A Toddler

I came to the realization this morning as I was getting Ad ready she's not a baby anymore she is a full blown toddler.  I love this stage and I love how much fun we have together, but it's sad to see her grow up so fast. 

 Since we were unable to go to the temple on Saturday Oley and I, as usual, went on the last day of the month.  As we were there Ad had an obsession with playing on the statues.  She has been on a kick since seeing her cousins that she has an imaginary sister.  She ran up to this little statue and hugged her and said, "Mom it's my sister". 

I love that she always has a little song in her heart and wanted to play ring a round the rosies with these statues.

She has so much personality to her.  All of her teachers at school just love the things that she says and that she always has a smile on her face.

She brings so much joy to my life I don't know what I would do without this little spitfire always keeping me on my toes.

My Girl

It's amazing how quickly time flies and this little nugget grows! Sunday she wanted me to take her pictures after church and so we grabbed a cushion and went out to the porch.  She is getting so much sass to her. 

But the best part of her growing up is the great little shopping buddy that she is becoming.  As we were shopping the other night I left her and Oley for a few minutes and when I returned she had filled her basket and was bound to fit more in it.  I just love having a little girl!

Heaven on Earth

Allison's grandparents come to Washington every summer and we love when we get to see them.  This year we were able to meet up with them at their home in Lake Stevens.  As we were driving in their community Oley was in love!  He kept saying this is like Heaven on Earth!  Ad loved being able to play with their money from other countries, collect pine cones, and swim in their pool.  We had a great time!

She loves the water, she is such a little fish!

We let her ride in their car to the pool and she couldn't stop talking about Papa Bob's truck and the crackers from Grandma.  We loved spending the day with them!

As we drove home she couldn't stop playing with the bracelets that they gave her.

We opted to stop by my Grandparents house on our drive home.  I love that we get to spend so much time with our extended family.   It makes me realize how many people are concerned about us and our success and failures.  It is evident to me that the Lord's plan for families is eternal and I am grateful that we have been blessed with the family we have and that we have had the blessing to add such a wonderful family to ours.

Growing Up

I can't believe how big our little munchkin has gotten!  I still remember the first day we brought her home.  Dinky was in love and they have been best friends ever since.  We have taken a series of Ad pictures with Dinky as the years have gone by.  It's a real reminder of how big she has gotten.

We went to Ad's 2 year doctor appointment yesterday and she is still in the 90th percentile in height, but luckily she is not in the 20th percentile for weight.  Still long and skinny.  She is doing everything perfect and talking way above her age level.  

She loves swimming in her swimming pool.  So funny that she thinks that she needs to put on her puddle jumper whenever she gets in the water.  But I am totally fine with that.  Rather her be safe than sorry!

She often gets frustrated with me because I won't let her do her own hair.  On our way home from church she was taking her head band off and on saying "see mommy I pretty".  

Bubbles

I love that Allison and Ad still get to have a great relationship!  She loves bubbles and was so cute when opening her birthday present from Allison.  I am really bad about getting the mail so it was a little bit late. . . sorry!

The Terrific Twos

We got to celebrate Ad's second birthday yesterday!  Oley took the day off from school and I took the day off of work and to spend the day with our little princess.  We started out by going to the zoo.
Once she woke up she loved it!

We spent the evening celebrating with Shawnie, Leimomi, and Emily.  Ad couldn't wait to open her presents.   She especially loved her new bicycle!

Mommy, Mama, Mommy

As I have stated before Mother's Day is always a difficult day.  Not that I am not extremely grateful that I have the opportunity to be a mother, but because I know exactly how those that do not have this same opportunity feel.  It's always just a hard day.  

With all that set aside I am so grateful I have my little baby girl to bring the joy, laughter, patience, and love I never knew I possessed.  I absolutely love this baby!  She is now to the stage where she will continue to say "mama mommy mama mommy mommy" until I respond and then even after I respond she continues to say it.  To others this may seem a nuisance but I treasure those words every time she says them.  I am so grateful to have her as my own personal reminder of the love my Heavenly Father has for me.  She makes me a stronger better person every day. I hope someday she will fully be able to appreciate the gift her birth mom has not only given her, but me, and our family.  I love being a mom!

Making Valentines

Now that Adelé wants to participate in everything that I am doing she and I made some Valentines to send to her family.  She loved getting to color all over the inside of the cards and was so proud when we were all done.

She loves to pester Dinky.  Her new favorite ways are to chase him with her car and sit with him while she eats food he knows he isn't supposed to eat.

When she isn't playing with the dogs you can be sure to find her with a book.  Tonight she was carrying around her doll and kitty - interesting she chose those two to play with someday she will realize the significance of both of those toys.

18 months

Adelé is 18 months!  Time has definitely flown right by.  I remember feeling like she would never turn 18 months and we would be walking the halls during Sunday School forever.  It's amazing how much she has grown in such a short time.  When she was at her 3 month old check up with the Doctor and he said that she was going to be an early talker, I didn't really comprehend what he was saying then but I sure do now.  She is starting to put up to 4 words together at one time.  It's remarkable.  Yesterday we were in the kitchen and Oley had said "are you kidding me" while we were talking and before we knew it Adelé was saying it.  The things she picks up on are unbelievable.  She loves to boss her puppies around.  One of her favorite things to do is to take my phone and find pictures of people she knows and call them, especially her cousin Ryker. 
We often find her sitting in her bedroom reading her books to herself.  She is always very good about folding her arms while we pray and says "Amen" as soon as we are done.  Last week in Sacrament meeting the prayer was going a little longer than usual and she exclaims "Amen!" in the middle of it.  I was so embarrassed.  She loves to brush her teeth and is still great at sleeping.  She goes right down for her naps without any fuss or fight.  We could not have been blessed with a more perfect baby!

At her 18 month check up she is still in the 90th percentile for height and head and still in the 10th percentile for weight. 

 She has so much personality it's amazing!  I absolutely adore her!

Allison's Wedding

I love that we have a birth mom that continues to let us be apart of her life and family!  Adelé especially loves it.  When we got Allison's wedding announcement Ad just looked at it and giggled.  We have been practicing Allison's name for awhile now and she is finally starting to get it, she isn't very good at her "L's" yet so it's more of "ison", so she would point to Allison's pictures and say "ison" and then squeal. Super cute!
I am so happy for Allison!  It's stories such as her's that remind me that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is here for us.  Being apart of her most difficult days and now her happiest day is such a blessing to Oley and I.  
Coincidence or not Allison and Lucas were sealed in the same room that Adelé was sealed to Oley and I in - being there twice in one year was a true blessing.  Adelé played with Aunt Robyn while  we were in the temple and then Robyn dropped her by as Allison and Lucas came out. 

 They were married on a Thursday so we were able to spend the rest of the day buying Oley's car and spending time with family. 

 This pictures makes me realize she really isn't a little baby anymore.

 She loved riding in Robyn's Jeep with dad. 

Uncle Jacob was nice enough to let her play the piano with him while at Grandma's house. The next day we were able to go to Allison's reception.  

 Since we have not taken family pictures in awhile and we were all dressed up we had Caitlin take some pictures for us.  

Not only had it been awhile since we took family photos it has been awhile since I have taken Ad's pictures. Pictures used to be a cake walk for her but now that she is walking it's a little bit more tricky to get a good one.  I was only going to post one of these pictures of Adelé but there were just too many cute ones to choose from.  

They had a dance out on the deck after the reception.  Adelé absolutely loves to dance, she was in heaven with the loud music and lights.  We are so happy for Allison and are excited for all the fun times to come!