A Merry Merry Christmas

This time last year I was just starting to get a little bump for a tummy (of course I thought I was already very pregnant-looking) and we couldn't hardly wait for Christmas 2009 to come. We will never forget our first Christmas with Addelyn, from our magical adventure to Home Depot for a Christmas tree to celebrating Christmas with the Sitowski's on Christmas Eve, the Baker's in Sisters on Christmas Day, and Kevin's family there after. We didn't have near enough time to see all of our friends but hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

There were so many great pictures and good memories to choose from so I created a slideshow. Hope you enjoy!

All I want for Christmas...

is my cute chubby toes. Our rolly-polly baby girl has discovered her toes. Every time we lay her down to change her diaper toes go up in the air. She can't quite get them in her mouth but she certainly would if she could. I know it's such a morbid saying but, 'I could just eat her, she's so stinkin' cute!' Why do we say that?!

Baby and Santa

So I wasn't sure if we were going to do the whole sit on a stranger's lap and pay way too much for a picture, but we did. Addelyn did great until she turned to look at the large man with red cheeks and a furry face. I can only imagine what she wanted for Christmas at that moment. So classic, and no regrets.

Doing a little dance cuz...

we're going to the Rose Bowl! We just got confirmation today that we got tickets! We are so excited to stay with Auntie Pam and we are thrilled to know Addie will be in the best of care while we root on the Ducks with lots of friends and family! Okay, have to add our child dressed in her Duck gear now...couldn't resist it any longer!Wearing Daddy's beanie.All Ducked out!I bought these shoes on clearance at the bookstore while I was in college, for my 'someday.' Sometimes I still can't believe my 'someday' is here!

Poor Daddy

Kevin has been sick despite getting both flu vaccinations. When I came home the other night, I found that he had bought masks so he could hold the baby girl without getting her sick too. Of coarse, he didn't want me to post this, but I couldn't resist, it was too sweet.

Gratitude

Can't be thankful enough for this baby girl and our crazy life!

Pardon my annoying voice, wish I knew how to edit that out!

Turkey DinDin

Our Thanksgiving was quiet but relaxing, which gave me another year to practice the art of cooking a Thanksgiving dinner. I followed a new recipe this year and to my pleasant surprise the turkey was great! Some of you have asked for the recipe so here it is...

Marinade:

• 1 1/2 cups Dijon mustard
• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (do not discard lemon rinds)

Turkey:

• 1 (15-pound) free-range turkey
• 2 bunches fresh poultry herbs
• 2 to 3 cups hot water

To make marinade: Combine ingredients in a bowl. Whisk until smooth and creamy.

To make turkey: Preheat oven to 350°.

Clean out cavity of the turkey and rinse well, inside and out. Pat dry and place turkey in a large roasting pan. Pour the marinade over the turkey.
Tie turkey legs together and cover tips with foil. Stuff cavity of turkey with lemon rinds and one bunch of poultry herbs. Place the second bunch of herbs in the roasting pan. Place turkey breast-side up in roasting pan. Insert thermometer in the thickest part of the breast. Cover with foil and roast for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, add hot water to the bottom of the pan. Stir to make gravy for basting. Baste turkey and cover with foil. Roast turkey another 30 minutes and repeat basting process. Continue basting every 15 minutes until the thermometer reaches 180–185°, approximately 3 to 4 hours.
Remove turkey from oven and place on cutting board. Cover turkey well with foil to keep warm. Let it rest 15 to 20 minutes before carving.
You can click here to get a video and more.

Our Four Month Old

Addelyn is four months old now and is in the 97th percentile for weight and 83rd percentile for height. She is a healthy girl but we know better than to ever take her health for granted. We are so thankful for this precious girl and as a tribute to her four months I thought of a list of ways our lives have changed and the things we love.

1. We love that we get to start our day by saying 'goodmorning' to you and you quickly smile as big as your little cheeks will let you.
2. Daddy and I now walk around the house whistling, humming or yes, even singing songs to your toys such as "You Are My Sunshine" or "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes..."
3. We love that you are a girl who knows what she wants. For instance the "no talking" rule while eating.
4. You love to to be close but still independent. There is no better place than in the pack looking out at the world around us.
5. Bentley can't wait for you to throw his ball for him and continues to place his ball by you every chance he gets.
6. We started the rice cereal a little early, but you couldn't be happier. You do a dance with your hands and feet in between spoonfuls and lunge forward for your next bite.
7. You roll over on your tummy constantly only to realize you really don't like it on your tummy but can't seem to figure out how to get back yet. 'The Turtle Affect'
8. We love to listen to you babble with such purpose, you know exactly what you are saying.
9. You have a great attention span for books and I love that I get to start sharing the books I've been collecting all these years, for my classroom, but really for you.
10. As tired as I may be and as crazy as it may seem, I lay beside you and can't wait for you to wake up for your 3 am feeding. Then I put you back to sleep again only to look forward to seeing your smiling face in the morning light.

Addie Ann & Marek Man

This last weekend Brent, Leeanne, Marek and their buddy Joe came down for the Duck game. The guys went to the game while the mommas and the babies did a little shoppin' and relaxing. The next day we went to Berkeley for brunch and a little more shopping. We were so glad to have them and wished they lived closer.Strapped in side by side ready to go!Two Duck fans playing together in the play gym!What are those babies lookin' at?

Halloween 2009

I didn't anticipate Halloween being so fun with an almost 4 month old but we had some good times. Friday night we went trick or treating in downtown Davis with Jen and Allie, Michelle and Ryan, and a couple other families. No candy for Addie of course, but we had fun dressing her up.

Saturday we went to a pumpkin patch and Kevin and I carved the family pumpkins, then it was game time! We watched the Ducks upset the Trojans as the trick-or-treater's came to our door. We can't wait for next year's Halloween!I know, the wrong kind of bird.At the pumpkin patch but I'm not gonna last long, I'm going to scream until I get a nap!Working on picking up her punkin head!We wanted a picture of Addie in there too, but she was out cold in the car with Mom.I'm teething, lots of bubble beards and waterfalls.Starting the carving while Addelyn's taking yet, another nap.Mmm...pumpkin guts!We're ready for trick-or-treaters! What a big day for this baby penguin, this calls for yes, another nap.

First Go at Solid Foods!

Last night we pulled out the rice cereal and she was ready! At first we'd start off with just a little on the spoon and then wait to give her some time but soon she was lunging forward for more. Thank you again Grandpa and Lynn for the great bib!

Many Firsts

This weekend Addie had her first plane ride, her first wedding and most importantly her first meeting with cousin Marek. Addelyn and Marek are about a month apart and we are looking forward to many good times ahead of us with these two babes. Yes, this is exactly what she was like the whole flight! Hee! Hee!

We also got to see Andrea, adorable Max and Tim and Steph who are expecting this May. Tim offered to take Addie while I ate and knew exactly what to do. You two are going to make great parents!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

On the 8th we celebrated Kevin's 39th birthday! Amazingly we were able to capture a picture of the five of us on this great day.

Our Last Visitor, Grandpa

We had a great week with Grandpa! I think Dad got a laugh out of her in Target when he was running down the aisle with her in the cart. I miss those days, wish I could've been in the cart with Addie! Thank you Dad for your gentle ways with Addelyn, you are a great grandpa just as I knew you'd be.

Happy 3rd Anniversary!

September 30th marked our 3rd anniversary and thanks to Aunt Pam we had our first date night since Addie was born. On this night three years ago, I had many hopes and dreams of what our future would hold and I feel so blessed to say, that those hopes and dreams have become my reality. My maid of honor and good friend Steph quoted in her toast to us: "When you fall in love all of your saved up wishes come true."

Auntie Pam's Week

It was Auntie Pam (a.k.a. dog whisperer, chef, photographer, financial adviser and more) who came to help take care of Addelyn Ann. Despite her busy catering season she came all the way from L.A. and we were so very grateful to have her.

Grammy's Turn!

This week Grammy Kim was here and every time we tried to take a picture of her and Addie, Addie would start to cry. Grammy got lots of smiles from her but when it came to a picture, Addelyn wasn't having it. She's a persnickety little thing, that Addie Ann!

All the way from Washington...

This week Gramma Jody drove all the way from Olympia, Washington and met Addie Ann for the first time. We greatly appreciated her patience and love for Addelyn through a hard week. I was gone more than I've ever been this last week as the new school year is at its busiest. Addie also had her 2 month well-check, which included a large round of vaccinations. She came in at the 97% percentile for weight and 64% for height. Strange, huh, with mom and dad being so tall? Maybe a growth spurt is around the corner. More importantly though, she's one healthy girl!

Aunt Jan's Week

This last week Auntie Jan came to watch Addelyn while I started seeing my students. Daddy was away at work (and play) in Hawaii and we got to hear from cousin Kyle, who's away in Afghanistan, thus the pics of 'Army Addie' below. We love you and can't wait to see you at Christmas Kyle! Thank you Auntie Jan for all your help!

Smiles and Coos

Addie is smiling at the drop of a hat these days and we can't get enough. She's also cooing and playing with her voice. We just love listening to her and having practice conversations with her.

Daddy Daycare

I went back to work for two days of very long meetings last week and Daddy watched Addie. While I was there I received a couple of much needed pics of our baby girl. Looks like Daddy did well!