Video Cameras Rolling

This blog is for my dearest friend who requested a little dose of Addison on the blog :)

I love this little girl more than words could ever come close to describing, she is so sweet and BONUS...a RIOT!

Sticking her tongue out. She can make a monkey face/noise but I couldn't get her to do it here.

She gets so shy on camera hence the grin and roll away. She really will stomp more than once but this is the best I could capture on camera.

Every time she hears "dance, dance, dance" this is what we get

I caught her monkey face at the beginning of this video and then it took her a while to do it again, HA!!! You can almost hear her trying to get "bye bye" out but it comes out as "dada".

The New Place---FINALLY

I received an anonymous request that my blog was in need of an update, so here we go and I hope this will do. However I think they meant one of Little Joy :)...soon soon soon!

We moved from our apartment to our new place in October but between the holidays and everything else I have not had time to take pictures without Christmas decorations up. We absolutely love the new place. It is the perfect size for us, not too big and not too small. We are in a fabulous area: walking distance to pool, play grounds and elementary school (should we stay here that long), close to our church, lots of places to go walking and close to our favorite suburb in D.C. The best part (to us) is we are still renting, I still cannot describe how it feels to still be 100% debt free. Perhaps one day the Lord will lead us to buy a home again but for now we rest in his current glorious plan!

Below is a "tour" of the new place...enjoy and by all means, COME VISIT and see our nation's capital!

End unit. Only bad thing about this is, we have much more snow to shovel than non-end units :)

MAIN LEVEL

Living room to right as you enter and stairs up to your left.

Living room facing front of house and back to kitchen entry

Eat-in dining area

Kitchen with dining behind you. Complete with half bath in a totally awkward area (but we are thankful to have a half bath on the main level) and a huge pantry!!

Off the kitchen/dining area. This is our favorite part...we used it tons in the fall!

Stairs down to the grass for Piper. No more leash to let her out AND we do not have to climb to the basement level to let her out like in most places we saw. YAY!

BASEMENT LEVEL

Large recreational room, TONS of storage, laundry room, full bath

Basement level full bath. The laundry room is in a separate room down the hall and although I do not like having to climb so many stairs to do laundry I am SO INCREDIBLY THANKFUL for a full sized washer and dryer again. In the apartment I had to do laundry every other day just to keep up, no I only do it once a week.

Recreation room/guest quarters side

Recreation room/office side of the room. Its a great place to work out too because its so big.

SECOND FLOOR

2 "Master Bedrooms" joined by a jack and jill styled full bath with tub and double sinks.

Our room.

Our room. That door leads to the jack and jill bath which joins our room with Addison's.

Addison's very own room!!!!! No sharing right now!!! YAY!!! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE that glider?!?!!? Oh man, it changed my life when we bought it upon our move in.

Addison's room and her lounging in it. She gets this pose from her Daddy.

She has two huge closets; we use one for her and one for all the outgrown clothes and paraphernalia. However, right now we have a friend borrowing everything...I LOVE that someone is getting to use our things. Seems like such a waste since babies only wear and use things for such a short time.

In case anyone was wondering what I am doing with all Addison's monthly pictures, here you go. This is hanging in Addison's room.

Blowing Kisses to Daddy

Addison's new "trick"...she even makes the sweetest "mmm-wah" noise when she "throws" the kiss!

Merry Christmas

Addison's big girl chair from Mia and Papa!

Yet again, SO overdue on this blog!

Our first Christmas was about a week and a half long; doesn't bother because I LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas!! We did our Christmas in DC then some in TN then more in DC.

Christmas in D.C.

We started our Christmas off by selecting a REAL Christmas tree from a local nursery. Addison seemed to enjoy walking around looking at the trees. We did not waste anytime decorating the Grant Gang Christmas tree with hand me down and hand made ornaments! This is only the second Christmas Matthew and I have even spent together so we did not have tons of ornaments; we will try to get a few new ones each year to build up our eclectically decorated tree!

Picking out the perfect tree.

Da Tree!

Family pic in front of the tree

During my brother's visit we made a trip into downtown to see the National Christmas tree. It was FREEZING; it took Addison about 20 minutes to realize that she has to lay back in her stroller to stay warm! We were not able to get up close to the tree because the President was due to fly in on the helicopter so much of the area near the White House was closed, but that's ok---we got close enough!

The Capitol.

Addison, my brother and I at the National Christmas Tree.

BURRR...it was COLD!!!

Santa visited Addison early since this was her very first Christmas; he stopped by our house on December 18!!! Addison got very good at opening presents; however this first video below was too funny not to share!

Head banging gift

Piano present from Santa

Christmas in Gatlinburg, TN

Since Addison did not reeeally understand what was going on for Christmas THIS year, we decided we would take a road trip!!! Matthew, Addison and my brother (aka Mateo by Addison) drove from D.C. to Gatlinburg (about 8 hours) to meet up with my parents. All things considered....Addison was a trooper. We enjoyed several days of jamming to Rock Band, lots of good food, family time, 60 hours of snowing...and much more! We got so much snow that we got snowed in and stayed for an extra day and half! I am SO glad that we decided to make the drive and I am so glad that the Matt's didn't murder me for stressing out in the care when Addison was fussy----they love me :)

It was a big time in Gatlinburg for Miss Addison!!! She said her first word: OUT, she got a big girl chair and she became quite attached to her Mia. When Mia was within reach she wanted to be touching her; she didn't want to be held...just a simple hand on her. So Sweet.

I cannot wait until Christmas 2011!!!!!!!!!!

Pro at present opening now.

Playing in the snow.

Trying to make a snow angel

The snow angel...errrr blob

Her new travel high chair

Shopping

Oh how she loves that bear

PROOF that I can survive on EXPERT...yeah...thats me with 83% on expert guitar, whats up???

What a GREAT Christmas...I say this a lot but...we are blessed.

Thanksgiving 2010

Wow, I am so behind on blogging that I am even doing it out of order. At any rate, here we go on the cliff notes version of our first Thanksgiving as a family of three (er, well...maybe not so cliff notes).

Orginally, I had planned on staying Mississippi two weeks after Thanksgiving since Matthew would have two weeks of training, but at the last minute his training was canceled. So, we changed our flights so that we did not have to be separated unnecessarily!

The flight to MS was a little more difficult than our last flying experience with Addison. BUT she really never cried; she just got antsy! I must remind myself that Addison's worst moment is probably some babies best moments; we are blessed.

We spend the first part of our week and half in Mississippi with Matthew's family. His sister's family, grandmother, aunt and uncle all came over for an early Thanksgiving meal with us. Addison and her cousin played SO well together (they are almost 10 months apart in age). Addison tends to take a backseat and be submissive when there is another child around, she just watches them closely. Analyzes. Allows them to lead.

We enjoyed a Mannheim Steamroller concert with my parents and brother while Grandma Grant babysat Addison. Babysitters is a rare treat for us, so it was almost odd not to have A.J. with us. Grandma Grant also watched A.J. while Matthew and I had breakfast together one morning; we cherish and are thankful for our alone time!! While with his family we had a chance to see some of our friends too.

After several days with the Grants, we packed up and headed to the traditional Gambrell Thanksgiving. My entire Gambrell extended family meets at my grandmothers house.my parents house for Thanksgiving every year. I look forward to this time every year; especially this year! I was thrilled for Addison to meet all her second cousins and great aunts and uncles; it was such a special time. Selfishly, I wish I had been able to spend more time with my cousins but my motherly duties kept me busy so the time I had with them was short, but LOVELY!!!

We ended our trip by having a "Friends" thanksgiving with Matthew's friends from High School and College (well, they are all my friends now too!). I LOVE that he is still so close to many friends from high school!

The trip home to D.C. was QUITE an experience. After delays.....we finally got home about 2:30 am, we had one tired baby!!!!!! Thanksgiving was wonderful!

Grandma and Grandpa Grant with Addison. I love how every picture with the three of them is everyone laughing and smiling so big!!

Grandma Grant with Addison; we think she gets her smile from her :)

This is Addison's Gigi (Matthew's grandmother). I LOVE this picture, because they have the same look on their face. They are kindred spirits or something; since the first time Addison met her she has always smiled the MOST for her. ALSO, they share the same birthday AND the name we had chosen if Addison was a boy, was after her. SO SWEET!!

Playing at Grandma Grant's daycare; there is always something FUN here!

Tea Party with cousin Lyla.

Tea party!

Lyla looks like she is deciding what to eat while Addison is being a ham for the camera.

SO SWEET, they loved hugging!!!

RE-introducing the cousins. Addison was SO excited when she saw Lyla; all she wanted to do was touch her.

Fun in a wagon!

Uncle Tim with Addison.

Swinging with Daddy; she is always lounging!

Second cousin Brittany took time away to spend with just Addison and we had so much fun!

Thanksgiving day at "Gambrell Manor"

Eating at "Gambrell Manor" she is the third generation in the Gambrell family to eat in this high chair!

Looking back....and forward...

The Grant Gang was no stranger to adventures in 2010. As I look back on 2010, I am humbled, thankful and overwhelmed with all the blessing God poured over us. Here are just a few...

• Had a bit of a scare that our "Blessing" would arrive early
  
• Got snowed in in February
• Welcomed our precious "Blessing" Addison Joy into the world on April 1, 2010 (read about her arrival by clicking here). It was a long and overdue labor but she is truly an amazing little girl; we love her more everyday.
• I became a stay at home mommy and wife....completely. No full time, no part time, no consulting.
• Celebrated 1 year of marriage to the most amazing, loving and caring husband and daddy, Matthew. I know many of you probably want to throw up with all my mushy gooshiness about Matthew :) What can I say....I love him!!
• Celebrated our first Mother's Day and Father's Day.
• Celebrated so many wonderful and exciting milestones with Addison that I cannot even list them :)
• We were honored by visitors throughout the year: My parents, my brother, Matthew's parents, Brandi M., Krista B. and Justin and Sally G.
• Visited Mississippi in July and November (coming soon to the blog)
  
• Spent Christmas in Gatlinburg, TN with my parents and brother (coming soon to the blog).
• Skyped with family members so many times I cannot even count---LOVE technology
  

Sometimes I wish I could just pause time because it seems life is going by so fast. I am committed to relishing each moment. Each milestone. I am humbled by all the prayers, love and support we received as we welcomed Addison to our family and as we learn to be the best parents we can. I am thankful for a healthy baby, a loving husband, supportive friends and family, good health and....so much more. I am so overwhelmed by God's blessings that I find myself feeling so unworthy of all his blessings when I should be praising our heavenly father. God is SO good ALL the time.

So, looking forward to 2011? My mind cannot even wrap around the fact that it is 2011; I know this year will be filled with just as many NEW adventures. If I write down what I hope to accomplish or what I hope happens, I am afraid I will get overly ambitious in accomplishing them---especially if I share them here. So, my list is safe within my brain :)

However, I can honestly say with as much clique-ness as I can muster, "THE BEST IS YET TO COME".

Happy 9 Months

Happy 9 Months to Addison Joy!
And...Happy New Year!!!

9 Months? Wow. It is hard to believe that this month marks Addison living outside me longer than IN me (sniff, sniff). She is learning so much everyday and I also think her growth is finally slowing down, which is nice because clothes fit longer than a week!

9 Month Doctor Visit: We went for her 9 month check up on December 31 and discovered she is long and lean just like her daddy (not surprising she is like him in more ways than I can count). The doctor said she was as healthy as they come and quite the pleasant one too :) He could not believe that she has 7 almost 8 teeth already; he said most babies only have 2 maybe 4 teeth at this age. Thankfully, she only had ONE shot and it was a breeze!

The Stats and Milestones

Weight: A tad over 20 pounds (about 75%) Just as I was suspecting
Height: Nearly 29 inches (about 90%) NO CLUE she was this tall!!!!
Head Circumference: 18 inches (about 91%)
Diaper Size: Size 3 during the day (depending on brand) and size 4 at night
Clothing: Holding steady in 12 month clothes; this size has been a bit on the big size up until now but now---fits like a glove!
Personality: Sweet, goofy, performer and scientist (thank you Stori for that word, it describers her perfectly) are the words that I would use to describe Addison now. She also expresses herself more and more everyday. Addison is still such a people pleaser and tries so hard to obey, but she just forgets so quickly poor thing. Every time she has the opportunity to flash a cheeseball smile, wave or make a goofy face at us or any stranger she ceases it! And our sweet scientist inspects every tiny thing to figure out how it works, what noise it will make and what it tastes like of course! OH and SHE LOVE LOVE LOVES books. If you give her a choice between anything and a book---book it is! I say this every time I talk about her but...she truly is a JOY.
TALKING: BIG NEWS HERE!!! Addison said her first word this month (12.27.10)--"out"; soon followed by "Daddy"! Also interesting, the sound of her babble has changed a lot this month. Now she puts several different sounds with varying tones together; it almost sounds like sentences. When you say something to her, she can repeat the tone back to you but replaces the words with her babble. Then, she sort of looks at you as if to say "don't you understand what I am saying?". She also mimics the shape of your mouth as you repeat a word to you---just studies and studies! Addison started babbling early and hasn't quit---she is and will be a talker.
Sign Language: She can sign "finished" and "dog" consistently now. In fact, when you use them in conversation she will start signing. Every time she signs, she gets a proud grin on her face.
Mobility: Little Joy takes army crawling to a whole new level. She is surprisingly fast and can get anywhere she wants. She is still unable (or shall I say unWILLING to sit herself up); course I can't blamer her---with a giant head and 29 inches of length that's gotta be hard. Addison can pull herself up and kinda cruise but will only do it if you are standing very near her. This is the first time we have seen her scared of anything. She can walk behind her push and ride toy some but gets scared after a few steps
Teeth: Even the doctor was surprised by her nearly 8 teeth completely in. Sadly, I think her premolars are already coming; her drooling has really picked up again this week. Can I just say, I am so over teething?
Food: We have gotten a bit adventurous with testing new table foods this month. She tried banana bread, cheese, yogurt (baby kind), vermicelli noods and mac and cheese. The doctor encouraged us to try meats especially since she has so many teeth. We are so close to ALL table food. I have to hold myself back though.....no need to rush :) She still breastfeeds 4-5 times a day, but really only LOVES it in the morning and before bedtime. If my body cooperates, we will continue to breastfeed for January. Through a series of events which I shall not go into, I have a renewed sense of purpose and encouragement to continue breastfeeding.
Sweet Miscellaneous Things: New this month is she points at everything wanting to know what it is. After you tell her she babbles her version of the word. She is also waving bye bye and can make a "woof" noise when you ask what a dog says. Another interesting discovery her Mia made.....she can look at a picture of something in a book and then match it to the real object around her. For example, she sees a picture of a bear in a book, makes a sound to indicate "bear" in her own baby language (this is the same sound she always makes for a bear) and then looks up at a stuffed animal bear, points and makes the same noise. Interesting.

I have a dear friend that always says she somewhat dreads each milestone because it means her little one is growing up so quickly. It wasn't until these past few months I started to understand what that meant. Maybe it's because she is becoming her own person now or maybe its just because now she's been outside me longer than in me. Either way, she is growing up so quickly, BUT I am so blessed to have the honor to stay home with her. I get to witness every discovery, big and small, everyday. These discoveries make it all worth it. I relish every single moment with my Little Joy. 2011 is sure to hold many more adventures for the Grant Gang!!!

Special Note to our Readers: ADDY

For those of you wondering, when we use the short version of Addison's name, we spell it ADDY :) Many people have asked.

Videos and Pictures

We always have to capture Addison's signature cheeseball smile.

She loves Piper! Check out all her teeth too!

Our nearly 29 inches long and lean Little One!

Reading to us in her new chair with her favorite book!

She loves finger foods!

First of many cooking lessons!

Sweetness!

I think this is my favorite picture now!

Loves grapes as a finger food!

This is the sound she makes every time we ask what a dog says. Also, when you say dog she will point to a stuffed animal or Piper OR SIGN IT!!!