Eye Hand Coordination and Giggling a Bit

She amazes us with how developed her eye hand coordination is already. I have been meaning to catch this on camera and finally remembered!



Addison is still a little camera shy, but this is the most footage I have ever gotten of one of her giggle sessions. I wish I got more on camera, but the minute I press record, she stops :) So here is a glimpse......

First Family Vacation, Destination: Mississippi

Over the fourth of July holidays, we took our first family vacation to Mississippi. Addison met many of her extended family members as well as friends!

Our New Favorite Picture showing how much fun she was having on vacation!

The vacation started off with a 2 hour flight. Addison was up way past her bedtime by the time the plane was taxiing, so when the engines started to fire up it startled her and she started to cry. I began to feed her and she fell asleep eating (I only let her do this so she would sleep on the flight!!) and was OUT the entire flight. She only cried about 2 minutes total! Matthew held her the entire flight and we could hardly get her to wake up when we arrived. I was so proud.

We spent fourth of July weekend with Matthew's family. Mrs. Grant had a family picnic and Addison met nearly all her extended family on Mrs. Grant's side. She was a PERFECT little lady letting people hold her, cuddle with her and pass her around--I was so surprised since she generally does not take to cuddling much :)

Cousin Lyla with Addison at picnic; they both look just like their Daddy's

Miss Libba with all her GREAT grandchildren. We need a few more boys in there!

Miss Libba with Addison, they share the same birthday!Second cousin Julia and great Aunt Becky.

All tuckered out from all the attention!Second cousin Noah, cousin Lyla and Addison all play together!

Her Great Grannie Libba sure knew how to make her laugh! Every time she heard Libba's voice, she giggled and smiled!!! During our stay Matthew and I even had an evening out while Mrs. Grant babysat---wow was that weird for Matthew and I! We played miniature golf with his sister, Kimberly, and her husband, Tim. Kimberly won and I came shamefully in last (surprise, surprise--I always lose).

The Grant Gang, YAY!

The Grant Gang and the Burley Bunch!

Cousins playing sweetly....they are only about 9 months apart in age---fun times ahead!

Grandpa with his girls

The Grant's granddadughters...like I said...we need a boy in there!

So Sweet!

Cousin Lyla LOVED the pool!

They are sharing already!

Next we went to Gambrell Manor to enjoy the slower pace of life! Here Addison met her Great Grannie Gambrell, Aunt Amy and some of my cousins. Again, Addison surprised me with how she gracefully took to all the attention. Not to mention we were testing out a new schedule with her while we were on vacation---so you would think she would be extra fussy! Everyone was amazed at how she smiled and cooed as she fell asleep at night and for naps. Matthew and I enjoyed a date night while at my parents house too thanks to babysitting by my Aunt, cousin and mom! Since we don't live near family in D.C. , this was a big treat for us!

Becca and Addison

Sally and Kelly

Mia and Addison...can you tell I like this bow??

Addison admires her Great Grannie Gambrell

We even got a little fishing in :)

While at Gambrell Manor my mom (aka Mia) and dear friends Krista and Sally threw Addison a Sip and See. Many of our friends and family gathered to eat/drink coffee (SIP) and meet our Addison Joy (SEE). The party was wonderful and Addison had so much fun!

Mia, Krista and Sally: Thank you so much for all you did, it was perfect in every way!

The besties (Matthew, Matt and Jason) with their little girls. They all look just like their daddy's :)

I just loved this picture :) Miss Olivia was TIRED of my photo shoot!

Matthew with his daughter (I sometimes refer to her as Mini Matthew because they look so much alike)

BESTIES!! Addison Grant (3 mo), Elle Townsend (9 mo), Oliva Wilikins (3 mo).
The shirts all say "Besties! Addison - Elle - Olivia"

Eight days apart in age!! I love it!
When Addison met Olivia I said "this is what a 3 month old is SUPPOSED to look like Addison!!"

Matthew came back to D.C. earlier than me, so the flight home was just Addison and I!! We did not have a direct flight home, but yet again my precious little girl was PERFECT. As a bonus, we were very blessed when someone flying standby got the last seat on the plane--FIRST CLASS---switched seats with us. Flying first class with Addison made it so much more pleasurable.

We had a lot of fun on our vacation, but it was good to be back home in D.C. and be our family of four again (Daddy, Mommy, Addison and Puppy Piper). Thank you to everyone for your love and hospitality!

Baby Einstein Jumper

Addison LOVES her bargain buy Baby Einstein Jumper! Since she has been standing up for over a little over a month now, we decided to skip the exersaucer type toys and dive right into the jumpers. SHE LOVES THIS THING...listen to her "oooooing and ahhhhing"! She really likes to tell you what she thinks now with all her babbling (she has even done "ma" once or twice). She is just growing up toooooo fast! We couldn't love our little girl more!

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!