Sixteen Months

Dear Bugs,

This picture makes my heart sing. It is so you. Glowing eyes, shiny smile, messy hairdo and the sweetest little sunshine all around you.


And yes, this picture is also so you. Mischievous, unafraid and full of life. Watch out!

You continue to grow and explore each and every day and it is fascinating to watch. We bought you a kitchen set over Christmas break and you love it. You are a mixing, pouring, frying ball of kitchen happiness. It is great to see you entertain yourself. Lately you have also been fond of 'reading' to yourself while at daycare and we get many reports about you reading books out loud in the corner to yourself. It makes us so happy that you enjoy your books so much.

We had a fun mini vacation between Christmas and New Year's and I came to realize that you are a bit of an observer when in new situations (swim class, library sing along, etc). You don't cling (except your first swim class) but you do tend to very intently observe all of the comings and goings of those around us, quietly holding your folded little hands while you decide what to make of it all. It is so funny because you are quite the little talker and busy lady at home and daycare where you are so comfortable. The best part though is when you decide you have completed your observations and you start to really join in the fun. All of sudden you are bouncing, singing and smiling along with the other kids and having a great time. And yes, you even enjoy swim class now. Last week, you swam on your belly, stood on the platform by yourself (which you loved) and Mommy even put you under water twice, once by accident (oops) and once on purpose.

You are beginning to slowly increase your vocabulary and will attempt to say most words that Mommy and Daddy try to teach you. One of the cutest words you say lately is baby (BAY..pause..BEE! is how you say it). Another one that always gets me is when we are reading Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You and we get to the end and you 'whisper, whisper' just like Mr. Brown. You drop your little voice and make a hard to describe 'pisper, pisper' type sound and it is so darn sweet. You continue to master even more animal sounds (meow and quack being two) and are still a quick study at identifying objects when we ask you to point something out.

You love being outside even when it is cold and snowy. It must be that Vermont blood running through your veins! You will walk up and down our road (the sidewalk is covered in snow) as long as Mommy will let you even with cold hands and rosy checks. We have to strategically plan your outdoor trips and the language we use because it can be quite tricky to get you back inside once out. And we've learned to never tell you we are going outside when we are technically going in the car. Oh, the disappointment you experienced (and the shrieking we experienced) that day!

You are still relatively unaware of the pending arrival of your new baby sister but you have been delighted to finally be allowed to lift up Mommy's shirt to see her belly. Mommy and Daddy try to explain there is a baby in Mommy's belly but it seems somewhat futile. You just enjoy tentatively putting your little index finger in Mommy's belly button while you wait for her to laugh. The best part of your facination with Mommy's belly is when you spontaneously bend down to plant sweet little kisses on Mommy's tummy. If only you knew what was waiting inside for you!

So, the long and short story remains that you are the light of our days and we love you beyond measure.

xoxo, Mommy

Big Girl Chair

Lately Addison has been enjoying an occasional seat in the big girl chairs around our house, mainly the dining room chairs and the high bar stools in our kitchen. It is clear that just sitting in one of those gives her a feeling of special big girl delight.

Here she is with Daddy playing with the last remaining Christmas decorations I was putting away.

She is particularly fond of the snow globe which is right in front of her (and Scott was just about to shake it).

She also enjoys drinking her 'coffee' with Daddy while sitting in the big girl chair.

I think she just noticed that hers isn't really open (or brewed but who's keeping track).

Oh well, it's still fun.

Now light some candles for some extra ambiance, Daddy!

Front Yard Sledding

On Sunday Addison was not feeling well (which is the nice way of saying she went through two sheets, two sets of pj's, two outfits and had two baths by 9:30am). However, she had a wonderful little disposition all day even with her general pukiness. She really enjoys being outside and kept pointing to the door so we figured we would take a walk in the field by our house. We had a great time and the fresh air did us all good. Afterwards, Daddy took Addison for a sledding adventure around the yard.

The new sled Mommy scored at the Kinney Drugs.

Daddy taking it up a notch.

Late day fading winter sunshine. (and yes, her mittens should really have been on)

Checking out the snow more closely.

A loop around the house to finish her off.

I tried to get her to stand next to her sled like an Olympic champion or something but she wasn't having any of that nonsense.

I think the sled was definitely worth every penny and we can't wait to really test it out in fresh snow! (Although perhaps I should be concerned that the girl in the picture on the side of the sled is wearing a helmet. Hopefully our future sledding won't be that intense.)

Sugar & Spice - Take Two

Two weeks ago we had our 'big' ultrasound where they make sure that everything is looking good and that the baby is progressing as expected in all the important areas. As with my pregnancy with Addison, we also elected to try find out the sex of the baby. We went in betting girl and when the doctor said, 'Are you having any more after this?', we pretty much knew we had been guessing right (as she knew we already had a daughter).

I don't have any ultrasound pictures to share as they didn't give us any new pictures at the most recent scan. You'll have to settle for a picture of me, 20 weeks pregnant with #2. I won't show the comparison for 20 weeks pregnant with #1!


We are so excited for our second round of Sugar & Spice!

Addison's Lounge and Restaurant

As you may know Addison recently got a kitchen set as a belated Christmas gift, and so now she is perfecting her skills of running her own restaurant and lounge.

Time for School

(Scott) In the mornings after Jill leaves for work, I get to spend a few minutes with Addison before it is time to go to "School," which is what we call her daycare. I am often saddened at the response I get when I ask Addison, "are you ready to go to school?" Her response is usually to immediately stand up, walk out of the room, and leave me in the dust while she heads for the garage door, and points to her jacket in anticipation of leaving the house. Don't get me wrong, I love that she enjoys being at school where she has several other kids to play with, and more toys than we would ever want in the confines of our house, but couldn't she be a bit more subtle about it? I mean, have some respect kid and at least pretend you are upset at leaving your father. Don't just hand me your jacket and injury report and tell me to get moving; lets have a meaningful transition of you showing me your love and appreciation and then ease our way into sending you off for the day.

Of course it is once we get to her daycare and its time for me to leave, that she decides to start crying and making a scene...not that she wants to come with me or anything, she just doesn't want me to leave.

Echo Center

Last Sunday, Scott, Addison and I visited the Echo Center (a children's museum) in Burlington to enjoy their Contraptions exhibit. It was the perfect show for Bugs. We walked in and this was the first thing she saw, a giant fuzzy dog.

She was in heaven. (She's actually waving to the dog but he's a little dark in the background.)

The exhibit had all sorts of neat contraptions that involved turning levers and pushing buttons to make them move, play music, dance, etc. This one had dancing and twirling stuffed animals which was a big hit.

There was a stuffed bear that played the xylophone.

And a little mouse workshop that also caught her eye.

Mommy and Addison on pink duty. That was some unintentional matchy match stuff happening there.

Playing with the blocks and widgets outside the exhibit.

We finally headed upstairs to the main area that remains the same year round and Addison enjoyed the little water area with its boats and fish.

It was a fun way to spend a cold, gray Sunday morning and I suspect we'll go back in the future, especially if they continue to have such fun, interactive exhibits to explore.

And The OCD Begins

Addison learned a new trick at school from Miss Dory that I happened to witness right before Christmas. Miss Dory had shown Addison how to 'wash' her hands at the big sink and man, my kid has become a little obsessed. It has gotten to the point that she will stand in the dark bathroom pointing and making noises to get you to come let her wash her hands. While I am all for hygiene and this clearly could come in handy whenever that mysterious potty training escapade begins, right now lifting her off the ground while holding her against the sink and my ever expanding belly is just giving me a back ache.

So I had the genius idea of trying to use my kitchen step stool to aid her in her desire for cleanliness. Two birds, one stone.

Or so I thought. While she obviously loved the stool, she still can't reach the faucet.

This is her 'I'm so excited to get closer, now come lift me up' face.

Really woman, put down that camera and move it.

Another of her new obsessions, waving hi and bye bye to just about everything, usually long after the appropriate moment. We are working on timing.

Her final plea to get those hands under the water, stat!

Will we be so lucky that this obsession will last long enough to be useful?

Weigh In

Addison really enjoys playing in our bathroom. I have baby proofed the cabinent under the sink (to some extent) and she is particularly fond of my little storage boxes filled with q-tips and cotton balls. Lately I was hearing this strange little sound coming from the bathroom when I was making the bed or folding the laundry. When I peeked in to see what was up, Addison was behind the door playing with the scale.

She loves that thing!

What more could you ask for...you have to step up to get on it, the needle thing moves and it makes for a little platform to dance on. It's rather perfect in her eyes.

And I suppose if I weighed 23 lbs I would be eager to jump on and off that thing while doing a little jig myself.

First Splash

This weekend Addison and I (and Daddy will join in next week) began her First Splash classes. In my head I always imagined taking Addison to swim lessons as a baby but I never really did anything to make it materialize. However, now is actually the perfect time since winter is upon us and activity options are slim (and I am not able to snowboard with the new baby on the way).

Saturday morning started off normal although Addison was up earlier than usual and appeared slightly tired. As the morning progressed things started going downhill and she cried off and on for the entire hour before we headed out to class.

Because it was just the Bugs and I this first class, I have only three photos to share. All were hurridly snapped in the locker room while I was frantically trying to figure out exactly what the heck I was supposed to be doing and I think they appropriately convey the situation.

'Where are we and why the heck am I wearing a bathing suit? It's 5 degrees out!'

'No, seriously. Where are we and what's about to happen? And couldn't you have combed my hair?'

'Take this pacifier out and I will unleash the beast.'

Class itself was great with all sorts of fun games and songs and even one baby we already knew from our birthing class. Addison however was having none of it. She liked the water (it was a very heated pool) but she had a fierce death grip on me between her hand clawed on to my halter top and her legs tightly wrapped around my waist. She was having none of the singing or fun. No sir. I think the low point came when I looked down and between the warm water and my rocking motion she had actually fallen asleep. Yes, I said asleep. IN CLASS. With five other children laughing and splashing all around her.

Next week is definitely going to be better. I can just feel it.

Mmm, Mmm, Good

There was something about the Bugs eating her blueberries the other morning that was just so cute to me that I had to snap a couple of quick pics.

She had so many that her little hand was stained all morning no matter how I tried to clean it. Yum!

I also wanted some photographic evidence (mainly for my family who secretly thinks I'm a stick in the mud for not feeding Addison a few sweets) that Addison actually had her first real cookie on Saturday. She ate about 1/3 of a fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookie after making a few requests for one (pointing and grunting at them which she has never done before). And you can even see by my wonderful appearance that it was way before appropriate cookie time (try 9:45am). Might as well go big or go home, right?

January Whopper

As most everyone knows by now, we woke up this past Sunday to a major amount of snow. This is what I saw against every door in our house when I came downstairs.

We had over 30 inches of snow in about 24 hours. A new record for the Burlington area as it usually snows a lot in the mountains and not right in town.

Addison was mystified as she ate her breakfast.

Scott's massive driveway project. That is some serious snowblowing waiting to happen. Because we live across from a large open field we tend to get wind which resulted in drifts as high as me in our front yard and some in the driveway as well.

All this snow seemed the perfect opportunity to finally bust out Addison's full winter gear for her first real snow experience. We took her for a winter 'hike' last year but I am sure she has no recollection!

The Bugs in her shiny snowpants and morning hairdo.

Her first look outside of the garage. She was excited!

And really happy to see Daddy who was outside working on the driveway still.

Until he put her in one of the snowbanks. Then she wasn't so excited anymore.

But she recovered well and went on to have some adventures in the backyard.

Addison actually did really well. She had two rather major full on face plants in the snow and barely uttered a peep. This was somewhat surprising as these days she'll cry over silly things like not being allowed to play in the refrigerator. I guess the snow was too new to get upset over? Unfortunately it was too fluffy for any snowman making but I am sure we'll get one up before the season is out!