I Love This Face

Stuck on Stickers

Addison had her first introduction to stickers this summer.  She has found that not only is it fun to put them on paper, but that it can be a blast to plaster herself as well!!  Notice the focus and concentration on her face.  This is serious business.

Little Miss Nudey Pants

You can't deny that there is anything cuter than a little nudey baby bum...  

Preparing for the Big Event

We were so excited when Tim and Kate asked if we would consider allowing Addison to be their flower girl.  Addison and Jax (Kate's nephew, the ring bearer) hit it off right away.  Well, Addison hit it off with Jax and Jax kind of played hard to get.  Jax is a sweet, shy little one and Addison is almost his polar opposite.  He didn't quite know what to think when this little girl didn't hesitate to come right up to him, play with his shoes, and give him a good "whap" in the chest when he got in her way.  They were definitely a great pairing for the wedding and were certain to put on a great show on the big day.

Here Comes the Flower Girl!!

And what a flower girl she made!!  We were a little worried as the day of Uncle Tim and Aunt Kate's wedding  started and Addison was not in the best of moods.  Having a toddler in a wedding party makes for a little unpredictability.  But, she pulled it off like a pro.  

As we approached the long aisle to the front of the ceremony site Addison was quite brave, walking on her own.  Then all of a sudden she got a good look at what she was in for and all the people looking straight at her and Jax and Addison had a change of heart.  She stopped walking and put her hands straight up insisting that mommy carry her.  As we walked down the aisle, I pointed out Uncle Tim at the front.  Addison was thrilled to see him and the big elephant he was holding.  It took no more persuading.  She wanted down and ran to the front to snatch that elephant from her Uncle.  She did it!!  We were so proud!! 

Then came the ceremony... Addison was a doll through the whole thing!  She spent the whole time wandering around talking to people, making sure her face was right in front of the photographer, putting on a show and generally trying to upstage the bride and groom.  At one point she even wandered over to Aunt Kate and Uncle Tim as they were exchanging rings and stood right in between them, looking up to see what they were up to.  During the time where the minister asks if anyone knows any reason why the two should not be married, Addison started giggling for the whole group to hear.  She definitely injected a little of her own personality into the day!

Who She Will Become

It seems pretty hard to believe that our baby is now 18 months old now. Actually she is becoming less and less of a baby and more of a toddler!! It has been such a blast getting to know more about the person that Addison is becoming. She is developing such a wonderful personality and sense of self. There isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't do something that makes us smile or break out into laughter.
Addison is going through the stage where she loves imitating everything that someone else is doing or saying. Today, Curtis was stretching out his arms and she joined right in doing arm circles and following right along. She even thinks it is funny to copy us when we yawn or sigh. Too funny.
There are three things that Addison does right now that makes me giggle. She has a "baby" named Mariam and she loves giving her baby the bottle. Then she will take a sip. Of course it is not a real bottle but it is pretty cute watching her "play mom". It amazes me how creative, imitative, imaginative play comes naturally to little ones.
The second thing she does is she takes anything she can find and uses it as a cloth and cleans up. We were in the boat today and she took daddy's shammy and proceeded to clean the floor and seats. I love it!!
The third thing Addison does is plays "night-night". She takes blankets, sweaters, or anything soft and loves to wrap them around her head. She will walk around forever with these things hanging over her shoulder, draped over her head, or just cuddling with them. Then she wil lie down, cover herself up and say "night-night". It is so sweet!!

They Let the Hunter's in the Zoo!!

What a wonderful 2nd Mother's Day we had!! Curtis, Addison and I decided to spent the day at the Toronto Zoo. It was Addison's first visit and she loved it!! The tigers were one of the first animals
we saw. Addison looked at them with excitement and let out a "meow".

Ummm...yeah, meow...sort of... She also got a kick out of the Orangutans and the Flamingos.
It was a fabulous day. Beautiful sunshine, wonderful family and fresh air. What more could a mom ask for...

The Kleenex Caper

At times Addison can be a real little stinker. We are really working on teaching her the difference between the things that are hers to touch and the things that are mommy and daddy's. She is doing really well with this but at times she thinks it is pretty funny to get into things. And, well, we happen to agree. She is so cute that sometimes we just can't get upset with her!

There is Something About Her

I know that all parents feel that their child is special. But there is just something about Addison. It is like she has the ability to sense when there is someone hurting, or in need. She appears to be extremely sensitive towards others.

We were in the waiting room of the hospital today and Addison immediately took to this one older couple. She was chatting with them, shared her toys with them, wanted them to pick her up etc. We shared stories and they told me about their children who were only an few years younger than me. Addison of course was making them laugh and smile with all her crazy chatting and antics.

At one point the gentleman put Addison on his knee and she cuddled right in. Just then the woman was called in. I mentioned to the man that Addison was about to get an ultrasound and he in turned opened up to say that his wife was about to get a shunt put in for her cancer treatments. She had just been diagnosed with colon cancer. My heart broke for them. And there was Addison being a comfort to him.

When Addison was 5 months old a woman, whom I greatly admire, commented that she had a beautiful old soul. That she could see it in her eyes. I wonder...

Great Grandpa's Girl

One of the hardest things about living away from "home" is not having Addison see my side of the family on a regular basis.
I never want her to feel disconnected from her "roots".
Last time we were visiting Parry Sound, we were able to spend some time with Addison's Great Grandpa Scale. They hadn't seen each other since Christmas. But, it was like no time had passed. He got right into teasing her and she got right down to showing him who the real boss was.
It was a beautiful thing to see the love in both sets of eyes.

What a great Easter day it has been!! We couldn't have asked for a better day together as a family.
Our day today began with going to church together for a wonderful Easter celebration. Curtis was hired to play at a local United church and it was a delight to hear him play. Addison loves hearing her daddy play the trumpet. After the service some of the older youth hid hundreds of plastic eggs, filled with chocolate, throughout the sanctuary. Addison was ecstatic at the sight of all the colour and the kids running to gather them. She found a few, dumped out the chocolate and played with the eggs. All the while squealing with delight. It was so cute!!
Later on in the day we went to Nana & Bubs' (Grace & Sid's) house for an Easter feast. It was wonderful fun to visit with Curtis' family. We all ate too much, of course. But especially Addison. After stuffing her face with veggies and beef, we found that she was also a tomato lover!! The girl ate them like they were candy!! Then, oh boy, she found a cupcake. And that was the end of everything. She stuffed it into herself and ate the whole thing. Who knew that such a little girl could pack in the food like that!! It would almost be equal to an adult eating a whole cake!! At one point she thought we were going to take it from her and she freaked!
But, the aftermath...she became this crazed, sugar high being. It was insane!! It was like she was a different child. Addison spent about an hour running mad through the house. Pick up a stuffy, run down the hall, throw the stuffy, chase the cat, jump on grandma, pick the stuffy up, run into the kitchen, and on and on. All the while talking and babbling like a mad woman. I have never laughed so hard! Ever wonder what a baby on speed would look like? Give them a cupcake.
It was a wonderful Easter and I can't wait until next year when Addison will finally be old enough to have a visit from the Easter Bunny!!