Baby Addy, you are six months tomorrow! I have been looking back at the pictures of her from the hospital, and it seems you are a complete new person from that small sweet bundle!

We know reveal in your skills of rolling over and watching you eat with a spoon! AS you continue to get stronger by pushing up, I know soon you will become the mobile active little one you are meant to be, but I can already see why Mommy's miss the little snuggle bugs! We still get snuggle time, but you are far to interested in everything to snuggle for long! I am so proud of how you and Daddy have bonded and how well he takes care of you during the day while Momma has to work. I can't wait for Christmas with you! I know you are still little, but the tree lights make your eyes sparkle and you love sitting in front of the tree in your exersaucer. I also like singing you Christmas carols! I can't wait to see what you will do with a wrapped present!

This week your new favorite thing to do is spit your tongue out and blow raspberries. Each time you do it, Daddy cracks up! You keep surprising us with the little changes in your personality! You are quite the little ham anymore, doing anything to make us laugh or to make you laugh! Even Lady enjoys in the play time! You really have light up our lives, my sweet little girl!

My Addy is almost 10 weeks old. I am starting back to school next week and it has to be one of the hardest things I have had to do. I always have looked forward to fall, but this year it has been very hard because I know I have to leave my little one and return to all my kiddos at school. Sigh…. Who know having a baby could be so heart wrenching! I think my heart grows bigger for her every day, and watching her with Daddy, I have no fears she will be in excellent hands while I am at work.



Yet, I have been a huge sap this week worrying about missing all of her “firsts”, but a friend told me that even if I miss the first, I don’t miss it all together! I will get to see all the moments; some may just have had practice. I am trying to remember that as I prepare to return to work.



Sitting here I am thinking of all the things I can’t wait to share with my little Addy! I want her to be as excited for Birthdays and holidays as she will be for shopping for new school supplies. I will teach her to love the beginning of a new school year because of all the possibilities.



She will also love fall because of the change of the seasons and all the fun festivals that come with it, especially the Pumpkin Festivals! Fall also brings us closer to the holidays! We will celebrate as many holidays with family as possible so she has the strong family values that I have. The thoughts of seeing her see the Christmas lights for the first time takes my breath away. I cannot wait for her to grow up, but still I love snuggling my little baby.











At three months, Addy can now sit up with help. She is learning how to grab her toys with more confidence and each toy finds its way to her mouth so you can explore it. You are making cute sounds and talking up a storm! To wake mommy and daddy up you will lay in your bed and talk. When we do not come quick enough, you slowly raise your voice until you cannot be ignored! We come in to see you and your face lights up in a huge good mronign grin! You are such a morning baby! You smile and play all morning. You love music, no matter if it is Disney classics with Mommy or Classic Rock with Daddy, you love to move to it!



You are close to rolling over, but are not quite there yet. You do not like to lie on your tummy much, but have been pushing up more and more each day! Daddy spends his days taking pictures of you and sending them to Mommy so she can feel close to you during the school days. She also likes to share the cute pictures with her kiddos at school, even the ones of your little tushie…



We are also working on reaching for things, you do not seem to be aware of your arms as much as your feet! You love to kick your feet to make your toys dance on your bouncy seat, and you also love the mickey mouse toys that dangle from your pack in play. You get so excited that you kick your feet so hard that sometimes I am afraid you will knock over your chair! Each day you change a little bit, and each day we love you more!

This year we went back to Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina. It was Addy’s first trip, and she crossed 3 states to get to the beach and she was only 3 weeks old. We rode with Neena and Papa’s with Auntie Erin so that we could share some of the driving time with Papa. Addy was pretty good the whole trip, but got sick of sitting in her seat after several hours.

While Addy was not supposed to be out in the heat, we were able to take her to the beach several times in the evening and once in the morning. We liked showing her the ocean and beach where we will have fun adventures in the next few years. It was a bit limiting because I could not swim and was nursing Addy, or pumping every couple of hours, but being with the family was worth it. Everyone seemed to want to snuggle and hold our little Addybug. She spent many days without being put down most of the day. To say the least, she was spoiled and happily so!

Sunday was the Fourth of July. There was a parade at 1pm, but Addy slept right through it! There were no organized fireworks displays, but Auntie Erin brought sparklers for Nate, and Addy got a chance to have a few pictures taken with them! There were also fireworks going off all over the island, which were beautiful. It was the best 4th of July I can remember holding my little sparkler in my arms and watching all the beautiful fireworks lighting up the sky.

On Tuesday, I woke up and thought the pink eye that I had had the week before was back. My eyes were very sensitive to the light and watered like crazy. We decided it would be a good day to take a trip to Calabash to go to the little shops where the Christmas shop was. We were able to pick out Addy’s first ornament and a family one for our tree. On the way back we stopped at a little restaurant named the Dawg House for some great hotdogs and sweet tea.

On the third day, Jason finally took some time to take a dip in the pool. It was the first time this week, because he felt bad I could not swim. Playing with Auntie Erin lead to a plunger squirt gun incident, Auntie Erin shot the gun at me while standing on the balcony and hit me right in the face. To retaliate Jason bent down to grab a gun himself and pulled a muscle in his back. It hurt him so much we had to make a trip to the ER. The rest of the week, he struggled to move and snuggle his baby. He said, “Addy’s first, but Daddy’s worst.”

It was not like any other vacation, but we kept talking about all the wonderful adventures we will have at the beach beginning next year!

Addison Leigh

Baby Birth Log
June 14
9pm-10:30: Mommy could not get comfortable enough to sleep, so she switched beds so she would not wake daddy up.
June 15
10:30-1:30: Lying in the guest bed, she had acid reflux and could not sleep there either. She went back to the bedroom, but Lady had taken her spot because there was a thunderstorm scaring her, so she went to try sleeping on the couch, propped up by pillows.
1:30-2:30: Still not comfy, she started up the steps and suddenly felt like she had sprung a little leak. Daddy’s alarm was scheduled to go off around 2:50 so he could get ready for work, but I woke him by telling him I thought my water had broken and you were coming today! Wanting to be sure, Daddy checked online and we made sure we thought it was the water breaking before calling the doctor. Dr. Paul called back and told us we needed to make our way to the hospital.
2:30-4:00: Mommy and Daddy both took a shower and got things ready to take to the hospital, thinking we would be there for a while. We also packed last minute stuff for our stay trying to make sure not to forget anything, including the coming home outfit Daddy was to pick out for you, as a little surprise for Mommy. Getting to the hospital was fairly easy with the help of the Garmin Nana and Papa bought for us, which was a good thing because on Monday, they began construction on the road we would normally take to the hospital, 315.
4:00-4:45: Once getting to the hospital Mommy was checked in by some nurses to make sure it was her water that had broken.
Shortly after that we were admitted and taken to a room where you would be born. After a long morning, Mommy finally accepted the epidural and everything went smoothly after that
The doctors said it would take a long time for you to be born, but you proved them all wrong. With a little help from an IV drip, you were born at 2:59pm. . Your Grandma and Grandpa Klempa were the first to get to the hospital, and luckily Mommy had just had the epidural and was happily snoozing for a bit. Not long after that, your Aunt Kristin, Uncle Matt, and cousin Lauren came. By the time Neena and Papa Gordon came it was close to the time Mommy was ready to push. Daddy waited until they got there and was going to go get something to eat, but by that time, Mommy could feel that you were ready to come. Mommy told Daddy to hurry and get back to the room to eat. He came back with a slice of pizza and had to shovel it in while the nurse prepared the room for your arrival. After an hour of pushing, you were born, a healthy 7lb 14oz baby girl who was 20 inches long.
Everyone was so amazed you were born on your due date. The nurses and doctors told us that only 10% of babies actually come on the day that they are due. You got to meet all your family just before you had your first bath in the nursery. By the end of the day, we were all exhausted and excited to begin our new adventure as a family.
We were released from the hospital Thursday and you got to take your first car ride home. When we got there, the welcome home was wonderful! There were balloons and signs up letting the world know you were finally here! Not only were you home, but Lady, our puppy, finally got to meet you too! She was full of kisses and was very upset to hear you cry, seems that Lady would end up being quite the doula dog.

Amy's Birthday List of Ideas

Online Sephora
bareMinerals SPF 25 Mineral Veil
Buxom Lip gloss color Brandi (original/ shimmering deep rose)


Disney Store online
Mickey tea kettle

Create-Your-Own Disney Toiletry Bag (Item # 59176M )
$24.95
Create-Your-Own 21'' Carry-On Suitcase (Item # 59212M )
$69.95 (using last name for Baby and Mommy to share)
20-Pc. Mickey Mouse Flatware Set

World Market
Multi-Color Jumbo Stacking Mugs Set of 6
SKU #403841
$14.99


Gift Cards
Sephora
Target
Kohls
Arby’s
McDonlads
Paneara Bread
Einsteins
Wendy’s
Old Bag of Nails

Money for our future membership to the YMCA
( They have classes for Baby, too!!!)

Amy's Birthday List of Ideas

Online Sephora
bareMinerals SPF 25 Mineral Veil
Buxom Lip gloss color Brandi (original/ shimmering deep rose)


Disney Store online
Mickey tea kettle

Create-Your-Own Disney Toiletry Bag (Item # 59176M )
$24.95
Create-Your-Own 21'' Carry-On Suitcase (Item # 59212M )
$69.95 (using last name for Baby and Mommy to share)
20-Pc. Mickey Mouse Flatware Set

World Market
Multi-Color Jumbo Stacking Mugs Set of 6
SKU #403841
$14.99
Mom ceramic mug from ad (May 2)

Gift Cards: (We will use gift cards to any restaurants after baby is here, I am sure for take out purposes)

Sephora
Target
Kohls
Arby’s
McDonlads
Paneara Bread
Einsteins
Wendy’s
Old Bag of Nails

Money for our future membership to the YMCA
( They have classes for Baby, too!!!)

Well little one you are now 25 weeks old! You love moving around and kicking whenever Mommy sits down or lays down, sometimes keeping her awake! No matter, I love feeling you move around in there!

You also love when I eat cantaloupe. Each time I do, it seems like you have a little party with dancing and singing :) The only food that seems to effect us adversely are green peppers. (Mommy had a few in a cal zone she made and regretted it due to the heartburn... it was the worst heartburn I have ever had!) All in all, you seem to like any fruit and like Daddy, you like peanut butter chocolate anything:)

15 weeks until your debut! We can't not wait to see your tiny face and hold you in our arms. You really are a little miracle. Daddy and I look forward to each Tuesday when you become a week older and we read the updates of how you are developing together before we go to bed.

I think we have chosen your crib this week, and even had contacted someone to watch you when Mommy has to go back to work :(

This is you about 12 weeks old!


Here is Mommy's tummy at 21 weeks!



Week 22
Wow, I can’t believe how much you have grown already! You are about a pound in weight and 8 inches long already! For the past few weeks I have gotten to feel you moving around and even Daddy has had the chance to feel some of your good kicks! Each night Daddy puts his hand on my belly and you seem to know it is him and you kick or move so he can feel it! Daddy says it’s because you already have a connection. I keep catching him staring at my growing tummy with such pride it makes me feel so happy.
Things Mommy has been craving: Raisin bran, hot apple cider, and lots of fruit. I would swear you like pizza as much as Daddy and I do, but I am not sure if that is me or you! Once in a while we want something spicy, like hot wings. Seems like you have Mommy and Daddy’s taste buds already!
We have been preparing for your big arrival! Mommy finally got done cleaning out your room, and Daddy and I choose colors to paint the walls. Your nursery will be green and tan, and on the wall with the crib puppy paw prints will walk across the wall! Daddy loves all the puppy stuff they have, so that will be the theme! We have also been searching for your furniture for the room.
Last weekend we registered for all the baby sstuff we might need when you come home! What fun it was scanning all the little items for you to use. Each day we are more excited to see you!

When Mommy first suspected she was pregnant with you was when I realized I was more hungry than usual during my specials break at school. I had also noticed my nails were growing faster and firmer than usual. I was at the store one night shopping and decided to purchase a home test to determine if I needed to begin counting calories again, and low and behold the little lines were there!
I was so excited I cried right there in the bathroom! My heart fluttered to think there was a little baby about to change our lives forever! When I told your daddy, he wanted to be sure that you were really there, so he had me take another test. When the lines showed up again, I was sure. We went to see the doctor the next week and blood work confirmed you had been growing for 5-6 weeks already. I cried again in the doctor’s office, and daddy got a bit teary when the nurse called him daddy.

I wanted a special way to share our news with our family, so we began thinking of fun ways to share the news about you! When I found mugs at the Hallmark store, I knew I had the perfect way to tell your grandparents! The two coffee mugs, one that said “Grand-tastic Grandma” and one that said “my favorite people call me Nana” were perfect. We wanted to tell your grandparents in person, so we had to create a plan! We decided we would take a trip to the Valley and share our exciting news with Grandma and Grandpa Klempa the next weekend. We had to be tricky, because we did not want anyone to suspect our secret.
When we got to Grandma and Grandpa Klempa’s, Grandma was excited to show us their new house. We gave her a cute little bag with a “late” birthday present in it. When your Grandma Klempa opened the mug and read it and thanked us for it, but the meaning did not sink in. She thought it was cute, and it was because of her Grand-doggie, Lady. Daddy had to explain why the mug had meaning. She was very excited! We even celebrated by taking you out to dinner to the Cracker Barrel, where you had blueberry pancakes!
The next weekend we traveled up to Grandma and Grandpa Gordon’s. We were a little more prepared this time, thinking the mug trick did not work out the first time, so Daddy created a shirt that had a picture of Mickey Mouse sitting low on Mommy’s belly. The shirt said, “Hi Ya Pals!”. Mommy wore her sweatshirt zipped up until Grandma opened her “late” birthday gift, but she too did not realize our little secrete. She began to tell a story, and all of the sudden said “are you trying to tell me something?” Both Daddy and I giggled and said, “yes!” Lots of hugs were shared.
Later Auntie Erin brought over your very first present with some very cute baby clothes that made Mommy cry because she was so excited! You are already a spoiled baby and you have not even begun to show! Auntie Jen was excited and shared with Mommy a bunch of clothes that she can wear while you get bigger and bigger! She also gave us some good reading materials to help prepare for your arrival! All in all, both new families are very excited to meet you. You will be very well loved!

So far, you have not made Mommy sick, but you have encouraged us to go to bed very early! You seem to like citrus fruits of any kind! For a while I was eating lots of apples and pineapple with cottage cheese as a snack during planning time. You have also helped Mommy eat a healthier breakfast everyday, and made coffee taste funny to me! The only other thing Daddy and I have found that I do not like to eat is Wendy’s BBQ sauce. Daddy laughed when I spit the nugget out into a napkin because the sauce tasted so bad to me!