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!!!

Remembering Our Engagement, 12-22-08

Two years ago today, Matthew asked me to marry him at the place we met-The University of Southern Mississippi. It was the best decision I ever made and I am so blessed to be married to the most caring, compassionate, loving and patient man I ever met (although I am a bit biased). I love to celebrate every milestone; helps us always focus on the blessings God so richly pours over us!

Matthew, I am so honored to be your wife! Thank you for asking me to marry you on that cold night on Lake Byron on December 22, 2008. Life is so much richer with you in it and I hardly remember life without you. I love you more than words can ever express; you truly are the love of my life!

He asked me on that bridge in the background.

Right after he asked!

Where we met at Southern Miss; this building was recently torn down :(

Little Tummy Yummies

Just a reminder to all my fellow Mommies/Mommies to be/Mommies coming soon, I co-author another blog about Baby Food/Feeding, it is called "Little Tummy Yummies". I am very excited about the new series of articles we just started regarding breastfeeding! Many of my friends and acquaintances have asked me questions about breastfeeding my now nearly 9 month journey in breastfeeding Addison and so----thus the these articles began. So far there are two articles:

• Breastfeeding 101: Getting Started
• Breastfeeding: Why Pump?

I hope this blog and the upcoming series of articles will be helpful and informative for all you mommies out there currently breastfeeding or considering breastfeeding. As I said in my articles, no matter what method of feeding you decide to go with (formula or breastfeeding or a combo) do what is best for you and your family; that is all that matters!