The ever so popular battle of FOOD.

I have been told my many "experienced mothers" that if they could do it all over again, they would have lightened up A LOT when it came to battling with food and their children. I found myself agreeing, and trying to remember that in my own life. However, as a mom, I think most of us have a sense of obligation to ensure your child is getting a well balanced, nutritious diet. 

 My sweet spirited little daughter is also very strong willed, and to this day I absolutely cannot figure out where she got that! ;)

Saying "NO" to noodles. 

It took her a few weeks to stomach baby cereal…so at about 7 months, after weeks of spitting, sloppiness, and denial, she finally decided she would eat oats. AWESOME! I then slowly started making different fruit and veggie purees, which she surprisingly did not mind most of them. At about 10 months, I decided…hey…I think its time you start trying to eat some mashed/ table foods. And from my understanding, this is a very normal time to do this. Well…Addie thought otherwise. The only things she will eat are simple carbs and cheese. Almost Everything else doesn't even make it in the mouth, or touch her without tears. And we all know that a diet of formula, bread, and cheese does not quite cut it. And don't even get me started on her lack of desire in drinking from anything but her bottle. 

So the question…do I battle with her and keep trying the big girl foods, or go back to making pureed fruit/ veggie mixes? Well, fighting with a kid gets old real quick, and I myself don't desire to spend the time I have with her doing that…and being that she is in the 1st percentile for weight, she's not exactly at a point where nutrition can be skimped on. Thus, today, I found myself back at the blender, making some new creations. And what do you know, she ate them just fine! No questions asked.

Apple/Spinach!

I guess we won't be where we had thought, sharing meals with Addie by the time she is one. And I guess that is okay. Just another one of our "parenting expectations" that is inaccurate!

I know these things are all SO SMALL in the grand scheme of things, but they are still big in the sense that it DOES fill up much of days'  of efforts, thoughts, and worries. So they are important to process though and learn. And as mom with my first kid, hey, I'm just trying to figure it out! Aren't we all?!

So, if you don't know where to find me, just look by the blender, I'll be there…but my child will be well fed and happy :)

What we like to call the "Grandma without teeth- silly pucker- lip smack!"

In the midst of it all...

Its been almost a month since I have posted anything…OOPS! We have just been having too much fun in this beautiful, hot, summer weather! Where has the month gone?!?! So here is a sincere apology in advance for the long post!

Well…after Sam's birthday/ our stay-cation, came fathers day! I was super excited to celebrate this day because I truly am SO grateful to have such a loving, fun, and involved dad for our little girl! She is so blessed :) As much hype as mothers day gets, I feel like fathers day should get the same. These days, as most moms have to work, parents are forced to split the parenting load and REALLY work as a team to get everything done and be there for your child. Its neat, and special for the whole family :) Sams family came up to visit that weekend as well!

BLT's for lunch, compliments of chef Sam!

Loving play time with Auntie Haley!

So intrigued with Godfather/ uncle Josh!

Boche ball on a gorgeous night!!

We have enjoyed many trips to the park in our neighborhood as well as the family favorite: walks :)

Sam was gone for a week at jr. high camp, so Addie and I decided to head down to lakeville for a two days to enjoy the company of others! We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa (even though big boys currently scare her) and also made another trip to the zoo!! Addie also enjoyed a night with her godmother/ auntie Tiff as mom worked! oh the fun yet to come with the relationship between those two ;)

Addie is 7 months already! I cannot believe it!!! Here are some updates:

-She has been 'almost

 crawling' for about 3 weeks now… and at any moment I feel like she is just going to zoom away! 

How she spends most of her time!

-After 2 1/2 weeks of trying to get her to eat solids, she took to it! So she is now loving to eat all sorts of fruits and veggies! (which by the way are SO fun to make!)

-She has been able to sit for about 30 seconds or so at a time for the last month, but just recently can sit for much longer!!!

-She is so full of laughter, little girl screeches and thoughtful stares (so much fun!)

-She is still proving herself to be very content and calm baby girl!

-She is completely obsessed with her pup theo! He steals her attention 9 times out of 10

-She doesn't cry unless she's scared or overly tired!

-Sleeping 12 hours at night and is finally down to 2 naps a day!! YAY!

We also had a very fun 4th of july! Due to the heat we couldn't go out much with Addie, but we had lots of fun here in hudson with my family! Sam also got the birthday celebration he's been begging for with my family, little did he know we would REALLY bring it this time :)

happy 4th!!

Happy late birthday celebration Sam!

I also got to get away with my friends twice…which was a lot of fun. However, the more I am gone, the more I am realizing I just want to be at home with my family! That is where my heart is, and that is what makes me the happiest... the simple things we do together! Wow, its crazy how much that has changed! For a second I feel boring saying/ feeling that way, but 5 seconds later I'm over it and just wanting to embrace what I have been so blessed with!! I cant wait until some of my good friends start poppin' out little ones so they can truly understand what I am feeling!

Up, down & around!

This past weekend, Sam was away on a men's retreat with our church, so my mom, Addie, and I decided to take a mini vaca to Duluth! 

Even though we only had a day and a half to spend there (because my work thinks its AWESOME to schedule me friday evenings on my weekends off…) we decided to do it anyways! The forcast for the weekend was rain rain and more rain :( However, we left early sat morning and were able to catch good weather until after dinner saturday! …AND we only got caught in heavy rain once!  I can imagine it was quite the sight seeing us run with a stroller to find some sort of shelter from the walk around the lake! 

Addie loving some quality time with her grandma by the lake in Duluth!! (Thank goodness for hats because she has does not quite share the passion for sun that her mom has yet!)

Taking it all in….:)

Gotta love those smile and how interactive she is now!! Its amazing how much of a "mini girl" she is becoming!!!

Trying to get some food into my little girl who is not the fondest of eating ;)

I LOVE THE MOBY WRAP!! This thing has been such an amazing thing from the time she was about a month old (8lbs) and continues to be! It is a lifesaver! I love how you can wear the baby so many ways and alter it based on their age and activity level…and its super light weight! 

Watching the seagulls with grandma! She actually really liked them ;)

Everything was going wonderful, until….a big boat came to go under the bridge!! The loud horn noise scared her so much!

…so then it was nap time, something little miss Addison has not yet mastered, but needs SO much :)

 Lounging on the hotel bed! She was SOO good the whole time we were there! And even slept in her pack-n-play for most of the night!

Theo and Addie reunite after a few days apart! They were SO excited to see eachother! 

To save more trips then necessary to lakeville so that my dad could watch Theo while we were gone, he went there from thurs-mon…I didnt realize how much I STILL loved him and depended on him at home! It was so sad to have him gone, and was super excited when he came back! 

Working real hard on sitting up! Not quite there yet…soon enough!

Loving to *bounce bounce bounce*!!

What a fun weekend it was!! Looking forward to many more fun summer adventures!

**Random thought** 

I have been thinking a lot lately about how we dream and work so hard to get where we want to be in life…When we are babies (and as we grow up), our parents have so many dreams and hopes for us. When we are kids, we dream so big (ex: when I get married..., when I grow up I want to _____, when I am old_____ ) Then, we work our butts off through, junior high, high school, and college, still dreaming with high hopes for "the future." We then, get into our career, possibly get married, and soon after start a family. So, whats crazy for me to think, is I AM HERE! I am all grown up, I have my family, and my career. All that hoping and wishing for the future, is now my present. So, what do I do with this? Keep on dreaming, and keep on striving to not be content with a mediocre life. To think of all that has changed/ shaped me over the years is incredible. So, onward to continuing pouring my passion into the things that matter most in life, and to continue having BIG dreams for my own child and children to come!! 

Life lately, Dittrich style!

Sooo…

Life has been pretty good lately, I can't really complain! There have been so many fun and treasured moments that I hope to never forget! Its crazy how life's 'fun moments' can change so much over the years. Sam and I met our freshman year of college, and what we considered fun then (not that we did anything that crazy) is so different than what we would love to do on a weekend now! I guess we really are growing old(er). 

Little miss Addie is already 5 months old! I cant believe it! Its bitter sweet because the newborn/ little baby stage is so precious but it is SO much fun getting to know her and watch her reach milestones! She is getting to be such a big girl!!

Updates for Addie:

-She is napping good in her crib 50-60% of the time (most of those times are when mom's home, sorry sam!)

-Taking 3 1 1/2- 2 hr naps a day

-Still sleeping like a champ all through the night! 

-Officially does not hate the car seat anymore, and actually WILL fall asleep or play quietly as we crank up the music and drive! YAY!!

-She is talking so much and laughing a lot too! It is the sweetest thing I have ever heard! (her thoughtful sounds makes my heart melt every time)

-She is still in 0-3 month clothes, but hoping to upgrade to 3-6 soon, I'm ready for some new clothing options!

-Officially (as of tomorrow) 100% switched to formula…bitter sweet

-Rolling over from tummy to back and working on repeating from back to tummy which she only did once a few weeks ago!

-Loving playing with Theo, where you find Addie, you will find him! They are such good pals already!

-She got Baptized on 4/22/12, and it was so very special :)

Baptism :)

I don't really have a whole lot else to reflect on/ say at the moment. As I said earlier, I feel like most things in life are just really good. It's really nice to finally feel that way :)

I've been waiting/ dreaming my whole life to be a mom, and it is so much more amazing than I could have ever imagined (not easier, just overall incredible!)

Loving life :)

Swimming for the first time! Loving her new froggy pool!

Loungin' in the "sun"

First softball game! Enjoying time with Grandma!

Showing off her big girl skills and holding her own bottle!

It's all worth it!

Oh my little Addie, you are growing up so much!

She is growing up to be so strong, and everyday we get to see a little bit more of her personality! 3 and 1/2 months old and she is showing that she is a soft spoken, bashful, smiley/ joyful, yet determined sweet little one! She laughed for the first time this week with the help of her Grandpa! Oh and she LOVES her sleep… She is still taking five 1.5- 2 hr naps a day and sleeping 7-10 hours straight at night! It makes it hard to go out though because she will rarely sleep in her car seat (ya we are still working on that), so then she doesn't get her much needed naps in :( However, I am wondering how I got stuck with a husband, dog, and daughter who ALL love their sleep!? lol... I myself, do not share that passion!

We are loving every moment we get to spend with her! It's so much less stressful now that we feel like we finally "get the hang of it!"  She is especially enjoying her many hours of daddy and grandma time while mommy is at work! Its so neat to see her relationships grow with others!

Unfortunately, Addie is currently sick for the first time :( It breaks my heart to see her so congested, and feeling so sick…Hopefully this will be short lived and she will be feeling better soon :( In the meantime, hopefully lots of snuggles and kisses help her feel better...

The weather is so gorgeous!!! I am so thankful we did not have to deal with a bad winter and a newborn! I was scared of having to deal with the roads, cold, etc…but it looks like we had it quite easy! Now onward to walks outside, swimming, and adorable summer clothes for the little one! We are going to try and soak up every bit of summer this year as a family, and not forget/ put aside the things we love to do!

Side note: Things that are good, are true, and are right…well, they are worth fighting for. It is worth giving of yourself, your selfish thoughts, ways and desires. It is all worth it, and in the end thats what matters. Trying your heart out to let the important things in life (relationships, morals, others, truth) remain a priority.

Adjustments...

Whelp, we are doing it… we are adjusting to the new routines and ways of life without momma around 24/7!

Its been almost 3 weeks since I went back to work...and yes, we did survive, and are even starting to thrive! It takes a little (ok, a lot) of letting go, and help to not miss her so much, but we are doing it! The many pictures sent to me through the evening as well as knowing there are such good people (Sam and my mom) taking care of her make it possible! I just love my little girl so much my heart literally hurts every time I think about her! When I am home, it makes every moment with her that more special. I appreciate it even more now, and am very blessed to now only work a .6 (24 hrs a week) 

Momma time :)

On another note, we can proudly say little Addie has hit 10 lbs as of yesterday! We are so excited because her weight gain has been a slight worry since birth. She dropped more than usual after birth, was very dehydrated and very jaundiced. Since then, has had trouble (most weeks) making that growth curve actually move upward! However, I know I shouldn't worry so much, and that she will be just fine I'm sure… She is just showing us she is a slow grower and very petite!

Getting so much stronger!!

Brother/ sister love! Its so cute to see them interact!

For 2 nights in a row, we have gone 7 hours, yes, 7 HOURS between feedings at night!!!! I can't believe it, and really hope it lasts a little while! I actually didn't even mind waking up once a night (usually between 4-5) because we would both go back to sleep until 8 or sometimes 9! But hey, Ill take the "sleeping through the night" as long as she will give it to us!

Have I mentioned how blessed we are to be living where we are? Our house situation may have been/ is horrible and not fun, but we didn't expect (or deserve) to be blessed with such a great place to live now once we go out of there! Wow! God is good!

Other random facts about Addie/ life with Addie: she HATES the car and her car seat. She cries (and sometimes screams continuously) every time she has to go in the car for about 10-15 minutes. It is so sad! However, she does LOVE music, and sometimes I just need to crank it up and once she lets it, it seems to sooth her. Hopefully this hate does not last forever, and is just a phase. (fingers crossed)

Finally relaxed and dozing off in the car!

Until next time…. :)