Half Way to One Year!

Clay and I are amazed that Addison is halfway to a year already! We have lots of pictures and a few videos to share this month!

Such a busy girl it's hard to get her to stay still these days!

We definitely have a little Miss Personality! Addison has learned that waving, smiling, talking, and entertaining anyone in her orbit will get her maximum attention. She loves to lay on her belly to explore anything within her reach. She is able to bear weight on her legs when we hold her upright and will be ready to hit the road, albeit at a crawl, before we know it. She is able to sit on her own for longer periods of time and has become very interactive playing with toys and her friends at school. We don’t have any tiny teeth yet but know that they are on the way!  At her 6 month appointment, Addison weighed 14.2 pounds and measured 25.5 inches.

We fed Addison solid food for the first time this week. It is definitely a learning process for both us and Addison. I’m sure we’ll both get better with practice but am confident that there will be many messy eating photos and videos to come!

I have been asked a lot about how school (daycare) is going. I am happy to report that Addison LOVES her school and teachers. Every morning when we walk down the hall to her classroom, she gets very excited and pumps her legs. She is always happy to see her teachers, Miss Renee and Crystal, who have been wonderful. Now that she is sitting up on her own, she has spent more time playing with friends. It’s always fun to see her interact with other babies!

We have had a very busy month. With the arrival of fall, we enjoyed a trip to the pumpkin patch. Here are some of our favorite pictures of our little pumpkin!

We spent our first night away from Addison when we went to College Station for the OSU football game. Although the Ags lost, we had a great time, had a full night of sleep, and were happy to see our little girl when the weekend was over.

We also enjoyed the last time the Ags will play Texas Tech here in Lubbock before joining the SEC. Clay and Wes went to the game while Addison and I cheered from home. The next night, we attended a church-wide tailgate that Clay was on the planning committee for. It was a fun night of fellowship and devotion…and Addison won the best costume. I’m sure you can tell why!

We also participated in the Komen Race for the Cure this month. We are so amazed each year by the huge turnout. What fun we had walking with friends and supporting the cause!

I recently had a hearing on a Friday in Abilene. Clay and Addison made the trip with me and after the hearing, we made the rest of the drive to Comanche. We had a great weekend. Clay recently bought a cross bow that we have taken out several times in the evenings to shoot. I am quite the shooter and agreed to join Clay hunting while Pops kept Addison. It was a treat to spend the quite time in the deer blind with Clay (including a nap for me). Saturday night we attended the Comanche County Healthcare Foundation Fundraiser. Clay’s mom was on the board for many years for the Foundation and she was honored that night. We are proud of the legacy of service she left on the community.

This month, our scripture is from 1 Peter4:10, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."

Amen and Pass the Butter,
Marcy

5 Month Update

Addison has had some big movements this month! In addition to rolling over, she lifts her shoulders when you come to pick her up and can balance herself sitting. She has learned that her hands can be used to bat things, hold and shake different objects, and bring toys to her mouth (although she usually brings her mouth to the toys in her hands). Addison has become a real talker - babbling, cooing, and laughing...we will post a video soon!  She loves to give kisses and has also discovered a new fun toy – her feet!


Kisses for Mom

 Addison remains a happy healthy baby. We love her laid back demeanor – I think she gets that from her dad. She is now sleeping for 8 hour stretches (or more) during the night (thank the Lord)! We think she is beginning to teeth which explains the constant drool and her love of nawing on anything she can get her hands on.  Addison is also starting to recognize people - what fun it is to walk into her class at school after a long day of work and be greeted by her sweet smile!

Clay and I are happy that fall has arrived. This past month was full.  We spent Labor Day on our first family vacation to Santa Fe. We had a relaxing time soaking in the southwest and enjoying the cooler temperatures. Clay has enjoyed the start of the hunting season and has gone on 3 dove hunts.  He also spent time in Comanche hunting and fishing. I enjoyed a weekend with my mom this month and we spent lots of time crafting (for Addison of course) - pictures soon to come!

This month, instead of a verse, I want to share a song.  When Addison starts crying and I am trying to calm her down, my instinct is always to begin singing.  I'm not sure who the singing calms down more, Addison or me, but somehow it always seems to work.  The song that I have sung to my little girl more times than I can count is "All in All" - You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek, You are my all in all.  I love this song - the melody, the meaning, the memories it brings for me, both old and now new. 

Amen and Pass the Butter,
Marcy

4 Months and Rolling!

Our once stationary baby is now a giggling, wiggling littler person. She enjoys more playtime on the floor where she can stretch, roll, reach and squirm. Addison is definitely a morning person (unlike her parents) and wakes up with a smile on her face – definitely a great way to start each day! On her 4-month birthday, Addison rolled from her back to her belly – a very exciting moment for me and Clay! She now weighs 12 pounds 2 ounces and measures 25.25 inches long. 

She still loves her swing but now likes to sit in her Bumbo at the table while we eat dinner and play in her exercauser. I think she discovers a new toy every time she plays in it! Addison has now discovered her feet. She likes to grab them and roll herself into a ball which can make for a difficult diaper change!

This month we enjoyed a visit from Uncle Zack, Aunt Jen, and Ethan. Addison and I also braved a plane ride when we traveled to my parent’s for Honey’s birthday. We celebrated Addison with a sip and see on Friday. What fun it was to see all of my mom’s friends and show off her favorite grandchild!

This month, Clay and I have found comfort in Deuteronomy 31:8: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Clay and I are looking forward to fall approaching with promises of cooler weather and Aggie football. We have started training for a half marathon. I keep asking how on earth we will ever run 13 miles to which Clay responds, one mile at a time. What a great mantra!

Amen and Pass the Butter,

Marcy

Visit from Zack, Jen and Ethan!

We recently had Zack, Jen, and Ethan in town for a visit. The weekend was family-fun filled! We spent Saturday afternoon at the pool and had late night fun at home under the pergola. We were glad to have the Lehnens and Cliftons join in on the fun.

With three toddlers running around, we defiantly had lots of action!

Ella, Brody, and Ethan

When we realized that there weren't many toys around our house for the "big kids", we manufactured a home made wagon from a diaper box and everyone took a ride...including Snoop and Eleah!

We ended the night with a baby asleep in every room of the house and a little time for the parents to unwind outside.  Ahh, nothing like the sound of sleeping babies!

Amen and Pass the Butter,
Marcy

Three Month Update

These days, it seems like our little Addison has really come alive! She stays awake now for longer stretches during the day and more importantly stays asleep for longer stretches at night!

Addison’s three month milestone is marked not only by chubbier cheeks, but personality galore! She makes sweet noises, smiles, and giggles. Her favorite toys are still her hands.  She loves to wave her arms, pump her legs, suck on her fist, and swat at whatever she can. She is definitely a social baby and loves to hear you talk to her. My mom and Addison have had many talks “narrating” even the most mundane chore from laundry to dishes to cooking. We are not the most talented family in the musical department but that doesn’t seem to bother Addison! She loves when we sing to her and when Clay plays the ukulele. We have had a busy month, with a visit from Aunt Meddy, "swimming" at Ty and Ashley's, the 4th of July weekend at Possum Kingdom, and Addison's first trip to the nursery at church.

As Addison turns 3 months, we now find ourselves at a new transition. We have been grateful for the help we have had from my mom over the past 5 weeks. She has given our family her summer without hesitation to keep Addison when I returned to work. Clay and I have also been able to enjoy dates during the week (although we usually find ourselves talking about what new trick Addison has learned). We have one more week of ‘Honey Care’ before Addison starts daycare in August. I sure hope that as Addison gets older, my mom still finds joy in changing a dirty diaper! As I reflect on the past 3 months, I find special meaning in Proverbs 23:25: “May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!” I am not only joyful for my Addison but also for the bond that I have with my mother.

Amen and Pass the Butter,

Marcy

Red, White, & Baby!

We were happy to be back at Possum Kingdom this 4th of July with some of our dearest Aggie friends!  Addison made her first trip to the lake and loved rocking on the dock.  Clay and I enjoyed catching up with friends and the fun in the sun.  Enjoy these pics of our very patriotic baby!


Amen and Pass the Butter,
Marcy

Two Month Update

An old African proverb says it takes a village to raise a child.  We realize that the real 'village' is founded on strong parents, supported by family, friends, churches, and schools.  This is my second full week back at work and we are grateful for the village that surrounds us.  Honey (my mom) has been keeping Addison to help with my transition back to work.  Addison is looking forward to the next few weeks when she will get to spend time with Aunt Meddy, our friend Ellen, and more time with my mom before beginning day care in August. 

This month, we enjoyed celebrating Clay's first Father's Day, Ella Lehnen's first birthday, a trip to Granbury for cousin Ethan's second birthday, a visit from Aunt Meddy and Uncle Heffrey, and a BBQ with Sunday school friends. 

At our 2 month appointment, Addison weighted 10 pounds 2 ounces and measured 22 1/2 inches long.  She has grown from her eyelashes to her toes!  She holds her head up, pushes up on her hands, follows you with her eyes, and has a smile that lights up our world! 

Our verse for the month that we have been praying over Addison is "Parents tell their children about your faithfulness."  Isaiah 38:19.   We are loving life and feeling such love from our village of supporters!

Amen and Pass the Butter!
Marcy