Dinner Time!

Since we are testing a new extended schedule with the ultimate goal of eliminating a feeding---Addison had just finished eating when it was time for Matthew and I to eat (in the past she has been napping during our dinner). We decided it would be a good idea to start letting her watch us eat dinner since she will be eating solids sometime in the next 1-2 months. Addison LOVED eating dinner with us; she giggled, cooed and smiled the entire time!! Perhaps she will start showing interest. I guess I better start reaseaching making my own baby food!

Stay tuned for Addison's 3 Month update Blog---lots of changes!

PS--This highchair reclines so there isn't stress on her back or head. Plus---she does NOT want to lay down anymore--just sit and see the world. She is a strong little girl!

3 Months Old and What's Coming Next

Happy 3 Months to Our Addison Joy!

Yes, I left the black on her feet on purpose! Now the pictures month to month are identical...thought it was a nice touch :)

My how time as flown by; I cannot believe our sweet Addison Joy is 3 Months old today. It seems like I was just writing the blogs about how she was ELEVEN DAYS LATE!

She is changing so much everyday that even I cannot keep up---and I even stay at home with her! Here are some of the latest accomplishments:

SIZE:

• Graduated to 6 month-ISH sized clothes. Her length is definitely size 6 month, the rest is questionable.
• Has to be between 15 and 16 pounds, if not more.
• Guessing she is about 25 inches long.
• Moved up to size 2 diapers during the day and size 3 at night!
  

DEVELOPMENTS:

• Motor Mouth--lots of grunts as well as"ah-goo", "ba", "oooo" and even a razz in the back of her throat and with her lips.
• Started giggling and giggles all the time...especially when being swaddled for sleep time!
• Has discovered her hands are the most intriguing toy yet. She admires them and chews on them all the time. And YES that means she sucks her thumb some.
• Sitting up very well now, with some support.
• Eye hand coordination is astounding-she can reach for things very intentionally and gently; the random swatting at toys has nearly disappeared.
• Loves to stand up supported by your hands; she giggles the minute you stand her up.

OTHER FUN FACTS:

• DROOL MACHINE!!!
• Her hair is a really pretty golden brown and blond. In pictures it looks red, but I assure you it is not. Although she has a wicked Mohawk with the way her hair is filling in.
• We are testing an extended schedule currently. She has been on a 3 hour schedule since birth and we now testing out 3.5 hour. Not sure it will be successful, but worst case is we go back to the 3 hour schedule for another month but I am perfectly ok with that!
  
• Stayed in the nursery in church for the first time and has done great every time since. mom's out there....you know the secret :)
• Napped in the pool! We got her a float and although the label says she is too young for it---she LOVED hanging out in the pool in it so much that she napped in it!

We feel so blessed to have a precious little girl who lives up to her middle name so perfectly--JOY. She is a JOY to be around, brings such JOY to Matthew and I and is just so happy and JOYful all the time. I am amazed at all she accomplishes each day and it reminds me of how quickly this time will pass. We try to relish each moment and each milestone. We love her so much!

What's Coming Up Next for the Grant Gang?

• First Flight: Addison will take her first of what I am sure will be many flights tomorrow. We are flying to Mississippi for vacation. Although I anticipate she will do beautifully, I cannot help but be a bit nervous. I do not want her to disturb others!!
• First Family Vacation: During the MS vacation, Addison will meet LOTS of new faces. Throughout the trip, she will meet many of her extended family members on BOTH sides as well as many of our close friends. I am particularly looking forward to her meeting GREAT grandmothers (four of them) and her one and only Great Granddaddy! Her first playtime with her one and only cousin, (so far) Lyla, is also going to be a highlight for our first family vacation.
  
• Working: I have been consulting/working from home for the past month for the hospital I was working for before Addison was born. Sometimes its hard to get work in plus take care of her plus all the other daily things (cook, straighten up, laundry, grocery store, etc.) but it is worth it. I somehow manage to do everything during the day so Matthew and I can spend quality time together during the evenings. It sure keeps me busy and I enjoy the people I work with!

Comparison
Blooper Pictures

She discovered that she likes the teddy bear and couldn't keep her hands off of it when I was snapping this picture!

Happy First Father's Day!

The Grant Gang was up to another fun-filled weekend this Father's Day weekend. There is always something going on with this gang!

Addison loves her Daddy so much that she wanted the celebrations to last more than just one day!

• Thursday she gave Matthew a case to hold his new external hard drive.
  
• Friday Addison and I made Matthew rice crispy treats. We surprised him with them when he came home from work!
  
• Saturday we spent some time as a family swimming at the pool.
• Sunday Addison gave Matthew a card and dressed up in a new outfit especially picked out for Father's day. AND we did a round two batch of rice crispy treats :)

Happy FIRST Father's day Matthew! Addison is very lucky to have a Daddy who loves her so much. I love watching you with her, especially when she looks up at you with her Angel Eyes. Bath time has become my favorite time because I can sit back and watch you enjoy your daughter!! I have so much fun being a parent with you. We both love you!!

Her shirt says "I Love Daddy". I had bought a different one in the 3 month size a few weeks before, but she was too long for it. This is a different style one but 6 month size---as you can see it's already a lil short :) WOW!!

Daddy with his little girl!

The Grant Gang

Swim Suit Fashion Show

We have been on the hunt for a "surfer style" swim suit for Addison. Seems like all I could find for the 6 month size are bikinis. FINALLY I was able to find one at Old Navy. This one is snug on her growing tummy, but the next size up was 6-12 months and would have floated up when she got wet in the pool. With her new suit, she is now covered up and protected from the sun; its 50 SPF everywhere on the suit! Not to mention----the sunscreen will be easier to put on :) Now I just have to find a float!

Man we love that sweet face!

You can see the ruffles on the bottoms in this one

Angel Eyes!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

We did a little celebration at home for Matthew's Birthday. We enjoyed a Sponge Bob Square Pants themed dinner and cupcakes!!! We watch Sponge Bob Square Pants on Saturday mornings together as a family, so it was only fitting that we theme a birthday as such!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband...I am glad you were born on June 9 :) I love you more everyday!

The Grant Family classic cheese ball smile :)

On the menu: Ham Steak, homemade mac and cheese, sauteed green beans and of course...BREAD (Matthew LOVES bread). Thanks Mia...this is definitely a meal inspired by your recipes and teaching!

Addison joined in on the birthday fun too! She is always a good baby, but she was EXCEPTIONAL yesterday...it was like her gift to Daddy was being extra sweet!

Going To Sleep

Ok I couldn't resist sharing this precious video!! This is how Addison puts herself to sleep...looking at her fishy scene and just a cooing! We love her so much, she is just so sweet...we are so blessed!

I Love Our "Angel Eyes" (aka Addison Joy)

Growing Girl---2 Month Check Up

Addison went to her 2 month doctor's visit today. The doctor was very impressed with all her developments so far...she couldn't believe how well she could hold her head up while sitting and while on her tummy. Addison can even push all the way up on her arms while she is on her tummy. She was in the 90-95th percentile in weight, height and head measurements. Here is a bit more....

• WHOPPING 13 pounds, 1.5 ounces
• 24 inches TALL
• 16 inches head circumference
• Good reflexes (smiles spontaneously, smiles in response to others, grabs your hand, reaches for objects)
  
• Great head mobility (meaning she can follow objects 180 degrees) and strength (can lift head 90 degrees)
• God two shots and an oral vaccination...BOOOO
• BLUE EYES!! The doctor thinks her eyes MIGHT stay blue, we shall see :)
  
• Next visit----4 months

I admit---I was glad to have my friend Brandi with me for support during the vaccinations. The nurse said Addison did GREAT, but I thought to myself "wow, if this is great...I feel sorry for the bad ones". Addison cried/screamed more for the vaccinations than her entire life combined!! She calmed down surprisingly fast and I was thinking...this isn't so bad. Well, it is now 5.5 hours after the shots and it is not as much fun. Anytime I wake her to eat she keeps giving me her lil pain fuss. She eats good but wants to go right back to sleep (I suppose to cope with the discomfort). So I say---sleep my sunshine....sleep!! You can tell she is trying sooo hard not to fuss but poor thing is just so uncomfortable. I am glad we do not have to do this again until 4 months!!

I am so proud of our growing girl....she is living up to the nickname the newborn nursery gave her when she was born....Big Grant :)

Playing a lil catch up

While Matthew was out of town the past two weeks, Addison had a flurry of visitors and changed a lot!!! Here are some of the changes:

• Rolled over for the first time (see video below)
• Survived her first cold. Although Mommy was a little stressed about the cold, Addison didn't seem to mind the stuffy nose and drainage. She was such a trooper taking her saline nose drops---she doesn't even cry!
• Figured out how to sit in her bumbo chair AND play with toys on the tray.
  
• Met Papa (my dad), Uncle Matt (my brother) and Krista (one of my best friends) for the first time.
• Got to see Mia (my mom) again.
• Learned how to talk on the phone to Daddy (see previous post).
• Has become quite the motor mouth!!!!!

As soon as Matthew got home, we jumped right back into the family fun!!!

• Addison experienced her first swimming lesson (see video below). When her feet touched the water the first time she squealed, but after that....she loved it.
  
• She played disc golf with Matthew and Uncle Matt for the first time. She loved walking around with me in her Baby Bjourn.....although she did also experience her first bug bite too!!!!
• Played Mario WII---when I say PLAY I mean she watched Matthew and I play....but watch intently she did!!!!!
  
• Had her first "play date" during a Memorial Day cookout. She met another Addison who is 9 months old and they LOVED each other---too cute. The other Addison's parents (Kim and Kenny) also do babywise and it was like long lost friends when we met and traded stories. Kim and Kenny are ironically from North MS, so we really hit it off with them!
• She met Brandi (our friend from Birmingham) for the first time.
• Went to her 2 month doctor's appointment--BOOOO....see next post for more!

We really enjoyed all the company, but we are soooo glad Matthew is back home!! Now we have to gear up for our trip to MS in a month---we really are a family on the move!

Rollin'....Rollin'....Rollin' on a blanket I have been holding on to posting this video until Matthew could see her roll over...so NOW here it is!

First time in the Bumbo!

Waiting on the couch for Daddy to come home from his trip. She smiles like crazy....just not for the camera!

Quality time with Daddy when he got home from his trip (this was about 5 minutes after he walked in the door!!!).

I love these two people!

Just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin'.....

Just keep swimmin', just keep swimmin'....