I'd Like To Report An Abduction

Yesterday my baby looked like this:

But this morning she looked like this:

Any ideas where my baby went?

All suggestions welcome.

Like Father, Like Daughter -- Take Two

Daddy couldn't be the only one with a fancy new ride. Check out Addison's new wheels.


Scott must have felt like sharing the wealth because this awesome new toy showed up at our house on Thursday.

Addison's first look.


A quick test drive.


And then on to the real draw. It turns into a super cool walker that she immediately loved.

Nice job, Daddy!

Memories

Exactly one year ago today, I was unexpectedly put on bed rest at just shy of 36 weeks. This picture is me two days before I got news. Don't I look blissfully unaware?

Realizing a whole year has passed has made me reflective and sentimental. My thoughts turn to the routine doctor's appointment I went to in the middle of my normal day only to be told I was going to the hospital right then. I remember driving to the hosptial knowing Scott was unreachable and thinking, 'it's okay, everything is okay' even though I really had no idea what was happening. I still couldn't believe they were making me go the hosptial right now (as the mid-wife kept saying).

I think about all the days spent on the couch in our condo with the windows open so I could hear the fair going on outside and smell the outdoors coming in. Twice weekly hospital visits, weekly doctor trips and the steady steam of amazing visitors that gave me reason to get up each morning, take a shower and get dressed. What a crazy trip.

And of course, as this blog is evidence of, it all turned out better than my best dreams.

Yes, this is going to be a sappy place to visit for the next couple of weeks.

Take You For A Ride On My Big Green Tractor

Guess what pulled up to our house at 7:30am yesterday morning?

A giant Home Depot tractor trailor....with a new John Deere.

Nothing subtle about the truck or his excitement.

Scott's new ride.

Or perhaps, Addison's new ride? Click the below picture for a full view of her giant grin. I just know she is thinking, 'this sure beats my scooter!'.

It's amazing what you need for a 3/4 acre lot. Wink, wink.

Tour de Williston

We finally got Addison out on her first bike ride on Saturday. It was so fun! We rode to the Williston Farmer's Market using the bike path that is right next to our neighborhood. It is a quick and pretty ride. We enjoyed some fresh local raspberries and even a few rounds on the swings at the school playground.

Fueling up for the ride....cheese and water.

Test run in the street to make sure Mom had it together.

Smiles of success!

I think it is safe to say we'll be doing this again in the near future!

Escape Artist

It all starts so simple. A little exploration...

A quick survey of who is paying attention...
And one rapid movement to make a break for it.

I almost want to let her go just to see exactly where she would end up.

In This Corner

Weighing in at a guesstimated 19lbs, we have Addison Ella Murray.

Seriously. Check out that eye.

I wouldn't want to meet her in a dark alley. Or perhaps I should say I wouldn't want to meet with whomever she met with.

While it certainly looks like she has the makings for a nice shiner, in actuality she has a sty. Or at least that's what the doctor thinks it is (or some peri-orbital viral something or rather but we won't worry about that). So, to recap, our daughter who has basically not been sick since birth has had all of the following on a one week span: her first fever, a full body rash that required a doctor's visit and an eye issue that required a second doctor's visit two days later.

And just to add to the injustice of it all, when I picked Addison up at daycare last night, the teached kindly explained that she tried to put a warm compress on her eye to help with the swelling but it was hard because they were already icing down her arm. Hmmm. And why were they icing down her arm? She received her first bite at daycare and it was a dozy. The picture below was taken this morning and the marks are way better but if you look closely at her wrist you'll see the full set of both upper and bottom teeth marks. Apparently her 'friend' at daycare really wanted the book she was reading.

Jeesh! What a week!

Eleven Months

Dear Bugs,

Yes, you have yet another nickname from Mommy. Lately even your nicknames get nicknames (Buggies).

It was another busy month of development and loads of firsts. Unfortunately, you had your first illness topping out at a 101.4 degree fever. Lots of cuddling seemed to go a long way to speeding you towards recovery. At daycare you moved to your new room (Young Toddler, aaahhh!) in early August. This briefly sent Mommy for a loop as she was not expecting you to move until you were at least 12 months, not 10 months. However, you are unphased and love your new room. I predict it will not be long before you have a whole new bag of tricks as all the other kids in the room are older and walk, feed themselves, etc.

After four months of nothing in the tooth department, you cut your top four teeth in the span of one week. The front two are fully cut and the next two are just peaking through. You have enjoyed testing out your new hardware by biting your cheerios with gusto instead of gumming them.


You are eager to explore new toys and you still love a good book especially 'Mr. Brown Goes Moo, Can You?', 'Goodnight Moon' and 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear'. You love your new yellow scooter and have been known to shed a tear or two if you have to get off before you are ready. You also discovered the joy of floating in the water on a hot summer day. You have been to a couple of pool parties and even floated in Lake Champlain while visting camp, just like Mommy did when she was your age. You were adorable.

You are observant, inquisitive and unafraid of just about everything. You will mournfully gaze at Daddy and Mommy until one of them lets you climb the big staircase all the way to the top. This is both exciting and exhausting and I can only imagine what this will mean once you master the fine art of walking. Where will we find you then? Hopefully not the roof, but I wouldn't put it past you!

I blinked and over eighteen months of my life flew by. It is honestly disconcerting. I am doing the best I can every day to enjoy each moment and to know that this train is only going to move faster as it gathers even more speed.

You are the sunshine in my life, baby girl.

xoxo,
Mommy

PS - I spy a few small curls working their way into your little hairdo. Yes! (fist pumping included)

The Dog Days Of Summer

(Scott) This past Sunday we enjoyed a fantastic summer day at Jill's family camp in South Hero, Vermont. Addison was not feeling the best as she is just getting over a fever that resulted in hives in the final stages, but she made it through and spent some sun-filled time at camp. This has been an extremely rain filled summer, so it was fantastic to get a great day. Of course we missed Uncle Doug, who was stuck at home with illness and could not be there.

Here is Jill & Addison.

Aunt Sandy, Addison & Grandma

Myself

It has been since I was probably 13 or 14 since I last waterskied, but I was actually able to get up on the first try...no that is not a stunt man, nor a bodybuilder.

Luke (L) & Evenlyn (R)

And don't forget Randy who is catching air for the camera!

Thanks to everyone who made this such a great weekend.

Maxi Dress

Because all you really need is one maxi dress and a yellow convertible and life is good. Or at least I think that's how it works in California.

Addison has even gotten so crafty as to master (sometimes) getting off her ride all by herself, maxi dress be damned.

I just need to remember to put her sunglasses on next time and we'll have the paparazzi stopping by for pics.

Calling All Vampires

Your newest member has arrived.

Sorry, Addison. I know this picture is not flattering in the least (excuse the nose crumbs) but it was the only way to really show her two new top teeth that are popping through. If you are keeping track, that's a four month (to the day) wait between her two bottom teeth and these two new ones. At this rate, we'll be teething until she's ten. Oy.

And just because I've already posted one unflattering picture...check out the double chin action. I could just kiss this little hambone!

Buddha Belly

This kid, the one with the apparently giant belly. Yeah. She's in the 25th percentile for weight.

Or at least she was five weeks ago. Before she discovered cheese cubes.

Yum.

Beach Babe

Two weekends ago we were finally lucky enough to get a good beach day. It is August after all. Our bathing beauty thought the beach was a blast, especially when she got to break out her cute cover up and hat.



It took her a little bit to get used to the water but it was not long before we went from this....

To this....

To this.
Talk about an upgrade. We have been waiting for months to break out this floating entertainment center and finally got our chance. It was worth the wait! And it was a major attention grabber so Addison had plenty of friends wanting to come and play by her.

A great day for everyone. Here's hoping we can squeeze in at least a couple more before summer is gone!

P.S. - And in case you didn't know just how much Mommy loves you, Addison, see above photo of Mommy on the internet for all to see in a bathing suit. Oh, the pain is great. But the love for you is greater.

Ten Rounds And Still Lovely

I love this picture. The adoring look on Addison's face. The helping hand from Daddy. The beautiful summer sundress. Perfection.


An out of focus but totally sweet over the shoulder smile for Mommy.

And a close up of no less than seven large mosquito bites all over her sweet little face. Double click on this pic. I dare you.

Ten rounds with nasty bug bites and she's still lovely.