Gardening in the Buff

These were too cute not to post....aren't toddler buns the cutest?

The Graduate

Today Addison graduated from the 1-2 year old class at Toddler Group. The experience we've had at Lake Washington Toddler Group has been incredible, and I couldn't have asked for a better first exposure to a "school" setting than this. Being a teacher, I'm extremely picky about schooling and what's appropriate and what's not, etc., and now that I have my own child, I'm even MORE aware of the kinds of experiences that I want Addison to have. LWTG has been a PERFECT fit. It's a beautifully orchestrated balance of developmentally appropriate play, social opportunities, songs, stories, and movement. The best part was Teacher Amy, who Addison absolutely adores. Amy is a 2nd grade teacher in our school district as well as our Toddler Group teacher (she jobshares and teaches 2nd grade two days per week) so she has such an amazing perspective, and I of course connected with her immediately! We'll be so sad to leave her next year. However, I'm sure Addison's next teacher will be wonderful too!

Towards the end of class, Teacher Amy gave them all a certificate, and low and behold, Addison REFUSED to sit on Amy's lap to receive the certificate and take a picture. WHAT?!? I couldn't believe it! She flailed around and Amy tried to muscle her to get her to sit, but Addison wasn't having any of it. I eventually talked to Addison and told her that Teacher Amy was sad and really wanted to hug her and give her a special certificate, so Addison went up to her and said "I sorry Teacher Amy!" So precious. She then allowed a brief picture to be taken. Notice how Addison is acting shy and not looking at the camera or Amy. I think she was embarrassed! Or maybe it was stage fright! Or maybe it's just those terrible two's, rearing their ugly head! :)

Refusing to sit on Teacher Amy's lap!

After an apology, we were able to get a quick hug and picture.

Marching with scarves...a favorite past time at Toddler Group!

Fly Away, Daddy!

Lately, Addison has been telling Chris to "Fly Away!" It's gotten to the point where we are totally ignoring it now, because she was getting such a rise out of us when she started saying it. Whenever he walks into the room, or comes home from work, etc. she immediately runs to me, or buries her head in the pillows of the couch and says "NO NO Daddy! Fly Away!!" We have no clue where she learned this, or WHY she's doing it. She's definitely going through an "All I want is Mommy" stage, but this has got to stop soon! She's started saying it to Nana too. I think there is some truth to kids having instincts at an early age, and she somehow knows that her life is going to be changing very soon.

Memorial Day at the Cabin

We spent Memorial Day weekend at the cabin on Hood Canal, and oh did Addison ever have fun! Last summer she wasn't as mobile when we were there, but now it's a different story! She loved exploring the beach, digging in the sand/rocks, and playing with our cabin neighbor, Hannah. Addison LOVES "big girls" and she follows them around like a little puppy dog. Luckily, Hannah loved playing with Addison (Hannah is 9 yrs. old) so it worked out! I might even take up her parents, Tom & Michele, on having Hannah come be a "mother's helper" for me occasionally this summer!

So happy on the beach! Check out the low tide!

Exploring with Daddy

Helping Papa dig clams

Hugs for Mommy and Baby Bruh-dur

Eating my first Otter Pop with Hannah

Addison Night-Night

Here is what we've been dealing with lately....Addison decides to lie down on the ground anywhere, anyplace, anytime. This is in our driveway, after she refused to come in the house, for who knows what reason. She carefully spread out that blue plastic bag, and laid down and said "No!!! Addison night-night!"

Baby Bruh-dur

Addison is already smitten with her baby brother. She loves to lift my shirt and rest her head on my belly. She puts both hands on my belly and says "Baby bruh-dur in there!" Just when I think she's "gets it" and knows that her brother is growing in my belly, she lifts her OWN shirt and says "Addison baby bruh-der in there too!" Yeah, maybe she DOESN'T get it! I do know that she understands that my belly is HUGE and it's in the way! When we read at night, she sits in my lap and leans back and tries to get comfy. It's not that easy to get comfy anymore! The other night she said "Addison's back hurts!!"

Here is the latest with my pregnancy: I'll be 33 weeks this Sunday. I've been feeling so-so lately....my tailbone has been extremely sore, and the Dr. said that the baby is pushing on it and pulling ligaments in that area, so that's what I'm feeling. Sitting for long periods makes it unbearable. The other big issue is I have a lovely varicose vein in a not-so-fun place (use your imagination!) and it's throbbing like crazy, especially when I get up in the morning, or get up after sitting for long periods. So...the Dr. prescribed this jock-strap thing that provides support in "that area" and makes it feel better. It's so hideous! I laugh each time I put it on! The Dr. said this is very common in second/third/fourth pregnancies, and it's only going to get worse as the baby gets bigger! UGH!!! The good thing is that it will go away once the baby is born.

Other than that...I'm feeling GREAT! I shouldn't complain...I've had a very healthy pregnancy, and I'm so lucky! We can't wait to meet our baby boy! Oh, and another piece of exciting news: Baby Boy is HEAD DOWN! Yeah! :)

Binkle Binkle

Addison LOVES to perform. She'll perform for anyone...just give her a few minutes to warm up, and she gets on a roll! This first clip is a "medley" of some songs that she sings endlessly. The second clip is WITH MICROPHONE.

Goodnight Moon

Thanks to Auntie Becca and Uncle Jeff, Addison attended her very first theater performance tonight! What a fun birthday present! Mommy attended as well....it was probably best for all attending that Mom came too...who knows when that "evil twin" personality of Addison's might make an appearance! No evil twin appearance tonight though...Addison was an angel!

The performance we went to was Goodnight Moon, at the Seattle Children's Theater. Addison was mesmerized by every bit of it. She sat on Uncle Jeff's lap for a good portion of it, to ensure a better view! I loved watching the look on her face while she watched it...she was so engrossed. It's so funny to attend a children's performance like this...kids just shout out whenever they please, including Addison. It took her a bit to warm up, but pretty soon, she was making comments (quite loudly) and laughing and clapping. At one point, the red balloon was doing something that she didn't like, and she shouted out "UH-OH BALLOON!" The actress on the stage paused for a second and smiled, and we knew it was because of our little darling's comment! :)

Jeff, Becca and I were quite impressed with Addison's ability to sit through a show like that. I'm sure we'll be taking her to other performances in the future...she'll be talking about Goodnight Moon for weeks to come!

MY Fingers!!!

Addison is really giving us a run for our money these days. She's had a bit of a cold, so we've been attributing her sassy behavior with not feeling well, but now she's recovered, and Miss Sassy Pants is on a rampage. The other day I was showing her how on one of her hands, her nails were short, and the others were long (the night before she refused to let me clip her second hand). As we were looking at her nails, she pulled them away quickly and said "MY FINGERS!" This obsession with the word "MY" and "MINE" has now started to spiral out of control. Tonight I was holding her and must have touched her arm and she shouted "MY ARM!" She was taking a bath tonight, and Chris walked in the bathroom and she said "NO DADDY! MY BATH! DADDY GO!" Chris stood there and pouted, and she looked at him in a very serious way and yelled again "DADDY GO!" I proceeded to say, "OK Addison, Mommy will go too." She stared me down and said "NO MOMMY, SIT!" Who is this bossy little person? :)

Here is a sample of what our conversations sound like these days:

I'm cooking in the kitchen while she's sitting at her table coloring.
Addison: MY crayon!
Mommy: Yes, Addison. It's YOUR crayon.
Addison: NO!!!!! It's MINE!!!!
(Mind you, no one is trying to take it from her)

When will this end? The Terrible Twos don't last for an ENTIRE year, do they?