Happy 1st Birthday, Addison!!

Happy Birthday to you Addison, my sweet girl! I can't believe that it's already been a year since you arrived. Your birth was a day of so many emotions for me, and today they have only deepened. This past year has been amazing, joyous, and eventful! To see life through your eyes is invaluable- a true gift. Everything is richer with you in our lives.

Although, time flies by so quickly, but I have managed to savor so many moments. Your milestones are ones that tug on my heartstrings. I look back fondly on this past year and eagerly to the next. I know we have so much more to share. I look forward to teaching you so many things, and learning from you lessons that you don't even realize you teach.

I'm so proud to be your mom. Our bond and love is nothing I ever could have imagined before.

Click here for a video of Addison's Birthday morning greeting:

One Year Ago today...

I was packing up my bags to head to West Hills Hospital to be induced. Talk about be scared/excited/overwhelmed and overjoyed all at once! I remember walking around all day packing my little purple suitcase thinking 'This is it. I'm going to come home with a baby". It was so windy out that day. The whole drive there was surreal. I got to the hospital at a little after 5 pm, we were late (of course!) and then they started the induction process. It was almost midnight when I got my epidural and labored through the whole night.

I just can't believe it's been a whole year since then!

Here is my post about my induction and my last belly shot!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you enjoyed your holiday! As with all years, we are grateful for our family, friends, and health. This year in particular, we are exceptionally grateful that God blessed us with our daughter, Addison. It was a long journey to bring her into our family. She is a reminder of how God works in his own ways. We are so thankful for everything she has brought into our worlds. Even the most ordinary instances are exciting when you see them through your child's eyes. I can't express my gratitude enough for the joy she has brought to my life.

We got Elved!

I saw this in my friend Carrie's blog. It was so cute, I had to do it! Addison was laughing and what we think was dancing when she watched it. Enjoy!

Prince Family Elved!

You can do your own here!

Smile :)

Still So Happy, even with a diaper rash :(

Poor thing fought off a horrible diaper rash this weekend. It was the first one she ever had :( I have to say though, cornstarch straight up was the magic trip to getting rid of it! That and let her cruise around sans diaper most of the time.

Finally-Holding her own bottle!

YES! Now on a regular basis we can lay Addison down with her bottle and she will hold it by herself! YAY! This was a loonngg time coming. My little diva just never wanted to hold the bottle herself. She would even get frustrated if you tried to force her.
Now onto the sippie cup........

Our visit to Grand-dude & Lisa's House

Patiently waiting for her new toy to be opened!
Working the smile after she got to play with her new digs!
Zeus comes over to try his skills on the mic.
The baby left, so Zeus guards over her toys.
Roger and Dad playing pool. Obviously Roger is practicing for another line of work.

Again, Zeus is just making sure Addison wants the Frog. If not, he would gladly play with it.

Working the eyes in this picture.
Some Grand-dude lovin'
Only Grand-dudes let you crawl on the table..
Dad with the tired ol' drunk looking bear
Some Mommy lovin'

Someone get me my breakfast!
"C'mon Zeus-share your pumpkin with me.."
She looks like she is smiling here, but she really didn't like when Daddy put her feet in the pool!
Some Daddy lovin'
Addison could get used to this life, hanging out on the lounge chairs & enjoying her breakfast!


We had a great time visiting Dad & Lisa. We went to see their new house (gorgeous!) and celebrate birthdays. It was quite a long drive to Phoenix on account of traffic, but the drive home wasn't so bad. While we were there Addison was spoiled with gifts for her first birthday. Of course, Zeus overlooked and checked out most of the toys. I think he was most confused about the stuffed frog, since he has his own impressive collection of stuffed animals. On Saturday we relaxed and walked around an Arts Festival. In the AM, Lisa and I hit the nail salon while the guys stayed home and played pool. We headed out to dinner that night and then we all crashed out to sleep! Sunday was relaxing also-just breakfast and lounging before we hit the road.
We're looking forward to seeing Dad and Lisa at the end of the month at Addison's birthday party!

Addison's 1st Halloween!

Addison was so good on Halloween. She cruised around in her stroller peacefully while we Trick Or Treated with AJ and Shannon. She was nice and snug, she even camouflaged right into the background!

Pumpkin Carving Fun!

Addison checking out the pumpkin, relaying the strategy to Daddy.
"No, Daddy, I got this slimey stuff covered!"
Getting ready to put her hand in ink to put on the pumpkin.
It's obvious she played a supervisory role in this pumpkin carving business. Th finished product!

My Halloween Costume :)

I was a German Beer Girl!

I went to my friend Lacie's Costume Birthday Party. It was fun to be out and about sans child and hubby, but I missed them by the end of the night :)