dancing and playing- it is what she does best!

Number eleven....

Did you know in the first year of a baby's life- they on average grow ten inches in length and often triple their birth weight?

Addelyn is right on track. At her 12 month appointment (that happened at 12 months, 3 weeks old)- she was 20 lbs, 8 oz and was 29 & 1/4 inches long.

At birth she weighed 7 lbs, 2 oz. and was 19 inches long. Kinda funny how the statistics line up well. She is still 50th percentile for weight, height, and head. An average size from day one. But oh not an average little girl!

She has also gained a few more teeth. On her birthday, she cut her first molar. The other side came along a week later (that one is still peeking- not completely through). She also just started getting another front bottom tooth last week. She now officially has eleven teeth!

2008 in review

I saw this on a few blogs I read and thought it could be fun....so here we go....

1) What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Watched my little baby grow during her first year. A lot of learning as a mom. I actually made a few recipes from scratch. Yes, be impressed. We bought a Ford Focus WAGON. Yes, laugh now...a wagon. Oh and turned 27. I'm sure there are many other things too. I can't really remember. I would say I also lost some brain cells during this year. ha ha

2) Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I am pretty sure i didn't make any last year and didn't this year. I am more of a "i'll start on monday" type.

3) Did anyone close to you give birth?
Seriously, about 20 friends. ha ha

4) Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, Grandpa Kramer passed just a few weeks ago. We sure will miss him. I'm so glad Addelyn got to meet him, even if she won't remember. At least we can tell her stories and have pictures of them together.

5) What countries did you visit?
I have to say the United States was it for me this year. I went through the AIDS Village at Orchard and that was the closest experience I had to leaving the country!

6) What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More peace. More love for God, my family, my neighbors. More time with Mark and Addelyn.

7) What date(s) from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
This whole year will be forever etched in my memory. So many "firsts" as a mom and Mark & I experiencing so many milestones becoming parents and watching Addelyn grow. November 4th- Barack Obama being elected- definitely a huge milestone in history. I will also never forget losing my Grandpa Kramer the week that Addelyn turned one.

8) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I would say I don't like this type of question. I guess maybe putting others first for once. I think having Addelyn really helped me to see my selfishness.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
Does recovering from childbirth count?

10) What was the best thing you bought?
Um Ford Focus?? Wow that is sad....We did get a really nice camera for Christmas.

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mark for sure. He is an amazing dad and husband. He is very hands on and is so helpful with Addelyn. He makes life so much easier for me day to day by the way he serves our family in so many ways.

12) Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Honestly, during the elections, some people showed such hatred and ignorance (on both sides) & it truly made me sad. I usually keep my mouth shut but here is my moment.....Seriously people- no matter where you stand politically- show some respect!

13) Where did most of your money go?
Paying for the three hours of pushing Addelyn out of my body, baby care- who knew?, bills, giving, savings, oh and of course eating out. WAY TOO MUCH convienience food. Although we improved throughout the year, we still eat out a lot. Okay, I take back my answer to #2. I do have a New Year's Resolution. Eat out less.

14) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Maternity leave, Addelyn's firsts, a night away with Mark after we had our babe, each time I could fit into pre-baby clothes (yes I danced around the room everytime a pair of jeans would fit again), being able to take Addelyn with me on Caravan, hanging out with my sister Jiller when she would come stay during her nursing breaks, visiting friends I don't get to see often

15) What song will always remind you of 2008?
I hardly listened to new music in 2008. Pathetic huh? Okay, another New Year's Resolution! The song I think of though...go to this link on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxlwYP0HNdc
They made "You Can Do Whatever You Like" into a voting song and these kids performed it. Too cute. It sticks in my head and every time I hear the real song I sing the voting one.

16) Compared to this time last year, are you:
Wiser? I hope, maybe a little?
Healthier? Maybe a bit. I've lost a little weight since this time last year! (I'd hope...I had just given birth!) Trying to eat healthier these days too. I'm not really more in shape though. New Year's resolution #3.
Richer? nah

17) What do you wish you’d done more of?
Living in the moment

18) What do you wish you’d done less of?
Running around, too busy to live in the moment

19) How did you spend Christmas?
Our first year of starting our own tradition as a family. Church at Orchard on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day home with Mark and Addelyn. We celebrated with our families and had quality time with them before and after Christmas. Oh and I sat on the toilet with a sick stomach Christmas Eve too. That was the only bad thing about our holiday season. Hopefully that isn't a new tradition!

20) Did you fall in love in 2008?
Grew in love with Mark. In a new kind of way. And definitely fell in love with my little girl.

21) What was your favorite blog post that you wrote?
Not sure....blogging is more about recording memories and moments for me than about having cool and catchy posts. Sorry to my readers! :)

22) What were your favorite TV programs?
Okay, being home a little more this year after having Addelyn, I watched more TV than I have before. So...here we go...The Office, DHW, Law & Order: SVU, and Brothers and Sisters.

23) Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I'm just not a hater!

24) What was the best book you read?
The Shack I would say. It is a fiction book but it helped me to see God in a new way. Oh and I read the book before I heard all of the controversial talk about it. Just remember...it is a FICTION BOOK! Take it for what it is!

25) What was your greatest musical discovery?
Again, I hardly listened to new music this year. Sad. But I did like my new Alli Rogers Christmas CD!

26) What did you want and get?
After six months of climbing in the back of my 2 door Grand Am to attach Addelyn's car seat- I got a four door! Ahhh....much better!

27) What did you want and not get?
I can't think of anything!

28) What was your favorite film of this year?
I have to say I didn't see too many memorable movies this year. Baby Mama was cute.

29) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 27. Although I told a few people that asked this year that I was 28. Because I honestly couldn't remember how old I was. The brain cell thing again, I told you. And no I really don't remember what we did on my birthday. I think we may have gone out to eat? Oh and I just remembered, my high school small group was so sweet and decorated my office and brought me one of those big chocolate chip cookies! Yum.

30) Which celebrity/public figure did you like the most?
I have to say that I was intrigued by Rick Warren and his involvement with politics and also how he tried to be neutral but yet get people thinking.

31) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
I would say my concept focused on finding clothes that fit and flatter without buying a completely new wardrobe!

32) What kept you sane?
Focus on my mission and purpose right now in this season, probably my sane husband too!

33) Who did you miss?
My friends that I never get to see and hang out with anymore. Life is so different now (in an amazing way) but it makes it harder and harder to just get together and have fun!

34) Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
You can't understand and plan what life will be like once you have a child. I had all sorts of ideas of who I would be and how I would live as a parent. I really had no clue. Oh and still so much to learn. Huge life lesson.

35) What did you gain this year?
Deeper love. A different view of who I am. Desire to raise a family that is boldly following Christ.

36) What did you lose this year?
Some poundage. Yeah yeah. Some freedoms of coming and going as I please (having a kid does change life a lot).

37) Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Hold on to me
when you are so tired,
when you are so tired
of holding up your hand.
Steady on your feet
I will not let you stumble,
will not let you stumble,
I will not fall asleep.
When you go out,
when you come home,
like a hedge,
like a shield,
I’ll be your guardian.

Here’s to ‘09…

NOW i feel like a mom

After my poor baby was sick for a few days, she was taking a bath and did something she NEVER does. All of a sudden, there were little brown things floating up in the water. I had the fun of reaching in and picking the deposits out of the tub, one by one.

Two things ran through my mind in that moment...

1. This reminds me of the movie Caddyshack. Wow, I haven't seen that movie since high school. Too bad we own it in VHS.

2. I just picked up poop with my bare hands. I think I just had a rite of passage.

NOW I feel like a mom.

cake before christmas

I realized I never really posted any pics from Addelyn's first birthday and wanted to do that before Christmas. She actually had TWO cake celebrations. Not really planned but because of the circumstances, we had a little party for her on the night of her birthday and then again on the Saturday afterwards. My Grandpa Kramer passed away the week of Addelyn's birthday. For me the week of celebrating Addelyn's first year of life was bittersweet as it was spent saying goodbye to my Grandpa. A time of joy and pain right at the same time. Isn't that usually how life is for many people....you celebrate amazing things but at the same time, you experience extremely tough and painful times. My hope and pray in those moments is that God can keep my heart at peace. What do you do in those moments of joy and pain?

And then you see a little girl eat cake for the first time. Talk about putting a smile on your face! This was pretty much her first time of really having sugar (except for when Daddy sneaks her bites of his zebra cakes which are not really sugar, pretty much just plastic. gross...) Her first cake was a yummy one my step-mom got and Addelyn had fun eating it as you can see in the pics above. The second celebration, I made a cake that didn't have much sugar and had bananas and peaches in it. The cake itself was great. The cream cheese frosting I put on the cake- not so great. What can I say? Live and learn. Especially with the baking. That was officially the second thing I've ever made from scratch in my life (and the first one happened within the last few weeks too! Aren't you impressed, ha ha!?) The pictures are a sneak peak of the two parties. On to year two! :)

Merry Christmas to you all....hope you have a wonderful holiday time with your family!

happy 1st birthday little girl!

Dear Addelyn,

It is absolutely crazy to think that one year has already gone by with you in our lives. I cannot explain to you how much you have changed my world, my thinking, my actions, my heart, my view of motherhood, of parenting overall, of basically EVERYTHING! And all of this in the best way possible.

You already have a very distinct personality. You have had one since the moment you came out. You screamed the most wonderful, ear-piercing scream when Kim (the most amazing nurse practioner/mid-wife that delivered you) laid you on my chest. You used your lungs a lot those first months when you wanted us to know how you felt about things. And you haven't stopped letting us know how you feel! You have a strong-willed personality but also have a great nature. You are a happy girl and give lots of smiles and giggles. I honestly couldn't have asked for an easier baby. (Although we hope the future babes will show you up! ha ha)

You are an active, on the go little gal. You really haven't been a cuddler since you gained head control. This has been a little sad for me because I'd love to cuddle with you but I guess I'll have to take advantage of those sick "I need my Mama" moments or that small window right before bed when you drink your bottle and lean back against my chest. I do love your adventuring side though and I have a feeling both you and your dad will be challenging me to go on more rollar coasters and do more daring things in the future since I am kind of the "safe" one. Of course, your adventurous side has already led you to fall down the stairs, to have bloody and fat lips, and to put things in places you shouldn't (for example- the toilet).

You are already my little reader- oh how you love those books. You even know the sign language for book, which you surprised your dad and I with the other night. We have been using it for the last few months and honestly thought you were ignoring us! It made me realize- you are taking it all in. One of these days you will continue to surprise us with all you know and can do.

Speaking of that, your new thing is to hold my cell phone up to your ear and pretend you are talking. You have a little conversation with yourself and babble into the phone. It is hilarious. I hope to catch it on video one of these days!

Other things you have taken a liking to in the last year- cats and dogs (no, we aren't getting one), cottage cheese, our DVD collection (they have been your favorite toys for months now), and as of the last month or two, pretty much anything you shouldn't get into- you want to play with - aka the garbage.

This year has been amazing. I can't believe you aren't my little baby anymore- where did the year go? I pray and hope that as the years go on that you will know how loved you are. By your parents, extended family, our friends and church family, and most of all, by God.

We love you Addelyn! Happy Birthday!

Your Mama (and Dada too...)

P.S. I big thanks to our friend Ashley Schrage for taking amazing one year pics! These are just a few of the MANY great pictures.

turkey, slides, trees, and bubbles

The last few weeks have held some fun moments for our family. I made my first turkey ever when Mark and Addelyn and I stayed home on Thanksgiving. You can see the pictures below which were taken for proof. :) I was actually a little grossed out as I touched the raw bird. The smell got to me a bit. I also forgot to take out the little packet of nastiness that was inside the bird. I found out later, those are the giblets! Whoops. And who knew that a "gravy packet" came along with the turkey. It was a packet of red juice. Gross, I did not use it. Does anyone use it? I'd be curious to know. The experience was good for me. I think I'll do it again...sometime.

Before

I forgot to take a picture of the turkey before I started to carve it! Whoops! It turned out well though. We really enjoyed it. (You can even ask Mark, he would agree!)

Slides.....the fun of going down on your tummy! We spent a night in the Twin Cities with our good friends the Hansens. The guys went to the Vikings-Bears games and we did a little shopping and hanging out at the hotel. We also went to an indoor park, which you can see the kids enjoying above. The indoor park was amazing, they even had an area for babies. It was a fun little get-away for all of us.

The latest thing that Addelyn likes to do while she eats is put her hands in her hair. Needless to say, this makes for a messy eating time.

Addelyn had bubbles in her bath for the first time the other night. She wasn't totally sure what to think about them because there were SO MANY! (Daddy put a little too much in...whoops!)

Finally, this weekend it was time to put up the Christmas tree. Our tradition the past few years has been to break out the Christmas music and decorations and work together to put up the tree. As you can see, Addelyn helped too. We listened to Amy Grant Christmas music (this has been my favorite since high school) and decorated the tree. I absolutely loved the moments with my family. No, we didn't go out in the snow and cut down our own (more power to those of you who do)! I'm thinking someday we will be the real tree people. Or maybe not. Time will tell. For this year, I love my artificial tree. :)

She wanted to eat the bulbs. Of course, if you come to our house, you'll notice that the tree is only decorated on the top half. Oh the life of having a curious little one that is into everything!

This isn't the end result. I guess I didn't get a picture of that. Whoops....more again soon!