We have a Walker

So although not a full time walker, I think I can now say we have a walker, she is only going to get better.

Literally just overnight, Addison has gone from 4 steps to several steps!  I'm so proud of her and she's so proud of herself!  Yesterday she would stand in the middle of the room and have this huge smile, like, mom look at me!  Then take a step or two, fall and repeat, Rod gets home and she attempts walking from one toy to another taking up to 4 steps and then this morning, walking up and down like she's been doing it for so long!  the cutest was that she was pretending to stir something in her pot, then walk over to me to feed me, and she did this twice!

She still loses her balance and has a few falls, but she's definitely working on her balance and being able to stop, she reminds me of the drunk waiter from Dinner for One - I think you can youtube it.

Tonight after dinner we tried to get her to change direction while walking, she had her little speed wobble, stopped, tried to turn, and as she did that she fell on her bum.  Things you take for granted, that we're so easily able to do, requires so much co-ord and balance.

Even though we've seen Emma learn to walk, it's still so amazing to watch!  The smiles and giggles from the falls, tears too, the celebrations from the big sister cheering her on "look mom, she's walking, she's walking, go Addi!", so wonderful to watch and hear!!

I knew this day was coming soon and Rod was hoping he wouldn't miss this milestone, I was secretly hoping she would wait for when we got to South Africa!  But being Addison, she sure knows how to keep an over 20 hour journey exciting!

Here are some video of her steps last night and today.
(I should get an award for Best Mom!  Letting my kid thats just learning to walk, hold a spoon in her hand!!! Go ME!!)

First attempt at taking more than 2 steps..

Gaining more confidence...

And then even more...I have to laugh when she falls, otherwise the waterworks start...

Ladybug Girl

I thought I might share this....

This is the book that helped convince Emma to wear her costume....she did not want to wear it (even though she chose it) because the material was too scratchy!
I tried convincing that I'd leave her clothes on so she wouldn't feel the material...no luck.

Emma received these books for her bday and took her a while to allow me to read it to her (once she likes a certain story it's hard to get her to read different stories) after reading it and seeing how great Ladybug Girl was and what a great imagination she has, Emma was convinced that Ladybug Girl was cool and she wanted to be just like her.  Just so happened that we had winter boots similar to Ladybug Girls and when Emma saw these, she got really excited (thanks Uncle Tim and Aunty Carmen).  Thankfully just in time for the party and Halloween.....

I should have dressed Addi as the dog, Bingo - I probably would have if it weren't her bday (could have had Addi crawl the streets behind Emma)....but Pumpkin Pie seemed more appropriate.....

Happy Halloween

I see every Halloween being a very busy time but oh so fun!  After deciding what to make for Addison's birthday dinner we decided to just get take outs (I know such a lazy mom but it was the quickest and easiest for a busy evening), we still made sure to make the birthday mein (noodles).  Funny enough when we asked Emma what we should have for dinner for Addi's birthday, she said "Mein Mein".  Both Rod and I were surprised when she said that...how did she know we should have that...just coincidence??

So after a quick dinner, then singing happy birthday and blowing out 1 candle we quickly got into our costumes (kids only) and bundled up to go trick or treating.  Addi really enjoyed her chocolate cupcake, this girl can really eat....to think I was so worried she wouldn't eat. 

We joined our neighbors Chuck and Jennifer with their girls, Madelyn and Grace and walked our street.  This was Emma's first experience of going around trick or treating...Rod and I loved watching Emma enjoy herself so and get so excited....Going to the doors and knocking, took a little getting used to but by the end of the night she was running to the doors and trying to be the first to ring the doorbell, she asked us to hold her pail as it was getting too heavy.  She sure got tons of candy. 

She was taken aback by one house where Madelyn rang the bell and peered through the window...the lady, dressed as a witch opened up the door and asked, "What are you peeking through my window for??"...Madelyn very politely said, "Trick or Treat" and held out her bag.  Just aswell Emma was standing toward the back, else she'd probably would have come running to us.  She's constantly asking me now, what did the witch say and why??  Everything is why these days...
 
Addi all this while was sitting in her stroller, staying warm under her blanket.  Should be cute next year when she's walking around and trying to keep up with her sister, as she's always trying to do...

Can't believe we now have 2 more months left of this year, it has gone by way too quickly.  Funny how we so look forward to things and they're over in a flash....
Today in the car Emma pipes up....Daddy's birthday is next.....yip, Daddy is the last to celebrate in this family....now what to get Daddy for his birthday and what cake to bake next???  Will be here tomorrow....how old are you this year daddy?? :)

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween.