North Carolina 2009

Growing up we took family vacations to many locations throughout the United States: Utah, Arizona and New Mexico; Idaho and Montana; Boston; New York City; Ocean City, NJ; Ocean City, MD; and Washington, DC. You name it, we've been there. However, the past few years, my parents have settled on renting a beach house in Oak Island, North Carolina, and I couldn't be happier.

It truly is beautiful there. The beach is uncrowded. The water is warm. The seafood and vegetables are at their freshest. It is a very relaxing week, and gives us a chance to catch up on each other's lives, that with each year seem to be more and more busy.

Of course this year was a little less relaxing for Dan and I, mainly because we were chasing Miss Addie around. Despite the fact that the ocean waves knocked her down a few times, she still showed no fear, running right out into the sea as if she could swim fully by herself. Needless to say, she also loved digging in the sand. She occupied herself for hours filling buckets, digging holes, and collecting shells. Honestly, it is the perfect vacation for a 19-month-old.

Dan and I both said the week gave us some time to reflect on just how far Addie has come since our last trip to North Carolina. Last year she was crawling and barely pulling herself up on furniture. This year, she ran and jumped with ease. Last year she'd babbled "Da da" every once and a while. This year, as you can see from the video, she can count to ten. Last year, she showed little independence, clinging to and crying for me at times. While this year, she was too busy exploring and hanging out with Uncle Don (John) to know if I was there or not. Honestly, I cannot believe how much she has changed - but it is all good change, and I look forward to seeing just how far she'll go over the next 12 months.

Music Class

Throughout this summer, Addie and I have tried out a couple of new classes. I decided to have her take a break from gymnastics (although we start back up in September) to try out swimming and the Old Town School of Music's "Wiggleworms" class. She has loved both!

On Wednesdays we go to swim and gym at the YMCA. For 30 minutes she runs throughout the gym, playing with various toys and balls put out by the teacher. Then we change into our suits, and head to the pool for another 30 minutes. And believe me, this is her favorite part of the week! She loves the water. In fact, the teacher said the YMCA no longer teaches that it is a good idea to dunk kids at a young age to get them used to being underwater. They used to think if babies would go under, if only for a split second, they'd be more likely to jump in as children because they'd be used to water in their face. Addie's teacher explained that this gave 90% of children a fear of the water, and it only worked for the 10% that were dare devils. She then looked at Addie and said, "Addie, I'm sure you'd be part of that 10% - you don't mind water on your face at all!" So sums up our first experience with swimming lessons. When the other children are crying because they are forced to jump of the wall, Addie is saying "more, more." When the other children are barely splashing with their hands and feet, Addie is kicking and splashing away. I'm very glad we did the lessons this summer.

Beyond swimming, we have also loved the "Wiggleworms" class. My cousin Sarah and her son Nate went with us, which was nice to spend time with them. The class has given me some new songs to sing to Addie, instead of all the old staples I (and perhaps she) was getting sick of. Addie loves to sing and dance, and while at the beginning of class she is usually shy, by the end, she is in the center of the room dancing with all her new friends. I took a few pictures of Addie and Nate at music - as you can see we have future music stars on our hands!

Addie's First Cousin!

Thanks to the birth of my sister's first baby Patrick Joseph, Addie is getting some good practice as a big sister before her younger sibling arrives in October. She loves Baby Patrick - and from their first meeting on this day in July, she has wanted to "hold 'em" "hold 'em" "hold 'em."

Here she was helping push him in his swing - of course not knowing this was an automatic swing, not a regular one like those she sees at the park. But all in all, she is very sweet with her little cousin, and I can't wait until they can truly play together!

Pheasant Run 2009

Every year since our engagement, I have gone with Dan and his family to Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles IL for the Fourth of July. The tradition was started by Dan's Grampa and Grandma Soldato to ensure the entire clan got together and spent quality time swimming, golfing, and catching up. Addie has joined in the fun for the past two years, although I must admit, she was much more engaged this year.

She loved swimming (of course) in the various pools throughout the resort. She loved playing on the putting green and watching her Dad golf. She loved the dinners of choice - pizza and pasta. She was in heaven!

Of course one of my favorite parts as always was seeing Dan hang out with his brothers. No in the world understands Dan as they do, and the boys always have such a great time together. They have inside jokes that go back decades.

All in all, a very fun and relaxing weekend!

Papa's River Camp

My favorite part of summer growing up was the time we spent down at the River. My father inherited a rustic cabin on the Kentucky River, and as a child my family spent most summer days swimming, hanging out, and relaxing by the river. We have never had a TV at the cabin, which leaves much more time for conversation, playing cards, and outdoor activities. Life is simple, but in many, many ways, better.

I was able to take Addie to Kentucky for almost a week this June, and like me, she loved the River. She could not get enough of the pool - despite the water's cooler temperature. She loved exploring the creek with her Papa and letting the water run through her toes. She liked seeing many different critters - including a cute, little frog which she could pet and watch jump. All in all, outdoor life at it best.

My Dad is going to make "River Camp" an annual event for all the grandchildren, so we had to have the inaugural year with just Miss Addie. Next year she will be joined by her cousin Patrick and a younger brother or sister. Hard to believe Mimi and Papa's family is expanding so rapidly!!!

Addie's First Cubs game!

Long before spring training started, Dan worked hard to get four tickets to a weekend Cubs game at Wrigley Field this summer. Living three blocks away from the historic home of the Cubs, we knew we had to take Addie soon to experience America's favorite past time. My cousin Sarah and her husband Jeff and 12-month old son Nate were able to join us for the afternoon at the ball park. Addie and Nate did very well, and while Sarah and I did have take them home at the start of the 8th inning, I was impressed they endured the heat and crowd with a smile for the that long. Jeff and Dan make it through 13-inning game and were rewarded at the end with a Cubs' victory!

Playing at the park!

One of Addie and my favorite activities these days is taking a trip to the park. I've found one we both love, a little west of Wrigley Field. I love it because it is about a mile away, which provides a good walk to get there and back. Addie loves it because there is an abundance of sand throughout the park. It is especially fun to walk there on game days and see the crowds coming to cheer on the Cubs.

I videoed her today doing most of her favorite park activities: the swings, which these days she either loves or hates; the slide; the "jumping bridge," which I think you can tell from the video somewhat bounces as she walks; and of course, playing in the sand! No matter how I try to steer her away from this one place at the park, she always finds her way back. It is a little fort, under one of the slides, with a cute little window where several kids play restaurant, store, etc.

As you can tell, the park is very busy on nice days, which is good. Addie makes new friends each time we go, and it is nice for me to be able to interact with other Moms and Dads as well. I hope you enjoy all the videos!