

We found a house on Sunday afternoon that we are putting an offer on tonight. It is a new house, that was being built for another family and their financing fell through, so the house is totally standing and just waiting to be finished inside. The house is over our initial budget of what we thought we wanted to spend, but it has EVERYTHING we are looking for and then some. Plus, since it's new and unfinished inside, we still get to pick out all the flooring, cabinets, counters and upgrades. We're putting the offer in tonight, and will hear back from the builder on Thursday. The builder has already reduced the price by nearly $15,000 to get rid of it, and we've asked for additional upgrades to be included, but the sales person seems confident that we'll get what we've offered. If all works out, we'll be moving into our new house May 2nd! Just in time to get everything unpacked so we can celebrate Addie's 1st birthday there (yes it is that close!).

So because of this, plus packing up the house we're in (we're moving in with my parents until the house is ready and Ryan's sister and her husband will be taking over our rental), I haven't gotten any blogging done, and no vacation pictures up. Addie is content playing at my feet right now, so I'll see what I can do about sharing some of our Florida memories!

Update from Florida

So, it's been almost two weeks since we've been in Florida and we've only got two more days left to enjoy the sun and the heat before we head back to the cold and snow. We've been having a great time, and we've done a lot! Addison has been a dream to have travelling and tagging along on all our adventures. We'll be home on Saturday and I'll update on Sunday what we've been up to and show you some pictures.

I can't believe that our first real family vacation is over in two more days, and we've gotten so used to walking around in swim suits and not even having to dress the baby at all. It's going to be so weird coming home to the snow, and walking in our house and seeing the Christmas tree still up. It was weird enough walking into the Miami airport in our winter clothes and boots and seeing everyone else wearing shorts and flip flops, but it was also so exciting. We have considered wearing shorts and flip flops when we leave Miami on Saturday, but considered that when we walked out of the Toronto airport on the other side, not only would we look like complete morons, but we would be freezing!

hmmmm...maybe we'll just stay for a few more weeks, err months.