Thanksgiving & 12 Days of Christmas

Hello again world! It has been a whirlwind of a month and I keep waiting for things to slowdown so I can blog, but that's not happening so I'd better just post. These pictures are all I have to show for myself this month! Our little camera is on the fritz and it was suppose to last until Christmas when I will hopefully (hint hint Berg) be getting a new little camera. If I have to run for the big SLR every time I have a picture moment it just doesn't happen!

Addie and I went to Texas once last month and we're going again this Friday. I think I'm just running from the cold here in Iowa. In between we went to Ames, IA for Thanksgiving with Damion, Sarah, and Zane Spilman. Both trips were really fun and as relaxing as traveling with miss Addie could possibly be. Addie was a little tired from her travels as you can see from the pictures! Oh, and the fabulous knee socks pulled up over her pants in the first pictures are compliments of Anthony.

So, I need some advice. In an effort to start our own family Christmas traditions, we want to do a 12 Days of Christmas gifting to a family we know here. They don't read my blog (I'm sure!) so I think it is safe to ask for advice on gift ideas for any of the days. If anyone has ever received a 12 Days of Christmas gifting or done it, please share your ideas! And if any of you reading this get a 12 Days of Christmas gifting done to you this year, please do not give us credit cause we don't deserve it!

Ten Things I'm Thankful For

To get this month off to the right start, here are ten random things I am thankful for today:

1. Anthony - I have had so little time with him lately, but it's so good to know he's there!
2. Addie - I've had so MUCH time alone with her lately, still I find myself looking at her videos and pictures sometimes at night. I guess I can't get enough!
3. My SelectComfort Contour Pillow - Once you've tried it, you're hooked.
4. Allergy Medicine - How would my life be in the fall & spring without it??
5. Sunshine - It was 59 and sunny today. In two months I will be PRAYING for this.
6. My Mandarin Lime Shower Gel - Hmmm...That's what I say every morning in the shower. For anyone who ever wonders what to buy me for a gift...I LOVE shower gel. And Q-tips...I'm weird.
7. Soup - What good would cold weather be without soup?
8. My Elliptical Machine - Instead of lonely nights on the couch with ice cream...it's lonely nights working out while my hubby works.
9. The Children's Museum - Nothing like public germy toys to light up your child's life & make them forget that they are tired or have sore gums.
10. Cell Phones - I got to talk to both of my parents today just because! :)

Just for fun, I'll TAG Holly, Emily, and Melissa to make a list. It can be deep or shallow...whatever suits you! :)

The Color of Fall

 
For anyone who has ever wondered what the color of fall is, this is what it is to me. This tree is right outside our living room so it looks so nice with all the brown and red in our living room. I love fall!

Wow!

Here is a short video I got of Addie last week & keep forgetting to post. She's saying "wow." She's been working hard on her "o" sounds for the past week or so. She also signs baby, dog, and sleep for anyone who can't understand what the muffled voice in the background is saying. :)

Hangin' Tough Halloween

Well here is my little Texas A&M Cheerleader. This is ironic on a few levels. For starters, Texas A&M doesn't actually have cheerleaders so it is interesting that the costume exists. Secondly, I have always made fun of my friends who were cheerleaders in high school so I guess I'm already eating my own words? :) I found it at Target in College Station a few months ago. It was a good deal and it would fit nicely under a warm coat for our fabulous Iowa weather so I took it.

Addie had a good time at two different Halloween parties this weekend. She really liked the second one which was geared towards younger children. We saw so many crazy costumes. People get so creative for Halloween. I think I just can't handle the competition so I just stick to black. One couple dressed up as the "American Gothic" painting...frame and all. We also had an entire family of M&M's (white tights included!) Billy Idol plus a wife a baby who both had matching punk hair. Curious George and the Man with the Yellow Hat were also there...just to name a few for you folks that might want to be cool next year.

All the Halloween "spirit" around and the parties reminding me of childhood things were the perfect prelude to hearing "Hangin Tough" by New Kids on the Block (NKOTB for those in the know) on our way home yesterday. I laughed so hard as I thought about how cool I thought that song was, how cute I thought Donny Wahlberg was, and how much I enjoyed sitting in the highest possible seats of Reunion Arena for their concert in the sixth grade with my friend Kinsey. I even remember the earplugs her mother was wearing to block out the screaming girls no doubt. All of my friends at school were so very jealous that I would get to see them "live." I was too young to even think anything of how bad the seats were. Ahh the perspective of an 11 year old.

This Little Piggy

 
I tried pigtails on Addie today and it turned out pretty cute. I have to admit, I have been surprised by how I find fixing Addie's hair more of a hassle than fun. Dressing her, now that's a different story. If the final product of the hair fixing is good, then it's worth the effort but if she puts up any fight I give up.

Okay, this picture doesn't even do justice how insanely funny the moment was. I have an empty powder compact that Addie likes to play with while I'm putting my makeup on. I gave it to her while I was feeding her dinner tonight and she opened it up and had the best time looking at herself. She'd close it, need me to open it for her, and then when I'd hand it back she was just as surprised as the first time I handed it to her. Funny girl - all GIRL!

Daddy Daughter Outing

 
 
 
 
Anthony took Addie out for the afternoon yesterday. After his rotation in Des Moines, not only was I a little tired of hanging out with a one year old, but Addie was definitely tired of me. They went to the dog park, which she always loves. Kinda sad since we don't actually have a dog...but she still enjoys it. Then they walked through a frisbee golf course that went through the woods. Anthony said Addie loved it. Obviously, she was with her dad because she's wearing a red bow with her pink and brown outfit and when she got home she was filthy! Not to mention the picture he took of letting her eat leaves or sticks or whatever that is. Now on to two weeks of Anthony working nights. Bla!

Help Me Understand

Okay, so sometimes I post things asking for feedback and nobody humors me (like what Jane Austen heroin are you?) I REALLY need some help here understanding the world around me. Are people actually watching this show? Is it funny? I lacked the gene necessary to find the Geico commercials funny so there's just no way I am understanding that this has become a primetime show on a major network. The Neilsens are not polling me, that's for sure.

Here are some shows I have loved that seemed to have some real writing and acting credentials involved: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, October Road, What About Brian, and Notes from the Underbelly (not GREAT, but no cavemen present.) Someone help me understand why Caveman is on my TV and not one of these?? The reality shows were hard enough for me to take, and Deal or No Deal makes my head spin, but I'm truly at a loss.

Who Needs Toys Anyway?

Well, it has been over two weeks since Addie got her little chair and it's still her favorite "toy." That is actually a record for any of her other toys. If we are in the living room, her activities revolve around it. Someday it will be funny to tell her that her favorite thing to do when she was one was sit in a chair. She gets in, gets out, stands up, sits down, takes toys in and out...whatever. Last night her friend Grace was over and they both took turns getting in and out of the chair. It was pretty funny to watch. Who would have thought?

Grandma Sun Ae Berg

 

Anthony's mother passed away last Thursday, October 4th and we went to her funeral on Saturday in Palestine, Texas. It seems strange to blog about the exciting, silly, funny, or unimportant events in our life without mentioning this very important but sad event. She absolutely blew me away with her love for my Addie. That is something I can never forget and can't wait to tell Addie about.

Family Photo Op

 

 

 

Last month we finally got around to getting some family photos taken for the first time since Addie was born! These are the ones we purchased. Anthony scanned them in so that I could exhibit them for all of my friends and family that will not see them hanging on the wall. So, just in case you really want a picture of us...these are technically not suppose to be copied so you would be breaking the law! :) I leave it up to my lawyer friends to write the legalese.

Anyway, it was quite a deal taking Addie in for pictures where I am actually suppose to be in the pictures. I usually just stand in the background keeping her from leaving the room, repositioning her, etc. So I was still doing that while Anthony chilled in his calm position not breaking a sweat. I really wanted the sepia version of the one of all three of us because I for some reason I think it hides the fact that I was a sweaty mess. Here are my few seconds prior to this shot: grab Addie as she tries to leave the room (for the 20th time), set her on top of Anthony, fix her dress, fix my own dress, get all flyaway hairs that are sticking to my sweating face off, lean over so that I am actually in the picture, and...oh yeah, smile. :)

The picture of her kissing me was not planned. She was being such a nut while we tried to take some pictures on the ground with all three of us. Right as we gave up and Anthony stood up, Addie leaned over to give me a kiss. This girl TOTALLY knows when she is pushing it.

Walker Texas Ranger

 

 

 

 

I have to say, I never thought I would come up with a reason to use this title. It's a stretch too, but why not mention one of the cheesiest representations of Texas law enforcement in the history of television as a title?

We didn't bother buying Addie a walker because we have enough stuff in our little house and I've read that it doesn't really help kids learn how to walk anyway. Dan and Amber loaned us theirs while we were in Texas though, and since we've been home Addie had tried to transform just about anything she can into a walker. Since nothing actually has wheels, she gets pretty frustrated when thing like her Little People barn don't roll over the rug...hence the ever popular scowl.

I should list needed items more often in my blogging. Anthony is in Des Moines Monday through Friday for four weeks and this was his first week away. I guess my previous post about Addie needing a chair inspired him because he arrived home with this cute little green chair. I wish I had been at a better angle for this picture, but it's still pretty cute. She LOVES the chair. I love the fact that if we'd been looking at this in a magazine or store together he would have thought it was ridiculous to buy, but since he was missing his little girl and obviously she needed a chair to sit in he purchased it for her. On the other hand, there was no gift for me upon his return. I guess I've been demoted?

Get This Girl a Chair!

I had something cute to blog about that Addie did today, but as we were walking through the natural foods store today something else took that spot in my brain. Just so that anyone who cares knows...there are completely organic feminine products out there. One brand is even called GladRags. Wow. I mean...who was on the naming committee there? I won't elaborate further. Just an interesting tidbit from my day that made me smile/laugh. :)

Anyway, about us this week...We flew to College Station, TX last Wednesday and returned on Saturday in a suicide mission to see Emily and Luke's new baby Jane Bentley Brenner. She is a beauty and it was worth the insanity. We stayed with Lauren and Nate, which was really fun. I was hoping Ryan would inspire Addie to walk more (technically she walks...just not much.) That was a failure. She was tired and poor Ryan just wanted to hug her, which only made her mad. Maybe my lack of hugging interest is genetic? He also taught her this fabulous screeching noise that she does in protest when she is unhappy. One more day and I think we will be rid of it. Boys are nothing but trouble!

I must say that on the way back I had some of the kindest people help me out with Addie. The American Airlines people were super helpful (which is very out of character for them) and a lot of people on the plane were really helpful. One lady even walked up and down the aisle with Addie to entertain her. Right as we landed in Iowa (seriously) Addie's eyelids got the best of her and she fell asleep! A few things that proved useful on my trip this time around were stickers and bubble gum. We stuck the stickers on paper, then on Addie's legs, my face, her face, the airplane...you name it. So, if anyone is flying AA anytime soon keep your eyes peeled for "My Little Pony" and "Hello Kitty" cause you know they don't actually clean the planes. With the gum, I just blow bubbles and she tries to pop them. Of course she misses, which for some reason is really fun when you are 13 months old.

I took this picture last week and didn't have time to post it before we left. Addie loves it when I raise the blinds in the front window so that she can look out, but lately she's also enjoyed using the window sill as a chair. She sits down on it, and it works for a while until her round diaper bum gets the best of her and she slips off. Then she just sits there slumped over for a while. Silly girl.

Apple Orchard

It was really pretty today so we headed out to the apple orchard for lunch. I guess there was a late freeze last spring, so there were really no apples. It was still very pretty and Addie enjoyed walking around in the grass. This morning Addie wouldn't stop whining, so instead of leaving her with Anthony while I ran I took her with me. Since my sister Emily gave birth to a 9 lb 2 oz baby girl yesterday, I thought I should push (no pun intended!) myself a little. I made it to 3 miles with the heavy stroller...what a feeling. Then I went to the orchard and had a great time eating an apple turnover. :)

One of These Days

 
 
 
 
One of these days this girl is going to WALK! She's trying so hard! I had to post the first picture because it's one of the few pictures Anthony ever catches of me where I'm not making a strange face or showing off three chins. I'm thinking maybe I should just do nothing but stare blankly ahead for the rest of my life if that is what looks best.

Addie is trying her best to walk, and she loves it. She makes the funniest faces when she's standing on her own, or walking. On Sunday she took almost 10 steps, very slowly of course. Steps with the left foot were bigger than steps with the right, so she walked in a circle. Our first reaction was to laugh, but then we started thinking about how sad it would be if she always turned right.

"The Look"

 
 
 
"The Look" has appeared and doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Maybe this is just a sample of the teenage years? She hands this beauty out to pretty much everyone these days for unknown reasons. I wonder if she is actually trying to convey an emotion or if it just feels funny to furrow her brow? She sure does it at odd times.

Take a Seat

 

Addie quickly lost interest in her Bumbo when she needed it to sit up, but as soon as we got back from Texas last week she started finding new uses for it. She gets in, gets stuck, gets out, falls out, puts toys in, takes them out...you name it. Why is this fun??

Ode to Our Friends

 
Tonight is the first night since Brent and Holly moved that the lameness of our life without them is setting in. I'm realizing that this last 13 months with Addie we have enjoyed the ease of a social life that was very accommodating to her because the Gardners came here so much. It was great...only now here we are, all alone! This is the last picture I have of them. Brent and I were having a speed Scrabble throw down. I won. :)

Here are just a few things MISSING from life now:

1) Anthony's golfing buddy
2) Julie's shopping buddy
3) Julie's desire to cook at ALL (what can I say...I need compliments people!!)
4) Addie misses Holly's strange animal noises
5) Addie also misses Brent's strange unknown noises
6) Anthony misses mass quantities of meat
7) Scrabble...what's the use anymore?
8) Random Google arguments (for those of you who don't know what that is, as soon as any discrepancy arises about a topic you go directly to google and do a search to clear it up!)

Happy News!

I have not quit blogging, we've just been busy with some difficult things and I couldn't think straight enough to blog. Good news is on the horizon though! Anthony got an offer today for a Pain Management fellowship in Winston-Salem, NC. We really wanted to go there and have been waiting for the offer while we were in the middle of a family crisis so it was a much needed good day. We have friends there, which makes the deal even sweeter. I've heard it is beautiful there. I also hear that I may want to stock up on furniture while I'm there which I really have no problem with! :)

I was teasing Anthony tonight that he was moving me further away from my parents so we looked it up on Google maps. I was actually wrong. Winston-Salem is actually 1 mile closer to Pearland than Iowa City is. Progress!

I'll break out the camera and post some more this week sometime.

Straw Poll Road Trip!

Today we drove to Ames, IA for the Iowa GOP Straw Poll. It was so much fun and so exciting to be a part of something so politically important. We went with the Romney campaign, but I learned something new about several of the other candidates and really feel like there are some strong options for a V.P. out there! :)


Seriously though, the Romney campaign really went all out. They handed out yellow Mitt Romney t-shirts on the buses so when we got there it looked like a big yellow Romney party. They had three different bands lined up, a tent for BBQ, a tent for eating the BBQ, a rock wall for people to climb, and those blow up bouncy things for kids. Party! Brownback was the only person who even came close to being that cool with BBQ and a snow cone machine. The snow cone machine was very tempting, but it just felt wrong to go take stuff from them when we weren't voting for him. Then again...I guess if he did become the Republican nominee I would probably vote for him (unless the dems came up with a surprise jewel of a candidate unknown right now), so then that would make it okay to have snagged a snow cone. Too bad my brain wasn't working earlier. It was crazy hot out there.


There were Ron Paul groupies everywhere marching around and trying to hand out Ron Paul literature. They were almost as aggressive as the guy at our mall who tries to tackle me with a flat iron for a demonstration every time I walk by. About every two minutes Brownback or Romney or Ron Paul people (usually college students) would parade through the event doing a chant of some sort and waving their signs. This alone was one of the best truly "Iowan" things we have done here. Here is a video of some dancing from earlier in the week and our trip today. Enjoy!



Oh, and the NRA pictures are for Brent! :)