Baba, Ben, and the Piggies

Addie finally got to meet Baba and Uncle Ben this past Friday! We were lucky enough to have them spend the night here at our house on their way to Canada for a fishing trip. Addie got to see and touch her first real beard, and she got lots of kisses from Baba. Mostly though, Addie was all eyes for Ben. She stared at him intently for minutes on end (a lot longer than she does most people). We also got treated to a wonderful dinner (thanks guys!), and were oh so sad to see them leave so soon. I just hope that the fish are biting for them this week.

Addie and Ben

The other exciting news is that Addie has pigtails!!! Nathan and I were so entertained by her Cindy Lou Who-esque hair style (as if you couldn't tell huh?) The best news is that she is content to let us play with her hair, so there will definitely be more piggies in the future!

This is our first time adding a video to the blog. Addie has been "talking" a lot lately. Her new vocal skills are so cute, and I wanted other people to hear them as well. Please forgive the TV in the background. The Law & Order SVU episode sounds much louder on the video than it did in person, but you will get the general idea behind her coos.

America's Next Top Baby

I'm sure that every parent thinks their baby is cute, but our baby really truly is the cutest! She draws a crowd everywhere we go. Not only is she cute, but she's got a wonderful personality too. We should probably be considering a move to Lake Wobegon soon. Anyways, here are some of the reasons we think she is too cute for her own good....





Now please excuse me while I go eat a piece of humble pie.

Our Roof is Done!

As you may already know, we have been waiting to get a new roof since late spring. Well, I am happy to say that all the work is finally complete! It is an improvement that was well worth the wait an the rather large chunk of change that came out of our savings account. Anyone who has been to our house knows that our roof was the biggest eyesore. The roofers had to completely strip off the old roof because there were up to 6 layers of shingles. New York state law only allows 3 layers of shingles. Needless to say the roofers had their work cut out for them. The roofers started working late last week and finished up on Wednesday. Nate, Addie, and I almost got used to all the banging, and having a bunch of sweaty guys hanging around our house. With that said, you can see the vast improvement for yourself (sorry, but I took the pictures in the evening when the sun was behind the house...oops)

BEFORE

AFTER

I guess it wouldn't be a true blog without some mention/picture of Addie. I can proudly say that she now smiles on a regular basis, and it is truly heart melting. She definitely has her daddy and I wrapped around her little finger. Yesterday she attended her first birthday party. Our good friend's son, Peyton, turned 5. We had a great time, and of course Addie got way too much attention from everyone (after the birthday boy of course!). Nathan and I were very excited because she is now able to wear clip in bows in her hair. We had to get a picture of Addie's first party, and we really wanted to get her with the birthday boy. Unfortunately, neither Peyton nor Addie really wanted to have their picture taken together. See for yourself....

Peyton and Addie

She's Official

Addison is now an official Army brat! She recieved her official welcome into Nathan's unit, 3BSTB, this past week. Lt Col Pitt sent her a letter congratulating her arrival, and welcoming her into the Vanguard family. Along with the letter all new Vanguard babies born recieve a monogramed blanket. It's a very nice gift that will always remind Addie of her early days in the 1oth Mountain Division.

Addie with her new blanket

HOOAH!

Say Cheese!

Addie has added a new skill to her repertoire. She can now smile. She has been flashing us her gummy grins for a couple weeks now. We first noticed little grins a couple weeks ago when we would stroke her cheek or rub her head softly. Then, she slowly started to the corners of her mouth up more often. At first we were not quite sure if she was flashing a true social smile, or practicing using her facial muscles. Now we know she is truly smiling, and it is so cute! Addie gets to "talk" to Daddy on the phone everyday when he is working. Well, this morning I put the phone up to her ear and when Nate started talking she smiled her largest smile yet. It is hard to catch her smiles since she doesn't smile on command yet, but here is our first try...
What a big girl!

Until next time,
The Farleys

The Week in Pictures

These are just some pictures from this week.

Playtime

Crazy nap hair

Ain't life grand?!

Tub time

Deployments to Diapers...

As many of you know, Nathan and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on July 4th! We had a wonderful day, and we were very excited to have another person to celebrate with us. We can't really believe its been 5 years already. Although it often seems as if time is passing at a break-necking speed, it also feels like we've been married much longer. We've been through a lot in the past 5 years, and I am happy to say that there is no one I would rather be on this journey with other than Nathan. If someone would have told me what lie ahead 5 years ago I would truly have been in disbelief. We've survived 2 deployments (one rather LONG one I must say), buying our first house, all of Nathan's promotions (there have been a lot I must say), me finishing college, buying a new vehicle (sigh), and the birth of our wonderful baby girl. And to think that these are just the big milestones we've been through. Even though we've seen our fair share of stressful at times, we've always had a great life together. So... I thought I would do then & now pictures.

THEN

NOW

Addie relaxing before the fireworks

More relaxing
Hanging out with Mom
What a family!

One Month

Today is Addison's one month birthday! Nathan and I have enjoyed every single moment of Addie's life so far. She is incredibly easy to fall in love with, and I know we couldn't have asked for a better baby. My first inclination was to be sad over how incredibly fast this past month has flown by. Afterall, she is now one month closer to her 18th birthday, and leaving the wonderful nest we've created for her (faulty logic I know, but the thought still occurs nonetheless). A few days ago I decided that instead of being sad I was going to throw Addie a one month party. Nathan and I bought Addie a book to mark this special occasion, and we also celebrated with cupcakes.

Addie with her present

Addie's new book

Already a bookworm!

Cupcakes for our little cupcake

Addie's first Airshow

Lauren and Addie watching the airshow

Me and Addie checking out the inside of a c-5
Addie Learns to fly a UH-60 Helicopter
Addie decided she wanted to stay on the ground a while longer
Lauren, Addie and I in front of a B-25 WWII bomber

Well today we took Addie to her first Airshow. Ft. Drum was holding a big centennial celebration with an airshow this year, and Addie just had to go. Addie watched the stunt planes and Ariel performers for seconds on end. And then of course we went to the car for some much needed milk. It turned out to be a good thing because the F-18 took off and the engine noise scared Addie a little bit. But soon enough we were back on the airfield and Addie learned to fly a UH-60 but then quickly learned that she was afraid of heights and wanted out of the helicopter quickly. Addie then wanted to get her picture taken with the B-25 bomber that was flying around in the airshow that took part in battle in WWII. All in all Addie had a great day out, and so did we.

Just to keep everyone posted Addie is doing great, and her motor control is getting better everyday. Her hair is getting thicker and longer as the weeks go by and is showing no sign of falling out. We have also noticed a tendency for her hair to curl, so she may have curly hair who knows. This past week was my first week back to work and it was hard on me leaving Addie, and it was hard on Addie and Lauren as well. It seems that when the three of us are together she has one sleeping pattern during the day and when I'm at work she has another. Tomorrow we celebrate Addie's first month of life, and I for one can't believe that she is already one month old. Well I will write more later. Take care.

5000 Words

I've heard that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Picnic in Sacketts Harbor

Addie's post-lunch nap in Sacketts
Addie
Maddie
Addie and I playing this morning