Happy Birthday Princess!!!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to Addison!

Happy Birthday to you!

My sweet baby girl you are now 3 years old. You have no idea how much dad and I love you. You are the most special, talented, spoiled, smartest, loved, and beautiful little girl on this whole planet. You light up the room when you walk in. Your smile melts hearts. Your thirst for knowledge amazes me. Your love of musicals and ballets inspires me to learn more so I can teach you. I love you more and more every day. Every hour. Every minute.   I can't remember life without you and never want to try. Happy birthday princess. Enjoy your special day.

In three short years you've gone from this:

7lbs 12oz, 20 inches

To this:

(3 yr check up on January 4th..will post stats then...)

Addi is in to so many different activites and has so many interests (which at times I find annoying lol) but it's so good for her! She loves loves loves musicals and ballets. Is in dance and going to start basketball if it doesn't conflict with dance on Saturdays. I might put her back in gymnastics again as well. She's moving away from baby dolls and into barbies and more dress up. She loves to play house and do crafty stuff. She loves dancing to music and often requests Taylor Swift, Lady A and Lady Gaga. Her favorite Beatles song is "Across the Universe" and she knows the words by heart. Tortillini and pesto sauce is her favorite food (besides chicken nuggets). I know there's so much more but I'm still drained from this weekend. I'll post birthday party pics later this week.

Happy Birthday Addison Kay!

Phew! Glad that's over! {Pic heavy!!!}

For us, Christmas started on Friday and went until Sunday at 8pm. Yep. 48 straight hours of Christmas celebration. Sure it was fun seeing the family. Sure Addison had an absolute blast. But come on. I'm exhausted!! Oh well, I'll sleep when I'm dead lol.

Friday night we celebrated at my moms house. It was different this year. We usually go over to her house on Christmas morning for a HUGE breakfast but now with 4 grandbabies she wanted them to enjoy their gifts instead of us all rushing off as soon as we're done eating. The kids had fun, got some great toys, the food was delicious as always (my mom is an ah-mazing breakfast cook!) and it was nice to see my sis and the kids.

Saturday morning as usual, we headed over to my dads house. This year we also did something different. Instead of having a huge Christmas feast we got Subway and had chips. Again. Awesome. My stepmom just had her gallbladder taken out and they are hosting tomorrow night so I understand not wanting to cook twice (and fine with me!).

{Barbie makeup...thanks dad!}

{Mason doesn't let anyone hold him. He doesn't like anyone. I was shocked when I saw this!}

{Partners in crime!}

Saturday night we headed over to the inlaws for dinner and more presents. Again, no big dinner! I have seriously lucked out this year and I couldn't be happier! There's only so much turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and corn a person can eat. I'm glad yesterday was more of a pot luck at all the parties we had to go to. Erik was home from school and I don't think Addi has been more excited to see anyone. He was all she talked about in the car and she wanted no one but him all night. I'm glad that she loves him so much.



Sunday morning we woke up and opened presents here. Twinkle left Addi a little note and gave her a special gift. She was VERY excited about that! This girl is beyond spoiled and had a great time opening gifts. Next year I think i'm going to open all of them first. I spent over an hour taking toys out of the packaging. Absolutely ridiculous!

Sunday afternoon we headed back over to the inlaws to celebrate with the whole Discher clan. It was fun as usual. Addi had a blast helping pass out the presents and singing Happy Birthday to great grandpa D. But waking up early+lots of sugar+no nap+lots of toys+lots of people=on grumpy kid at 4pm. So we headed home a little early to rest before heading to my dads house. And instead of Addi napping, I did. She and Kyle put together her Dorothy puzzle. Very loudly I might add.

After that we headed back to my dads for the Wiesemann traditional Christmas. Lots of people+6 small children+little space=one big headache for me. The kids were THRILLED to see Santa come! We left pretty early thinking that Addi would crash on the way home but nope, she was wide awake the whole way home. And stayed up past her bedtime. I was too exhausted to care. My head was throbbing. Kyle was in charge.

Today was spent cleaning up the boxes and garbage bags of wrapping paper, organizing toys, hooking up the Xbox Kinect (which lead to rearranging the living room and dinning room), getting toys ready to donate to GoodWill and relaxing. We took down the tree and most of the decorations. Feels so good to have my dinning room back to (semi) normal again.

Tomorrow and Wednesday will be spent getting the house ready for Addi's party on Wednesday evening. I can't believe my baby will be 3 in less than 36 hours.





Merry Christmas!!

From my family to yours....

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Hope Santa was good to you!

Happy Holidays!

Sorry for the lack of posts. Between working all the time, jam-packed weekends and everything there really hasn't been much going on.

I just totaled all of the shopping receipts from Christmas shopping and I'm abolutely shocked on how much I spent. Ridiculous! BUT! I do have Christmas and 2 birthdays 3 days after christmas that I needed to buy for. And let's face it. My kid is spoiled. Beyond spoiled.

All this girl wants for Christmas is a Dorothy clock. and guess what? I found one. Thank God for eBay! We are going to hid it and give her clues so she has to find it. My family would do that when we were little and I'm glad that we can continue the tradition with Addi.

She continues to love dance and musicals so I'm taking her to see the Nutcracker at Portage High School tonight with my sister and Emileigh. Addi doesn't know they are coming so I'm very excited to surprise her.

I can't believe that I will have a 3 yr old in a short week and a half. Even crazier is that we have to start looking at preschools (or decide if we're going to send her to one at all. Kelly does a very good job with her "preschool" setting, so thats why we are torn). The other day Addi wrote the letter "A" on my iPad by herself. She said "Mom!! It's an A! For Addi!" Then we wrote out the rest of her name. I love teaching her new things.

Well off to make lunch and get ready for the show tonight. I'll be sure to post pics :)

Almost 3....

In less than a month I will have a 3 yr old. And incredibly smart, talented, beautiful 3 yr old. Time sure does fly by. 3 yrs ago I was super pregnant. Wanting to hold my baby. And now? Well I want time to slow down. I don't want to have a 3 yr old. A bossy, spoiled rotten, stinker 3 yr old who's favorite sentence is "don't talk to me! I'm crabby!".

A child who's a lover of musicals and princess stories. A child who would rather play dress up with her "old baby" than take a nap. A kid who hates veggies but loves pesto sauce. A kid who has asked Santa for a "Dorothy clock" for Christmas. And man if santa doesn't deliver, well, he better look out!! A kid who sleeps with a million blankets but cuddles with just one. A kid who wakes up at 3am to ask if the sun is up. Or if she could come sleep in my bed because she "doesn't like shadows". A kid who gives the best hugs. The best kisses. And at the times where she's driving me up the wall says "but mom! I love you for ever and ever again" a kid who won't go to bed unless she gets a kiss, Eskimo kiss, high five and a fist pump. I always have to take an extra one for Kyle if he's not home at bed time and give it to him when I see him.

I really can't believe my baby will be 3 at the end of this month. I don't want to imagine how fast the next year of her life will go.

Meet Twinkle!

This is Twinkle, our Elf on a Shelf. He stopped by on Saturday while we were decorating the tree. Which by the way, was a little more hectic than I thought it would be. I took for granted how simple a pre-lit tree actually is {sigh} but the house does smell great with the real tree. And it does look pretty, if I do say so myself :)

We got our tree on Saturday {whoohoo!} and I must say, Addi was super excited. We went to a little place in Wanatah called Guse Tree Farm. Very cute family run farm.

The 2011 Ledbetter Christmas Tree!

Santa was there. Addi told him she wants a Wizard of Oz clock, baby dolls and a big girl bed. I have some work cut out for me.

Putting the star on the tree <3

All done!!

Now hopefully we can get the outside decorated this weekend. Our neighbors are putting us to shame :/

Y3W-In the Mood!

Well it's finally hit! I'm in the holiday spirit! Wednesday was my works pot luck and we played Christmas music {<3 it!} then Thursday was Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping. Friday was the Twilight Christmas Parade downtown Chesterton and that put me in the mood for sure!

Today we are {hopefully} going to pick out our tree. Kyle says he "doesn't feel good" which is code for "I don't want to do anything today" but we are going. I don't care if I have to go by myself. I plan on fully decorating tonight and maybe doing a little more shopping.

I've also decided to start the "elf on a shelf" tradition. Elf on a shelf is a Christmas tradition where Santa sends down an elf to the houses of every little girl and boy and reports back each night to Santa on if the children were good or bad. Each night he reappears in a new spot. Kids can't touch him or his magical dust will come off and he can't fly back to the North Pole. You have to name your elf {which I'm sure will be Dorothy} and tell Santa you got the elf. Pretty cute idea huh? I plan on taking a picture each day of his new "spot" and making a weekly post :)

Tomorrow we are going to the Shedd Aquarium and Michigan Ave to see the lights. I'm pretty excited :)

Thankful

I'm thankful for so many things I don't even know where to begin.

I'm thankful for my wonderful daughter. The apple of my eye. The giver of sloppy kisses and the greatest hugs. The best tickle monster. The goofiest, craziest little girl you could ever imagine. She's currently playing tea party with my ipad and her baby doll; while watching winnie the pooh. I don't remember my life without her and I don't ever want to try.

I'm thankful for my husband. We have our ups and downs and get on each others nerves but at the end of the day he's my best friend and I wouldn't have it any other way. He has been there for me through some of the hardest times in my life. I don't know where I'd be without him.

I'm thankful for my wonderful family. Both blood, inlaws and step. In the past 2 weeks I've really learned the meaning of "family" and I can honestly say that blood is thicker than water. I know who really matters in my life and that's all that counts.

I am thankful for my fantastic friends. From the ones I've had since elementary school to the ones who have only been in my life a few years. Each one has a special place in ng heart and I couldn't see myself without them.

I'm thankful for my job. It may stress me out at times. I may complain but it's a job and it's a damn good job. I can support my daughter (and spending habits lol) on it and makes me be a better person.

From my family to yours, happy thanksgiving!!!

Never again do I want to experience this...

This week has been one of those weeks that I don't ever want to have again.

On Sunday my step dad of 14 yrs was found dead in his apartment. I was there when the cops found him. I was there alone for 45 minutes waiting for my sister or Kyle to come up there. I was comforted by complete strangers. I had to tell his daughter who he hasn't seen in 20 yrs that he was dead. She was (well is) coming up here this weekend to reconnect with him. I had to tell his best friend of 40 yrs that he died. This absolutely sucks. And it gets worse. Since my mom and him aren't together anymore we have no legal day in anything. It's all up to his family that doesn't talk to him and his daughter. Brit and I are nothing. They say they are trying do things the best way they know how but it sure doesn't feel that way. There hasn't been an obituary yet. There hasn't been a date for the funeral yet. And I know there are people coming from all over the country but still. I've never had to experience a funeral where everyone doesnt either just jump on a plane or drive to get here for the family that's been here; taking care of him for the past 15 yrs. we are all grieving. Emotions are on high. Stress through the roof. I just wish I could be involved more. I feel 150% useless.

Kyle is taking this extremely hard. He and ray were very close. He owes his career to him. Ray took him in when he got kicked out of the house after high school. Supported us financially when we needed it. Was his mentor. And he's completely gone now. Kyle is a wreck

This whole experience has showed me that you can not take life for granted. A horrible accident could happen in the blink of an eye.

I love you ray. You were more of a dad to me than my own dad at times. We may have fought a lot and not seen eye to eye but I know now you were just trying to help me. I love u more than you probably ever knew. Keep looking down on us, protecting over the grand babies. Tell nana and papa hi for me.

Coming to you live....

From my ipad2 :) Kyle gave me my bday present early bc I had the worst day ever at work and he wanted to cheer me up. Love him!!!

Just a funny picture of addi and I. So funny :)

"Camping"

Friday night Addi went with Grandma and Grandpa "sadie" to go "camping" at their house. It was actually just a bonfire at dusk but she's called it camping ever since. She's super cute like that <3 Maybe next year I'll get over my fear of sleeping with bugs and we will go camping as a family. I think she will have a blast. I've always wanted to go back to Lake Lanier, GA. I went there as a kid and had so much fun.

{Both of these are framers...thanks grandma Sadie :)}

I'm Back!

Thought I'd give a little update while Addi paints a picture.

First off, sorry for the lack of posts. Between working so much, Halloween, being sick and life in general I've lost my motivation for blogging on a regular basis.

Halloween was so much fun! We went trick or treating in Kelly's new subdivison and man! did Addi get a LOT of candy!! She decided to be Cinderella instead of Aurora or Dorothy. She also HAD to wear her Cinderella high heel shoes the.entire.time. but she's a trooper and only said her feet hurt once.

On sunday we went to Yost Elementary to fly a kite. Addi is obsessed with Mary Poppins and it was such a great fall day, it worked out perfectly. She had an absolute blast!!

Spooky Trains and Pumpkin Pickin'

Yesterday Michelle and I took the girls to Heston Steam Museum for their Spooky Train Ride. The girls had a blast! The weather was perfect and Michelle and the girls are so much fun to be around.

After Heston we decided to go to the pumpkin patch. We were just going to go to Coulters but I've been craving apple and pumpkin donuts so we thought what the hey we can go to County Line. Michelle had never been so it was perfect. We took a tractor ride around the orchard, sat by some pumpkins and got donuts and headed out. Again, the weather was perfect! These days are so limited now I'm glad we were able to get out there and enjoy the day together.