Manda, This one is for you!

Ada Lorene was visiting with Carrie and the Twinadoes. Boy how time flies!

Picture Madness

Anyone who knows me knows I start to stress about pictures well before I even make the appointment. I worry about clothes that match, hair styles and if it will cooperate and of course now, if my almost 2 year old will be interested in having them done. Lots of planning goes into it before we even arrive for our appt. When I get their I am usually comforted in knowing that we are in capable hands and that our photographer will do her job. Boy was I wrong today. What a nightmare. I have been raving about how wonderful Portrait Innovations is since they opened last fall. I told several people and still do that they do wonderful pictures and that they should definately go there and give them a try. I have told them that the photographers are wonderful with kids and that they get on the floor and take great pride in their candid shots. I also told everyone they are very patient and will work with you and team up to help if need be. I have bragged that they take a good amount of time to show you your options and what they were able to shoot.

That was my fantasy world aparently or else they have just really gone down hill since last year. We have had many a beautiful picture taken there, but our Christmas pictures were a mess. We waited almost 45 min to go past our appt time. By then Madison was not in the best of moods and our photographer took 1 pose and franl=kly decided Madison was "busy" and at that point as far as I am concerned gave up. She pretty just sat there on the floor taking an occasional picture. And I say occasional. I mean it's not like they were wasting film... they are digital! SHe never posed us again, and Aaron and I found ourselves lost trying to pose the three of us, mak her smile and remember to look at the camera. Then they wisked us off to the next room where th madness cont. I even made the comment that she didn't have to be perfect, that candid was good. I finally told er to take the picture. A lot of good shots were missed. I am so dissapointed. Then she rushed us throught our selctions and didn't even go over our free items with us. Needless to say I was very dissapointed. They attitde there was, Let's quickly get all these people out of here. I don't know what else to say. I am not sure if I will go back.

Through all this we managed to get a couple of "okay" shots. I may be calling sears to see if they have any openings.

No rhyme or reason, just history, take 2

Madison is busy spinning herself dizzy in the kitchen and then wobbling into the living room to sing with Sesame Street, so I thought I'd look at a few more pictures of her in her first year! It's hard not to reflect on what you are thankful for this time of year. Sometimes nights at work are tough and all you need is to come home and pick your baby up and squeeze them. It makes you thankful that you are blessed with tantrums and the occasional sleepless nights. She is learning so much. She is saying J and juggle and jiggle and jump with the tv right now!

And for those of who who didn't know me pregnant, this proves I am no liar!

no rhyme or reason, just history

My boots!

Check out my new boots! I love them so much. I didn't want to take them off even at bedtime!

Mother of the Year...

So, I've entered into the running for mother of the year... right up there with Britney Spears. While I was at work the other night Madison and Daddy were doing their normal night routine. That's what I thought at work... Turns out, I had left a half cup of McDonald's sweet tea on my bedside table (for a couple of days) and Madison had a mouthful of it before spitting it out. Daddy got the cup and yep, MOLD!! She seemed fine and then threw up before bed. I got the call from a very preturbed Aaron, but I could totally understand. I feel terrible. My poor baby. Time to wake up! SHe is playing blocks right now so sweet! So all you mom's out there, send a message my way with your mommy bloopers and cheer me up!

When Daddy packs the diaper bag...

You never know what you are gonna get! This is how she spent the day Monday. Thank goodness she didn't have to go anywhere but Grandma's house!

Identity confusion

So, recently Madison has been calling me MOM on occasion. Doesn't carrying a child for 9 months and the birthing that child secure that you are MOMMY at least util they are 5? Just checking =o) But seiously. I tell her that my name is not MOM, it's MOMMY! And while we are talking about that she haas been saying "Dang it" (thanks daddy) and mine! (also a daddy special) do you see the pattern? ANd Poppy asked her today if she needed her pants changed and she said... "no, I'm fine!" Ahhh.. she is growing so fast and we love her so much. I wonder if she will ever truly know?

Turkey Day in recap!

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! We had a blast of a busy day. Madison let us sleep in until 8:45 and by 11am we were at Grandma and Grandpa's for round one! The weather was beautiful and we took full advantage of it! We chased leaves, gathered acorns and took a walk. We had some turkey too! Madison even toppled off of a step onto the ground. I was upset at first, but it is funny now. If I could figure out how to add video... or do anything else to this stupid thing, I would. you would find it funny too I'm sure. Daddy had a nap while "watching football." and then we headed off to grandma and Poppy's house for round 2!

Madison fell asleep about 20 min before we got there so she was a little cranky for a bit, but we made it okay. She had a huge pile of leaves waiting for her at Poppy's but is rained just before we got there and she wasn't much interested in playing with them wet. She instead took Poppy over to the shed to the "tracor"and had some driving lessons. She rode right through the leaves! Believe it or not my camera died, so when Aaron can show me how to load pictures from the camcorder, I will! After a lillte more food and several popsicles, we mde it home safe and sound and Madison and I fell into the bed ata about 9pm and woke up this morning at 9am!

Box slide

So, to explain some of the pictures posted on the last entry...

Madison just got her very own PotteryBarn Kids table and chairs. She has been hosting tea parties since! She also had a blast with the box. It doubles as a super fast and fun slide!! I will try to be better about updating, but she is super busy. Bear with me!! Love to get comments so send them my way!

Terrible Two's?

Yes, I would say she is opinionated, and even a bit outspoken at times, but I wouldn't call this period terrible. I enjoy her antics. She keeps a smile on my face and my feet jumping! Madison has been such a joy and blessing. She is picking up so fast. Today I was in her room sorting clothes and cleaning and I called Aaron who was downstairs. "Aaron..." No answer... "Honey..." No answer. So what does Madison do?? She goes to the gate and plain as day yells for "HOOONNNEEEYY!!" Then she says "AAAOOONN!!!" She was copying me! She is so smart and full of character. She has also decided friday nights are her stay up late whenther you like it or not nights. She ends up laying in bed with me and nurses on and off until she thinks I have fallen asleep, then she very quietly edges off the bed and bolts. That's when I know it is time to rock her in her room again. As tired as I am on Fridays, and often like to go to bed early, I cherish my extra time with her.

We went to see Santa this weekend. She loved him again. Aaron and I are going to take her back again closer to Christmas with the video camera. She also chased the "snow People" down the hall at the mall yelling "Please" until she got to hug them. Then she very politley said "thank you"

I can't wait for Christmas! I love this time of year, and to have a child rekindles the spirit. I am so excited to see how she does this year. It should be a blast, and I know sha alerady have some very cool stuff headed her way!

LOOK WHAT FOLLOWED ME HOME!

Madison is also getting Butterscotch for Christmas. We are going to need to bay a barn soon! =o) Isn't she rotten?

what's up doc?

I guess the first and probrably the hardest lesson a parent must learn is that ultimatley, a child, your child, has their very own destiny and that they will choose it themselves despite your nagging!

Toddlers discover quickly that they have their own mind to make up. We as parents spend all of our time dreaming on what we want for our children (as they grow... for instance a career), what sports we want them to play, or not play and stressing over ways to protect them at all cost. The vast reality is this... We have truely done our jobs as parents if our children become happy healthy adults, or at best if they can learn from the mistakes that they make.

Today, while I was sleeping Madison and her Daddy went to Ma-maw's and Pa-paw's to watch football. There Madison got a new toy. A doctor kit. (I have been wanted to get her one, so thank you =oP ) Aaron was telling me how she was wearing her stethoscope and listening to everyones heart and her own going "dah-ter"(doctor)and using the otoscope to look at peoples mouth and tell them "Ahhhh" I love it! What a smart little thing. She is so full of personality! I love to watch her discover and explore new things. I hope she continues to explore and play until she finds that one thing that is just right for her... and no matter what we will be there for her to catch her is she falls. As long as she is happy, we will have done our job!

expanding vocabulary

Sorry t has been so long between updates. It has just been pretty busy. Yesterday Madison got a haircut. It must be her 5th or so. I was looking at her pictures from her 1st Birthday, and wow has she changed. I can't believe it has been 9 months. Soon she will be two. We are working on many things. Occasionally she decides out of no-where to use the potty. I haven't dne much with potty training in a while, but as she keeps showing me she is intersted, we may pick back up on it. SHe also throws words out like it is nobody's business.Things like Polar bear, haircut, elephant, "...etc. She is also mastering her flashcards from the crayola factory. We are still working on colors. She knows all of the colors and calls them out randomly. Most of the time everything is "yellyo" but when you show her yellow it is "bwue, puhple, or geen" We are getting there. I hope everyone is well. For those who are not feeling so great, we are including you in our prayers. Oh yeah, Madison loves to kiss her rosary beads that Jill gave her and say " yuv you Jee-Jees" I only told her what it was once. Isn't it funny how she just knew?

"Trick-Tree-bye-bye"

Happy Halloween, or the day after. Yesterday was a big day, so I fell into the bed not too long after Madison kicked her sugar high. I'm thinking it is a good thing I picked up dental insurance on her this year. Princess Madison seemed to thouroughly enjoy her 2nd Halloween. She has now offically been trick-or-treating.

Her debut was at Ma-Maw's work. They were well stocked with mini m&m's and smarties. Madison figured the whole thing out pretty quick. "MMM... I do something cute, I get candy..." SHe would walk up and hold out her hand, get the candy safely in her bucket and follow with "tank choo" or "trick tree-bye bye" She was so stinking cute, and boy did she know it.

She had so much fun at mom's that we had to go see Poppy. SHe walked up and down the sidewalk in front of Poppy's work too. She helped with office work both places too. Lokk out Gandpa, or a very sneaky clown may just pop out of your breifcase and surprise you at your office!

A quick trip to Giant and then home for the big show. Madison helped hand out candy at the door first, and after dinner we took her trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. She had a blast! Everyone thought she was adorable. She even gave a little 3 year old dressed as a princess a hug! I can only imagine how much fun she'll be next year.

Forgive me, there are a lot of pictures... and maybe some duplicates. That is the joy of little hands helping!
















Happy Halloween, or the day after. Yesterday was a big day, so I fell into the bed not too long after Madison kicked her sugar high. I'm thinking it is a good thing I picked up dental insurance on her this year. Princess Madison seemed to thouroughly enjoy her 2nd Halloween. She has now offically been trick-or-treating.

Her debut was at Ma-Maw's work. They were well stocked with mini m&m's and smarties. Madison figured the whole thing out pretty quick. "MMM... I do something cute, I get candy..." SHe would walk up and hold out her hand, get the candy safely in her bucket and follow with "tank choo" or "trick tree-bye bye" She was so stinking cute, and boy did she know it.

She had so much fun at mom's that we had to go see Poppy. SHe walked up and down the sidewalk in front of Poppy's work too. She helped with office work both places too. Lokk out Gandpa, or a very sneaky clown may just pop out of your breifcase and surprise you at your office!

A quick trip to Giant and then home for the big show. Madison helped hand out candy at the door first, and after dinner we took her trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. She had a blast! Everyone thought she was adorable. She even gave a little 3 year old dressed as a princess a hug! I can only imagine how much fun she'll be next year.

Forgive me, there are lots of pctures!