Questions...

I have a couple of questions for all you moms out there.

1. How do you keep your babies warm at night without using bulky blankets? (or do you think it is okay to use blankets)? I have been swaddling Addie from day one so she has stayed plenty warm but I am stopping the swaddling. She woke up this morning with ice cubes for hands and I felt so bad, but I have no idea how to keep them warm at night and I stress that she will kick her blankets over her face or something...I know I need to just chill, but any tips would be greatly appreciated.

2. I am starting Addie on solids in the next week or so and I was wondering how often and when do you feed them solids? Do you feed her solids right before/after a feeding or just anytime? Once or twice a day? etc.

I am new to all this and like to hear how other moms do things!

Fun Filled Weekend

We started and finished (for the most part) our Christmas shopping on Thursday. It was a very busy day and Addie was a good sport but I think she would prefer to stay away from the mall for a while! Friday was our ward Christmas party and it was a lot of fun. Saturday we hit the mall one last time ( I always tell myself I will not shop the weeked before Christmas cuz I can't stand the crowds but once again I was out in the craziness) and then my mom, Crystal, Jessica, and I went to the Tabernacle Choir and David Archuleta Christmas Concert that night. I was lucky enough to get four tickets...I never get picked for these kind of things! It was complete madness downtown and waiting at the conference center. We were over an hour and a half early and still had to wait in a line that wrapped all the way around the conference center (it felt like black friday shopping or something). People were so excited to see David Archuleta and it was a lot of fun to hear him live again (he sang at my Uncle's Wedding when he was 12, my uncle married his aunt!) It was a great concert and really helped me get into the Christmas spirit and ponder the reason for the season. I am so glad I got to share it with the girls!

Waiting, for what seemed like forev, for the concert to start

The set was spectacular....don't worry I took this before it started!

Sunday consisted of dressing Addie in her Christmas dress, enjoying the Christmas program and lessons at church, and dinner with the fam...a perfect weekend. I can't wait for Christmas!

Nephi's Birthday

A week ago Sunday was Nephi's birthday. He turned 26...he is really starting to get up there! We celebrated all weekend long. He took Friday off just for fun and we spent the day together. Saturday my mom watched Addie and we enjoyed a night out at the Gateway and eating at Tucano's (this is becoming a birthday tradition with us, thanks to Tucano's birthday club a.k.a. free meal for your birthday, you should all check it out)! Sunday, his actual birthday, Nephi got to teach in elders quorum (wahoo) and then we headed over to his parents for a birthday dinner. He was even lucky enough to have the first presidency giving a Christmas devotional for him that night!

It was a fun birthday weekend. Phi is such a great husband and daddy. Me and Addie sure love you and appreciate all that you do for us!

Turkey Day 2010

Thanksgiving was such a great day! We were lucky enough to get together with both our families. We were with Nephi's family for the meal this year and had a big get together at his Aunt's house. It was a lot of fun and and the food was delicious! One plus of having a fussy baby sitting on my lap during the meal was that I didn't even get the chance to overeat! After that we headed over to my parents to celebrate my Dad's birthday and get together with the whole fam which doesn't happen very often!

Addie with her Great Gma Hutzley

Our Little Family-don't mind Addie's soaked shirt she is quite the drooler these days!

Crystal had Addie smiling and this was my attempt to get it on camera

My parents + siblings

Dad, Shaun, Carter, and Luke

I wanted to get a picture of all the baby cousins born this year but Jace missed out

Addie-4 months Luke-3.5 months Lily-8 months

It was fun to get all these babies together and I am so glad Addie has cousins her age!

Lily was being so funny...she cracks me up!

Kev wanted to get in on the action

I took this pic to show the madness going on with Tim, Kevin and the kiddies. They were very entertaining!

Too bad this pic turned out fuzzy. I really need a new camera

Needless to say Addie was pretty exhausted by the end of the day

I really do feel so blessed and am so thankful for all that I have. A couple of things I am grateful for:

-my hard working husband who will do anything and everything for me and Addie. He is my best friend and is such a good Daddy. I love him so much!

-being a mom to my sweet, healthy, beautiful baby Addie

-the gospel and the blessings it brings into my life

-my amazing family, it has been so nice to be closer to our families and I am so glad Addie will grow up knowing and loving her grandparents and aunts/uncles

-being able to be a stay-at-home mom

-health insurance

-Phi's employment

-my Savior

{four}

It is amazing that Addie has been in our family for four months now. I have been thinking about how much our lives have changed in these four short, wonderful months. I have learned so much about myself and discovered a kind of love that I will never be able to put into words for this little girl. I have come so far from bringing Addie home from the hospital with no clue what I was doing to now, where for the most part being able to know Addie's needs and trust my motherly instincts. This mom business is the hardest work out there...but so worth it! Addie had her 4 month appointment today and the doc says she is doing great. The heart murmur she had at her 2 month appointment was gone (wahoo) and she is growing very well and finally started getting some height on her! Here are her stats:

height-24.7 inches-64%

weight-15lbs 8oz-84%

head-41cm-47%

Here are some things that Addie has been up to this past month:

Enduring endless picture-taking from her adoring mommy

Putting everything she can in her mouth, her fingers being her fav

Still refusing to smile for the camera

Discovering her feet

Hanging out with me 24/7

Batting and grabbing at toys

Putting toys in her mouth

Playing naked...her favorite way to play

Standing up with help

Sucking on those fingers

Enjoying tummy time more-she rolled over on October 29th and hasn't done it since!

Playing with her cousin Jace

Sleeping great...when swaddled

Visiting the Gateway for the first time and loving the fountains

Addie is our high maintenance, drama queen who has stolen our hearts. She can't handle being awake and not being talked to and played with, making for very unproductive days, and she has a serious set of lungs and wants everyone to know it. I can already tell she is going to have quite a personality!

Addie's First Halloween

Our Lil' Ladybug was not the biggest fan of Halloween. She was pretty much fussy all day Saturday and wanted nothing to do with her costume. She sure looked cute in the hour or so that she actually had it on though! Hopefully she will enjoy Halloween more next year! We spent the evening at my parents passing out candy to kids and trying to keep Addie happy!

I was hoping to make it to a pumpkin patch but my mom's porch was as close as we got!

Tim, Jessica, and Jace came down to visit for the weekend. It is fun having these two so close in age!

Crystal got a sweet new scooter that just happens to be red and black so Addie had to get a picture on it. Doesn't she look so excited...not!

We sure hope Addie enjoys the coming holidays more!