5 months old

To our darling daughter,
Today you are 5 months old. Your Mommy and Daddy cannot believe how big you are getting. You weigh 14lb. 12oz. That puts you in the 95th percentile for your adjusted age (3 months) and the 50th percentile for your actual age. We love your chubby cheeks and the rolls all over your body. You have come a long way since your 3 pound days. You are simply amazing! I don't think Mommy and Daddy ever imagined that you would make us laugh and smile as much as you do. In the last month, you have rolled over and started on rice cereal. You are now all smiles and you giggle at the silliest things. Your latest venture is trying to sit up when you are laying in a reclined position. You are such a big girl and Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud of you. We love you, sweet baby girl. Please don't grow up too quickly! Happy 5 month birthday!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Look, Dad! I'm 5 months old!

Can you believe it?

My Aunt Lori made this sign for me. Hope is my middle name and the word means a lot to our family. Thanks, Aunt Lori. I love it!

Mommy's new favorite thing is to take pictures of me on my belly.

Especially when I am playful.

Mommy loves when I smile.

But she thinks it's cute when I frown, too.

And when I'm serious.

And when I'm being funny, of course.

I mean, let's be honest. Have you ever seen anything cuter?
Well, not until now, right? :)

And now for the big question...

Is it Addison or Dr. Evil

Survey

Mommy put a survey on my blog (look on the right side). Don't forget to vote!

To refresh your memory, here is a picture of my Daddy http://littlebiteofheaven.blogspot.com/2008/04/daddys-girl.html and here is one of my Mommy http://littlebiteofheaven.blogspot.com/2008/04/hes-heeeeeere.html

Mommy's birthday

Today was mommy's birthday. I wore my finest whites and let her torture me with another photo session. I have to admit, I am pretty darn cute. (Mom says I don't need to have any modesty until I can talk for myself.)

Me on my belly Mom and I just have the best time. Can't you tell?

I am telling you, my mommy is just the funniest!
I am such a darling.
And just who do you think you are?

Day 2 of cereal

I may have liked it better yesterday.

Cute outfit

Dustin bought Addison some adorable outfits when he found out she was a girl. It was so cute. If my memory serves me right, he met me at the OB one afternoon and had me go to his car before the appointment because he couldn't wait to show me! So, as I was going through the bag of (non-returnable) goodies, it became very apparent that Dustin had never bought baby clothes before. The first item I pulled out was a little skirt - newborn size. Addison's due date was in January. We live in the Midwest. It is rather cold and snowy in January. Needless to say, that skirt still has the tags on it. The second item I pulled from the bag was a shirt - size 5t. We're going to save that one until she goes to KINDERGARTEN! I was scared to take anything else out of the bag, but luckily things got better. Most of the outfits were for summer and Addison is getting so big that we can't wait until then or else she won't be able to wear them. So, since today was so warm I put the most precious sear sucker pantaloons outfit on her. I had to take pictures to show Daddy. Addison was giggling up a storm. It was our most fun photo session yet!

Daddy's Girl

My first taste of cereal

Mom, what do I do with this stuff?

Aunt Emily

Mommy's best friend (my Aunt Emily) came to visit over the weekend. I always love it when she comes, especially because she comes bearing gifts! Mommy thinks she's going to hire her to be my personal shopper since she always finds the cutest (yet still comfy) outfits. Thanks, Aunt Emily! Oh and next time you come visit, please don't keep my mommy out until 1:30am!! :)

Mommy, Aunt Emily, and the fairest princess of all the land!

HE'S HEEEEEERE!!!!!!

My nephew, that is! Noah David arrived Friday, April 18th at 11:55am weighing 6lb 11oz and measuring 19 3/4 inches long. He decided to enter this world 2 weeks early and took us all by surprise. Julie and I were talking Thursday night about a "symptom" she was having and I ASSURED her it didn't mean she was going to go into labor anytime soon. Keep in mind I didn't actually go into labor so I had no clue what I was talking about...though because I read like a gazillion books and articles on pregnancy and childbirth, I like to think I know what all is involved. So I was proved wrong and Julie started experiencing contractions Friday morning (even though she didn't realize they were contractions). She and Josh were on their way to the doctor when Julie's pain became more intense and she realized it WAS a contraction! Needless to say they bypassed the doctor's office and went straight to the hospital. They arrived around 9am and Julie was 1 cm dilated. By the time they cleaned up a labor and delivery room for them less than a couple hours later, she was 7 cm! She had a quick labor (good for her AND Josh!!) and delivered a very healthy boy. Noah is just a doll and in my opinion, a spitting image of his daddy! He has his daddy's dimples...they are to die for! Mommy and baby are doing well and Julie and Josh are just beaming with pride and glory. I asked Noah to arrive on a Friday so I could visit him right away (because if he was born during the week I would have to wait to travel to Cleveland due to my radiation treatments) and the little peanut listened. I can already tell he is going to be a good boy...at least for his favorite Aunt Kristi! Dustin, Addison, and I sped up to Cleveland as soon as we could yesterday and feel so lucky to have spent the last couple days with them. I can't believe my sister is a mommy now, too. Let the good times begin!


We are home now because my best friend, Emily is in town this weekend from Chicago (which apparently no one informed Noah of) and I wanted to get home to her. While in Cleveland we also visited with our best friends, Ben and Kylie, which is always a delight. Tonight and tomorrow I am going to visit with other friends who I only see occasionally. This is the most exciting weekend I've had in a LOOOOONG time!

Aunt Kristi and Noah David. Not that you would ever notice with such an adorable baby in the picture, but I am premiering my new wig. What do you think?

And the wig from the side.

The mommy's and their sweet babies.

HEY KYE KYE.....

Preemie Party

Addison and I met our friends, Julie and Hannah for a walk around the lake today. We had so much fun! Well, the babies slept but us mom's sure did have a nice time talking and getting some exercise (much needed on my end!) It was a gorgeous day. They said high of 73 but my car said 78. It was actually hot. I keep saying I'm ready for summer, but I'm not sure I'm ready for the 90 degree weather!

It's true what they say - Preemies have all the fun! :)

Finally Addison is the bigger baby in a picture. Okay, Hannah is almost 2 months younger...but it's still a first!

Little sleeper

Addison truly is a good sleeper (most nights). Last night she slept 10 hours. We are still working on naps. I'd love for her to take a couple 2 hour naps a day but I think she is still too young to give her a schedule. Instead, she just sleeps when she feels like it. Most of the time it's in my arms and when I try to lay her down her eyes pop wide open. So this morning when I put her down (in her car seat) and she stayed asleep, I felt a huge accomplishment. 5 minutes later I went to take a picture of her sleeping sweetly and this is what I saw:

So much for naps.

13 pounds 10 ounces

At 4 1/2 months, Addison has caught up to her peers and weighs a whopping 13 pounds 10 ounces! At this rate, we think she might be over 16 pounds at 6 months, which would be absolutely amazing! I swear the great weight gain is not...I repeat NOT from the cupcakes Grandma gives her.

Piano Prodigy

One of the common things people would say when Addison was first born was how looooong her fingers were and that she was going to be a piano player. So, I thought we'd put her to the test and let me tell you, the girl has some skills!

B, C, D, G

No, that C should be C Flat. YES, much better!

Mom, I'm trying to concentrate (on eating my arm).

Whew, keeping up with Mozart and Chopin sure is exhausting. I'm pooped!

She's a rollin'!

Today was a GREAT day! Addison rolled tummy to back...four times in a row. I was lucky enough to get it on video! Of course Daddy is sad that he hasn't gotten to see any of her "firsts" but she made up for it by rolling for him when he got home from work tonight. She is a rollin' machine! And, I was just telling her Gammy that she is a giggling machine. It's all so very exciting and incredible, actually. She's only supposed to be 2 1/2 months developmentally. YEAH RIGHT! She is telling the world that her preemieness isn't going to hold her back! I wish I could share my excitement by posting videos of these amazing moments, but I still haven't worked out the kinks. Darn it. I swear, the Boogie Woogie is growing up so fast that she is going to be walking before I figure out how to upload video. :)

The Princess says "hi" to everyone!

I love my friend, Ariana

Ariana and I had a very fun play date. She is 1 month younger than me but is still bigger. However....watch out Ariana, I'm catching up! And by the way, when are you going to lend me some of that hair?

Me and Ariana. How cute are we?

Lean on me, when you're not strong :)

Addison's Baptism

Addison was Baptized on Sunday, the 6th. It was the most beautiful day yet this year. We took a small risk by taking her out of the house before RSV season is technically over, but Addison's Godmother (my sister, Julie) is about to pop out a baby so we had no choice! It was so nice to get out of the house! The ceremony was beautiful and Addison looked and acted like a little angel the entire time. We went out for a great dinner party afterwards and just had a great time. I didn't sleep all night as I was replaying all the fun we had. Plus, that was the most stimulation that I had in months so my mind was just going haywire!

Mommy, Daddy and Addison

Mommy, Daddy, Addison and Godparents - Julie and Damon

Addison's Baptism shoes that Daddy wore for his Baptism

Our sweet baby girl wearing her "after-Baptism" outfit that Devin got for her. Her hair still has the Baptism oils in it.

Super K

Our families threw me a surprise party to celebrate the end of chemo. My sister-in-law had this cake made. It was yum-mo!

The Pink Chair

My wonderful friend, Meganne, made us the most precious "little chair" and gave it to me at my shower. Yesterday I received a matching pillow monogrammed with Addison's initials. It looks perfect in her room and before long Addison will be able to sit in it on her own.



Have you ever seen anything so cute?




Thanks, Meganne. I love my chair.


Oh, it is just so comfy!