HIGHS and lows

Well, we have had a very up an down month.
It started with waking up on the morning of January 23rd (Addison's birthday) to a baby who was choking and having difficulty breathing. SCARY!! We rushed Addison to the local ER where she was diagnosed with having the croup. The doctor gave our little one a dose of steroids to help open up her breathing passageways. We left the hospital with Addison in better spirits and mommy feeling a little better. But, we were also given the warning that the upcoming nights would be a little rough. And indeed they were!
For the next couple weeks we were woken up several times a night to our baby coughing, choking and having difficulty breathing. There is nothing worse than the totally helpless feeling we had during these nights. The only thing we could do was to take her into the steamy bathroom and hope that would help relieve her congested passage ways.
After two weeks, with little improvement, Addison was finally diagnosed with RSV (a respiratory virus) and again we were told that there was nothing we could do. It would have to just run its course. But, if in another week it was no better, we were to go back.
The week that followed was one of the most difficult that we have ever had to experience with her. Addison became very lethargic. For a week she didn't play, wouldn't walk around and only wanted to cuddle and suck her thumb. We went a week without hearing our little girl laugh. She wasn't our usual joyful little girl. Our hearts were breaking.
So, back to the doctor. Our paediatrician informed us that, on top of everything else, Addison now also had an ear infection. How much more could this little one have thrown at her!?!? So, he prescribed her an antibiotic to help with the infection and a puffer to help with the cough and breathing.
We got her home, gave her the meds and put her to bed. After a two hour sleep she woke up a totally different baby! She was ready to play and we felt elated to hear her laugh. The miracle of modern medicine.
Hopefully we never have to go through anything like this again! Although I am sure this is not the last illness...

Potty Princess

During Addison's 1st year check up her pediatrician and I discussed potty training. He mentioned that it was way too early to expect anything on this front but he often encouraged parents to allow the babies to become familiar with potties so that when it "came time" it wasn't such a big deal.
We decided to pull out her "potty throne" and let her have a play. Addison climbed on, and in, it. She loved it! I mean what is there not to love. It opens and shuts, you can sit on it, and it sings. Everything a little heart desires in a potty.
After seeing how much fun Addison had sitting on it, we decided to give it a go. Our goal was to sit her on the potty every night before her bath so that she could become acquainted with her new throne.
First night she sat. Stood up. Cried. Then peed on the floor.
That's ok!! She sat on it. Yeah!! And she peed in front of it. Yeah!! I felt that was a tremendous accomplishment for a 12 month old.
Curtis. Not as impressed. "Can the potty", he said!!
No way. This was too much fun!!
Night two. She sat on the potty while the bath ran. We read a book (that is what we all do on our thrones) and sang "Patta Cake". All of a sudden the potty started playing this crazy trumpet fanfare. "What the heck!", I exclaimed! "We have a faulty throne! It's only suppose to sing when someone pees in it!"
I looked down and sure enough there was pee. In the potty this time. WHAT!?!?
And the rest is history. Addison has taken to peeing on the potty! Now, mind you, she by no means potty trained. She just likes to have her daily piddle on her throne.
She piddles, points at her piddle then gives herself a big clap. What a girl!!

What A Walker!!

Addison has become quite the walker. Actually, walker is an understatement. Runner would be a more accurate description! It has been about a month since she started taking a few steps here and there. Then, the day after her first birthday, she just took off! Now the girls can't be stopped!
She is so proud of her efforts and often pauses for a moment to applaud her efforts. She will literally stop and clap for herself. It is too cute!
Addison is at the point right now where she is almost refusing to crawl anywhere. She wants to show off her new talent and can often be found walking laps in the basement.
But, the road to walking has not been a smooth one. Our poor little girl has endured her fair share of bumps, bruises, and the occasional bleeding nose. Yes, bleeding nose. That is what landing nose first on a hardwood floor will do to you! But, nothing will hold her back. She shakes it off, stands up, and once again, is off to the races!

The Big Day

Addison spent her actual birth day hanging out with her mommy and her best friend Ceilidh (and Ceilidh's mommy Thelma) at "Little Feet Fitness and Fun". Little Feet is an indoor play area designed for the little ones.
Addison and Ceilidh had a blast climbing in and around things, jumping in the jumping castle, playing with the balls and riding in the cars. Addison found a few things that she took a quick liking to. The first was the jumping castle. She couldn't actually jump in it but she loved sitting there while the other kids did! The second was anything that she could climb through and the third favorite of the day was the cars that she could climb in and get pushed around. What a great time we had!!
Later on that day we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Hunter and Nan and Bubs. We enjoyed a spaghetti dinner and cupcakes (all made by mommy). Mmmmmm...

Splish, Splash. It's a Birthday Bash!

On January 19th we got together with friends and family to celebrate Addison's 1st birthday. What a party it was!! Some may have thought it a little extravagant for a first birthday party. But it was more than that. It was our opportunity to thank all of our friend and family who have been so wonderful to our new little family over the past year. I guess you could say that it was a "thank for helping us make it to Addison's first birthday" party. Who knew that "parenthood" could be so challenging and yet so rewarding. It is the love and support of our loved ones that keeps us grounded.
The party started of with some splashing and fun in the pool and was followed by some wonderful Italian food and delicious birthday cake.
Addison was given many wonderful and thoughtful gifts. But most importantly was the fact that she was surrounded with loved ones.

Ladies and Gentlemen, WE HAVE A WALKER! Sort of.

Well, it has been a couple of months now that Addison has been walking around the furniture
(since she was about 9 1/2 months old). And in the last month she has shown her daredevil side and began letting go. It was the cutest thing. She would steady herself. Lift one hand. Slowly raise the other. 1..2..BOOM. On the bum. But she is a determined little one and would get right back up.
Then she would get in a stance with one foot in front of the other, lift the hands, we would get all excited thinking she was going to take a step and she would lift the wrong foot (the one in front) and BOOM. On her bum.
Then Friday. Tah, Dah!! She moved the correct foot and took her first step. It was so exciting!! She is very proud of herself and moves from the footstool to the couch all the while grinning from ear to ear.
To top it all off, she took two steps today. What a show off.
Watch out world. Addison's a walker. Almost.

Winter Wonderland

Ok. This post might be a little out of order. But I love these pictures and wanted to include them for everyone to see.
Christmas Day in Parry Sound was perfect for a family walk. We bundled up and took Addison out for her first ride in a toboggan. SHE LOVED IT!!
You couldn't ask for a more perfect memorable moment. Crisp white snow, clean fresh air, and the ones you love.