Dimino Family: Maddie Says Hi and Go Broncos!

11 month photo.. it's getting harder to keep her in the chair for her monthly photo

We've been busy, busy, busy! The days are really going by fast. I think it tends to do that once we reach Fall and before you know it, it's New Years Eve! This year I plan on slowing down and taking time to enjoy every moment of our little one.

I've been busy working on ideas for her birthday party and also coordinating my grandma's 80th birthday in WI. We leave next week and I can't wait to see all my family and friends.. especially my Aunt Mary. We haven't seen each other since I was much younger. We've reconnected via email and it's been fun getting to know her.. almost like I have a new friend that I really enjoy sharing with. She's so great and I can't wait to give her a hug. Not only that, but most of family has never met Maddie so it will be fun showing her off. I cherish my grandma and can't wait for her to meet Maddie. We'll be staying at her house.. hope she's ready for some crying and poopy diapers! :)

Miss Maddie seems to be evolving every day. More and more, she's like a little person instead of a baby. She's starting to talk (when she feels like it). She's said "dada" for awhile and actually meant it. We heard "hi" out of her the other day (check out the video below) and tonight I could of sworn she said "baby" when pointing to her photo while she got into her jammies.

She's starting to actually use her sign language. She knows the signs for baby, more, eat, and milk. She won't do them all the time and so far, it's just mimicking us after we do them or say the word but it's certainly a start and so cute, especially "baby" which is holding your arms together and rocking a baby in the cradle. Everytime I try to capture on video, she hears the beep from the camcorder and tries to attack us.. lol.

She's very big into pointing lately. I try to reward her communication by commenting about whatever I think she's pointing to. We have had a balloon in our living room for two weeks or so now and she LOVES it. If we ask her where the balloon is, she points straight to it.. same for her Cheerios, the kitty, and her large stuffed teddy "Bob" and a Little People named "Roberto". (aka Crista's dad.. inside joke)

It's so much fun watching the little wheels in her brain twirl as she discovers all these new things around her and expresses to us that she gets it! She's a little ham, standing behind her exersaucer and poking her head on the side or through toys to make us laugh. At the playground, she makes all kinds of noise until someone looks at her and comments on how cute she is. :) "Look at me everyone, I can go down the slide!"

Wish us luck on our plane ride there and back.. I'll report on all the fun when we return.

Maddie's first big boo-boo and just two weeks before professional birthday photos. :) She's ok and healing well.. little mishap with the front door and the welcome mat not being so welcoming that day. As you can tell from the photo, it didn't keep her down!