Pumpkin Patch

So in the spirit of starting new "family" traditions for the Arizona Gumby clan, we visited the local pumpkin patch last weekend to pick out pumpkins. (Before you say anything - YES, they do grow pumpkins in the desert - we were just as surprised as you!) We road a wagon drawn by a horse out to the patch and picked out a pumpkin - one for each of us - took WAY too many pictures, and went back to purchase them and take even more pictures before we almost sweat to death before leaving. Grandad and Mema Timmons were here for a visit and joined along. They had a good time seeing Addie - but then again who wouldn't?

We just did her 4 month old checkup, and she is doing much better on her acid reflux. In fact, the doctor took her off one of her meds. This pediatrician here is great - we really like him. Also, she is a whooping 17 pounds, and the doc was very impressed at how strong she is. Said that she is pretty advanced for her age (and the parents simply beamed at this news - not that it was "new" news to us - we have known it for quite some time!). She is almost sitting up completely by herself. She is close to rolling over, and loves tummy time now. She is also big enough for her bouncer, and does a tremendous job of jumping around to turn the music on. She also already knows certain words. UP is one of them. She will be sitting on one of our laps and we hold onto her arms, and say STAND UP, and she does! She is brilliant! Also, she is quite the reader. She LOVES books. She stares at all the pictures, and can even turn the pages when she is ready to go to the next page.

We are having so much fun watching her change daily. We are also so blessed - her nanny is AWESOME - she loves her so much and the two of them get along swimmingly.

Tonight is Halloween - she will be dressed as a furry little lamb - and don't worry - she will have plenty of pictures taken to share.

Love to all of you out there - we miss you all tons.

Eric, Kara, and Addie

Lot of "New"s

Ok - so as the mommy - it is both exhilarating as well as sad to see your little one grow up. I know that she is only 4 days away from being 4 months old, but she has changed so much from the first day of life. She now laughs regularly - and not just little giggles, but real belly laughs. She is also very close to sitting up all by herself. She talks so much - and most of the time very loudly. She is just not a helpless little baby anymore. She loves looking at people and figuring things out...what can I say - she is BRILLIANT! (not that I am biased in any way, shape or form) She knows her daddy and definitely knows me, which is such a wonderful feeling. She is even getting a little clingy with me right now - especially with the other new thing - teething! She buries her little face into my chest and whines...so wonderful!



She slept in her crib for the very first time yesterday for a nap. Many reasons why she hasn't slept there yet - mainly because of the move, but also because at night it is nice to be able to open my eyes and have her right there, know that she is breathing, be able to soothe her if she is cranky. But this is a big step - sleeping in her crib...means she is growing up.

But this week there was one "new" thing that was not great. I had to hand over the little one to her first stranger this morning. What a hard thing to do...not hand her to daddy, grandma or aunt/uncle...but her first stranger. Granted I am just in the other room working, slaving away (and writing this blog!), but it is still hard to hear her talking to someone else - but even worse is when she cries. Everything in my very being wanted to throw open the door and RUN to her and pick her up and let her know that I am right here - don't worry. But alas, I let her cry and let the "nanny" take care it. And she did...beautifully. Which in some ways makes it even harder.

I know that God is directing our path - and I am grateful for the many answered prayers. Just pray for my sanity as I hand over our little one each day to someone else besides me...bummer to say the least!

Shameless Promotion

Not that we really need any reason to post a bunch of pictures of Addie, but life is pretty much status quo lately. The one story I can tell goes as follows...

With Kara staying home with Addie all day, the two of them have truly formed a strong bond that is awesome to see. Addie follows her all over the room and clearly seeks out her mother for comfort when she's tired or if she's upset about another worthless presidential debate.

Addie also has a habit of doing her best entertaining during the middle of the day, but tends to get a little cranky and moody later in the evening. Thus, I hear some of her better moments over the phone, but have not been able to experience many of them over the past few weeks.


Today, however, brought that light at the end of the tunnel that every parent needs from time to time. I got home a little early today and caught Addie in a very good mood. After hearing a story about her laughing earlier in the day, I tried to mimic that behavior...which was basically just spitting bubbles back at her. I think that brought about the first time where I actually made her laugh and giggle out loud. She looked like she was having so much fun and truly enjoying being with me.

As we both head into full time work again and leaving Addie at home with a nanny, we both fear that these moments will become few and further between. I guess that will just make them become that much more precious.