And now...

it's my turn to be sick!! Yeah. Last night my mom, niece and I were all up all night sick. I won't go into the details but I really hope I don't have a repeat tonight. All I've had today is water, Gatorade, some mint tea and some fruit. Addie is still miserable and has been sleeping all day. She did wake up long enough to eat half a banana and some Kix, we are praying that it stays down! A lot of you are parents and you know how heartbreaking their little sad/sick faces are. I just hope she's more like herself by Christmas.

Vegas Day 3 and 4

I don't have any pictures to post right now, but I really wanted to blog as my vacation went on so that I didn't have a ton to do when I get home. So to update Addie's situation, her eyes are alittle bit better but now she has some kind of stomach flu and has not been able to keep anything down for 2 days. I'm pretty sure she got the pink eye on the first attempted flight to Vegas (unless anyone we have been around in the last week has it too) and the flu from the pediatricians office to get the ointment for the pink eye. Her face is sooo sad all the time. She has to be held (usually by me) at all times. I think she slept just about all day today. The poor thing won't even sit up. I told Daniel he must think he is lucky that he is still in Washington and is missing the 5:00 am vomiting sessions, but on the other hand he is missing a lot of snuggle time. 18 month olds don't really like to be cuddled too much so this is kind of nice. 

We did make Christmas cookies last night with my Aunt and niece and nephew. I think I would rather eat the cookie dough and not the actual baked cookies! Yummm. Pictures to come! I have a few more presents to wrap and finish up but and very excited to Christmas. I am a little bit worried about Daniel getting here on Christmas Eve. If he goes through what I did, he will completely miss Christmas! So pray for good weather (in Washington and Vegas) on Christmas Eve!

Vegas Day 1 and 2

So we made it! The flight we ended up on had not one, but 2 stops. I was up at 4am and had to wake Addie up at 5:30 which is is about...oh 4 hours earlier than normal! We boarded on time and were off to Portland for our first stop. This time we got Daniel and escort pass so that he could go to the gate with me which really helped alot! So the plane we were on was a little smaller so it didn't have a walkway right to the plane. I had to go down some stairs and outside to get on. A little difficult by myself with Addie, the stroller and our carry on bags. We were only in Portland for about 20 minutes before we had to board the second plane. Then off we went to Santa Rosa, California. I'm still not exactly sure where that is. After we landed there we sat on the plane for about 30-40 minutes before everyone else boarded then finally off the Vegas!! The weather here is finally nice so this time we had no problems getting on. Yea!! After we arrived we went and ate but didn't do much because Addie has pink eye!! Gross!! I noticed Friday morning that she didn't look so good but I was hoping that it was just because she woke up so early. By the time we arrived in Vegas I was pretty sure what it was so we went right to the doctor and got some eye ointment. Which by the way, is a blast trying to get IN her eyes! She looks much better now and fortunately did not have to wake up with her eyes stuck shut with eye goop. In a few more days she should be good. It was interesting at the doctors office because that was her first visit to the pediatrician. She weighs a whopping 19 pounds 15 ounces! Still not legally big enough to sit in a forward facing car seat...

Today we slept, ran some errands and played with Grandmas toys. Tonight my sister and her 2 kids came over for dinner and to decorate the tree. Addie was not so much into putting the ornaments on but she did a few. You could tell the ones she did because they were just laying on the branches, not really hanging. She really just wanted to play with them.

Addie putting a snowflake "on" the tree.

She was being so funny and actually smiling and looking at the camera when I took her picture. You can kind of see the pink eye in this one.

Addie's cousin Kadence who loves her!

Playing with the bag full of kid frienly ornaments.

To L.A. and back again

Just a warning, this might be a long post. I've heard many stories on the news about flights that get diverted or stranded where they don't let you get off, they don't have any food and everyone is miserable. Now I have my very own! My situation was not as bad as when that plane had a sewer leak and they all had to sit there and we were not just stuck on the ramp with nowhere to go. But yesterday was miserable.

Addie and I were at the airport at 10:30 (actually on time!) to get on our 12:20 flight. While we were there the flight kept getting delayed later and later. I think we actually go on at about 1:30ish. The flight to Vegas was going great. They left the seat next to me open so Addie had her own space to play and sit. She was fighting a nap the whole time but she did great! Just as we were approaching Vegas, the Captain came on the speaker with bad news. The Vegas area was getting lots of snow and an airport in the desert is not equipped for that. The whole airport was shut down so we were being diverted to LA! They said we could get off there and talk to the customer service people about getting on another flight to Vegas from there. I was bummed that I was going to get there a little bit later than I thought but I thought I was still going to get there yesterday! When we landed at LAX there was more bad news. The plane was going back to Seattle right after they refueled it. We all had 2 choices: 1. Get off in LA and be responsible for finding a hotel and buying a new ticket to Vegas 2. Stay on the plane and go back to Seattle
Really!? I was on the phone with my mom trying to decide what to do, I was going to get off and stay in LA, when for a third time we got bad news. They were not going to take the luggage off the plane!! What?!?!? By this point I was pretty upset. I have to say though, I was not the only one on the phone with teary eyes as I was explaining what was going on. I was not going to stay in LA by myself, with an 18 month old and no luggage. So back to Seattle we were going to go.

Addie was so busy playing and looking around on the flight to LA that she didn't want to sleep until we were on final. Then she crashed. She slept through the landing, taxiing, and me talking on the phone. I finally has to wake her so I could get up and go get some food. I hadn't eaten real food (besides pretzels) since right before we boarded. Now it was about 6 pm. When I got to the door of the plane this guy was telling people that they could not get off to get food because the plane was going to be leaving any minute. Whatever, I was not about to sit there for another 2 1/2 hours with no food. So I risked it and got off anyway. We didn't even end up leaving for another 30 minutes or so.

The flight back to Seattle was fine. Addie is such a great baby! She played, colored and climbed all over the seats the whole time. People were telling what a good baby she was. When we landed I went and talked to the ticketing people. The good news was that they were re booking people for free. The bad news is, I am not going until tomorrow, on an 8 am flight with a lay over. So to summarize:

Hours spent at airport/flying: almost 12
Miles flown: Appr. 1,800
Final destination: right back where I started

I did manage to get a couple cute pictures and videos of Addie on our adventure.

Watching the planes take off.

Every time one would take off this is what she would do...

Pretty blues eyes on the plane.

She has started 'cleaning' up her messes and spills. In this video her water dripped alittle bit so she grabbed a napkin by herself and started wiping it up.

Today we are just haning out. One good thing about this is that I have another day to get things like our Christmas cards done.

Bittersweet...

Sunday. I know most people are super anxious for their 18 month old kids to finally go to nursery. I just love being with my Addie. Sometimes I find myself getting excited when I hear her waking up from her nap! Although she won't technically be 18 months until this weekend, we took her to nursery on Sunday because we had a different schedule than usual. I've actually really enjoyed having her in our class each Sunday so it was weird not having her around. A nursery worker was out in the hall so she took Addie and went in with her. Addie went right in and started playing, I don't think she even looked back! I went back to peek in the window an hour later and they were having their snack. I know every parent thinks their kid is the cutest thing ever, but seriously, she was soo adorable sitting in her little chair at the little table (which she could barely see over) drinking out of her little sippy cup and eating her snack. I was anxious to get out of Relief Society and pick her up, but Daniel beat me to it! I'm sure by the second or third child I'll be relieved when they turn 18 months, but for now I will miss her!

Christmas Spirit

I think we are finally getting into the Christmas spirit. I put up all of the decorations last week, but Daniel finally started getting into it. He put up the Christmas lights outside and has even been playing Christmas CD's voluntarily!

This is our last weekend in town before Christmas and there was so much I wanted to do! Last weekend we went to the Fantasy Lights at Spanaway park. Addie loved it. You only go like 2 mph so we got her out of her car seat and I held her on my lap up front. She loves, loves, loves lights so she had a great time. As you can see from my header, we already got our Santa pictures done (I think we are going to start going before Thanksgiving every year. We didn't have to wait in line, we walked right up!)

Yesterday we started out with our primary activity. I didn't get any pictures there, but these are of Addie in the car on the way there. She is so funny with her glasses!



After her nap, we headed downtown for a Christmas parade. I love that we live close enough to walk to all of the cute shops and yummy bakeries! We got there right when it started so we didn't have the best seats, but I think Addie liked it anyway. She really seemed to enjoy the drum lines that were there, maybe we have another drummer in the future! We decided to skip the Santa train and Zoo lights this year, there just wasn't enough time. :( I'm sure we will see lots of light displays when we go to Vegas in less than 2 weeks!

Action shot of her blowing a kiss.

I love how she refuses to look at the camera!

New Etsy Shop

I finally did it! I joined the world of Etsy. I can't believe how many people are on there, and so many neat products. I've been working hard on getting it all together, it's a lot of work! Go check it out and see some of our holiday stuff...

Thanks again to Samantha at Park Avenue Photography for the wonderful photos!

Our Princess

Seriously, this is like the second time we have witnessed this. Addie is not the type that will sleep anywhere. It is rare for her to sleep in the car, stroller, our arms. We decided to go for a quick walk today after church instead of laying her down right away for a nap. Not long into it she was resting her head on the side then she fell asleep! I couldn't believe it! I had to get a picture. We managed to carry the stroller up the porch steps and parked her in the living room where she slept for another 20 minutes or so. She woke up crying and Daniel put her in her bed. I think she might have slept all night if I had left her. I finally woke her up around 6:30. It was the most wonderful thing being able to cook AND eat dinner in peace tonight, but she wanted to stay up late! Finally around 10 she was acting sleepy and went to bed...we'll see what time she wakes up tomorrow!

I have to just say what a great little girl she is! This morning she had a short nap before church so I was worried she was going to be a monster! Daniel and I are both Sunbeam teachers (4 year olds) and she has 1 more month (yea!) until she goes into nursery so she is stuck in the room with us for the second and third hours of church. Today she was wonderful! She wanted to sit on a little chair just like all of the other kids, she colored when they did, I even saw her doing some of the arm movements to a song during singing time! Then we came home and she fell asleep in the stroller and was such a happy girl when she woke up. I have to say she is a sweetie pie! We were saying how we know our next child is going to be out of control because you can't have 2 angels in a row, can you?

Two more things. Isn't her jacket adorable? I know it's hard to see, but we found it at Old Navy for $10.99! And she loves wearing those mittens! We have been walking a lot lately and she puts her hands out so I can put them on. Again, sweetie pie.

Just something cute...

We have a cabinet in the kitchen that Addie knows she is not allowed to get into...it has the cereal boxes in it. Yesterday I was working on the computer when she left the room for a few minutes. When she returned she had the box of Kix in her hands. I wish I had gotten the smile on her face when she saw me. It was a mix of "I am so proud of myself that I carried this all the way here" and "Mom, please don't yell at me because I know I am not supposed to have this". It was one of the sweetest, cutest smiles, how could I get upset with her! So I let her keep the box and I went back to work. A few minutes later I looked over at her and this is what I saw:

She is watching a Baby Classical Music DVD we got from the library. Anything with music on it she loves! She lookes like she is watching a movie and eating popcorn!

Yea for the pink potty!

I realize that Addie is alittle too young to start potty training but we bought her a little potty from Ikea a month or 2 ago because she kept going on the floor right before we put her in the bath. When I first brought it home she cried when I tried to put her on it, then we moved on to her wanting to sit on it when one of us was in there. The only time she sits on it without her diaper on is right before the bath. She would never actually do anything in it though. Tonight, as usual, I put her on it nakey and she sat there for a minute then got up just like always. But tonight, she came back a minute later and sat on it all by herself and actually went! Yea!!!

Small milestones

This might seem like a boring post, but this is one of those small things that I like to document. This is also for those family members who don't get to see Addie often and how she is growing up!

I usually don't give Addie a bowl of rice cereal and a spoon and let her go at it without me standing there helping her. She has been getting better at eating by herself, so this morning I needed to finish the dishes and she wanted to eat. I gave her the cereal and figured it would entertain her while I finished what I was doing. She actually did pretty well, I think most of it went in her mouth. I got some on video, she thinks it's fun to feed herself. We have been talking about which hand she uses more. I said the other day that I think she is starting to favor the left hand, like her mom. What do you think?

New Beginnings update...

Well it's been a month since we moved into our house, started our new budget and I was supposed to be on my healthy diet. Thought I would post a little update on how things are going.

As far as the diet...well, that didn't go so well. I was good for about 2 weeks then I stopped writing down what I was eating. If I don't write it down there is no way I will stick to it. And now we have tons of Halloween candy so it's not looking like I will be going sugar free for a little bit longer. :) In those few weeks that I was eating well, I think I at least lost the weight that I gained right after Addie stopped nursing.

I still don't have the house decorated, the walls are so bare! I am thinking about making a cover for our old comforter, some new curtains and something to cover our open closets (besides the ugly white doors that slide). These things, and hanging stuff on the walls will be my next project

Our new budget is working out great! It's not so fun sticking to a budget all of the time but our bank account benefits from it. About the third week into it, Daniel told me he was dying and couldn't handle not eating out. Except for the occasional snack at McDonald's and Daniel's Thursday morning breakfasts at work, we only ate out for dinner like 2 or 3 times during the month. Although there were a lot of things we had to pass up buying during the month, there were a few fun purchases: I bought fabric to make some changing pads, Addie's new table from Ikea and Daniel got a lawn mower. Addie loves her table! It's usually in my craft room for her to color at while I am working. Here are a couple cute pictures of her sitting at it reading...

Monster Addie

Listen closely...

We call it her 'monster' voice. I am pretty sure she is imitating her train that makes animal sounds. This must be the lion, but monster is funnier!

All about Addisen

Name and Meaning: Addisen Rochelle. Addisen means "strong woman". We thought it was appropriate because she would kick like a maniac in my belly and she actually, literally kicked her way out when I was in labor. Rochelle is my middle name.

Age : 16.5 months
Nicknames : Pumpkin, Monster, Munch.
Favorite Activities : Eating snacks, being outside, coloring, reading books, pulling things out of drawers.

Favorite Foods: Crackers, ice cream, cheese, bananas.

Least Favorite Foods : Vegetables

Music : Rhapsody Blues, the one on Fantasia 2000. The 5 Browns have it on their CD and she loves it! Most of the other songs on the Fantasia movies.

Favorite Toys : Her pink airplane, the silly cat we got from the library. She actually has a lot...

Favorite Books: Amazing Airplanes, Picture This, Happy Baby Animals.

Favorite Item of Clothing : Any of her socks and shoes

What Makes Her Happy : Food, when daddy comes home, reading with us, getting attention.

What Makes Her Sad: Being told no, not getting food in the car, when Daddy yells at her.

Now I tag: Kristi (Brooklyn), Alice (Emma), Mel (Kadence), Katy (Jack), Rebecca (Benjamin)

Happy Birthday and Halloween

I have to say how glad I am that last week is over!! I love Halloween and I got to celebrate my birthday, but due to the craft boutique on Saturday, the whole week was super stressful!
Here is my week in review:

Monday was my birthday. Daniel had a whole afternoon planned for us. He came home early from work and we dropped Addie off with our friend Katy. Then we headed to dinner at Olive Garden and then we actually went and saw a movie in the theater! I can't remember the last time we did that. I didn't know he had any of this planned until about noon that day. I was surprised because he is horrible at keeping secrets! Another surprise he kept a secret was my Wii fit! I came downstairs in the morning and there it was by the TV! Yea!! My mom got me a GPS for the car so I won't get lost any more. Thanks for all of the birthday cards, calls and texts!

Addie got to wear her costume out like 4 times, so I feel like we got good use out of it. The first little party we went to was the play group for our new ward. They had yummy snacks and lost of cute costumes! Thursday we went to our old wards Halloween party and trunk or treat. Addie caught on pretty quick that people handed her candy and she got to keep it! We even got some of her dancing on video. Friday morning we went to another play group and then trick or treating that night with Katy, Clay and Addie's buddy Jack. Our camera died so we didn't get any trick or treating pictures but I think you get the idea of what her costume looked like from these pictures...

The kids did a costume parade on the stage at the party.


I think she is hugging her friend Jack.


Here is her dancing, I think it's pretty funny.

This is the second play group we went to, of course she wouldn't look at the camera and she absolutely refused to put the sippy cup down!

Except for the shoes, this was her complete costume, pig tails and all.

Saturday was the big day. Our first big boutique. We had a lot of help setting it all up, but it looked great! It was fun to be there with all of the other vendors and we learned a lot!

Phases and airplanes

I think Addie has officially entered the 'I have to climb on everything' phase. She finally figured out how to get on the stool in the kitchen. Now she can see and sometimes reach all the fun things on the counter. The other night she climbed up there and was 'helping' Daniel with the dishes. He put some bubbles on the counter and she thought that was great! I've also seen her climb on the big plastic storage box I have in my room and she can make it up like 4 stairs. The problem with all of this is that she can't get down! She fell off the stairs the other night and landed on the back of her head. She'll have to learn...

One of her favorite books right now is called Amazing Airplanes. It's all about taking a trip by plane. So we have been working on the sign for airplane. I got her on video reading the book and making her hand (her version on the sign) fly around like a plane. I love her sound effects. :)

Come see the crafts...

Stop by and see me, we'll have a table set up there. It supports the PTA and is a good excuse to get some cute stuff for Christmas! If you can't make it, we'll be posting pictures of our holiday stuff on our blog soon!

Back to the pumpkin patch

Starting where my last post left off...Addie was pretty happy once I got her in the pumpkin and she had some snacks in her hand. Here are a couple of pictures from Friday night, I posted a video at the end of this quite lengthy post...

Saturday afternoon we headed back to the same pumpkin patch. The pictures came out way cute (Thanks Jeff!). This first one I took but the rest are his work...I know her name is spelled wrong on one of the photos, Jeff's fixing that. :)

Oh, I took this one too. She got a treat on the way home for being so good...

I'm thinking of blowing this one up and hanging it in my crafty room...



Our family.

Not in the pumpkin!

Last Saturday we picked out the pumpkin we were going to use for Addie's Pumpkin Patch pictures this year. Last night I carved it out so that we could go back today. I must have pulled out 8 lbs. of stuff! It's a pretty big pumpkin.

Carving it out...

Mommy's little helper. She just got out of the bath...

Yum...pumpkin. I like to eat pieces, she wasn't so sure.

Checking it out

Look at the terror in her face!

I eventually got her in it, with some snacks...

We went back to the pumpkin patch today, I will post those pictures later, I think we got some cute ones! We took some on our camera and our friend Jeff, who is an awesome photographer, took some for us too!

Bangs...

Today we finally gave Addie her first hair cut! I was trying to just let it grow, but I decided pig tails would be easier (and all of her hair might actually stay up) if I cut her bangs. So while she was in her high chair we got the scissors out...






She didn't really want to sit still while I was cutting and that made me a bit nervous. I think it came OK, still needs some touch up work. Now she really looks like a toddler to me, not a baby anymore. :( I think the hard part will be trimming them all of the time!