Addison 21/22 Months Old

Our little Lou is growing up. She is now about 24 pounds and growing quickly. This month she has really started talking. She is finally moving past the basic one word answers. I love watching her put mini sentences together. The sweetest thing she does is calls everyone "Yoshi." She will hand out a toy and say, "Here you go, Yoshi." She is even talking more to strangers. Her stranger danger is gone and she is becoming a pint size social butterfly. She still doesn't know how to share her toys but she doesn't mind parallel playing with others. 

Addison has continued her swim lessons. She is sooo ready for the next level. I cannot believe how quickly she progressed from clinging to me during class to being independent in the water. She does everything asked of her and even some extras. She can get in and out of the water on her own. She digs, kicks and does bubbles on demand. She will jump into our arms and float around with her puddle jumper. We have three more classes and then she moves up to level two. This means our parent/ child classes are behind us. It's a bitter sweet time for this Momma.

Addison has recently started open gym gymnastics. Basically we get to plan in the gym with the coaches but it isn't too structured. Addison's favorite thing to do is run the tumble track. She enjoys rearranging the toys and climbing over the beams (not walking across them). We will be doing the open gym about twice a week for the next several months. We may join an actual class once Addison is a little older. Addison this month also learned how to ride a scooter. She does it quite well but at a snails pace. It's adorable to watch!

Addison has been out of her crib setting for over a month. Basically all we did was take down the rail and put up a tiny one that will hopefully prevent her from fall onto the floor but it doesn't keep her in if she wants to get down. We have had several good nights and a few rough ones putting her back into her bed. More recently it has been mostly good nights. Just another reminder that our baby girl is growing up.

Alexa calls Addison "Add." They play really well together and building their own friendship. I hope this continues. That's about it for this month(s). I hope I do better in the future but the reality is I am too busy living my life to sit down and type about it. One day... one day...

Family Vacation

We took our first long vacation in over 2 years. Of course we have had lots of small weekend trips but that's just not the same as having 10 full days together as a family. Our first flight was filled with apprehension of how a 5 hour flight would go with two girls. The plane was equipped with TV screens that had movies, shows and games for the kids. It was wonderful. Alexa was a trooper the entire way. She became a little frustrated with her sister do to the tight quarters. Overall she was our all star traveler. Addison did fairly well. She wanted to move more then she was able but accepted the situation pretty quickly. She was not able to sleep but still remained in surprisingly good spirits. When we arrived in Atlanta it was raining. Alexa was excited to see such a rare thing. She played in the rain for 20 minutes while we waited on Justin to bring the car around. The girls stayed up until their normal time that night and woke up pretty well adjusted. Heading East seemed easy on us.

The next day was spent in Atlanta with Justin's Mom and brothers. The girls of course had professional pictures done with their cousins and even went to Build a Bear. Alexa made a unicorn and picked out every accessory they had. Addison made a "doggie" that barks. They were two happy girls.

Sunday morning we woke up early and drove to Columbia, South Carolina. We attended church and went out to eat with some old friends. Alexa told everyone she saw how she is 4 1/2 years old and not a baby anymore. I loved being able to show her all the places that have such deep meaning to us. We stayed in a hotel downtown and had a view of the hospital Alexa was born at. In the afternoon Justin took the girls swimming. Alexa became very comfortable with her back floating and swimming. We were suppose to have dinner with more friends but we were put under a tornado watch. So instead we watched the Cavalier's play and ate at the hotel.

On Monday morning we drove to Greenville to visit with Bill. We stayed there two days and had a great time. The girls enjoyed playing with Oreo and of course Uncle Brandon. On Wednesday we drove to Aunt Karen & Uncle Bill's house. Its been 3 years since we have seen them. I am glad they know live "en route" to some of our family. We were all able to meet Aidan & Reese. The kids played really well together. Karen & Justin took the girls to the park and we all went out to eat. That night Addison had lots of trouble sleeping. It turned into a really long night for Justin.

The next morning (Thursday) we drove down the road to Grandma & Grandpa Schoolcraft's house. The girls were so happy being able to run around in the yard. Alexa helped Grandpa pick the dandelions. Addison continued to be fussy and that's when I decided we needed a thermometer and some medicine. Just as I suspected, Addison was sick. Fortunately her fever was low grade. We had some quiet time just the two of us that evening while Justin and Alexa went out to eat with some family. Addison had another rough night of sleep but her fever did break.

On Friday morning we did our last driving of the trip to Raleigh. There we saw Grammie, Nana, Pepere, Brandon, Jason, Leah & Grandpa and Grandma Schoolcraft. The girls stayed with Grammie on Friday evening while Justin and I went to a graduation social. It was nice to be able to get away for a few hours. The girls slept and gave Grammie no trouble. Unfortunately, Justin was still very exhausted from the night before so we had an early night. Saturday was graduation day. We were surprised to see Pawpaw & Mawmaw Susan come. I think my girls were on Grandparent overload this week. The girls played on their tablets, colored pictures and watched Daddy graduate. Addison got a little talkative so she went out for a few minutes. After the ceremony we did pictures and then went to the reception. My awesome Mom stayed in the car with Addison while she slept. Once she woke up the girls spent time with all their family members.

Saturday afternoon we went swimming and hung out at the hotel. It was a great weekend!

On Sunday we did one last swim and went down to Chapel Hill to check out the school since the rain finally stopped. We said some last goodbyes before heading to the airport.

For some reason we were way less prepared going home. We got to the airport and had to get a bellman to help with the bags. Our suitcases put on their vacation weight and we had to move things around. We were 8lbs over on the grownup suitcase. I could not believe it. The girls and I made it through security and then met up with Justin. Addison decided to give us a warming of what was ahead. She kept pooping in her diaper and we were trying to board the plane. I think she went through 3 or 4 diapers in a matter of 5 hours.

The girls did pretty good on the way home. This flight was longer than the first one. The idea of a 6 hour flight was scarier than it actually was. Alexa fell asleep in her chair and Addison on the floor. They slept for about an hour before we had to land. We were sooo happy to be home in our beds that night.