Addison - the 19 Month Old!

Wow. What a fun-filled month it has been! We really got to enjoy the Holidays to the nth degree this year for Addison's second Christmas. Lots of memories created and captured, and Addison has grown by leaps & bounds. Every day becoming more and more her own person and growing from a baby to a kid before our very own eyes.

18-Month Check-Up
Yes, Mommy gets a 'FAIL' on this. It was November 25th and it dawned on me Addie was due for her checkup on the 27th. Of course all the appointments are taken, so just had to wait until December 27th when I had a day off work already and could take her in.
Here's her measurements!

Height
33 1/2" (75-90th percentile)
Weight
25lbs (50th percentile)

Time Out!
Parents who are afraid to put their foot down usually have children who step on their toes. - Chinese Proverb
In this appointment, we discussed Addison's progress as well as disciplinary actions. In the last couple months, Addison's toddler tantrums have certainly increased. Many friends and family have witness her "Mrs. Noodle", when we have to pick her up and she goes limp, flails back and screams - or she's done the toddler cliche of falling on the ground, kicking and screaming. Usually it's when we're at home and we say 'no', or have to discipline her for something she did. Sometimes it's just for attention, though too. Those times we typically "ignore" her and a few seconds will go by and she'll stop and go play with something else. The doctor said at this age we can do time outs or simply remove her from a situation when she has these tantrums. One minute for each year of age. So far we've done TO's 2x. She whines/cries the whole time - then is just over it and moves on once it's done. She's a hard one to keep still, so I've had to sit with her on these "time outs". She does understand and can say "mean" or "naughty" so I'm hoping just being able to scold her in a speaking manner will do the trick sometimes. She has more behavioral issues over at Auntie Lorie's, since of course there are 3 other children there. Especially with Bianca, who is only 14mos older than Addison, they are both in that toddler learning-to-share stage so they get into many battles over toys. I bring over a few toys/books to Lorie's everyday so she has something there that is hers, but of course Bianca is usually interested in Addison's toys too and then Addison becomes very territorial and has screaming fits. She is even this way with some of Bianca's toys that she really likes and plays with a lot - she will get upset if Bianca plays with them. This is always difficult for us since we are not there to see it or able to discipline her ourselves. We can't re-create the situation at home, so we just try the best we can - like when she's trying to take my phone or we take something of hers and she gets upset. But still, it's difficult since during the week, she basically lives in two separate households!

Paci Wars
The pediatrician also mentioned it's time to start ridding of the "Paci". Over the summer we started taking it away from her steathly just when she'd be running around and she wouldn't notice. We were doing really good for awhile - and she's been good about actually giving us her Paci when it's time to eat!
Funny thing is that she just learned how to say Paci last month - just in time for us to start taking it away from her! We are trying to limit her Paci use to just bedtime and car rides. However, we were really bad over the holidays because she was so sleep-deprived and just crazed with everything going on, Paci use was a free-for-all just to keep her happy. Eek, bad mommy & daddy!!! But we've cracked down better in the last two weeks.

Christmas & Winter Fun
Snow
This was a great holiday season for the O'Neills. We were settled into our new home around Thanksgiving - no longer living amongst boxes - and Addison loves her new surroundings. The first morning we walked out into the snow, Addison was mesmerized just watching it fall from the sky. She reached her hand out and watched it fall on her palm. It was a magical little moment. As the snowfall accumulated, she quickly learned how to say "snow" and excitedly would point it out as we walked out the door. She also loved to stomp her feet into the snow along the sidewalk as we'd leave the house. She has a snowsuit and boots (the light-up sole style no less!!!) and played in the snow a couple times with her cousins.
Santa
I'm sure Addison didn't remember Santa from last year - but this year she caught on quick. We watched a lot of Christmas specials so she was very familiar with the fat guy in the red suit and hat ;) Addison is a big fan of hats and likes to point them out and put hers on. She also puts bowls and buckets on her head. Anything that can be used a hat! But I think it's the Santa hat that Addison recognized the best for Santa. Along with this, we taught her that Santa says "Ho, ho, ho!" So whenever she'd see a Santa hat, or anyone/thing resembling Santa she'd point and say "Ho, ho ho!"
Addison visited Santa the first weekend in December at Stratford Square Mall for her picture with him. She was excited to see him while we waited in line and happily run up to him. But once Tim placed her on his lap and we stepped back for the picture - the screaming started. Apparantely she was scarred by that experience, because we went to Breakfast with Santa 2 weeks later, and even though she'd follow Santa around as he went table to table, she would cling to us for dear life when we tried to put her on his lap! She was ok with going right up to him though. Silly girl!
Same thing happened at Christmas Eve at my brother's house when Santa made a surprise visit. She just stood and stared at home but was very nervous when I'd pick her up and bring her near him. Yet, once he left - she watched out the window and kept saying "Ho, ho ho!!!!!"
Next year she'll love him, I'm guessing!
Gifts
Addison was very spoiled this Christmas. She is surrounded by a big, loving and generous family - so the girl makes out well! She got a ton of really cute outfits and PJ's all the way up to 2T to grow into, some books, a couple movies, a toychest, basketball hoop, art desk and a bunch of toys. She even got an Elmo costume from her cousins that she wore for a while on Christmas Eve!
Last year, "Santa" was pretty tame with Addison. He got her a Bitty Baby and $$ for her college fund. But this year, well, she must have been a REALLY good girl because she woke up Christmas morning - came downstairs and in the living room she found a Disney Princess playtent, a kitchen and grocery cart! She immediately dove into the tent and has since hung out in there watching movies on the portable DVD player - and making Mommy and Daddy squeeze in there with her. Our cat Pebbles is a big fan of the tent, too!
She loves her kitchen and will pull us over there and say "cook"! She mostly likes to put items in the microwave up top. Ha!

So now, the "dining room" which we have dubbed Addison's play area is complete. Grandma Simon gave her a toychest to store her toys in downstairs - that she loves to climb up and sit on. Grandma G gave her an art desk for her to "color!" at -which she has really enjoyed sitting at and making little scribbles with all her crayons. Mostly, I think she just likes to sit at the desk! Uncle Ed gave her a basketball hoop which is now in the kitchen and believe me, she's pretty good at dunking!!! :) Soon, she'll get a stroller for her Bitty Baby from her aunt & uncle. They have one she's always loved, so this will be great to have her very own! Although for now, the grocery cart has been tiding her over well.

Christmas gatherings

Christmas sure was tiring for all of us. This year, we were very lucky that everything was close to home so logistically it was easy. Christmas Eve was at my brother's who is just a mile away from us now. We were there til almost 10pm - Addison kept getting second and third winds being around all the Simon cousins. She had so much fun! When we got her home, she was really fighting going to sleep. I think she was just still so wired from running around all night. Finally, she did go down, but then an hour later woke up with a belly ache and gave mommy a nice vom for Christmas :( But she fell right back asleep and woke up at 7am Christmas morning.

She was very excited to see her Santa gifts. We thought she'd take a morning nap, but then Tim's family came over with more presents and she was all excited again so didn't nap until after 2pm!

Once she woke up from that nap, we went over to Tim's other family and were there past 8. Again, she showed signs of being tired - but just so much stimulation and fun to be had!

Well, I could go on and on with all the Addison developments that seem to occur every day - but I think this entry is long enough!

I will try and write a separate entry in the next couple weeks more about her specific developments, achievements and advancements. It sure is an exciting time!