Spring Forward

Spring has flown by. The Harding household has been busy, but we are finally getting a little breather.  Probably the most exciting event that occurred in our home was that our sweet little sunshine girl, Adeline Elizabeth, turned ONE!

sarahfletcherphoto.com

sarahfletcherphoto,com

 We had a fun ABC themed birthday party. Our guests included lots of Charlottesville friends and almost all of our family. Addie's aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas, grandpas, and even great grandparents drove down for the party. It was so fun to celebrate our little girl surrounded by everyone who loves her most.

sarahfletcherphoto.com

sarahfletcherphoto.com

sarahfletcherphoto.com

sarahfletcherphoto.com

Between the end of March and beginning of May, John was especially occupied preparing for his second round of finals.  Addie and I filled our time with a trip to the beach with family and lots of day trips and play dates with friends. 

 She didn't care for the ocean much, but she loved the pool!

We went strawberry picking with some friends in Charlottesville. Addie loved finding the strawberries and eating them up! She was such a mess by the end of the day, but it was worth it because it was so much fun. 

In early May, John finished up his finals and we packed up for the summer. He has a job with a firm in DC for the next 10 weeks. He had one week off before work started so we made the most of it with a quick trip to New York for a musical, some kayaking, and lounging around. We loved getting to spend some quality time together! John especially loved hanging out with Addie because she really is changing so much each day. She seems to have an opinion about everything (for better or worse) and might just be taking after her mother with her strong will!

Here are a few more shots of our little lady. 

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Addie was having a rough week last week as 3 new teeth were finding their way into her little mouth. She loves music and so Mommy and baby did a lot of singing. It was during this time that we figured out a new talent Addie has, choreography!

We always knew Addie was a great dancer. Anytime a song comes on the radio or even tv commercial that has a good beat, you can bet this girl is bouncing to it. Addie and I go to an exercise class together 4 times a week. They play fun songs over speakers and sometimes the Mommy's sing and dance to little nursery rhymes with our kiddos as we do squats or lift weights. We have sang wheels on the bus, abc's, twinkle twinkle, monkeys jumping on the bed, and itsy bitsy spider.

Last week when we were having a bit of a teething melt down I started singing itsy bitsy spider. To my surprise Addie stopped crying and started doing the motions that she saw the mommy's doing at exercise class. I couldn't believe it! We had never sang this one at home and she never really seemed that interested in it during class.

I was able to catch some of it on camera a little later in the day. Notice she is teary eyed again from those rotten teeth. Watch as Addie makes the spider with her cute little fingers, brings down the rain just at the right moment, and makes the sun come up (though a little low on that one..) She even moves her lips like she's singing.

She is pretty much the cutest.

Our little chicky-poo

Adeline is one! The year has certainly flown by. This sweet little girl has brought so much joy into our lives each day. We just can't help but smile at her darling faces and sparkling personality.

We celebrated surrounded by lots of family and friends. After the party, Addie and I left John in C-ville and enjoyed a week at the beach with the Carvers and lots of the Kentlands ward gang. Here are a few fun Easter shots of our beautiful little chicky.

Birthday pictures to come...

Clean baby

Mmmm nothing like a clean baby. LOVE this girlie!

Jolly Good Fun

We have been busy, busy, busy lately, but I guess that's life for you. I have been especially pre-occupied with the community theater production, The Wizard of Oz, I am part of that opened last week. It has been so much fun to get back on stage!

Big thanks to John for stepping up to the Momma plate and taking over my duties so that I could do this. He already does so much with schoolwork, clubs he's involved in, around the house, and now with a new busy church calling. Addie and I think he is pretty great!

We loved having all the visitors come to see the show and spend time in this great weather with their favorite baby girl.

she knows her nose

It seems like Addie is learning something new everyday! We started on body parts this week. She has mastered the first one, and can successfully find her NOSE!

Good Thing She's Cute!

Our little angel girl has been very curious lately. She is opening every door, pushing every button, pulling everything off shelves, even drinking and playing in the dog's water. It seems like you can't take your eyes off of her for a second. And if you do, something like this happens.

This is our movie collection, but she has been especially fond of the book shelf. She likes to pull off the heaviest books she can find. John always did want her to be an avid reader, guess she is just getting an early start. All I can say is, it's a good thing she is so cute!

The whole cuteness factor sure charms her Daddy. He'll even share is ice cream with her!

Now that's love.