Pics from the park

This time of year in MN is very frustrating - Spring makes a teasing appearance one day, then Winter is thrown back into your face the next. Last weekend was in the high 60's, but it's been in the 30's/40's (at a high) for the past week, including this weekend. Oh well. Despite the return of the chill, we made a trip or two to the park this weekend to get the little monkey some fresh air. Mostly Addison just loves watching other kids - big or small. She's also growing in her independence. At this point she'll hardly let us feed her. When we do manage to accomplish a feeding, we have to give her a spoon to hang on to while we sneak bites in here and there with another one. She can basically feed herself with the spoon though, it just has to be thick enough food that she gets it into her mouth instead of everywhere else. Finger foods are the predominant items on the high chair tray now - chicken, banans, blueberries, grapes, cooked veggies, tofu, avocado, pasta, cheese, Cheerios...there's nothing she doesn't like, especially if it means she has the chance to feed herself. We've nicknamed her "MJ" for mini-Jabba (as in, the Hutt). Mean, I know, but it's DJ's thing. He says she looks like a little Jabba the Hutt as she reahes, grabs and shovels food into her mouth, followed by a grunt. HA! So mean, and she doesn't really grunt, DJ just likes to throw that in there. She's learning to stand on her own while holding on to furniture/toys too, but still hasn't started to crawl. Her little personality is becomong more defined as well - one word...FEISTY!! She knows what she wants, when she wants it, and do NOT help her with anything. She's even trying to dress herself now! She pulls her shirts on and off over her head. Ahhhh...just think of the terrible 2's!

Fun at the park

Practicing standing

Weekend fun

This weekend Addison had lots of fun. She's been eating more finger foods and learning to self-feed quite well. She fed herself bananas, cottage cheese, cereal and chicken this weekend - she's VERY proud, as you'll see.

She's also ALMOST crawling, so stay tuned over the next few weeks for a clip of that - hopefully. She pivots around all over the place, and can get her but up in the air. It's just a matter of putting the pieces together now.

We had some of Addison's friends (all boys!) over on Saturday for a little play date. Addison is technically the oldest (by a few days), but definitely the tiniest! We seem to think she's so hefty, but in comparison to these big boys, she's really just a little peanut. We made a baby/stroller caravan to the park down the street from our house and Addison went on the baby swing all by herself. Sorry, I didn't get pictures of that, but definitely will. She is just SO happy to be outside, it's fun to see.

On Sunday we met Beth for coffee and I swear, I've never seen Addison sit in someone's lap so content for so long. She was cracking us up with her funny laugh, smiles and general clowning around.

Kellen and Addison...practicing for Easter

Sawyer - crawling around like a champ!

Hanging out with Beth

Spring is (finally!) in the air

Woo-hoo! The sun was out and the air was slightly warm today. Addison was so excited to be outside in the wind and sunshine after brunch with Natalie and Jeff. We're all looking forward to warmer days ahead....

New "firsts" for Addison

Addison has taken to eating Cheerios on her own. Her small motor skills get more refined by the day, and that little pincer grasp is coming along nicely. Another first for Addison this past week was a bath without mom or dad in the tub with her. She loved splashing around on her own. Before we know it she'll be showering!

Pictures and Video Clips from Palm Springs

We had a wonderful trip to Palm Springs last week. DJ played SIX rounds of golf, I enjoyed a spa day with Shana, we swam, relaxed in the sun, ate and drank good food, wine and cocktails, and spent quality time with family. The 80 degree weather was a perfect escape from the winter cold in Minnesota, and an especially great way to celebrate DJ's birthday. It was SO nice to walk around outside at night in shorts and flip flops. We returned to lovely 4 degree weather, and anxiously await or next trip in September for Grant and Stacy's wedding! As usual, Addison was a great traveler. Now we have to get her a passport so she can travel internationally! ;)