Our 6 Year Anniversary

On December 23rd, Andrew and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary! Nana babysat for us while we enjoyed a fancy dinner date at Trulucks!  The last dinner date we had was one year ago on our 5th anniversary. 

 

In our 6 years of marriage many things have changed.  Our address has changed 7 times!  We have lived in 3 different states and 7 different apartments.  Our family has grown from just the two of us, to the two of us plus two dogs plus a toddler and pretty soon a new baby.  Our career paths have changed.  Andrew went from an infantryman to a lawyer and I went from a teacher and a student to a stay at home mom.  The way we love each other has changed.  It's less of a feeling and obsession and more of a daily choice.  I love my husband, he is my family, but each day I to decide to show him my love.  Although we are still complete opposites, I think he is perfect for me.  I am so proud of what he has accomplished in his education and career and I am so proud of how wonderful he is with Addison.   

Thanksgiving Week

This year for Thanksgiving we went with family to St. Augustine Beach for the week...thank you Mom and Steve!

 

It was so nice to have our family in one house again.  It was a little chilly, but we still managed to do a lot of fun things.  Walks on the beach, playing in the yard, a boat ride, roasting marshmallows, ping pong, eating tons of food, trips to downtown St. Augustine, explore the old Fort, walk through Ripley's, the winery, bike rides, boogie boarding, and even an engagement (congrats Scott and Amanda)!

 

Addison loved all the attention of course.  I think she really had a blast.

 

I would post pictures, but I believe I have met my limit on blogger.  I'll figure it out later!

 

First Trimester Screening

I had my first trimester screening a few weeks ago and I got a call today confirming that the tests were very good, low risk for everything tested.

 

We also had another ultrasound:

 

The baby was measuring about 2 inches crown to rump with a heart beat of 168.

 

Our next ultrasound will be on January 3rd.  In 34 more days we will know if we are having another girl or a boy!

Baby Dolls Galore

 

My mom gave Addison a baby doll before she was even born.  Then at her first birthday my cousin, Dawn, gave Addison what soon became her favorite baby and toy.  She has her favorites, but she really loves them all and plays with them all.  She pushes them in her stroller, puts them in the glider to read with them, brings them to the bathroom to brush their teeth and let them sit on her potty, she offers them her water and her snacks, she props them up at her table so they can watch her color or play with playdough, she cleans them with a wipe when they get dirty, she takes them to the playground and pushes them down the slide, she brings them in the car or store or wherever she goes, she kisses them and makes them kiss each other, she doesn't like for them to wear clothes, and now she wants to put them ALL in her crib for naptime and bedtime (I only let her take two naked dolls).

 

I only hope that Addison will be this loving and sweet with her soon to be baby sibling!

 

PS, baby dolls are not on Addison's Christmas list or future birthday list!  As you can tell, she is well off in the baby doll department!

A visit from Grandpa and Grandma!

Friday and Saturday we were spoiled to death during our visit from Grandpa and Grandma Barber (toys and love!)!  It was like Christmas around here from new clothes, baby dolls, books, and even a basketball hoop!  Addison and I both loved spending time playing with Grandma and Grandpa!  She adores them.  I will post pictures once I get them from Dad, but in the meantime here are a couple quick ones.

 

Here she is sitting on her potty with one of her new baby dolls.

 

 Check out the new peace lily on her dresser!  Thanks Dad and Kim!

 

Birthday shout out!

Novemember 2nd - Happy Birthday Aunt Donna! 

 

 

Novemember 3rd - Happy 20 Month day Addison!

 

 

Novemember 4th - Happy 4th Birthday Stella!

 

 

November 6th - Happy Birthday Michael!

 

 

Cutest Doggie EVER!

Happy Halloween!  Addison dressed up as a doggie this year.

 

 

tongues!

 

 

walking her puppy

 

31 weeks to go!

Today I am 9 weeks pregnant and I'm starting to feel it. 

1) I'm exhausted. 2) My pants are tight.

3) I feel bloated all day long. 4) Getting super sensitive to smells.

 

 

We carved our pumpkin today too!  We tried to do a silly dog face and it looks pretty sloppy, but Addison likes it!

 

 

 

 

Addison likes to wear my shoes around the house

then she likes to see how they look on her baby

she is currently obsessed with stickers

 

Andrew was gone all week for orientation in NYC.  He was able to eat dinner with Tiffany and Rob two times!  We missed him like crazy!  Addison wants him to do everything with her.  She even prefers him to change her diaper!  HA!  She loves him so much.

 

 

7 weeks, 3 days

Very excited to announce that we are pregnant again, 7 weeks and 3 days!  We went to the doctor today and the baby looks and sounds healthy!  Excited for Addison to have a sibling, a playmate, and a best friend! 

 

Tomorrow is Andrew's first day of work!  Today the doctor asked what Andrew did for a living and he tentatively said, "I'm an attorney".  Sounded strange, but good!

 

He is recovering very well from his surgery, although he still requests nightly milkshakes (I stopped making them for him out of pure first trimester exhaustion!).

Surgery Update

Last Wednesday Andrew had his surgery.  He was at the surgery center for 9 hours.  I am so thankful for Teresa who stayed there with him the entire time.  Addi and I went to visit once he was in the recovery room, but she quickly got antsy and I got queasy!  It was so hard to see him like that.  The recovery process has been more difficult than Andrew and I pictured, but each day he seems to get a tiny bit better. Tomorrow morning he goes back to the doctor to get his splint removed! Generally, he is just uncomfortable.  He has tried hot drinks, cold drinks, room temperature drinks, popsicles, shakes, broth, smoothies, yogurt, applesauce, jello, juice, milk, honey...

Everyone in the Ritter family has sacrificed for our comfort.  Benjamin gave up his room and bathroom for us, again.  Both Michael and Benjamin play with Addi when they get home from school/sports.  David and Teresa gave up their bed for Andrew and I because it is downstairs and the bed elevates.  They have either been sleeping on the floor or couches for the past 6 nights.  We are so thankful.

Meanwhile, Addi and I have been playing nurse and when its not raining all day, we play outside. 

Miamiamiami

On Tuesday we moved into our apartment in Miami and the moving truck came on Wednesday.  Today some furniture was delivered (yay, finally have a dining table!). Besides the huge mess and very long to do list, we like the apartment.  It is a perfect size for us.  I will take pictures once we have unpacked more. 

 

There is a small playground and a pool on the 5th floor.  Today we took Addison to the playground (and promised her tomorrow we'd take her to the pool!).  We also walked to Publix at the Mary Brickell Village which made us feel more at home. 

 

Tomorrow Mom and Steve come to visit!  Then we head back to Naples for 11 days on the 25th for Andrew's surgery.

Big booboo

This morning Addison fell up a stair, cut her eyelid, and bruised the area under her eye. Dr. Papa came to the rescue though! We took her to the surgery center where he works and he applied dermabond. She doesn't seem to mind it at all. We are so thankful it wasn't anything too serious and that she was in such good hands!

 

 

Water Baby

Addison has been quite the water baby since coming down to Florida!  When asked, "Do you want to go in the pool", she responds with her exaggerated yes-nod and starts taking off her shirt!  She went swimming yesterday with her Uncle Michael, Uncle Benjamin, daddy, and Theo.  She went again today with me.

Courageous Theo

 

Today Nana asked Addison if she wanted to go to the beach and she responded with her same exaggerated yes-nod and was ready to put her shoes on.  So, we went to the Vanderbilt Beach.

 



 

Thank you Michael for putting this kitchen together for Addison! 

 

My sweet little girl snuggling with her baby doll.

 

One more day in Naples, then we move in to our apartment.

C'mon!

Today we went to the Children's Museum of Naples (C'mon).  It's brand new and really beautiful!  There were several toddler specific areas, but really she would have enjoyed most exhibits. 

 

 

going down the slide...we had to keep reminding her to sit first!

she really enjoyed the water play area outside

 

I think it was daddy's favorite area too!

 

 

running through the maze outside

 

wearing her new necklace that Nana and Papa got from the museum shop

 

Andrew has a surgery scheduled here in Naples on September 26th for his nose/throat/sleep apnea issues.  We have to stay 10 days post surgery too.  Need to start looking for some good smoothie recipes!  I'm in a smoothie rut.  Maybe I can sneak in some veggies!?  (Just kidding, Drew)