Piggy Tails

As most of you know, Addie has been pretty bald most of her life. We have had to use headbands since she was born. Well, I was finally able to get the little bit of hair she has now into piggy tails. Dave hates it...he says they're mullet pigtails (and he's kindof right, but I still can't resist!) Addie's almost two and this is the first time I actually got to do her hair! I was in love with those two little sprouts of hair sticking out. Funny story: I had an ultrasound around 30 weeks, and the ultrasound tech commented that this baby had quite a bit of hair for only being 30 weeks. I guess Addie better start growing some more hair or her sister may have more than her! For now, I will continue to love the piggy tails.

Beach Day

I finally got my camera, camera cord, and husband back! After spending a month in Northern California, Dave has finally joined us in Southern California. We are thrilled to have him home! It's been a crazy few months, but we are loving the warmer weather and being so close to family. We feel so incredibly blessed to have been able to move back to California so soon! Several things just seemed to fall into place, and we are back WAY before we ever thought possible. We had many great experiences in IL and met so many wonderful friends. We will miss them dearly! However, California has already been good to us. Addie has gotten to spend tons of time with our families. Last week, David had the morning off, and we met up with some cousins for a fun little play date at the beach. It was a little chilly, but it was fun to watch the kids run around and play. Charlie seemed to be quite content playing with the sand and water while June kept trying to feed the seagulls goldfish crackers, and Addie ate snacks on the blanket because she didn't like getting sand on her feet. Luckily, I was able to snap a few cute shots of the kids all together. Good times!



The three cousins all together. We couldn't get a picture of them all looking at the camera at the same time. I guess two out of three will do.

Uncle Dodo playing with the kids.

Love the expressions on Charlie and June's faces.

Just playing in the sand.

June Bug running about.

Cute Cousins! I love these two girls!

The Holidays

I can't believe we are almost half way through January! Where is the time going?!? I figured that I better get our holiday pictures up before any more time passes. After an eventful flight to California (including smoke in the cabin and a detour to St. Louis), we had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas break. There were a few trips to the beach, a neighborhood party, lots of walks, Christmas lights, and Christmas Eve at Gma and Gpa's house. Fun, fun, fun!!! Luckily, Santa didn't forget us in California. Santa brought Addie girl a new slide to keep at Nana and Papa's house since we will be living there soon. Since we haven't been to a park in Illinois in a while, Addie was completely in LOVE! Dave and I agree that watching Addie with her slide was our favorite part of Christmas. Kids make Christmas so much more fun. Unfortunately, I had to go back to Illinois early to work the New Years. Dave and Addie partied it up at my cousin's wedding and then at Grandma Graham's house to ring in the new year. Looks like it was a party with the cousins! Looking forward to 2011...moving to California and a baby sister are going to be highlights for sure!

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"Doggie"

Yes, it's true we are going to have a new "doggie" in our family. According to Addie, baby is "doggie." This new addition is expected to arrive in April...meaning our two little kiddos will be less than two years apart. Was it planned this way...no. Are we thrilled...YES! We couldn't be happier to add another little Graham to our bunch! I am 16 weeks and counting. Only three more weeks until we find out if Addie will have a little brother or sister. Can't wait!

 

This one is just because... :)

 

Fall

I had to get a few fall pictures before winter sets in. Couldn't resist all those leaves on the ground! Sorry this is a bit of Addie overload, but I love my sweet girl.

Addie adores David. They are the best of buddies. It just melts my heart.

 

 

 

The fam! I love when we get a picture of all of us together. It rarely happens.






We were at the park during sunset. I love these photos.

 

Pumpkin Patch

I absolutely love fall. I love the colors, the weather, the holidays, the food, and, of course, the pumpkin patches. Living in Illinois, we are surrounded with corn fields which seem to provide the perfect setting for pumpkin patches. This year, we headed to Didier Farm for our pumpkin patch experience. We were shocked with how many people were there! Despite the crowd, the kids (and the adults) loved it! We saw animals, went on a tractor ride through the corn field, rode a kiddie ride, and ate some pumpkin and apple cider donuts. It was such a fun afternoon!


Addie girl with all the pumpkins. We kindof liked the "ugly" pumpkins.

 

Enjoying the tractor ride.

 

Daddy and Addie. I love this picture. They are so cute!

 

Aimie and Jaxon. I love this picture too. Thanks for going with us!

 

Addie got to go on her first "ride" at the farm. We thought she was going to freak out, but to our surprised she liked it. While we were waiting for the ride to start, Jaxon kept honking the horn. Addie kept making this face when she heard the sound. So funny!


Life in the fast lane.


A picture of us all together!

Donuts with Dad

Growing up, Dave's dad would often either take the kids to get donuts on Saturday or have a box of donuts on the table when they got up. Dave wanted to start this little tradition with Addie girl. A few Saturdays ago, Dave and Addie (pajamas and all) headed off to go enjoy a few donuts for breakfast. According to Dave, Addie loved it! He snapped a few photos while they were there.
First bite...

 

Half way done...

 

Finished and satisfied!

 

I'm sure there will be many more Daddy/Addie trips to the donut shop!

Happy 4th!

 

I love her.

Lincoln Park Zoo

We recently visited the Lincoln Park Zoo. Now, this zoo is not like any other zoo I've ever been to before...it is right in downtown Chicago with skyscrapers on every side and it's FREE! Thus, people would just be walking through the zoo to get somewhere or going on their daily run through the zoo. How fun would that be! Anyways, we had a wonderful time at the zoo. Some of our favorite animals included the giraffe, the tiger, the rhino, and, of course, the polar bear. Addie liked the animals and would point when she was actually paying attention. But I think she LOVED walking all by herself more! Miss Independent! It was another fun Chicago adventure.

 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the man I love. There is something special about a Dad and his daughter-a bond, a trust, a love. I could watch David and Addie play all day. It melts my heart. Dave, thanks for all you do for me and Addie. We love you. I'm so glad that we have a day to celebrate Dads. They deserve it.

The Birthday Girl

Guess who had a birthday!?! Our Addie May is 1! Wow, that seemed like the fastest year of my life. I try to enjoy each and every day because I know tomorrow she was be a day bigger, older, and wiser. ;) Sometimes, I wish I could keep her as my little baby forever...but part of the joys of parenthood is seeing your child learn and grow. It still amazes me how much they change over the course of this first year. What an adventure! Addie is such a sweet, independent little girl. We are so LUCKY! We love our little one year old.

The final 12 month photo with the bear. It is hard to image that she was about bear-size a year ago.

 

This photo captures the little personality of our Addie May. Screaming is what she does BEST!

 

The Birthday Girl. Thanks to Grandma Marilyn for the cute, party dress.

 

I got called off of work on Addie's birthday, so I quick put together some cupcakes, candy, and lanterns for a small little birthday celebration. Here's our little birthday girl ready for some fun!

 

Like everything else, Addie had to try to touch the flame of the candle! Luckily, we were right there to prevent a birthday burn.

 

Mom helping Addie blow out the candle.

 

Addie picked off the frosting of her cupcake first. Eventually, she nibbled on some of the cupcake. Addie is a VERY slow eater...so this was a long process.

 

PRESENTS! Finally, Addie has some new toys to play with! Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes and presents. We heart you!