Sunday, January 24, 2010

First Skate and other Fun Stuff!

I didn't really know what to title this post considering it is a mixture of activities that we have been doing lately. Addie Blaire has experienced a few firsts this month. First time to a skating rink, first time to decorate a cake (boy did she do a good job), first time to play in snow (well at least south Arkansas snow, we can't compete with you guys up in Fayetteville), and first time for RSV!!! Needless to say the last one, is a first I could have done without!! She was a pretty sick little girl for the past week, but she is doing much better, she has been in quarantine since she and Griffin both got sick last weekend. Unfortunately, while the dads were off doing a fraternity weekend the mom's and babies got together, that is not the unfortunate part what is sad is that since we were around Allie and baby Tyce, I am afraid that they are coming down with it now. So please say a little prayer for them both, I felt so bad because Angie and I had no idea they were sick at the time or we would never have gotten them all together to spend the night. I hate being the spreader of germs!! I am saying prayers especially for baby Tyce, he is a little guy and I don't want to see him with this horrible cough that we have had this week. As for the rest of the post we went to a birthday party in TExarkana for a friend, Lilly that lives there, it was Addie Blaire's first time on skates and she did a great job. I was so tired and sweaty after it was over though, pulling a kid around a rink on skates wears a girl out these days. She was so funny after the skates came off, she was walking around so oddly, I remember that feeling after my days at the rink too! We also made a birthday cake for Daddy's birthday, but since he was with the guys for the weekend we made it earlier in the week. Addie Blaire and I went to Walmart and she picked out the kind of cake, icing, party hats (sponge bob, she wanted Dora, but I figured dad would appreciate the switch), and she even wanted party favors too. She came home and helped me with the cake and then when Daddy arrived she sang happy birthday to him on her new piano. She had been practicing earlier in the day, it was so cute, I heard her in her room banging away on the piano. She even had turned her piano book to the right page with the happy birthday song. She was singing the whole song for dad and then at the end she said "happy birthday daddy" thank you very much and bowed!! Always finds a way to make me smile!!

This is the new tent that Addie Blaire got, it was supposed to be for Christmas but I guess Santa dropped it off at the wrong house so we just got it last week. I have fixed it up so she has her very own reading corner with all her dolls inside.

She wanted mommy to give it a try, I thought I might never get out!

These are some pictures from the sleepover we had in Hot Springs, the kids did so well playing together. Allie is such a cutie I was so glad to get to spend time with her too!

Allie, Griff, Tyce, and Addie Blaire

Griff looks like the man in between his two women.


Addie Blaire playing Happy Birthday for her daddy.

This is dad's beautiful birthday cake, well I guess I have to admit it isn't the best looking, nor was it probably the best tasting. The icing kinda melted into the cake because it was still hot when we put it on, and then the candles melted into the cake because it was still hot when we put them in. Maybe a little bit mom's fault for being a little over anxious!

This is Addie Blaire "getting down" she has just started this. We tell her to get down and she really shakes it down. Thanks to Miss Muff who gave her a cheerleader that says something about "wiggle it just a little bit" she is now wiggling instead of shaking!

My little baby in skates, doesn't she look all grown up.

Addie's first couple skate!! Brings back the memories doesn't it!!

Luckily at the rink that had skates that barely rolled on purpose, so it wasn't a total disaster.

Taking a break, she stopped several times just to stare at the awesome disco ball, who could blame her.

Our first snow, it was a good thing I took this picture as we headed out that morning because it was all gone by 10 o'clock.


I included this picture from her bathroom, because I wanted to show what has become my new biggest mistake. I got Addie Blaire this stool so she could use it in the bathroom when brushing her teeth. Well, now she has it all figured out and the child carries it all over the house, I have found her getting food out of cabinets she couldn't reach, pushing buttons on tvs, drawing on counter tops, I never realized how a few inches of height could change a child's world (and mine for that matter.)

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Christmas and New Year's!

Well where should I start when it comes to our Christmas this year. First of all it went by all to fast for me. I always take these two weeks (well actually one, my company is so kind to give me the other) off from work so that I can be with Addie Blaire at Christmas time. I love getting this time to just hang out with her. It is the longest break I get all year so when it is over, like today as I am posting this I can't help but be a little sad. :( Anyways, I always try to fit as much in with her as I can, so this year was not different. We went to the movies for the first time, actually twice. We went with Griff first to see the "Princess and the Frog" and then again with Katie Ella to see "Alvin and the Chipmunks" both movies were really cute but I think Alvin kept her attention a little better. She got a little tired of the movie but never quit eating that popcorn!! I had even gotten a small one for us to split and she threw a fit when I dipped my hand in the bag, so needless to say i got one handful out of the whole bag!! Let's see, we also took the kids to Osaka, she had been before but was too small to remember so this time she couldn't stop talking about it. The man was great he was squirting water in their mouths and getting them to catch broccoli in their mouths that he was throwing across the table. Too Funny I only wish I had pictures of her face at that point. We also did lots of Christmas shopping, took cookies and presents to her friends and just hung out in bed! It was great but it is making it hard to get back in the swing of things now that I am back to work, oops! As for our Christmas it ended up a little differently then I expected. She woke up on Christmas eve running a fever, which was really weird considering she had been dancing and singing for my whole family the night before. She has started a new dance, we tell her to "get down" and she doesn't hold back ! Anyways, she had the fever so we ended up packing everything up in the car and taking her to the doctor. He said it must have just been some infection caused by all her coughing from the previous weeks. Well, after that was over we left with an antibiotic and went to my parents house. We just hung out all day with my family, my parents, sister and bro law, and grandmother. It was really nice, although I must say it wasn't the same because Mitch and I didn't get to go with the others to church that night for the Christmas eve service since Addie wasn't feeling well. That is by far my favorite Christmas memory is going to the candlelight service, I never miss it! But this year it meant so much more because I had my little girl to be with and her fever finally broke that evening and we were able to enjoy the rest of the night baking cookies and watching movies. Christmas day was spent with my family and then we went to Iron Mountain that night to see all the pretty lights. Saturday was spent in Hot Springs with "g" Pop and Nicki, Aunt Bran, Mark, Mason and Bobo. We got to open presents and hang out at the lake for awhile. We even got hang out with Travis and Natalie, which was nice. I know she reads the blog so by the way, you looked so precious with that little belly!!! All in all this was my favorite Christmas to date. I can't remember how long it has been since I was that excited on Christmas morning. She really had a great Christmas and got way more than she needed from everyone. I am still trying to find places to put it all. I guess everyone else thinks she is pretty special just like me!! Merry Christmas 09 Addie Blaire!

My mom got us the cutest aprons, mine says mommy and hers says "mommy's sugar and spice" so cute, thanks again mom. We decided to wear them to bake Santa's cookies. In case you can't tell it had been a rough day, I look like I am need of a mommy makeover big time!

Chocolate, stir that chocolate, chocolate! A little song Addie like to sing from Dora, she is quite the little helper in the kitchen.

She and my grandmother licking the beaters, I was jealous that is my favorite part too!

Addie Blaire got a precious pink piano and some necklaces from Santa. It is so funny because that is just what she had told Santa that she wanted only a few days earlier! He must be pretty quick on his toes to round that up so quickly??

The tricycle she got from mom and dad.

Trying out the piano, she is pretty good but she gets a little Jerry lee Lewis on us every once in awhile.

My sweet grandmother opening her presents. I was so glad that she was able to join us for the holidays. This was her first Christmas without my grandfather so I was so glad we were all together this year. I know that this was a tough time for her as it was for the rest of us, but we were able to reminisce about some great memories we had with Papaw. I know that I will cherish this time we have with her and the memories that she is able to share with Addie about her great grandfather will stay with her forever also.

Addie Blaire modeling her new pajamas that she got from Nana that match her Bitty baby, Lulu.
This is the Fisher Price barn she got from Nana and Pop, she loves to play with the one that was mine as a child and it just so happened that this was the 25th anniversary (now I feel old) for the set so Fisher price brought out a new and improved version this year. She got the school and barn with all the people so she now has a set for her house too.

My grandmother got her this Barbie, can you tell she was kind of in awe of it. She just kept saying "she's beautiful mommy."

Who can live without a Mrs. Potato head, thanks to Aunt T and Uncle B not Addie.

She loves to play doctor so now she had her very own bag to carry with her just in case someone get sick.

This is the Baby Alive that mom got her or at least Mitch won't take any credit for this one because he says only I could be crazy enough to buy her a doll that pees and poops all the time. I must admit I didn't realize that it would double the number of diapers I would have to change.

Mitch opening the boots I worked so hard to pick out for him that he obviously from the look on this face (yeah, he is the worst at faking a bad gift face) did not care for, it only took a matter of days before those were back on the shelf!

This needs no explanation, it is my beautiful two year old daughter holding the pink bee bee gun that her Pop decided she needed!!! What??? enough said, I guess like he said in about 6 years he will buy her the bee bees to go in it. What can I say I guess the man just got a little excited at Atwood's this year!

Watch out she is getting a little too comfortable holding this thing.



My aunt Bettye is over the library system in Little Rock and she always finds some cool books and puppets for Addie. This year she found Polar bear, Polar bear and even found a polar bear puppet to go with it. She now sleeps with it every night. She also gave her a dinosaur, Addie is pretty into those now too and she sleeps with it on the other side.



Entertaining the crowd, it's nice to be the only kid in the family sometimes, she never lacks for attention.

My two sweet cousins opening there presents. I only wish I lived closer because they are growing up so fast. I can't believe Lindsey is starting college next year, where does the time go?

Addie Blaire hanging out with Nicki.

"g" and the two grand kids hanging out at her new place. She has a really nice condo now that Brandee and I are helping her furnish for Christmas. It is going to be so fun to hang out at the lake this summer.

Pop, Mason, and Addie Blaire giving some love. Pop and Nicki give us "Santa sacks' each year so we couldn't wait to get our hands on ours this year. It is always full of toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, soap, cleaners, and lots of other handy items. Who could ask for a better gift.

Mark trying out his new video flip thing in the background. I am a little jealous about that I have to admit. Hint, hint to all those that read this for next year.

Mason and Addison taking a break, opening presents can be so much work. Addie Blaire was so glad to see him she had been waiting all day for him to get there.

Her new walkie talkies from "g". It will make hide and seek so much more fun now.

Ice cream cones for her kitchen from Bobo.

Bobo also got her several pairs of heels and a whole dress up outfit that she likes to wear.

Addie and Griff at the movies getting there popcorn and Sprite.

New Year's day with Chad and Molly in Memphis. Thanks to Chad we even got a free meal and hotel, which made it even better! We went to the Arkansas game and had a great time getting to hang out with friends. The game was so so, considering it was pretty uneventful and unbelievably cold. We did get to sleep in both mornings though which was my favorite part, sad I know but true!

Nathan and Stacy

Mark and Lesa

Mitch and I... I wore so many clothes because Mitch said he didn't want to hear me complain. I had two pairs of socks, layers of clothes and even two hats on my head. I must say though it paid off because no complaints were uttered the whole game, and that is a tough thing for me!