Addison's New School

Addison has been in in-home care since she was 5 months old. Shirley took excellent care of her and honestly loved her like she was her own. When Addison was about to turn 15 months I started looking for a school to enroll Addison. I felt like she was ready for more kid interaction and a more structured play time. Plus, with McKenna's arrival just around the corner, I wanted to get her adjusted to her new environment before I rock her world with a new baby in the house. Most of the preschools do not take 15 month olds and the ones that do were full with a waiting list. Bright Star Academy just opened 5 minutes from our house and they have a part time program. I went in to tour the school and it was perfect! One of the great debates when looking for a preschool is a play school vs. a educational school. I think Bright Star has a curriculum with a good balance of both. Addison has been going to school for 2 weeks, the first day was pretty horrible because it was the first time since she was 8 weeks that I have left her with "strangers". They were very attentive to her needs and said it was normal behavior. Now she cries for a few minutes when I leave, but her days are getting better. They even got her to take a nap on a cot, which totally amazed me! If you are looking for a daycare or preschool in the Cedar Park / Leander area, I would recommend Bright Star Academy, you can visit their website here.

Sweet Berry Farms

On Friday after Addison's school party, Staci, Addison and I ventured out to Marble Falls to visit Sweet Berry Farms. A lot of families go there every year to take pumpkin pictures and partake in the fun outdoor activities. Before heading out to the farm, we at lunch at the Bluebonnet Cafe, it was yummy southern cooking. We did not get pie (which is what they are famous for), can you believe it!

The weather at the farm was warm and beautiful! The potential to get great pictures was there, the biggest issue was that Addison pulled out her side pony tail, so hair was in her face. Addison had fun playing on the pink tractor... The assortment of pumpkins were too distracting... we could not get her to look at the camera... This pumpkin was really heavy...

The official "Pumpkin Picture"...

Addison thought the goats were "pretty" (her new favorite word)...

Chasing your shadow is fun too...

We enjoyed our time with Staci! Staci starts her new job on Monday, so we will miss hanging out with her during the weekdays. The past 4 months have been so much fun having her around.

We look forward to visiting Sweet Berry Farms next year with both kids...

Preschool Halloween Party

On Friday morning I took Addison to the Halloween Party at her school, she had a lot of fun off and on (she is teething 4 molars right now, so her mood changes quick!). We started off by going trick or treating to the different rooms, I think all the kids were a little young for this activity because it turned out to be all 3 teachers scrambling to keep 8 12-24 month olds together. I was the only parent there at the time and I was exhausted trying to keep up with my own kid! God bless those workers...

After the trick or treating attempt (we ended it early), we went outside to collect a pumpkin with candy corns in it. Addison immediately took all the candy out of her pumpkin and started eating the sugary delight.

Our sweet little cheerleader could have really used some cheer when they decided to take a class picture...

They we all went inside and played together, it was fun watching Addison play with her new friends.

Overall I think she had a good time, she was a little clingy during the party, but I think that had to do more with teething pain than anything else. I do have a new found respect for the preschool workers, I was totally exhausted after 1.5 hours in her class and I only managed one child! I can only imagine what they feel like at the end of the day.

15 Month Well Check

I took Addison to her 15 month well check this morning and we are so happy to say she is doing great! We feel so blessed to have such a healthy, happy girl who is right on track developmentally. As always she put on a great show for the nurse and Dr. Sperling.

Here are her stats:

Weight: 21 Pounds, 2 Ounces (25th percentile)

Height: 31 Inches (75th percentile)

Head Circumference: 45.25 cm (45th percentile)

Her growth is charting perfectly. Both of her ears checked out fine as well, which is good because we are flying to visit Brian's family tomorrow!

She got 3 shots and they pricked her foot to test for anemia... she is such a big girl and only cried a little bit.

The next appointment will be her 18 month in January...

BB2 Has A Name!!!

After much discussion we have finally decided on a name for our little Christmas blessing. Her name will be McKenna Noelle Betzen.

For some reason we could never settle on a name. Before we got pregnant we liked Sophia and Lily for a girls name, but then when we found out we were having a girl those names did not feel right. Our top two names during this pregnancy have been Hailey and McKenna. We have always liked McKenna. For awhile her name was McKenna Grace, but we were never settled on the middle name. I was at Target a few weeks ago and the lady at the register asked me when I was due, I told her December 24th and she got excited and said she wanted a Christmas baby so her daughters middle name would be Noel. Bingo... that was it! I texted it to Brian and we knew that was our daughters name.

Her name means "Daughter of a handsome man born around Christmas Time". No wonder Brian loved the name McKenna, haha. We chose the spelling of Noelle because it just looked pretty.

We are almost 31 weeks pregnant and everything is going great. We are still on track for her December 24th due date but I am hoping to deliver her a week early because my brother's wedding is on December 31th. God knows this and I am trusting in his plan! I would be devastated to not be there, but there are enough techies in our family who can wire a few cameras so I can at least watch the ceremony. The more important thing is for McKenna to cook as long as needed and for me to have a medicated natural delivery. A c-section would be very hard since I will have a 17 month old to take care of.

Addison 12-15 Months

I cannot believe our little angel is already 15 months! These past few months have been so much fun, so lets see.... what have we been up too...

Fun & Developmental Stuff:

• Addison loves being outdoors, we go for small walks, go to the park, anything outdoors and she is happy!
• She is a good eater on days she feels like eating. She loves spicy foods like jalapeno chips, green chili enchiladas, etc. Veggies continue to be an issue.
• She is quite the talker and learns more words every day.
• Got her first blackberry at 15 months... it is not activated but she can dial (and talk to Verizon).
• Can still wear some of her 12 month clothing, but we have moved to 18 months because she is very LONG and her 12 month pants started looking like capri's. I wish they had long length options for toddlers because her waist is so skinny. She wears a size 3 diaper and size 4 shoes.
• Attended VBS and had so much fun! A petting zoo visted one day and she almost killed a baby rabbit by picking it up by it's neck. I am not an animal rights activist, but what those poor animals go through is pretty sad.
• Had her official "1st Birthday Party" at our new house... it was so much fun having all our friends over to celebrate!
• Brian and I went on vacation to Puerto Aventuras for 8 days. Addison stayed with Granmommy & Staci for the first half and GG & Grandpa for the second. She had so much fun and I did great being away (only called twice, thank you very much).
• Addison had her first temperature and ear infection. Unfortunately she started getting sick the week we were on vacation. We came home to a snot nosed fussy monster. It was a bit rough because this was the first time she has been sick with anything but a cold, but we got through it!
• Addison loves sitting on a couch or chair to read her books. We hardly watch any tv, she really enjoys reading the most.
• Moved her from her high chair to booster seat. She seems to like being at our table so much better. An added bonus is that the booster chair is so much easier to clean!
• Addison's hair is getting so long and it is constantly in her face. She will pull out any bow or clip I put on her head within minutes and she tugs at her little pony tail. I do not want to cut her hair, EVER, but bangs may be in our future.
• We stopped swim lessons for the time being until BB2 arrives and we come up with a new schedule.
• She is FINALLY A SNUGGLER! She will hug & kiss and is a total sweetheart! I have waited for this moment for so long. She will run to you and give you the biggest hug... it is sweet and can brighten any day.
• Her laugh is contagious and I love it! She has several different laughs that are hilarious.
• We are working on shapes, colors & words... she is so smart!

The Not-So-Fun-But-Knew-They-Were-Coming Accomplishments:

• Climbing on the fireplace
• Opening doors
• Climbing stairs (which is not an issue), thinking she can climb down the stairs is the issue.
• Open top drawers and reaches in to grab anything she can find. She is a tall girl!
• Temper Tantrums - we are reading a lot of books and taking classes to learn how to deal with this and PREVENT them in an effective matter. Whew... is all I can say about that! Trying to read a toddler's mind is not an easy task!
• Saying no, no no and no no no no no no

Pretty much we are starting on round 2 of baby proofing which will be door handles, baby gate on bottom of stairs, drawer stoppers, refridgerator and freezer lock.

The big news is that Addison starts Preschool today! She will be going Tuesday & Thursday from 8:30-2:30. I am sad that she is ready for "little people" school, but I know she will have so much fun. I will post more about this later.