I have been making cornbread for years. Muffins, pans, loaves, you name it, I love it. This month, I decided to let Addie in on the fun.

We have made pancakes before, so she knows about stirring and pouring in water… But this time she decided to do it her way.

Jess doesn’t eat cornbread, so I figured what the heck. If it’s just me and Addie eating it, who cares what goes into it… so the question arises. Have you ever had PLUM good corn bread???

Not my most exciting blog ever… but memories don’t fade when you catch them on film.

Lately, baloons have been all over the media thanks to Balloon Boy.

It seems only appropriate my little Addie should get her share of balloon recognition as well. Afterall, she loves Balloons. However, I would never let her near a large silver “aircraft” type balloon she could crawl inside and float 7000 feet over the ground for 3 hours… but thats just me.

Here are some Addie size balloons I am happy to let her play with.

I hope you all read the title in a sing song voice, and even moreso I hope you thought of Dory in Finding Nemo. But just in case you didn’t enjoy this little clip, courtesy of Disney and…me!

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Right! So, now that you all know what swimming is, and what a fish is. Have you ever wondered what a fish out of water looks like?

A BIRD!!

Last weekend my brother Tony invited Grams, Jess, Addie and I over to his apartment to go swimming; and while he never got in the pool, he had fun watching and we had fun splashing, swimming and laughing.

Dear Addie,
I am writing you your first letter since you turned one. I know I should date something like 1 year and 1 month… or 13 months, but if I keep writing to you in weeks will you stay little forever?

Little. I think that term is silly. You are 36″ tall and weigh 26 lbs. You are certainly not little. Just the other night, I went to check on you and I noticed just how big you looked in your crib. I wondered to myself, how long is this going to last. When do I have to get rid of the crib and get you the “Big Girl” Bed. You already have one ya know. It was mine, from when I was a girl. It’s hard to believe you are growing that fast. Of course, you have a toddler bed too.. So at least there is some solace in knowing I can gradually adjust to the idea of you in a big girl bed.

I cannot even begin to imagine just how full of wonder and curiosity your little head holds. My whole world has flip-flopped and I’ve begun to look at things a little different now. Day in and day out I see the same things, but each day you remind me to stop and touch, smell and laugh at things I may have completely overlooked. Who knew, while I was teaching you about the world around me, you would be doing the same for me.

I was listening to a CD the other day and started to tear up as I really listened to the words. I realized just how amazing you are. Just how amazing it is to watch you learn and grow. Everyone adores you and comments about your big blue eyes. “Amazing” is the word most frequently used. Your Daddy and I laugh all the time about how much trouble we will be in when you turn 15. But then, you’ll be 780 weeks old, so maybe you will still be Mommy’s little girl afterall.

I love you very much,
Mom

ALWAYS – PLUMB

Out of nowhere
You came
From a little dust
And a little rain
And when I looked down at
Your face
It showed to me
The truth and grace

I will always try to keep you very safe

So open up your eyes
So they can look in mine
And see a small reflection
And when you close your eyes
I pray the thoughts inside
Are beautiful and true

I won’t always
Be this strong
And I won’t always
Be the one
To kiss the bruise
Or heal the scrapes
To wipe the tear drops
From your face
But I will always love you more each day

What a fun filled weekend! Jess and I both took Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday off for Addie’s birthday in order to spend as much time with her as possible. We visited the Aquarium on Thursday (her actual birthday) due to inclement weather.

On Friday, we visited the Zoo! Addie loved the birds and Meerkats.

Then came the big Birthday Bash!!
Addie got a new Wagon from Grumps…

She enjoyed her first taste of sugar in her very own strawberry shortcake!

Addie turns One!!

She loves to share!

And we were surrounded by friends and family, it couldn’t have been a better day.

What is it?

You want me to do what? Eat it??

From 10 months

You’re Freakin Hilarious

Here goes nothing!

That wasn’t so bad…

Now you try! Sharing is Caring!!!

Looks like I hit my $400 mark after all… thanks to a last minute donation (I LOVE LOVE LOVE you Rayn!!!!) Just wanted to add that in.

You can still donate by clicking here… I remind you even a dollar helps, so if you live in Ohio (or anywhere else for that matter) and read my blog, I urge you to donate a dollar or more for all the entertainment I provide you free of charge!!
Now, on with the walk!

This morning was the MS 2009 Walk at the Gateway Center in Downtown SLC. What fun! It was bitterly cold and Windy so Addie got bundled up nice and warm and we braved the outdoors with about 3000 other people.

We woke bright and early (about 6:15) and had breakfast, played about for a bit then headed to Gateway where we registered. I got my hat, shirt and gold (orange) balloon to walk with.

Addie grabbed a bagel (literally) and we sat down to wait. And wait. And wait. Did I mention it was cold? At about 9, I took Addie back to the car so we could warm up and she would settle down enough to take a nap.

At 10:00, a last minute purchase of a golf umbrella at Dicks sporting goods put my mind at ease, just in case it rained, and we were off!

Not that we raced by any means. I started walking with Team Lizard and my good friends Kat, Mat and Lukas. But somewhere along the lines lost them in the crowd and met up with Nadia, Dimitri and their German Shepherd Max. Dimitri was my reason for walking… and an awesome friend and husband to one of my BFF’s I might add!

It was a 3 mile trek through downtown salt lake. It took about an hour and 45 minutes, including a 20 minute stop at the half way point for bananas and oranges. Addie did amazingly well and didn’t cry at all, despite the wind.

At the end of the walk we all received applause and gold medals for participating, Even Addie and Max got one!

What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday Morning. I feel great for having walked 3+ miles, and feel even better knowing I did it for MS, and finding a cure!

Dear Mom,

I have been having so much fun and been so busy at Grandma Steph and Aunt Ali’s house that I don’t have time for naps. One half hour is all I can allow – there’s just too much to do. Now it’s lunch time and boy am I hungry. Aunt Ali is eating her lunch and feeding me. (Talk about multi-talented, I have a rough time just opening my mouth and swallowing). She’s feeding me *yawn* sweet potatoes *yawn* and applesauce *yawn*. It’s yumm . . . . *snore*

Your tired daughter
Addie

From 9 Months

I bet you didn’t know that February was take a marshmallow to the park day did you? Well, it was. So we bundled Addie up and took her to the park for her first ride on a slide and to see what she has to look forward to this summer when she can run around on her own.

Alright, so she doesn’t totally resemble a marshmallow, maybe a “Peep” though….

Jess was able to get in some good practice with his camera and I got some really cute photos to blog.. just for you!

She was a bit unsure of the slide…

From 8 Months

In Fact, she really didn’t like it much at all…

From 8 Months

But surprise surprise, she loves to swing!

From 8 Months

From 8 Months

But most of all she loved to watch the children run around… What a great day at the park.

From 8 Months

Adeline,
Oh my, 40 weeks. Has it really been that long? Out as long as you were in. I hardly recognize the pictures of you as a newborn. I can’t picture you not being able to hold your head upright, or giggle when your Daddy tosses you in the air.

Child of mine, how the time flies. When I creep into your room at night to make sure you are warm, and that Chloe is near… that you have a nightlight and some toys to play with when you wake up, I can hardly picture you small, inside your crib.

Each day you become more your own person, real…with a personality to match.

As the morning light hits your window and you slowly wake up, I hear you stir and know soon the cooing will fill my room through the baby monitor that sits next to me. I hear you sit up, and take in your surroundings. Your toys and have awakened with you and conversation ensues. You to turn on the mobile and now your cooing is joined with the soft sounds of Beethoven or  Bach.  Every once in a while I hear you sigh, and I wonder… are you waiting for me? Are you waiting for me to come in and tell you it’s ok to start the day? But instead of disturbing your morning social, I’ll just listen… I know soon enough this time will be gone, and instead of waiting for the day to start because I say it’s time… you will run to me and let me know the sun has come up and now it is time.

And yet, while I can’t wait for the day to come that you climb out of your bed and join me in mine, all cuddly and warm… I still remember the days when you fell alseep in my arms and I was able to jusy hold you, and you were content. Those days are few and far between now. So I know the time that I get to listen to you tell your toys about what your plans are for that day will also pass all too soon.

So for now, I will lay here and listen to you tell your stories while Bach softly comforts you as you wait to start your day.