Spring Break

It has been a busy few weeks around here with spring break and the kids having some time off school. We were finally able to get together with our friends from Wheaton who also have a little girl from China. You can see pictures of the girls here .

Aunt Lisa and Uncle Eric came to visit from PA., and then the kids and I went to Michigan for 3 days to visit some friends......

Look how big Addison looks next to Aidan!

Riley is such a great "big brother"!

This is at our friends, the Davito's, in Michigan.

Addison is now walking more than crawling, and sleeping and napping less. She still isn't talking much, mostly babbling. We were eating dinner the other night and she patted my arm and said "Mama". We were all so excited and made such a big deal out of it, that she patted Russ's arm and said "Mama", too! Ok, so we're still working on that one. (she also thinks SHE is mama, and Riley is mama!)

Wearing her "I love America" shirt, from her GREAT Aunt Margo and Uncle Dave!

Could she be any cuter?!?! (yes, we're a little biased!)

Spring!

We had at least 2 days this week that felt like spring. Addison loves being outside! We are definitely looking forward to summer. And, Addie learned how to drink from a straw this week. I guess she will go from the bottle straight to straws, since she wants nothing to do with sippy cups. What a funny girl! Oh, and by the way, I did not fix her hair to stand straight up in the swing picture, it was really windy that day. :-)

Pictures...

My Brown-Eyed Girl!

This is pure joy!

Addison learned how to stand up this week! She thinks it is so funny when she stands up then falls back down. She laughs and laughs. She cracks me up, every day!!

Thanks for my new sweater Grandma Carlson, see how pretty I look?!

3 Months!!!

It's hard to believe it has been three months since Gotcha Day. It feels as if Addison has always been a part of our family. I was looking back at pictures from that day, and can't believe how far she has come, and how much she has changed. When we first got her, she could sit only with pillows propped behind her, could barely crawl, and couldn't stand. She couldn't hold her own bottle, and we are pretty sure she had never had any type of food in her mouth before. She was very much like an infant, and the poor girl was petrified of her new family. Today she can sit, crawl, pull herself up to standing, walk with help, and climb up the stairs! She will eat any and all kinds of food, hold her own bottle, and is starting to feed herself. She can say Mama, Dada, Baba and Ha (hot). She can sign "more", "all done", "shoes" (thats my girl!), and "potty"!! She will give kisses if she is in the mood, and she absolutely adores her big brother and sister. I have felt for so many years that someone was missing from our family, and now it feels like that hole has been filled, and I know why we felt that way.....we were just waiting for our precious Addie! We continue to give thanks to God every day for this Awesome (Addison) Blessing (Grace).

Then.......(November 20, 2006) Today........(February 20, 2007)

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift"

Happy Valentine's Day

What kid doesn't love remotes?!

Thanks for coming to visit, Miss Erin!

A Valentines kiss for Alyssa!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lots of Pictures!

Aren't they cute?!

Addison's cousins on Daddy's side. And yep, that's Riley changing a diaper!!

Addison's dedication on Sunday. It was so nice to have Grandpa Miller and Grandma Nancy, and our special friends the VanDeWerken's and the Eade's there. They all drove through a lot of snow to be there with us!

Riley is a die-hard, he even skis in our backyard. Addison is gearing up, she'll be a ski bunny with Alyssa very soon! Loving the snow!

Guess who discovered the TP this week?! (I guess it's time to babyproof!)

Happy New Year!

It has already been a busy 2007, and Addison keeps us moving all day long! Here are a few pictures of what's been going on at the Carlson house....

Grandma and Grandpa Carlson came to visit for New Year's weekend!

Now that Addison is eating real food, she is starting to get a little belly on her, and some cute little thighs, too!

And today, Addison discovered herself in the mirror. We get kisses very rarely from miss Addie, but she didn't hesitate to give herself a kiss!! Is that cute, or what??

We are leaving on friday to go to New York to celebrate the life of Addison's Great Grandpa Carlson. He passed away this past Saturday. He has left behind a great legacy of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Though he didn't get a chance to meet his newest great-grandchild, he leaves an imprint on her life as we will teach her about Jesus, just as he taught his kids, and they taught their kids. We are so thankful that our Hope is eternal, and we look forward to seeing him again in Heaven!