Addison at 7 years old

Addie turned 7 years old in November. It has been quite a ride with our sweet girl!!! She always keeps us on our toes and doesn't ever want to miss a thing!!!

Spotlight on Addison at 7 years old

My favorite food is: plain spaghetti

My favorite sport is: soccer

The best show on TV is: Hannah Montana

The coolest person in the world is: Ella

My best subject in school is: Reading

I'm really awesome at: singing

If I could change my name, it would be: Elizabeth

My favorite color is: turquoise blue

When I grow up I want to be: book writer

My parents are too strict about: watching Hannah Montana

My favorite song is:  Love Story by Taylor Swift

My favorite book is: Magic Treehouse

3 words that describe me are:  cool, funny, wimpy

When I was little, I used to: play with Bennett

My favorite scripture story is: Any Nephi story

My favorite primary song is: Book of Mormon Stories

My favorite season is:summer

The best snack ever is: cupcakes

The food that makes me want to barf is: medicine

My best friend is: Bennett, Ava and Lily

If I had one wish it would be: to get a puppy

The best thing that has happened to me this year is: went to California

One thing I want to learn to do this year is: the spinning monkey bars

One thing I need to work on: being brave

The most important lesson I've learned this year is:  to be nice to Will

Addie aka Addison (her preference), has had quite a year with a lot of changes. As most of you know, she has been dealing with anxiety issues since she was about 5 years old. Things had gone pretty well during kindergarten until last spring when we had the "getting lost" incident. After that, she started having more anxiety issues and it just continued to get worse as the end of school approached. Luckily, she had wonderful teachers who were able to help us get through the rest of the year. We went back to therapy and did individual therapy this time but she started stonewalling everyone and we decided to take a break till after Sam was born since we weren't making much progress.
 
The summer months were hard for us. She had a hard time being away from us while I was in the hospital having Sam- even though she was with Grandma and having a great time. She didn't want to go out and do things with family or friends- she just wanted to stay at home. It was hard to see her struggling with this again. As the end of summer approached and she continued to be anxious, we decided it was time to take the next step. Therapy was no longer enough and I didn't want to be dragging her into the school everyday. It was time to try some medication. I didn't think it was fair for her to be suffering through this and to be worried and anxious about everything all the time. She needed a break. She needed to be able to be a kid!
 
We started her on a low dose of Zoloft in late July. These kinds of things usually take 3-4 weeks to get in their system and so we wanted it to be settled before school started. The dr's said we wouldn't notice anything for awhile but she was amazingly different within a week of starting it. It was like a whole new kid. She was happy. It was so nice to see that we had made the right decision (it was so hard and not one we wanted to make). She doesn't enjoy taking it (it's a liquid) but she has done fabulous at school, at church, at home. She doesn't worry as much anymore. We are so grateful for modern medicine and the ability it has to allow her to be a kid and to enjoy life instead of worrying all the time.

She is so talented and so beautiful. We love hearing her sing (which she does pretty much all day), and she loves to dance and be creative. Despite the anxiety, she is quite assertive when she wants (or doesn't want!) to do something or when she gets something in her mind. She is kind and helpful (sometimes too helpful) and caring and concerned for others. She is a procrastinator and a lolligagger....she will figure out a way to make something so quick and easy take so painfully long!!! She hates having to go to bed at night or having to miss out on anything fun. She loves to be in charge and in control. 

She loves to be silly and have fun just like her Dad. She loves parties and social events and being part of everything.  We love it!

 

 

She also takes after her mom and loves to read.  She is such a good reader and can plow through a book in no time.   She is often reading when she's not supposed to and I hate to get mad at her for doing that!!! 

She loves her cousins. Especially the little ones that she can mother and hold and carry.  She is so good with them and so sweet.   They absolutely adore her. 

She loves her aunts, uncles, and grandparents too.  She's pretty lucky being the only granddaughter in the state (on both sides!) and gets spoiled!!! Girls trips, plays, sleepovers, pedicures, craft and sewing projects....

    
She loves having a baby around the house.  She would hold him all day long if I'd let her (and if he'd let her!).  She is so helpful to have around when he's needing attention or holding because she doesn't mind!  

 

She is doing great in first grade. She is very smart and got all A's (or 4's) on her first report card.  They are doing addition and subtraction in math and even doing double digit addition.  She is great at spelling and hardly even has to study before her spelling tests.   As we mentioned before, she loves reading and is reading above grade level.  At her PT Conference, her teachers even mentioned that she already possesses the rare skill of going back and fixing things when she reads it incorrectly.  She loves art, crafting, drawing and coloring.  Like most kids in elementary school, her favorite time of day is recess, lunch and P.E. 

Pookie bear, we love you to pieces. We will always love you, no matter what. You can't escape it! We are so glad we have our precious daughter and we know that you will only continue to grow more beautiful on the inside and out. You are so special and we know we hold you to a pretty high standard- probably higher than we should because you act so much older than you are....we just forget sometimes! Be patient with us as we figure this parenting thing out. It's going to be rough at times but we love you always and forever and just want the best for you and for you to be happy. XOXO We hope it's a great year for you!