Living in Milwaukee?

Yep....of all the interviews Adam has been on, Milwaukee's program has been the best in all categories! I realize he still has 3 or 4 interviews left, but he just loved the program so much, he is potentially going to rank Milwaukee the highest! Although we may have a good idea where we will end up, we will not know until the match is completed in mid to late March. But just giving our friends and family a heads up on what is going through Adam's mind right now. (Plus it pays the best thus far too!) I don't know what we will do with two incomes! I can't wait! We will keep you posted on interviews and thoughts.

Addy's Big Party?

Well, turns out that Addy's birthday party with family ended up to be exteremly little. Due to the wonderful winter weather we have been having, Addy's big party ended up to be not so big. Her guests included grandma and grandpa Ulrich and the Von Bank's (Hough's met us the night before for a birthday dinner). I am a bit sad because she will never get to celebrate her first birthday ever again! We tried to make it as special as possible for her. Thank you to all whom did attend; you helped make Addy's first birthday memorable.

Enjoy more pics of Addy's big 1!

Addy tried on her skirt from the Houghbunch....she wouldn't let me take it off again.

Here she is wondering why people are screaming and yelling in a song "Happy Birthday."

Slowly starting to eat her cake....sprinkle by sprinkle.

Addy isn't your ordinary girl.....no sissy bites. She decided to just do it all at once!

Then, she decided to lick the platter that the cake came on....only after her cake was on the floor!

Present Time~

Learning to read cards before opening....yeah right!

Already in that "me do it" stage!

Remember the entry about climbing a while back? Yep, still at it!

Climbing again....this time with Lola, her new pink poodle pillow (say that 3 times fast)

Who said partying isn't hard on a gal? Her sugar low from the cake.....


Thank you again for everyone's help!

The Big 1....."Mini" Party

Yep....It's official. We don't have a baby anymore; we have a little girl. Addison Grace turned 1 year old on Thursday, December 11. I hate to admit it, but I cried the second the clock struck midnight. Not because I was sad, but because you realize that you will never get to have those "baby"moments again with them. I realize there will be lots of other firsts and fun things along the way as well, but I just was a wreck all day. I was happy/sad; quite the emotional rollercoaster.
Since all of my family is in Florida, lucky ducks, daddy and I shared Addy's day with her. It was nice in the fact that it was very personal, I guess. Daddy and Addy came to meet me for a break at work and to pick up some essentials for her "mini" party. As soon as I got home, we ate pasta, opened presents and indulged in some birthday cake of course. We had a blast! Enjoy the pics of Addy's first birthday!

Addy's Before......

Addy's After......

Here are a couple other cute pics from the big 1!

Addy and her pasta...

Addy opening her presents....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEANUT!!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!

KU and UM in one trip!

McWads chillin' before we hit the road.....long trip!

Tomorrow, we leave once again! We are heading to Kansas City, MO for Adam to interview for residency at Kansas University. Then, we travel to Columbia, MO for an interview at Mizzou (University of Missouri). Believe it or not, it will be a nice and relaxing family get away. While daddy interviews, Addy and I are planning on checking out the community and shopping districts (for Christmas of course) so we can get a good idea if it would be a fit for our family next summer.

They both have wonderful programs.....Adam is looking forward to hearing what both have to offer him and his future. Fortunately, they are only 2 hours apart. We are heading to Sioux City tomorrow, Saturday, to break up the trip.

Thanksgiving with the Burdorf's

After the Armstrong celebration, we traveled to Sioux City to see Grandma and Grandpa "B". We also had the opportunity to help put up the Christmas tree while we were there. Addy got to help daddy put the star on!

After decorating, we all bundled up to go see grandma at work.

We had a great time in Sioux City: grandpa got to rock Addy to sleep, Addy got to experience her first buffet, and Addy got the stomach flu and threw up all over daddy! Overall, memories were made and looking forward to spending more time with our families soon. Love you all.......here are a couple more pics from our baby's first Thanksgiving!

Addy striking a pose.....

Addy and daddy striking a pose....

Mommy and Addy....looking away

Thanksgiving with the Ulrich's

Addy's first Thanksgiving.....wow! I am now just getting to post on our blog about Thanksgiving? She had a blast....it started on Thanksgiving eve putting up grandma Mary's big a$$ tree with daddy. We found her trying to climb the ladder, like daddy. Grandma and Grandpa Burdorf have told us stories about Adam scaling the outside of the stairs about Addy's age, so I guess she is following in his footsteps!

After Thanksgiving dinner, the gang headed outdoors to put up the Christmas decorations around the house. Addy, of course, wanted to go (bye bye) as well. Here are some pics of the gang at work; and some just standing around......

Did I mention, it was freakin cold?

After decorating outdoors, the Burdorf's enjoyed some desert and we packed up the car and headed west to see Grandma and Grandpa Burdorf.

Jill's New Obsession

http://fairmontsentinel.com/page/category.detail/nav/5006/Local-Sports.html
Well, as if at this point I needed anything else on my plate! Here are my girls on the Fairmont High School Gymnastics team. Yes, I was very fortunate to be asked to help out this year as an assistant coach and am looking forward to seeing the girls improve from meet to meet. They are a talented bunch of gals who are hungry to be the best; I love working with them. Keep posted.....good things ahead!

Always wanted to be..... a Hawkeye?

Are you crazy! No, I don't ever want to be a hawkeye, but I may have no choice in the matter. Adam was invited for a residency interview at the University of Iowa and if he likes it and gets in, I just may have to live in Iowa City. I know Adam is very interested in this residency, so I suppose I can go with him if he decides on Iowa City but sorry honey.......
NOT EVER BECOMING A HAWKEYE NOR WEARING BLACK AND GOLD!

Bye Bye Baby Food

Well, Addy is now officially smarter than we ever thought she was! The girl WILL NOT take baby food anymore; and if you are lucky enough and think you are wrong, she spits it back out, rubs her hands in it and then rubs her hands in her face! What a MESS! She only will eat table food.......and she is now off all formula! YEAH! What a big day for Miss Addison. Daddy left again tonight for his U of M rotation; only 3 weeks left. He is enjoying himself and meeting some important people, so hopfully he can get in to the U for his residency? Only time will tell.

11 Months? Already?

Can you believe our little peanut turned 11 months old yesterday? You know....when people share with you how fast your children grow up and how you need to cherish every waking moment, and even some sleepy moments with them, they are so true! I found myself starring at Addy sleeping last night when I got home because I had a late night at work and couldn't put her to bed (thanks G'ma and Jen), but anyway....I could watch my little angel sleep all night if I could. I found myself reflecting on these past couple months and all that she has accomplished. I also was thinking if she loves us as much as we love her? I am just in awe and can't believe that my little one, once 7 pounds, will be turning one in a month! Sorry for the sob story and thanks for reading.

Go Vikes!!!!

I must say, what a way to end a great weekend! We finally beat those darn cheese-heads! Sorry Mandy....but I had to add it to my blog. I also want to wish the Mustangs the best of luck on their trip to Cedar Falls....Go Vikes and Go Mustangs.

I've always wanted to be a Golden Gopher

Adam heads to Minneapolis this weekend to start a nephrology rotation at the University of Minnesota. It is also one of his favorite residencies, so it will be interesting to see what he thinks of the program. It has been great having him around for the past couple weeks at home, but now he leaves again. Hopefully, in four short weeks, he will be back home. At least he gets to stay with Jon and Jodi (aunt and uncle) so he will be around family. We will miss him dearly!

Addy's New Obsession

So besides crackers (crackaaaahhhs), Addy's new obsession is climbing into any "box" type object. She has no fears right now and is scaring mommy and daddy everyday. Here are a couple "boxes" she enjoys climbing into. Especially clothes baskets...I tell her doing laundry shouldn't be as fun as she tends to make it!

Addy's First Fall

We thought before it gets crazy cold, we should get some pics of Addy outdoors. She loves to be outside and I feel more comfortable with her being outdoors now that she walks. Enjoy these pics of Addy and the family.

crack-aahhh

So, this post isn't what you think! Addy has said her first word (besides mama and dada)....Cracker. Can you believe it? Grandma Mary was snacking on some townhome crackers last week and Addy grabbed the cracker before she knew it. And Addy didn't even want to share with grandma after that. It is her new favorite snack and she walks around screaming "crackahhhh". Not ball, dog, car or anything like that.....cracker?

Addy's First Halloween

Well, we had an interesting time dressing our little one in her costume. She kept looking at us like we were crazy for doing it to her. I must say, she made the perfect angel; except she was a bit cranky because she missed her afternoon nap. We made it to G'ma's and G'pa's houses around the area as well as Carolyn Jones, our sitter. Here is a pic of the gang all dressed up! Enjoy...and don't mind her baby boobies in the pic. Sorry daddy.

Vanessa's Birthday

We had a great time over at Bridges Bay indoor waterpark celebrating Vanessa's 6th birthday. Addy looked great in her swimsuit......of course. If you haven't been there, you need to check it out. It was so much fun and the kids had a blast. I will leave the website for you if you are curious. Happy birthday VEEEEENESSA.

Jen's dream became reality

On Saturday morning, Jen was fortunate enough to travel to Sioux City, IA to attend a Palin rally....and Jen got to do more than just listen! Because of her "Hot chicks vote republican"button, she was interviewed by 3 tv stations and one radio station. So she has gotten the opportunity to meet Sean Hannity and Gov. Palin! Listen to Jen in action....(see career women for Palin link to right)

Interviews.....keep on coming!

After submitting his applications, Adam has been invited to interview at Hennepin County in Minneapolis, University of Kansas in Kansas City, University of Missouri in Columbia, Iowa Methodist in Des Moines and Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee for his residency. Congrats babe!

Philly here he comes...

On Monday, Adam will travel to Philadelphia to take his second round medical boards. I have to tell you, I thought he would be more nervous but he is so excited to go to Philly. Addy and I will miss him, but when he gets back he gets to spend the next two weeks with us; EVERY NIGHT! He will begin his radiology rotation in Fairmont, MN on Wednesday the 29th of October. Good Luck Honey....

Frandma and Frandpa Burdorf's

We had a wonderful time visiting G'ma and G'pa Burdorf's this weekend! It was great to see Addy's cousins Jenna and Brody and Aunt Jamie and Uncle Aaron. We spent the weekend relaxing, watching football and catching up. If you asked any of us, we wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for the wonderful weekend of memories!

Finally got me.....

So, I was finally talked into creating a blog....and although Mandy has tried very hard, and almost had me, I must say it was my in-laws (G'ma & G'pa Burdorf) that reeled me in. I think it is a great tool to allow others to keep up with our crazy, hectic lives....so here we are! I am looking very much forward to sharing our lives with our friends and families in a way I never thought I would. We will give it a shot anyway-we love you all.