Look Who's Standing!

Wow, every week I feel like there's something new to report. Maddie's two front top teeth are through but I think they may still be bothering her... she's been drooling like crazy and chewing on everything in site. Either that, or there are more coming in that I just can't see/feel.

Ok Maddie, time to slow down.. mom isn't ready for a walking baby yet. I was just getting used to you crawling. She does a modified crawl on tile and the grass, guess she doesn't like her knees to touch so she gets up on her tippy-toes, butt in the air, and crawls. It reminds me of those large walking machines on Star Wars. :) She's super fast when she sees something she wants, usually something she isn't suppose to have, like dad's boots or mom's flip flips.

We bought her a shopping cart last weekend and now she's doing this! (Actually she was pulling herself up first but this actually gives her something to grab onto that she won't bash her head on.) Mostly she kneels next to it for now but usually if we're sitting close to her, she'll go to stand. Let's hope she remembers to use her coupons when shopping!




Yesterday we went to JcPenney Portraits to have her 9 month photos taken. I think I may make the situation worse by trying too hard to get her to smile, but she hates sitting on the "dot" and not being able to move. Combine that with hot lights and the photographer making strange noises to grab her attention and you get a cranky baby. I brought our little friend Hannah along because she always laughs when Hannah is around but not even that was working. Poor Maddie just sat there looking at us and just when we thought she "might" smile, she busted out in tears!

Funny thing is, she was in a great mood on the way there, and on the way back, little stinker! Anyhow, we did get a few cute photos (of course!) They should be ready at the end of the month and I'll post then.

Our First Family Vacation

We had such a great time! Let me tell you, we aren't "heat/sun" people so going to a place that's 111 degrees during the day and 80 degrees at night probably wasn't the smartest move but our plan was to play in the pool and that's exactly what we did. We got a great rate at the Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, just outside of Palm Springs. (could it have been because that's the only way to get people there? lol) We brought lots of sunscreen and water... and used both constantly. Never having travelled with a baby before, I didn't realize how much "stuff" we'd be bringing. Yeh, let's just say Matt's truck was filled!

Upon arrival we were upgraded to a King room which was awesome! It had a full kitchen with beautiful granite counter tops, a large dining table and ginourmous jacuzzi tub. Maddie had lots of room to play and of course was fascinated with everything dangerous including the fireplace and coffee table. She's such a fast crawler these days AND is now pulling herself up. Oh boy!

We spent each day either in the pool, with parents taking turns going down the waterslide, or hanging out in our air conditioned room which was welcomed after the walk from the pool or around the property. I think we all let out a sigh of relief (including Maddie) upon entering our home away from home. 3 nights was just perfect for our little getaway.

On the way home we stopped at the Palm Springs Aeriel Tramway. The ride up was beautiful and the weather was about 40 degrees cooler at the top so that was wonderful. We didn't stay too long knowing we might hit a bit of traffic on our way back. We planned both drives around Maddie's nap schedule (what schedule!) so she did sleep just over an hour each way which made the 2.45 hours go much faster. She's not a big fan of being strapped into anything for that long.

Overall the trip was a huge success. It was a great break for Matt to get away from work and the change in daily routine was very much welcomed by me. I also think it has helped to prepare us for our October trip to WI. She'll be almost 1 and hopefully the airport and plane ride will be pleasant.. if anything, it will be adventurous!

Yay Summer!

There wasn't much out there! This was taken just before we reached the resort.


Matt made his world famous fajitas! Soooo goood and we saved tons of money by eating in every meal except for one.


We brought our own chair to feed Maddie in. It's the perfect size for her and strapped to the chair to keep her safe.


Up early and ready for the pool!


There's a large pond area and connecting waters with lots of ducks so we stopped to feed them a few times.



Baby jail! "Let me outta here!"


Our only family photo from the trip


Maddie's two top teeth have broken through and this is her face most of the time lately. I'm guessing the air feels funny on them, either that or she's become very cynical in her early life... sneering at all! :)



Proof of the heat! It was so hot I could barely touch the car door handle.


Maddie on the Aerial Tramway, the ride up.


Daddy and Maddie.. both very happy to be out of the hot weather.


Mommy and Maddie.. the weather was so beautiful on the top of the mountain.

Photo Updates

If you click on this photo you can see her top tooth that has broken through and the one next to it is about to appear. Her new thing is hanging her tongue out Michael Jordan style. We have it on video but I'll try to get a photo... our stupid camera is so slow!



Fourth of July: Maddie's oh-so-patriotic outfit. It was very hot at Lake Casitas so after awhile she lost the dress part of the outfit and she just wore her star-spangled bloomers!




Fun in the backyard on Saturday. I love weekends where we can just relax as a family and sit on a blanket. :)
First Maddie and Mya played with Matt's shoelaces. Gross, I know! Hopefully nobody calls child protective services on us!




Got Cankles?


We're getting ready for our first family vacation. For some reason I thought Palm Springs would be a great idea... I just realized it's 110 degrees there and the low is 80! Let's hear it for air conditioning and a great pool! I'll be sure to post photos when we get back next weekend.

Maddie's 2009 so far

Our little one is getting her third tooth in (front upper right). That explains the wakeful nights and runny nose for the past three weeks. She's having fun discovering this foreign object... spitting is her new thing. :) The baby talk continues too.. soon she'll be saying da-da-da and really mean it!

Here's a look at Maddie's monthly photos all together from Jan 09-July 09.

Happy 4th of July!

We'll be visiting some of our camping friends at Lake Casitas today. It's suppose to be in the high 80's! Good thing Maddie has a cute flag themed dress to wear. I'll be sure to post photos later in the week. I miss camping! (camping with a microwave shower and a bed that is!)
Tomorrow we're off to visit with some friends that we haven't seen in a really long time. It will be nice just to chit chat and catch up. They have three kids so hopefully they'll have fun with Maddie.

Why do babies have to grow up so fast? Just when I was getting use to taking care of a little one, she's getting so big! I barely remember what it was like to hold such a light little on in my arms. For the past two days she's been full on "baby-talking".. ga ga ga ga and da da da da (much to Matt's delight!). She's so stinking cute! Seriously Maddie, stop changing for one week. I'm not ready to chase you around and have you sass back just yet.





Changing diapers lately is like alligator wrestling. Sometimes she's totally fine and yes, I give her a toy every time to entertain herself.. other times she twists and turns like you wouldn't believe. All I can do it attach the fasteners and hope the darn diaper doesn't fall off! I feel like I work in the pit crew at the Indy 500... ready, set, go, and she's off!! whew Thankfully we haven't had any alligator rolls during a poop diaper...yet!

Can you believe it's been 8 months? Not only is she full on crawling, but she's starting to pull herself up. She is either on all fours with her legs straight and butt in the air, or leaning on a toy or in her crib and on her knees. Oh goodness!