The Myers: Unplugged at the Beach

We just got back from an amazing beach vacation with my parents. It was the long vacation Scott and I've had since our honeymoon. We left our computers at home and turned our cell phones off. It was nice not having to think about work and be "unplugged."

We stayed in a resort on the beach and on the backside was a lake (sea water but they called it a lake). We had two balconies - one with a gulfview and one with a lakeview. It was between Destin and Panama City Beach, just a few miles away from where we go with our friends, Brandy and Dan. Scott, Dad, and I took the snorkels and watched fish daily. Dad and Scott saw much more than I did, but I loved shuffling the sand and watching the beautiful fish come to my hands. Dad caught a few for fun on a string and hook on his finger so Addi was able to check out the fish before he released them. Other than that the water was clear and the beaches beautiful. The beach is so relaxing. Addi didn't really like the waves, even the small ones, but she did like playing on the blanket and pouring buckets of water on herself. We also had two large pools to relax in - one in the shade, which was nice for Addi.

Addi and her Sitti

Just hanging out on the beach

An evening stroll along the beach -our resort was next to the protected park areas and it was beautiful and really secluded

Breathtaking scenery

Ready for a "night on the town"

"Trying out" the waves

Our beach "set-up" - what was really nice about this area was that everyone left  their stuff out all day and overnight

Checking out the beachview

I love my shovels!

Check out my shades!

Just playing on the beach

More awesome views

Matching beach hair!

We spent 4 nights there, but I guess we couldn't get enough of the beach because we headed for St. Teresa when we got home and spend Saturday there. Mom, Addi, and I played while Dad and Scott fished. Saturday evening Mom, Dad, Scott, and I made dinner and watched Tommyboy. Mom and I laughed so hard I was hurting! I forgot how great that movie is and of course mom LOVES it!

Fishing at St. Teresa

I miss my parents so much and I know Addi misses them. She said "paa" and "ssss" for Grandpa and Sitti. Not sure she knows what the words mean (she likes to copy sounds) but it really made everyone's day. Even looking at their pictures and saying their names she said them again.

Addi is doing more new signs - ball, cow, and cheese.

Movin' on Up!

Our sweet baby girl is growing up so quickly! Over two weeks ago (July 18th), Addi took her first steps. She has been taking a few steps here and there and we are so excited for her!

Today she moved into the 1year old/walker room at her school/day care - maybe I should call it day school? She is the youngest and isn't really walking more than a few steps, but they went ahead and moved her up. In this room she isn't allowed to have a bottle, she sleeps on a mat, she eats at the "big kid table," and she has daily lessons (which hasn't changed much from before except that we (the parents) get her monthly lessons and there is more art, music, learning type stuff). She also gets to go outside twice a day (when it's not really hot) and they have unstructured play in addition to all the structured play. Since she isn't allowed a bottle, I made her drink from her cup today when she got home. They said she did great there so I figured why not. She fussed a bit but then realized she didn't have a choice. Hopefully, tomorrow morning will go well too. She napped for an hour at school today, which is a huge improvement over her normal napping at school. Let's hope it keeps up. Our Poppy Addison is growing up! But not too quickly...we won't let that happen ;-)

The photographer posted a few of the pictures on her blog. I thought they turned out well and can't wait to see the rest.

http://whitneyfletcherphotography.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/the-myers-family-tallahassee-havana-family-photographers/

The rest of the trip

We spent over a week in SC between the party, wedding shower for Michelle and Charles, and the wedding. It was a great trip although my allergies were awful! We were able to visit with many friends and family. My friend Carrie came down from NC with her little girl. I have lots more pictures and can share them on FB and on email. Fun times!

Swimming with Erin & Walt at Winona's pool. Erin bought Addi a float. This pool sits on an edge of a cliff overlooking the lake. The wall right behind us is the edge of the pool. Beyond that looks into the lake. There are stairs walking down to the dock from there. You can see the dock in the picture below.

Addi LOVED Tiki, Erin and Walt's lab. She kept giving Tiki her toys and goldfish. She loved that she could hand her the toy and Tiki would gently take it away.

Addi thought it was hilarious when Walt squirted Tiki with the watergun. 

The sign out by the road for the wedding shower

Such a gorgeous couple!

Riding her pink horse. She looks so grown-up here. She can now get on and off of it herself.

My parent's new puppy, Al

Addi and Mary Elizabeth (Carrie's daughter). M.E. is almost 6 months in this picture.

Addison was more interested in reading than having a picture taken.

I love those big blue eyes!

Judy & Jeff's Wedding

My Aunt Judy got married to a great man, Jeff. They have a "Brady-Bunch" style family now with three children. I am so happy for them. Here are a few pictures of the wedding. We were on the front row so I couldn't get too many pictures.  Her colors were beautiful - greens and white with pink in her flowers

At the reception - I meant to catch Aunt "Gilley" before she changed

Pictures at the reception

The cousins at the wedding including our new cousins Carson & David

The siblings with their sister

I love Jeff's expression in this picture

Seeing Devin walk his momma up the aisle made me cry and of course my tissues where in the diaper bag and not with me! What a beautiful bride!

The kids decorated the truck

Addi's SC Birthday Party!

While in SC we had a birthday party for Addison. It was a lot of fun and lots of family and friends came. It was hot but not unbearable. The burgers and dogs were wonderful. The cake and ice cream were scrumptious. The help from family setting up was awesome! Thanks everyone! Addi was super awesome considering she was so excited that she didn't nap much. She never fussed and just enjoyed all the love and attention. My mom did so much for the party is was ridiculous! She bought and made most of the decorations and food. I am so thankful! Addi's friends Brooks and Dana came and they all played as well. Addi received lots of great clothes, toys, and $$ for the college fund.

Still wasn't a huge fan of cake

Cake & Ice Cream - the orange and pink were pulled from her invitation

Family picture

Addi LOVES her all-terrain Radio Flyer wagon!

A Christmas dress

Everyone enjoying the burgers and dogs

Just mingling

More mingling

Check out the lime green Rody (Italian donkey bouncer) - she finally likes it!

My parent's backyard is the perfect place for gatherings

Happy Birthday Addison!

Today is Addison's first birthday. One year ago today at 9:11pm Addison was born! I can't believe that a year has gone by and am so thankful for this most wonderful gift that God has given us. Addison has taught us both so much.

First thing this morning

 At her 1-year check-up Addison had gained back most of the weight she just lost because of the throat virus. She weighs 18lbs 5oz (10th percentile), and she is 28.5inches long (25th percentile). Our ped was happy that she is still gaining and that she looks so good. She told us to finish out the formula and switch to whole milk and to switch from a bottle to a cup. She said that normally she recommends that you quit the bottle cold turkey but that if Addison won't drink from the cup she worries she will lose weight if we quit cold turkey. So we are going to do things one step at a time and just keep trying the cup. We will probably try to quit in the morning and see how things go. One bottle at a time. She likes to chew on it and prefers a cup without a lid but that just won't do all the time.  We've gotten several different types so hopefully one will work. Yesterday, Addison did a new sign (the frog sign) and she is trying to say more words. She is standing on her own but still hasn't taken that first step.

We had a birthday dinner today and Addison opened some of her presents. She enjoyed her very own cake but didn't really get into it as much as we expected. It was kind of late and she didn't really eat any of it either. We will save it and at least give her a treat later. Mom said that I didn't really get into the whole "smash your face in the cake" thing either.

 We gave her a spoon and it still didn't help. She didn't even do the mustache...we did!

 

After a while she was like seriously, I don't want this cake! (It was good cake too!)

Addi was quite worn out...

What a wonderful day.

I took some video today and will put something together soon to share.

Take me out to the ballgame

I went to Atlanta Saturday to meet with with my aunts (Judy, Liz, Anita), mom, and sister for a bachelorette party for my Aunt Judy. We had a blast! We went to a Braves vs. Tigers game and our group was split half and half as fans. Although it was a fantastic game (seriously the 9th inning was so intense!!!) the Tigers lost :( We were in the shade which was a relief considering it was still so hot! After the game we grabbed dinner and drinks at Azio Cafe and Bar (a wonderful italian restaurant). Afterward we went back to the hotel for girl talk and present opening. Fun times! Here are some of the pictures...