400 Days

I'm not sure why I was so hesitant for Addie to turn one. One might just be my new favorite age. Since her birthday she has picked up ten new words. 

Meow

Again

Num nums

Addie

Up

Ba ba (bottle)

Look

Night night

All done

What

She has also tried saying Jill and Mike a couple times but not enough to actually count it as words she knows on her own. This also goes for "yes" which I can't wait for her to grasp what that means. 

She is learning to point out where her eyes and nose are and can walk long distances when she wants to now. Addie does this funny thing when she wants to go to bed she'll say "bye daddy". It's funny because that's her way of telling Danny to leave when she's tired and wants me to put her to sleep. Also she's starting to say "owie" if someone is holding her and she doesn't want them to. I'm not sure how to get her to stop doing that, especially because it makes that person feel awkward afterwards. She's always shy around people unless they're cashiers. She LOVES cashiers. Every time we're at a store checkout she suddenly turns on her charm full blast and will start talking her little heart out. She adores getting any kind of attention or reaction from them. With any other stranger she tends to be much more reserved. I sure do love this girl of mine. 

I feel like she ages a full year with her hair up. ^

Yesterday I looked over at her and saw that she had my shoes on her hands. She's already developing a silly personality. 

800 Days

800 days of marriage and still no regrets!

Oh and happy Halloween!

Each Year Gets Better

Is it sad that this Halloween hasn't even passed yet and I already have plans and ideas for future themed costumes. My problem is that I've always been a planner. I can't help it. My first Halloween with Danny we dressed up as Mario and Luigi. At that point we had already made plans to dress up as ninja turtles the year after; and last year around this time I was already thinking of what we could be this year. My planning at times can be both a blessing and a curse. 

It's funny because as a kid I never got into the fun of dressing up at Halloween. I remember being a ghost every single year. How boring is that? Fast forward to this day where I have my own little family with tons of costume ideas floating around in my head. In a few short years Addie will develop her own ideas and opinions and will most likely not want to participate with what I'll have in mind for her, but for now she'll have to humor her crazy parents and our family themed costumes.

As of right now next year's theme is a toss up between Aladdin/Jasmine/Aboo and Grandma/Bad Wolf/Little Red Riding Hood. Also in the mix we're thinking farmers and a little lamb because we saw the cutest lamb costume. Today Danny added another possible option and was suggesting we dress up as characters from Jurrasic Park next year. We both agree that eventually when we have more kids we will definitely all dress up as the Power Rangers. Anyway I'm getting ahead of myself once again. 

Halloween is proving to be more fun as each year passes. 

This year we went with Danny's idea and did a Star Wars Theme. I'm happy with how it turned out. 

Oct 22, 2015

Marie and Ty got married! I LOVE weddings and this one did not disappoint. It was so much fun. It feels like Ty has been part of the family forever so we're glad it's finally official. 

Danny started off the wedding karaoke night by singing a Whitney Houston song. I wish I could be more like him but instead I'm more hesitant and easily embarrassed. By the end of the night though I got on stage and sang "A Whole New World". It was a duet so Danny sang it with me but hey I still got on stage! 

I'll post Danny's video soon. I don't think mine was recorded but I'm okay with that. :)

I also got all of these cute pictures of our little family. 

Update: Here's the video of Danny starting off the night. 

Side note: He hates his voice in this but he sure had fun!

Full version of Danny singing.

Short version:

Short version of the Bride and Groom:

Back to City Life

We moved!! We're back in Orem now which is great!! I'll definitely miss being so close to my in laws plus Jaina and Jon but it's going to be nice to be back in the city after living on the farm for the past year. I think I'll miss the nights (right before bedtime) the most when Addie would get one on one time with her grandparents. I'm sure Addie will also miss all the animals but we'll most likely still make weekly visits. 

Last night was our first night here and to my surprise Addie slept great. She's a good sleeper but I worried she would struggle not being in her familiar room. I'm guessing all the moving tired her out that she was just happy to be asleep regardless of where she was sleeping. We'll see how tonight goes. Speaking of sleeping I think I hear Addie waking up right now from her nap. :)

Waking up today from her first nap in her new room. 

Waking up yesterday from her last nap in her old room. 

And I might as well will post this picture of my niece I've been tending all morning. 

One Year Letter to Miss Addie Rae

I've been thinking about our relationship a lot lately. I remember being so worried during my pregnancy that I wouldn't be the best mother. I'm sure I'm still not the best mother but you make me feel like the best mother for you. You are now one year and eight days old. Ironically I wrote you a letter exactly one year ago when you were just eight days old. The amount of love I feel for you cannot be measured. That might sound cliche but it's the absolute truth. I often find myself randomly looking over at you and out of no where I'm hit with a powerful feeling of gratitude and love. I feel tender moments with you every single day and I hope this feeling never fades away. I don't know at what age parents stop peeking into their child's room to catch one more glimpse of their sleeping babe but I have not stopped since the night you were born. I cannot get enough of you. Yes we've had moments where we have both been frustrated with each other but one smile or snuggle from you is all it takes to wipe away any tension. Today I was holding your baby cousin Georgia Navy and you wanted to sit on my lap so bad. You repeated my name over and over until I picked you up. Your aunts mentioned a hint of jealousy but I felt that it was proof of how much I mean to you. I love that you love me. I love that you need me. The truth is that I need you too. I need you because you make me feel loved in a way that only mothers can feel. It's a special bond. This past year you have taught me how to be patient, selfless, and how to live more in the moment. 

Today I took you to a boutique I wanted to check out but we got there ten minutes after it closed. Instead of being disappointed with this we decided to have an impromptu photo shoot with the bench in front of the store. These pictures captured how much fun of a baby you are. Thank you for teaching me how to find joy in all circumstances. You inspire me Miss Addie Rae. 

And one more just to show that you can also have a sassy attitude (just like your mama). :)

All About Addie

Here are some things about Miss Addie that I just don't want to forget.

First 12 months:
One month - Started cooing and smiling.
Two months - Started consistently sleeping through the whole night.
     Stats: 10.1 lbs (23.26%) 22.5 in (55.92%)
Three months - Rolled over from tummy to back.
Four months - Rolled over from back to tummy. Went on first plane trip to Colorado and first road trip to St. George.
     Stats: 12.83 lbs (23.32%) 24.75 in (67.04%)
Five months - Got her first two teeth and unfortunately stopped being so consistent throughout the night.
Six months - Learned to clap, sit and her first word was "yay".
     Stats: 15.34 lbs (36.04%) 27.25 (94.19%)
Seven months - Learned to army crawl, give kisses and say "mama", "daddy", and "Hi".
Eight months - Four teeth now and started pulling herself up to stand.
Nine months - Five teeth and started walking along furniture. Learned how to wave hello and bye and went on a road trip to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
     Stats: 16.47 lbs (21.65%) 29 in (92.88%)
Ten months - Six teeth and finally became interested in eating actual solids.
Eleven months - Eight teeth and walks up to six steps with no help.
Twelve months - She's only been 12 months for a couple of hours now but so far she can say a total of 18 words.
     Stats: 17.7 lbs (18.7%) 30 in (80.42%)

List of her current words:

Hi

Bye

Yay

Mama

Daddy

More

Kitty

Dog

Puppy

EIEIO (technically not really a word but she sings it)

No

Don't

Stop

Baby

Ouch

Uh oh

Hello

Cheese

She can also tell you what a dog says and what a monkey says. 

My sister is super talented and made this birthday board for Addie Rae.

Her Favorite Foods- bananas, squash, mashed potatoes, and French fries.

Her Favorite Shows- Daniel Tiger, Curious George, and Super Simple Songs.
Her Favorite Songs - You Are My Sunshine, Old McDonald and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

She Can - clap her hands, blow and give kisses, wave, dance, squeal, and give hugs.

She Weighs - 17.7 lbs (updated from today's Dr visit). 

She Stands - 30 inches (updated from today's Dr visit). 

She has 8 teeth. (It felt like teething would never end).

Nicknames - Addie Rae, Squishy, Sweet cheeks,  Baby and Monkey.

She Loves - music, animals, bath time, dancing, snuggling mommy, chasing daddy, wind, lullabies, monkeys, swinging, squealing, giving kisses and Skyping her Aunt Pollyanna.
She Dislikes - peaches, being told no and getting her face wiped.

It's been an amazing year being her mom. Any fears I may have had while I was pregnant about being a mom to a little baby girl has vanished. Besides Danny she is my reason to smile. She's my happiness. Love doesn't even seem like a strong enough word to describe the emotion I feel towards her but until I can think of a stronger word I'll continue to let her know every single day that I love her. I truly love her. Eternity is going to be awesome with her in it.

Happy birthday to miss Addie and happy one year anniversary of being parents to Danny and myself.