Summer!!! ....Finally!

The life... :)

Papa brought her lunch & she ate it in the pool.

Running around with Marley.

Love that smile.

She was a little hesitant about the sprinkler at first but after a little time, she was LoViNg it!

Papa was our 'pool boy' for the day. He went and got us lunch and kept bringing us snacks & water.

The pool boy himself. :)

This year has been really odd. It rained the entire month of May and we weren't able to spend much time outside. This was the first hot, non rainy day of the season and we took full advantage of it. We set up lounge chairs at Grandma and Grandpa Anderson's, set up a sprinkler and kiddie pool and played all day. This summer is just starting & I am excited for all the adventures we are going to have. Having my little sidekick around makes days so much funner.

Tootsie Pop

Tootsie is growing so much and developing the cutest personality. She is starting to really like dolls and stuffed animals. She likes to put them to sleep, or give them a paci. This night she was watching Toy Story 3 {a fav in our home} and she wanted her Buzz to snug with her.

I have been waiting for the 'falling asleep in weird places' pictures to start & finally, Toots gave me one! On this day, she was having an Oreo. She was wanting another and by the time it took me to go to the pantry to grab one, she had fallen asleep.

I think I'll keep this girl around. ;) I kinda like her.

Bring on the 2's!

I have a TWO YEAR OLD!! These past two years have gone by so fast! I think back two years ago...

I was in my senior year of college, living in the basement of my parents house, sharing one bedroom with Addi with everything I own in that one room, sharing a bathroom with my teenager brother, not working and just wondering what life was going to be like.

Two years later...

I am graduated, working as the Athletic Club Manager at Riverside Country Club, living in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo and enjoying life with my Addi to the fullest!! Life just keeps getting better!!

I am not sure if it is because I am a single mom and feel like I want/need to make life's little celebrations that much more special for Addi, but this girl is spoiled! {Sorry Toots} For her 1st birthday, I took her to Hawaii. For her 2nd birthday, I {bravely} took her to Disneyland! Just the two of us! It was such a special trip and even though she won't remember it, it is a trip I will always hold close to my heart. {I will post more pictures and stories later}

But back to my reality... I HAVE A TWO YEAR OLD! Addi has developed the cutest personality and makes me smile & laugh daily, hourly... okay usually by the minute. Here are a few things that about her that make me smile.

Blah..Blah...Blah...

{Oh the things toddlers say}

Addi is talking all the time! She says words and is starting to call people by name but my favorite is when she tries to make up her own words.

FRIENDS!!

{As Addi says it every time we pull into her preschool parking lot}

Addi has been going to daycare 3 times a week...soon to be 5. I was so hesitant to put her into daycare but when I realized I needed to do it, I decided to give it a try. And, I LOVE it! I love it because Addi loves it. When I drop her off in the mornings, I give her a big hug and kiss. When I walk out the door, I look through the window and we say "I love you" in sign language. Melts my heart every time! She loves to play and takes good naps there and is really developing great social skills!

My Little Monkey

Addi is a little climber! When we go to the park, she is climbing on things that kids who are older than her, won't do. She has figured out how to push the chair to the counter so she can climb into her high chair and get on the counter. She has NO fears. She is also getting into things and I can't keep my eyes off of her. I will see her one second and the next she has drawn a highlighter painting on the wall or gotten the scissors out of the drawer. She is smart & quick!

Miss Aloha

When we were at Disneyland, she was saying 'Hi' to everyone! As we would wait in line, and the boats would go by, she would be waving like a pageant girl saying, "Hi!" and blowing kisses to everyone. When we drive in the car, if her window is down, she will say hi to anyone and everyone she sees. She loves people and doesn't seem to be shy at all.

Play Play Play

Can someone say energy? This girl is always on the go! She loves to color, read books, play with her dolls and babies {her favorites being her Buzz Lightyear and Boo doll}. She loves to be outside exploring. She loves to jump on the trampoline or chasing Marley around. She loves her shows. Her favorites right now are Toy Story, Monsters Inc, Curious George, Barney, Elmo and Tangled.

So far, being a mom to a 2 year old isn't to shabby. I am really excited for his summer and all the adventures I have planned. Addi is my little buddy and sidekick and I wouldn't have it any other way. Love you Tootsie!

Tootsie is 22 Months!

I have been slacking on this blog so I am going to try to do a 'catch up' entry to get us to date! Addi is now 22 months!! Time has flown by and she is getting so big and creating such an adorable personality. We are loving living in our first home. Even though she has her own room, she spends most nights snuggled up with me {this is something we are working on right now}. We love waking up together, watching movies and playing with her toys, eating meals together and we are so excited that the weather is getting warmer so we can go play at the park everynight. {We are so lucky to live in a community that has 2 parks in walking distance!}

Being a single mom has been the hardest, yet most awarding thing that could happen to me. We are creating such a special bond and I couldn't imagine going a day without her. I have said this before but even though I did things out of order, I know Addi is here for a reason and she was sent to me at the right time. Sometimes, I think she does more for me than I do for her. She is teaching me patience, love, kindness and true selflessness. She has taught me what the true defintion of unconditional love is and has allowed me to give it & receive it. She is my everything.

Addilyn

Nick Names

Addi Waddi

Tootsie

Toots

Tootsie Pop

Honey Girl

Words

Mom

Dad

Mar Mar {Marley}

Papa

Grandma

Cousin(s)

Bubba {This is her cousin & Marley's nickname)

Aci {Paci}

Ganket{Blanket}

Bubbles

Uh oh

Hi

Buzz {Buzz Lightyear}

Hands {She says this when she wants me to pick her up or for me to get up and do something for her}

Show {Watch a cartoon}

Siken {Chicken}

Fwends {friends}

Ball

Books

Baby

Tass {trash}

Snack

No
Nana {Banana}
Mo {more... along with the sign language}

Peas {Please..along with the sign language}

Animal Sounds

Woof Woof {Dog}

Mowe, while squinting her face {Cat}

Moooooo {Cow}

Rarrr, in a quiet voice {Lion}

Oye Oye {Pig}

Favorite Shows

Monsters Inc.

Elmo

Toy Story 1

Toy Story 2

Toy Story 3

Cailout

Barney

Songs She Loves to Sing

If You're Happy and You Know It

Ittsy Bittsy Spider

Barney's Songs
Popcorn Song

Activities She Loves to Do

Color

Read

Swing

Play on Playgrounds

Slide

Ride in the car with the window down

Dance

Food She Loves

{Addi is a VERY healthy eater! She has made it easy on me}

Tomatoes

Watermelon

Peas
Bananas
Chicken

Apples

Peaches

Rasins

Ice {She once wanted ice chips over chocolate cake!}

ketchup

{Of course, she loves her treats too!}

Oreos

Ice Cream

Chocolate Milk

Making Friends

Three days a week, she goes to daycare and loves it! When I drop her off in the morning, she goes right to her box to put her jacket, blankie and paci away and goes right to her friends. She eats breakfast and lunch and snacks there, takes a two hour nap and plays plays plays! When I pick her up, I always watch her through the window for a minute. I wait till she sees me and when she does, she gets wide eyed and says, "MOM!" and runs with her arms up towards the door.

I love it.

Learning About her Wittle Body

{She can show me where the following things are}

Nose

Eyes

Ears

Mouth

Tounge

Fingers

Toes

Belly Button

Bum

Cute Things She Does

When I say, "Say a prayer," she will fold her arms and bow her head.

If I frown or cry, she hugs me tightly.

She likes to tell Marley what to do.

She takes the corner of her blankie and will gently pet her face when she is tired.

When she hears music, she will bob her head and dance.

She loves to help her mama!

She likes to throw things away in the trash all by herself.

She thinks it is SO funny to hide behind the curtains.

When she is taking a bath, she will get out mid bath and want me to chase her.

When we are walking outside, she says hi to everyone.

Waves and blows kisses to say good bye.

She climbs on everything and when she gets stuck, she'll look at me with desperate eyes and say "Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh."

She goes to a corner or hides to go poo.

She has 5 blankies and when she is home, she likes to have ALL 5 of them with her and will carry them around to each room.

Not So Cute Things She Does {Ok, everything she does is cute}

She likes to feed Marley her dinner and than always asks for more.

When she is done eating, she will turn her plate upside down. If it is a bowl, she will put it on her head.

Takes out all the DVDs from their cases.

She likes to sleep on MY pillow {which is a special kind for my neck} and will get mad if I try to steal it from her.