18 MONTHS

A year and a half old already? How is this possible? Where did my baby go? Where did my torpedo-shaped belly go?

It seems like she's doing (and/or saying) something new every day now. Just when you think you've got it under control, you turn her back and she's up on the couch tuning the guitar, or making stairs out of nearby boxes to reach bananas on a counter nearby.

I'm so glad the warm weather is basically here to stay. I love this time of year, and she loves being outside. She will beg and plead to go out, first thing in the morning, while still in her pyjamas, before even eating breakfast. Once we're out, she'll kick and scream when I finally drag her back inside for dinner.

Playdates with Hannah and Morgan are much more eventful now that they're the same size, and all up walking. It's exhausting, but worth every second. These girls make me laugh so hard, and I love seeing them together.

Based on Addison's wardrobe alone, we noticed she's FINALLY going through another growth spurt. She got great wear out of her 9-12 month clothes! I hadn't put anything away or taken out anything new in months. It's nice to finally change it up and know that she's catching up again. I think she'll always be small like both of us, but it's reassuring to know that her slow weight gain is not a serious concern.

As recently mentioned, she has been a teething mess lately. I don't know if it's always like this for all babies, but I can't seem to find the trick. Frozen cloths or food make no difference, and are usually thrown away pretty quickly. Cold foods don't get eaten. Teething rings are thrown before she even tries them. Advil or Tylenol have no affect whatsoever. There are no symptoms to lead me to believe it's anything besides teething. She gets like this every single time. I just wish there were something I could do. The poor girl screams and screams like she's in so much pain.

I don't mean to end this on a bad note, so how about some stats? Yay, stats!

Weight: 22 lbs
Length:30 inches
Recent milestones/new things: Walking backwards, spinning in circles for fun
Words: Mama, Dada, Nana, uh-oh, oh ya, wasat (What's that), dis (this), dat (that), hey, tee tee (tickle tickle, complete with actions), up, hi, ball, shoes, bubble, mmmnana (banana), chee-EE-eese (said as three syllables), eyes, no (her favourite), diddy (pretty), guck (truck, or sometimes car), quack quack (for a duck), boo (for a cow), sowy (sorry; I've heard this three times now)
Signs: All done, more, diaper, eat
Favourite toy: Mega Blocks
Sleep: 7 or 7:30 pm - 7 am
Diapers: Love Pampers Baby Dry (4)
Food: Broccoli and chicken still take the top spots. She won't really eat ham, but she goes crazy for pork chops, so it could be the amount of salt. She's recently taken a liking to peppers, which she wouldn't touch before now.

Five. FIVE!

After 2.5 hours of running around doing drills with Mr. Soccer Coach Extraordinaire, we were on our last drill, when I went down. This poor 14 year old (who I don't know, and has never coached before) and I went after the same ball, and collided. I immediately knew what happened: Lateral patellar dislocation #1 2 3 4 5 for yours truly.

After a lot of screaming and a little swearing, I finally calmed down enough to explain to everyone gathered around me that this was a recurring injury. Upon inspection, the others decided it was best to call an ambulance. It started raining and it was already only 5 (41F) outside, and I was stuck on the grass until they arrived from a neighbouring town 20 minutes later.

 Most of the (young) coaches were rounded up and sent inside while a handful of others offered First Aid, gave me water, and covered me in as many blankets and coats as they could find. Surprisingly, this time, I never lost consciousness. I was talking to everyone, and able to describe exactly what happened. The boy that I hit felt awful. He wasn't really talking to anyone, and he kept saying it was his fault. I tried telling him this is #5. Definitely not his fault.

Isaac wasn't answering his phone, and I needed him to come with me to the hospital. I sent Katie M. to Ryan's house, and Ryan went to get Isaac. He took Addison while Isaac followed me to the hospital. The driver was fantastic; the trip was pretty smooth. The EMT in the back with me was really laid-back and easy to talk to. He kept apologizing profusely for having to cut my pants, and asked eight billion times if I was warm enough.

Thankfully my knee popped back into place, so we were only there for three hours. I had three x-rays taken and received good news that there are no fractures. I was sent out with a small brace in a wheelchair, as I already have an immobilizer and crutches at home. I'll be out for a good six weeks, and heading to physiotherapy. The ER doctor recommended I go once or twice a week for the next 10-20 years! I didn't have to see Ortho this time, but I do still have to follow-up with my regular doctor and see what the next step is. The ER doctor didn't want to jump the gun because it did go back, and there are no fractures, but on the other hand, this is not the first time this has happened. Or the second. Or the...You get the idea.

So I guess on Monday I'll be calling the doctor and hobbling my way in there as soon as possible to discuss my options. I have hypermobility and patella alla, but I don't know if there is anything out there that can "fix" that. Surgery options have been discussed in the past, but I'm not sure if they're still applicable now, nine years after the first incident. I want to ask my doctor if any of this is genetic. If so, is there anything I can do for Addison, or will she be stuck in this same unfortunate position? Is there anything permanent I can do for myself? Will I wear a brace every day from here on out, do my exercises, and still throw it out another three times?

I'm terrified to hear what she'll tell me. I know my knee is not ever going to be "normal" but the thought of dealing with this again, even just once more, is killing me. It's the most painful thing I have ever experienced, including labour. It's a long recovery process and it's frustrating as hell to be so helpless. I don't know how on earth I'm supposed to take it easy while I'm on my own with an 18 month old. She obviously doesn't understand, and all night, all she wanted to do was climb up on the couch and play. It's already breaking my heart to not be able to get down on her level and do what she wants. I can't take her outside because I won't be able to grab her if she runs off in the wrong direction. I can't put her down for a nap because my stairs are impossible. I can't even pick her up because I am unable to bear my own weight, never mind another 20 lbs. Instead, I get to cry in pain, take some drugs, sleep downstairs on the couch alone, and have someone else put my pyjama pants on for me because I can't do it alone. I hate this. I hate everything about this injury. It's barely been 12 hours and I'm so, so angry.

EDIT: I've always played sports, but few of my past injuries were sports-related.
August 2003, 16 years old: Babysitting (Dislocation, fracture)
March 2006, 18 years old: Dodgeball (Dislocation)
June 2006, 19 years old: Slipped on a bathroom floor (Dislocation)
May 2008, 21 years old: Cartwheel (Subluxation)
April 2012, 24 years old: Soccer practice

 

She'll fall asleep soon, right? Right?

Addison had a few good weeks of pure happiness, free of the hell that is teething. Now it's back with a vengeance.

She won't let me see inside her mouth often, but I know (at least) one canine is slowly starting to make an appearance. It's after midnight and she is squealing like a pig in her crib. I keep checking on her and I've given her everything I can think of, to no avail. This girl is inconsolable while teething. I can't think of any other word to describe it. Nothing helps. I've picked her up just to get her calmed down, but the second I lay her flat she's back at it again. She's in so much pain, and angry that she can't get to sleep. I, in turn, get no sleep. It makes for a very cranky household.

This is the absolute worst.

25 minutes later...Still going strong. She screamed so hard she puked. I picked her up and she bit me, and drew blood. Please tell me she'll fall asleep soon. She's been up since 5:30 with no nap today. Yesterday she got up at 4:30, didn't nap, and went to bed at 7. This teething stuff is for the birds.

20 minutes later (12:51) Cross your fingers that she's down for the count. Good night!

Happy Easter!

Addison's second Easter was a success, even if she is afraid of the Easter bunny. It was busy, but still pretty low-key.

I took her to the Easter bunny at the mall last week. She was in such a good mood. She waved to the bunny (and everyone else around her) and said hi, with a big smile on her face. Then I set her down on his lap and I thought the world was going to end. She was not having it. Picture to follow once I get it scanned.

Addison spent the night with the girls on Friday, for her second-ever sleepover. Isaac and I had a little visit with them, then said our goodbyes. She was good until we got to the stairs and she realized we were leaving. I guess she cried for a while but eventually calmed down, and everyone slept through the night. Ryan dropped her off at 8:30 the next morning. Isaac and I had done absolutely nothing all night, and loved every second of it.

On Saturday, after nap, we went to Isaac's Uncle Ray's Easter party. They go all out for their parties, whatever the occasion. There were craft stations, a parade, an Easter bunny (another bust; Addison screamed), and a scavenger hunt. My hunting team was awesome. They were 1.5, 1.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 2.5. Hilarity ensued.

We hid eggs outside around our house on Sunday for Addison to find. She did pretty well, and got the hang of it quickly. It took a while to find just six eggs, though, because she wanted to play with every single one as she found it. The park finally dried up so we took her there (for the first time this year) after nap. That night I made ham, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and rolls for dinner.

I forgot to take a picture of her Easter basket. Isaac and I didn't get her much, but it still ended up taking over the entire Dining Room table. Addison and I dyed eggs and I put together a little basket for her, but everyone's gifts for her took over the entire Dining Room table. Kasey got her a duck, bunny ears that smell like chocolate, and a book. Grandma and Grandpa G got her a book and two shirts. Nana and Grandpa H got her some outdoor shovel toys, and a book. Ryan and Nicole got her bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and finger paint.

Today Isaac took the day off work and we went to his parents for turkey dinner. Addison loved all the good food this weekend and was in a great mood, as long as no bunny costumes were around. I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as we did!

Please sponsor me!

I don't normally do this, but it really is for a great cause. Cystic Fybrosis is the most common fatal genetic (or inherited) disease affecting Canadian children and young adults.

A friend of the family was just diagnosed with Cystic Fybrosis at just 18 years old. She's a model and actress just finishing up her last year of High School. Next month, Addison, my Mom and I will be walking in her name, in hopes of raising money for CF research. I just registered yesterday, and have $50 so far. It's a start.

Please donate if you can spare a few dollars. 100% of the funds raised go to the Cystic Fybrosis Society. Every penny counts!

Sponsor me on my Great Strides Walk Page. I am taking steps to cure cystic fibrosis.