Spring into Summer

Finally, for the last 2 days of April it actually seemed like Spring here...just in time for Summer to roll in. I seriously thought I was going to lose my mind if it rained another day. Sunday was so pretty, so we took the opportunity for some outside pictures with Addie. Anthony never gets the chance to take pictures of her since he's been working like crazy lately. I thought he got some pretty cute shots.

We're still trying to recover from our travels. Addie has been waking up between 3 and 5 a.m. for about a week. Since 12 hours of sleep has been pretty much the norm since she was 3 months old, I have not been too excited about the step backwards. Yesterday I decided to put the bumper on her crib so she can't play with the slats when she wakes up (she likes to run her hands up and down them) and I did my own variation on many sources of advice and put a sippy cup of water in her crib. I don't know if my solutions are permenant, but I got a full nights rest last night (aside from Anthony waking me up before he left this morning to ask if Addie had slept through the night...???) which was so good. Half of the water was gone, so I'm thinking that was a good move. Now Anthony wants to install a video camera in her room so that he can see how she entertains herself in the middle of the night.

As I alluded to above, she's finally grasped the concept of the sippy cup. When we were in Texas I caught her sipping on Emma's cup, so I went out and purchased the same brand. After a week of just chewing on it and swinging it around in her mouth with no hands she finally took a drink. While we were in Texas Nana also gave her some cheese, which she loved, so I've started giving her some cheese with her meals. Yesterday she was scarfing it so fast she sounded like a little piggy. We'll be working on manners asap.

Motion Picture

Here's the latest video footage of Adeline. In a lot of the clips she is squealing at Simon (the dog.)

More Texas Pictures

Just a few more pictures here to round out our trip. What would a good trip be without a diaper shot? Don't make too much fun of the gut. I'm loving the warmer weather clothes like tee shirts that slip up when I'm holding Addie. That belly is so soft!
The picture of Addie and Porter is the only decent shot I got of her at the Children's Museum. I love the last picture. Emma is being cute for the camera and Addie is eating her shoe. Hmmm... :)

Nana Daycare

Nana was playing daycare a little yesterday. The uniforms are not required, but sure are cute. You can't see it, but in the third picture Emma is holding Addie's phone up to her ear. Pretty cute.

A Day at the Beach

The weather was so nice when we got up yesterday morning that we decided to go down to the beach in Galveston. So Nana, Pops, Me, Addie, Lori, and the twins hopped in the motor home and went out for some fun in the sun. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Mike and Shaela met us there with their kids and that afternoon Amber and JD showed up with a bucket of chicken...Classy & Healthy! Luckily Dan was able to cut out of school stuff early and join us too. I think it was worth it.

All of the kids enjoyed themselves in the sand. Addie was happy just hanging in her play pen with some toys in the shade. I can't think of anything else we could have done here that would have been more fun. If only Anthony could have been there...

Bath Time!

We are having some fun here at Nana's house this week with Lori and the twins. Today we went to the Houston Children's Museum. Addie got a little spooked on the way there, so she was wimpy for most of the trip, but Annie and Chloe seemed to really enjoy themselves. The only part Addie liked was this neat little stream outside that had rubber ducks in it that would float with the current. Lori and I had to jump at the opportunity for this bath picture tonight. I'm so glad we did! The twins love "baby Addie." They are great about entertaining her. Yes, for those of you that are wondering...Addie does weigh the same amount as the twins that are 18 months older than them! When I sat Annie in the tub I was shocked to see that Addie was truly wider than she is! She has such potential!

Countdown to Crawling?

I'm not sure if it is all the people around to watch her while she plays in the floor or if it is all the large carpeted spaces in my family members' homes, but this girl is getting closer to crawling every day. That stomach seems to get in her way. Dad better get those baby gates up!

Tired Baby

We are in College Station and it has been so fun to catch up with both friends and family. I think we've seen almost everyone there is to see for this trip: Grandma and Grandad Clarkson, Mary Lynn, Mike & Shaela, Matthew, Katie, Porter, Dan & Amber, JD, Emily & Luke, Tilly, Joe and Melissa, Emma, Chris & Jamie, Dave & Serena, Bob and Sun, Gramma Berg & Ann...phew! Tonight we'll see Lori, Annie, and Chloe Blad. Busy Busy!

Addie seemed to really like seeing Emma yesterday. I sat her on the couch next to her yesterday to watch "Signing Time" and she just stared at Emma. Then she tried to touch her which she never does. She's really coming out of her shell with all of these people around. What a rude awakening she'll have next week when it's just the two of us again!

Addie has been so good about traveling too, despite some difficult teething nights. She's pretty tuckered out today. Luckily we're driving back to Houston today and maybe she can start catching up on her rest before we fly to Iowa on Friday! Luke took this picture yesterday morning before church. It was chillier than expected so I just left Addie in her jammies for the morning. He also got a really cute video, but I'm having a hard time figuring out how to blog it from Emily's computer. Maybe I'll get it up tomorrow. I think she likes Luke. Or maybe it's the camera she likes...she really smiled it up for him.

Take Two

Last night we played "Take Two" (also known as Speed Scrabble) at Nana's House. It was really funny. Granny tried for a while, and just got frustrated. Then we convinced Pops to play and things got pretty funny. His first round out while we were all adding up our scores he sadly said, "All I've got is 'me' two ways!" It was hard not to laugh at the irony of my dad spelling two of his favorite words. :)

Basking in the Sun

We are having so much fun here in Houston! Both days we've been here it has been sunny and warm. So nice! Plus, we've gotten to have lunch with the cousins (except Emma!) both days which was really cool too. Addie loves being out and about. It's such a change from our ordinary life. She also loves the big carpeted living room at Nana's house. I just sit her down there with some toys and she is happy as a clam for at least 30 minutes. She doesn't crawl yet, but she manages to scoot herself all over the floor on her bum.

This weekend we'll go to Bayou Bend to see Serena, Sun, and Bob. Then we'll head up to College Station until Monday morning. When we get back here on Monday, the Blads will be joining us for a few days. So much to do...so little time! I love this picture of Addie and Pops. They are pals.

Hairdo Queen

 

I realize it's a little early to be trying to fix this girl's hair, but I just had to try. I'll wait a few more weeks and try again! :)

Anthony is starting his nights rotation tonight so I'm catching up on my blogging while I watch AMC's "Shirley it's Easter" Shirley Temple marathon. I'm hooked! At least it isn't "Stepmom." Seems like every other time he works at night that movie is on and Anthony will call to see how I'm doing right in the middle of Susan Sarandon making a quilt out of her children's photographs. I'm choking up just thinking about it...

Happy Easter!

 

Our Easter Sunday was a pretty good one despite the cold weather. I had to put an extra onesie under Addie's Easter dress because it was too cold for her but she still looked pretty cute. She was a little bowhead today and she handled it well.

 

The picture of our Easter table setting was definitely worth posting. Not because I'm so proud of my decorating skills but because I love that my husband knows me well enough to take pictures of the table setting on holidays. I laughed when I went to upload Addie's pictures and found this.

 

Anthony said I have to add some details on our interesting meal. The food was excellent. Steak & Salmon prepared by Brent and Anthony on the grill. Yummmmm. We had an array of good fresh veggies to go with it and some good bread. There was a twist to the event, however, because Holly invited a former Vietnamese coworker of hers and her significant other (named An?) who brought her five year old daughter and unexpectedly a one of her friend's daughters (who did not speak English). The meal was awkward at best.

An was a complete stick in the mud. I was making do with the lame conversation, but I got really thrown when he complimented me on the butter. Yes, the butter. "Wow, this butter is so good!" Like I made it or something? Then a conversation commenced about whether it was salted or unsalted and what brand it was. Of course I didn't know the brand, so Anthony tried to remember whether it was store brand or the one with the Indian lady on it. I was thinking..."Are we REALLY having this conversation?" If that doesn't paint the picture, nothing will.

 

Addie's expression says it all!

Polly Want a Cracker?

 

I gave Addie a baby cracker today. I think the pictures tell it all...she loved them!

Precious Sunshine

 Today we had about 3 hours of sunshine that was sooooo needed. It has been gray for almost an entire week and I'm on the verge of snapping! Today we had a little window of sunshine that was just enough to get a walk in and a few pictures. Grandma Sun is here visiting from Palestine so Addie has been having fun with her. Since we have seen so little of the sun this year, Addie always squints when she is outside so I bought her some shades. She doesn't mind them, but when she's in her stroller looking all around they get knocked off. I guess we'll have to reserve them for laying out by the pool. :) I love this picture of her and Sun...she smiles so hard sometimes! Funny girl.
 

Warmish

 
 
Anthony took Addie outside in the garden today for a few pictures. He was so excited that she sat on the bench so well. I was so excited that there were no injuries! The weather was really nice yesterday and today...almost warm! Anthony took a picture of Addie and I yesterday before church too. I should have had him take one after. I guess it got warmer than the maintenance people were prepared for or something...it was insanely warm in our building. I think Addie has my hot gene. Her little cheeks were bright red and she was so sweaty. If I hadn't had to teach I think we would have just left...I have my priorities! Either way, by the end of church we were both a sweaty mess & Addie was barely dressed. At least everyone got a good laugh out of her chubby rolls! Brent and Holly could not stop staring at the dimples on her knees. So funny.

Silence

 
The past few days have been full of this image here. Addie has her pacifier in ALL the time. Even when I take it out, she picks it back up and pops it in. Her poor little mouth has been hurting her so much. Here she is watching Signing Time with her upside down pacifier. The only thing that lets me know she's enjoying herself is that she wiggles her right foot to the music. So sad!

Smile!

 
For anyone who needed a smile today, I thought I'd share!

Eating is Better With Teeth

 
Adeline cut both bottom teeth this week. She's been pretty needy about it, but she won't mind being able to sink her teeth into food soon I'm sure. In celebration of the new teeth, we let her try out a glazed donut today. Yeah right, this is a frozen bagel that she likes to chew on. It looked like a donut in the picture though, so I had to at least throw it out there. With the new teeth some new expressions have arrived, mostly involving the tongue, and new noises. I got a few "la la las" and "ba ba bas" today. I use to think it was ridiculous for anyone to take note of the fact that their kids were using consonants, but I've read that babies much younger than her can do it so I was starting to brace myself for speech lessons. Phew! Good thing we got that milestone out of the way.

Sailing into Spring?

 
 
 
Since Anthony is pining for a sailboat I just couldn't pass up this little sailor dress. Plus, the novelty of Addie's blue eyes (we both have brown) makes it fun to put her in blue. The first two pictures are just her playing with her mirror...one of her favorite things to do. It's so funny when she looks in the mirror (pic #1). She gets up so close and stares at herself. Anthony was really proud of himself for catching the last shot. No, she cannot stand on her own. Somehow he managed to prop her up while I was out of the room and get this shot. The series of pictures he took even includes gradual shots of her falling...OBVIOUSLY I was out of the room. Crazy man.

Anthony got to watch Adeline yesterday while I taught New Testament. It was her naptime, so he swaddled her and layed her on the floor in an empty classroom. Then he and Brent sat out in the hall talking it up while she snoozed. He thought he was pretty clever. Hmmm...such sacrifice!

Tell me what you really think!

First Time for Everything

I ventured out on Wednesday for the first time with Addie in the stroller and Simon on the leash (for those of you who may not know...Simon is a dog, not an older child.) It could have been a disaster since everyone and their dog (Ha!) was out enjoying the sunshine which usually provokes Simon into a lot of barking and chasing. It went really well. Simon exhausted himself pulling us for about 3/4 of the trip. Then at the end he just tried to walk fast enough with his little tongue wagging to stay out of the wheel path. Addie really enjoyed watching him run ahead though so we'll definitely be doing it again. She just held onto her chubby feet in the air and cooed.

On Tuesday as I was changing Addie's disgusting diaper, for the first time ever...she reached her sweet little hand down and grabbed the yucky diaper. I was barely keeping everything contained as it was and then she did that. All I could do was laugh. Luckily this was her pre-bath diaper change, so we were on our way out of those clothes anyway. I'd heard this would one day happen...

This week I had to turn on our air conditioner for the first time in about six months. This led to a really intelligent conversation between Anthony and I. Last week we got a new furnace. The big green metal box that had previously occupied space in our utility room was replaced with a small shiny metal box that was about half the size. The only other thing you can see near the unit is the ductwork. When I saw it, I halfway wondered to myself, "Where is the air conditioner?" I quickly moved on to another thought assuming that the nice man who replaced the furnace would have let me know if he took my air conditioner.

Yes, the air conditioner did turn on when I ran it this week so that was all good. It was just funny when I mentioned to Anthony that it got hot enough to turn it on because he looked at me and said, "Did it work?" I smiled and said, "Ha! You were wondering where it was too!!" We both enjoyed a little laugh over our how clueless we were and decided it's all fine as long as that invisible air conditioner can cool the house. :)

La La La!

Here are just a few clips of Addie playing. She loves to lay back on the boppy and shreak, so if you are wondering what she's doing...that's it! She'll do it for at least 10 minutes at a time. There are also some with her phone and some new toys that Nana bought her.

Wedded Bliss

Five years ago today Anthony and I were married so I thought I'd recount a few points of interest.

A few things that we've done in these five years:

Children: 1 PERFECT Child, Adeline Park :)

Pets: 1 Not-So-Perfect Dog, Simon

Places Lived: College Station, Texas
Temple, Texas
Iowa City, Iowa (Wow are we boring??)

Vacations: Banff, Alberta, Canada
La Jolla, California
New York City, New York x 2
Mayan Riviera x 2
Minneapolis, Minnesota x 2
Nashville, Tennessee
Chicago, Illinois x 2
Park City, Utah

Outdated Cell Phones: 5

Cars Owned: 4

Car Accidents: 3 (Julie 2, Anthony 1 with a pole)

Jobs: 5 (Julie 4, Anthony 1)

Friends: Too many to count!

Here's to another fabulous 50 plus...and the ambulance siren waking up my baby!

Warm Woolen Mittens

 
 
 
Our friend Tiffany sent this red turtleneck and gloves to Addie for Christmas and I'm finally getting a picture posted of them! Several weeks ago I took a ton of really cute photos in this outfit only to realize after undressing her and putting her down for a nap that there had been no memory card in my camera. I know, there is usually a message to that effect when you turn on the camera. I think the process of staging the picture and getting everything ready somehow distracted me.
Addie's been teething this week and while her extra crying is not great, tonight for the second night in a row she let me rock her to sleep. I really can't remember the last time that happened. She is such a good baby, but when it's time for bed she wants to be in her bed. It was so nice to just chill in the rocker with her. I must say, there wasn't much risk of me falling asleep (which would have been really great) while I rocked her the way I used to because it takes so much effort to hold her big self up now! I'll just take what I can get.

Parenting Tip

So, being the new parent among a lot of experienced parents, I don't often have any advice of value to add to a conversation. As of last night, however, I now have a tidbit of information that some may find valuable: It is a smart idea to always make sure your cell phone is not in your baby's crib when you put them to bed. Yes, I'm sure many of you never thought of that so I thought I'd share.

Last night before Mom and I went to bed I was trying to find my phone. I have the alarm set on it and I didn't want to be waking up anyone at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday so I had her call me to find it. Even while Mom was ringing my phone I couldn't hear it ringing. I continued looking and then it dawned on me that the sweatshirt I was wearing has a tendency to drop things when I lean over to put Addie to bed. I went to the video monitor and turned it on. Sure enough, there she was smiling and bouncing around. I'm sure she was really excited to hear my ring and thought it was time to play. When I went in her room to get it and give her a pacifier she was just kicking her legs and smiling. It was so funny. I felt so dumb! I left the room and went to my bed where I sat and watched her eventually stop bouncing and smiling to suck her pacifier and go back to sleep. What a little angel.

Yesterday we took Addie to the photo place in the mall to get some pictures taken. It was really fun. The first thing we did was some nudes in a little clawfoot bathtub with little rubber ducks. She just smiled away and had so much fun. Then I put this cute gauzy white dress on her and a straw hat. I thought for sure those pictures would be my favorite but the bathtub ones were just too good. We have fun taking pictures here all the time, but this lady was so good at getting her to smile into the camera. We'll definitely be doing that again. If anyone wants to see the pics, just email me and I'll send you the link.