Zoom Zoom

This weekend we bought Addison a few new toys. Our favorite was a Little Tikes scooter thing. Ah yes, we had lots of fun 'driving' Addison all over the playroom/office while doing voiceover for her.

Future teenage attitude included...

Honey Hollow Hike

(Scott) Today we went hiking at Honey Hollow trail system, half way through it started pouring rain but we made it back safe and sound. (Jill note - Clearly that was the best $25 I've ever spent on that sun/rain shield for Addison. She was dry and happy as a clam. Dry? Not so much for Scott and I.)

Addison hiding among the trees.

I Did It!.....Now What?

Part One: I Did It!

Late last week, I was playing with Addison in her playroom area and I ran into the kitchen to grab something. I turned around and she had already made her way up two of the three stairs leading up to the kitchen area. We have been so busy keeping her from going down the steps, I never contemplated the possibility of her going up the steps. I realize this was an oversight.

The stairs she climbed.


Part Two: Now What?

To say she was pleased with her new party trick would be an understatement and she boldly decided the next day to take on the main stairs in our entryway. Our tiled entryway.


Somewhat to my surprise, she did manage to get up on the first step. And no, I am not sure when I will realize that she is now capable of more than I care to imagine.


However, the main stairs are much more narrow and steep (and numerous) than the other stairs she so easily mastered. She spent a nice chunk of time as you see in the picture below. (I wish I could draw a bubble above her head because you know she is thinking something really funny at this exact moment...something like, why did my mommy let me do this?)

She eventually gave me this face and I put down the camera and rescued her from the imminent doom of meeting our entryway tile in an unpleasant fashion.

She has not revisited the Part Two steps again. But it's only been five days.

Pebbles

On Friday, we picked up Addison at daycare and there she was sitting in the front seat of the stroller with a big grin and this:

Her very first 'pretty' (as the ladies at daycare call it). We could not stop laughing. Ironically enough for the woman that has more hair than she knows what to do with, Addison's has not really been long or thick enough to do anything with. However, this pebbles pony certainly sparked my creative streak and I predict there will be even more 'pretties' in the near future. How could we not?

Ten Months

Dear Addison,

Ten months? Ten months! These 30 day blocks go by quicker each month and I feel as though we are a freight train rapidly approaching your big first birthday. I know you can't wait!

This month you have taken learing and exploring to new levels. You are starting to become interested in walking. You 'stand' on your own for a second or two at a time and then realize you are doing so and promptly return your hand to the wall, table or window to steady yourself. You figured out how to climb up the stairs between your playroom and the kitchen hallway. I'm honestly not sure if you really even had to try that hard as I have never even seen you contemplate them before but I turned around for about a second (isn't that how it always goes) and much to my surprise you were up two of the three stairs.

You have found a new friend at daycare named Maddie and you two love to egg each other on although I think you are somewhat the leader of the mischief making as you are a little older than she. The other day your teachers let me know that you were trying to get her to crawl up the wall incline with you to get to where the car seats are stored. They also let me know that when you are up to no good, they say 'Addison Murray!' and you turn to them, smile and dance for them. It is a solid effort to be so cute that they won't tell you 'no'. Nice try!

You have a whole aresenal of tricks now. Kissing, waving, clapping, dancing, new sounds and phrases. You have also turned into a little snuggler, burying your head in our necks or holding tight to my pantlegs in the kitchen at dinner time. Daddy and I are just trying to keep up with our ever evolving babe. One thing that remains the same is that you are the sweetest type of sweet I have ever known. I know the days go fast and lately I spend more time at night smelling your lavendar scented head and feeling your silky fine hair on my cheek as we rock in your room in the dark. And I would not be exaggerating to say that sometimes Daddy and I race each other up the stairs at our bedtime so that we can be the first in the room to check on you in your dreamy sleepiness.

I love you beyond words.

xoxo

Mommy

PS - Daddy and I also 'race' in the daycare on the rare days we can pick you up together...we both want to see you first. Guess who usually wins? That would be Daddy.

PPS - Daddy kept telling me you would have curls by now. Can you work that out for me? xoxo

God Bless Addison

It was clearly not your average Sunday in the Murray household. Today was Addison's baptism. When I was pregnant Scott and I knew we wanted to baptize our baby and we discussed on more than one occasion how, when and where it would happen. It has taken a little longer than I planned (so much for a spring christening) but we still ended up where we wanted to be.

I was proud of our daughter today watching her go through the traditions of the church I grew up in (figuratively). Addison's baptism was part of the regular 10:30am mass at St. Pius X in Essex Junction. There were both funny (very visibly swatting away the priest's hand while blessing her head) and touching moments in the ceremony but my favorite was when the priest completed her baptism, took her from Scott and held her up in front of the entire congregation and announced her to the church. At that moment I was beaming and when I looked at Scott he was reflecting my same joy.

Pre baptism (Mommy & Addison)


How sweet is she?

Outside St Pius X in Essex Junction. (Scott, Jill & Addison)

Post baptism (Scott, Jill, Addison, Grammie B, Aunt Amy)

One special piece of our day was Addison's bonnet. It was made by Marie, my dear friend Danielle's mother. Danielle and I were pregnant during the same time and her mother sent this bonnet to me right before Addison was born. The bonnet was to be worn during her christening and then you remove the stitching on the back seam and the bonnet turns into a hankie that Addison can carry on her wedding day. I was so touched by Marie's thoughtfulness and I was happy to finally have Addison wear her beautiful gift. A million thank yous.

After the baptism we celebrated with a bbq at our house. We had almost all of my family over and everyone enjoyed a great afternoon filled with good food and great family. I am so happy that we have now passed this milestone event.

(Sorry, no pics from inside the church yet as we were pretty occupied the whole time. Maybe my family will have some I can share later.)

Concentration

One forgets about exactly how much there is to learn as a new person in the world. I love watching Addison explore and grow. It is frequently such a focused and intense process.

One consistently fun time to watch her learning is during meals. She is being exposed to more and more foods and eating techniques (e.g. feeding herself sometimes). Sometimes new foods go well (cottage cheese! pasta with parmesan!). Sometimes not so much (homemade pears! watermelon!). Witness some learning below. Note the pursed lips and serious expression.

Banana chunk.


Not so delicate full fist grab.

Rapid movement towards the mouth.

Or the more gentle pincher grasp.

Some examination along the way.

Victory!

Stupid Pet Tricks

We have reached a new level of parenting. The one where you train your child to do cute things purely for your own entertainment. (see video below)

What a little ham!

Any requests on what else we should 'train' her to do?

Mmmm, Kisses

Last week I was in the kitchen with Addison and I looked over to see this.

Addison 'kissing' her own reflection in our sliding glass door.

She just couldn't figure it out.

Let me try again.

It was both disgusting (it's a little tricky to keep that door clean thanks to her repeated hand pounding on it) and entertaining. She was talking and kissing and just plain old slobbering all over the door. A general lovefest with her own reflection.

Mama had to get in on the action.

Vegas, Baby

Man, I'm behind!

Last week our good friends Chad & Heather Duffy came to town for a visit and we hosted an impromptu barbeque at our house. Chad used to be my roommate back in the day and we know lots of hilarious stories about each other which makes any visit together a great time. Chad and Heather now live in Vegas (hence, the title) and while I used to be lucky enough to see them at least once a year when I would visit Vegas for work, those days are over as the tradeshow I attended has moved to Denver. It was so great to see them both and Miss Addison was loving them as well.

Chad and Addison


Heather helping Addison perfect her 'high five'.

Wish you lived closer!

Formal Wear

Most days, Scott wears his regular clothes to work. Once a week (or so), he brings out a suit for one reason or another. Last week, we were taking some Addison pictures with Daddy in his suit and here was the end result.

Daddy perfect, Addison looking a little surprised.

Daddy perfect, Addison looking a little confused. (my fav, of course)

Daddy perfect, Addison perfect. A winner!

Perhaps next time, she'll have on something a little more in line with her Dad's outfit.

Mt. Philo - Adventure #1

Mt. Philo entrance.


On Friday, July 3rd, we loaded up the Buns (as we like to call her) and took her out on her first backpack adventure.


She was excited about it right from the get go. See below for proof. Daddy hoofed her up to the top (only 20 minute or so 'hike'....hey, we're a little rusty at this).



Mt. Philo is great not only because it is a relatively quick hike but it also has a nice grassy area at the top.


And great views and vistas.


Mommy brought Addison down the hill.

It felt so great to be out on the trail with Scott again and Addison was a wonderful, babbling, happy addition. Can't wait to do it again!

Classic Americana

Happy 4th of July!

Scott, Addison and I headed up to South Hero, VT for their annual 4th of July parade. I have been for many years (I think Scott even has 4 under his belt) and it is truly a slice of classic Americana. I love it.

Homemade cider doughnuts to start the day. (Scott's favorite)


Practicing our flag waving. Thanks, Aunt Sharon!


Loving our veterans.

Here comes the parade.



Really getting into it. (It's hard to tell here but Addison 4th of July shirt said 'Daddy's Little Firecracker' with white stars and blue hearts. It was a hit! And yes, I bought it, not Scott.)

As you may have figured out already, I love small town USA and it seems to me the most fitting place to spend such a great holiday.