Growing fast and furious!

Over the past month, so much has happened with Andrew and Addison developmentally, that a year ago I would have broken into several different posts.  But now, with 2 children, finding the time to write has gotten harder, and with returning to work looming in the near future, time is precious.  For the moment, Addison is napping, so who knows how long I'll have before this post will get saved for another day.  (Side note - this was finished while waiting for a doctor's appointment, 4 days after it was started!)

Since June 1st, Andrew has learned how to ride a bike and spell his name! Have I mentioned Andrew isn't even 3 yet?  We are just about the proudest parents around... except, he has also completely regressed with "#2"s, and we've gone back to a sticker chart and bribes for using the potty.  I'd take a potty trained kid over one who can ride a bike ANY DAY.  Focusing on the positives, I think Andrew's accomplishments show a good balance between Mike and I... he's a dare devil and all energy, like his father was growing up... but he loves reading, learning his letters and speaks very clearly for his age, like me. Unlike either of his parents ever were (wink wink), Andrew is a complete hand full right now.  I can't believe I ever called him a maniac before... at least before he wasn't the Tasmanian Devil with an attitude.  Now, he is full blown terrible two and I'm constantly perusing toddler behavior books and we frequently mutter about how lucky he is that he's just so darn cute.  It is amazing how a parent can find the two good minutes in a day and let the child survive on that memory for the other 1,438 minutes of the day.  Ok, that's a little exaggerated, but you get the idea.

Mike was super patient, and it paid off!  This was how the morning started.
Unfortunately, I only have video of Andrew riding successfully

 

 

 

 Andrew loves reading... especially to his sister. 

This is Andrew reading "The Happiest Toddler on the Block".  HA.

This was post-attempt to open the baby gate from the step side... he succeeded, but fell out,
gashing the corner of his eye on the gate as he crashed to the ground.

 

Notice the lovely ink-work?

Beginning of dinner at a restaurant...

...and 20 minutes later.

Also since June 1st, Addison has learned how to sit up, had her first (trial) day of daycare, and has caused mommy much anxiety due to her refusing bottles of formula.  Months ago, I decided I would wean at 6 months, and around 3 months when she was a very difficult nurser, I almost gave up then... but after a rough couple weeks, she became the most efficient nurser ever and I got lazy with offering the bottle.  Well, now I'm going back to work next week... and we are hit or miss with whether she will take a bottle... mostly miss.  I've successfully had her take formula 3 times in the past 2 days and was feeling on top of the world.  Until today, she balked at the idea of a rubber nipple being anywhere near her face and I'm not sure which of us cried more.  Who said Parenting was easy? Oh right, no one... ever.  Bottle tantrums aside, Addison is a laid back, happy baby and definitely a Mommy's girl.  Going back to work next week is not going to be easy. I mean, look at this cutie pie!

 

Gram Comes for a Visit

 

June ended with a visit from Gram! I especially enjoyed her company, as I'm nearing the end of my leave from work... and as much as I love having this time with Addison, it's so nice to have an adult to talk to while Mike's at work! (Not to mention an extra set of hands!)  So, we made the most of our week with Gram and jam packed it with activities!  Pop didn't join for this visit, and we missed him very much - Andrew can't wait to go visit him again.  



Addison welcomed Gram with lots of smiles at lunch near the airport!

Back at home, Gram settled in...

 

                                Peekaboo!                                             Getting a "talking to" already!

 

Below: FaceTiming with Pop 



Above: Dance Party!

 

This is how Gram gets Addison "ready" while I'm showering.

 

Gram figuring out how to handle two grandchildren!

 

 On Gram's first full day, we had a nice picnic at Lake Del Valle

 

I couldn't pick between the two shots above.

 

Addison's learning how to protect herself from her brother!

Unfortunately, the focus is off in this pic... but isn't Andrew so cute trying to give Addison a kiss?

On Wednesday, we went to the Alameda County Fair.  Mike and I took Andrew there two years ago, and it really is amazing what these "fairs" are like - definitely no Midway Carnival... it's almost a mini-Magic Kingdom with a lot of the same toddler friendly rides - except we went on $1 ride day, and "get in for free with your canned good donation".  So, no Mickey, but MUCH cheaper.

Chili cheese fries for lunch at the Fair!

Andrew loved his first pony ride and Gram splurged on the "Grandparent's Package" so we got the posed photo below:

This little girl did not like Andrew ringing his bell.

   

 

 

 

Oh wait!  There's Mickey!

That night, Gram made lemon cake with lemon buttercream icing.  While I ran outside to check on Andrew, Mike and her conspired to give let Addison try it - and of course she loved it.  Ugh. 

 

On Thursday, Gram, Addison and I bummed around Mountain House.  We got pedicures (not Addison of course...she just sat in the stroller and watched us wondering when she was going to be old enough) and went to see some new gorgeous model homes in the neighborhood.  No - we are not planning on buying, it's just fun to be nosey and check out the décor. 

On Friday, Mike took off work and we headed to Capitola for the night.  We got a last minute hotel room right on the main street at Capitola Hotel. It was a nice enough room, but since AC isn't really needed down there, especially with the windows open, they supplied ear plugs for the street noise at night.  We have always loved Capitola when we've been in the past, but this time when we showed up there was a particularly pungent smell that made eating our packed picnic lunch a little unappetizing.  It was also Addison's first trip to the beach, and I think the cool air plus the bright sun was a little much for her. Andrew was as happy as a clam... ocean air, sand, open space... that's all he needs.


Beach babe (above) or sleeping beauty (below)?

 

 

 

Learning to make drip castles!

All dressed up for dinner!

After an embarrassing dinner (Andrew was not well behaved at all), we hoped to tire Andrew out by running him on the beach and exploring the very precarious but picturesque pier.

 

 

The next day was very busy. We packed up from Capitola and headed one town over to Santa Cruz. After a brief walk on the boardwalk and some tourist shopping, we heard the sea lions calling us, so went to find them and grab some lunch on the pier. Our lunch wasn't so great, but later that day, after a stop for a quick hike through some Redwoods, we had the best ice cream of our lives at Scoops in Palo Alto (dinner at Crepe Vine was yummy too!). Totally made up for the crappy lunch.

Love, love, love this one.

 

Mike should probably not wear the Bjorn when we go on hikes anymore...  If he wasn't jumping down into a hole, he was climbing up on to a stump, and giving Mommy a heart attack the whole time.  Addison loved every minute of course.

 

 

 

 

It was a wonderful week with Gram!  We miss her already and wish her a very Happy Birthday tomorrow.