Chatty Addy!

I thought I'd do a little update on our Addy.  She has definitely been dealing with a lot of changes these past few months, and I am so proud of how she's dealt with them all!

We started a new daycare in September, about a month before Blake arrived.  Addalyn had a few rough days at the beginning, which is to be expected since she was in an unfamiliar environment with no one she knew around...but she has transitioned really well.  For example, this week when I drop her off, she has climbed up the stairs and turned the corner for the playroom before I even have a chance to say bye and get a kiss from her.  At least I know she's happy!  And, there are 2 girls that are only a few months older than Addy there, so she has playmates :)

She has inherited the nickname Chatty Addy at daycare - and it really does fit her well.  She is quite the talker, always saying something new, and singing new songs.  She has a wide range of vocabulary for 17 months, and picks up on things really quickly.  The other day I sang to her the "Wheels on the Bus" song and, after I sang it once, she was chiming right in and now she sings her version of it all the time.  I have a video that I will try and post sometime!

And then of course, there is Addy's new little brother that she has had to adjust to.  For the most part, she's wonderful with the changes in her house - however, we do have our moments...particularly when it is just one parent (usually me) and the 2 of them.  She sometimes doesn't want to share the attention and acts out.  But, she is only 17 months old, so what can you expect.  Sometimes you wonder if it is her age or the fact that she has a new little bro in her territory - and well it is probably both.

She absolutely LOVES her brother, askes where "baby" is all the time, says "hi" to him and always wants to touch him.  We are still working on gentle touches...I think Blake will be a tough little guy rather quickly with Addy around!  LOL

She has those moments where you are upset that she has acted out, or that she is in a "mood" where everything is 20 times more dramatic than it needs to be --- but then she looks at you with those BIG blue eyes of hers, gives you her smile or giggle, and talks to you with her innocent little voice - and you can't help but just turn to mush and want to pick her up and just smother her with kisses! 

She's getting big way too quickly, and it makes me sad and fills me with pride and excitement of the new things she is learning all at the same time. 

People, when it comes to fashion, it is all about accessories - and I TOTALLY know how to accessorize!  I mean, my 2 necklaces that I picked out go perfectly with my outfit...right? 

At least someone is getting use out of the baby bouncer...even if it isn't Blake!  He gets to use it when I'm sleeping or at Julie's :)

The face I make when my baby brother is crying!

How can you not smile when you see this cheesy grin??!!  (oh yeah, and her hair is long enough to put up now, barely - but YEAH to that!)

Playing in the sink is sooo fun, and it is even more fun when I get to dig through mom's make up bag.

Life at Home

We have been doing good here at home since Blake has been born.  He is starting to stay awake for longer periods of time...but don't get me wrong - this kid still LOVES to sleep :)  I've been able to capture a few pictures of him with his eyes open, which is always fun and different.  As much as I love love love looking at them and taking pictures of them when they sleep - I end up going through my camera and thinking "how many sleeping baby pics do I really need?" LOL! 

Blake has been doing pretty good at night - I'm a little nervous he's going to end up having his days and nights mixed up a bit when he does end up being awake even more, because he seems to take longer day naps than overnight at this point - but I still am not having to be up TOO much, so I guess I can't complain quite yet.

He typically takes a bottle around 10 or 11 at night - most nights Aaron is still awake so he gives him that bottle.  Then he's been feeding about every 4 hours, so I get up around 2 in the morning or so, and then at 6ish, which is also not long before Addy gets up and Aaron's alarm goes off, so I'd be up soon anyway.

However, he sometimes does wake up in between feedings at night -- those nights can get tiring.  It doesn't seem to take much to get him back to sleep, but it still makes it hard when you are sleeping for an hour or so at a time, up for some time, then back to bed! 

Like Addalyn, Blake is taking a pacifier, however he doesn't want it as often as Addy.  I'm thinking he might outgrow it sooner than she did...although having said that I might have just jinxed myself!

Below are pics of Blake Awake!

I love it when Blake is awake and I am holding him...the way he looks at me melts my heart :) 

When Blake is sleeping, he does look a LOT like Addy did when she was this little - however the shape of his face and eyes are completely different than Addy's and when he is awake, it is much more apparent!  I think he'll have my blue eyes...but just like with Addy, 95% of the people say that he is looks like his daddy.  I guess I should probably say 100%, because I haven't really been told he looks like me at all...

Apparently I make wonderful homes for my babies for 9 months...but those Anderson traits are just too dominant!  (although we are starting to see more of me in Addy as she grows... :)


Thanks to my friend Angie for this adorable hat for Blake!  The outfit he had on the day we opened our gift just happened to match it perfectly!



Halloween 2010

We had a really fun Halloween!  We started out the festivities with my parents and then my sister Angela joined us with her hubby and kids.  We went down to the schools in my hometown.  They had an event going on where if you donated a canned good, you could trick-or-treat for free.  They had games to play, prizes, trick-or-treating in some classrooms and face painting :)

Below are pics of my little pumpkins @ grandma and grandpa Tarara's

Getting ready to go to the school with her cousins - Ella, the ladybug; Addy, the butterfly; and Hunter, the Lion

She surprisingly kept her hat on for the most part, and wanted to carry her pumpkin the whole time!

Trick-or-Treating.  They had covered the classroom doors with decorated paper, and had just a little hole where you would get your candy from :)

 After that, we headed home for naps and an early supper and we took Addy (and Blake...but he slept the entire time!) out trick-or-treating to a few houses on our block.  We got back before the major rush so we could hand out candy at our house.  Addy enjoyed helping her daddy hand out the goods!

Addy and Daddy leaving our house & crossing the street to officially trick-or-treat for the first time :)

Waiting for the door to open...she's even cute from behind :)

At home...sitting and waiting on the steps for some trick-or-treaters so she can help daddy hand out candy.

Halloween = Success!  A tummy full of whoppers and other tasty candy, and a pumpkin full of goodies for her as well as mommy and daddy, he he :)

Meet the Anderson's!



Daddy - Aaron

 



Mommy - Marissa

 



Big Sis - Addy

 



Little Bro - Blake

 

Blake's Birthday :)

I'm finally getting around to sharing our little guy with everyone - and the story of his birth.  With the timing of events last week, it is so evident in my life that God is watching and has a reason/timing for everything :) I SOOOOO wanted to make it to my grandpa's services...but I also SOOOOO wanted to not have to be induced.  I am blessed that I was granted both of my wishes.

The day of my grandpa's funeral - I had a few contractions throughout the day that would catch me off guard, but hours would go on between contractions.  I figured I'd go in the next day to be induced, and that I'd be told I was already starting the labor process on my own.  Aaron and I went to bed that night around 10:30 - and we talked for a little bit.  I told him how much I wished I'd go into labor in the next few hours vs. having to get up and get induced...we finally fell asleep around 11/11:30.

I woke up about an hour later with a bad contraction, then dozed back off.  When I got woken again, I wasn't sure how long it had been since the last, but thought it hadn't been long.  So I stayed up and when a 3rd contraction came within 20 minutes, I figured I should wake Aaron.  Aaron starting recording the contractions, and my contractions went from 10 minutes, to 6, to 3 minutes within the first few he recorded.  After a few at 3 minutes apart, we were heading to the hospital!

We arrived around 1:30 a.m., I was dilated to 6 when we got there - requested an epidural and got it within the hour.  Seriously - epidurals are magic and I love them!  I progressed about a cm. per hour - and at 5 in the morning they broke my water.  At 6 I told them I thought it was time for me to push.  They said my body was ready (I was dilated to 10 and such) but that the baby's head was not down as far as they thought it should.  Long story short...they finally let me push to humor me, and basically one push later, Mr. Blake arrived, at 6:36 in the morning!!! 

First picture of mommy and son



The proud papa!




Addy meeting her little brother, leaning in for a kiss



Our new family of 4

Mr. Blake

We are HOME!

Addy peeking at her little brother and saying "hi" over and over and over!

Checking out Blake and waving. We have a step stool by him so she can look at him.

I have a picture of Addy almost exactly like this in the same sleeper :)

We are all doing well here - he's been basically sleeping, eating, and going to the bathroom since he was born.  And sleeping is his primary event right now.  Addalyn is really doing well with all that is going on.  She is DEEPLY concerned when he cries - she wants to help him and doesn't know how, so she often cries too.  It is amazing how motherly she is at only 16 months!

We are so happy to welcome Mr. Blake Aaron to our little family!

It's a Boy!

We welcomed Blake Aaron Anderson into the world at 6:36 this morning - 7 pounds, 15 ounces - 20 inches long.  Details to follow later.  He's perfect, the delivery went awesome and we are all doing great :)

The Big Day!!!

Well, I'm still sitting here without holding my little one in my arms...but...tomorrow I will be induced if this child does not decide to leave their happy home on their own within the next 24 hours :) 

THANK GOODNESS I have an ending - this has been quite a lengthy and stressful few days/weeks.  While I'm very thankful that I am able to attend my grandpa's services, I would've loved to be holding my baby as well, and I know my grandpa and family would've understood if I hadn't been able to make it due to the baby arriving!

Last week at my appointment I was dilated to 3, this week I was almost dilated to 4 (on Monday) so I was sure this baby would come on its own.  I've had contractions every day for the last few weeks actually but nothing that was too painful or too often.  They have come more often in the last few days, and starting to get more intense...but I could go hours between contractions so I don't get my hopes up anymore!

Anyway, grandpa's funeral is in 2 hours, so I'll be making it to that, which is an answered prayer.  After that, it is game on!  Like it or not, my little one will have to make an entrance soon ---- more to come in the next few days!