Pretty As a Picture

I have trouble getting good shots of Addison. She never likes to look at the camera, and hates to stand still. I need a camera with a faster shutter speed so I can just snap pictures. I always feel like if I had a camera that could capture the moments that I see happen, then I would have a million awesome pictures. Well, I actually got a few that turned out pretty good. The lighting, the background, and the subject were pretty darn close to perfect. I could take pictures of Addison all day. She is by far my most favorite subject!

Silly Faces!

I love being silly! So here we are at our finest being super silly. We had a great visit with my cousin Lauren. She and I just feed off each other. Kinda reminds me of Addison and Hayden. Those two can really get each other going and so can Lauren and I. Lauren left over a week ago and I miss her so much already. Addison totally clicked with Lauren, which I knew she would. She loved having some one on one time with Lauren. I hope that our visits won't be so long in between from now on. I want Addison to know and love Lauren as much as I do.

Play Dough Playmates

Addison has played with Play Dough with Grammy and Hayden but never with just me. So I thought we definitely needed to bond over some play dough. My first instruction was not to eat the play dough she came close but never did actually eat it. She kept smelling it, which it stunk. Normal play dough smells alright, but this off brand smelled gross. She must have liked it because she kept sniffing it. My next instruction was don't mix colors so what did she do? Mixed colors! Oh well, it's her play dough if she wants it mixed then so be it. We used little animal shaped cutters to cut the dough, we flattened it with a rolling pin,and squished it in this squishier machine (I have such technical terms for things). We decided to make our own restaurant and we invented our own menu. Our restaurant has hamburgers called the "Daddy Patty and the Addi Patty" pancakes called "Holly Hot Cakes" a sandwich called the "The Mommy Melt". If you are ever hungry for some stinky play dough just stop on by for a mouth watering snack!

Addison's Green Thumb

Addison has taken an interest in helping take care of the plant life around the house. For mother's day I received a hanging basket with purple flowers. I am horrible at taking care of plants but with the help or my side kick (knock on wood) my flowers are still ALIVE! I purchased Addison a little watering can at the local dollar store and she has been very good about taking on the responsibility of watering the plants. We always say it is time to give our plant s a drink. Just a few pics of Addison being a great helper because left up to me the flowers would probably be no more.

Mad Science Experiment

Addison and I did a little Mad Science yesterday. We placed a bit of milk in a shallow dish, added a few drops of food coloring, added some magic potion (dish soap) and presto the magic potion mixed the colors together and gave it a really cool effect. Addison's favorite part was squirting in the food color and using the syringe to add the magic potion.

Pink is the new black

We got this little pink extension weave thingy in a Burger King meal. Addison loves pink so she just HAD to put it in immediately. Maybe if I let her do everything now she will have no desire to do it as a teenager. She is already obsessed with make up, is dying to try wine (which I do not condone under age drinking) , wants to wear a bra, loves jewelry, and is such a BOSSY girl. I can only imagine what the future will bring. It is cute now but, will I really think it is so cute in the future? Regardless of what she chooses (within reason) we have to let her be herself and experience life (again, with in reason). If the girl wants pink hair let her have pink hair!

Awesome Avery

I got to spend a little time with Avery, Mother's Day weekend. He is growing like a weed and is such a happy baby. I bet his cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I love seeing Emily with him. She just beams with pride. You can tell how very much she loves him. I only wish they were closer so we could see them more. Addison says all the time she wants to see baby Avery. So hard to believe he is growing up so fast.

So Avery was scheduled to get a bath that night but, first they had a party to go to. Keith and Emily totally gave Avery a mohawk. He looked so stinking adorable. I think it is just something parents just have to do to their kids. I couldn't stop laughing. What a cutie! He is going to be a heart breaker, for sure!

I Gotta Tell You Something

So lately most of Addison's conversations start off like this: Mom I gotta tell you something . I usually say, "Ok, babe what do you have to tell me?" She says, "It's very important." I follow up with, "Ok, you have my attention", "What do you want to tell me?". The she precedes to tell me something, usually something very silly or she says she is too busy to talk right now. Well, on the way home from the wedding she gave the normal spill about needing to tells us something VERY important. So Kevin and I turned and looked at her (we were at a red light) and she said, "Daddy is my LOVE BUG."

I got all teary eyed. I melted into a puddle and Kevin had to clean me out of the car. I love the relationship those two share. She talks about her Daddy like he hung the moon. Everyday when he comes home she can't wait to see him. She says, I love Daddy. He is the best Daddy in the whole world. I'm going to hug and kiss him.

A girl and her Daddy have such a special bond. It's funny because Kevin was so nervous about having a girl. He is such a good Daddy. He's my love bug too!

Tea For Two and Two For Tea

Addison and I had our very first tea party the other day. We got all dressed up in fancy dresses, broke out the lacy table cloth, I made blueberry tea, we ate Spongebob cookies, and had a fabulous time chatting over tea. We used Mimi's tea set at our party which made it even more special. Mimi loved to collect tea pots and such so when she passed I wanted Addison to have one of her tea sets. We ended up with two adorable tea sets from Mimi. One We use for display and the other we used for our party. We had a fun time dipping our cookies in our tea. Addison loved sipping the tea and would say, "yummy" after each sip. She had a field day eating the M&M candies I placed on the table. It was a fun mother daughter moment.

I remember a special tea party I had with my mom as a girl. She made tiny sandwiches, bought me a tea set,got me all dressed up and invited my friends. My mom always puts such love into whatever she does. She finds little ways to make even the most ordinary day special. I know that is where I learned being thoughtful from. Maybe next tea party we can invite some guests.

Change

Addison took a nap in a toddler bed today for the very first time. We set up a toddler bed at my mom and dad's house this afternoon. We will be spending a lot of time there in the up coming weeks. My aunt and uncle are having some painting and carpeting redone and we don't want to be in the way. All is quiet at the Powells' which allows for napping and not feeling in the way. I promised Addison if she was big and took a good nap in the bed she could have some coke and a piece of bubble gum. To say she was excited at the prospect of soda and gum would be an understatement. As soon as she opened those eyes she said, "I took a good nap Mom , I want my coke and gum." She was mighty proud of herself too!

I always find myself cringing at the thought of trying new things or giving up things, I always stress when we go on trips, thinking Addi will misbehave. I was scared to death to take away her pap (binky) thinking she would melt into a big puddle without it. I dreaded potty training because it was going to be major work and take forever. I have been holding out on the big girl bed because she loves her crib and isn't trying to get out.

What has all that worrying gotten me? Nothing, because she has always been awesome during travel, asked for her pap one time after we got rid of it, caught on so fast to potty training and slept in her big girl bed like she has done it before. I always expect the worst and hope for the best.

It is so funny the things you learn about yourself by raising a child. I always thought I would be the big softy and would give in all the time to my children. I would have to say that I am definitely the disciplinarian in the family. All Addison has to do is bat those eyes at her Daddy and she can get anything she wants.

I need to learn to trust in myself and the decisions I make for Addison. You never think going into parenthood that you won't only be the teacher but, also the student. Addison has taught me so many things but, loving unconditionally and patience are by far the best lessons of all.

Despite the whirlwind of change that is blowing in our direction I know that we have God on our side. Whether we get our house or not what matters most is that home is where your family is. God has blessed us so greatly thus far, I can't wait to see what he has in store for us next.

Alex and Adela's Wedding

This past Saturday my cousin Alex and his fiance Adela were married. The day was absolutely beautiful. The wedding was out doors on a farm in Shelbyville. Our family really enjoyed themselves. I loved all the beautiful handmade decorations that Adela's mother and aunt made. They put a lot of themselves in the wedding which is what made it so perfect. They had a Maypole that everyone danced around. The food was great. Addison particularly loved the watermelon. She is such a huge fan of watermelon. She probably ate five large slices. Addison loved being able to run and play with her older cousins. She is so lucky to have so many sweet cousin that love her and include her even though she is much younger. As the reception progressed everyone began to dance. Addison danced the night away. She definitely takes after me in that respect. We had a great time. We wish Alex and Adela a long happy, healthy life together. We look forward to seeing their love grow as well as their family. We love you guys and thank you for including us in your special day. Welcome to the family Adela! You done good Alex!

Put Yourself in My Shoes

You know the old saying put yourself in my shoes.... that is exactly what Addison did. On several occasions I have found Addison in my shoes and even in Kevin's too. She is such a silly girl. If only she could put herself in my shoes, maybe then she would realize how lucky she is to get a nap everyday!