Goodbye dear friend

It is with a heavy heart that I type this. We found out this morning that our dear friend Todd Fitzsimmons was killed in a car accident. This came as a big shock to our system (me specifically). Todd was one of the groomsmen in my wedding, and while he did not have the "best man" title on that day he was one of the best men that I ever had the pleasure of knowing. With enthusiasm that was contagious to all those around him, you couldn't help but love having him around. He will be missed by many friends and even more so by his family, which he always had animated and heartfelt stories that showed just how much they loved each other. We were all blessed to have Todd in our lives and he was taken from us at much too young of an age.

Myself, Phil, Jacob and Todd in front of ESU on my wedding day

For the rest of this life I will look forward to seeing you in the next.

Danica's Post

Lucas usually posts on here but, I have something that I would like to share...our success with a new nightly routine. 

7:00-7:20  2nd solid Feeding (usually a vegetable because it is "heavier")

7:20-7:30 Addison plays on floor by herself, while I clean up dinner and get stuff ready for her bedtime

7:30- 8:00  Addison and I play on the floor (at the end of this time we put toys away together...basically me having her grab toys and holding the toy box next to her)

8:00-8:15   Begin our routine, in her bedroom with the noise machine on, and lights off

1. P.J.'s on while she starts a bottle
2. Cuddle with snuggle toy in Mommy's lap
3. Finish the bottle while mom reads Addison's two favorite books
4. Then Mommy rubs Addison's back, while humming a lullaby
5. Addison falls fast asleep and is placed into bed, where she cuddles with the snuggle toy more

8:15  Mommy and Daddy have the evening to themselves!  

I know it all seems quite simple, but we have been having a lot of trouble with bed time recently.  Addison is teething and going through a separation anxiety phase.  And as most of you know when you are a parent you celebrate the small victories as much as the large ones. 

Happy Birthday to my Wife and Brother

Happy Birthday to my great wife, Danica Mitchell and my brother Jacob Mitchell!!!

Well their birthday is on Friday but figured since I was updating now I would throw it in there. 

Went to Newton last week to visit the family down there. Had a pretty good visit. Got to spend a lot of time with family and see a plethora of different friends, some of whom hadn't met our little princess yet. 

Speaking of Addison she is right on the cusp of crawling. She is very close and can get her little hands and knees under herself but doesn't realize what she needs to do from there. She will be getting plenty of tummy time so that she can work the kinks out. Granted the second she knows how to crawl its good night nurse as we try to contain her. 

Well we are watching Shrek 4 so I will sign off for the moment.  

Have a wonderful afternoon. 

Baby Alarm Clock/Its Been Awhile

So it has been a long while since I updated this. I always mean to and then I just get distracted by something shiny and forget. I figured though since Addison woke me up early I would knock out an update.

Addison has been rolling and scooting and can basically go every direction but forward, which frustrates her. She is starting to connect the dots on crawling and is bringing her knees up to try to get on all fours but I think we still have a bit until she is all over the house like Aden (my nephew). She has begun self soothing herself in a different way now. She rubs her head, sometimes with both hands, to the point where now she has two little tracks in her hair. We took her swimming the other day for the first time. At first she seemed a little uneasy but then by the end she was splashing around and having fun. I look forward to taking her to the pool a few more times this summer.

As for us parents. Danica had two wisdom teeth pulled on Friday and is now recovering from that. She has to call the dentist because we are pretty sure he sewed her cheek in with the stitches (which shouldn't be done) and so now we need them to possibly fix that.

I ran in my first 5K on Sunday in Gardner. I finished in 35:45 which is well under my 40 minute goal so I was pretty happy. I really enjoyed doing it and I plan on trying to run one a month to help me on my toes.

Now for some pictures.

Addison at the pool, looking cool.

Basically the coolest, cutest baby ever.

Phil and I before the race began. It was supposed
to rain but it it didn't and the clouds kept it pretty cool.

Me coming into the finish line. 

Bragging moment

So I just wanted to take a moment to brag on my daughter. She has yet to get fussy in a store and or in a restaurant (knock on wood). I mean today for instance. I went for sushi with Bowman and I expected Addison to fall a sleep but she didn't. She just sat there smiling and playing with her meow the whole time. Then the second I got home she lost it because she was hungry. This happens with the store as well. I will be at the store and when I get home she will have hunger cries. Its great its like in her little baby brain it registers "I've never been fed here before, so therefore it probably won't happen today." I realize she probably doesn't think like that but its my daughter so I can put words in her mouth.

Also she is now rolling both ways (there for a while I called her Zoolander because she couldn't turn left) and is all over the living room. Her latest endeavor is to get underneath everything. The couch and her blanket thats on the ground being the main quests. Several times I have come back from the bathroom or doing dishes to find a set of baby legs peaking out from under a blanket.

Welp that's about it. Just thought I would spout off about how awesome Addison is.

Moving skills increasing. Hide and seek skills? still lacking.

Laughing Out Loud

We've had a couple fun weeks. 

Addison has learned to roll over, and hasn't stopped since. We put a blanket down so that she doesn't get all rug burned up while she clumsily makes her way around the living room. After baby sitting Aden today it is apparent that she also wants to begin crawling as she watched Aden with amazement. But we are probably a ways away from that. She is also becoming more and more animated and squealing with laughter (which will be exhibited in the below video). 

Addison stayed with her grandparents on Saturday and made it through the whole night over there this time. Last weekend wasn't as successful. Then on Sunday we went back over there and had a bunch of good food. Addison was great during the day while we were there. She got to see her grandparents and two sets of great grandparents which was fun for all. 

That will be about it. But if you want to see the cutest baby every squeal like Babe the pig then you should most definitely watch the video below.  

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you mom's out there.

Specifically to you Danica the best mother and the best teacher that a daughter could have. I love you and hope you have a great day.

Also to my mom Ms. Jean Mitchell. The best mother and teacher that I could have had. Thank you and I love you.