Addie is 1!!!

Yesterday our little Addie J turned 1!! I just can't believe how quickly the year flew by! It is so bitter sweet watching your babies grow up. You don't want them to and it breaks your heart when they grow out of their clothes, but there is nothing more rewarding than watching them learn and experience life. Addie's little personality is shining more and more every day, and I am loving watching her grow.

She was the cutest birthday babe. So smiley and clapping her hands. I just had to take a few more pictures today since I was so busy playing the hostess yesterday. She was very upset at Daddy when he took the cake away. 

Loves to clap her hands.

My amazing friend Joelle made this banner for her. Addie's current stats are:

22 pounds 4 oz 

29.2 inches and she has 9 teeth!!

We had a snowflake party with some family and close friends. I decided to print off some of my favourite pictures of her to hang, and I got a little carried away, but it was just too hard to pick!

The big one is a new forward facing car seat. Happy Birthday Addie! You graduate to forward facing! How exciting for you.

I feel like my kids actually look alike in this picture!

This lucky girl is so loved. 

(that hair though...)

A little over whelmed at the whole cake idea. She started out so dainty and eventually put her entire tongue on it. 

H-A-P-P-Y  B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y sweet heart! We love you!

Christmas break!

Christmas break this year was truly perfect. I cannot image a better Christmas. It was the perfect balance of parties, winter activities, relaxing, eating deliciousness and spending time with family. We made so many memories!

Christmas Eve with the Lows!

This year was the first Christmas since Dallin was married that we have all been together! (so 6 years) My parents were thrilled and it was so wonderful all being together. It finally felt complete. We had an absolute blast. I wish I could freeze time. It was just too great.

Daddy and Renne being Mary and Joseph for our family nativity.

 

So funny!! Matching jammies for the win! 

Ready for bed!

I have to write this down because it was so cute. Renne was so excited for Santa to "Come" to the house. In the morning she says to me "Mommy, where's Santa? He's coming over?" She thought she was going to get to see him, guess she missed the part about him going all around the world. The next night (Bowing Day night) Addie was having a hard time sleeping and Renne would whisper "Addie, it's ok, be quiet and go to sleep. In the morning, Santa will come and you can open presents" Tim and I died laughing. Guess she also missed the part how he only comes once a year. Too funny. Please don't grow up!

Christmas morning was spectacular and so beautiful! So sunny and wintery. This picture doesn't even do it justice. It was perfect.

View from my parents front door! Christmas is rarely this white in southern Alberta. LOVE!

On Boxing Day we took a family picture since we are rarely all together these days. It was freeeezing. Literally -25. We ran outside and my brother-in-law, Eric and my dad set up a tri-pod and an app on their phone that acted as a remote. We stood there for about three minutes, snapped a bunch and ran back inside. Eric did this all on his own. Amazing! He worked his photo shop magic so we were all smiling. No more paying photographers with him around I guess!

Eric is seriously the sweetest Uncle. He took Renne outside and did a little photo shoot with her, and she was so thrilled! It was so cold outside and she still loved posing for him. 

goof ball

The week later we did so many fun things outside! We went skating on my cousin Brad's pond a few times. It was dreamy. We also rented the rink in Coaldale and the boys played some hockey while the girls skated with the little kids. It was a blast. My mom also watched the girls for us so Tim and I could go on a snowboarding date! It was heaven! I hadn't been snowboarding since before Renne so I was a bit rusty and nervous which surprised me but by the end of the day I felt great. It was really strange for me to be on a triple date with my two baby sisters and their boyfriends! Haha. So funny! 

A Waterton visit was a must as well! We had a grand time sledding and site seeing and hiking in the snow! 

Sledding with dad! She loved it!

This picture is ridiculous and makes me laugh. 

Fun with Auntie Joc

Group shop at the classic spot in Waterton. (Tim stayed with sleeping kids in the van) It was the perfect day! I have never been to Waterton when it was so clear and calm and sunny. It was dreamy.

Addie 10/11 months

 I can't keep up with this kid! She's growing so fast. 

Addie's latest goofy face has the entire family giggling.

hehe

Addie is still my rolly polly girl. Literally. She still rolls rolls rolls like a maniac all over the floor. She still isn't crawling, which at times concerns me, if I'm being honest, but she is just content on the floor, and gets everywhere she wants. It works for her, and she still feels so little to me, I love it. Addie you can stay a baby as long as you want!

Her hair! Look familiar? Here is Renne at 10 months:

I love our chia pet haired babies.

"Mom, can we be done now?"

 11 months

Addie weighs 21 pounds 3 oz and is 28.5'' long! She is my juicy peach. So soft and squishy, and fuzzy on top! 

She loves to nap, sleeps in the afternoon. She is basically weaned now, and we have officially switched to homo milk except for in the middle of the night. I still cherish this time. I hope she nurses for a bit longer, but I can tell she is almost done with it. 

Addie is so funny now and makes hilarious faces. She loves giggling with her sister and they have been playing so cute together lately. She loves Renne but gets a little panicked when she gets too close and lets me know when she needs space. She has a very sensitive side and a super sad cry if you take her toy away or scare her. It breaks your heart every time. She is my little dolly who still loves to be held and loves to cuddle. She eats like a champ and loves cheese, bread, apple sauce and ice cream when she sneaks some! :)

Addie will put herself to sleep places and I frequently find her with her head down just relaxing. The other day my friend who watches the girls for me sometimes said "every mom deserves to experience a baby like Addie". She is just so easy and so good. I sure am lucky. 

Squeeeeeeaaal face

Throwing her head back in laughter. Must be my kid.

Love the frog legs pose

I had the exact same tooth gap! I adore this toothy grin.

Joy

"Men are that they may have joy"

I have been blessed beyond measure. I have felt so much joy in my life and have been given much more than I deserve. 

We have had an amazing year. Looking back it hasn't always been easy, in fact it's been very trying at times and very busy, but I just can't believe how much I have grown, because of these 2 sweet girls. They have shaped me into a much better person.

They have taught me more than I can comprehend and I am so lucky to call them mine. I am so grateful to know we can be together forever.

Life is messy and hard and exhausting and unfair. It's a terrifying world for a young mother. I have no idea what the future holds or what will happen next year, but I know that when I try to do what's right and my priorities are straight, I feel the most incredible joy and peace, even amidst the chaos of life. I know in those moments that I am not alone, that this role is divine.