Watch Week at Dance Class

A couple of weeks ago was watch week at dance class, which means the parents are able to come into the dance studio and watch the kids dance. Normally the parents are not allowed in the studio, the kids do better each week on their own in the studio with the teacher. Our little shy Lauren was not thrilled about having all the parents in the room watching the kids. It took her a very long time to start dancing. For the first 10-15 minutes she stood around and played with her skirt. After a while she finally started dancing. I was able to sneak in a few pictures when she was not looking. She did not dare smile for the camera though!

Last week we missed dance class because Lauren was sick. She was so excited to get back this week. She was asking all week "Is it dance class day Mommy?" So last night we were back and it took her a few minutes to let me leave the studio and for her to start dancing. As I peeked through the blinds I noticed after a few minutes she was dancing and full of smiles. As we were leaving my friend Jenny reminded me that next week is watch week again. Oh boy, just can't wait to see Lauren stand there, play with her skirt, pick her nose, refuse to let me take pictures, and no smile at me....Maybe the second watch night will go better than the first. When I asked her why she did not dance she said "I was a little bit shy Mommy." That's my Lauren and that's OK with me! She loves dance class.

Addison's One Year Pictures

Sunday afternoon we headed out to Unity Village to take Addison's one year pictures. I am so happy with how they turned out.

Oh and I took them all...I love them! I have to say thank you to Mark for all his help in getting the girls to smile and look at the camera.

Faulkner's Pumpkin Patch

Sunday morning we headed out to the pumpkin patch. Hot chocolate in hand, girls all bundled up. As always, it was a lot of fun.

The corn box is always Lauren's favorite. She plays in it each year.

Running through the corn maze is a close second. She tripped and fell a few times and got up and said "I'm ok Mommy" and kept on running.

She spent a lot of time going down the slide, something she could do in the backyard.

Aunt Jen, Uncle Steve and Claire were also at the pumpkin patch. We were heading to lunch here with this picture. So cute.

Before we left we unbundled Addison and got some pictures of her with the pumpkins.

So hard to get the girls to look at the same time, smile, and cooperate. So I got this instead, which I love.

Lauren's ($13) pumpkin, the biggest one of course, and Addison's pumpkin (Lauren picked it out)

The girls right before we were leaving. Addison is so glad to be out of her coat, hat, and gloves.

She just fell asleep among all the madness. Slept for about 40 minutes. Woke up so happy!

Call Me Crazy

I took 284 pictures this weekend. Pumpkin Patch, Addison's one year pictures (my amateur attempt at professional pictures) and random things around the house. I hope to get them uploaded so I can share some...I will never get got up on scrap booking!

Fall Messy Night

with Lee's Summit Parents as Teachers. This is our third year going and it is always a lot of fun.

Addsion's Actual Birthday

At home with Mommy, Daddy, Lauren and Gramps. We went to McDonald's for dinner (Lauren's choice) and then we came home and had Addison (and Lauren) open the gifts from Mark and I.

This little doggie was Mark's idea and Addison loves it. She snuggles with it up close to her face and just laughs and smiles.

You can't see the gift but it is a steering wheel, race car driver thing from fisher price. This was another favorite gift, as you can see by the huge smile. Lauren seems to like it as well.

I like this picture because if you look really close you can see her 2 little teeth. On Friday she had a top one pop through, so now she has 3!

This busy zoo cube from Parents brand is the best. I got it for my niece Claire last year for her birthday and could not wait to get it for Addison. It is pretty small, yet has a ton of things on it to keep Addison busy.

Her birthday celebration was a blast. She got lots of great toys, books, and clothes. I have no idea what to get her for Christmas now, it seems like she has all she needs!

Addison's Well Child Check Up...and 3 Shots

Here are her one year stats:

• Weight- 18 lbs 13 oz (10%) aka (tiny)
• Length- 29 3/4 inches (75%) aka (tall)

At one year of age Lauren was:

• Weight- 19 lbs (20%)
• Length- 29 1/4 inches (50%)

Both of these girls are tall and skinny. There is just nothing to them!

Addison got three shots today and Lauren got the flu mist. Both girls did really well and I was so proud of Lauren with the mist. She did great! Addison will have to go back to get her flu shots. They are still not in for her age group...and she will need two this year.

After speaking to my pediatrician, Dr. Sarah Gladstone, I think I will also get the girls immunized for the H1N1 flu. I was a little skeptical of it, even though I am a pediatric RN, but after talking to her today I feel like it is safe and the right thing to do.

So a few more trips to the DR. over the next few months getting a few more shots...no fun!

We celebrated Addison's birthday tonight by going to McDonald's for dinner (that was Lauren's idea) and opening the presents that Mark and I got her. My Dad joined us for the celebration and it was a lot of fun. I will get some pictures posted this weekend.

Addison continues to amaze us each day watching her grow. Here is what we love about her:

• Her two little front teeth on the bottom (that is all she has)
• Her ability to adapt to anything and go with the flow all the time
• Her scooting around to get where she needs to be. She never did crawl
• Her laugh when her sister is making her smile
• Her pebbles hair and cute bows
• She entertains herself so well, with toys and things in the kitchen
• She is taking whole milk out of the sippy cup (she went from breast milk to whole milk, did not get even one ounce of formula!)
• She is so easy to put to bed, just rock, give her a bottle (because I still have milk in the freezer that needs to get used) and put her in bed. She hardly cries.
• What I love the most about her is the joy she brings me in so many ways that can not be put into words. I love that little girl!

Happy Birthday Pumpkin

Addison is 1

One year ago today at 10:43 pm Addison Renee Harding was born weighing in at 8 lbs 5 oz and 20 1/4 inches long. It is a day I will never forget.

It started out as another day of Lauren and I hanging out, waiting for Addison to be born. We made a trip to Hobby Lobby in the morning to buy some scrap booking supplies and ended up with a green boa for Lauren to play with. I am convinced that picking up hundreds of green feathers throughout the day is what broke my water.

I talked to Mark at 4:40 right before he left work, told him nothing was happening and to go ahead to the gym. I would get dinner ready and see him whenever he was done working out. When I got of the phone I headed over to the computer to play on the Internet and as I sat down that is when my water broke at 4:55 pm! After the initial shock and excitement and Lauren thinking Mommy peed her pants I started making phone calls.

• Mark thought I was kidding since I just talked to him a few minutes earlier. He was downtown at 5:oo...you know how long that takes to get to Lee's Summit.
• No one answered at my parents house (who were supposed to watch Lauren)
• My sister did not answer either
• So here I am stuck, water broke, Mark downtown and unable to get a hold of anyone!
• My Dad called back to say my Mom was at swimming class until 5:30 (it was 5:10)
• My sister called back and came over right away--Yea for Jen!

I was not nervous yet as I was not having contractions yet. My Mom finally called when she got out of swim class (at 5:45) and said they were on their way. At this point my contractions had started and were about 5 minutes apart and very strong...I was unable to walk or talk through them...My Sister convinced me that Mark and I needed to get to the hospital (he got home ~ 5:45 and had the deer in the headlights look) and not to wait around for Mom and Dad. Jen convinced my that Lauren would be fine and she would fill Mom and Dad in about what Lauren needed (Claire was at our house too...so Jen was busy)

So off we went, to the hospital. We arrived at 6:30

• I was dilated to a 5 upon arrival, contractions about 3 minutes apart
• Dilated to a 7 around 8:00
• Got my epidural at 8:30 (finally...I could have gotten it when I walked in the door but there was some delays in obtaining my labs and making sure my platelets were OK)
• Dilated to a 1o at 10:00
• Started pushing at 10:20
• Addison Renee Harding was born at 10:43 pm after pushing about 6 times (a lot better than pushing for 1 1/2 hours with Lauren)

Here are some of her first pictures

Very proud big sister. We would have never imagined the relationship and bond these two girls have. We are so proud to be their parents.

6 months old. The same big smile. Just more hair these days.

One year old. Happiest baby ever.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADDISON!

2 Parties 1 day Tons of Fun

Addison's birthday party was so much fun. Everybody had a great time. All of my family was there and so were our friends Amy and Shannon with their son Aiden. Grandma Harding and Uncle Pat and our niece Kate came down from Omaha. Lauren had a lot of fun with Kate and it was so great to have them at the party. Addison's birthday outfit and cute hair bow. Thanks again Jenny for making me so many hair bows for Addison. Addison loved the party. She is so adaptable and just does anything. She let everybody hold her and does not cry at all.

Mommy and Addison all dressed up for the party. It is just so hard to believe she is one already.

Lauren helping Addison open her gifts. It was very hard to keep Lauren away from Addison's presents. Addison seems to like all her new toys...and Lauren especially likes Addison's tea set. Thanks Gramps and Nana.

Oh I forgot, this is her favorite gift from Amy, Shannon, and Aiden. Lauren can't stop talking about Aiden throwing up at the party (poor little guy) Aiden said "I think I had too much to eat." He felt fine after that and was running and playing in the backyard.

Of course, she loved the tissue paper. Don't they all at this age?

We love the cake lady we use, Kim, she has made all of Lauren's birthday cakes and she will probably make all of Addison's cakes.

Hmmmm...what is this Mommy.

After staring at the cupcake she squished it in her fingers and then at the whole thing!

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy

Here Daddy, you can have some too!

Landen and Killian's Visit

Lauren's little friend Landen moved to Chicago back in the spring. She still talks about him daily. His family was in town for the race so they made some time to visit all their friends. We also had Killian and his family over. Those 3 are the best of friends. It is so sweet!

Such a great picture of Lauren, after many attempts of trying to get pictures of her and Landen. If you look real close you can see his feet at the top of the picture, refusing to cooperate.

Those boys love playing with her princess table. I caught them in the act.

Attempting to get the kids to cooperate and get a picture of all three of them looking and smiling.

Oh boy...Killian kissing Lauren good bye. It is so cute at this age!

We had such a great weekend with everyone. Thanks for making it so memorable and fun!