Dear Addelaynie Mae,
I had intended to catch up your blog letters so many times. After the last one our schedule and life got very hectic, but you were a champ through all of it. I had to keep a list of all your milestones in my phone because you were growing and changing so quickly. This is what mommy has written down.
May-June: (month 8)
After graduation we were sent to Kansas City Children's hospital because you weren't growing fast enough. They did some x-rays and blood work and told us we had to come back for your growth hormone stimulation test. This made mommy really nervous. They told me you weren't allowed to eat after midnight (which for you, my nursing champ, that was going to be hard enough on your mom), that they would give you an IV and give you the injections through the IV, they would draw your blood every 30 minutes for 4 hours from the IV and test your growth hormone levels. So after a very rough night of mommy worrying. We got to children's hospital (your daddy and auntie kim got to come with us) and they couldn't get the IV in you. They stuck you 8 times (twice in each arm, twice in your temples, once in your foot, and finally got it in your hand); this took about an hour and you screamed the entire time. Mommy cried through most of it too. By the time the IV was in and they gave you the medicine you knocked out on mommy and slept the rest of the test except for the few moments every 30 minutes the nurse messed with you. She was not your favorite person by the end of all of this. We found out later you failed your growth hormone test and could potentially need daily injections like daddy to help you grow.
Other high lights from this month include:
1. Brittany and Nick Eilert came to KC to visit us, with their precious baby girl Esli
2. Jess and Parker got married. Daddy was a groomsmen and you helped mommy with the guest book
3. You started rocking on your hands and knees, you wanted to move but really only went backwards
4. You picked up finger foods and fed yourself, you became very good at this very quickly.
5. Since mom and dad finished school, you spend all day every day with mom, we have lots of adventures together. But mostly you like playing with me.
6. You started jumping in your jumperoo. We still had to put daddy's lexicon under you, but you figured out what it is for.
7. You and daddy had your first fathers day. We made him a special lunch and watched movies with him all day. You enjoyed it a lot.
8. We took our first trip to the zoo with the Kilpatricks. Samuel was very sweet and showed you all of the zoo animals. You loved looking at the animals and really enjoyed being a big kid with Samuel.
June-July (month 9):
1. We moved to Arkansas on July 1st. We had a lot of friends help us load up the truck (they're favorite part was taking breaks to play with you). You also got to spend the afternoon with the Clark's when we got to Arkansas so mommy and Daddy could unload the truck. Uncle Simon and Auntie Age came too.
2. You had your first 4th of July, AND got to go meet baby Rozlyn at the hospital in the same day. Renee and the girls came over and you loved watching the fireworks Pippi's neighbors set off with them
3. We took a road trip to Illinois for Aunt Brandi and uncle Brandt's wedding. It was close to 9 hours in the car, and you were not a fan. But you made it and handled it really well. Your first time in a hotel you weren't exactly sure what to do with the change of scenery but after the first night it was familiar enough to sleep. You were so laid back all weekend as we helped get ready for the wedding and on the wedding day, since mommy was in the wedding you hung out with daddy the entire time.
4. On the way to Illinois we needed a break from the car, and even though it was 106 degrees outside we took you to the St. Louis zoo. You really enjoyed this, even though it was miserably hot. We took you to the penguin house which was by far everyone's favorite because it was freezing in there. You got to pick a souvenir, and you immediately fell in love with a polar bear that both mommy and daddy had overlooked. To this day, Polie (as he has been named) is your favorite toy. He was the best thing we ever bought you.
5. Two days after we got back from Illinois, we got on a plane to go to Portland. We had to spend a last minute night in Denver because of flight delays and such, but you had a great time. The plane wasn't exactly your favorite but you enjoyed talking and flirting to all the people around you. This was your first plane trip.
6. You became quite the mooch this month. You want to try whatever mommy is eating and if you like it you won't share any more with mommy, it becomes your meal. If mommy wouldn't give you a taste you would throw a fit (I'm nervous for terrible 2's)
July-August (10 months):
1. YOU'RE CRAWLING! It was a very exciting day in our world. Once you figured out forward, you haven't stopped moving since then. You wanted to show everyone your new trick.
2. You enjoy sitting on your knees a lot which is funny.
3. You jabber all day long. You haven't said many words yet (at least that mommy understands) but you have quite a bit to say
4. No more pureed foods for you, you decided the day after mommy made 100 baby food jars full of food (not kidding) that you were over being spoon fed. You started smacking the spoon and screaming and holding your breath every time I tried to feed you. This was a challenge to find finger foods that were soft enough for you to chew and also the correct kinds of foods. But we survived.
5. You learned to stand up in your pack-n-play and yell at me to come and get you from your naps.
6. You learned to point at things. We would ask you where something was and you would point at it. You also enjoyed pointing for the sake of pointing.
7. We were still living at Pippi's house, so you loved every evening when she would come home and play with you. She also introduced you to Cheetos which quickly became a night time staple with you two. You would go hang out in her room before bed. It is still one of your favorite places.
8. Daddy got a new job! We were so excited for him to get a job that he got to be home with you at nights and not the job where he was gone every other week.
August-September (11 months):
1. We moved into our own house. You got to have your own room for the first time, and a crib for the first time. You were so excited to have a space that was all your own. I wish we could have given you that sooner, but we couldn't. Your puppies also have a yard. Which is great because we can send them outside when they get to rowdy.
2. You started "school" this month because mom had to get a part time job. Mommy works at the church and you go to school 8:30-2 on Monday and Thursday, and 8:30-12:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday. You really love school, you have a favorite teacher both days and they are always talking about how sweet you are. Mommy really misses you while she is teaching her classroom, but you love it so much and it is really good for you to be around other babies your age and women who can love on you.
3. We started watching Walker on Wednesday nights this month. I'm pretty sure it's everyone's favorite time of the week. Walker is such a big kid to you and you feel like a big kid when he's around. He has dinner with us, and you both take a bath. Then he goes home and goes to bed. You both are working on sharing, but you both play so well together. It's such a blessing to have them just a couple miles down the road from us.
4. We went to the Endocrinologist in Joplin, they are still concerned about your growth, but he wants to make sure we don't act to quickly. They suggested we give you whole milk and continue feeding you healthy calorie rich foods.
5. You quit nursing this month because of the whole milk. You liked the taste of that better. Or maybe the fact that you could give it to yourself in a cup. Or possibly the fact that you got lazy with nursing afterwards because you found out you didn't have to work that hard with the cup. Regardless of the reasoning you were to "big" to continue nursing.
September-October (12 months):
1. You started using a push walker. You love to walk around like a big kid with it. You have gotten so fast that you run with it. I call you a crazy driver.
2. You started wheezing this month, so we have taken you to doctor after doctor trying to figure out what is wrong. It doesn't seem to bother you, but you sound terrible. Even your teachers at school keep mentioning it to me.
3. You had a stomach bug this month. This was your first time being sick. It was so sad to see you throwing up all day. (Not to mention gross to clean up, especially when you managed to get oatmeal EVERYWHERE). You were better by the next morning but you just needed to be cuddled and loved the whole day.
4. Walker has taught you to love Elmo. He is by far the best thing in the world. Elmo's world has become a morning staple in our house. You have even learned to say Elmo, even though you call him "melmo"
5. You got your first tooth!!! 3 weeks before your birthday. I was starting to think they were never coming.
6. Speaking of your speech. It really took off this month. You went from jabbering to words. You will now consistently ask for mommy, daddy, melmo, bubba (your puppies), more, no, and night night. You're always changing and doing silly things to make mommy laugh.
7. We went to the pumpkin patch with your auntie Steph and you helped mommy pick out a pumpkin. Then when we got home, we set out a bunch of trash bags and set you free to paint your pumpkin as you wanted. You really loved this and worked seriously away until you were done. then you were so proud of your masterpiece when it had dried that you wanted everyone to see it.
8. YOUR BIRTHDAY!! We had your family, and a couple close friends over to celebrate you. We had a garden themed party, because that is how we decorated your room. It was nothing spectacular, but you had a great time. Every time someone came in the door you knew, you immediately wanted them to hold you. You loved every single present people gave you and got mad at mommy when she would take it so you could open another one. We had people write you letters and prayers and we can't wait for you to get old enough to read them
Mommy and daddy are so blessed to have you in our lives sweet angel. I can't believe you are 1, it doesn't seem like a year ago you entered our lives and changed our entire focus. You are such a happy easy going kid that we know we really lucked out with you, but we also know with your stubborn streak that we will face challenges parenting our strong willed child. We love you so much!
--Since Your birthday---
1. You have started walking, but really don't like it. You want someone holding your hand, or something to hold onto. Otherwise you choose to crawl.
2. You talking is ridiculous, I can no longer keep a count of the words you know because literally every day you say a new one.
3. You have been to a pulminologist. She thinks your lung problems are from a virus similar to RSV, but thankfully it isn't RSV. She has you on 2 inhalers, a nebulizer, and two medicines to clear up your chest. Thankfully, after 3 months of wheezing, you are starting to sound like a normal kid again!
4. You still have not gotten sick since your stomach bug. You have had the occasional teething temperature, but nothing ever high enough to be considered a temperature (your doctor says below 99.4 doesn't count, even if mommy thinks it does)
5. Your appetite is amazing. You eat everything in sight kid. Pancakes and waffles are still by far your favorite breakfast. Bananas are your favorite fruit. And canned ravioli, and macaroni and cheese are by far your favorite lunches. You will eat most anything, however, if you get it in your mind you want something you will refuse to eat until mommy figures out what it is (so ready for you to be able to voice this!)
6. You finally got teeth!!! 4 of them and they are sharp. Thankfully you have only tried to bite a couple times before you learned that was not sweet.
7. You love "cooking" and putting things into and out of baskets. These things can entertain you for hours if I let them.
We love you darling. I'm going to get off here now since you are currently throwing tupperware dishes in the trash. :) Never a dull moment with you.
Always,
Mom, and Dad
