"Making Memories of Us": 5 1/2 weeks :)

Okay, so we're a little late with this post...

The computer is up and running again (for now). My computer is being fixed as we speak and will hopfully be back to us by the new year and then Shaye's can be sent off for its solution. Darn technology - so great and yet so frustrating at times!

Madelyn loves laying under the Christmas tree.

Where did we leave off?

Well, after taking Jessica back to the airport - I got to have a full five days without extra help, and 3 of those days I was flying solo as Shaye was sent to work in Germany. Those of course were the days that Madelyn chose to be a pill. Cried every time I put her down ( I blame Auntie for this ;). Wonder how she'll be when Grandma and Grandpa leave? I guess people don't know what they are talking about when they say "you can't spoil a baby!" Okay, she is not spoiled, just really loved - but how can mommy continue this love and the cleaning, laundry, cooking, and not to mention blog updates? You know you would all be super disappointed!

Last week, Shaye gave Madelyn her first bottle (breastmilk of course)! She took to it really well. It is a little quicker than she is used to, but after the first couple of minutes, she seems to get the hang of it. This has been a nice bonding experience for Daddy and Maddy and allows Mommy to do other things from time to time.

Mom flew in on Friday, Shaye was still out of country, and my friend Erica and her daughter Sophia came with to keep me company (and tend to Madelyn in the car "just in case"). Everyone did great and Maddy slept the whole time. Mom was excited to meet Madelyn and got her first reminder of baby changing as Maddy peed while the diaper was off allowing her to get a new outfit!

Friday night we took Mom to Shaye's work Christmas party. We had some good food at a local pub and got to pop crackers (a tradition here in England, I'll explain it more with our Christmas posting). Inside are the crowns that you'll see in the pictures below. Mom brought Madelyn a BEAUTIFUL Christmas dress and she was adorable. Somehow we managed to take only pictures while she was being held. Not to worry, this dress will be back on for Christmas and we will get a proper photo so that the dress may be seen in all its glory!

On Saturday, we promptly put mom to work making Christmas goodies at a friend's house so we could thank everyone who made us dinner the week after Madelyn arrived! Sunday, I took some time away from home to finish the Christmas plates and volunteer gift wrapping for a group I belong to. Mom and Shaye were left with milk and held down the fort.

Making caramels.

Maddy enjoyed her corner of the kitchen. No, it is not a dog bed (we were asked!)

We have had a pretty slow week, but I still can't manage to get much done or out of the house before noon! Hopefully I figure this out eventually...

Madelyn is sleeping better, but then as I say that, we will probably have another "off" night. She is becoming more routine and giving me 3 hours between feeds. She is also getting the hang of 'eat- sleep', 'eat-sleep', and I am happily spending about 30 minutes in her room. Before she would 'eat-party -sleep' and it would take me 1 to 1 1/2 hours to get her back to bed.

After a bath...

Madelyn got to take her first bath in water this week too. We have been putting her on a net that floats above the water, but she really enjoyed having her bottom in it for a change. She is so good with baths!

To give you a better idea of how Maddy looks...
Tuesday, we took Madelyn to my old school to meet some friends. At one stop, I was asked, "Is her father Italian or what?" Another friend went on and on about how beautiful her skin is. "What beautiful olive skin she has!" Thankfully, she doesn't appear to have Mommy's color and although Daddy is whiter than ever (since living in England), it looks as though Madelyn will take after him and tan nicely over burning like a lobster!

This is the outfit she was wearing for all her skin compliments!

Wednesday we spent the day at Cadbury world. Erica and Sophia joined us again for a day of chocolate - YUMMY! We had a nice tour, lot of samples, some shopping, and Sophie even got a little play time in the cold! I only got confused twice with the carriageways, but thankfully Tom Tom got us back on route and we made it there and back successfully!

Part of the tour was darker with lights in the trees and some loud music playing (see the picture below). Madelyn was snoozing off and on and once we walked through the doors to this area, she gave us the greatest look... Well, you'll just have to check it out below... priceless I think!

Erica and Sophia on part of the tour.

She stayed like this during the whole "forest walk" :)

Daisy is doing well with Maddy too. She always checks in the car seat when we get home to see that she is still there and when I'm not in the room, she promptly takes her place next to the baby (I guess she realizes she must be pretty special!). Although, she is not up and down all night with me anymore, she will often stroll into her room to see that she is still in her crib, especially if Madelyn goes to bed before Daisy! What a pair :)