Happy 6 Months!

Today Addison is offically 6 months old!!!!!! Where oh, where did the time go?? (I know I didn't give it to the peach)



Our little Favor Baby has already witnessed several big snow storms, has been introduced to flower arranging, is sitting on her own, eating cereal like a champ (and some applesauce too), has rolled over, can pick up cheerios, uses her thumb and 1st two fingers to pick up, play and put her binky in her mouth, can hold her bottle, knows what the bottle means, knows what the spoon and ceral bowl means, is getting closer to sleeping throught the night, is extreamly alert, loves looking at/studying people, 'talks' up a storm, laughs alot, giggles, leans to people that she wants to hold her, loves to growl (yep, you read that right growl ~ she does it mostly when she's happy, kinda like a purr), loves to visit her grandparents...and....and... there's so much more but we'll leave it at that.

Dedication Day

Addison's dedication was a cold snowy Sunday, but one filled with the love of Family. Both of our families were there including BOTH of Addison's great-grandfathers! She is one blessed little girl to be surrounded by such an extended family. We were blessed by all our family who stood in support with us as we presented our little girl to the Lord. We couldn't have asked for little girl to have done any better. She was so calm as Merle carried her around. She was so attentive as the pastor prayed a blessing over her - you would have thought that she understood every word her was saying. She then thought she might like to have his notes to eat! It was all so perfect, so cute :)

The dress A. is wearing ia the dress that my Mom was dedicated in. Then my sisters and I were dedicated in it and finally all of the grand girls. It was awesome to carry on the tradition.

NEWS FLASH!

Addison rolled over yesterday!

Only one time, and she was not overly surprised - in fact she acted like "what's all the fuss about??"
Secretly, I believe that she's been rolling over in her bed when we're not looking ;)

We've been busy getting ready for Valentine's Day and Addison's dedication on Sunday. We had some pictures taken with her in her special dedication dress that was my mom's baby dedication dress, then myself and my sister's and finally all the grandgirls - how special it will be to have Addison carry on the tradition of these fine women/girls. I love it - I guess I'm just entirely too sentimental!

Little Addison Girl

Little Addison Girl, you are growing sooo fast! Mommy can't hardly believe that you are 5 months old. Right now as I type this you are demonstrating your talent for growling :) You are so good at growling, you have 3 -4 different growls. And you smile as you growl! You recently have started eating a little bit of rice cereal in the evenings and you have caught on quick and love to eat your cereal. You can sit for a little bit on your own and are so strong! You are such a cutie and Daddy and I are so blessed to have you in our lives.

When You Just Don't KNow What to Say.... Say Thanks

I have a friend who lives in Texas. Everytime she comes home to the 'burg to visit family, we try to have lunch or coffee or something. It's always a great time to catch up and I love hearing about her most recent Operation :) trips. About a year and a half ago I commented on a unique bracelet she was sporting - she informed me that this lady salvaged antique typewriters and made jewerly out of the antique keys. **how cool** Those of you who know me well, know that I was an Art major in college and that one of my concentrations for my degree was in metalsmithing/ jewerly making. So I loved the creative idea and recycling that was giving new life to old, old typewriters - and how neat to wear a "piece of history"

Well this Christmas my friend and I had scheduled to have coffee the week of Christmas - but she happened to stop by my work the Friday before as she was afraid that our lunch date would be canceled due to the impending snow storm... and she wanted to give me a gift. She said that ever since I had commented on her bracelet she had been looking for one for me - but since the letters spell out words (duh) she was looking for a particular word for the bracelet for me.

This is what she gave me.

How many times can I post about something that has blessed me on a deep and very personal level?? Hmmm... seems like EVERY post here recently! Her comment was that when she thinks of me; this is what she thinks of.

I have to say - I love it . I love the creativity - I love the history - I love the thoughtfulness of the friend who gave it to me.... again,

I have no words.

Full

Life seems so full to me right now - what with owning/running my own retail business, holidays, family, friends, husband and new baby! oh.. and a few Christmas weddings along the way - not to mention upcoming Bridal shows and teaching workshops... yikes! how did life get this busy??!

I keep trying to slooooow down. I promise, I really do. But somehow.....

Anyway - I can't believe it has been a month since I posted, and I thought I would give an update. And although life is Full. LIFE IS GOOD!!! Addison is growing, growing growing! She is a great eater! Still nursing every 2 hours - she will be 18 weeks tomorrow and we have her 4month check up on Tuesday. I can't wait to see what she weighs in at or how long she is... she seems very long! She loves people! In fact when new people come her way - she doen't cry, doesn't fuss (unless she's tired or hungry) she just looks at them. She really looks - intently- studiously at them - taking in all their detail almost like she is memorizing their face so that when she sees them again she'll recognize them. She talks constantly - giggling, squealing and laughing all the time! She is so alert - I can't get over how much she enjoys interacting wtih people. She lights up when she sees her daddy too!!!

Enough for now - I could go on forever enumerating the wonderful things about my little girl but I'll stop for now.

Speachless

Yeah, I know, hard to believe that anything could make me speechless. The last time I was rendered speechless - it was when my husband proposed to me and I was so speechless that he wondered if I was going to say "yes" - but that's another story for another day...Recently something happened that left me speechless and blessed beyond words. I struggle, even now, to put my thoughts and feelings into words...

In my last post, I shared with you about the amazing gift my thoughtful husband gave me the day our daughter was born. It was so sweet that I purposed in my heart that whenever someone commented on my necklace that I would honor him by sharing the story.

Not long ago, I was talking with a lady I know. As we approached our destination, she commented on my necklace. I proceeded to share with her the beautiful story of where it came from.

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Now I love jewelry, and one of my most favorite things is to purchase jewelry in conjunction with a special event, a trip etc. For example, I have a beautiful pair of handmade silver and peridot earrings that I bought at a cute shop when I went to a friend's wedding in Old Town Alexandria. So every time I wear the earrings, I think of her and her family and another dear friend that I re-connected with - so many great memories. I have a necklace that my husband bought me when we were in Venice - so every time I wear that, I think of the wonders & sights and sounds of Italy, as well as the good friends we were traveling with. I share this so that you can understand why the story behind my necklace is so important to me as well as the story that follows...

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My friend was genuinely excited for me as I shared the story of my necklace-for the birth of my daughter, and the thoughtfulness of my husband & all the emotions that come with the birth of a child . We parted ways for the afternoon. About 10 minutes later there was a knock on the door. This dear lady was standing at the door with her hands behind her back. She proceeds to tell me that she had something to give me - that she had bought a pair of earrings, but when she thought about wearing them she said God told her she was going to give them away this weekend. She shared with me that as she listened to my story she believed that God wanted me to have these earrings.

When she handed them to me, I was speechless.

Overwhelmed.

Blessed beyond words.

For in her hand was a pair of silver Tiffany&Co. earrings that would match my necklace.I am exceedingly blessed. No words. Just thankfulness.....and an overwhelming sense of God's love expressed through this awesome lady and her gift. Now, every time I wear these earrings, I will think of this sweet lady, my friendship with her and a God who endeavors to bless me in so many ways.