Feeding Addison

From not blogging for a while, to 3 in one week! 

I put this very amateur video together of Addison's transition of feeding for the family to see.

I decided with Addison I'd start her later on solids, later being 6 months compared to 4 months with Emma.  My reason, just that Emma suffered with eczema, and I never knew if the food was the cause, and if so, no particular food was ever really evident.  Also I just wanted to enjoy my little baby for a little longer, and to fit in feeding solids along with our existing everyday routine, just seemed like something extra to have to do, so I wasn't in any rush.....  Until I started the solids and saw that Addi wasn't enjoying the food, gagging everytime I tried to give her puree's. 

She took longer to take to eating than Emma, so I began to worry if I left it too late.  Also worried about what to feed her because she seemed so picky (only wanting vegetables and no fruit, and then things like bread, which I was then worried about the wheat allergy), even tho I knew that the solids weren't her main source of nutrition and learning to eat takes time.

Feels like it took so long to where we are now, but Addi is now getting used to feeding herself when I give her fingerfoods and eats well from the spoon now too.  She loves her food, moaning for first bite and for more.  There was a stage where she would only eat from my fingers and refused the spoon.  Now at least she uses her own fingers and I can feed her with a spoon.

So just snippets of video, of Addison eating - her facial expressions sometimes, says it all!

Addi is starting to talk..

Addi saying Ba Ba Ba and splashing in the tub!  The day before she just started making fish sounds, did not expect the Ba Ba Ba to follow so soon after.....she also knows how to give mom heart failure when she tries to pull herself up in the bath!

And just when I thought....

And just when I thought I wouldn't get to see Emma draw her first man, she went and drew not only her first man, but first whale!

As you can see the whale has an eye, and the blowhole on top of it's head.

Then the little man is pretty squished, but has two eyes, a nose, a mouth, hair, arms and legs....

Way too cute!  So proud of my girl...I was wondering when this would all begin....

From probably 2 weeks ago...this was Emma's first rainbow....

June Update

I took these photos last night at bath time - Addison is such a munchkin!  I just can't get enough of this little one!

So this is our June Update, and we're in July already, almost half way through!  It's just been real busy lately, the days are just flying.  The past two months have been extra busy and crazy, as I've been going for Dr appointments 2-3 times a week, kids in tow (such stars to sit thru it all), and Rod has been travelling.  Definitely have had my hands full, but we have a good routine going and we're managing pretty well, I'm pooped by the end of the day though. 
Addison is growing way too fast for me.....crawling, now pulling herself up on her knees and just getting into EVERYTHING!  We hardly had to babyproof our house with Emma, then along came Addison!  Such a different child to Emma, but just as adorable....obviously! 

So many comparisons...

Emma was pretty laid back and quiet, Addi, just wants to go, go, go and screams for things, attention, more food, when she's tired... I'm hoping the screaming is just a phase, a phase of discovering her voice, although my friend Amy, her second, a boy, does the same thing.  Maybe a second child thing??  Not getting as much attention, so screaming for it?? 
Addison can also bring on her tears real quick, so so naughty!  Take something away from her that she really likes and you get a good combo of her scream and cry!

Miss Addison, is fearless, I'll have just fed her milk, and once she's done, she'll just pop off and start crawling off my lap.....Emma we could leave her on the bed, or in a room and she'd stay put.  Leave Addi, and she's crawling off the bed, or already down the hall going into the room 2 doors down.
The safety gate that we got for Emma when she turned 2 years old to keep her in the room when she moved to her big girl bed, has to go up now.  Actually will go up just as soon as I find the hardware.  No idea where I put it.  
Addi is showing interest of climbing up the stairs now too - guess big sister influence - not sure what we're going to do to block the bottom of the stairs off (awkard angels).  We constantly have to keep our eye on this little one.

Emma has always been interested in books and will sit and listen for the most part - Addi could care less, crawls off and finds something else to do, getting caught under the bed, pulling cords, finding other things that she shouldn't find, otherwise just mouthing the books.  Emma's baby books have been in good condition, almost all look new, no teeth marks or dog earred, nothing went in her mouth, we could even leave tags on toys and she wouldn't mouth them...along comes Addison and we have had to remove all tags from toys, and some books are starting to look sad.....boy oh boy!

As you can tell, days are busy busy busy!  The best time of day for me, is when I'm able to coincide both girls naps at the same time, or I get them both in bed by 7:30pm!  I finally get some free time to sit and do nothing, but that time really passes quickly.

In less than two months time, Emma will be starting preschool, twice a week.  I'm so excited for her to start, but at the same time a bit sad, my little, big girl!  I've been fortunate to see every first of Emma, so now to think that she'll draw her first man, or write her first letter and I probably won't get to see that, except for when she brings it home from school.  I guess I could consider home schooling?? haha   Coincidentally, one of our neighbors son (Nicholas) will be attending the same preschool as Emma, and they're going to be in the same class, so that provided some relief that Emma will know at least one child - they get on really well.  Then I met another mom through a friend, and her son, Cael, will also  be in the same class as Emma. So we're trying to meet up as often as we can, also to play at the school's playground, so they can get used to each other and their surroundings.  Quite comforting that Emma will know two of the kids in her class, which should hopefully help with the transition.

Miss Emma - she's grown taller, her hair has grown longer, she's speaking so much these days, just over night she can have a full conversation with you, questioning things, trying to understand why and how.  We still have to ask her to repeat things to understand her, but once we finally get it, we're like, wow Emma, how did you come up with that?
I'm also always amazed how she'll bring something up from a while back and talk about it, remembering things from a year ago!
She's a great big siser, always running to Addi's aid when Addi cries.  She's been such a great help with Rod away, listening and helping me whenever she can.   Rod even questioned if we're making her grow up too fast - because of the "responsibilities" we give her.  I told him that it's probably all part of the role of the big sister.

Her imaginative play has increased dramatically.  Lately she's been throwing surprise birthday parties for me, baking me a cake, bringing it to me and saying, "surprise", then lighting the candles and singing, "Happy Birthday to Mommy".  She then goes on to tell me there are balloons, can I see them, and hands me a gift to open.  She'll also have little tea parties, serving mommy, daddy and Addi.  I tell her to serve her dolls and bears, but she doesn't quite like that idea.
The other imaginative play that she likes, is picking flowers....any picture with flowers, she'll grab at it and pretend to hold a bunch of flowers, come running to me saying, "I picked these for you!", "Flowers for you mom".  Too sweet.  Em loves her nursery rhymes now, singing every day, it's so funny how all these things just start happening when you least expect it, you bring out the camera to try recapture that moment to share with the family, but you can never get it back. 

I love every day with my girls.  They make me laugh and make me so proud to be their mommy!  Even after spending a full day with them, I still can't get enough.

Everyday I wish we were closer to family, just so they can see the two girls for themselves, see their personalities, watch them grow.  I know there is probably so much I forget to mention here in the blog.  As I've told Rod, there is so much that happens in a day that I even forget to share with him, Thankgoodness tho for this blog, family can stay up to date as best I can type, aswell as Skype, Facebook and Whatsapp. Poor girls, my phone is forever in their face!  
 You definitely know you use modern technology too much with your kids, when your daughter says, "I can't see them mom!", when you make a regular phone call and ask them to talk to the person on the other side.

Time to post this update now, it's taken me a week already to finally finish it off, sorry for the ubrupt ending, but if I don't get it up now, it might be August and Emma would have turned 3.
There are a few videos and more pics to share, will eventually upload them along the way.

We can wave and crawl!

Addison has been practising her crawling skills these past few weeks, mainly moving backward, but really trying to reach forward for things, (type of yoga pose, on all 4's and one arm outstretched) always falling on her tummy, then rolling around to get to the object she wanted.  From rolling she would sit up, then move side to side from one butt cheek to the next to move around.  And then this weekend she took one, then 2 "steps" or crawls forward.
Can't believe she's reached this milestone already.

Quite interesting that she's reaching all her milestones one month earlier than what Emma did.

Addison has also learnt to wave, which is too cute.  She has the same move for dancing, her arm just moves to the music.

This morning I managed to capture Addi waving and taking her first 3 crawls.

You can hear Emma in the background.  You  might ask what she's saying, I don't really know.  Her speech will eventually be clearer :)

Photos of Addi

Just some photos I snapped today of Addison.  I can't get enough of her gummy, drooly smiles, they just light up the room!



Look mom at what I can do now....

Addison is now 7 months old!  Such a fun age and developing new skills.

Today naps were a bit thrown off, so Addi ended up taking her last nap at 4:30pm, but only woke close to 11pm.  I let her play around a little before putting her back down.  I just happened to get the video camera as lately she's been going into crawlilng position, so just waiting for her to take off.  Now talk about timing, but just as I walked back into Addison's room and pressed record, Addi did this..

So proud of her, she's been working hard at this for a few days now!

Soon soon she'll be crawling too...she just can't wait to chase after her Karch (big sister).
Bracing myself for when I need to chase after her and continously pick things up and out of her way, bringing on a whole new dimension of BUSY!

My sweet sweet girl, I love you so much!  Thank you for 7 wonderful months of being in our lives, you've spoilt us!

Sounds of Addison

This is Addi's latest....she's so funny.
She just gets louder and stronger....I no longer need to shower.

Big sister likes to join in too....oh boy!

Vancouver

I'll eventually catch up on this blog...

Still dwelling on April and the last part of it we made a trip out to Vancouver.  Finally!  Can't believe that it had taken us so long to make a trip out and also to post this, but what made it even more special was that we had Addison with us and the family could meet both our girls.  The last time I saw my family was 2004.

A long journey out, but worth it!  Nothing better than to have family and friends meet the girls, but also for Emma to meet more of her family and add to her memories!  Emma was so excited to fly on the airplane, saying that she gets to go this time, not just daddy.  We took the long route to get to Vancouver, first stop Houston, second stop Seattle, then a 2 hour drive to Vancouver.  Thankfully we stayed at my cousin's and Aunt and Uncle's home, Casa Laubrador.  Called Casa Laubrador due to their love for Labradors!  They live just 15 minutes from the border.  Poor Emma, every time we landed and got off the plane, she would ask to see Kung Kung's brother.  Must have felt like an eternity for her to meet this man!  Emma and Addi did really well on the plane, both slept most of the way (so great that for Emma we just had to have her little pillow and lamb blanket and she was happy to take her nap).  I was so proud that even though we put Emma in pullups incase of accidents, she didn't wet herself and asked to go potty each time, there were definitely times I wished she'd just pee in her pullup.  Taking her to potty in that tight cubicle not the easiest, esp when you don't want them touching everything also trying not to let her pants or underwear touch the seat or the floor....ugh!

We were so spoilt by my family, all the good food, eating in and eating out!  So welcoming to have a home cooked meal after a long journey over.  Aunty Lily, Wendy and Tessa love to cook and bake, you almost had to be careful what you say, cos the slightest mention of something you feel for, they're sure able to whip it up!  They have a beautiful and such a huge kitchen with so much storage that they're able to carry almost every ingredient you can think of.
Some of the yummy things we got to try, regular waffles, liege waffles, shortbread, chocolate chiffon cake, biscotti, pizza, biltong, scones....we were continuously snacking throughout the day!

Our first breakfast - Fruit and regular waffles, always so nicely presented 

Tessa making Liege Waffles

more snacks

Last dinner, chinese and sushi

Emma took to the family almost immediately, I think it was the special princess chair that was assigned to her, her little princess drinking cup and jug of water to pour each time, which was often as the the cup was so small.  Lots of spills, but the family were patient enough to just wipe it up and refill her jug.
Wendy and Tessa had a snack draw and everyday Emma would want to take a look in this draw to see what she could try next, amazing how they know where the good things are.
Emma finally got to meet Kung Kungs brother who she was shy of for just a bit, then continuously asked where he was in the house, wanting to see him as soon as she woke up, and then wanting to wake him up!  The family kept teasing Emma as it sounded like she was saying, "coco butter", or "kookooburra", along with, "I need to go potty", they heard, I need to go party! party, party, party!!

Casa Labradour has an elevator which Emma loved riding in, she even knew how to operate it.  The grounds are so big, which allowed Emma to roam around the yard in her rainboots, we had to buy a pair the day after we arrived, she loved picking dandilions, dandilion puffs and blowing them, also picking up stones, sticks and anything else interesting she found while exploring.  Em got to ride on the John Deere, and enjoyed telling Tessa where she wanted to go.  Wendy and Tessa also made some homemade bubbles, which Emma had fun chasing and popping, Rod and I actually went out for breakfast that morning and left the kids with them.  Was nice to have babysitters who were more than happy to look after the kids and entertain.  For the first time in a long time Rod and I were able to have a HOT breakfast, then drove around a bit and browsed a few stores!    

Emma's bumblebee rain boots

fun picking dandilions

blowing dandilion puffs

Sitting by the tree of heaven

Going for a walk along the trail at the house

Enjoying the John Deere

Despite the early mornings, 5am for Emma, which eventually became 6am or 7am, the girls adjusted well, Emma slept in her own room which was great.  She got to sleep in a day bed with a steel white frame and gold posts, which made it seem like a princess bed to her, so she was more than happy to sleep in there.  I would give Emma her breakfast when she woke and once she was done with that, I'd take her upstairs to Wendy, Tessa or Aunty Lily and they entertained her while we had a few extra minutes of shuteye until Addi woke up.   Just before Vancouver Addi started sleeping her 8 hour stretches, with the time change, a different story, only once we got home did I realise I was actually feeding Addi around the clock every 4 hours!  No wonder I was so tired!!

So Wendy, Tessa, Aunty Lily, Uncle Sumpy, Murchie and Brodie (their 2 labs) live in the township of Langley.  The funny thing whenever I hear township I think of squatter camps back in SA.  Langley is quite a beautiful area with lots of trees, walking trails, horse trails, farmlands, animals, very quiet and the back drop of snowcapped mountains!   They're about 45 minutes out from downtown, so after the first weekend we spent a few nights downtown, also to be closer to Kung Kungs sister.  We managed to spend some time with my Aunt Mabel, Uncle Thomas, Joanne And Neal and Cyndi.  We ate well, vietnamese, japanese, yummy tiramisu cake, cupcakes...  the weather was a little cold and rainy, but we managed to fit in a touristy place ... Stanley Park.  Had to see the Totem Poles which looked quite different to what I rememebered.  More enclosed and there seemed to be more poles.

Totem Poles

lunch with Anne and Neal along Beach Ave

Cyndi's birthday

While staying close to downtown we got together with some more family and friends and their kids.

First we got together with my mom's cousins for dinner.  We went out for some chinese.  Aunty Cynthia organized everyone to join us, so good to see Uncle Gerry, Devin and Branden, Uncle Basil, Lindsay, Duncan and Gilly.  Such a fun, close family.  I wish I could have enjoyed the dinner more, but Emma wasn't 100%, running a slight fever (think all the late nights and early mornings were catching up to her), she did not want to eat, and Addi was also a bit niggly and tired.  With the little time we had, we at least got to catch up somewhat and more of the family got to meet Rod and the girls.

Aunty Cynthia and Devan

Gillian and Lindsay

We then organized to meet with friends, Sharon and her girls, Nora and Lily, Cindy with Ben and baby girl on her way (who has since been born, little Amelie) and Cherie with her little ones, Megan and Owen.  We met at the aquarium, checked out the Beluga whales, grabbed some lunch (tuna melt sounded good on the menu, but felt a little guilty ordering that at the aquarium, so went for the ham and cheese), then explored more of the aquarium, got to do some crafts and play around.  The kids seemed to have had a good time.  Emma took to Ben quite nicely, they were running around together, laughing and copying each other.  Really really sweet.  After the aquarium and a bit of a meltdown we took the girls to Anne and Neal's house for a much needed nap.  Then we went to Sharon's house for some yummy dinner where we could also meet the other/better half's.  I read everyones blogs, it almost feels as though I knew the husbands already, and then you're like, oh yes we've never met!  Always good to catch up with everyone and see all the kids together.  I always think to myself, imagine if we all lived in the same country, how great it would be to get together more frequently, but most likely if we all lived in the same country, we'd be so busy with everyday life we'd probably not see each other as often as you think.

enjoying lunch by the Beluga Whales

Ben and Emma having fun on a stage

 At dinner, Sharon set up a little table for all the kiddies to eat at, then after dinner and some playtime it was bathtime.  Emma was very interested to see the other kids bath, sticking her hand in the water, I could see she was eager to climb into the bath herself, she kept looking back at me while watching the kids bath, almost like waiting for me to say she could climb in.  Already in the bath were Nora, Lily, Megan and Owen, we asked if we could join, and very quickly Emma was clothes off and ready to jump in.  I still remember asking Ben if he wanted to jump in the bath, and he very politely said, "No" and walked out the bathroom.
5 kids at one time, chaos, I wasn't around to see the chaos as I had to go to the car and get some clothes, by the time I came back, all kids were out the bath and in their jammies, except for Emma.  We then popped them all on the couch and snapped some group photos....such a great moment to have all the kids together.  Very special times!

all the kiddos!  can't believe they're all ours!

That night we drove back to Langley, spend the rest of the week and weekend there, until Sunday morning when we drove to Seattle and made our way back home.  This time round, Emma slept all the way in the car to Seattle, which meant that she didn't sleep at all on the plane, so she got a little antsy toward the end, wanting to "get out", not the best when we're descending and have to remain in seats and wear our seatbelts.  Addi slept most of the way, so at least only had to deal with 1 wiggly worm.

Emma left with good memories of Vancouver.  I'm so glad she knows more of her Kung Kungs family.   When we finally arrived in Durham, and I told Emma we were now home, she said she wanted to see Kung Kungs brother.  I just laughed and said, sorry love, we're not making that trip for a little while now.
 

big milestone - Addi starting sitting

Great catch up time with everyone.  Never long enough, but we left wanting more, which is a good thing, hopefully we can make our next trip in the summer time.

More of our Vancouver Photos