Addie's Top 10: #3

#3 - Her Night Time Routine
Consistently over the last year, Addie has a specific order she likes to follow as part of going to bed. After reading books in Carter's bed, we start giving 5 very important kisses! Addie calls out each dog - Maverick and Smokey and subsequently gives them about 5 kisses "night-night!" Then she askes for her "Bubba, " then one last kiss from her daddy and mommy. Since there are a few regular nights where one of us isn't here during this process, we found a remedy that she considers a fine alternative.

After we get all of the babies she wants and doesn't want in her bed, this is my favorite part. The lights were completly out, so the video clip is sound only but this is the sweet voice I get to hear every single night.

She then wants us to "pat" her night night...

She even will "pat" herself to sleep sometimes!

Addie's Top 10: #7, #6, #5, & #4

#7. Her INDEPENDENCE & CONFIDENCE!
She loves going outside completely by herself and exploring and playing. When we get home in the afternoons, she will open the back door, and go throw tennis balls for the dogs for 45 minutes. If we allow her to go out the front, she will yell "park" and take off next door unconcerned if we are in tow. On many recent warm spring nights, while I have the sprinkler running in the backyard, she will sneak out before bath to play in it.

#6. Her Babies & Blanket

Although she isn't obsessed with them, she has taken a stronger liking to them. She really isn't particular except that whatever baby she has must have a blanket, so she can "pat" it night-night. She is really into baby Easton and although she hasn't seen him in 10 days, still talks about him everyday.

#5. Daddy and Mommy. :)

Addie is a daddy's girl (which I truly LOVE!) This is especially true when I am out of town for any length of time or if I am gone in the evening for work. However, it does seem to to work the opposite too! So when Blake has been gone for a while, Addie prefers her mommy when daddy returns (at least for a while!) I tell Blake that is why I really don't mind that he has to travel so much for work... it gives me one-on-one time with the kids that I adore, especially at their ages.

#4. Elmo Books!

What else can you say, Addie LOVES her Elmo and although she gets excited to watch Elmo on TV, she never really sticks around to watch it. She really isn't into TV as much as Carter. She loves to read her books before bed in Carter's bed and then she gets to read her one last one in her own bed!

Addie's Top 10 at 2: #10, #9, & #8

Addie is quickly approaching the final hours of her second year.

I have done the same posts with Carter the last 2 birthdays - 2  years & 3 years. This is one of my favorite posts to do each year for the kids because it makes it so easy to remember a lot of the little things. So here it goes, it's time to take a "snap shot" of Addie Brown as she completes her second year of life, her favorite things and all the noteworthy passions of this particular amazing 2 year old.

#10 - MEME

Addie is blessed to have 6 amazingly special grandparents however one stands out at this age, probably due to the fact that she gets to spend 3 1/2 full days with her every 4-6 weeks when MeMe makes the long 6 hour trip to San Antonio to see the kids. She is so dedicated to all of her grandkids and Addie is especially dedicated to her at this age. MeMe's name get's brought up in the house almost every day. It can be anytime it is time to go "potty," the kids get to choose between their potty and "Meme's Potty" a.k.a. the guest bathroom.  If anyone steps foot in our front guest bedroom, Carter and Addie are quick to tell them, "That is MeMe's bed!" She remembers every single little tiny toy and book she brings them and if I ever ask her, "Who is coming over?" Her quick first answer is MEME!

#9 - TALKING!!

This girl can communicate and I LOVE IT!!!!  I decided to try something new and set a timer for 1 hour and listened to her for 1 hour tonight, with no prompting or asking her questions, and this is what she said. It was actually more than I even thought.

6PM - Start
"Momma, all done." (after finishing her dinner)
Mommy, out! (when wanting out of her seat at the table)
"Basketball"
"Yea bubba!" (while sitting on the stairs cheering for Carter while he shot baskets)
"No, no, no, no Bubba"
"Mommy, potty."
"Pee Pee prize" (asking me for her reward when she proactively told me)
"Mommy on" (while bringing some dress up clothes to help her put on)
"Necklace, wear it" (asking me to help put it on her)
"Bracelet bubba" (when she found Carter's green bracelet under the couch)
"Sorry bubba!" (After she pinched him)
"Please" (when wanting a car from Carter)
"Wheee.... down" (while sending cars down a race track)
"Mommy, tickle me mommy."
"This... OUT!" (while on her tip toes pointing to the play cash register)
"Money!" (when the drawer opened)
"No work" (when bringing me a toy drill not working)
"Neck... bandaid" and pointing to her neck telling me she hurt it)
"Flashlight"
"Mommy... screwdriver" (wanting me to help screw in a bolt)
"No! Sit down!" (When I got up to use the restroom)
"Mommy, jump!" (and wanting me to catch her off the couch)
"Addie's turn!" (when wanting to do airplane after her brother)
"Thank you" (after I told her "bless you" after she sneezed)
7PM

In the last week she will randomly bust out with her "ABC's," her favorite sections is "Q, R, S, T, U, V ..." She is always singing, "Clean up, clean up" when she is picking up her toys.

#8 - Ella Perkins
These girls have spent nearly every memorable moment together in the last 730 days! With over 1000 pictures documenting their every move, it's fair to say they will have a strong bond once they finally get to the same school in 2022 as they enter Churchill together as freshmen. Although I know most toddlers don't "play together," more and more, we are finding them by themselves on the playground. The fact that they have always gone to the same daycare, has made leaving Addie every day so much easier knowing they have the comfort of each other once there. They, themselves, are the closest thing they may every have to true sisters.

Carter's "Growing Up Celebration!"

Carter's school did a big celebration last week for all the "older" kids that maybe moving up to Pre-K or Kindergarden. I'm not quite sure how Carter's class was involved since all of them are under 4 years old but who's complaining about a a fun reason to dress up and celebrate and as Carter says, "become a big boy!"

I told him not to get used to putting on a cap and gown like this every year. I want, at least at minimum, the 2 times he puts one on for high school and college graduations to have special meaning to it! ;) Oh, and this picture below is HISTORIC! The first picture I have of the two of  my babies looking directly IN the camera, HOLDING HANDS and smiling REAL SMILES!!!!!

Carter danced his heart out to 4 songs while one stage. He took it so seriously and stared at the teachers in front for their direction the entire performance.

Look at those 6 girls work it in the center!

Carter and his teacher, Mrs. Sandy and of course, Cash!

We are so proud of you Carter Brown in the little boy you are right now and the man you are becoming.

Anything Is Fun As Long As We Are Together!

Finally... Pool Time!

I can already see the nightly routine forming, going to the pool this year. Just this last week, we have had so many fun nights! I can't believe we were worried about buying this house directly next to the neighborhood pool just 5 years ago... now I can't imagine life without it right there. On most evenings, it is our own private pool, and occasionally, we get to hang out with some super cool neighbors.

On even more of an incredible note, both Addie and Carter have already blown our expectations out of the water on what they were doing in the water already! By the third visit, Carter was swimming the width of the pool and back with almost no help. What a big difference from last summer, when he wouldn't even put his head near the water, much less, leave the baby pool or top step of the big pool.

Addie and Carter patiently wait each other's turn, as the big pool is still about 5 degrees too cool for me!

Dad showing off.

Mother's Day Keep Getting More & More Special.

As I grow older, I realize more and more how blessed I am with a healthy family and to be surrounded by such strong and beautiful women in my life.

I can't belive just a year ago, Addie couldn't even walk and her curls were just about to make their debut.

I feel so lucky and full-filled to have these two absolutely amazing, smart and healthy children.

My husband makes is the most incredible & perfect complement to me and I'm such a lucky girl to have found him (as my 94 year old grandmother pointed out to me, again, just this week! :))

Mothers Day - Sunday May 10, 2009

Mother's Day - Sunday May 9, 2010