these days at the hoskinson house

Along with the beginning of fall, has come a full schedule for us. We have been trying to make the most of our days and make the most of the time we all have home together as a family. Addelyn is growing and changing before our eyes and every day we say how much more she looks like a little girl than a baby. The last few weeks, we have fought off some sickness- I had the flu first and then Addelyn got sick with pinkeye and some form of cold/flu stuff. Poor baby. It was hard to see her sick. Although it was the only time EVER that she just wanted to sit still on our laps and be held (I liked that part- to actually cuddle with my baby!) Hopefully Mark stays healthy & that is the last of our sickness for the year. No fun. Otherwise, we are just busy keeping our eye out on the little girl, as she is into everything and moving quickly around the house.

Poor sick baby, those darn snot bubbles came out every time she took a bite! :)

We finger painted with ketchup and mustard the other night- believe it or not, she only put her finger in her mouth once or twice- she wasn't interested in eating it...just in playing!

Addelyn really isn't eating with her spoon by herself yet but is doing more and more finger foods so really likes to have control while she is eating. The other night I let her have the spoon and bowl when she was done and she really enjoyed that!

books, books, books

Addelyn LOVES books. When crawling around, exploring the house, we'll often find her by her shelves, pulling out book after book and looking through them. Every night before bed, we read books and she greatly enjoys it. She is very specific about which books she wants to read though. She has a few favorites but her mood is different each night. If she doesn't like the book we choose to read her, she'll let us know by slamming it closed. Our little girl and her personality! :) The other night, I caught her on video- she was in an ESPECIALLY picky mood that night!

a few videos

These aren't great quality videos but I wanted to share a few so you can see how Addelyn is growing and changing.

*A big thanks to my mom for letting us borrow her camera (since ours is still missing!)

This is an example of how Addelyn understands the word "no." She often give us a little response when we say it to her. It is funny right now. Probably won't be in a few months! :)

9 months and growing so fast!

Oh how the "monthly picture" gets harder and harder to take with our little wiggle worm. First thing, she grabs the paper and takes a good bite. So that is how we started the picture session. She is getting much more mobile and much quicker to escape our grasp. We tried many times to take the picture with the paper and it wasn't working. Notice we never got a smile. We were just lucky to get her to look at the camera! We see many smiles these days but we aren't fast enough to catch them on camera. She is crawling around now, going from room to room. After pulling herself up on the couch, she cruises around, usually after something she isn't supposed to have. Mom and Dad need to learn that the couch isn't a safe place to put things anymore. She loves the remote and our cell phones. She is learning the word "no" and knows certain things she isn't supposed to do or touch. (It doesn't mean it always stops her, but you should see the look on her face if she tries again!) She often growls at us when we say no which makes me a little nervous about the strong-willed personality that is growing! I know, I know...it will be a strength of hers! :) I just think it is so funny to see it already.

She loves books. We read often and she has favorites- "Pat the Bunny," "Bedtime Peekaboo," and "Farm Friends." She even picks up books and looks through them by herself. Sorry Mark, she already has a reading list longer than yours!

She really is such a good natured baby- a very happy girl. The weird thing to me as I look back on the past nine months, I realize that now she seems closer to a little girl than to a baby. WEIRD! It feels like yesterday I was pregnant. This time is flying by. Ahhh...I'm getting sad. Our friend Jess gave us a great book when I was pregnant "Let Me Hold You Longer" by Karen Kingsbury. The book talks about the "lasts" you experience with your child. The last time you rock them, the last time you feed them, and so on. I read it to Addelyn yesterday and got emotional as I realized that some of her "lasts" have already happened. Oh my emotions these days!

reading and not writing

I have to say, I'm a little behind on my blogging these days. But to be honest, I'm keeping up on my blog reading! :) I'm addicted to blogs as Mark would say. I really enjoy catching up on people's lives and seeing pics. And the creative writing that people share, I love it. I have this dorky grin on my face as I write this, just thinking about all the blogs I read. ha ha.....

Part of the problem in being behind in my blogging- I can't find my camera. If that explains our life a bit right now (a VERY BUSY fall schedule!), I tend to set things down places and forget where. That has happened with the camera and the great pics I have taken recently, which include Addelyn crawling into unknown spots in our house and getting stuck and pics of her first haircut! Yes, you read correctly. She had her first haircut the other night. The wings were really looking a little funny, plus her bangs were in her eyes all the time. I was committed to leaving her hair and letting it grow, no matter how bad. Finally, I broke down and cut that baby girl's hair. She looks pretty cute. If I ever find my camera, I'll share some pics.

Okay, last update for the night and then I'll get back to you when I find my camera and you can see pics, since I know that is what you really care about! :) Addelyn officially started crawling this week. She has had a form of crawling for quite awhile but now officially crawls! She is getting faster by the minute.

The other big milestone this week....she can pull herself up on the couch. She has been able to get up on her knees for awhile and pull herself up on shorter areas but now she can finally do it on the couch. Oh our little baby has gotten much more dangerous in just days. :) It is fun though.

I wish I could explain how much joy she has brought to our lives!!!