Addison Joy is Seven

Wow.  It has been a long time since I have posted.  I am pretty sure blogging is not a "thing" anymore, but I hope to continue to post from time to time so my kids can read this one day.

Happy 7th Birthday Addison!

Likes:  Reading, being at home, babies, family, sharing a room with her brother, shopkins, her american girl doll (felicity), science, art, pizza, lasagna, chicken salad, fruit, compliments, riding bikes, beanie boos

Dislikes:  Cucumbers, waking up early, being pestered, rushing, getting into trouble, the wind, not sleeping "enough"

When She Grows Up....she wants to be a doctor.  She has said this since she was two and never changed.  Lately she has been saying she wants to be a surgeon specifically :)

School:  Addison is thriving in school; her new school here in Atlanta is a perfect fit for her.  She is challenged through her gifted programming and targeted reading and writing assignments.  Her intense drive for excellence and timely completion of her homework is most impressive.  Summer fever is creeping up and she is ready for a brain break :)

Extracurricular:  Since we moved to the Atlanta area in September, we decided to take our time getting involved in activities.  Caleb and Addison started back at Awana in late January and I cannot believe how quickly they jumped back in and caught up after missing half the year.  Addison has already completed her second year sparks book and is reviewing all the verses again.  Her memory is astounding.  We are on a waiting list to begin piano lessons again, but I fear most of her progress has been lost after being away for almost a year.  She and Caleb are on the same soccer team this spring and while she says she wants to go back to dancing in the fall, she does have quite the knack for it.  Since we moved mid season, we opted to hold off on dance and resume in the Fall if she wanted to return.  We spend most of our time as a family playing games, enjoying the outdoors, and listening to music :)

Coming up:  Having lived in a colder climate for so long, we have not been able to easily reinforce swimming skills.  Beginning in mid May, Addison and Caleb will be on swim team.  The "practices" (aka lessons in the case of our kids) will be 45 minutes, 4 times a week for about 6 weeks.  I am hopeful they will build confidence and the skills necessary for swimming solo.



My Little Joy,

You have no idea how amazing and special you are to me.  Kindness and compassion flow from everything you do.  When Lincoln got his shots several months ago, you teared up and expressed how much it hurt you to see your baby brother in pain.  Whenever anyone is sick/hurt you are always, always there to write them a note, give them an ice pack, bring them some water and offer smiles.

I admire your drive for excellence in all you do.  You consistently give everything your best, even when you do not like it.  Your memory is absolutely astounding and I love watching you use it for things like memorizing scripture and your writing.

Big sistering comes natural for you.  You love on your siblings, lead them, help them and simply enjoy them.  I often take notes from you and stop what I am doing to come cackle with you and the littles.

This year was a big year for you and you really matured tremendously through it.  We added a family member just after your 6th birthday.  You went to Disney World with your Mia and Papa and Caleb as an extra special treat.  We spent a majority of the summer in some kind of crazy between people helping as as we welcomed Lincoln to the family, your annual trip to Mias, a trip BACK to Mississippi so we could find a house in Atlanta, moving to temporary quarters.......etc.  It was NUTS.  This year we moved from Nebraska to Atlanta.  We spent 6-9 very unpleasant weeks in temporary quarters, what you and Caleb and Blythe called "the hotel".  You guys tried so hard to make it pleasant but neighbors below complaining of every step we took made it hard.  We moved into a new home.  We had to start making new friends.  You had to start at a new school this year.  Baby, that was so hard.  I know how challenging it was to be the new kid in class.  I am so sorry for any moment you felt scared or unsure or nervous.  It hurt my heart so deeply to see you struggle those first few weeks.  BUT.  And this is a big BUT.....it was hard for a couple of weeks and you did not like it...BUT....YOU kept your smile.  YOU kept your kindness.  YOU stuck with it.  And YOU, my dear did not just succeed...you shone like a bright beautiful star.

Lastly, I want you to know I am not the only person who notices your kindness and notices how truly special you are.  Just last weekend during your birthday party, a mom had been watching you.  She saw you give away many of your pinata goodies to your empty handed friends and serve cake to everyone at your own party FIRST and meticulously ensure that EVERY party guest felt included (even your 2 year old sister).  She looked over at me....mentioned her observations and said "Kelly, you know Addison is amazing right?  Like really.  She is awesome."  I smiled and said "Thank you.  I sure am glad God gifted us with her".

Forgive me when I lose my temper and raise my voice.  Forgive me when, some days, I just am not enough for you.  Forgive me when I cannot be at your school activities.  Forgive me when there is simply not enough of me to go around.  I am far from a perfect mother.  But my darling, I strive every day and pray every day that I can be a better mother than I was the day before for if we are standing still, we are moving backwards.  So I chose to strive forward.  I am thankful for a forgiving and patient oldest child because GIRL...I am figuring this all out on YOU.  Mommy often messes up but despite my shortcomings I hope you feel so crazy deeply loved and cherished.

Addison.  Addison Joy....you are the gift I could have never dreamed of in my best dreams.  You are amazing.  Simply.  Amazing.

Love,
Mommy

Lincoln Matthew: 2 Months

WOW.....two months already?!  How can this caboose baby be TWO months already?!? You know, it's funny....when I am living some of these days they feel so long.  Then, I look back, blink, and it was gone!

The Stats

Weight:14 lbs, 4.6 oz (88%)

Blythe was 14 lbs 6 oz, Caleb was 14 lbs 4.4 oz, Addison was 13 lbs 1.2 oz

Height: 24 inches (88%)

Blythe, 24.5 Caleb 24.5, Addison 24

Head: 40.7 cm (90%)

Diaper Size: 2

Clothing: 6 months, 3-6 months

Likes
Noise of the other kids, looking at people up close, baths, bouncey seat, his paci (when he is allowed to have it--which isnt much yet)

Dislikes
putting his arms through a shirt, being kept awake when he wants to sleep, eating at the dreamfeed

Developments
Almost ready for bumbo, rolling tummy to back consistently, cooing, socially smiling, saying "ah-goo", "goo", "ooo", intentionally reaching toward objects but not really hitting or grabbing them yet, makes eye contact
Overall:  First of all---Our pediatrician is amazing, we love her.  She said he growing well and developing normally.  The only concern was the flat spot on his head.  I knew it was pretty bad long before the visit.  He sleeps very soundly and despite all my tummy time and turning his head when he sleeps, he still developed a pretty bad flat spot.  She stated that some babies just get lazy and do not want to even try turning their head the other way.  I think Lincoln might be this way.  He is fairly easily contented so he does not NEED to be spinning his head all around, especially when it requires effort to overcome the flat spot.  There is not much more we can do than what we are already doing until he can "full time" sit in the bumbo.  If it does not improve in the next 1-2 months we will be referred to the helmet clinic.  Other than that (which is honestly pretty minor) he is doing great.

Sleep
Lincoln is sleeping pretty well overall.  Aside from the witching hour nap he generally sleeps for the appropriate length nap.  Every three hours he naps for about 1 hr 50 minutes to 2 hours.  The rest of that cycle he is eating or having wake time.  Occasionally he will cry off and on for about 10-15 minutes at his sleep cycle change, more off than on, but generally resettles himself.  I hate to jinx it but he has been sleeping through the night with a dreamfeed for about a week straight (prior to this it was off and on for two weeks).

Wake Times
He has been at about a 60 minute wake time for a while now.  Just today I was noticing I may need to increase this to 65-70 minutes every cycle with the witching hour as the exception.

Personality
He is just the sweetest thing through and through.  He is easily calmed when he does get upset, except at this bedtime feeding when he just wants me to put him to bed instead of eat.  Of course he NEEDS to eat.  Lincoln reminds me of Addison as a baby in many ways.  He really does complete this family; I do not know how to describe it  exactly.  I did not know someone missing from this family until he settled into the family, and I am so glad he is here!!

Addison 2016 Dance Recital: Superheroes and Villains

Addison had her 2016 Dance recital in May.  I was VERY proud of how well she knew the routine this year.  Her confidence has really grown.  She asked about joining the performance team next year versus an age class like she is in now.  After the dance high has worn off, we will see if that is still what she wants.  No matter what, she made me proud this year!

This year the theme was superheros and villains.  It was such a cute show, even Caleb enjoyed watching all the routines---especially the ones with obvious superheroes in it :)  Addison's class danced to the Devil Wears Blue Shoes for tap.  The jazz was all instrumental, but upbeat.

Playing the guitar as part of the routine

Playing the guitar as part of the routine

Playing the guitar as part of the routine

They look TINY on this huge stage!

Blythe Juliette is 2

Happy Birthday Blythe Juliette!

This is as good as I could get given everything going on in that moment :)

We had a SUPER low key birthday to celebrate Blythe's second birthday, May 1.  She loves minnie so we got a minnie cake and celebrated with a couple neighbors....it was great!

I will write a developmental post after her two year appointment in a couple weeks

She wants it on now!

Trying her hardest to get it on immediately!

Seeing her cake

The youngest party attendees

Daddy had to help blow out the candles

Same as last year!

LOVES balloons

"POOL"

Outtakes

Outtakes

To my little Juliette:

I never knew something was missing from our family until you were born.  You light up a room when you enter it.  Everything has more color and more sparkle when you are part of it.  I love waking you up in the mornings because you always have a smile.

I love how independent and opinionated you are.  You are a leader.  You march to the beat of a different drum and I adore it.  You are spirited.  You are full.  You are colorful!  One day people will follow you and we pray that you lead them to Lord and His ways!

Over the last year we have had some interesting moments...a trip to the ER (family first), ear tubes, a sleepless night at 21 months where I still maintain you were possessed, MANY tearful PDO drop offs, crib transition woes.....

Over the last year we have had beautiful moments....watching you learn to walk, laughing at your eye crossing tricks, laughing your "jokes", snickering at your pronunciation, just sharing in pure toddler JOY.....

Forgive us where we fail as parents and never forget we will always love you.  Always..."just in case you ever wonder"

Blythe, we love crazy love you...Daddy, Addison, Caleb, Lincoln and I...we adore you.  We pray that you would come to know Jesus at an early age and follow him all the days of your life.  I am thankful God chose me to be your mommy.