Happy

I've been meaning to capture and post some of Addie's animal sounds and words. Here are just a few I finally got on video.

It seems more than ever she is really growing in the language department. Just last week we were reading a book about different babies and we talked about the 'happy' baby and that's when Addie said, 'ha-ppy.' It was one of those moments where I wasn't sure she really meant to say it, but she continued repeating it after me, even when Kevin came in to listen.

I had another proud Mama moment this Sunday when she was in the laundry room with me. She loves to help me close the door, push the 'start' button, and watch the wash spin around. I wasn't quite ready to close the door yet, and I asked her to bring me her sleep-sack that was laying on her high chair in the dining room. I was simply chatting it up with her and not really expecting her to comprehend what I was asking and then actually do it, but sure enough she did!

I gave her the biggest hug and fought back tears when she came toddling over to me with her sleep-sack. She could've cared less how proud I was in that moment. She just wanted me to hurry up and put it in the washer so she could close the door, push the 'start' button and watch it spin.

Impossible Acres Farm

My friend Jen has been taking her two sweet punkins to a great little farm full of animals, pumpkins, a hayride and much more. So today we joined them at Impossible Acres Farm!Could pictures at a pumpkin patch get any cuter?!Allie was ready to show Addie the ropes.

She has been a regular this fall at the farm.
Addie was so brave, curious, and kind with all of the animals. On the hayride with Kainoa, Allie, and baby Paige too!
We were able to grow one pumpkin this year, but needed two more for our family of three!
What a great day!
Thanks Hulbert's for sharing the Impossible Acres Farm with us!

Indian Summer

It's been in the 90's this last week and Addelyn has thoroughly enjoyed a few more days of summer. She is fascinated with the hose and of course still loves our fruitful garden.

One Big Birthday, Some Cajun, Some Blues, and a Whole Lot of Skyping!

This last weekend we were off to New Orleans for Kevin's 40th Birthday! I flew to Portland with Addie and dropped her off with Grammy and Auntie Jan and then I was on my way to "The Big Easy" to meet Kevin. It was officially our first night ever away from the baby and we missed her sooo much! Despite several phone calls, texts, and Skyping, we had some much needed couple time. It was a perfect weekend!Our first night together on Bourbon Street.
Vegas has nothing on Bourbon Street. Wow!

Lunch at the famous K-Paul's.

He was a skeptic, carefully studying the menu.

My first catfish poboy. Yum, yum! K-Paul did me good!

At the oldest open market still around.

Taking a stroll along the M-i-ss-i-ss-i-pp-i.

Just one of the many great live bands we listened to.
There was so much culture.

My birthday boy sippin' on a Hurricane.

On Kevin's birthday we had an amazing dinner at a cozy Italian restaurant. So cozy we made friends with the people sitting next to us. They were a group of scientists working on the tragic oil spill. They were hilarious and very social, definitely not the scientist type. They also happened to be celebrating one of their 40th birthdays too. October 8th, 1970 was one great day!

The last one of my beinets, New Orleans' famous donuts!

Mmmm.

At our very first cooking class with Chef Cyn!

She was wonderful and not only taught us how to make an amazing gumbo, jambalaya, and 'happy' bread pudding, but she also taught us many lessons about the history and culture of New Orleans.

Meanwhile...Addie, as you can see, had a great time with Grammy and Auntie Jan!

Thanks so much you two, for taking good care of the baby girl.
Love you lots!

How Mama Met Dada

It was an odd night to be working at the bar and grill. I had a long day of student teaching and picked up a shift on a Thursday night. While I was waiting on the usual customers, a tall, dark, and oh so handsome man walked through the O Bar and Grill's door. He sat with a group of friends and I briefly thought he's probably already taken.

I made my way around the bar to get everyone's drinks and then headed back to wait on the other customers at the bar. And that's when he approached. He ordered a chicken taco salad. As he walked back to his table of friends, "The Chef," (a regular at the bar who thought he knew everything about cooking) reported to me with certainty that I had "googely eyes." I quickly denounced his statement and went right along serving my patrons.

Later that evening, I was approached by one of the females in the group. She asked if I was single and then proceeded to tell me how wonderful her friend was. I thought for sure she wasn't talking about the tall, dark and handsome man, that I had eyed the minute he walked through the door. And secondly, why didn't she want him for herself? To my great fortune, she was already married to another wonderful man.

After my conversation (with one of my future bridesmaids), I tried so hard, to pretend not to be nervous. I cleaned the glasses, chatted with the regulars, wrapped the silverware and waited in anticipation for the tall, dark, and handsome man to come talk to me. I had some serious sweaty palms. Finally, he re-approached me, this time to introduce himself. (Luckily he didn't try to shake my hand.)

We went on our first date in February of 2003. It was a lunch date at Turtles in Eugene, Oregon. I knew nothing about him yet, so I made him meet me at the O Bar and Grill instead of my apartment. It took some time at first, but once we both realized what we had, we were inseparable. We married on September 30th, 2006 at Sweet Cheeks Winery.

This last weekend your Dad and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary. I love him so much and I want you to look for a man as good as your Dad some day. Somebody who loves you unconditionally, makes you laugh, challenges you, knows how to say he's sorry, makes you feel beautiful and is your anchor when life is storming.

Santa Cruz

On Tuesday we tagged along with Kevin to meet his customers in Santa Cruz. Addie and I enjoyed a very hot day on the beach. It was 100 degrees inland and probably close to 90 degrees at the beach. Who said it was fall!?We picked up Dada for a late lunch.Lovin' lemons! We got a good chuckle out of this!

Habitot

My good friend Crystal and I ventured to Berkeley's Habitot with Skylar and Addelyn in tote! Crystal couldn't have described it better than a "toddler mecca." I'd personally love to shake hands with the person who invented such a perfect spot for these poor toddlers who hear more "no's" than they probably ever will in their lifetime.Couldn't be happier in the water room!
With buddy Skylar in the rocket ship. Both babies were in hog heaven pressing all of the buttons without a single "no."
The paint never went on the canvas just in her mouth.

Lunch date! Whatch you gonna order Addie?!These babies were out cold before we even left the parking garage.
What a great day!

No More Baba

This last Monday, I got you out of your crib and asked you if you wanted a baba. You shook your head no. After several days of Dada and I trying unsuccessfully to give you a baba we finally gave you a say and you haven't looked back since. I will miss the days of cuddling up to you with a bottle, but I'm so amazed and proud of the adorable and independent little girl you are. Snuggled up on the couch at four months holding the bottle all by yourself.