bye, bye baby....hello toddler!

It has been several weeks since we have had time to update everyone on what is going on with our family.  This is simply due to the fact that our sweet, precious baby is now a full on toddler.  We are constantly chasing after her, and trying to keep her out of everything!  Now that includes much more since she is walking and can reach higher.  She also loves to crawl up the stairs, and giggles anytime we chase her around the couch.  Right now we live in an enclosed space in our living room, although it seems like the only person who can manage to find an easy way past the barricade is Adelyn!  Here are a few photos from Ady's first birthday party, her Winter Onederland.  We didn't have much snow here that weekend, but of course Omaha had the first snowstorm of 2012 that weekend so most of our family was not able to attend.  Thankfully we had several friends, and some family that made the trip so her birthday was still very special!  Unbelievable that she is already 1, and amazing to think that one year ago we were "living" in the hospital praying our baby would be strong enough to come home!

Getting ready for her party, being such a ham!

Right before her party with Aunt Chrissy, smiles everywhere that day!

Our dessert table complete with cupcakes, snowmen cookies, and hot cocoa bar

Ady's throne

The birthday monthly banner - amazing to see how much she has changed

Our birthday girl, unfortunately this is the only picture of us at her party

After eating her birthday cupcake, surprisingly she didn't make a huge mess

She got to have another cupcake on her actual birthday, this one was more messy.  She also gave the dogs the cake part while she devoured the frosting.

The best attempt at the 12th month photo

Can't believe she is so big!

We had Adelyn's 12 month doctor appointment, and we are so blessed to say she is developing perfectly.  She has finally hit 20 lbs so that puts her at the 30th percentile which is the highest she has ever been.  She still is a small fry with her height at 10% and her huge melon at 93%.  She is also hitting all of her developmental milestones all while still being such a happy little girl.  It is really hard to have a bad day when you get to look at her beautiful, smiling face!  We are so excited to see what the next 12 months brings!!

First Christmas & 11 months!

This Christmas was one of our favorites yet!  We were able to experience this glorious holiday through the eyes of a 10 month old, and watch as the lights twinkled in her eyes.  It was heart-warming having her around during the difficult challenges we were/are facing.  Surprisingly she was actually helpful in opening gifts, and loved ripping the wrapping paper off the presents long before Christmas.  She also learned to master pulling herself up to stand, and cruising along the furniture.  Over this past week (couple of weeks shy of her 1st birthday) she has started taken steps on her own, and becoming more courageous everyday.  She isn't far from total independence with walking!  We are loving spending every day with her, and find it unbelievable that she will be 1 in a few weeks.  Where did our baby go? Although our little, bitty baby is growing she is becoming an adorable, interactive toddler.  She is so much fun to be around, and shows off her new skills and smiles every day!

Adelyn admiring the snowman

She loves talking to him too

Adelyn and Daddy on Christmas Eve

Our first Christmas together!

Opening a couple of gifts on Christmas Eve

Watching the snow fall outside

With Daddy on his birthday!

Showing off her Christmas dress with her new boots

Needless to say, that outfit got a little warm - rosy cheeks!

Eating the wrapping paper

Reading a book with daddy

11 months already!

Showing off her 8 teeth!!!

Lots O' Pictures

The last month at the Sass household has been filled with a lot of stress, which is the reason why the updates were sparse in December.  However we did manage to find time to snap photos of our ever-changing and exciting little lady!  This update is full of photos from Thanksgiving up to Christmas.  I hope things will settle down just a bit so we can keep up now, although Adelyn took her first 3 steps yesterday so maybe she has something different in mind!

Thanksgiving at Grandma A's

Afterwards we went to the Holiday Lights downtown - still trying to make it a tradition!

Me and my brothers, finally together after too long!  Love these guys!!!

One of my favorite photos now - in love with this face!

This face always makes us laugh and lifts our spirits!

10 month photo

Sporting one of her many 1st Christmas outfits while cruising along the furniture

Unbelievable that our baby is growing up, but she already has EIGHT teeth!

Posing in front of Grandma A's Christmas tree

Hamming it up for the camera

Having fun on her froggie and in her new bear claw slippers

Our nights are filled with entertainment from this little munchkin

Monthly pictures are getting harder to take since she won't stay put, so we will take what we can get!  Unbelievable that she is taller than the frog when she could barely filled up his chair!

Love our little Peanut!

Our little elf

Not too sure how she feels about Santa this year!

What mess?

This morning I thought it would be fun to try a craft with Adelyn.  I wanted to make a turkey out of her handprint.  I know, I know, I was being a little naive.  Ok a lot naive.  I even wanted to do each finger a different color.  I actually tried to accomplish this, little did I know I wouldn't even get a clear fingerprint.  Isn't it amazing how much things change when you have a baby.  Last year I would have freaked out and made it my life's mission to get the perfect print.  This year I just watched and laughed as she made a mess, and I treasure the masterpieces she made.  If you look close you can make out at least part of a handprint!

Yup those are tears, all she wanted to do was snuggle with me, and we did - paint and all!

Finally some smiles, she really enjoyed playing in the paints.

Hey at least we had fun!

Adelyn has also taught me that my plans are no longer something she has to abide by.  These next few photos are our attempt to get 9 month photos.  Needless to say they aren't as posed as some of the younger ones.  Either way she still is adorable!

Here I come!

Hey!  I'm just gonna lean on the frog and chew on my block, so take the picture!

Will I seriously need to do this pose every month?  I'm getting too big for this mom!

These last few photos are Adelyn getting caught in the act of misbehaving.  Actually they are just glimpses of her having fun with all her toys.  She couldn't reach her toy on her own, so it only makes perfect sense for her to climb inside her dinosaur to get the extra height!

Ummm, hi Mom!  She is so stinking cute!

Loving her toys!

Our sweet angel!

This year the Sass family is incredibly thankful for our amazing family and all their support.  We are also very thankful for each other and the unconditional love we share for one another!  Most of all we are thankful to spend our first Thanksgiving as a new family!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Pics

Adelyn and Uncle Todd (who doesn't normally dress like a lion) :)

Reaching for Grandpa's glasses, sneaky little one!

Hamming it up with Aunt Christina

Adelyn 1st time trick or treating - in daddy's arms

In mommy's arms too!

Family pic while out trick or treating

With Grandpa & Grandma Sass before calling it an evening