September adventures

This month just flew by me...lots of travel, friends and family! Loads of fun...so let me try and catch up a little bit...


Early this month, our friends Brian, Laura and Will came to see us since both Brian and Jonathan had the weekend off. :) It had been so long since we had seen them! We had a great time! Watched lots of football, went to the Fork in the Alley for dinner, and played with the kids.

Brian, Will and Laura Dix

Will & Addison in the ball pit

We took the kids to one of the parks near our house...and they played and played!

Please come see us again! We miss you guys!

Later in the month, Jonathan had a spine conference and Addison and I decided to tag along. We had such a great time with our friends, Robert, Kelly, John & Ali. Dinner was a treat for sure...John & Ali weren't in town yet, so Robert, Kelly, Jonathan, me and Addison went to Flemings (a nice steak place). I thought, oh I hope Addison is good tonight! We started off at a table and asked to be moved to a booth b/c Addison would have only lasted about 2 minutes in that highchair thing. So we moved to a booth and things started off well. Addison was sitting in between Kelly and me and having a good time (mostly eating). Kelly gave Addison this little thing that you put on the table to hold your purse. Addison was mesmorized by it, and we let her play. A short while later, she was laying in the booth (with the thing in her mouth). Before either of us could get it out of her mouth, she gagged. We sat her up quickly and thought she was good. Oh boy, were we wrong! Addison spit up just a little (at first) and then out came the full-on vomit! All over her, me and Kelly (bless Kelly). What an awful parenting moment!! We hurried to the bathroom to clean up and realized that I had no extra clothes for her, but thank goodness I did have a blanket. Kelly and I cleaned her up (thank you again Kelly!!) as Addison just splashed around in the sink. We brought her back out to the restaurant, wrapped in a blanket. We had moved to yet another booth (poor waiters)! And if you can imagine a toddler in just a diaper, she was so excited to be "free" of her dress. She bounced around in the booth in just the diaper (forget the blanket). We finished dinner without any more incidents....and all had a good laugh on the walk back to the hotel. I vow never to leave home without an extra change of clothes for Addison.

So onto Saturday, while the boys worked, the girls shopped! I really loved being in a big city again and oh how I loved the mall there in Charlotte! :) We had a great time and picked up some fabulous things there! Addison was pretty good during the shopping event too, although I did get suckered into one of those pillow pet things. Addison picked the ladybug (just like a Phi Mu legacy, right?!?) and actually laid down on the floor on top of it. Kinda made a scene and when I tried to walk away without it...she let me have it. I started feeling guilty, so we went back to get her "laybug." Darn mall booths! :)

We had a fabulous time watching the AL vs. Arkansas game at a great sports bar the boys found. Here we all are with our rockstar table for the game!

Then went back to the hotel to watch more football in the hotel rooms. John & Ali had an adjourning room with us, so we had a good time hanging out and Addison could go to bed. But before bed, Addison decided to try on everyone's shoes...

We had such a great time!! And to add to the excitement...we were staying in the same hotel as the Cincinnati Bengals! We got up a little early to watch the team board the bus to the stadium, which was literally only a few blocks from our hotel! We even saw several players in the elevator! So fun!

So now I'll make a dramatic change to potty training. Yep - we are giving it a go. Not hard core by any stretch, but at least getting her used to the idea. So far she has gone pee pee twice...but we're working on it. Probably start pull-ups next month. Here she is in all her glory...reading the Reader's Digest.

More random photos from September...here's Addison in her favorite chair, wearing her favorite hat. :)

And here we have an avid Elmo fan glued to the tv watching...yep, you guessed it...Elmo's World!

Roll Tide!

I know...it's been a few weeks since I updated our blog. But here we are in the beginnings of another wonderful college football season. Where does the time go?!? Here is my favorite photo of Addison so far sporting her Alabama dress. She even says "Roll Tide" when you ask her to. Definitely an Alabama fan!

So what else has been going on...Addison had a fun afternoon with a babysitter while mommy and daddy got to get out for a little while a few weekends ago. Jonathan and I went to a really fun beer festival here in Roanoke called Microfestivus, where we got to sample lots of really great beer, including lots of local breweries! It was kinda rainy and overcast, but actually turned out to be great weather for this event and was unusually cool that afternoon! Definitely going to do this again next year.


Jonathan's mom came to visit us about a week ago now and we had a great time! She brought Addison lots of Fall clothes and a table and chair set! Oh Addison loves it! Here she is trying it out for the first time. She doesn't use a highchair at daycare, so this should be great to get her more accustomed to eating with us at a table.


So here are a few funny photos from August that I haven't posted yet...Addison is so funny sometimes! The one below is Addison saying "cheese" for the camera and ironically her mouth is full of cheese. :)

Addison trying on her new pink corduroy coat and hat. Still a little too big, but that didn't stop her from wearing it around the house for a while. P.S. She adores this baby stroller...even tries to sit in it and wants to be pushed around. I really need to try and get a photo of her sitting in it. Too funny!

So here she is reading the Dothan magazine. Jonathan says we should submit to the magazine as its youngest reader. haha!! This girl loves loves loves to read. We definitely encourage her as much as possible...it is amazing how well her vocabulary is coming now. Sometimes Jonathan and I will look at each other and say "how did she know that?"

A few new things Addison is doing/saying...

- Today, she went up to the coat closet door in the living room and said "open." I opened the door, and she looked inside. Then she said "close" as she shut (er slammed) the door. Then she wanted to do it again, and again, and again.

- For about a week now, she has been putting two words together. Her favorite two-word phrases include "help me," "hold you" (when she wants you to pick her up), "night-night," "come-on mommy" or "come-on daddy."

- Every morning when we go to the car to go to school, Addison stops at the stairs and says "hand," and then takes my hand to walk (and sometimes hop) to the car. She usually holds her milk in one hand (or arm) and my hand in the other.

- She loves this book we got from a Chick-fil-a kid's meal about sea animals. She and Jonathan were reading it together and she was pointing to and naming alot of the fish in there. She even knew the lionfish, dolphin, whale, walrus, sea lion. I guess we have read it so much, she can recognize all of those fish/mammals and more! I told Jonathan we really need to take her to an aquarium soon!

- She's not doing really anything in the way of potty training just yet. We have the seat, and she knows what it's for, but only just sits on it. However, she is letting us know when she poops...so maybe it won't be too long before she is really ready. I think it will be pretty easy though since her daycare is great about potty training in the 2-year old class (which Addison will be in very soon).

- Addison loves her daycare and always seems to be very comfortable when I drop her off. This morning, she said "Adios" to me. Too funny!

- It is fun to pick her up in the afternoons too as she usually charges toward me and hugs my legs as soon as she sees me. Then she runs away and wants me to chase her. :)

~Elaine

The ABC song...

Addison has now learned the ABC song...and loves to sing to us! She usually gets to the letter "G" then mumbles a little bit and goes on to "M, N, P." Then she usually claps her hands...especially if Jonathan and I are excited and praising her. It is absolutely adorable (okay so I am a little partial...but seriously)! She has also started to learn numbers (counting) and she can get to around number 5.

We got her these flashcards from Target, (from the $1 spot, which I am absolutely addicted to every time I now shop Target). They are the ABC flashcards and have animals/pictures on one side and the alphabet letters on the other. Addison LOVES these cards...plays with them everyday and she can say about 90% of what is on the cards when we ask her "What is this?" Some of the words come out so cute. Our favorites right now is "yo-yo" and "x-ray." Her favorite cards are "Apple" and "Bird." When she says the words...they are usually drawn out, like "buuurrd" or "aaapple." Hard to explain, but very cute!

Her teacher is also teaching them some Spanish, and she can say "Hola" and some others. This is the most recognized that we can understand for now. She is also getting better with sign-language. But because neither Jonathan nor I know much sign-language, it is hard to identify sometimes if/when she is using it.

When Addison needs help with something, she will say "help me." She is also getting better at saying "peez" (please) or "tank u" (thank you). She also says "welcome" (your welcome).

Just this week, she has picked up the word "mine." Doesn't seem like too big of a deal, but everything she sees that she wants is now "mine" and she holds her hand out fully expecting you to comply with her wishes. For example...I had this measuring tape and of course she wanted to play with it (and I gave in...).

Addison on the front porch playing with the measuring tape

Laying on the front porch

Her school is going very well. We are definitely so happy at the Montessori school. She seems to be learning alot everyday, and she definitely plays hard too. She always comes home quite messy, which to me indicates a successful day of playtime. :) They have water play every Friday, which I know Addison adores because our child could literally be a fish! She wears swimmies in the pool now (she hates the confinement of any intertube structure at this point). We let Addison "swim" without either of us holding her and she does a really good job of keeping her head above water (for a few seconds anyway). Although she cannot touch, she is very satisfied to be "alone" in the pool for a few seconds. She also likes to try and jump off the side (with mommy or daddy holding her the whole time for now). We have noticed that Addison's hair has become quite blonde this summer with being outside so much. I wonder if it will turn darker in the winter??

When we put Addison to bed, she always wants a book or two in her bed with her (and her water). So this is what she looks like when we turn out the lights:

It really seems to work for her though...bedtime is not a struggle at all anymore (hasn't been for some time now). Naps, however, are a different story. :) Her teacher says she is usually the last one to fall asleep and the first one to get up. The teacher says she is too busy worrying that she is going to miss out on something. :)

Anywho...that is about all I can think of at the moment as to what new things Addison is doing. She definitely keeps us busy and we love watching her learn new things! Here she is playing "catch" with daddy. And she can actually catch the ball when thrown to her sometimes!

End of July already

So I have been a little delayed in our new blog posts...but nothing really new to report. Jonathan has this weekend off...so I thought I would catch up a little bit while Addison naps (or reads in her crib while she is supposed to be napping). :) Anywho, we are all doing great...same thing different day. Addison is doing wonderful...learning and saying all kinds of new things everyday. And did I mention that she LOVES to read!?! One of her teachers said that her vocabulary is really growing...and we can sure tell! She loves to repeat words and sometimes it is funny what actually comes out of her mouth as she tries to talk. Yesterday I told her to say "See you later" and she came pretty close! She can tell us that she wants milk or water ("wawer"), and today she said "gayray" (gaterade). Too funny! Here are some other memorable things that she is doing now:

- When Jonathan and I are getting ready to put her down for a nap, she tries to make us lay down (she'll push on our backs if we are on the floor). Once we are down, she'll find a blanket (or a towel) and cover us up. She even gives us a toy or stuffed animal too. I'll have to try and catch a picture of this when she does it to Jonathan. :)

- She loves to help me in the kitchen. When I am making something where I can get her to help me...like putting cheese on something or stirring...I get the step ladder and Addison watches and helps. It is so fun to watch her...can't wait until she can really help bake cookies. :)

- She loves to give hugs and kisses. I'll ask for a hug or a kiss and she'll give me one and then go give daddy one. She'll kiss and hug her babies or Elmo if they are close enough at the time.

- She LOVES LOVES LOVES Elmo!! She usually watches at least one episode when we get home from school. She gets mad if we don't fast forward through Sesame Street to go straight to Elmo's World. Here she is watching Elmo's World:

- She pushes her baby doll stroller all over the house! She also tries to sit in it herself and get us to push her.

- When she starts to whine like she wants something (usually to eat or drink), we'll go to her and ask her to use her words. Then she usually says "help me" or tells us what she wants like "milk" or "cookie."

- She is trying so hard to hop! It is funny to watch...like she's trying to jump into the ground rather than off the ground. Hard to explain but hilarious.

- When she's done with dinner or snack, she says "all done." (And then usually pulls her bib off or throws her spoon/fork on the floor.)

- She asks to "walk" alot now...which is great except when we are in a hurry. Her walking consists of a slow stroll and wants to stop and look/touch/smell everything! When she goes up or down the stairs she doesn't want you to be near her...she'll turn around and wave her hand saying "no, no, no" because she doesn't want you to help her. She's actually gotten really good at going up...its the down part we are still working on.

- Eating spaghettio's...she always looks like this:

- Playing in the tub...lining her bath toys on the ridge of the tub. She can also pick up the toys that you ask her to. For example if I ask her where is the dolphin...she picks it up (and sometimes throws it to me). Haha! Oh, and she loves to splash and often tries to drink the bath water. Yuk!

Addison's first trip to the dentist

On July 15 (21 months), Addison went to her first appointment with the dentist. We chose a pediatric dentist, Dr. Bittle, who came recommended by friends. We always brush her teeth before bedtime and don't let her have anything but water after that. From what I have read, the recommendation of a first trip to the dentist is around 12 months. I thought this was a bit too early, but thought maybe around age 2 we would go.
The waiting room area was pretty fun for Addison, although she seemed to like the door to the playroom the best (in and out, in and out). Then she found the chalk board. This was fun as long as I could keep her from putting the chalk into her mouth! LOL!
After a few minutes, they called us back and Addison wanted to sit in the big chair all by herself. I brought my camera with me, but felt silly trying to take a picture, so unfortunately I have no pictures (mad at myself now). The hygenist gave her a stuffed animal and some books, and Addison was just fine. The dentist came in and started asking her about the book. Then he counted her fingers and toes (to get her comfortable with him), and slowly worked his way to her face. She was looking over at me like "who is this guy?" It took alot not to laugh...
She did good until of course he wanted to look inside her mouth. She started crying a little bit and reaching out for me, but the dentist was great and kept telling her "you have no idea how much it helps when you do that" meaning that he was able to see her teeth much better when she was yelling (haha)!
He told me everything looked really good, and he would like to see her in a year unless we had any other problems or her 2 year molars came in sooner than that (which he said did not look like they would be coming anytime soon).
One memorable moment...while the dentist was talking to me about Addison's teeth, Addison had gone into her diaper bag, gotten the wipes, a diaper, and the mat that I lay her on to change her diaper. She was sitting in the big dentist chair attempting to put a diaper on the stuffed animal the hygenist had given her! It was too funny!
Addison left with a new toothbrush and 2 little plastic fish. I think she did a great job...and I feel better knowing that we are doing the right things to keep her teeth clean at this point. Yay!

Trip to Florida and Alabama

So I have not posted anything in a while. We are in the process of moving all of our blogs from Addison's old webpage (www.babymcneal.com) to this new one. However, it has been a while, so I will try and catch up a little bit.

Addison and I took a little hiatous from Virginia since her school was closed for the week of June 28. I had to take off work anyway, so we flew to Florida to see my mom and stepdad for a few days. We had a blast and got to see my sister Jen and her little boy, Colton. We took the kids to the waterpark in Crestview and they had a ball!

Addison kept running through the water fountains and trying everything out.

She even went up the stairs and down the slides multiple times. Needless to say, she tuckered out on the way home.
The next day, we headed back to Ft. Walton to see my grandmother (Oma) and take her to breakfast. Well, Addison had other plans and had an ultimate meltdown in the IHOP! We literally had to leave the restaurant. That was definitely a first for me...but I'm afraid it won't be the last meltdown. So much for the terrible twos...she's only 20 months old and I'm afraid they have already set in!

Addison also is in this phase now where she will bite herself or pull out her hair to get my attention. She especially does this when she wants something and I refuse (mostly because she could hurt herself) or alot of times when she wants out of the car seat and I won't let her (while the car is moving). I just tell her that I will get her our when we stop. She has left bite marks on herself (and me) and has pulled alot of her front hair out. So frustrating for me...but I think (I hope) it is just a phase.

After a few days in Florida, we headed to Montgomery, AL to spend some time with my dad, Sara and Courtney. We had a great time there too!

Addison and Courtney

We went to the YMCA pool the first day, and Addison again sprinted right for the water. I bought her some swimmies to try and keep her from going under the water. She has always LOVED the water and was so excited about this new found independence. The pool was zero entry and only 3 feet deep. She walked all over that pool and of course still thought it would be fun to go under. I was always right beside her, ready to pick her back up to do it again. She had a BLAST!

The next night, we went to Bass Pro Shops, and I think this was the funnest part of our trip to AL! We spent about 1 1/2 hours in that store and Addison and Courtney just explored every inch of it! I got some great photos too...they really had a great time climbing in and out of the boats, tents, and ATVs. Then we went to dinner there and Addison was surprisingly really good the whole day!
We also went to the Montgomery Zoo...and had a great time. We saw lots of animals, and got really close to a giraffe's tongue! Addison could point to some of the animals if I asked her where they were. She loved looking at all the animals, but was also very interested in pushing her stroller around. This zoo is really good! I was surprised by the habitats they have there and so many different animals! Our favorite was the monkeys...even had one climb on the window right in front of us! We rode the train around the zoo as well, and Addison seemed to enjoy the trip! We played on the zoo playground too...and Addison enjoyed the slide for sure!

The airplane rides were actually very uneventful this time too! I was a little worried about traveling with Addison without Jonathan's help...but Addison did GREAT! She loves to wave and blow kisses to people...she is such a ham! She'll often stand on my legs and look back in the plane to see everyone.
A couple other quite memorable moments that happened recently....I bought Addison a potty chair (pink baby bjorn chair) and she loves sitting on it. She sets her dolls in it too. So we've been putting her on it before getting in the bathtub (without her clothes or diaper) to see if she would do anything and mainly just to get her comfortable on it. Well, about a week ago...she did it! She went pee pee in the potty for the first time! She hasn't done it since...but she did it!! We are going to start trying a little harder now that we are done traveling for a while and see what happens.