The Next Cammi Granato

Okay, so Addison is a long way from being compared to the greatest female U.S. hockey player ever, but she strapped on some skates for the first time last night and loved every minute of it (and I think was actually quite good for a first-timer). Here we are, lacing up our skates and getting bundled up.

Going in we thought she'd last 20 minutes max, considering she gets purple lips in heated indoor pools (her body fat % must be exactly 0.0%). An hour and a half later, we had to tell her that the ice rink was closing so that we could make a graceful exit. Ultimately, we left for two reasons: (1) Kara had been patiently waiting on the outside, taking pictures, and being continuously cold and (2) my back was on fire from skating in a stooped position so that I could hold under Addi's armpits. The back pain I am experiencing today was totally worth it to see Addi have so much fun.

Of course, a huge debt of thanks goes to Karen and Steve (aka Auntie Kunga and Uncle Pete in Addi-speak). Steve is a great skater (and Karen is no slouch) so I really wanted him to come to Addi's first skate so that he could provide much needed assistance. For the first few rounds of the ice, Steve and I skated on either side of Addi while holding an arm. Then we thought, why should both of us stoop for so long and kill ourselves? So we switched to taking turns skating behind Addi and holding her up. The best part about this technique is that Karen makes a great engine, and would push us from behind so all we had to to was point our skates and keep Addi on her feet.

Addi kept wanting to switch from her feet, to riding on a chair and being pushed at high speed (slow for us, but fast for her of course). This technique provided Steve and I with much needed back relief.


It wouldn't be a night with the Fergs if we didn't do a little screwing around. Karen and I did our best impersonation of high schoolers on a first date at the local rink, while Steve taught Addi the finer points of figure skating. All those years as Brian Boitano's understudy are really paying off for Steve.


Last, but not least, here is a video clip of the event. You may want to take some Dramamine before viewing because I was skating (forward and backward if you can believe it) while filming.

Belly Revisited

Last night Brian and I finished our last childbirth class! We had such a great time in our class and absolutely loved our instructor. She was very unbiased in class, but she is also a doula and had her children naturally, so she was a great source for information on VBACS and natural childbirth techniques. We are both very pumped up for a different birth experience this go around, and barring any unforeseen complications (knock on wood) we hope to have a drug-free natural delivery. I think we had our fair share of difficulties during Addi's pregnancy -- what are the odds of having a partial abruption, premature labor, premature rupture of membranes, a footling breech baby and a prolapsed cord? Hopefully we are in the clear this time : )

I am already 30 weeks along, and things are going great! I only have 5 more weeks of progesterone injections and then we will be in the home stretch. This baby has been fabulous. She is contantly wiggling and squirming, but she is so gentle at the same time. Feeling her move throughout the day (and night) has been an utter joy. It is also so much fun talking with Addi about having a new baby. She loves helping around the house and will relish the role of big sister. Right now she is especially excited that she gets the brand new big girl carseat while the baby gets her hand-me-down.

Let's hope that baby stays cookin' for 10 more weeks and I get even more ginormous : )

Addi The Pampered

This week was full of girlie firsts for Addi. Although she has had her toes painted before, it has always been done by Mama. Daddy decided to take the reigns this time and give Addi her toddler pedi. He was very proud of himself, so documentation was necessary : )


Addi loves to help dry.


This weekend Addi got her very first haircut ever! We decided to pop into this place that we had seen while shopping. We were a bit overwhelmed at first, as this place was over the top -- pink hair accessories everywhere, and a price list that consists of manis, pedis, and fancy hairstyles up the wazoo. It is the type of place that caters to what we call "Highlands Ranch Moms" -- Moms who must fit the following criteria: wear and carry designer everything, unabashedly practice some form of eating disorder, and have no accurate or credible knowledge of any current events. Addi left the place with multiple butterfly clips and glitter spray in her hair. Ugh! It was all in good fun though, and she felt like a princess while Bri and I had a good chuckle. Next time I think we'll take her someplace that doesn't strive to create little girls that look like street-walkers.


She needed a bit of encouragement -- it was a bit scary at first.


The finished product -- you can't see the glitter spray, but it is in there!

Excessive Cuteness

This post is a random compilation of Addi-cuteness. This first pic is of the big girl before one of our walks through the Highlands Ranch Trails. The walk was very eventful -- the dogs saw a coyote and actually approached it! Luckily the coyote didn't want anything to do with them and simply walked away to find another spot to doze. It was far away and the dogs were off leash, so I'm not sure Addi even saw it, although she did get excited from all of our excitement.


Noni made Addi a sling for her baby doll this Christmas. Needless to say she loves it!!! She spent an entire morning making me food in her play kitchen with her baby tightly wrapped to her chest -- what a nurturer.


Here is the cutest of all! Addi recently learned to sing all of the words to "You are My Sunshine." Brian usually sings her the song in the morning when she comes into our room and he wants her to sit still on the bed. She loves it when he sings to her, and now she can sing to us!

Addi the Big Girl Helper

Since we got a new Dyson for Christmas we had to test it out on every surface in the entire house. Brian and I spent an entire weekend just cleaning and nesting like crazy fools. Addison loves nothing more than pretending to clean -- honestly I don't know where she gets it and it is turning into a kind of sick, obsessive compulsive addiction. She would rather pretend to clean things than pretend play anything else! Addi decided that she would help vacuum, so what more appropriate way than to help from atop Daddy's back?


Finally, now Addi has a new favorite version of pretend play! She has become quite the nurturer and will spend great amounts of time and attention tending to her baby doll. She simply calls her "Baby" and loves to feed her, change her diaper and put her down for frequent naps. The other night we gave Baby a booster seat in the high chair so Addi could spoon feed her some cereal.


Addi also loves to feed Baby Mommy milk. One would think that I would have taught her how babies drink Mommy milk, but Brian actually did. It was so cute to stumble upon him and Addi one day as he was telling her all about it, with Baby held to his bare nipple for the full demonstration. (Side bar -- I feel really lucky that I have a husband, and Addi has a Daddy, who is so extremely secure in his masculinity : )

New Year

We never feel like facing the crowds or noise on New Year's, so usually we just hang with our good friends The Fergs and play uber nerd games like Settlers of Catan and eat a bunch of snacks. It was awesome! A bunch of rowdy neighbors set off some fireworks, but other than that the evening was fun, quiet and comfortable.


The dogs felt it necessary to all crowd onto the same dog bed during the scary fireworks (the yellow dog is Molly and she belongs to the Fergs). Safety in numbers right?


Of course Addi slept through it all! We were going to let her stay up for the celebration, but she crashed around 10:30 -- maybe next year kiddo!

Belly

Here is the 25 week pic! Everything is going smoothly with Dos and I have been feeling great. I feel as though I am getting huge, and the little one provides me with tons of kicks each day. She is such a squirmer, but also a really gentle kicker, so I am lucky that I get to feel her all day long, but I don't experience much discomfort either. Brian and I are testing out a new name on the baby each week to see which ones we like and which ones we don't. I am halfway through my progesterone shots and only have 10 more weeks to go!

Star the Christmas Horse

This Christmas Eve we had Nana and Zia over for a fun-filled dinner and gift exchange. They got Addi one of her favorite gifts to date -- a ride-on horse named Star (after Zia's childhood horse). As always Brian had a great time just putting the toy together, and Addi was thrilled when she finally got to take a ride.


I'm not even sure this one needs an explanation.


Buster needed some snuggles. Addi's not the only one who adores her new horse!


The finished product!


Addi crashed after all of the excitement.


Now that Addi has had some time to play with Star, she is a literal pro at mounting and dismounting her, and riding her at speeds that are a bit scary. She also talks to her a lot and tells her that she loves her and how beautiful she is -- it is so sweet, it just melts our hearts : )