16 Months!

Addison turned 16 months this past Saturday. She has a couple of new words ("cookie" and "gone" - as in "all gone"-) that she has been using often. Usually, she points to the cabinet and says "cookie" when she wants a snack. We've found that "cookie" means any snack from the pantry - cereal, crackers (although sometimes she will say cracker), cookies, and so on. We are excited that she is constantly learning more words and signs to communicate with us.

She can now complete her wooden puzzles (animals and shapes) by herself without as much frustration when she can't get the piece to fit just right. She has been doing this for a while now and watching her progression is fascinating. She started out chewing on the pieces. Then pointing to the pictures and getting excited over the animal pieces. Then placing pieces on any hole. Then correctly placing the pieces on the holes. Finally, she correctly fits the pieces in their holes. She has a letters and numbers one, so I need to pull those out for her to play with.

She still loves to read and constantly signs and talks to her books. She follows more instructions (when she wants -ha ha!). She loves giving hugs and kisses when asked, and she will also give them when we tell her, "I love you" - it melts my heart each time! She also still loves stacking cups (and nesting bowls and dishes), putting things on her head (like bowls), and her new favorite is to turn the bowl over and sit on it. Why buy toys when you can get metal mixing bowls! Bath time is much better, although getting water in her face is still upsetting. However, she usually gets over it quickly.

It's been a couple of cold mornings.

Fire chief on the run!

Showing off the hat from the fire chief last weekend!

Smiling for the camera

Realizing a cup doesn't fit - it is hidden under the yellow cup. She has a really cute look when she is thinking or contemplating something. 

She found the orange cup and is re-stacking them

Almost finished with these cups!

Halloween 2010

This year was Addi's first time trick-or-treating and she had so much fun! Although she hasn't had a lot of candy, she really loved being given candy and would run back to the wagon with candy in hand. Her favorite was chocolate of course, specifically 3 musketeers.

My mom, Aunt Anita, and cousin Monica were all in town for the weekend and joined in on the festivities.

Earlier that day we went to a small church festival. She "fished" for goodies with my mom, enjoyed smores, was both intrigued and creeped out by the fire station dalmatian mascot, and had fun all around. We can home and went around the neighborhood to trick-or-treat - we only visited a handful of houses, but it was still fun.

running at the festival

First trick-or-treating

enjoying a piece of sour candy

"fishing" with Sitti

Visit from family

This past weekend mom, Aunt Anita, and Monica all visited us in Florida. It was wonderful visiting with everyone, and we really appreciated them coming to Florida to see us.

We went to the park. We had frozen yogurt at our favorite place. Mom made Lebanese food. Aunt Anita made stir-fry. We did lots of fun Halloween stuff. Of course mom, Monica, and I did some Christmas shopping. We watched The Birds. Everyone played with Addi and of course woke up with her so Scott and I could sleep. It was a fun weekend!

Pumpkin Festival 2010

This past Saturday we went to the Pumpkin Festival in Havana. Michelle came down again this year and we had a great time. Last year it was freezing but we really enjoyed it so we wanted to make sure we went again. Michelle was only able to stay for a couple of days and we miss her so much!

I took pictures in the same spot as last year with the red barn in the background but this time it is easier to spot Addison (click to see the Pumpkin Festival 2009 blog post). We watched the dog dress up contest, had turkey legs, funnel cake, corn dogs, and lemonade, played in the pumpkins, and just walked around. We also met up with our friend Andy and his three girls.

Maclay Gardens

Last weekend Scott, Addison, and I went to Maclay gardens to see the scarecrows and have a picnic. Each year they have a scarecrow contest and people can vote on which scarecrow is their favorite. Then at a night jazz festival in the gardens (this coming weekend I think) they announce the winners. We've never been so it was really fun getting to see the scarecrows. We have a lot going on next weekend so I doubt we will make it to the festival but we did vote for our favorite.

Our favorite!

Close-up

Aside from walking in the gardens and picnicking, we were able to peak in on a wedding happening at 10/10/10 at 10:10am, we played with Addison on the slide and swings, and we just enjoyed being together.

The day before Addison and I had a play-date with Vanessa and Sylvie, which was a blast! We colored, played with their bird (well tried to play with it!), played on the swings, and just hung out. Addison and I were stung by a bee when leaving! It chased us around the car and got me first then Addison. Luckily she isn't allergic and only cried for a couple of minutes. It was a bumblebee, which was a bit odd since they aren't really aggressive. After our play-date we met Scott at Cabos for lunch. Yum!

15 months!

Tomorrow is Addison's 15 month birthday. Today we had her check-up and she looks great! She is 29 1/4 inches long (15th percentile) and 20 lbs 13 oz in weight (18th percentile). She gained some weight and we are so happy about it! Yesterday Addison said "cheese" and today she both signed and said "banana."

Here are some pictures from the last several days.

Addi and I visited Lake Ella while Scott was in Clemson. She got to pet a couple of sweet dogs and loved watching the ducks, birds, and squirrels. We even saw a duck attack a squirrel when it ran by her babies!

Lake Ella

Lake Ella

Getting tired...

After school we like to spend time outside now that the weather isn't sweltering. Addi came home quite dirty from school yesterday (I love that they let her eat whatever she wants by herself) and insisted on eating her snack outside.

Picking up leaves and acorns and playing in the sand on the bricks.

Eating some Cheerios.

Sharing Cheerios with Dylan. Of course Dylan couldn't get them half the time and Addi ate a lot of Dylan-licked Cheerios.

My sweet girls

This morning before we left for the doctor

Words & Signs!

One thing I love about keeping this blog is that it helps me to keep up with what Addison is doing.

Addison now says about 10 words that we can understand :-) and that she says regularly.

Momma (not near as often as I would like)

Daddy

Dylan

Doggie

Thank You

Duck

Baa (when she sees a sheep - this is a new one since visiting the museum)

Hi (she often says "hi Dylan" and "hi doggie")

Bye (she will also say "bye Daddy")

That

She has said other words (Sitti, Papa, ball) but only occasionally.

She is still signing and has about 25+ signs that she uses regularly. She is pretty good about doing a sign after seeing it a couple of times (well, when she chooses), but she doesn't like to sign on the spot. Here are the ones that I can think of right now...

Eat

More

Milk

Drink

Cheese

Phone

Hat
Car
Comb/Brush

Ball

Flower

Love

Mommy

Daddy

Baby

Please

Cow

Dog

Frog

Monkey (with a cute monkey sound)

Chicken
Elephant

Cat

Bird

Lion

Pig
Turtle

Duck

Fish (including a lip smacking sound)

Outside (a new favorite since she now loves being outside to walk around)

Of course she says and signs things that we aren't quite sure what she is trying to communicate. 

In addition to talking and signing she is running! Only sometimes but boy is she fast when she wants to be! She is still obsessed with Dylan and this morning kept trying to wipe Dylan's nose with the tissue. We are constantly telling her to be gentle with Dylan in which she gently pats Dylan rather than grab and pull at her. She is still eating well although some days she doesn't want to eat anything and other days she eats everything. She has started eating peas pretty regularly but still won't touch a noodle or potato. She is also constantly giving us kisses with the cute smacking kissy noise and all.

Of course I wouldn't leave you without some pictures of Addison.

Addi and Dylan playing after her bath

Helping Daddy check his work email on his Blackberry before heading off to school

Just making a funny face!

Addi has been playing with dishes and "feeding" her toys dinner while make smacking(??) and mmmmm noises