Addison's Second Birthday

Addison's Second Birthday
Originally uploaded by nik_donna

Yesterday we had Addison Claire's 2nd birthday party. She had a wonderful time! It's hard to believe that she is already two years old. She still didn't like the cake too much but enjoyed all of her company. Click here to see more photos of her special day!

One Year After Referral

One Year After Referral
Originally uploaded by nik_donna

It's hard to believe that one year ago today, we received our referral of our beautiful daughter. It truly was one of the happiest days of our lives. It's amazing how fast they grow! Here's a little information to show how much she's grown.

Referral Weight: 16 lbs. Today's Weight: 23.5 lbs.
Referral Height: 29 in. Today's Height: 33 inches
Referral # of Teeth: 0 Today's # of Teeth: 13
Referral Age: 10 months Today's Age: 22 Months

She also has hair now!!!! Click here to see another photo one year after referral.

Visit To Papaw's

Visit To Papaw's
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

Yesterday, we went to Waynesboro to Papaw's house to eat shrimp and visit with the cousins. My sister and family from Huntsville came in and also Nik's mom (Granny Nan). Addison took her first four-wheeler ride and loved it. Of course I had to ride too, just to make sure Nik was going nice and slow! Addison was still very shy during the visit. She kind of sat back and watched while cousins Sarah and Ben played. She did play with the pots and pans for a little while with Sarah until she got the bright idea to stick some of the play utensils right through Papaw's deck. Sarah got a little upset about that and ratted Addison out. The day was beautiful and the temperature was great! Here are some more pics of our day.

What's In My Ear?

What's In My Ear?
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

I don't know if this is normal or if anyone else has this problem, but our child likes to put things in her ears A LOT. We were eating pizza Friday night and we looked and Addison had a piece of pepperoni in each ear. After she does something like this, she doesn't call any attention to herself. It's just something we find. She totally amazes us with the things she does!

First Mother's Day

First Mother's Day
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

I had the most fabulous Mother's Day ever! I got to sleep in until around 8:00 and then Nik made me homemade waffles and bacon for breakfast. Addison and Nik worked hard on my gift Saturday. It was a picture frame that has a plaster hand print on the left and a photo of Addison on the right. Nik said the hand print thing was a little tough as Addison wanted to dig into the plaster with her hand. After scraping off the excess plaster, Nik noticed it was gone. Addison had stuffed it into one of her ears! Luckily he got it out without having to tell me and spoil the whole surprise. They also had a card made at Walgreens with my favorite China picture which was when I held Addison for the first time and she fell asleep on my shoulder. We ended the day with dinner out at Carrabba's. What a wonderful first Mother's Day! Here are some more pics of the gift giving.

Great Grandmother Visit

Great Grandmother Visit
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

Last Saturday, we went to our hometown of Waynesboro, MS to the Whistle Stop Festival that Granny Nan helped coordinate. Addison had a great time. Her favorite thing though was the Wayne County High Show Choir. She got off to the side and danced her heart out and tried to make every motion the girls did. She did a pretty good job! She also got to try her very first Cooley burger and loved it. Our day ended with a visit to see Addison's great grandmother who is 91 and lives at a local nursing home. We went around 4:00 p.m. and it was already bedtime so we didn't stay long. Surprisingly, Addison wanted to sit in great grandmother's lap immediately. We're so glad we were able to get these pictures.

Ms. Lynn's Visit

Ms. Lynn's Visit
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

We had a great weekend. Ms. Lynn from Huntsville, AL came to visit us. She arrived on Wednesday evening and stayed until Sunday. This was her first real visit with Addison Claire. Addison loved her too! She really seems to like everyone these days, although she does have to warm up a little before she shows her true personality. Addison was a real trooper as we shopped and went all over Mobile each day. She loved wearing Ms. Lynn's shoes and using her lotion. Addison taught Ms. Lynn her favorite song, "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." She also learned the Elmo song! We already miss her and hope she'll come back real soon and bring Mr. Chris with her. See more photos of Ms. Lynn's visit here.

Addison's Favorite Restaurant

Addison's Favorite Restaurant
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

Today, Addison and Mommy met Daddy for lunch at Yen's Vietnamese Restaurant. This is Addison's absolute very favorite place to eat. It is very authentic. She eats the Pho which is a beef brisket/rice noodle soup. The only problem is the mess that it makes. Her Daddy actually cleaned up a little before we left and apologized to the workers. I wonder how long it took to clean up our mess? I am still finding pieces of rice noodles! You can see more pictures of our lunch and mess here!

First Easter

First Easter 2007
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

Addison's first Easter was wonderful. We dyed Easter eggs on Saturday night and she was amazed! She had so much fun THROWING the eggs into the dye cups. We all had colored finger tips by the end of the activity. On Sunday, Granny and Great Grandma had lunch and spent the afternoon with us. Of course they each brought an Easter basket! Her favorite Easter basket treat was a new stuffed duck that quacks. It nows joins Elmo in the crib each night and stays with her throughout the day. She calls him "Duck, Duck!" Click here to see more first Easter pictures.

Granny Nan Visit

Granny Nan Visit
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

Granny Nan came to visit a couple of weekends ago. This was her first full weekend visit with us. Addison absolutely loves her! They had a great time together. Let's just say Granny Nan rested well each night! They spent many outdoor hours together while Dad started on our new screened in porch! I think they even walked the neighborhood a few times. Of course Granny Nan had to bring some toys which consisted of a dozen plastic Easter eggs and a new wheelbarrow. She also taught Addison a few new tricks while she was here. We hope she comes back real soon! Click here to see the entire set.

Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

Addison went on her first road trip to Panama City Beach, Florida last Thursday for her daddy's annual meeting. She had a wonderful time! She loved the pool and just being outdoors. On Friday night, there was a dinner where she ate all of my shrimp and not much of her kid's dinner which consisted of chicken fingers and fries. Afterwards, they served dessert and had dancing under the veranda. We have a real party animal! She danced the night away with mom and dad. Well... until 8:30, that's late for a 20 month old right? On Saturday, we enjoyed visiting the duck pond and walking out on the pier and watching the fish jump. We met some friends for dinner on Saturday night where Addison enjoyed broiled crab claws and more shrimp! We headed back on Sunday so we could prepare for another week. Click here to see more pics.

Stay At Home Mom

Exploreum
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

Well, I finally did it! I am officially a stay at home mom. After much thought and many trips to the pediatrician, we decided that it was best to remove Addison from daycare. I have officially been home with her for four days and I am loving it! I didn't realize how much time I wasn't spending with her until I was spending all my time with her. I have seen huge growth in her verbal skills this week. Her new words this week are: night-night, car, march, come on, and up. I'm pretty sure I heard her say AC too. She is sleeping later and just seems to be happier. Of course her mom is much happier too! Nik actually told me I was a nicer person last Sunday night. This is because I wasn't running around trying to get laundry finished, daycare things ready, lunches packed...etc. My sister came and kept Addison last week and brought her two year old daughter. The girls had a blast together! She got brave and took them to the Exploreum's Wharf of Wonder exhibit that is just for ages 0-5. Here are some pics from their outing!

All you other babies watch out.

IMG_2955.CR2
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

My granny said she needed to see some hard core baby activity on my blog. Enjoy, Granny. See the entire set HERE

(Note to any Social Workers: My mommy and daddy staged this)

I ates a grit

I_ates_a_grit
Originally uploaded by nik_donna.

All by myself.