this is for real

Our soon approaching move to Manila feels suddenly very "real" now that I have two sore arms and had to rip off three Band-aids from vaccinations I received today. Nothing like a little pain to make the enormity of moving overseas a reality. In all honesty, it's very exciting-and scary at the same time. I felt a bit more at ease after I grilled the nurse about Typhoid fever, Dengue fever, Malaria, Rabies, and a few other nasty diseases that we don't give a second thought to here in the States. In the Philippines these are very real worries and concerns. I have a long list of vaccinations yet to get before we leave and even a few that I will receive later in Manila. The real worry of mine is protecting my daughter who is too young still to receive the large array of immunizations that adults get. I hope family is ready to ship us bug spray and citronella candles.

be mine

Valentines Day started in a very good way this morning. As I nuzzled Addie in my arms while she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, Justin presented me with three cards and a little red box. The cards were Valentines of course. One each from my husband, my daughter, and my dog. The box contained a gorgeous silver bracelet with pink hued gemstones. My husband has always had great taste in jewelry but this was beyond great. He really won points with this gift. When Justin got home he was greeted with a big Belgian ale and a Valentine. Dinner was delicious thanks to Whole Foods deli. The peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream was the best part. Addie tried watermelon tonight which proved a bit tough to mash with her gums. We discovered her top front right tooth has emerged! Justin and I had to wait until Addie went to bed to enjoy the candle lit dinner. I guess this is how married couples with kids celebrate Valentines Day. Not too shabby.

all dressed up and nowhere to go

Auntie Brienne gave Addie a gorgeous little party dress that has been waiting patiently in her closet to have it's debut. Unfortunately there hasn't been a formal event that has required the adorable dress. I guess a little photo shoot at home before bed will do. Addie was in an especially sweet mood inspired by Munchie, her second favorite puppy. Check out this lovely baby model.

on milestones

We've taken a lot of pictures of Addie in the bath. She's always loved soaking in the tub. Thinking back at some of the older bath pictures makes me sad realizing how much she's grown. I guess I've been in a sappy mood lately. Every day she's further and further from the baby I gave birth to and closer and closer to a little girl. On one hand it's amazing watching the transformation but on the other hand heartbreaking knowing that my little warm chubby baby will never be that tiny little newborn again. Instead my daughter is freefalling forward in life. Every milestone she tumbles into. She's diving head first into crawling. It must feel like learning to use the cross bars as a child. I remember being so excited every day to try to learn to cross the bars on our swing set. Once I got it I couldn't stop. I barely wanted to do anything but play on the bars. At school I couldn't wait to try out my new learned technique. The excitement and concentration in my daughter's eyes while she is on her hands and knees trying to coordinate her arms and legs to propel herself forward is so inspiring. Learning to crawl is Addie's obsession right now, her cross bars, she wants to do little else. When she crawls for the first time I will be cheering the loudest as I will be at every milestone and accomplishment she achieves forever more. On days like these I just want to push pause on life and memorize who my daughter is at this moment, becaue I know that even in the very next moment she won't be the same as the last.

Aunt Megan was here!

Megan came to visit this weekend which was so much fun! I love having my sistger close enough to visit. Addie immediately recognized her Aunt Megan which was cute to see. The entire weekend Addie played with Megan and rolled around the floor. She's moving herself around the house easily now. She's not crawling but she's definitely moving. Her mode of transportation is creative and unique. It elicited laughs from all of us over the last three days. Megan and I had an opportunity today to get out alone. We got lunch and did some shopping in Old Town Alexandria. I admit I was looking forward to those few house for the entire week. It was a really wonderful weekend. Knowing that soon we won't get to have frequent visits from Addies Aunt Megan we savored every moment. We love you Megan! Here are some pictures from the weekend.

baby at the museum

Megan and I introduced Addie to the Museum of Natural History which is my favorite Smithsonian Museum in DC. It just wouldn't have been right to move away without my daughter having her first picture with the dinosaurs. I'll admit she is a tad young to appreciate all the glory of the museum but it was still fun. In the Mammals of Africa exhibit we admired the lions and giraffs. Addie was more enamored with the other little kids and the TV screens in the floor than the animals.

shoe love is back

I feel like apart of me was lost when my desire for shoe shopping dissipated after I got pregnant. All shopping for myself halted and was redirected to baby stuff. Now the fever is coming back. Shoe fever not baby fever. I stumbled across Piperlime a shoe shop by Gap Inc. I am drooling all over these, but if I come to my senses I will end up with these. Equally cute but for completely different purposes. Practicality sucks. I can't get over the lovely opened toe pump in "pink grape". My collar has a ring of drool just like Addie's.