Trolley Run

Last Sunday Mark and Shannon ran in the Trolley Run. Mark was very excited and had trained several weeks for this. He had a goal time set, and finished the race in about 1 1/2 minutes less then he had hoped. Way to go Mark!

Mark had no idea we were coming down to the race. When he woke up for the race it was raining outside. It had been raining most of the weekend and we were outside and wet most of the weekend. When the alarm went off I got Mark up and went back to sleep!

Around 7 it stopped raining, so I got the girls up and we headed down to the Plaza to cheer Mark on at the finish line. He was so surprised to see us.

Lauren and I made signs for Mark, but she did not want to hold them up. So I put them on the stroller for Addison to display.

Afterwards, Lauren, Addison and Aiden enjoyed some snacks meant for the runners. Donuts, yogurt, bananas, and chocolate milk.

We walked around the Plaza for a while and enjoyed the entertainment after the race. It was a great day and a lot of fun. Way to go Mark and Shannon!

Royals Game in the Rain!

Saturday night we had free tickets to the Royals game thanks to our neighbor, who is a scout for the Minnesota Twins. He hooked us up with tickets behind home plate that were covered seating! So even though it rained most of the day Saturday, we decided to head out to the K around 5:00, even though it was still sprinkling just a little bit!

The girls had a great time playing in the kids zone. We went there first so they could run and play before sitting down to watch the game.

The girls enjoyed the game from the outfield experience, no liquor involved!

We lasted about 3 1/2 innings in our seats, which I did not think was too bad with Addison on board. We enjoyed nachos, chicken fingers and fries, and a diet coke and juice for the girls. Lauren decided she needed to go play again. Before heading out to play we saw slugger several times. He seemed to be near our section most of the game. Lauren said she was scared of him, but I think she might have liked him a little bit!

When we headed back to the kids zone we saw Aiden, Amy, and Shannon! What a great surprise. Lauren and Aiden had a great time running around and playing.

Soccer...Week 3

Lauren did awesome this week, and she did not even have Killian. It was his week to be in a little bit of a funk, so Lauren hung out with Seth, listened to the coach, and had a great time! Here she is warming up, doing jumping jacks!

This week her strong point was goalie. She understood the concept more this week and did great. Her shin guards even came in use this week!

The post would not be complete without a picture of Addison. She was such a trooper being out in the cold. It was pretty chilly, and towards the end of practice it started to rain. Lauren still had fun, but wanted to play at the playground when practice was over...not this week...way too cold!

Little Miss Sassy Pants

This is what is going on with Addison these days. It is becoming a daily occurrence at our house.

This is her checking to make sure I am still watching...

Luke and Lora

This past weekend my cousin Lora came into town to hang out with her son Luke. Lauren adores, loves, cherishes every moment with Luke. He is like a big brother to her and he loves treating her like a little sister. He was even really sweet with Addison. One time when she was crying he was rubbing her back trying to calm her down. Such a great kid!

Luke had a Nintendo DS which Lauren thought was the coolest thing ever!

We headed to the hotel Saturday night so they could swim. I just love this picture of Lauren looking at Luke. It really shows how much she adores him.

Saturday afternoon they had fun playing outside while Lora and I hung out inside. My Mom came over too and we made jewelry. Lora brought up all her beads and taught us how to make really cool things. Luke kicked the ball over the fence several times, so this is Luke and Lauren looking at their ball in the neighbors yard, wondering how they were going to get it.

Addison had fun too trying to keep up with the big kids. We headed back to the hotel Sunday morning so Lauren and Luke could swim again. I got in the water with Addison this time and she loved it. It was nice and warm, and she just sat on my lap watching Lauren and Luke chase each other around the pool. So cute!

The Second Week of Soccer

was not as fun as the first. You see Lauren, Killian and Seth absolutely adore each other. They adore each other so much that they laugh, run, giggle, chase, and tackle each other. No big deal right? Well when the coach is trying to lead the practice and Lauren, Killian and Seth are giggling and acting like kids they get a little talking to...like here...

So the coach decided to split them up this week and Killian's Mom and I were none to happy about it. We can see the coach's point of view...if some kids are being disruptive then they need to be separated, but Lauren, Killian and Seth are together all week and they laugh, run, giggle and play this way all week. So they were a little confused on Saturday when they were getting in trouble.

So Lauren and Killian did not do as well, they did not participate as much, did not laugh and run and play like they did last week...until the end of practice...They were so excited to see each other!

Man I love those two together. They have so much fun. So after practice Jessica (Killian's Mom) spoke to the coach and basically put her in her place. She said this is Pee Wee soccer and those two signed up together for a reason. Seth has another little buddy at soccer so he did fine. Jessica told the coach Lauren and Killian would not be split up again, and if they were misbehaving then the parents would intervene. So hopefully next week will be better. I spoke to them after practice and told them they had to listen to the coach and follow directions so they could play together again. They both said "OK" and took off running towards the playground.

Addison hung out and watched Lauren practice. She sat in the stroller for a while and talked to Charley (Killian's sister). Well as much as babies can talk! When she was out of the stroller she just hung out in the grass playing with the grass and flowers. I just love this picture of her looking at her hand trying to get that tiny blade of grass off.

18 Month Well Child Check

Well our little Addison is indeed little. She had her 18 month well child check a few days back and here are her stats:

20 lbs 10 oz- 5% for weight

31 3/4 inches- 75% for height

Dr. says she is fine, but man she seems so little to me. Dr. says she is just tall and skinny and growing fine.

I know the Dr. is right so I will try and stop worrying. Addison has a great appetite, will eat anything, and loves her milk.

We had a little scare at the Dr's office. When she was listening to Addison's lungs she asked me if I had ever heard her wheezing. I said no and know instantly that she must be because you don't ask that question if their lungs are clear. She looked at her breathing and noticed that she was having a little trouble breathing (some subcostal and intercostal retractions, and a little grunting as well). I felt horrible for not noticing, since she had had a cough/cold the last few days. I mean come on, I am a pediatric nurse. I assess and look at babies with heart defects all day. So the wheezing bought us a breathing treatment which Addison was none to happy about. The Dr. sent us home with Albuterol to use if she was coughing or wheezing again. The breathing treatment cleared her right up and I have not given her any Albuterol at home.

I hope it was just a fluke thing and not the beginning of a child with asthma. I know asthma is a very manageable disease, but it is chronic and life long.

Since her appointment she has been fine, just throwing a lot of fits these days when she does not get her way. Man, that little girl can scream. I am sure it will pass just like everything else does.

Our Little Soccer Star

Saturday was Lauren's first soccer practice in little league soccer. I think this might be her sport! She was really good. Seemed to kick the ball very hard and very far. She listened to the teacher well and really had a great time.

Look at that leg. She can kick!

Totally focused and concentrating on dribbling.

Of course at every little league practice you have to stop and look at the flowers. Lauren, Killian and Seth had a great time. Lauren and Killian always do better together, and Seth is another buddy from school.

Our other little star. She loved being outside, walking around watching all the kids play soccer. What a beautiful day!

18 Months Old

I can't even believe my baby is 18 months old already. She is such a joy and such a sweet content little girl.

She loves eating junk. Suckers, M & M's, and marshmallow's. Things I would have never given Lauren at this age, but since her big sister is eating those things Addison has to have them as well.

One marshmallow for each hand!

She was not real thrilled to be wearing her Easter dress on Sunday. She kept getting stuck when she was on the floor and trying to get up. Her dress was so long she would step on it!

She loves to be outside. Each night during dinner she points to the door and says "outside." She does not care if it is raining, snowing, or freezing cold. She wants to go outside every chance she can get.

She absolutely adores Lauren. Lauren absolutely adores her.

Eighteen things I love about Addison: 

She is so laid back and easy going

Those big brown eyes

Her piggy tails

Her cheesy smile when you ask her to smile

Her great appetite

Her love of the outdoors

She loves to have the windows down in the car

She sleeps all night long and rarely wakes up

She loves to read books each night before bed

If she can't figure out something on her own she starts yelling "elp me elp me"

If she wants you to get something for her she will come over to you and grab your hand and direct you to what she wants

She is a very cuddly baby

She adores Lauren and loves playing with her

She adores Zoe and gives her lots of kisses

She is a Daddy's girl and ALWAYS wants Mark these days (which he LOVES)

She is so tiny and petite (which makes her easy to carry around!)

She loves the swing in the backyard (but hates the sound of lawn mowers)

She loves to rock, put her head on my shoulder, and cuddle before bed.

She will be two before we know it!!!

The Countdown is on...

So I am getting very excited for our Disney trip in May. Mark, on the other hand, will be excited about 2-3 days before we leave. That is the difference in the two of us when it comes to vacation. Lauren is taking after me. She is so excited for Disney she can hardly stand it!!

I decided it would be fun to make a poster for the countdown to Disney. Lauren loves to color, cut, and glue, so she helped out a lot with the poster. I explained to her that each morning when she woke up we would cross off another day and be even closer to Disney. I am hoping it will help drag her out of bed over the next 5 weeks. I am always needing new creative ways to get her up in the morning.

I love hearing all the Disney world secrets from people that have been. Does anyone have any to share? I would love to hear all about them.