The first of many birthday presents

Addison received the first of what we're sure to be her many birthday presents - a baby laptop from Auntie Kaili! When Kaili was here visiting in May, Addison was obsessed with her laptop. Accordingly, Kaili thought a computer of Addison's own would be a good idea. She was right! We've taken the thing everywhere - in the car, into restaurants, into the bathroom in the morning when we're getting ready for work and it's provided endless entertainment. Thank you Kaili!

Addison's "walking" skills are getting more advanced each day. It shouldn't be long now, though we're thinking around 14 months or so. The more and more people we talk to, the more we're finding that many babies don't walk until that 14th or 15th month. We shall see!

Step, step, step....

Father's Day Weekend

Tired, going to bed, but the quick and dirty rundown of the weekend is....

Friday - Mom and Dad's night out, Addison overnight at Grandma/Grandpa Barat's
Saturday - Dad golf, Mom and Addison swim/play date with Sonia and Isabella
Saturday night - Father's Day dinner with Grandma/Grandpa Barat at our house
Sunday - Mom, Dad and Addison playing and relaxing; Addison's "1 year photos" with Erika had to be postponed until Tuesday due to weather

Good night!

Summer!

Lots of fun this weekend - Logan was in town all week and got to meet his sister for the first time. He brought her presents and everything, so she was an immediate fan. We went to the 1st birthday party of Addison's buddy Maxwell (middle name Barrack - is it obvious that his parents are Democrats?) at the most amazing park in Southwest Minneapolis with a zero-grade wading pool with fountains in the center. The water was CHILLY, but should be all warmed up by later in the summer.

We spent a ton of time outside becasue the weather was so nice. Our back yard is looking a lot like a park these days, so instead of heading off to one, we had a picnic out in the grass and set up Addison's own personal wading pool. Abby, Alice and Anna were quick to throw on their suits and help Addison splash in the pool. Again, the water was CHILLY, but it didn't stop or little water baby from crawling right in. Yes, in case you're wondering, we did slather her with sunscreen and then put a hat on her when the girls' mom recommended it. :)

Addison has a newfound respect for Elmo - he is one of the funniest guys she knows. Check out the clip below, or on Flickr for a longer one where she is actually imitating his moves! http://www.flickr.com/photos/elizabethbarat/3629050296/

Our flowers in bloom

Maxwell's bday

Fun outside

Pool time




Elmo fan

Trying to stand

Quick weekend update - 11 months old!

This weekend has been cool and rainy, a welcome relief to our parched lawn and yard. DJ and I, along with his parents, took in a show of the Phantom of the Opera on Saturday. That was the 5th time I've seen it, and it never gets old - I love it! I'm busy dowloading my favorite tunes from the musical so Addison can listen to them on her iPod. :) We left Addison with our neighbors Gwen and John and their 3 girls (future babysitters) who adore Addison. She likely had the best afternoon of her life. When we walked in to get her, the girls were surounding her, playing with stuffed animals, putting on a puppet show, reading her books, hiding behind forts made from blankets - she looked like she was in heaven.

Just over the last week Addison has become increasingly active and a bit more daring, getting into drawers, closing doors, pulling up on the stereo cabinet to mess with the buttons and pointing at absolutely everything in sight. She's even been taking a few little steps forward while holding onto our hands.

Around 8:30am on Sunday we got a phone call from Mara saying Mike got called into work and that she needed help with Eliana - 18 months. Mara had a c-section, so I can only imagine how difficult it is 8 days after surgery having to chase and lift a 22 pounder. So we hung out at the Antonoffs until Mara's mom could come over. Addison took a GREAT nap there and then snacked and played with Eliana. Oh, and she popped another little pearly white tooth on the top right!

Swinging at the lake last weekend

Mara and new baby Sam - Addison was so gentle with him!

Fun new stacking blocks

Baby steps - sorry for the sideways show below!