Trip to the zoo--playing catch-up

I'm currently living in Lexington for a month for my job. I live on Transylvania University's campus for the program I work for, Governor's School for the Arts. Its a state-wide residential arts program for high school students. This month is the most intense time for my job...so stressful and busy and yet satisfying and inspiring. I work tons of hours and live on campus. Last year I took Addison with me. It was the hardest thing I have ever done, working 10-12 hours a day, seven days a week, for four weeks while juggling a 4 month old by myself. This year Addie is staying home with Jeremy since we already are paying for daycare and it is easier to cart around a 4 month old than a 16 month old. He's been wonderful, of course! I truly miss them, but luckily I'm so busy it keeps my mind preoccupied. Keep us in your prayers! :)

So sorry for the blog hiatus. It will continue until mid-July. I'll do my best to try to update on my few days off but I have a few of them and I don't always want to be on the computer. Today I was off and I have enjoyed my time in my own bed, my own home, with my hubby and especially with my daughter!

My first catch-up post is from a couple of weeks ago. We went to the Louisville Zoo since it was one of the last days we would spend time together as a family for a month. We had lots of fun! Addie loves animals!!! The last time we (it was just me and Addie with Tara and Brady for Halloween) went was in October so she definitely got more out of it this time. We'll definitely be going back there again!

Probably one of her favorite things at the zoo...a lizard statue! Ha!

She loved anything she could get close to...fish, snakes, lizards, etc. The entire time we were in the herbaquarium she made her snake sound. It was funny.

Taking a stroll with dad

She was intimidated by the gorillas. Who could blame her? They are huge!

Addie loved the petting zoo at no surprise. This is Vanilla, the goat.

Addie has had some bad allergies for a while. We just thought she was just fighting the horrible Ohio Valley allergies like we were. Well, hers became worse. Due to the drainage she got a respiratory infection and her lungs were beginning to close up. We felt awful because we didn't realize it was that bad! We couldn't hear her wheezing much. We just took her to the doctor because she had a fever the night before and she hadn't acted like herself for days. She ended up having a nebulizer for a few days to help her lungs. She did pretty well with it. We either had to read to her and or put in front of the tv in order to make her keep the mask on for 10 minutes. She's a toddler after all. We're hoping she won't have to do this many more times. This was a couple of weeks ago and Jeremy will take her back to the doctor on Thursday to make sure all is well. Look how pathetic it looks! Poor thing!

Little Lover

All you avid blog readers and other people that have been around our little girl know that she is happy, full of personality, stubborn, strong-willed, independent, silly, loves to dance, sing, play, talk and read. You may or may not know that she is a lover. She is pretty good about letting anyone hold her and loves to give hugs and kisses (the open mouth, tongue out, kind of kisses).

Last week I watched our nephew Layton one evening...by myself. Jeremy went on a fishing trip with his grandfather and Randy. He was so excited. They had planned it for months. Unfortunately they came back early because his grandfather wasn't feeling well. I was happy to see Jeremy home (especially since little Miss didn't sleep well when he was gone for the two nights...of course) but I felt bad for them leaving their trip early. Watching Addie and Layton together went pretty well. Honestly the hardest part was Sadie. She was so jealous! All Addie wanted to do all night was give Layton hugs and kisses. I told you she was our little lover. Evidence is below. I am sure her cousin will get her back someday.

More interested in Layton's toys then him at first

Playing Peek-a-boo with her "baby" (She kept calling him "baby" all night)

Isn't he handsome???

Going in for a kiss

Pop Quiz

Who is the bigger beggar in this picture for a bite of Jeremy's Qdoba Burrito????

We're old!

Two weekends ago (yeah, I'm just now catching up) Jeremy and I went to Audrey and Jeremy's wedding. Leigh and I use to babysit Audrey and her younger brother. Their family went to our church and we have watched her grow up. It was one of the first times I felt kinda old. Yeah, I'm still young, but seeing a girl you used to babysit walk down the aisle can be a little emotional, ok?

Jeremy's dad and stepmom watched Addie overnight. It was her first overnight at their house. She loved it and they loved it, I'm sure. We tried to hang with some of the other guests at the wedding that are in college. After some convincing we went to 4th Street Live after the reception. Jeremy and I weren't very exciting. We were in bed by 1:00, but that is pretty late for us anymore. So sad. And yet another convincing reason we felt old. :(

But the best thing about the weekend was we slept until almost 11:00 a.m. the next day!!! Is that even possible anymore? We decided to not set the alarm for church and just see when we got up. Ha! I recommend that kind of sleep to you other parents out there. I felt like a new woman!

P.S. More updates soon. For a cute video of the bean (let's face it, that is why you read this blog anyway), see the post before this.

Leigh and Chad

Leigh partaking in the candy bar. Loved it!

All of the girls from Beargrass (our church)

Leigh, Kelly and I. Kelly is who babysat Addison last summer.

We just need a girl in white to complete the flag. :) I love me some Leigh-Leigh.

With the bride. We felt old!

Here we are at Maker's Mark Lounge on 4th Street trying not to fall asleep on our night at on the town.

Little Reader, Little Lion

Here are two examples of some things that Addie is really into right now..."reading" books and making animal sounds. The book she is "reading" is "Barnyard Dance". It is very rhythmic sounding like a square dance so she also likes to dance along to it. She knows the sounds of lion, cow, snake and is working on cat. (We had her in the pack 'n play outside last weekend because we were trying to do yard work. It lasted all of 15 minutes. But, hey it is better than nothing.) I will try to get all of the animal sounds at once on video but you know that a toddler never does something when you want them to. :)

Enjoy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Memorial Day '09

We went to Lake Cumberland for Memorial Day weekend, a family tradition. We had great weather and enjoyed relaxing, sunbathing and even getting in the lake (usually it is pretty cold then). Addie loved her baby pool again. She even tried getting in it before there was water in it. For some reason she woke up at 5:30 on Sunday morning ready to go (she normally sleeps until 7:00-7:30). Try keeping a toddler quiet on a houseboat while everyone else is asleep! That was fun. Needless to say she took 4 naps that day. The sun and hot weather wore us all out. It was another great weekend!

Jeremy caught a big catfish! I can't believe he actually caught one. It's been forever! Hee Hee!

Modeling swimsuit #1

Hanging out on the back of the houseboat

Testing out the water

First time in the lake. She was pretty indifferent about it.

Modeling swimsuit #2

Her hair was out-of-control between the humidity, the heat, the water and sweat! Look at those curls!

Chillaxin'

Sunbathing on the top

First time on the jet ski.

We just idled around in the cove. She didn't care for it much, but she was pretty tired then too.

Feeding the ducks with Honey and Cousin Alex. They fed the ducks while Addie chose to eat the food instead of feeding the ducks. That girl can eat!

Standing on her tip toes to see the ducks.

Goof ball!

This time she drove the houseboat.

Wonderful family! We miss them! (Tiffany--Jeremy's sister, Kameryn, Dave and Alex)

Trying to get a family picture but miss ham had to act silly instead.

On Memorial Day two seniors in our youth group made all of the sponsors and the youth minister dinner. During a service auction for the mission trip to Dominican Republic someone anonymously paid for their service (Wes and Joe) for us to enjoy. They used our kitchen for the dinner. The theme was Country Fried Cookin' complete with Ale 8, Fried Green Tomatoes, Key Lime Pie and Chocolate Chess Pie. I felt like Paula Dean had stepped in. And they did it all themselves. Our stove has NEVER seen grease like that before!!! They did a wonderful job and it was a fun night.

Addie and Maddy playing

Talk about a feast! Hail to the chef!

Surprisingly (somewhat, considering who their moms are) it was all DELICIOUS!!!