Happy Birthday, Nana!

Last Wednesday, Audrey, Addison and I met Nana, Grammy and Nonnie in Alabaster for a day of shopping and eating.

We surprised Nana by having a little birthday "celebration" for her. Audrey picked out some cupcakes and balloons for her. I think she was quite surprised!

Audrey helped her blow out the candles.



(Nonnie, Audrey, Grammy, Nana, Me, Addison)

Audrey REALLY enjoyed her chocolate cupcake.

Grammy and her girls

Riding in her Chariot

Audrey is her Daddy's little princess. And this proves it...She's riding in her chariot! :)

Flashback Friday

I thought it would be fun to dig back through some of my old photos...

This was Audrey- 2 years ago... (March 2009)

Ride, Addison, Ride

This sweet girl loves to ride in her wagon.




Eating on the waist strap is always a good idea.



Since the weather has been so pleasant lately, we've taken advantage and spent a lot of time outside.




And that adorable pink hat can really give someone a bad hair day!

Wanna ride?

Good Morning, Mommy

It was 8:30 a.m. and Addison was being so quiet. Audrey and I were snuggled in the recliner watching Dora quietly, waiting on Addison to wake up. I was really impressed that she was sleeping so late (she usually wakes around 7:30-7:45 a.m.) but I knew she had a long day the day before. I decided I needed to go in and check on her to make sure she was okay. (you know, worrying like a Mommy).

I was greeted with this adorable, sleepy face... (Don't you just love the bed-head!)



...then I saw this...

Yep, Little Missy had somehow grabbed all the diapers from the basket and made a mess of them in her bed. I guess she had great fun! And she sure was quite while doing it :)

Addison- 1 year old

Our sweet Little Bit,



I can't believe how quickly this year has flown by! It seems like just yesterday your Daddy and I braved the icy roads in the wee morning hours to go to the hospital for you to be born. Then at 8:36 a.m. we were blessed with a beautiful, perfect, 7 pound 9 ounce, 19 inch long baby girl. You made your presence known immediately. Mommy cried and Daddy beamed! We were so proud of you. Your big sister came to visit you in the nursery, even before Mommy got to hold you. She was so happy that you were here.

You have been such a blessing this year. I am amazed at how much and how quickly you have changed. It was such a wonderful thing to watch all of your "firsts" milestones---the first time you rolled over, sitting up for the first time, first tooth, first words, first steps. I know there will be many more amazing moments with you. And I am looking forward to sharing in each of those.

You have such a contagious personality and smile. You constantly keep us laughing, and on our toes. You are one busy little girl.

I want to remember all the little things about you. I'm making a list, so I will never forget.

I love you,
Mommy

Addison, You:

* weigh 19 pounds 9 ounces (25th percentile)

* are 29 inches long (50th percentile)

* wear size 3 diapers

* wear size 9 month and 12 month clothes

* are walking everywhere

* love to climb in the dishwasher and pull dishes out of it

* wave at everyone when we are grocery shopping, you think that everyone should speak and wave to you

* love your big sister and always want to play with the toys she is playing with

* can say "mama", "dada", "fish (bish)", and you try to say "sissy".

* are very independent and can pitch a fit when you are told no or don't get your way

* love to eat, and we can hardly ever fill you up

* enjoy taking rides in the wagon

* are getting braver around Sadie

* have been taking better naps and sleep through the night most nights

* have 8 teeth and are cutting 2 more

* are fascinated by balloons

* enjoy "reading" books and to be read to, you like eating books too

* you have fallen in love with your taggie blankie and won't go anywhere without it

* love playing in the ball pit and at the play kitchen

* think washing your hands is fantastic---you really just love playing in the water. If a faucet is running, you think you need to play in it.

* are such a busy body and love making us laugh

* have my heart!

(I couldn't decide what photo to share...so I decided to share them all.)

Addison's 1st Birthday Party

After such a stressful, emotional week, I was worried about how Addison's 1st birthday party would turn out. Our family and friends would be gathering together to celebrate such a special day for Addison. But I knew that there would be an emptiness, an incomplete feeling without Pawpaw there.

And it was difficult, but it was such a fun and healing time for our family. To be able to come together and laugh and celebrate this special baby girl.

I was so excited when I found her decorations. The just "looked" like Addison.

I had little photo holders with pictures of Addison during her first year in them. Also, I included my favorite photo of Addison and Pawpaw on our table. I needed his presence and that reminder. We had fruit, chips, dip, and pinwheels. Mom helped me decorate the cupcakes and I love how they looked all on the stand. It reminded me of a bouquet of flowers.



I made and decorated the cake. (I made Audrey's 1st cake so I just HAD to make Addison's, too). I was so thrilled with the way it turned out. I think I surprised my friends...they didn't know I had it in me. They just know I'm not fond of cooking. :)



Many of our friends and family came. It was wonderful to have everyone together.




Sweet Addison was the only one who didn't enjoy her day so much. Bless her heart, she started running a fever the day before and continued to have a 101.7 fever the entire day.

She was very polite eating her cake...at least at first. Then she took to shoving in handfuls. It was adorable, even if she looked so pitiful.



Addison did love all the hugs, snuggles and attention she received.




After a quick bite of cake, we let her open he gifts. She had several big helpers assist her, so it went quickly. Which was a good thing, because as soon as all the gifts were opened, I laid her down to sleep.



While she napped, the rest of us enjoyed visiting with one another and the big kids had a blast playing outside.

As you can see in many of these photos, my little girl who always smiles was hardly ever smiling.

But it was still a wonderful day!