Ruby's Visit and Addison's Baptism

Finally time to catch you all up on our visitors, visit and Addison's Baptism.  Might all seem like an anticlimax at the end, since it's taken me so long to get this up!

April was an exciting month with so much going on.  Firstly we had Ruby, Kerwin and Janine visit us over Easter.  I think Kerwin had said to Ruby that in the Spring they'd make a trip out to NC and visit us, this was after our visit last year June.  So I think Ruby kept asking if it were Spring yet as she wanted to visit us.  Eventually Kerwin booked the tickets, they flew over and were finally here!  Such an exciting time.  I'll never forget we had just put Emma to bed and she was still awake when Rod got home from picking them up from the airport.  Emma jumped out of bed and stood at the top of the stairs looking down through the rails asking, "who that is?"  So very excited to see Ruby!  Precious Precious moments.  Obviously we couldn't chase Emma to bed with all this excitement, so the girls got to interact a little, before finally settling down.   To think the first time they met, Emma was about 9 months, then almost 2, and now 2 and a bit - such a difference that bit makes.  Emma was able to talk more which allowed them to play better, they got better at sharing with each other too.  They definitely had their tug of wars, but overall got on really nicely.   I'll never forget Easter morning we were all upstairs getting ready for church and the girls were downstairs playing.  I just kept listening out for one of them to start crying or argueing, but surprisingly nothing.  I even creeped downstairs to see what they were up to, the two of them were sitting on the futon and Ruby was the Dr giving Emma injections, so funny to see Emma sitting there and just taking the injections.  Quite coincidental, our time of Emma staying in her bed in the mornings until we got her at 7:30, sadly came to an end - we really had a good run!  Every morning Emma would make her way to our room, saying, "Wake Up, Wake Up, Wake Up"  Followed later by Ruby who would just come in and want to snuggle, or hear stories.....Emma has not given it up.  So now we're having to wake up at 5:30/6am, I wish Emma would just curl up in bed with us and catch some extra zzzz's, however she wakes up quite bright eyed and bushy tailed, wanting to read, or play!  Her loud Wake Up, Wake Up, Wake Up have turned to whispers now, but she won't stop until we're up...we're working on trying to keep her in her room until at least 7am, not working yet!

Anyways...back to their visit... 
We got to do some exciting things during their visit like take Ruby to Pullen Park, we got to go on the rides there and enjoy the playground.  Rod made us some yummy sandwiches and we packed tons of snacks and had a great picnic.  A nice relaxed morning, the weather was pleasant, not too hot and not too cold!  The girls had fun and were pretty pooped after.

enjoying a boat ride

Emma's favourite - picnicking

Girls had fun running around and playing together

Miss Addi laying down and enjoying the outdoors

We made a trip to the Museum of Life and Science...this was quite interesting as I had taken our Joovy Tandem Stroller, this stroller allows me to push Addi in her car seat and Emma can sit or stand on the stroller too.  Obviously what one girl wants or does, the other wants too, which meant both girls wanting to sit in the sit/stand section. So two 20+ lbs girls, a 10lb baby in a car seat pushing uphills and on gravel - Not fun!  I could feel the strain on me and on the stroller, wheels squeaking! :)  One fun little incident - Kerwin and Janine wanted to see the butterflies at the butterfly house, the girls did not want to see this, instead they wanted to see the dinosaurs, so I thought I'd make my way up there, I got about halfways and gave up - so told they girls we'd take a bit of a break and watch the train go by.  As we're waiting I thought to give the girls a bit of a blueberry snack - I needed it too.  I told them they could take one at a time, taking turns...they really did well, very patient.  So they're taking one, one, one, one....and as the blueberries lessen they're picking faster and faster, I haven't seen little hands work so fast - then it was down to the last blueberry.  I held the container up in the air and said, "Oh No!! Who's going to have the last one??" not thinking what effect this would have.  The girls went from two very content little girls to screaming and crying girls both reaching for the container!  What did I just do??  I should have just eaten it myself, instead I just said, sorry girls, neither of you are going to have it and shut the container!  It was really funny.

Playing with water

Pumping water with Aunty Janine

At the Dinosaur Trail

Farm animals - the cow was mooing really loud

Two monkeys sitting in the stroller

We can't have visitors and not take them to Duke Gardens - this was a nice relaxing day.  Rod had made us a yummy breakfast and after we headed to the gardens.  Packed a few snacks of course, walked around, then found a nice shady spot and just sat and enjoyed the outdoors.  Emma being Emma, refused to walk on the grass, so stayed on the blankets while Ruby was shoes and socks off and running around on the grass - you could see Emma's little face saying I want to go, I want to go and wanting to follow Ruby, but just as she reached the edge of the blanket, she'd stop.  We tried to get her to stand on the grass, but instead got her little flamingo pose and a bit of screaming as though her feet would dissolve in the grass if she stood on it.  Then just before we're about to pack up and leave, a bird flies past and lands close by. Emma gets excited about the bird and wants to chase it, next thing she's on the grass without realising on it!

At Duke Garedens

comparing tummy's

our girls

Emma not wanting to stand on the grass

Uncle Rod getting his arm exercise

Finally feet on the grass without realising

If we weren't out and about we were just at home relaxing, letting the girls play together.
Definitely some good catch up time.

The last highlight of their stay, was Addison's Baptism -April 15, 2012.  About 3 weeks before Easter our Reverend approached us at church and told us about Baptism dates on Easter Vigil and Sunday after Easter, if we were thinking of having Addi Baptized.  We knew we wanted Janine and Kerwin to be Godparents, so when they had confirmed their tickets and told us they were coming we took it as a sign.  It was definitely a tough decision not to have Addi baptised in South Africa and have all the family around to witness this special occassion.  But we firgured we have formed some sort  of roots here in North Carolina and have been going to this church for almost 3 years now.  It was a beautiful day, and went by so quickly.  Addison was so good during the Baptism, she didn't cry or budge.  We were unfortunately behind our Reverend when Addi was baptised so couldn't really see her, except her feet, I had taken my video camera, but silly me forgot to charge it the night before, so we got about 15 minutes, not enough to capture any of Addi.  After the baptism we just had a nice relaxing day at home, kids enjoyed playing with their beach balls outside, and our neighbor gave us their old Octopus Merry-Go-Round which the girls got to enjoy.

Anne and Joe Baptising Addison

 

Addi's feet

 

Addi's Godparents

Other candidates baptised that day

 You can view more of the photos here

Update of latest happenings

April has come and gone, ended up quite a busy month for us and Addison is now 6 and a half months old.

Our little munchkin is now sitting without support, falling over if she curious about whats going on behind her, or reaching for something a little out of reach, she's really doing great! 
Strong little one, if she falls backward she'll try sit up again, can just imagine how those little tummy muscles are working when she does this.  She obviously can't sit up by herself just yet, but so cute that she's trying.  As you can see, everything goes into her mouth, Emma was not such a drooly baby and hardly ever put things in her mouth except food!
Addison's rolling skills have improved tremendously, she just rolls and rolls and rolls and rolls....  I cannot take my eyes off Addison for a second.  In a split second she can end by the wall still trying to roll over and gets aggrevated that she's stuck...silly monkey.  Changing her on the changing table is pretty much impossible, she just about rolls off, and even if you try hold her back, she'll push and push so that she can roll.  No holding her back.

We've started to introduce solids but not taken easily.  Little Miss Stubborn will purse her lips and refuse to try any of it from the spoon.  After several attempts of the spoon, I decided to dip my finger in the food and Addi finally accepted it and wanted more..funny the things you end up doing.
The novelty wore off, so we moved onto Addi holding a spoon and me trying to sneak the food in her mouth as she opens her mouth for the spoon she's holding - or placing a bit on the spoon she's holding, also dipping rice rusks in the food....then we had Emma provide some encouragement and Emma even tried to feed her.  All worked the first time and when we do manage to get some food in Addison's mouth we just get a gag reflex and everything just comes spewing out of her mouth.  Hopefully soon she'll learn to enjoy her food.

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In my last post I mentioned Addi being the occassional thumbsucker - this is slowly becoming a habit.  As much I don't like the thumbsucking, I think it's pretty cute, and at least for most times it saves a trip to the crib to soothe her with the paci.  We'll just have to see if she grows out of the habit and how long it'll take.  Emma was without her paci at 8 months, so she's set high expectations!

Addison is such a busy body, always wanting to be a part of things, always wants to see whats happening around her, so not easy to breastfeed her in public, while the tv is on or if Emma is in the room, I can see she'll be the more daring child, the boy I'll never have...hehe!
Addi just loves her sister, so wonderful to see her face light up when she enters the room and Emma enjoys making Addi laugh.  Makes your heart melt everyday watching them and listening to them together, I'm glad they have each other.

As for Emma these days - so much fun too - speaking so much, amazing the things she'll say, wonderful being able to have some sort of a decent conversation with her, which still takes some deciphering at times.  Her inquisitive mind, and great memory.  Em loves to read her books, and when she finds a favorite, she'll have me read it over and over, until she can recite the book herself, just love how she'll know the story and if I miss a part she'll make sure I go back and read it.  Emma's gross motor skills are improving so much, the other day she surprised me by grabbing onto a pole at the park and was hanging and swinging her legs back and forth - I've been waiting for her to be more adventurous and do things like that, and there she went doing it all on her own!  Makes you so proud.

while doing this she was saying, "Look at me mom!"

painting and making handprints

very serious about her artwork

final product - I was impressed

Every day I look at her and cannot believe how quickly she's growing, she's getting so tall, I love watching her....from the way she'll handle a book, to painting, or sticking stickers down...her fingers so long and delicate looking, her legs which are starting to look lanky, standing on her tippy toes while reaching for something and seeing her little calf muscles.  I probably sound like a crazy mother, but to watch her and Addi and think, wow we made these girls and what they are now, I know there is still so much more ahead but I've helped mould them so far - just around Mothers Day had me feeling so very grateful to have these two special girls in my life, how much joy they've brought to my and our life (Rod and I), and spending 24/7 with them I feel privilaged and lucky.  I couldn't ask for more from these two.  I always knew I wanted to be a mom, I definitely didn't realise how tiring and busy it would be, how everything revolves around them, but it really has to be one of the best things in life, also makes you realize the wonderful things our moms have done for us, so much we took for granted or never thought about.  Now every year when I say thanks Mom for all you do, there's more to be thankful for and apprecative for all they do for us!  Happy Belated Mothers Day to my mom and mom in law!  

So some funny things Emma has said recently:

A new program came up on tv, I just came downstairs from feeding Addi, so Emma asks, "Mom, what show this is?", I responded with, "Oh, I don't know Emma". So Emma replies with, "I also don't know mom".

Emma had just completed building a puzzle on the ipad and asked about the picture, while pointing out the animals and talking about them my finger hit the screen and scrambled the puzzle.  I got this confused look from Emma and she asked, "What you do mom?", so I apologised and said I didn't realise that would happen, so Emma says, "Now I must build it again mom" and started it all over again.

Another....Ma Ma and Ye Ye will love this... every day I'll ask Emma what she wants to do, she'll say, "I want to go to Disneyland!", so I explain that Disney is a place we have to plan to visit, we have to save up some money, book tickets etc etc....she then asks, "What do we see at Disney?"  So I ask her "what do you think we'll see?"  Thinking she'll say, Aerial, Belle etc.. she responds with Ye Ye.....and Ma Ma.  I told her I don't think they'll be there, but maybe if we tell them, they will be there, Ma Ma and Ye Ye - maybe you want to save up for a trip to Disney next year??

I thought I'd be able to catch you all up on Ruby's visit in April, Addi's Baptism and our trip to Vancouver - but this post has become quite long, I shall break it up.....until then....another pic of the girls, one of my favorite!

Part of the 5 Month Update

This post has been sitting in my draft folder forever now......Addi is now 6 months and so much more to catch up on....

Thought I'd just post what I had written anyways, some cute things that the girls had been up to, some of them I even forgot.

Where is this year going?  Life seems so busy. Busy with the little things, little things that take up a lot of time, I'm not just talking about the kids, but errands and other activities.

I can hardly believe Addison is 5 months old now.  She's a roller, rolling back to front and front to back (right to left), we really have to keep our eye on her now.  Occassional thumb sucker, when she can't find her paci.  And cheeky!  Cheeky but cute!
She's loves the attention, leave her in the room alone and you'll just hear her shouting, like hey people, I'm here, where have you gone?  It's quite funny.
When she started rolling, it didn't help with her sleep, kept waking her up because she became stuck. Now sleeping on her tummy is her favorite position.  Quite a nervewreckingt thing in the beginning, wondering if she can breathe, if she's comfortable, but everytime I would put her on her back, she'd roll right back onto her tummy, moaning and tossing and turning until she was comfortable again.
It's quite interesting to see Addi's developments and comparing to Emma.  With Emma I was always in her face, trying to get her to reach her milestones, with Addi, I've left her to her own devices and she's reached the milestones on her own and even sooner than Emma.
Glad to say we're now getting 8 - 9 hour stretches with Addison, and have not had to deal with a crying it out session - YET!
Emma provides encouragement for her little sister, telling her to roll over, and teaching her how to play with certain toys.  I love watching how caring and nuturing Emma is to her baby sister.
The lastest thing that Emma enjoys doing is racing Addi up the stairs, but when we come down, she has to hold her hand.  Every now and again while playing, Emma will just lean over and give Addi a kiss - really melts your heart.  I hear things change when the youngest starts crawling and grabbing things, so it'll be interesting to see if Emma will still be so caring and nuturing in a few months time.
I had taken some of Emma's old teething toys and gave them to Addi.  Emma became quite possesive over these toys, even tho she hadn't played with them in such a long time, however today was a different story, I gave Addi one of Emma's toys from her Doctor set, obviously Addi put it to her mouth.  Emma caught a fit, grabbed the toy away from Addi and told her not to bite it, then replaced it with the teething toys!  So I guess now that means the teething toys are now Addi's!

Emma is growing up so fast, my little princess.  And that is what she's into these days, all the Disney princesses, her favorite right now, Ariel.  She says she's Ariel, Mommy is Prince Eric, Daddy is King Tryton and Addi is baby Addison, sometimes Flounder.   I didn't want Emma to get into the princesses, but I guess Disney knows how to lures the kids in.   Emma will hold her top or skirt and walk up the stairs - I don't know if it's to imitate the princesses, or to help her balance without holding onto the rail?  She'll even brush her hair and hold her hair while she brushes it and says she's brushing her hair like Jasmine.  I guess you can tell we let her watch alot of Disney.

Well hopefully the 6 month update will follow shortly.......in the meanwhile some photos from March



My two special girls

Deep conversation

One on One with Daddy!

Dinner with the Gilberts, Emma and Ella

Dinner with the Gilberts, Addi and Noah (10 months old)

Mommy I need money

A quick story.....while driving home this morning Emma asks "who that is?" Pointing to a begger on the road. So I told her it was a begger. Emma then asks," what's he doing mom?" So I told her that he's asking other people for food or money. In the back of my mind I'm thinking oh great she's going to think that asking other people for food or money is an okay thing. So I quickly added that if she ever needs food or money she must ask mom and dad. So lunch and nap time passes and I forget about the morning conversation... We have a snack after nap and Emma says.." mommy I need money." I asked her why she needs money...she says for the airplane. I asked her where she's going? She replies with..."Vancouver!" Funny girl....I tried to get her to repeat the conversation with Rod but she changed it to that she needs money for the taxi. Everyday her speaking and grammar and understanding of things is improving. So great to observe.

Happy Easter Everyone



Easter is here already.... I've been trying to get the 5 month post up about Addi and Emma, but still in the middle of typing it.  In the mean time I thought I'd upload this video of the girls.

Emma making Addison laugh - I have no idea what Emma is saying, sounds like she's cursing or something, whatever it was, it sure made Addi happy.

I love watching my girls, they're both growing up so fast!

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter Weekend, we have family in town, Kerwin, Janine and Ruby are visiting.  Such fun seeing all the girls together.  Happy Easter!





4 Month Update

I feel like I've been so distant with the family and keeping you all updated with the kids.
As you all probably assumed we've had our hands full.  If it's not Emma that we're busy with its Addison and vice versa.
When I have alone time which is few and far between, I'm either reading emails, facebooking, trying to catch up with my magazines or parenting/baby manuals....going through photos of kids.....or napping...

Addi is 4 Months old

 Can you believe Addi is 4 months old now.  She's weighing 13lbs (6 kg) and 24in tall.  Averaging 50th percentile just like her sister.  50-75th percentile for height.  I remember being concerned about which percentile Emma was in at each visit....but now not so worried.
This mommy is really slacking second time round.

 Addison is starting to grab at things now and pull.  She loves gazing at her hands....chewing on her fingers or blanket if nearby.  She's a drooler and we just love her gummy smile.  Very sweet and content like her sister was but boy if she's not happy we are sure to know about it.  I've never heard such an ear peircing cry until now and she can really complain.  Its quite funny.

Last few days we've been fighting a virus with Addi....high fever,  very restless, up so often.....very tiring.  But now fever is down, nose clearing up.  So hopefully we're almost well now.
 

Bathtime pics

Rods been away this week.   When he travels I feel like I'm in a circus ...juggling the girls routines, I'm just grateful that Emma listens so well.  The one day I was feeding Addison and told Emma if she had to go potty she'd have to go by herself and discussed the whole routine.  So she comes running into Addison's room and says "mommy potty", so I tell her she has to go by herself.  I'm just listening out for her and hoping that she manages...she had to climb up the stool, turn on the light, pull down her pants and sit.  Then wait for mom to come and wipe up.  Well, she did it, and I was so proud of her.  The following day we had the same predicament, I was upstairs this time and Emma was downstairs.  She didn't say anything  but I heard her moving her stool around and trying to go.  I quickly ran downstairs to see what she was doing, she obviously heard me and came running to me with her pants down at her ankles, saying, "mommy potty".  And whenever she has to potty she'll say, "Quickly, quickly" and runs.

Sporting her Man U Jacket just for dad!

Loved this rear view



This stage of Emma's is really cute - I think I say this with all her stages!  Just gets better and better.  So great to talk about her day and what she did with a bit of encouragement of course.   Pointing things out while we're driving.  It always amazes me how she spots the smallest objects, it always takes me a while to find what she sees, like a bird sitting on a wire, in far the distance.  Her excitement for the smallest things is such a happy feeling.  To see her mind growing it amazing, counting, identifying letters on road signs, on the tv, in books.  There were contrails in the sky and they made a pattern, Emma looking through the sunroof says, "Look mom, A for baby Addison, up in the sky". 

A few of her conversations with mommy

Mommy: "Today is Friday Emma!"
Emma: "What we going to do mom?"
Mommy: "What do we normally do on a Friday?"
Emma: "Music class"

Then just before bedtime,
Mommy: "Tomorrow is Saturday Emma"
Emma: "What we going to do Mom?"
Mommy: "What would you like to do?"
Emma: "Go Park", "Daddy take you to the park?"
Mommy: "If the weather is good, daddy can take you to the park"
Emma: "Mommy come?"
Mommy: "Mommy will come if you want
Emma: "Momma wear carrier, take baby Addison"

Mommy: "Come Emma, lets get dressed" as I move toward her dresser
Emma: Pushing her way between me and the draw, "Let me choose"

Oh and thats the latest battle, "Emma do".  Everything Emma has to do, even though I've done it, she has to start right from the beginning and do it all over again.  Now I've learnt to stop myself before I do something that I know I'll regret doing and set us back another 10 minutes!

Our conversation this morning:
Mommy: "Emma, mommy is going to exercise this morning."
Emma: "Daddy look after you."
Mommy: "Yes, daddy will look after you, but when you say it, you must say daddy look after ME"
a few minutes Emma repeats that mommy is going to exercise and daddy look after YOU.
again I correct her.
So third time, Emma:  "Mommy going to exercise, Emma stay at home, Daddy look after.....ME"
YAY, she got it right!!! (we could just see the little wheels turning in her head when she said ME.
When it was time for me to leave, "Bye bye mommy, see you later"

Then tonight while she's dressing her magnetic ballerina doll and I wanted to join in the fun.
Emma: "No mommy, mustn't help, just watch.  Mom must watch tv, mom must sit on couch"
So bossy....

I could carry on and on with all the things she says, very entertaining.

So from helping set the table, helping to prepare our meals, playing doctor doctor, or shop shop, trying to hoola hoop (Emma that is), who would have thought such a small person can do so much! There is never a quiet day.  Addi just watches, or lays on her playmat and follows Emma and I around the house.  Leaves me feeling and looking a bit ragged by the end of each day, but just loving this time with my girls and watching them grow.



Our two munchkins - Emma looks so uncomfortable but just love how it seems Addi put her hand is up on her shoulder

 

Happy Addi!

Emma's Alphabet recognition and making Addi laugh

Days whizz by with all the activity going on in the house.  Two videos taken today, which I had to share.

Today Emma was able to recognise a few letters of the alphabet, it's always amazing how you think, I'm just going to ask to see if she knows and she does.  Emma makes us so proud.

Then Emma was playing around with her deflated ballooon, throwing it around and making sounds.
Addison found this quite entertaining and we got a few laughs out of her.  With Emma, Rod and I were the ones trying to make her laugh, now we have Emma to provide the entertainment.  This was quite a sweet moment to capture.

Life is sweet!

Videos of the Girls

Emma and Addi playing with their blocks

We've reached 29 months for Emma and Addison is almost 3 months old! 
Just like yesterday I was holding my newly born Addi, and now I'm  holding this baby with the cutest little rolls, chubby toes and dimpled little hands, which can only look cute on a baby!
Then I have Emma who's constantly questioning, What is this mom? or more like, What this is mom? and What this do mom?  Talking so much it's almost tiring!  Still times where I'm amazed at what she says.
We've reached a milestone with Emma, we're pottytrained! Whohoo!!!  We started last week Wednesday and since day 4 we hadn't had any accidents.  We've reached the point where she'll tell us each time when she needs to pee and poop!  I must say on day 1 I almost wanted to turn back to diapers, but so thankful I didn't.  And with Shan here it definitely helped.   Thanks Saamie for the help - I thought I'd make the most of Shan's time here to help me with this and I'm glad it's worked out!
Now to be able to have two sets of hands when I'm feeding Addi and Em needs to potty at the same time.

an oops photo which turned out pretty good

Little Miss Addison

Can't get enough of her smile!

I've uploaded a few videos of the girls to keep you updated with the two....

Addi has started talking so much.  I put together a few snippets of her little conversations.  Just love it!

And then she laughs....

And the two girls "play" so nicely together....haha
Poor Addi being poked and prodded by her big sister - I can just see it....Addi asking, "Why do I always have to be the patient?"

This was Emma the one morning saying morning to her sister.  And Addi just like her sister, greats us with her sweet little smile every morning....such a happy baby.