Addie's Official One Year Update

I have to keep telling myself that its true.

I have to remind myself that your Dad & I made you.

 I sometimes can't believe I carried you,

that I felt your kicks and your sweet little hiccups,

that my body expanded to accommodate you as you grew,

that I gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl

{and it only took me 4 pushes}

and that I had a superwoman complex for quite sometime after that.

It's still so hard for me to believe that I was pregnant

after the Doctors told me it was very unlikely to happen.

But for the past 9 days I've found it impossible to believe that you're a year old.

A whole year has passed us by since you've graced our lives.
As much as I want to freeze time, just where it is,

I also look forward to seeing who you become

and what very special plans God must have for you!

Addie Grace continues to be the sweetest baby who we just can't get enough of!

Her grins are so infectious

and her little voice, soothing.

She loves to make us laugh,

but loves laughing at Crista even more!

Those two have such a special bond

and I can't help but stop what I'm doing to watch them interact with each other.

It honestly makes my heart swell with pride

when I see them wanting to be with each other,

playing side by side,

and giving random hugs and kisses to the other.

I know its nothing I've done,

its because, against all odds,

these two were destined to be sisters.

Addie experienced many firsts this month...

first fever and trip to the ER,

first bloody lip,

first step (although she's not even close to walking!)

first Happy Meal at McDonalds,

first {and second} tooth,

first "real" Christmas,

first nursing strike,

and eating her first cupcake...dairy free of course!
She has also learned to climb this month

and loves practicing her new skill on our fireplace,

on her toys,

or anywhere her little legs can reach!

Addie is growing like a weed

but is still such a peanut!

At the Dr's appointment

she weighed 16lb 14oz

and was 28 inches long.

Addie is wearing 9 month clothes but is starting to creep into 12 month sizes.

She's still in a size 3 diaper.

Addie Grace is a pretty good eater.

She's still on the picky side but has decided she likes green peas.

And black eye peas

and white acre peas

and collard greens

but not green beans.

And not carrots.

She loves any and all meat

and most fruits on most days :-)

I'm still nursing her every 4 hours during the day

due to her milk allergy.

She's an efficient nurser so it only takes her a few minutes tops.

Addie is still doing great sleeping

although her being sick

threw her off a bit.

Typically she's in the bed around 6:45 to 7pm

and will sleep until 5 or 6, nurse, and most days

go back to sleep until 7 or 8am.

She is still taking 2 naps a day,

one at 9am and the other at 1pm.

Each nap lasts between 1 1/2 and 2 hrs.

Sweet Addie Grace is like a recorder these days.

She's repeating everything we say,

surprising us with new words almost daily!

Some of the words she uses regularly are

Dada, Mama, all done, baby, Addie, Crista,

stop, bye bye, job (as in good job!), pee pie, no no, night night, & bite.

She's made up sounds for words she can't say yet

 like "muah" for kiss

and "ugh ugh" for paci.

I think she's going to be smart like her sister :-)

Addie loves to play!

She has a few toys she gravitates towards

like her baby stroller walker,

her play table,

the magnets on the fridge,

and anything Crista is playing.

There are times when Addie is too quiet and when I find her she's

either in a corner "reading" her books

or under Crista's bed hiding with big sister. 

Addie also loves our big cabinets,

They're just perfect for climbing in.

Our sweet happy One Year Old!!

We love you so so so so much!!