One stitch, two stitch, three stitch!

Our little tomboy was at it again...

Last Wednesday evening, the kids were with our niece Katie (she is our usual babysitter), and Addi tripped while running around and fell into the front door and split her forehead open.  Luckily, Aaron and I were just right up the street, so it didn't take us long to get home, check out the wound, and head to the clinic.  Addi cried when it happened, but was in a good mood by the time we got to the clinic - she just had one request... NO SHOTS!  The waiting room even knew she didn't want shots.  We tried to break it to her that shots were inevitable, but she wouldn't hear it.  The clinic got her right in, cleaned up the wound, strapped her down, and put three stitches in her forehead.  Sounds simple, right?  Absolutely not - she cried as soon as she saw the needle (numbing agent) and didn't stop until they were done stitching her up.  She even managed to get both legs and one arm out of the contraption that was holding her down.  I tried to keep her calm with promises of ice cream, but she would yell, I don't want ice cream!  Even the nurse promised her a lollipop, but she didn't want one of those either.  All in all the process was quick and as promised, we went to Baskin Robbins afterward.  So a little bruised up and three stitches later, she's doing perfectly fine and will now sport a fancy scar in the middle of her forehead, just like her mommy :-).



The tomboy comment earlier is so true.  Here is the list of Addison's "serious, but accidental" injuries since birth:

• 5 stitches to her upper lip and inside of the lip; 13 months; fell into the coffee table while learning to walk
• Front tooth pulled; 1.5 years old; fell onto tile
• Welts; 2 years old; got into pepper spray
• Concussion w/ partial skull fracture; 3 years old; jumped off the basketball bleachers

We love our little tomboy, but oh how she keeps us on our toes!!

Let's do this... (again)

Last December I posted about the second journey of my weightloss challenge and I really had high hopes.  You know, it shouldn't be a surprise to me that dieting during the holidays is nearly impossible and that laying on my couch watching tv would be more desireable than working out, but it happened.  I managed to "maintain" over the holidays, but I struggled with having any motivation at all to workout or eat healthy.  Then January came and I thought I could start over, but the motivation was still lacking and fries were a number one priority. 

This brings me to today.  Confession: I've gained a few pounds back (obviously).  BUT, on the bright side, I feel like I've sort of "hit bottom" with being disgusted with my lack of motivation and the tightness of my clothes.  I felt this way back in July and that's what kicked me into gear then.

So yesterday while working out in the gym, I noticed a lot of posters around me promoting the Gold's Gym 12 week Challenge.  I've had family and friends participate in this in Wenatchee and had great results.  I grabbed a flyer and read it while I walked on the treadmill, getting more and more excited that this might be the motivation I need!  Basically you pay a small fee and they take before, during and after measurements and weight, and offer nutrition and fitness resources, but there is also money involved if you win.  I called Aaron to see what he thought and he said I could just pay him and he'd take all the measurements (he's quite the funny man).  He was supportive though, so I did it - I signed up!!

The Challenge officially starts today!  I'll basically try to follow the same nutrition/fitness plan I followed on my very first challenge.  Knowing that I will have to come in for "during" pictures will hopefully be the motivation I need.  Oh, did I mention these pictures are taken in my swimsuit??  AHHHH!

Here's to 12 weeks of success!!

Christmas, Christmas and more Christmas (and lots of pics)

This last Christmas season was our busiest ever, but we enjoyed every party, every conservation and every new memory made!

The festivities began with my mom and stepdad's party the day before Christmas Eve. Even my Granny was able to make it! We met at their house for pizza and the kids had a blast opening presents and playing with their 4 dogs, yes 4!


 


The next morning we headed to my dad and stepmom's house for a delicious breakfast.  Usually this party involves sledding and snowball fights, but there was no snow this year - bummer!  There were lots of kids, so that meant lots of presents - it was chaotic, but a good chaotic.  Then the adults met up in the loft for our gift exchange.  Aaron and I were blessed with great gifts from my sister Amanda and my stepmom Mel.  I pulled the same stunt last year for the person I drew and shoved tons of $1 bills into a bottle :-)





Early that afternoon we took off from my dad's and headed over the mountains to Sequim.  2 kids in a car for 6 hours is not exactly what we would call fun, but we made it in one piece that evening to our next party - the Sparks Christmas Exchange.  Again, the kids opened more presents and the adults enjoyed a fun exchange as well.  By 9, we gathered up the kids and headed to Aaron's Grandma's house for the night - both kids fell asleep on the way.  WHAT A DAY!!!




So now we get to Christmas morning!  Addi put out carrots, cookies, milk and elf donuts the night before and was so excited to see them gone the next morning - and was even more excited to see her new toy horse waiting for her!  Then we headed off to church with the family.  Addison did amazing throughout the entire service, but I didn't witness it, I was too busy chasing AJ around the hallways and nursery!  After church we headed to Aaron's aunt and uncle's house for more kid presents and oh yes, another adult exchange!  We had a great time visiting with everyone and eating all the yummy food!  And again, everyone crashed on the way back to Aaron's Grandma's house.









So is that it?  NO WAY!  We did go back to the Tri-Cities, but our parties were not quite over.  The following weekend we headed back to Wenatchee for Christmas with Aaron's parents.  This was a less stressful weekend, but filled with just as many presents and food!  Everyone was spoiled and we just had an amazing time all around.  We even made it out for New Year's Eve with Aaron's brother, my sister and her boyfriend and a few others.  We had a great dinner at a new sushi place and then out for drinks at a few other bars.




So now, we're finally back home and settled in.  All the presents are put away (the old ones recycled), the decorations are put away, and we're ready to start the new year!

Next on the list... Addison's 4 year birthday party!!!

Ride'm cowgirl

Before I post ALL of the holiday pictures and memories, I wanted to quickly fill everyone in on Addison's obsession.  I was going to write "latest obsession" but this has been around for quite awhile and I don't see it changing anytime soon.

Similar to any little kid, Addison loves it when we drive by horses, or any animal, for that matter.  One day while in Wenatchee, she went on a snake hunt with her grandpa Sparks.  They drove up Number 2 Canyon and looked for snakes on the road (they only look, no touching).  While up there, they came upon some horses in a barn and they got out to pet them.  Afterwards, she begged and pleaded to be brought back up to the horses.  Her grandparents even bought her toy horses and a barn for her room.  Back in the Tri-Cities, Aaron and I noticed that Addison was always asking about the horses in Wenatchee and always wanted to drive by the ones here.  I just happen to work with a couple that has horses (Shawnee and Levi), and they agreed to let Addison come ride one - she was in heaven!  This was still in the fall and she serisouly talked our ears off about her fun time riding Casey the horse for two months before I was comfortable enough to ask my friends again if she could ride.  So just a few weeks ago, wrapped from head to toe in snow gear (it was about 30 degrees), she was able to ride Casey again.  I haven't seen that girl so happy in her life!  Shawnee, Levi, Casey (the horse) and Paige (the other horse) have become daily topics of conversation around my house - Addison asks where they are, what they eat, if she can call them, etc.

For Christmas she really wanted a play horse and asked for it every time she sat on Santa's lap.  She also received two other play horses over the holidays, as well as a horse calendar that is hanging in her bathroom.

Since the obsession hasn't died down, we're thinking of throwing her a horse-themed 4th birthday party - she will be so excited!!