To my beautiful daughter

Happy Birthday!!

One day down the road you will be able to look back at all the work that your mother has done for you to chronicle the first year(s) of your life. You will then ask yourself, why didn't daddy write something for me. Well, you will have learned over the years that your mother is much more creative in her writing than I am but I did want to take the opportunity to weigh in on such a special day to me, Your Birthday.

It was exactly one year ago today that God granted me this most precious and beautiful gift in the world, you. Everyone knows how hard and trying it was for your mother to get pregnant and I cannot tell you how hard it was on me to have to sit and watch, so to speak. But then one day, God smiled upon us and granted us this wish, the wish to have a child. To our surprise, we got you. A child that has brought more smiles, laughter, and love then we could have ever dreamed possible. A child whom we love more than life itself. At 9:21am on October 22, 2007, you were born. You came out like a true Sweatman would, in your own way and on your own time. Your mom was in labor with you for 14 hours and you still had to be pulled out. Stubborn, well I can honestly say, that is a trait that you get from your father. But there you were, this beautiful, yet dirty baby, screaming letting everyone know that you had arrived. I cannot believe that it has been a whole year already. I hope when you look back on this blog and are able to read and understand what is written that you take with you that your mommy and daddy love you so very much and we are so very blessed to have you in our lives.

So I will leave you with this. Happy Birthday Baby, I love you with all my heart!!

Love,

Daddy

Mmmm, pancakes!

I had Monday off with Addie and we enjoyed sleeping late and waking up to a nice, leisurely breakfast of pancakes. She loved them and I enjoyed not rushing around the house!

Super Fun!

This mess is not Addie Kate's fault - Mommy and Daddy should have known better than to keep a full bag of fun where she could reach it. This is what may happen...





I only hope she stays this interested in laundry, packing, and unpacking a bag all her life! (notice the last picture is an action shot of her throwing the diaper across the floor!) What a stinker!

Playtime for Addie Kate

Addie was having such a good time playing with her little kitchen the other day, that I had to get that sweet time on video. She is just so funny how she takes things out, shuts the door, opens it back up, and takes it back out. I love watching her grow and learn! After she figured out that I was taping her, I tried to get her to say some of her newest words, so enjoy!

Last Night as an 11 Month Old!

I know this is a crazy post, but I just couldn't help myself. I know Tommy will be happy when this week is over, because I've been all mopey around the house. My sweet baby girl turns one almost exactly 12 hours from now! I cannot believe how time flies! With the mass numbers of people that told me how fast it'd go by, surely I thought I was prepared, but not at all! I cannot believe it is here!

Below are pictures of our sweet baby girl tonight!

Boo in the Zoo

Sunday we went with friends to Boo in the Zoo at the Greenville Zoo. We now know how fun it will be for Addie Kate and her friends next year; this year the most fun Addie had was eating Cheerios in the stroller! Regardless, we adults had a good time and we enjoyed watching the kids and the Halloween decorations. It was quite cold, which was a welcome change! We also were able to get some pretty good pictures...

She actually got mad at us for taking her out of the stroller! I think we may take the jogging stroller everywhere from now on!

One of the few animals that was still out (apparently they put the animals inside at night?). This was a Red Panda - good thing Addie Kate can't read yet - I told her it was a fox!
She was being such a ham!
The Seidels

Shannon and Cody

Addie Kate is all about giving kisses these days! She just about jumped out of my arms to give Cody one!

There are no words to describe how cute this is!

Two weeks ago Addie Kate and I were in Lexington just for the day, for a wedding shower for Susan, while Tommy played golf here in Greenville. Mom and I were rushing around to make sure I had everything before Addie and I left, and Addie was in the living room playing with my dad, her Gorga. Mom and I finally stopped and listened for a minute and heard the sweetest sound of Addie loving every minute of playing with her granddaddy. I hope all of you enjoy this video as much as I do. It's nothing special, just the sweet, carefree, loving-life sounds of a baby girl having a wonderful time playing. And I love it!

And a lone picture of her at Susan's bridal shower: