Woodchuck BBQ

Settle in. It's gonna be a long one.

This weekend we went to my Aunt Sandy and Uncle Doug's for a 'Woodchuck' BBQ. It was actually more like a Boardman family reunion (of which I am not a Boardman but who's keeping track anyway). We had a blast. There was live music (my cousin and his former bandmate), plenty of drinks, tons of food (a BBQ with lobsters? I'm in.) and more good times than I can explain in one post.

And for those who are wondering, 'Woodchuck' = Hard Core Native Vermonter = My Uncle Doug. It was the first BBQ I've been to that included a skit/speech by the Woodchuck Club.

I would try to explain but I simply can't. All I can say is it involved a lot of potty jokes, cigars, opening of beer and some initiation rites that might have passed as hazing in college. In the end, Scott (along with a few others) was sworn in, ceremony, certificate, cigar and all as a honorary Woodchuck.

Addison spent most of the day being happily passed around but did manage a few moments like this:

Some beautiful light.

And the whole Boardman clan (or most of them).

You know if you can keep a party rolling until late on a Sunday night, you've got a good thing going.

Thanks for including the Bongiolatti/Murray's. We loved it!

Stowe Wedding Weekend

Heather & Sam (her brother-in-law)

I have been slow to post on this but two weekends ago, Scott and I were lucky enough to enjoy the wedding weekend of our friends Heather & Matt. On Friday we spent the morning watching Addison play with Carrie, Tom, Jodie and Troy and then we popped her over to daycare and headed off to Stowe. Scott and I were able to squeeze in unexpected massages at the spa at Stoweflake (yes, that's two weekends in a row for Scott). It was heaven! Grammy B picked up Addison at daycare so we could stay down in Stowe for an amazing Thai dinner with our friends. It was delicious.

On Saturday, we went back to Stowe and checked in to the Stoweflake. The wedding was outside in the gardens and it was beautiful.

Heather looked lovely and Matt was beaming waiting for her at the end of the aisle. It was incredibly sweet. The reception had a rockin band and the dance floor was jammed all night. Scott did his best to hold down the dance floor, or in this case the conga line, with all the ladies. Yes ladies, he's taken.

A good time was had by all! Congratulations Heather and Matt, we are so happy for you!!

Creative Crawling - Step By Step

Step One: crawl 'normally' to hard surface

Step Two: push up onto tippy toes to avoid knee pain on hardwood floor

Step Three: spider crawl to object of desire (make sure knees don't touch the ground)

Step Four: savor your success while still on tippy toes and fingertips

Repeat as often as needed.

Babies are so creative, right?

Nine Month Stats

Addison had her nine month doctor's check up this past Monday and it was my favorite visit yet. She was super alert (much more so than six months) and she was declared 'perfect' once again. I can use the word because my doctor said so. She charmed Dr. Gerson with her talking and clapping and was an all around doll. A visit with no shots also didn't hurt. Without further ado, here are her stats:

Weight: 17lbs 8ozs (just above the 25th percentile)

Height: 28 inches (75th percentile)

She's certainly not tipping the scales although her little budda belly defies the above stats. And her capacity to polish off just about any food put in front of her.

Hard Time

Here is Addison doing her version of 'hard time'.

As her curiousity increases, so does our need for more gates, locks, bars, etc. It's a daily learning process.

Now we just need to get her a little orange jumpsuit and a tin cup.

Our little 'prisoner'.

V Is For Victory

See these feet? They belong to my daughter. And they're wearing shoes.

And smiles. At the same time.

Who knew?

Thank god for the ladies at daycare.

(of course the crying started shortly after these picstures were taken)

Cribs

As in MTV 'Cribs'....when I was in Addison's room late last week taking the previous Woobie pics I also snuck in a couple of her room as well. While we are still missing some wall art (most notably over her crib), I thought it might be nice for those who aren't local to see her new digs.

Changing table/dresser.


Crib and new pink Target nightstand.


Bookcase and glider.
Addison's previous room was a slate blue color that we accented with pink and bright green (hence the green bookcase). Her new room was originally pale pink but I lobbied hard for this new color. While it looks somewhat muted in the photos, it is in actuality a bright, sparkling green and perhaps a bit of a risk. But we wanted a sunny, fun room for our little girl and this seems to fit the bill. And the naysayers, of which there were more than a few, have now come around.

Woobie - The 2nd Generation

In my earlier years, I had a favorite teddy bear named Woobie. He was the perfect bear. Snuggly, soft and just the right size neck pillow for reading in bed. Unfortunately he was banished from my bed upon moving in with Scott. (that's a whole other story) So it was with great pleasure that I watched Addison discover Wobbie in the toy basket in her room last Thursday. For some reason she had not noticed him previously but on this day, oh she noticed him alright.

First meeting.

Slight intrigue.


Prompt thrashing.


Further examination.


A nice big bite on the bum.

Yup. I'd say he was a hit.

It's nice to see Wobbie get a new lease on life.

Grandpa "Ba" Murray Visit

(Scott) This past week my father, known as "Ba" to Addison, was able to come out to Vermont in a working capacity where father and son (me) were able to work together on a case for the first time. It was a special moment for both of us, and being able to work together was something that I, and I think he, will always remember.

After a couple of days work was over in Southern Vermont, Pop, as he is known to me, came over to our new home and stayed over. He got to spend some quality time with Addison, his fourth grandchild and one of two granddaughters. Pop hasn't seen Addison since she was the about three weeks old. Addison loved her Ba and was very comfortable with him, getting as many cuddles and kisses as she could and showing off her crawling, standing and dance moves. We took Addison to our neighborhood pool and the cold water didn't go over so well, but the warm towel and hugs my father gave her made her very happy. The next morning, Pop played with Addison and we went together to bring Addison to day care before he flew out of town back home and I went to work. All and all a fantastic time was had by all...hope you had a great time Ba, Addison will have new tricks for you and Carol next time.

Nine Months

Dear Addison,

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, where does the time go? It is quite difficult to comprehend that you have now been out of me as long as you were in me. And it is even more incredible to realize that eighteen months has disappeared in a blur. I cannot even imagine what eighteen years will feel like but one thing at a time, right?

So many of our friends call you a 'trick baby' which Daddy and I find quite funny. They say you trick others into having one because you are so good. I wonder how many baby dreams you have inspired, my sweet girl. You have a sunny disposition and you are a social butterfly. You love to be the center of attention (surprise, surprise!) and 'show off' whenever possible. This usually involves a little waving, some talking, a healthy dose of smiles and you'll even throw in some dance moves if you are working a tough crowd. Ah, the dance moves. You keep all the daycare teachers including ones who aren't even in your room in stitches with your bobbing neck and shimmying shoulders. Mommy and Daddy taught you how to get your groove on! Someday if we are lucky we'll even get it on video.

You are learning and doing way too many things to list at this point as every day holds new discoveries. You have a knack (like most babies) for finding and loving whatever is most inappropriate. This includes the coffee table (especially the corners of course), the remote control, Daddy's Blackberry, electrical outlets, mommy's magazines, the lampcord and other super fun things of that nature. It is a busy time! Even with all that, it is so incredible to see your mind growing by leaps and bounds each and every day. Sometimes when Mommy picks you up from daycare you look like that Charlie Brown character Pig Pen. Food on your shirt, grass stains on your pants, dirt under your fingernails and toenails, grass stuck to your face and the lingering smell of sunscreen wafting off you. You have taken that playground by storm and I love it. I can feel you sucking up life all around you and taking in everything and more. Your energy is contagious! And I do realize that the picture included above may not be the most flattering but it seems to quite nicely sum up your new found curiousity about everything (including the camera).

As more time goes by you are becoming more and more of your own person. It is mesmorizing, thrilling and scary all at the same time. I wish there were new ways to tell you how much I love you but I'll settle for doing my best to show you every day. You are my sunshine, baby girl.

Love,

Mommy

PS - And for real, you ARE going to like shoes. I don't care if it kills me. Right now it is shoes = 0, Addison = 5 but that can't last forever!

Breaking News

We finally have enabled the 'Comments' option!! Okay, so this probably is not breaking news to anyone other than myself (I'm not sure Scott even really cares at this point) but this dang comment thing has been a major pain in my you know what. Originally Scott did not want people to be able to leave comments but we agreed that we would turn on the option after a couple of months. Well, that time came and I still couldn't get the darn thing to work. Many frustrated months and attempts later, it is now working. Thank you, Google!

So yes, dear readers, if you are actually out there, you can now leave comments on any post as you see fit. Just click on the Comments link at the bottom of each post and have at it. Victory!

PS - Now don't disappoint me and have nothing to say.

World Traveler

Perhaps I am taking some creative license but we went to Canada on Sunday. That is another country after all.

Scott, Addison and I traveled up to Montreal for the baptism of Scott's co-worker's son. The ceremony was held at Notre Dame which is an amazing cathedral in the heart of Montreal. The baptism was in the chapel area off of the main cathedral and it was incredibly beautiful.

Joseph (the baby being baptized) did great and looked so handsome in his little suit.

The ceremony was very thoughtful and we were so glad we could be a part of it.

I think Canada agreed with Addison, eh?

Busy Week Ahead

When it rains, it pours. We have a busy week ahead with lots of visitors and plans and we can't wait! Ba (Scott's dad) is coming to visit us unexpectedly and Addison is very excited to show off how much she has grown since she last saw him. For those who don't recall...

Then:
Now:


Some small changes.

We also have four dear friends coming to stay with us on Thursday evening for a close friend's wedding in Stowe on Saturday. So, lots to blog about early next week as it should be a wonderful (and crazy) time!

Dining Alfresco

Even young babes enjoy a little alfresco dining on a beautiful summer evening.

Mmmm. Banana chunks.

Cheers! Hope you are enjoying your start to summer too!

BIRTHDAY!

(Scott) Tommorrow (Sunday) is officially my 34th birthday...can you believe it Mom, that makes you...well, we will leave that part of the math alone for now.

Today (Saturday) was unofficially my birthday celebration because tomorrow we head to Canada for the baptism of my coworkers son, Joseph. On my birthday my lovely wife got me a day to myself. I traveled to Stowe, Vermont (where we got married) and enjoyed an 80 minute deep tissue massage and then some lounging around the mineral baths and pool for a few hours. All that topped off by lunch and a beer in a restaraunt at the resort (Stoweflake). As much as you want to be with your family 24/7, it is good to get away for a few hours and have some time to yourself and today was no exception.

My birthday and ever increasing age has made me think about how fast our little Addison is growing up in her short eight months. I thought on my birthday I would share Addison's photo progression starting with her birth on September 19, 2008. (Click on photos to see larger size)













October 2008
November 2008














Thanksgiving






Christmas
New Years










January






March











June







Our little girl is growing before our very eyes.