Bermuda Triangle

Okay so maybe it just feels like we have been lost for awhile (hence the Bermuda Triangle reference). Really we have still been here, in good ol' Clarksville, just crazy busy! So, is anyone still out there reading this? haha
One of my most exciting pieces of news, and the reason I wanted to start writing updates again.... Addison stood all by herself yesterday! This from a girl who has not even attempted to start crawling. Just a week and a half ago she was showing interest in standing up, while holding on to the couch, leaning on the door, etc. Then yesterday as I stood her next to a stand up toy at daycare she just let go. I expected her to fall right on her booty but nope she just stood there staring up at me. Of course her teacher and I shouted in surprise which then caused her to fall on her booty, but it was a great 45 seconds while it lasted.
Other bits of interesting news... hmmm... went to a pumpkin patch last weekend. I am pretty sure she will be asking for a llama for Christmas because there was absolutely no interest in the pumpkins or the hayrides or even in the other children. Just the llama. (Which I of course did not let her touch WHATSOEVER!)
My family is coming down for Thanksgiving, we are all very excited to have everyone in our home. I would not be surprised if Addie Grace were walking by then! I know my family is really excited to see her as well.
We recently bought a jogging stroller and I have been running every morning. She loves it and I at first was not happy about it, but now that I am getting into the routine it is something I really look forward to. A girlfriend and I are also thinking about starting a fitness group for working moms in January. But we will actually make it open to ALL working moms (whether they choose to work inside or outside of the home). Which, discussion for a later date, is something that I am quickly realizing a lot of businesses do not cater to. Hello? Am I not considered a mother just because I get my own paycheck? Do you think I would not like to participate in a yoga class, MOPS group, etc. too? Not everyone has free time between 10:00am-11:00am people!
This weekend we are going to just hang out relax, and hopefully do a little shopping for a certain someone's Halloween costume. I really wanted Addie to be Rachel Zoe for Halloween, but Alex thought that was a ridiculous idea so now I have to come up with a plan B. Pictures posted soon!

A Very Merry Unbirthday

Half of a year has come and gone in the blink of an eye, and it has been the most life changing six months of... well of my life.  I cannot believe my little baby girl is getting so big.  Most of the time we are excited, Alex and I love that every day she is learning new things and becoming more independent.  We are not "newborn people" by any sense of the imagination and now that she will entertain herself with toys and likes to play she is so much more fun.  But then another smaller part of me is saying, "NO! You are getting bigger every day!  Just freeze where you are right now!"  Oh well, I just thank God every day for the time we do get with her because she is such a blessing and a joy.  

She can sit up on her own completely, there are very few times she even topples over.  She still hates to be on her belly, so I don't know when she will crawl (hopefully not for a very long time still! :)  Her favorite thing to do is sit with her toys all around her and just take her arms and scoop up every single toy at the same time trying to get everything into her mouth.  

With the warmer weather upon us we could not wait to get out the kiddie pool and see her response. It has all been positive!  She is a little fish and loves to just splash in the water, float around in her rubber duck, or (most shocking) stick her face in the water.  On top of that, she must drink out of our glass every time we have water (if she got her way it would be any liquid but I am putting my foot down at not giving her green tea or beer!)  If I was every leery about germs or baby slobber before I have gotten over it now.  She will stick her face in our glass blow bubbles or, more often, lick up the water like a dog). 

It is for this reason and others why we have started referring to her as "fourth dog".  There are so many ways that babies are like dogs I don't know why people used to get offended when I would compare our beloved canines to their snotty children.  1) You teach children all the same commands as a dog ("sit", "stay", "no", "leave it") 2) they like to have the back of their ears rubbed... but maybe this is only my child? 3) they both cost a fortune if you take care of them properly 4) inevitably you end up making silly goo-goo voices while you are speaking to them.

Tomorrow we are going to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga.  I am so excited to watch her surrounded by fish!  The aquarium also has a butterfly room, which thousands of butterflies are just out flapping and landing all over you.  I think she will either love it or smush a bunch of butterflies with her wildly flailing arms.  Hopefully for the butterflies sake not the latter!