Snow Day

So there was a blizzard today - Adelle's First!! And I'm talking about an, I-can't-open-my-front-door-or-get-out-of-my-driveway blizzard! It was crazy!! We really wanted to bring Adelle outside and stick her in the snow to take a couple of pictures, but we couldn't see a whole lot and it was so windy we didn't think it was worth it. Sometime in the next couple of days, if it warms up, we will though!

Anyway, here are some pictures to warm your heart!









Here are pictures of the actual snow. Mind you, we have an association plow and shovel for us (who actually only plowed our driveway once) and I was already out there once myself to clear half of the driveway. Those drifts by the front door are up to my waist and the one in the driveway is up to my upper thigh!!

First Haircut

Adelle got her first haircut the Day after Thanksgiving. My Dad did it because he used to be a barber, but had to retire. I wanted him to be the first to cut her hair, and I am sorry if it hurt Dad, it really meant a lot to me!! Here are the pictures...

BEFORE - her bangs were being pressed into her eyes when she had her helmet on. This is what she looks like without her helmet.





DURING - she was such a good girl!!












AFTER - she's such a big girl!!

Our Little 11 Month Old

Our Sweet Girl is now 11 months old!! It's hard to believe that this time last year I was praying she'd arrive after winter break... and that I wouldn't slip on the ice. It's hard to believe that Adelle is now eating from the table with us more and more, that she is standing on her own for a minute or longer, that she is speedy stair climber, and that is fitting into her 12 month clothes with no problem!

She loves veggies, especially steamed broccoli and cauliflower though she likes squash, beans, peas, and carrots too. Her favorite fruit so far is apples, but we can't get her to eat any from the table yet. From the jars, she likes pears, bananas, blueberries and raspberries. Turkey and chicken are delicious meats and Mommy is scared to give her steak yet - I think it's too tough. Her new friend, Bennett, introduced her to the yumminess of Gerber 'Lil Crunchies. No matter what the flavor, we can't give them to her fast enough. Another thing we can't give her fast enough... pancakes!! She doesn't like them with syrup, but she will devour them plain!!

As for her standing - it's on everything or just in the middle of the room. When it's time for her to get down, she will let herself down VERY easily. She is so adorable!! I think the longest I've timed her was this evening at 1 minute 25ish seconds!! She looked at me, smiled, then sat down. Stinker!!

When we have her climb the stairs, because it is an activity she loves, she goes all the way up in a blink of an eye!! Then we bring her back down, and she does it again! She will now stand at the rungs of the banister, look at us and smile. It melts my heat every time!

I just can't believe how big she's gotten this year!! My little one, my Sweet Girl!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a day for giving thanks and I think I will do just that.

I am thankful for:
Brian - he is loving, smart, funny, and handsome. I love the way he brings Adelle in to wake me up on the weekends. I love the way he kisses me before he leaves in the morning and when we go to sleep at night. He is a wonderful husband and a wonderful Dad too!! I am so very blessed to have him in my life.

Adelle - I really, truly didn't know how much love I could have until she arrived. I thought I'd felt it all when I met/married Brian, but then I saw her and felt an overwhelming sense of joy/love/protection/pride that I had never felt before.

Angie and Maria - my sisters are my best friends! I can tell them anything, show them anything, ask them anything and know they will be honest with me. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. Thank you for looking after me Tub and Bin!

My Parents - have shown me unending support through all of my schooling (even now). They have encouraged me, held my hand, and made sacrifices for me (and us) and there is nothing I could do to express how much I am thankful for them!

My In-Laws - have shown me that while I knew I loved my husband from the moment we met/talked/emailed/texted, the love I feel for them came right along from the moment I met them too! They are knowledgeable, caring, supportive, and wonderful! Thank you all for what you have taught me, and what you will continue to teach me!!

My friends, my job, a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and clothes on our backs.

Thank you to all of the men and women in our armed forces who fight to protect us. Thank you to all of those soldiers who can't be at home for Thanksgiving. You sacrifice the most!! Thank you!!

Thank you for those of you who read my ramblings and look at our pictures. There are probably only a few of you (and I know who you are) but it's nice to know people care!!

So as Brian and I prepare for another Thanksgiving Feast tomorrow (with my side), remember those in your life who love you. Remember those YOU love and have loved.

New-Old Pictures

So right before I went back to work after having Adelle, we got her picture taken. She was almost 2 months old! We went to Brian's friend Katie who owns her own photography studio called, Behind The Lens Photography. She was wonderful and captured an amazing amount of shots of our Sweet Girl.

Well, we just got the pictures in the mail and they are BEAUTIFUL!! Here are just a few!!

Adelle and Her Helmet

Adelle has been in her helmet since September 9th. She hasn't ever been bothered by it and generally wears it without fussing. At times she will play with the Velcro, but I think it's really because she likes hearing the sound it makes as it pulls apart, not because she thinks her head is being squeezed.

One of my students asked why she's wearing the helmet and I told him it was because she laid on one side of her head too much and it didn't grow right. He said, "Do you think that could happen to me and that I would need to wear a helmet? Last night I was so tired I think I didn't move. I even had a big drool spot!" I told him that his head should be just fine and that I did the same thing that night! He looked at me, smiled, and said, "Shoot, I really wanted the helmet but it's funny to know you drool!"

Awesome!

Anyway, we had Adelle's helmet appointment on Wednesday and Adelle has made excellent progress. If you remember this post about Adelle and her helmet, you will remember that she started out needing it because the diagonals of her head (from front to back) had a difference of 8mm. Well, on Wednesday we found out the difference was down to 4mm!!

We are so very happy that it is working and that she is growing! I was thinking that because she has been teething so much her head might not have grown enough to make even a 1mm change, but it did!!

Now she can keep running into things with her head and not hurt her head!!

Conferences

This last week has been crazy!! I had conferences, Adelle had a doctor appointment, Brian is hunting this weekend, I am scrapping/stamping this weekend... it's a mad house.

One thing I am very happy about is the fact that conferences are over. I don't really mind them once I am actually DOING them, but it's the anticipation for them that gets to me. Then, there is always one that I worry about. This year's was a doozy, but it all worked out in the end. Thankfully!

The one conference I worry about always makes me feel like I am not doing my job, but I work my butt off and I am great at what I do!! It has taken me a long time to believe that. I have been teaching for 7 years but haven't always felt as though I have gotten the support and guidance I needed. I am not saying I need constant compliments or hand-holding, but I do value the occasional, "nice lesson" or "good job."

My Dad has a saying at the bottom of his emails that I simply admire. Usually these are pretty hokey or sentimental but my Dad's reads,

"NEVER, underestimate the power of positive reinforcement!"

I couldn't have said it better Dad!

Wordless Wednesday: Halloween