All for Mamaw Judy and GREAT Uncle Alan...

Madison was enjoying her doughnut this morning and wanted to send out a special hello. Please excuse the chocolate on her face!

"Weeeee..."

Toddlin Time was a blast again today. The whole way there Madison was saying "I play? I play?" She was so excited. She made a few friends and even hugged a little boy who got a boo boo. After that we went to eat at Cracker Barrel to cash in on the free meals we got from the salt shaker incident with "Stephanie" Guess who was our waitress?? Carrie and I about crawled out of our skin, but all went well. She did however take everything off of the table that wasn't bolted down before we sat down. that included the salt and pepper! Well, off for family time. i'll leave you with a short video for your viewing pleasure!

And finally there's snow!

Well, I couldn't take the chance that this would be all over before nap time was done, so Madison and I braved the weather early. Se had been standing at the window tell me snow... snow! So, out we went. She was really bundled and I don't think she could lift her legs much, but she was warm! It went from flurries to about 3 inches in 45 min! She dove right in and even made a few snow angels! The playground was fun and the slides were fast! She made snow balls and jumped around a lot. She never once complained of being cold! Of course there are pictures, and even video. If I can figure it all out I'll share! Wish we had a sled!

How long has it been?

I think I may have actually broken my record for length of time without blogging. I have had a lot to talk about, just no time to do it. Work has been hectic, and life around work busy. Last week Madison and I started her little play gym classes at Toddlin Time. She loves it. It is full of colorful soft toys that she can climb on and interact with other children. THey spend the first part of the class in free play and then have a circle time of sorts at the end of class. THey do parachute play, sing songs and do dances and felt board about numbers and letters. She is even learning how to share. She is in a class with 2 and 3 year olds. She hangs right in with the 3 year olds. I took lots of pictures on the first day and vow not to be "that mom" you know, the one with the camera everywhere we go?? I am failing miserably, but didn't break it out at all on our second class.

We acquired a second child for 24 hours Thursday morning. A friend from work has a little girl who is almost 5 months old and needed someone to keep her until Friday. We picked her up and then head over to see Carrie and her twinadoes and little Ada. Madison loved the play date. She and Ada played well together and Ada quickly became my buddy. What a beautiful little girl! Eventually we headed to my house with the twins and Alyx in tow. Madison had so much fun. Once the house was quiet it became apparent how smitten she was with baby Alyx, an not at all jealous! Alexis loved her too. In the car Madison was holding Alyx's hand and when her mommy came to pick her up Madison cried "no, baby Alyk, no... wait baby Alyk, stop..." She was so sad, but it was soon time to go to class and she forgot all about her little buddy.

Madison and I even went out to eat all by oursleves this last week! We went to Olive Garden. It was pretty nice. I love spending time with her. Someone said I seemed like an only child mother. I take it as a compliment. I also hope I can be a good mother to more than one child. I would love to have two, maybe three.

Manda, I really enjoyed Monday night. It was nice to get to talk, and thank you for sharing your experiences and telling me a little more about Ada and Aleah. Everyone couldn't get over Ada, the littlest nurse on the floor that night! It was a lot of fun, and I can't wait to meet WIlla. IF all is well I hope to see you guys Thursday and am looking for someone to cover call for Saturday!

Madison has had a vocabulary explosion. I am amazed at how much she has picked up on and am actually finding myself having conversations with my little girl! Her birthday is right around the corner. I can't wait, but I have a lot to do! It has to be at our house b/c I procrastinated on booking the date at Toddlin Time. So, My house it is. Not optimal for a handful or two of toddlers, but we'll make it work! Gotta shampoo carpets, declutter and clean!

Well, it is day 3 for our class today. I'll keep you updated! Hope everyone's day is great. i am waiting for Madison to wake up so I can squeeze her! Had a bad dream... The kind that you don't shake until you fill your arms with you baby and your nose with her smell...

Go SKINS!!!

or is it Seahawks? I think she might be undecided!

For 2008

Well, here it is 4 am and I am awake with thoughts of laundry, dishes and vacuuming. On top of that, I have already failed my first goal of the New Year...

#1~ I will make a concentrated effort not to procrastinate. Like I said, I've already broken this one... it is Jan 4 already and I have yet to give my farewell to 2007, so this will have to do.

#2~ This follows closely with #1. I vow not to let the tags on my car go dead and drive around more than a month without knowing it. (2 years in a row)

#3~ I will be proud if what I have accomplished as a mom. I breast fed for 22 months. It was hard in the beginning and hard in the end, but very worth it. That being said, it's nice to have what resembles my body back.

#4~ I will work on my "Mother's Guilt." While it is true that every decision I make as a parent effects Madison, they will not all be substantial and life altering. I will accept the fact that I have to work and that I am being the best mom i can be while working full time.

#5~ I will try to let go of the guilt that I have to sleep after working and remind myself that working days right now would mean 3 days without seeing Madison at all. Eventually I will go part time and possible days/evening, however, it is not feasible now.

#6~ I will try to make more time for Aaron. That means I will have to try to allow time away from Madison on occasion. I know she likes a break from us every once in a while.

#7~ I will limit my "impulse buying" this year. I will make a list and do my best to try not to come home with more than 1 item not on my list.

#8~ I will start saving money for he future. This will in turn make it easier to to take leave with our next child... no, not yet, but a good two years of saving is good...

#9 I will join the YMCA and work out so that I can be healthy to watch Madison and any other children grow. (yep, I'm one of the 70% of women who make this resolution.)

#10~ We hope to sell our house and buy a smaller one. I will make an effort to keep up with our current house, and if we do buy a new one, I will keep it clean.

#11~ I will enjoy each hug, kiss and slobbery raspberry. I will enjoy watching my husband look at our daughter with complete love and joy in his eyes, and I will fall in love with him over and over each day... even if i wan to whack him occasionally!

So~ there it is. I will do my best. Wish me luck =o)

Heart Attack

So, she made my heart stop again. I went into the kitchen to fix lunch (less than 1 minute) I had barely gotten to refrigerator open when all was quiet in the living room. Here's why...





Little Monkey!

23 months!

This is the last official month birthday for Madison before she is two! I can't believe how fast time had gone. I feel like I just left the hospital with her! If you read my blog from yesterday you already know how active she is. SHe is still loving Sesame Street and loves to sing along. She also still loves Dora and now The Backyardigans. She is really learning a lot. She even likes to watch The Smurfs! I'm sure I will have something exciting to blog about by the end of the day...

Under the weather

Hooray for 3 hour naps... I just wish I felt better now. I feel very run down and off. I am achey and a little sore. I am hoping it's just a little bug, but I guess it could be my thyroid again. Most likely just a bug.

I put Madison down for her nap and started my own at 1pm today. I woke up at 4 pm and se was still asleep. I felt rested for about 30 min, but I am still loving time with Madison. She is pretending to bake now. That's right ma-maw, she is making muffins.

She was a little lazy on the couch today too. I got some pictures. She also dressed up with Daddy and Butterscotch yesterday. Here's a few pics....

Amazed

In the past week I have been amazed over and over again at how fast our little girl is growing. She is talking up a storm and becoming so grown! Here are a few examples of what she is dong...

It was snowing here a bit this morning when we went to take Aaron the train. As we returned I was carrying Madison in and she giggles and said "snow tictilled" Which in Madison-ese is Snow tickled! It melted my heart.

We went to Outback last night with Ma-maw and Pa-Paw. As we went in she saw the ducks. She said "Goose" Hey, close enough for me! She's not quite two you know!

While we were eating the football game came on and she pointed to the tv and said "foo-ball yeah!" Guess all those Sundays with Daddy got her hooked... I'm out numbered.

At a commercial a picture of an arrow came on, She said, you guessed it... "aarow"

She also has figured out her colors and now says "yellow" instead of "yelyo" I miss it already.

She is recognizing some of her letters. Thanks Sesame Street and all of her cool magnetic letters.

She is also able to count some. I'm so proud.

She loves to play pretend, she dresses up in dress up clothes too!

She asks for "kettup" with fries and "srup" with pancakes!

I would write all of her new phrases, but you would be here a while! =o)

One of my favorites...

Aaron was watching her on Sunday while I slept for work and they had just eaten breakfast. He said he went to put the dishes away and quiet fell over the living room. So he came into the living room and couldn't find her anywhere. He checked the gates, both closed... He said frantically "Madison, where are you?" Dead silence. About 15-20 seconds later he hears in this sweet little voice "arrrrreee yyyyoooouuu??" It came from the toy box! She had climbed in and pulled it closed and was peeping out of the crack! Funny now, but not so much then...

I will post pics soon and eventually my goodbye to '07.

Welcome 2008. May we all be healthy and happy.

Almost Party time!