We are MOVING!

Yes, you read that right. We are moving, moving back to VA. At the end of March.

So many mixed emotions. Do I want to be in VA to be closer to family? Absolutely! Am I going to miss Chicago and all my friends? Most definitely!

This was such a difficult decision to make and one that CJ did not want to make but he agreed........tentatively.

He understands my need to be closer to my mom, Addison's grammie, my Dad, Addison's grandfather, my Mother in Law, Addison's gramma, and all of Addison's aunties, uncle's, godmother and godfather. She has so many people that are MORE than excited that we are moving, but just as many that are sad to see her go.

CJ and I took the leap and moved to Chicago 7 years ago. No one could believe we were actually going to move, and we did. We made it on our own, proved we are adults but now it is time to be closer to family, to rely on them, to have them be a HUGE part of Addison's life.

But, there are still mixed emotions. About two more months before we actually move. WOW!

A week of craziness....

So it's been a week since I last posted a blog and boy has it been crazy. On Tuesday we got a call from school that little Addison had a fever. CJ went and picked her up and took her to the pediatrician where they confirmed a 103 fever and diagnosed her with a double ear infection. Ugh!

Lucky for me (not really!), CJ was going out of town Wednesday-today. Why does he always travel when Addison gets sick. This is the third time. Well, it was baby and I on Wednesday. She was the most miserable and saddest baby I have seen in a LONG TIME! She was less than enthused to be awake and just wanted to be held. She was super clingy and ran a fever for pretty much the whole day. I put her to bed early on Wednesday and around 1:30am she woke up with the loudest scream cry I have ever heard. I jolted out of my sleep and ran in to get her. She was SOOO hot. I picked her up, laid her on the changing table to take her temperature and give her some more Advil and she proceeded to throw up. I was freaking out. I finally took her temp and it was just over 104, again, freaking out. So, the only thing I knew to do was call emergency doctor's line at our pediatrican. The doctor called right back, thankfully and said that the antibiotic had not had 48 hours to work and to bring her in again in the morning if she continued to vomit.

Well luckily, no more vomiting but Addison was certainly in need of mommy. I held her all night. The minute I put her down, she cried. My poor poor baby. It was do hard to not be able to do anything but hold her and tell her she would feel better soon. Luckily yesterday, she got lots and lots of sleep and pretty much slept the sickness away. She was back at school today and back to her semi normal self. She still wanted a lot of snuggle time (which I don't mind) and went to bed early tonight.

Picking her up from School on Tuesday :(

How we spent Wednesday, cuddled.

Miserable :'(

5am, when I was finally able to put her down.

Such sad sad eyes.

This is how we spent Thursday.

I don't feel good momma! 

She will certainly be happy to see Daddy in the morning!

10 Months

Oh MY! Little miss Addison Grace is now 10 months. I can't tell you her weight, because I just don't know. I would assume she's in the 19-20 pound mark.

She has pretty much surpassed the 9 month clothing size and wore it for a very short period of time. Considering she was in NB until well after 3 months and in 3 months well into 6 months and 6 months until around 9 months, I was certain she would be in 9 months for awhile, but NOPE. She's able to wear 12 months and they fit her, just fine. I could be that her fluffy butt is a little bit larger due to the cloth diaper, but the girl is so dang long, everything is too short on her. Anything one piece, forget it. She's not fitting into it, she's busting at the snaps. Same thing goes with onesies.

She is eating a lot more food. She has found a new love for Cherrios. Oh how she loves them. She also continues to love her puffs and yogurt melts and has become very independent in eating them. OH, and how could I forget the MumMum's. Actually, I am sure she loves them, but I love them even more. Why you ask? Because they are NOT messy! :) She's continuing to try all sorts of food, pretty much anything we eat, she tries and loves. Still have not come across a single thing she turns her nose at. She's a great eater. We have changed up her feeding schedule to the following:

8am- 9 ounce bottle
11am- Solid food and snacks
1pm-9 ounce bottle
3pm-Solid food and snacks
6pm- 9 ounce bottle
7pm-Solid food and snacks

She is continuing to sleep well through the night usually giving us 12 hours of sleep. We are certain she is beginning to dream because she lightly cries in her crib, moans and kicks her feet. Not enough to wake her up, but enough to hear her. We just go in and give her a paci and that ensures she stays sound asleep. She normally goes to bed between 7:15pm and 7:45pm and on weekdays has to be woken up (FEEL HORRIBLE ABOUT THAT!) around 6:45am and on weekends around 7:30-8am.

She is ALL over the place moving, crawling, grazing, and standing. She is able to stand for a few seconds unassisted. We are pretty sure in the next few weeks she will be a walker. She surely can whip around the house with her walker in record speed though. She's not afraid to try to walk and step from the couch to her toys or the chair or table. She is fairly good about falling and getting right back up without blinking. She's fearless, good or bad? not sure :)

She has been growing teeth like it's her job. She has her two bottom teeth, both incisors are coming in and one of her front teeth have broke through, all without any true issues. Life with teeth is pretty normal!

She has continued with swim class and loves it tremendously. She's such a water baby and VERY happy to be in the swimming pool kicking and splashing.

We are continued to be amazed by this little girl day by day. She really brings so much joy to our lives. Having a bad day, all I have to do is think about her and smiles are immediately brought to my face. She's one special gal and we are one special family to have her be a part of. Love you Addie Grace.

<3,

Mommy

Enjoy the 10 month pictures. (Continues to get harder each month to take these. She is so darn interested in the sticker that I have to distract her with other things, hence the pink bracelet in all the pictures!)

Look, one leg!

standing by myself

i want that camera!

AHHH!

And here is where the temper tantrums begin!

Waaahhhh! 

I work out.....

For my soccer loving husband, he was more than thrilled to have received the cutest Adidas track suit for Addison. Check her out!

Hey Layla, can I have that?

Big Smiles!

Whatcha doing up there Mom?

I'll come get you!

Side tracked. Shoes!

RIP Grandma!

Today, CJ's Grandmother Effie passed away. She is now in peace and will be watching over all of us ensuring we are always smiling and laughing. We are so very lucky to have Skyped with her last Sunday. We will forever hold that memory.

Addison loved Grandma just as much as Grandma loved Addison. Lots of hugs and kisses were always given!

Today, we lost a beautiful, wonderful, sweet mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will always be in our memories and Addison will always know who Grandma is.

Several pictures of Addie and Grandma:

Week 1 of Fluffy

We have successfully completed week one of cloth diapering at home and on the weekend. Wahhooo!

And let me tell you, IT'S EASY and FUN! Yes, I mean it!

I spent last weekend prepping all the diapers for use and starting Sunday morning, Addison was cloth diapered. Read about the prepping here. While at school, she continued to wear disposable until she ran out (she out so will be fully cloth diapered this upcoming week). I had school put a diaper on her for her last change at school so she would have one on when we picked her up. She wore them every night this past week with NO LEAKS! I cannot say the same for the disposables in the past few weeks.

I have been washing the diapers either every night or every other night. We have a great rhythm going between CJ and I, so they get done.

Thus far, my two favorite diapers are Kawaii and Best Bottom. I am also liking the GroVia brand which is what she will be primarily wearing while at school. I have added quite a few to my "stash" over the weeks. Several brand including Best Bottom, GroVia, Charlie Banana, Alva, Kawaii, EcoBums, Bum Genius, Rumperooz, Lotus Bumz, FuzziBunz, Bonnibons, and Swaddlebees/Blueberry. 

We also added a few accessories like a diaper sprayer (to spray the poop off) and some bamboo cloth wipes.

Thus far, loving cloth. I am wondering to myself, why did we wait so long?  

We love our little fluffy butt!

FuzziBunz Pocket- the only one I could find with a ladybug on it!

Best Bottom AI2

GroVia Ai2- we will be using this at school because of the hook and loop (Velcro)

Two random brands-but seriously how cute is the jean material?

BumGenius Pocket

SwaddleBee and Blueberry Pockets

CD's drying

Drying

New Bamboo Wipes

Fluffy butt! Day One!

Hanging out in Mom's Uggs with my fluffy butt!

50 Rules for Dads of Daughters

Came across this blog that one of my friends posted to Facebook. I thought it was so appropriate as Addison has such a fond relationship and bond with her Daddy. I know he will be the most AMAZING father to her. Very touching read. Well worth it!

Click here to read 50 Rules for Dads of Daughters.

Can I just tell you that I love that CJ gets on the floor and acts goofy with little miss? Precious!

Prayers Needed

Please keep CJ's Grandmother Effie (Addison's Great Grandmother)in your thoughts and prayers. On Friday she had to go in for an emergency appendix removal. She had appendicitis. She isn't recovering too well and has since been diagnosed with pnemonia. We had the luxury of Skyping with Grandma on Sunday where she got to see Addison movin' and groovin' all over the house. We would certainly say it increased her spirits.

I know CJ's mom and CJ are very worried, feel super helpless and want only what's best for one of the most loving, sweetest 92 year old's on the planet, so please, keep her in mind. We love you Grandma!

Addison and Grandma Effie at 3 months old

9 Month VIDEOS

Our princess, smack dab in the middle of month 9. She keeps us on our toes, that's for sure!



Warning! This is a video of Addison being very dramatic because she cannot get the ottoman open. Yes, soooo dramatic!

Fluff

Tonight we begin our cloth diaper adventure.........

 I am all set with everything I need, I think. We will begin by "prepping" all of the diapers by washing them multiple times to get them to fluff aka become more absorbent. I had to buy special cloth diaper detergent, Rockin Green which is also a detergent specifically for hard water/well water. 

How I will be prepping them (and then further washing): 

Shells-Wash in hot wash with detergent ONCE. 

Microfiber Inserts: Wash in hot wash with detergent THREE times. 

Hemp, Organic Cotton and Bamboo Inserts: Wash in hot wash with detergent FOUR times (separate from the mircrofiber for the prepping)

So, tonight begins the wash cycle. Keep in mind, this may be shocking, but I don't do the laundry in this household. That chore is completed by my lovely husband CJ. So, in order to begin this adventure and get CJ completely on board (at least 95% on board) we agreed I will be doing the cloth diapering laundry. So, I will get a lesson tonight in how to use my washing machine, which I can count on one hand the times I have used it to date, and will be a washing fool tonight. My hope is to have all the diapers ready for this weekend to try. 

I have to give a shout out to my friend Nicole Leary's and her company, Tummy2Bummy. She has been more than helpful in providing me all the information and answering all the questions I have had on cloth diapering. She has made my decision to try cloth, that much easier. Her company offers a wide variety of brand and accessories to make cloth diapering a "piece of cake". Next week, I will blog on our first experiences, but hoping to get through the weekend disposable free. 

Below is the beginning of my "stash":

Alva Brand Pockets

Kawaii Brand Pockets

Bonnibuns Hybrid AI2

Microfiber and Hemp insterts

We have a few other brands (and styles including pockets, AIO, AI2, and Fitteds with Shells) on their way including Charlie Banana, Best Bottom, GroVia, Rumparooz, and several others. I look forward to writing my reviews on each brand as I am sure I will find my "go to" fluff of choice!