Three Cheers for EJ's

Master of the toy universe

Addison started a new daycare on Monday. Prior to starting, Scott and I brought Addison in a couple of times for some transition time and we loved what we saw. Like so many things in life, it is hard to articulate why we felt that this was the right spot for her but suffice to say we just knew. Most of the kids in her classroom are a little older and many will be transitioning into the next room over the next few weeks but it was very fun to bring her in the first time. When Scott set her down on the floor, three babies immediately crawled over to investigate and welcome her. And as you can see above, she has no trouble settling in and claiming her stake on as many toys as possible at one time (all while looking like 'What? It's not that many toys.')

Her she is checking out the 'sensory circle' while one of her new friends attempts to join her.



Daddy and Addison in front of the fish tank.

Where In The World Are Scott, Jill & Addison?

Addison and Mama in the midst of packing.


In case you were wondering where we have been, it has been a totally insane period of time for us. In the span of three weeks we have: sold our condo, packed, moved out, bought a house, moved in with my aunt and uncle short term, set up temporary housing for long term (until we close on our house) and started Addison at a new daycare all while still working full-time. And we head to Arizona for our first cross-country trip this Friday. While my head is spinning just writing this list, we remain in good spirits. We are excited for our trip to AZ and can't wait to introduce Addison to everyone. I must say that she has been such a trooper through all of these changes. Just as smiley and good natured as ever, although less inclined to take a nap with all the excitement of new people and places!

I will do a few more updates in the next day or so and then we will probably be off radar again for a bit while on our trip. If all goes well, we should close on our new house by late April and then we will be able to return to our regularly programmed blogging schedule.

Mmmm, Mmmmm, Good

Addison finally had her first bite of 'real' food this morning, some yummy (okay, pasty) rice cereal. Yum!

All went well and she polished off about 5 bites before losing interest so we consider that a success. One step closer to her Big Mac request from last weekend.

Six Months

Happy Birthday to our happy baby!

Dear Addison,

Where did half a year go? We are speechless. I remember when you were born planning for things six months away and thinking 'oh, we'll know so much by then - that is so far way'. And here we are in the blink of an eye. And while we do know more than we did at the start, you continue to teach us every day.

Today we went to the doctor for your six month visit and you once again got the big thumbs up. Your stats were:

15lbs 1 ounce (40th percentile)

26.5 inches (75th percentile)

Daddy is now convinced that we have to start beefing you up as you 'slipped' down in your weight ranking even though Dr. Gerson was happy with everything about you. I foresee your first introduction to rice cereal very, very soon!

Some quick updates on what you are doing now. You are:

• giggling, really giggling and it is totally addicting to hear -- Mommy and Daddy will do just about anything to get you going (singing, dancing, silly faces)
• putting together real sounds and starting to 'talk' -- your favorite mantra right now is 'da, da, da, da, da....' -- you say this obsessively!
• vigorously shaking your rattles and toys which ocassionally results in mama intervention or you will end up a self inflicted black eye (we are working on arm speed control)
• screeching like the previously mentioned Pterodactyl
• recently learning to sleep without being swaddled -- a learning experience for all of us
• persistent about rolling onto your tummy again and again and again
• enjoying our early spring stroller adventures

We love you, nut and we are so grateful that you are all ours!

Mommy & Daddy

Big Changes Coming

(Scott) Well, it has been a busy week and it will be an even busier couple of weeks to come. We are happy to say that our condo is now under contract! Last Sunday we had our first open house, advertising our condo for sale by owner. Things have been very competetive because there are multiple units in our same building for sale. Fortunately for us, they had a realtor and we did not...which means we could sell for a more aggressive price than our competition. I love it when a plan comes together. There is only one small hitch of course...it is a cash offer (perfect) with a closing date in two weeks (not so perfect)! In other words, we need to get our butts moving. Wednesday night we received an acceptable offer price and Thursday Jill was a star, getting a moving company to the condo for an estimate of moving and storage, calling realtors to view houses, lining up our lawyer and calling for temporary housing. Jill and I have been looking at houses and have a full schedule this week to say the very least. Wish us luck finding our family a great new house and in the meantime we'll celebrate selling our place.

My Big Weekend with Dad

(Addison) Well, my Mom was out of town this weekend, so it was just me and my Dad! Mom was in New York City with some of her girlfriends because Auntie Carrie and Auntie Heather are getting married (not to each other) and Dad said they would be going out to all kinds of places where they drink milk and dance around to exersaucer music. Now I sure do miss my Mommy, but I have to say that my mind was off Mommy for a while because that Big Mac was the Bomb! Why you been holding out on me, Mom? I have been drinking that breastmilk 24 hours a day for nearly six months now, so what gives? Can't a girl have a Big Mac and fries every once in a while?

Dad and I also went to the Echo Center in Burlington, where we got to see all kinds of fishies: big, small and medium. Dark, light, lumpy, bumpy, soft, and rough. I was often times more interested in the other little kids than I was in the fish and dinosaur remains, but I had a great time looking at everything. A pretty lady there was nice enough to take a picture of my Daddy and I. Dad tried to tell her this same old story that his wife died, and it was hard being a dedicated single Dad with millions of dollars from her life insurance policy, but I yelled to the lady, "Hey, my mommy is just on vacation!" Dont worry Mom, I am keeping my eye on Dad.

Nana Morley Doll

(Scott) Well only a few short weeks until Jill and I travel to Arizona and Addison gets to visit her Nana Morley, Grandpa Tim, Uncle Shawn, Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Tom, Aunt Danielle, and Addison's three cousins, Trinity, Liam and Grant. To get her prepared for meeting first and foremost her Nana Morley, we used the 'Nana Moley Doll' to prepare her for the journey.

Weee

(Scott) One of our favorite things in life these days are the most simple things, such as the giggling of our little lady. Sometimes I catch myself thinking she is getting so old, and then she cries, poops or spits up and reminds me she is just 5 1/2 months.

Ps-Jills outfit is not a fashion statement, she had just gotten home from snowboarding today with her coworkers.

Show Off

(Scott) It was a very long day as we had an open house today with a lot of foot traffic and people to deal with. Jill was still able to give Addison a bath which usually involves some practice 'talking'.

Addison is now five and a half months old and counting and here is her latest efforts. It isn't her first time doing her "Dadda" attempt, but it is definitely one of her brightest. See video....

Picture Of The Week

We agree that Scott looks a little intense in this photo but we still love it. This is what happens on your average Sunday night when you have a new camera to play with. Lots of random pictures with one or two surprises that for some reason you just love.

Breaking News: Pterodactyl Discovered

Yes folks, it is true. A Pterodactyl has been discovered in Vermont. In Essex Junction, in fact. In our living room. See for yourself.

We are not really sure if she is channeling Maria Carey, becoming a baby cougar or just a long lost Pterodactyl at heart. What we do know is we can't wait for this phase to 'go the way of the dinosaurs'!

PS - Sorry for the shaky video but 'Pterodactyl' doesn't always like to perform for the camera so I was trying to be a little stealth.

Five Months (Plus A Little)

Dearest Addison,

Happy (seriously belated) five months! Mama has been slow on this post and she's not sure why. The draft was started on your actual five month birthday but you are just so darn fun to hang out with that it has never gotten finished. So, here we go (and we'll keep it short and sweet).

You are now a rolling over fool. You did your first real unassisted roll over on Valentine's Day - what a cool gift for us! You are the master of the back to tummy flip and sometimes move so fast you seem to surprise yourself. Now if we could just get you to figure out the tummy to back move, we would be all set. Currently you require a lot of 'flipping over' as you get frustrated after too long on your tummy but you keep rolling over because it seems so fun.

You continue to keep sprouting up and some of your six months clothes fit just right which is new. We have to keep reminding ourselves that your three months outfits really don't fit if they look like capri's with 3/4 shirtsleeves. I guess it's time to pack away those clothes - boohoo! We are waiting for your hairdo to really come in and Daddy continues to bet that curls are going to appear any day. So far, not a curl in sight. Right now you are sprouting a really good 'faux hawk' as the middle portion of the top of your head is the only area that seems to be growing.

You are still not STTN ('Sleeping Through The Night' for all you people lucky enough to not know what this means) but we continue to hold out hope that this day will arrive soon enough. Although we would certainly take sooner rather than later. Big milestones are just around the corner. We are on the cusp of another doctor's visit, your first big trip (plane ride included) and eating 'real' food. So much lays ahead! We can't wait to share it all with you. You continue to be our most favorite Little Lady and we love you more than ever.

xoxo
Mama & Daddy