Where in the world did 2012 go? Last year flew by and the last few months have followed suit, each week gone in the blink of an eye. I really wish someone would invent a "slow-down time" machine so I could just enjoy every moment even more! We made so many amazing memories last year and I know 2013 will be no exception. With such an amazing husband and daughter, and our incredible family and friends, our lives are infinitely blessed and I couldn't be more grateful.
We had so much fun over the holidays and it made me so excited for next Christmas, when Addy will understand the magic of the season even more. It was so awesome to start our own holiday traditions with Addy and see things through a child's eyes...and a parent's! Santa takes on a whole new meaning when you ARE Santa! :) Seeing Addy's precious, sleepy, surprised face on Christmas morning was so awesome! Nightly strolls through the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights was one of my favorite new traditions. All bundled up in our coats and mittens, and sometimes a blanket to stay warm, the neighborhood became our own personal light show every evening before dinner. My least favorite was the new "tradition" of re-decorating the Christmas tree after it was "Addyson-ized"...I finally gave up after redoing the ribbon for the tenth time and we had a beautifully deocrated tree, at least on the top half anyway...  |
| Christmas Eve morning |
Pictures with Santa went surprisingly well, Addy just walked right up to him and waved like he was her best friend. Sat on his lap and smiled pretty for pictures, what a little ham! Although I'm not so sure I like the fact that she was totally comfortable with a new strange man wearing a weird red suit and a big bushy beard! We'll have to teach her stranger danger sooner than later, apparently. Christmas Eve and Christmas were filled with love and laughter amongst our family, oh and lots and lots of food. :) Addy was completely spoiled by everyone, especially all her grandparents (SHOCKER) but powered through opening gifts like a champ. Thanks for all those awesome noise makers, family, I'll make sure to keep that in mind when we're choosing toys to bring with us to grandma and grandpa's house... ;)
Christmas Pictures:
Hard to believe that Addy will be a year and a half next month! Her personality just cracks us up, she seriously is the best entertainment ever! Music and dance are definintely in her future, she just lights up and starts moving anytime a catchy melody starts playing. She loves to "tap dance" (a.k.a. run in place) and is constantly walking around on her tip toes like a little ballerina. But her favorite is dancing with us while we hold her and she bounces up and down, waving her hands in the air. If she's not tip-toeing or tap dancing, she pretty much only has one speed - running. What a busy little bee she's become! And she's a total goofball. She created her own fake laugh, which may be one of the most hysterical things I've ever heard. Wish I could share it but every time I try recording her, she stops and just stares at me! 
It's amazing how quickly they pick up on things and how much they understand. Brian and I are convinced Addy's the next Einstein, although I know she's actually just right on track. It just floors us when she actually listens to direction and tries to pronounce words and points to pictures in her books while making their noises and asks us what things are and...the list just keeps going! She amazes us on a daily basis and it's the coolest thing to watch. She knows her sign language and her favorite word/sign is "more" - which usually means more food please. :) It's so cute to see her tap her little fingers together and go "mo" (more) or when she sees her a picture of a tractor and goes "brrrmmm brrmm brmmm". But you know what's NOT cute? Tantrums. And teething. Lord, help me sometimes... Although we have yet to see a full-blown, kicking, screaming, end-of-the-world tantrum, we certainly know the girl's got some lungs and knows how to use them. She's definitely not quiet when something upsets her! Reading books continues to be one of her favorite things. Unfortunately for Brian and I, we've hit the stage where she wants to read the same book 10 times in a row. If I have to read Huggle Buggle one more time, I just might burn it. Just kidding! Kind of...
It's pretty apparent that Addyson is going to be a very independent little girl. She likes to do things herself and gets pretty annoyed if we try to help, especially when it comes to using her utensils. She will act totally disinterested in food until you give her a fork, then it's game on. Meal time is officially Lucia's favorite time of day, especially now that we are practicing using our utensils. Addy also loves to feed Lucia her dinner and give her treats. I never knew that having a fat dog was a side effect of having a toddler. Silly me! Addy and Lucia are quickly becoming best buds. Addy loves throwing the ball for her and playing tug and Lucia's just ecstatic that someone's giving her attention - it's a win/win! Now if only the dog could babysit... Especially because Addy's new favorite game is shutting doors, therefore locking herself in various rooms since she hasn't yet learned how to open them back up. She then screams in frustration until we rescue her. :) Along with the independence, she's become increasingly lovey, often running into our arms for a huge hug and snuggle before running off to her next adventure. Just absolutely melts my heart. <3
Brian and I have both been really busy at work and have had tons going on. Seems like relaxing days are few and far between. But we have been snow skiing a few times this season, had some fun nights with family and friends and have actually had a few date nights - that's definintely a win in my book! We celebrated Brian's 30th birthday last month and had a blast! I am, however, sorry to say that I celebrated a bit too much and therefore don't have any pictures. But let's just say that X-Bowling was a blast and we had such a fun group of people there to celebrate my hubby, it was good times! And what's even better is that Brian can't call me his sugar mama anymore! Well, at least not until June. :( Grandma Tracy also came to visit a few weeks ago and we had so much fun! Addy is quickly becoming familiar with our "girls day" routine of lunch and shopping and was happy to walk Grandma safely through the parking lot. We can't wait for Jeff and Tracy to come up next week! We're so thankful that Brian's parents are just a short flight away and come up to see us often! There's nothing in this world more important to us than God and our family. Can't say this enough - we are so incredibly blessed and I can only hope that what I do in this lifetime adequately thanks God for all he has given us. Can't wait to see what 2013 has in store for the Jones family!
Love her!!
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