Addison Mae - 12 months

This time last year, we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the little person who would forever change our lives. We knew we would love her, but we had no idea the breadth and depth of that love. She continues to amaze us and make us believe she's the smartest, most talented baby there ever was. She's a pistol, who wants to do things her way, herself, unless she's feeling sad, unhappy, mad or sick, and then she wants momma. We are sad that the past year, and Addie's true babyhood, is behind us, but we are looking forward to the many years ahead.

Weight: 18 lbs, 6 oz
Length: 28 inches

New things this month:

• Using her push car, or anything that moves really, to facilitate walking
• Standing on her own for longer periods
• Saying baseball, beach ball, beans, milk ... and probably a lot of other things we just can't decipher.
• Giving hugs and loves to accompany those open-mouth kisses. There is nothing better than feeling that sweet baby's head on my shoulder. She loves to hug her stuffed animals, too. And her real ones.
• Making amazing animal sounds, just like her momma. She can successfully tell you what the elephant, monkey, kitty, puppy, fish and chicken say.
• Blowing bubbles in the pool or bathtub
• Her first ER visit. Poor baby has had croup for the past week and was having a lot of trouble breathing on Sunday, hence the ER visit. Thankfully it was brief and uneventful. A new round of steroids from her ped seems to have done the trick.

Likes:

• Her dad's baseball, which she has commandeered from the study. She is constantly asking for the other baseballs on the shelves (which are autographed), and he hasn't given in to her. Yet.
• And, yes, the ball in general is still number one. Along with Izzy and Izzy (actually, Addie is now referring to Mia as "meow" since she can say what the kitty says)
• I can't believe I've never mentioned the "shaky shake" game as one of her top likes. This consititutes shaking anything that makes a noise, accompanied by the "shaky shake" song, coined by her very talented Grammie.
• Playing with fabric samples, which we call "iggy biggy boo," because that's seems to be what Addie says when she plays with them. Grammie has, of course, also made up a song for this game.
• Opening drawers and cabinets and removing EVERYTHING. She has several specially designated drawers and cabinets throughout the house.
• Peekaboo. She loves to initiate games herself, sneak around a piece of furniture or doorway to play or even pull her own shirt over her head to play.
• Waving at anyone and everyone. When we're at the grocery store, I'm constantly hearing giggling behind me because Addie's making eyes and waving at whoever is back there. She loves to make friends wherever she goes.
• Looking at pictures of herself (and saying "baby") and of close family members and identifying them.
• Bringing books to us to read and getting in our laps. She likes to shove a book in my face and say "mama  mama mama mama," which I think means, "hey lady, read this to me right now." She loves to turn the pages in books, usually before we're done reading them.
• Stacking blocks or cups
• Bubbles. Particularly when her dog chases and bites the bubbles.

Dislikes:

• Going shopping. Unless it's for 10 minutes or less and there are a lot of really interesting people to look at and talk to.
• Anyone whose name isn't mama when she's unhappy or sleepy.
• Ear drops.