I'm 30!

I have a ton of great pictures to post, but my computer hard drive died yesterday so I won't be able to get them until it gets fixed. I had just backed-up all of my files so hopefully I didn't lose anything. I also had purchased the 3-year warranty, which runs out in August, so I am really lucky! Brandy and Dan are letting me use their computer for a couple of days so I can do some of my work - A lot of it is on my computer and back-up system that the techie folks have so I can only do some of it.

I had an amazing birthday week. 30 has been wonderful so far. Scott is truly an amazing husband - he had a surprise party for me with oysters and hotdogs (my favorites!) plus lots of my close friends and family. Even Laura came in from Savannah! (she brought the Jager :)) It was wonderful! Pat and Libbi had the party at their house - they rock!!! I also went to Belmont to visit with Sr. Michel and Aunt Libby and our other friends. It snowed while we were there so Addison got to see the snow. It didn't stick but was coming down like crazy. The snow cut our trip short but we were able to have lunch at the convent and visit for a couple of hours. We then headed to Monica's apartment and spent a couple of days with her and Spencer. I also got to meet her boyfriend who is supercute and really nice. I wish we could have hung out more. Monica came down to SC for the weekend as well. Addison and I headed to Kannapolis (about 20 minutes from Monica's place in Charlotte) and visited with my dear friend Carrie and her sweet little one Mary Elizabeth. Of course Marty was there and I was able to see Linda and Reed. We went by my old school and said hello to everyone and let them meet Addison. We also had lunch at Macadoos and went shopping! I love shopping in Charlotte/Concord area. There is never enough time to do all of the shopping :) But I got Scott a couple of things for his birthday and some summer clothes for Addison and a couple of tops for myself . Then Addison and I headed back to SC to hang out with the family, see Scott (he flew in there), and of course the party. Every time we go home, I want to move back there. I miss everyone so much. Maybe one day. I realized that Addison has a threshold for riding in the car of about 3 hours. It took us almost 9 hours to get home with her and Dylan. She screamed for a good 4-5 hours of that trip on the way there. She was not happy and wanted to get out and play or at least see me. When we finally arrived in SC she wouldn't go to anyone but me - not any of her grandparents! Mom had a birthday dinner for me that night and Addison finally calmed down. She was still sketchy the next day in Belmont but eventually she warmed up to everyone and was okay. She was fine on the trip to Belmont (2.5hrs). We left at 7pm to come back to FL from SC and she slept the entire way. I only stopped for gas - it took us under 6 hours to get home.

Addison turned 8 months old last week and is about to crawl. She has crawled a couple of steps then she drops down into the army crawl. She has moved from the infant room to the crawler room at daycare, and I think she is going to LOVE it!. They have all kinds of new toys including some push toys. They do art twice a week so I saw Addison's artwork from yesterday. They have circle time on the floor and they read, sing, and play. It was so great! Mrs. Wanda already knows Addison which is a plus - she helps in the infant room sometimes. She told me that all of the kids in the crawler room eat the lunch provided by the daycare (e.g. spaghetti, mac and cheese, potatoes) but that she was waiting for the go ahead from us before feeding them that so she eats in the infant room still. The crawlers sit at the table and eat. I told her to go ahead with the potatoes but am hestant about the rest. I've tried pieces of food and aside from Mum-mums and puffs she isn't interested. We will try potatoes this week and maybe pasta this weekend? I'm not really sure what to do. I am taking her sippy cup in - I told her that she has been "using" it for a couple of months but that she is still learning. Oh my - she is really growing up! She's just a little baby and they want to feed her spaghetti!?!?! It's probably just me...

Scott turns 29 this week!!!!

Another Ear Infection Take 2 Plus some...

That's right...Addison's third ear infection. We went into the doctor Friday for a check-up and although Addison's right ear looks better she now has an infection in her left ear. They are setting up a consult with an ear nose throat doctor but we don't know when yet. Her ears must really be hurting because she is up several times in the night upset and holding them. Luckily she is eating still and we introduced yogurt this weekend to offset some of the side effects of the medicine.

We also had a check-up with her hip doctor and everything is right on schedule! Her hips are aligned but one isn't as calcified as the other. Dr. Stanton said this was right on track and that it would take the other one a little longer because it was so loose. We have another check-up in 7 months.

We had a nice visit with Aunt Michelle even though she didn't get much sleep. We miss her already! Here is a picture of Addison after waking up from snuggle time with Aunt Michelle this morning.

Addison is starting to scoot across the floor...just a little at a time right now. 

Addison did her first sign last weekend (February 12th). She signed "milk." I wasn't sure she was doing the sign because it is really early but she definitely is! She actually did it for her Sitti the first time! We didn't realize it until I signed "milk" to Addison and Mom goes, "that's what Addison was doing earlier when I thought she was waving." She does it in her highchair when she is thirsty and has started to eat a lot more food. She has started doing it at other times but won't do it if we ask her too. This is pretty normal according to some of our friends in our baby signs group. It's really exciting knowing that she can ask us for something! We were able to share the news with our Baby Signs group. Addison's teacher said although it was really early she wasn't surprised because Addison is so engaged and observant during class. She just watches and takes it all in. She loves Bebo the Bear and watches him sign while we sing and play. Here are a couple of pictures of our group...kind of funny trying to get a group of moms and babies to take a picture! The other picture is Addison, her teacher Mrs. Carol, and Bebo. She is really tired.

Here is a picture of the roses Scott got me for Valentine's Day. They were beautiful!

Peaches & Cream

Today I am going to give Addison peaches. I guess if I add a bit of breastmilk it will be a peaches and cream treat :)

Today is day 3 of Scott being in DC. We miss him so much and he is sick so I know he isn't having a great time up there. But he is liking the work part of it. I am trying to remember to send him a text picture of Addison everyday...I forgot yesterday and he was very sad. So note to self - do not forget to send cute pictures of Addi to Scott.

So far Addison has had a variety of foods: rice cereal, butternut squash, peas, applesauce, avocado, green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, bananas, and pumpkin. I make everything but the cereal, applesauce and pumpkin. I just buy all natural nothing added 100% applesauce and pumpkin. I want to make the applesauce, I just haven't had the time yet. She is really digging the pumpkin. It may be her new favorite behind applesauce. She did the sign for "milk" this past weekend. She isn't doing it consistently but she did it a few times for mom and I. Actually she did it for mom first! Mom thought she was waving. It wasn't until later that she realized it and told me. Then Addi did the sign for me. She doesn't do it when asked and really only does it when she is in her high chair.

Elise's birthday present came in and Addison really likes it. I've been wanting to get her one...so I may be picking one up for her 8month birthday :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a wonderful weekend with my mom in Florida. She left 6 inches of snow in SC for her grandbaby! Mom hung out with Addi on Saturday afternoon while Scott and I went on a date. We enjoyed cuban food and watched The Blind Side. Talk about waterworks but really inspirational! We all spent Addison's 1st Valentine's Day together and it was great! Of course out of all of her Valentines and Valentine's presents she went for the box first...

 Scott leaves this week for DC. I'm playing catch-up. Michelle is coming in town this weekend. 

Some pictures from earlier in the week. The one of Addison in the basket reminded me of when Michelle and I would play. Scott was pulling Addison around in the basket and I use to do that with Michelle all the time. I really loved clothes baskets and diaper boxes!

Such and Such

Addi didn't have a fever this morning but I didn't think she seemed well enough to go to day care so Scott was home part of the day to help take care of her. We are so luckily that he doesn't leave for DC until Monday. They have his hotel suite booked from Monday through April. I am so glad that I didn't send her to school because I just took her temperature again and it was 100.8. She is really fussy and has been sleeping all day. So we are just doing what we can. She ate a small amount of carrots and bananas but hasn't wanted solids in two days. She is nursing well though.

On another note...I sent my major prof my first chapter of my dissertation. It is a very rough draft but I need to see if I am on the right track. She is going to let me know. Until then I am writing away at the next two chapters. YAY!

Dylan is doing better. She has lost 5 lbs and her thyroid levels are in normal range. She is much more active and seems much more happy.

I am really behind this week but with mom coming in town I am going to do a little bit of work this weekend. Scott and I are going on an afternoon date on Saturday. Probably lunch at a wonderful cuban place and an afternoon movie. Sunday will be spent working. Scott will pack and probably do some household things he's been meaning to do. I will write and do some research stuff I'm behind on. Addi will hang out with her Sitti.

Another Ear Infection

We went in for a flu shot and I had the nurse practitioner check Addi's ears since she has been pulling at them and hasn't been feeling well. She had a fever of 101.5 so they didn't give her the shot. Turns out she has another ear infection in the same ear as last time. Scott is helping me out this afternoon so I can get some work done.

New Orleans

Scott and I had a wonderful time in New Orleans. It is dripping with history and culture. There is so to see but we didn't have enough time to see everything we wanted. We did get to walk by the Mississippi River, experience "pre-Marti Gras", eat beignets at Cafe du Monde, tour St Louis Cathedral, enjoy all the wonderful creole cuisine, and walk all around Bourbon, Canal, and St Peter Streets. The only thing that wasn't fun was the weather. It was freezing! We had to wear all the clothes we brought - all at once and we were still cold. It was the one time I didn't bring enough clothing. 

When we arrived in New Orleans, the streets were filled with party-goers and we were worried we had come at a bad time - haha we are so old now. We went out on Bourbon Street that night and listened to live music and had a great time. They had the streets blocked off so even though it was cold, they were filled with people and music. There were people playing jazz and other street entertainers on every corner. Everyone was carrying large bones of frozen cocktails and wearing beads. All of the buildings were covered in Marti Gras and Saints decorations. The next morning when we woke, they were washing the streets. We grabbed breakfast - seafood omelets - and walked around the city to do a bit of sight-seeing. We stopped for hot chocolate and beignets at Cafe du Monde and enjoyed the French Quarter and the French Market. Exhausted and freezing we went back to our hotel and took a nap and thawed out a bit. I don't remember the last time I was this cold and we even bought stocking caps. We went back out around 3pm and if it wouldn't have been daylight, I would have sworn it was 3am! The streets were again filled with people and some of the bars were packed with people dancing on the bars! We walked around a bit then went back in and got ready for dinner. We had dinner at an oyster bar and I enjoyed a delicious bloody mary. We ended up back at the hotel around 11:30. We were so tired that we decided we couldn't handle another night out on the town. The next morning we had jambalaya omelets. Then we went and got Cafe au Laits (coffee and steamed milk) from Cafe du Monde. This time we didn't have to wait in line. We went to the river - because New Orleans is below sea level, a lot of tourists never see the Mississippi river. You have to walk up a hill to see it. We packed the car and drove up to the Garden District to see the "American" Sector and all of the historic mansions. Canal Street separates the French Quarter and what was once known as the "American" Sector. I came back from New Orleans with a love for creole cuisine and a Saints fan. It was a wonderful trip.

One of the decorated balconies: (All of the balconies were decorated and for rent for the Superbowl and Marti Gras.)

Street art:

 

 St Louis Cathedral: (the inside was beautiful but my pictures didn't turn out great)

Our hotel:

 

Geaux Saints!

 

Freezing!

Early in the night...it became much more crazy!