Make the holidays more meaningful

I'm gald that I found this article in the new issue of Parents magazine. While reading a fellow bloggers blog the other day, this article really hit home with what she was talking about.

Here are some simple ways to make your holidays more meaningful

*Explore Different cultures
Help your kids get a sense of life in other countries by introducing them to a variety of holiday rituals celebrated around the globe during this time of year

*Share a Story
Start a discussion of where traditions come from with info from the experts at patheos.com

*Capture Memories
Record interviews with your kids after the excitement of gift receiving has died down. It's a great way to document their changes from year to year. Try these questions:
----What was your favorite thing our family did together this year?
----Who are your best friends? What do you like most about them?
----How is school this year? What is your best/worst subject?
----What do you daydream about?
----What is the nicest thing that a friend or someone in the family has done for you this year?

*Lend a hand all year 'round
Volunteering during the holidays gets kids in the habit of helping those in need, but so many families do it that most charities see a huge surge in donations and participation each December-it's every other time of the year that they need attention.

*Pause and Reflect
Give your family a chance to think during the holiday rush: During December share a half-minute of silence each night at dinner. Tell the kids to focus on whatever they like-something good that happened that they're grateful for, positive thoughts for a sick friend, a wish for the coming year.

*Create Rituals
A unique tradition teaches kids that they are part of something special-your family-and binds this holiday to future ones.

I'm hoping to start something with Addison this year that is special to just us. I'm just not sure what I want to do.

6 weeks and counting....

Only 6 more weeks until my baby turns 1 year old! I can't believe how fast time has gone by. I can't remember life without her. With that being said, we have started weaning her off formula and bottles. At first we tried mixing formula and soy milk, that didn't go over well. Then we tried just straight soy milk, she wouldn't touch it. I think milk is bad for you and gross so I/we aren't even going to try her with that. So needless to say she won't be drinking real milk. I've talked with the doctor and she said as long as she's getting calcium in other ways it's ok. Yesterday and so far today she's only had one 6oz bottle and that was at 6:30am when I knew that neither one of us were ready to get up. She's eating pretty much all real food now. She is one of the few babies I know that will eat everything. There were red peppers in her gerber graduate meal and she ate those---LOVED them in fact! She eats veggies and fruit and meat and just loves to try new things. I really hope she stays like this and doesn't become as picky of an eater as her dad!

Family Portraits

Here's a few of my favorites from Saturdays photo shot with Jen. I can not begin to express how much I love these pictures!

Teaser Pics :)

On Saturday, a fellow blogger and friend Jennifer Loving took our family pictures. She sent me a teaser pic tonight and I absolutely L.O.V.E. it!! I can't wait to see the rest. Choosing one for our Christmas card is gonna be rough!!



Thank you so much Jen! I loved my wedding reception pictures and I can already tell I'm going to love these ones too!

Birthday Ideas

I've been searching around for gift ideas for Addison's birthday and I think I have found some presents! All from Amazon I'm hoping to order these soon.

A Monkey Bank


LeapFrog Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal Set



Fisher-Price Amazing Animals Spinnin' Around Musical Zoo



We will probably get her some books and clothes too. I know the grandparents will practically buy out toys r us this year so we are going easy. After Christmas and her birthday I will be sorting her "baby" toys and donating a lot of them. I'm having some problems coming up with what to get her for stocking stuffers. Any ideas?

Spaghetti Face :)

So far, Addison's favorite food is by far spaghetti. Which is fine by me because it's one of my favorite's as well. We had it for dinner the other night and this is the mess that she created....



Thank goodness for soap and water! I don't think she would have came clean without a bath!!

Party, Halloween and Teeth!!

First off, hope everyone had a happy, fun and safe Halloween! Addison went as a monkey, like you couldn't have guessed that. Friday at daycare there was a little party and she had a cupcake. She absolutely LOVED it. She ate the entire thing. Frosting was in her ears, eye lashes, up her nose oh it was just a mess. Luckily mom didn't have to clean that one up!



Last night we just went around to the grandparents during trick or treat hours. No candy but she did get some treats though. My aunt and uncle got her some puffs and baby fruit snacks and grandma Ledbetter made her a sock monkey. AND she got to have a sleep over at nana and papas house!





It's been a pretty lazy day in the Ledbetter household today. We've sat around watching football and eating pizza all day. Addison stayed the night at my moms didn't come home until 1pm! I had to practically beg them to return my baby! Kyle woke me up from a nap with some exciting news--Addison has 2, yes TWO, teeth!!!

I'm thrilled that she finally has teeth! She hasn't been cranky either, which is great! The only thing that was "wrong" with her was her 101.7 fever tonight. But I gave her motrin and it broke before she went to bed.