Thursday, July 14, 2011

20 Months


Addison and Emma have been doing so much better! We were able to make a trip over to Pensacola, FL to see family. We spent most of our days playing at the beach.  The girls and little Grady also made a trip to a indoor Bouncy House while the guys went golfing. We had a great time and it’s so fun to see the kids play together. 

Emma and Addison are quickly approaching the 2 year mark. Although I enjoy seeing them grow and learn it’s hard to come to terms with my little babies getting so big. 

Since Addison’s cast came off she is walking more and more every day. It’s difficult for her to put all of her weight on her left leg and for her to straighten out her foot while she walks, but the dr. assures me she will recover from this with no physical therapy. She definitely progresses each day so we’ll keep encouraging her to use her muscles as much as possible. Lately, Addison has really been into learning new words. Her favorite new words are “please” and “mess”. Please sounds like “peas”! She also loves to gives kisses and hugs. She says, “Mmmmm” when she gives a kiss. Addison also points to herself and says, “Addi” as if to tell us who she is, then she points to her sister and says, “Emma”. For a while she was calling herself Emma so I’m glad we straightened that out! I’m also discovering that Addison likes order. She loves to take bibs, socks, napkins, towels, etc. and lay them out carefully as she flattens them into piles. She will also organize puzzles. Clearly she gets this from her father! 

Emma is our resident wild child. She continues to push limits in every way. She has little fear of trying new things. She has become very familiar with the time out chair, especially at dinner time. Throwing food on the floor is one of her favorite ways to push our buttons. Emma has a lot of spunk! As long as we keep her busy she’s happy.  It’s fun to watch her entertain herself. Since we’ve been home I’ve caught her in front of a mirror several times making faces at herself. She also loves to get on our bed and hop and roll around. I realize this is probably not the best form of entertainment.  Emma’s favorite new word is “eagle”, which she learned from a book our friend gave the girls. Someone also taught Emma that burping is funny. So now she pretends to burp to get a laugh.
Emma with Daddy

Aunt KK with Emma, Anna Cross, and Grady in bounce house

Cousin Anna Cross after going down the slide

Partners in crime... pretty sure that's Emma on the way down first

Emma getting a little assistance from Aunt KK before going down the slide

Cousin Grady

Addison

Emma

Grady giving Emma and Anna Cross a ride

Headed for the slip and slide

Anna Cross drove too!

Aunt KK had to run along beside AC

Grady taking the cousins through the water!

Addison decided she would give it a try. She's in the middle. Emma is preparing for the water coming.

At one point Addison and Anna Cross were holding hands.

Daddy and Addison

Addison (standing) and Emma
Emma riding the wave

Emma falling off the gator



Addison left, Emma right

Their idea of fun. Emma standing Addi kneeling

Addison wanted to put on almost every baby sock they had. So funny!

Friday, July 1, 2011

We Finally Made It


I know many others go through the challenges of their child being in a body cast much longer than we had to endure, and my heart goes out to them because it is very difficult to a.) see your child in pain, b.) manage their care, and c.) not grow anxious with staying indoors for so long. But, we FINALLY made it to the day the cast came off this past Tues. Addison was so excited as was everyone else who cares for her! Unfortunately, it will take a while to relearn to walk. Right now she is crawling and pulling up to objects. She still has trouble straightening her leg in the places it was bent in the cast. Each day she seems to gain more strength and mobility. The doctor told us to expect it to take weeks for her to learn to walk. I think she will be up and running in a couple of weeks. It helps to have a sister to chase after! 


As soon as we think everyone around here is healthy, Addison, followed by Emma, came down with hand, mouth and foot disease this week. These two have had stomach bugs, broken leg, and now this since May! I’m telling you, at times I feel beaten down by all this. I pray for strength each day. 


There is no way we could have gotten through these past few months on our own. We are blessed to have a great family and wonderful friends (including Brian’s co-workers) to lend a helping hand. Charlotte, Brian’s step-mother, came for a week to help when Addison broke her leg. My sister-in-laws, Katie and Mary Grace, came for  a week with my niece and nephew, Anna Cross and Grady. Then, my mom came with my niece, Layla for a week. There were very few days of being on my own with the girls. Brian’s co-worker/friend, Liz, organized dinners for us for an entire week! Many others offered support and prayers for us and our girls. We appreciate this so much and will never take for granted the blessings you all have provided us! 


Below are the few photos I have taken over the past few weeks. I didn’t even take my camera out when my mom was here. As things return to normal (whatever normal is) around here I hope I can be more diligent about posting updates on the girls. 

Addison and her "melon" She goes crazy when she sees them in the store. I didn't think I was going to be able to cut this one because she wouldn't let go.

One way to have fun while you can't walk is to get a laundry basket ride around the house.


Emma, Grady, Anna Cross, and Addison in the ball pit at Children's Museum

Anna Cross is all done!

They decided to try a smaller one. Grady would pretty much submerge himself and you would see parts of his little face poking out. Hilarious!

Aunt Katie helping Addiosn walk around.

Our attempt at getting 4 toddlers to be still for a photo. Emma in purple, Anna Cross with pink bow, Addison and Grady opposite of them

Even Chief was trying to figure out what we were doing.

Attempt #2

Anna Cross giving us a little "CHEESE"  behind Emma.

Almost all of them looking at the camera!

Attempt number 3, All toddlers get in Emma's crib

Father's day: Took the girls to Krispy Cream

Can you tell Addison likes the sprinkles!