Learning new things everday!

It seems like everyday we discover Addyson has figured out how to do one more thing. Right now she knows where her head is, where her ears, nose, eyes, mouth and feet are! A few weeks ago she only knew where YOUR nose was, not hers. Pretty cute.

She is also very helpful around the house. She hangs her coat up when her and dad get home, she takes her dirty clothes and puts them into the clothes hamper and she loves "putting away"clean clothes from the clothes basket.

And of course she is already observing and learning from us -- she observed dad licking the tip of his finger while combing through a stack of papers. She now licks her entire finger while looking at books -- incredibly cute!!

Addyson is also become even more adventurous and fearless -- wanting to climb up and over on everything.

Last week we went to Charlston Falls and went for a walk with the stroller, Dad got quite a workout pushing Addyson up all the big hills, but it was a beautiful afternoon.

Addyson got a new car seat, so now she can sit forward and see things.

We think she really enjoys it, and Monkey does too.
Grandma and Grandpa Brand brought over some blocks and Addyson likes to dump them out on the floor and play.

Just a picture hanging out on the porch waiting for mom to get home from work.

uhm....it wasn't me!!!

Addyson helping mom plant flowers out front.

Addyson got a new "used" house...with working doorbell and all.

At least now Dad has a place to sleep if he gets kicked out of the house.

Addyson helping mom plant some more before we mulched everything. Of course she had to find out how the dirt tasted!

Addyson eating a green marker, luckily crayola non toxic, so it was just drinking some water to take care of the green.

We have been looking for a chair for Addyson for a while now -- trying to find a deal! We were at the Francis' last week and Addyson really liked Caden's chair, so we decided to bit the bullet and get her a chair of her own -- of she loves it. It is a little bigger than what we thought, but I think she will grow into it just fine.

Testing our new camera

We found a new camera, ordered it and it arrived just in time to snap a few shots while we this weekend. On Friday we were able to enjoy the outdoors, which wasn't so much the case on rainy Saturday and Sunday. We are lucky enough to have a park almost in our back yard where Addyson loves going down the slides -- especially the curly slide.

Before we get to the park pictures, I found pics of Addyson's first experience with corn on the cob. No, she didn't eat all of the corn off of this cob...as you can see on the second picture she just stored the corn, she didn't swallow!

She really does like corn. At this point in the meal she was just full....literally.

Walking to the park, which took awhile. Addyson wanted to look at and pick every dandelion she saw. (Which, as you can see, there are a lot in the field behind our house.)

Enjoying the curly slide.

Addyson and Dad looking outside from her bedroom window...wishing and hoping the rain will go away.

Will add videos later...we were having issues with our internet connection and were lucky to get these photos uploaded.

ANGER MANAGEMENT

Dad picked up Addyson from day care on Thursday and was told of an "incident". One of Addyson's day care friends took a toy from her. Addyson then chased her down and bit her! Both parties are okay. We however need to show Addyson a different way to express her anger and frustration.

On the flip side, I can't help but laugh just a little bit thinking about Addyson chasing after a toy....

SHE WALKED DOWN THE AISLE!!

And many congrats to the newly married Steve and Lindsey Otte. The entire weekend was beautiful and everything went without a hitch. They are now off to Antigua on their honeymoon -- jealous!

Mr and Mrs Steve Otte

The Wedding Party
The Brand sisters and the husbands

Addyson walking down the aisle with the help of Dad. We only had one little stumble, but she got right up and kept on walking! I think she watched her feet all the way down the aisle -- wanting to make sure they keep moving.

A few pictures out by the pond. The weather was perfect for a spring wedding.

The Brand sisters ready to get to the bar.

the Reeds (minus Addyson -- she was napping!)

Addyson and cousin Tabitha -- both were showing off their walking skills.

Cousin Tabitha, cousin Sarah and Addyson. Too bad Addyson isn't smiling like the other two girls.

(And this is when the camera was dropped.....thank goodness we were able to get the memory card out. So, any more updates to the blog will have to wait until we buy a new camera.)

Happy Easter

We had our first (of many) family gatherings this weekend to celebrate Easter. On Saturday we got together with Grandpa Brand's family. There were so many family members that got to see Addyson's ever-improving walking skills, of course after she warmed up to everyone. She has become leary of people she hasn't seen in a while or doesn't know - after about half an hour she is ready to go. However, one person she didn't have enough time to warm to was the Easter Bunny. We weren't quick enough to get her reaction when the Easter Bunny said hi -- plopped down on the floor and started screaming/crying -- however there are a few pics that you can see she doesn't want to get close.

Happy Easter to all of you!

Ready, set, go get the easter eggs......

Grandpa Brand helping Addyson put eggs into her basket.
Some of the Brand great-grand-children and the Easter Bunny.
(Addyson would not have been in the picture if Mom wasn't in there with her)

Mom and Addyson

Addyson enjoying a sucker from the Easter Bunny .... what a mess! Sticky slobber all over the place.

Addyson playing catch with Aunt Lindsey and cousin Alex.

It's been a while...

Since our last update we have had a lot going on. Hopefully our next update won't take so long.

Addyson unfortunately has been battling sickness for what seems like forever - bronchitis, ear infection and cough and runny nose. In fact her 12 mo well check-up has been rescheduled 3 times. The first time was due to weather and the last 2 times was because she was running high temps so the well check-ups turned into sick appointments. Our fingers are crossed we can actually have our well check-up this week.

Addyson was battling bronchitis during her aunt Lindsey's wedding shower. Addyson did pretty well especially since there were plenty of great-aunts to hold her. I think this pic unfortunately sums up how she felt....sad!
The bride-to-be at her shower with her bridesmaids. Lindsey is the one in the middle. To the left are the Brand sisters and her friend Jen. On the right are the Otte sisters. The big date is only 4 weeks away - we are all very excited. Hopefully Addyson will have better mastered her walking skills so she can show them off. Addyson posing after a bath. She continues to practice walking. She is slowly figuring out that it can get her from toy to toy. We are also practicing her signs -- day care does a fantastic job with teaching a few key sign language signs. She knows Please, Thank You, More, Milk, Book, Eat and Ball. Some aren't 100% but we are proud! ;) She also knows where her belly is (and where Dad's belly is) --- working on other body parts.

How we usually find Addyson sleeping -- with her butt up in the air and her face shoved into one of the corners.

Good Morning Addyson!!! Still so sleepy.

First BIG STEPS.....

Mom went to Chicago with the girls and Addyson decides that must be a good time to walk for the first time. It was really hard not telling Kyley, I didn't want it to ruin her trip. The first steps are an exciting step towards a crazy road ahead I am sure. For some reason the videos show up as black, just click on the play button and they will start.

Good Job Addyson!!!

Here is a little longer video

Let it snow....Round #2

Miss Addyson looking outside and getting caught up in the window blinds. She likes to watch things outside, and lick the cold glass of the windows. We decided to try going out in the snow again, and this time was much better. We bundled her up so much she could hardly move, but I think she enjoyed it.

Watching the snow blow by. Probably need to get her some real boots at some point, those little things don't quite cut it. But she does look pretty stinking cute in her snow suit.

Addyson had to stay home from Daycare due to a fever she was running on Thursday, so Aunt Mal-Mal came home from school early and watched Addyson. They had quite a day.

Addyson was reading stories to Mallorie to put Mallorie to sleep, I think it worked.

Addyson playing with one of her favorite toys, a BOX!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADDYSON!

The snow pushed the birthday party back a day, but all of our family members were able to make it safely to Troy to celebrate Addyson turning 1! Addyson must have been excited for the party because she skipped her morning nap which made for a much more interesting afternoon. However, she did enjoy all of the attention from everyone and had a great 1st birthday party.

Every party needs an "ADDY-BUG" cake.

Addyson with her own cupcake. Her fingers went into the icing but that was it. And she wasn't too keen with the icing on her fingers.
Addyson opening up presents. Her first present was a bag full of suckers - which she enjoyed. However we aren't sure which end of the sucker she liked better.

So excited to open up this present!

Another great present - who knew an empty box could be so much fun!!

A family picture -- to the end of a great birthday weekend!