I Don't Have A Baby...

Addie Kay is 10 months old (yesterday), and yes, I know that still makes "a baby," but this kid wants NO part of being a baby.  She is growing up way faster than I could have ever imagined!

She has been walking since a week before she turned 9 months.  AN 8 MONTH OLD WALKER! She basically skipped crawling and went straight to running.  She is miserable in a playpen, high chair, stroller, etc.  She wants to move, move, move.  It's soooo strange seeing this tiny little "doll" running around the house. And it also means that I never get a break... unless she's sleeping.  I do have to admit that I am so proud of her, and love watching her run into my arms.  The. cutest.

Addison also wants NO part of "baby" food.  None.  She sees that bowl and spoon and no matter how hungry, she tightens her lips together, turns her head to the side, and begins flailing her arms in every which way, which usually results in a baby food shower for us both.  She wants "big kid" food and wants to feed it to herself like a "big girl."  So, we have been trying to accommodate her as best we can with soft food that she can handle herself.

She no longer falls asleep in our arms {sniffle, sniffle}.  I have to say that I think this one is the hardest.  We don't plan on having anymore kids, so I was hoping that the baby part would last a little bit longer.  But, no. :(  On the other hand, she is a really GREAT snuggler.  She loves to bury her head in your shoulder and squeeze tight... gets me every time.

I think she is growing and doing so quickly because she wants to keep up with her big sister, whom she adores.  And I will say that I look forward to the day (probably soon) that Gwen and Addie are walking hand in hand, side by side.  I am not, however, looking forward to the day that they form their sister alliance and gang up on mom, lol.  I know that one is inevitable.

I know that it's said the second child grows even faster than the first, but I feel like I have blinked and 10 months has gone by.  Just thinking that she will be turning one in two months blows my mind.  I am pretty sure I'll be a mess. 

Addie Kay, please stay little forever.

Wins, Losses, and Other Current Statuses.

Wow, I cannot even tell you the last time that I opened up this page.  It has definitely been awhile, but there just hasn't been the time (or the motivation to be honest).  It seems with every free moment, I am sneaking in a shower, or a load of laundry, or some snuggles with whichever little lady of mine is available.  But, in the past week or so, I have been thinking about this space of mine.  Of how it's like a little form a therapy.  How it's my grown up activity, that requires no babysitter, lol, ok maybe sometimes I could use a sitter.  ANYWAY...

What's up with us?!  Tons.

Currently...

Addie is 7 months old!!! (WTF?!?!)  How the hell did that happen??? She is about 15lbs.  Not sure of the inches.  And the happiest little thing on Earth.  No, really.  I mean, of course she cries, duh, but it's mostly bc she needs something (or the DAMN teeth) and otherwise she has a smile on her face.

We don't ever call her Addison.  Maybe once every now and then.  But, mostly, it is Addie, Addie Kay, or Addiecakes.  Or Sissy.

Speaking of Sissy, they ADORE each other.  Before Gwen's eyes are even open in the morning she says, "Momma, is Addie Kay awake??"  And when Addie sees Gwen, she reaches for her face and pull her in for a nice slobber.  They both love it.

Gwen, will be 4 in September.  (I think I just had a heart attack.)  She just finished her first year of preschool with an adorable little "show" that they put on for us.  (Hubs and I could not stop crying. Saps.)  She just seems so grown up these days.  Why seems to be her favorite word, and testing mom's limits seem to be her favorite activity these days... but she's three and this is to be expected, or at least that is what I am telling myself so I don't lose my sanity.  All in all though, she is a GREAT kid, and I am constantly reminded of how lucky I am to be her mom... even when she is in time out. ;)

Wins.

Remember that little challenge I gave myself - "15 by 30" to lose 15lbs, change eating habits, yada yada yada?  Yeah, that didn't happen. Until now.  I've changed a lot of the way that I eat, I am trying to sneak in some exercises here and there, and since about Mother's Day, I have lost 20lbs.  Bam.  Not only do I feel better about myself (which inadvertently affects everyone else in the house), but I feel healthier.  I'm not done working on myself yet, but I am getting there.

Hubs did a little work to the backyard a few weeks back.. and now there is a place for Gwen to place.  She even has one of those bounce house things (yes, I am aware of all the stories of them flying away. I tie it down, no worries).  Why is this a "win"??? Because girlfriend is BEAT by the end of the day.  AND usually sleeps in til about 8am.

We just got back from vacation! And even though, I could already use another one, it was exactly what we needed.  It was even better than last year.  Gwen tore up the water park one day.  We beached it almost every other.  And Hubs even managed to sneak in some golf (surprise, surprise).  

Losses.

I've been feeling very overwhelmed in the "mom" department.  I feel like I get worked up too easily, that I get a little loud too often.  I just can't stand repeating myself 18,000,000 times... "Slow down."  "No Running." No. NO. NO.  It's exhausting. I'm trying to fix it... but sometimes easier said than done.

I don't give myself enough "me" time.  I don't ask for it often enough.  Which is probably what is causing the above problem mentioned.  I need to realize that it's ok to step away.  Completely alone.  That I'm not a bad mom for wanting to sneak away.  That it will most likely help me be a better mom.

Teething sucks.  And I forgot how bad it sucks.  Need I say more?

Other Stuff.
Gwen started dance class... and LOVES it!  It is probably the cutest thing I have ever seen, and I have to keep myself from tearing up while I watch her.

While on vacation, Addie started crawling!  It's all she wants to do now, she has been unleashed! Time to bring the gates back out!

My blog needs a revamping.  And do I need to change the name now?? Someone had mentioned that to me a while ago, but I just don't think that I could do it.  Maybe, one day, something will hit me, but until then, the name stays.

That's all, for now.  Hope it's not another few months before my next post ;)

Addison Kay :: 1 Month

How in the world has one month {well more} gone by already?!?  Slooooooow down time, please.  It has been a whirlwind of a month+, between Addison's arrival, the holidays, and getting into a routine, so, I guess it's easy to see why it has flown by.

Height
Girlfriend grew two inches!  22 inches.

Weight
AND she gained two pounds!  That explains the CONSTANT eating she's been doing.  She houses at least 4 ounces every time she eats.

Diapers
Newborns currently, but when we run out of them {we don't waste diapers in this house}, I can easily put her into Size 1.  

Clothes
Newborn.  Even though she is gaining weight, she's still a tiny little peanut.  0-3 month clothing is definitely still big.  

Food
I am nursing and supplementing, so breast milk and formula.  I have been lucky that both of my babies were easy and nursed AND used a bottle.  Thanks girls :)

Sleep
The first two weeks she definitely had her nights and days mixed up, but I think we have corrected that ::knocks on wood::  She has one long stretch of sleep during the night from 11-11:30 until 5-ish, which is great! She is a loud sleeper though, constantly squeaking and grunting, which sometimes keeps me from getting "real" sleep.  

Naps
We've been trying to wake her up every few hours to make sure that she isn't wide awake when it is time for us to sleep.

Teeth
Nope, just a cute gummy smile!

*We've been calling her "Addie-cakes" {her Wela gave her that name} or Addie Kay*

Can't wait to see what this month brings!