SO BIG!

Well, nothing really exciting happened this week. Mommy had a cold and spent some time recovering (runny nose and sinus pressure) and I had a runny nose too. We both are almost healed though! I am also getting really BIG. I think I grew this week... ate a lot more, slept a little less (cause I was up eating) and my feet are really grounded in my jumper. Mommy even said it may almost be time to make it taller! I also have learned how to dig my feet in and arch my back... everywhere. Safety straps at all times for me!

I can move A LOT! Not sure who the blanket is for... One time, Daisy took advantage of it while I played elsewhere! :)


Along with a rainy spring week, we had some 60 degree days and I spent some time in my new "compact" stroller taking Daisy for a walk. Daddy doesn't like my "luxury" stroller because he says it is too big for Britain (Mommy laughs at this), but either way, now I have two! The "compact" stroller folds up smaller and is skinnier. It also works nice on our walks and will even get to go to the airport to pick up "the kids." Oh, I am SO excited to pick up Uncle Chad and Cousins Jake and Cara Friday!! They are not "kids", but Mommy says it is just easier to say that then their names all the time :)

I love going for walks! (But scream when the stroller stops moving)

Bath time! Mommy was playing with my hair...she says I look like my new Cabbage Patch Doll.

Daddy is so BUSY and now he is even busier because he signed up for a college class! We are excited though. He has wanted to do this since they moved here. He needed a Humanities credit so he took "History of Cambridge." He doesn't like it very much, but it is a Fri. night/ all day Sat class, and his Saturdays are spent touring Cambridge so Mommy and I think it sounds fun (although last Saturday he spent walking around in the rain!).

Another "one-of-a-kind" onsie:

Although I don't think Grandpa feels this way anymore (He totally LOVES ME!) I want to make one thing clear....

I AM FUN NOW!!!!!

Love to you all until next week,
Madelyn and gang


The video is my latest discovery... my voice! You'll see what I mean. (Runny nose, slobber, and all!)

Mothering Sunday

My feet are in my hands every chance I get... especially during diaper changes!

Hello! This weekend, I helped Mommy celebrate Mothering Sunday. Mothering Sunday is celebrated the fourth Sunday of Lent every year in the UK and is the equivalent to the US holiday -Mother's Day. Ms. Maureen helped me do my first painting and "Mummy" was SOOOO excited and surprised when I gave it to her!

This week we worked on getting back on a schedule and I started napping again... most days ;-) We also worked on planning Uncle Chad, and Cousins Jake and Cara's visit. I think we are going to take them to Germany while they are here. This means I had to get my Visa in order (so they let me back in the UK) and it will be my first visit to another country! I also got my social security number this week (we finally got to finish our taxes because the IRS believes I'm legal :)... man, there is a lot of paperwork!

We also attended a barn dance on Friday night at Neil and Rachel's church (we've been there a few times and Mommy and Daddy went to the dance last year...) It was fun, but the music was kinda loud.

Daddy and Neil danced together too! :)

Let's see, what else happened this week...



OH - my new jumper arrived on Monday! Mommy ordered it Thursday night and it was already here by Monday - Go Amazon! It was recommended by a friend who is one month older than me. Her Mommy commented on how much fun Ms. Ava had in it so we took their advice. It is kinda big, but there is loads of entertainment and it will continue to grow with me until I'm toddlin about on my own. We also received my plane ticket for the states in the post! Because I am a baby, mine arrives by mail and not electronically like Mommy and Daddy's... it's official, I can't wait for June!

I talk to this frog EVERY day!

Watchin' Mommy and Daddy clean their cars.

Another "one-of-a-kind" onsie.

Did I mention that it has finally started acting like Spring? We have been watching the daffodils in bloom for the last 2 weeks (a true sign of Spring in our area) and even some flowers sprouting up in our garden. The weather has been averaging 60's and Mommy is letting me go for walks nearly every day with Daisy (plus Ms. Maureen is still taking me out every day, when the weather allows).

Happy Spring!

Love, Madelyn et. al.

Sleepy Bumbo

A good week, and a post inspired by the video Mommy captured Friday. Guess we'll start there...

(LEFT: a "one-of-a-kind" onesie... man, I can't wait to meet this guy, I look at pictures and videos every week! ;-)

Friday, Mommy had a bunch of ladies over for Bunco (a dice game) and Daddy and I went to hang out at Clint's house. BUT, before the party started Mommy was getting ready for it and I refused to take a nap even though Mommy kept telling me I should and tried every place in our house to make me happy. Finally, she let me sit in the Bumbo to watch her fixin food. After I continually gagged myself on my baby spoon, Mommy gave me a big wooden one to gum and before I knew it, I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer...

This week, Mommy had to work a crazy schedule consisting of mostly mornings. She said she had to help the kids with some testing at school. Anyway, I spent the entire week at Ms. Maureens and refused to take a nap at all! Guess the messed up schedule made me worry that I was going to miss something! The good thing about Maureens now is that I am the only kid. This means that I get to go for walks almost every day!

The weekend was spent hanging out mostly. Saturday we checked out a new mall in Bury. It was GREAT to have some new stores nice and close to us now. The down-side is that it is an outdoor mall... why they would build a mall outside in England is not understood by me, but luckily it was a relatively nice day. Mommy even let me ride around in my stroller with only my storller blankie (see picture) and I was very happy and chatty most of the day.

Sunday we worked on chores... I was not amused and spent the day fussing/ crying to keep Mommy's attention - oh, I refused to take a nap then too. I was ready for bed by 6 though - even though I fought hard and kept my eyes pried open for Mommy time until 8.

It was actually nice enough this weekend that Mommy let me hang out in ONLY a onesie while I watched Daddy clean carpets!

That is about the extent of our excitement here. Oh, Daddy got a new co-worker and although we have yet to meet, we are excited for him to become trained so Daddy doesn't have to be gone so much... speaking of, he is off to Germany again for a few days this week.

Mommy loves watching me play with my feet... she took TONS of these pics!

I leave you this week with another "one-of-a-kind" onsie. He is coming to visit me in 3 short weeks and I am SOOOO excited!!!!

Love, Madelyn et.al.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

Cousin Rachil!!

So excited you are 7! Can't wait to meet you so you can play with me! I'm sure you have a lot you can teach me!!


xoxo

Wellness Check...

HELLO! I had a fabulous doctor's appointment today. I got to see my favorite doctor from when I was born and he answered all Mommy's embarrassing questions. He also played with me! He was willing to just hold me while he talked to Mommy and when I pitched a fit for being put on my tummy, he picked me up and I laughed at him ;-) He told Mommy that I really know how to work them all over... darn, my secret is out. He also told Mommy that now is the time when I should figure out a schedule and that it may be a little hard, but they will have to enforce it if they want it, but that I am ahead of where I should be and "doing very well!"

Here are my stats:

Weight: 13 lbs 7 ounces (50th%)

Height: 25 inches (75th%)

The shots went really well today too. Mommy made Daddy go with... 3 sticks, a cuddle from Daddy and I was doing good. I took a nap right away and then played all afternoon. Ms. Maureen (my babysitter) entertained me and told Mommy I was a very good girl.

I am going to go see a physical therapist soon. I still have a bit of a tendency to focus to the left side. Although the doctor was confident Mommy is doing everything she should, Mommy asked to see the PT so that we could get any additional pointers they feel are beneficial. Rumor is... Mommy and Daddy are going to go shopping for an exersaucer so I have a new place to play during the day (to keep me off my head until I learn to sit up).

That's all today! Let's see what the rest of the week brings...

xoxo, Mads

4 Months!!

YAY, I am going to be 4 months old tomorrow! The only thing I'm not looking forward to is my doctor's appointment. Mommy says they are going to give me more shots :-(

I'll let you know how that all goes and my official weigh-in digits... any guesses?

We had a hard week!

There was only one night when we were actually home with Daddy being gone. Mommy had lots of friends looking out for us and it helped make the week go by faster. Thursday night we went to dinner at a pub with 3 ladies from work. They all loved holding and talking to me. I even napped through dinner so that everyone got to eat with 2 hands!

Mom had a "social" on Tuesday and left me with Clint. I think it was his first time babysitting... :) We got along GREAT! We played, ate, and then I took a nap until Mommy arrived. He even managed a diaper change and Mommy says he gets a gold star - no leaks!

The social involved cake decorating. Mommy's first hand at creativity is here. I think she did a Fabulous job, but she said it was fun and it was no duck.

It is a good thing Mommy has SO many "Dummies" (as they are called here in the UK). I have traded in my Nuks. Mommy is pretty persistent that I am not entertained by my thumb all the time... with some creative trials she learned that the once hated Soothies are now loved by all.

The crazy pacifier holder is from Auntie... we think it is silly how it takes up my whole face, but it gives me nice handles to hold on to!

On Saturday, Ms. Erica was surprised by a 30th birthday party. Her husband put it on and gave it a 70's disco theme. It was my job, with the help of Mommy, to get her out of the house while he decorated and everyone arrived, so we took her shopping. She was excited and had no idea!

Friday night we went to Clint and Alicia's to tye-dye shirts for the party. The colors started as yellow, red, and blue... but yellow, pink, and dingy white work out too :) Alicia's thumb was the only true red product from the project!

Daddy decided to try out some of the apparel Scot purchased for the party. We think he should stick to short hair!

I leave you all with this shot of how I felt after our week...

Talk to you again tomorrow with Doc updates, and hopefully I'm not too crabby!

Loves,
Madelyn et. al.

OH, btw, my video that I tried and tried and tried to post last week finally worked! Hopefully it was worth the wait!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

Grandpa Olstad (Don)!!!!

I hope you have a GREAT day and take some time off. No need to work all of the time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Mommy took a moment to video some play time this morning. Because we haven't posted a video for a while - here's a treat... oh, and why she was sitting 2 feet away, loading the video below, I gave her more footage - so you get two!

This one is just a little toy and wiggle time. If you notice, I manged a 1/4 turn just during this clip.

Okay... more later... this one didn't work before Mommy had to go to work! Ugh technology!!

This video is me getting myself all tangled up! Because I was so happy about it and Mommy was working with the camera on the computer, she decided it was a prime Maddy Movie!

Hugs to all!

Missing Daddy

All dressed up for a baby shower.

Mommy says I need some work on being "lady-like."

We had an uneventful week. My pictures turned out GREAT (would you really expect anything less from me) and hopefully we get them soon so you all can have one! :) The lady turned out to be a little shady though and kept changing stuff up on Mommy so we may not go back... The photographer hunt is on again!

Helping Mommy make fruit salad.

I am enjoying the time I spend figuring out how to work my hands. They are incredible! Of course, everything has to pass a taste inspection once I get ahold of it. Mommy keeps making me wear bibs (several a day). If I don't have a toy, I like to chew on my hands or even the bib, and drool is not in short supply. I'm also figuring out this "roll" thing. I now go to BOTH sides from my back, but stop there. I did surprise myself when Mommy put me on my tummy on Saturday and I magically ended up staring at the ceiling. She kept telling me to do it again, but I'm not real sure what I did. I'll keep workin on it...

Still like the thumb and hair...
Mommy says I'm gonna be bald if I'm not more gentle.

Daddy is gone :( He is at a class ALL week in the states. He wasn't suppose to leave until Sunday, but in true work style, at the last minute, he got sent out on Friday! Mommy says we are having some great girl time. She also says I could go a little easier on her... She had the nerve to leave the room to work on laundry and I was NOT impressed! She has been using the terms "Drama Queen" and "Attention Hog" lately. I'm not sure what a hog is, but a Queen is good right? (Mommy note: I did not know this could start so young... she is SO aware! Do not worry though, she will love all of you when you meet. She has not transferred the attention to only Mommy - she loves everyone, as long as she is the center of their world! ;)

Ms. Erica at her shower (she also takes care of me).

This weekend, we had Ms. Erica's baby shower. She will be welcoming Dylan into the world in April. There were lots of Rubber Duckies there!! Ms. Alicia made a really great cake (her first time working with fondant) and I think she may have started a new career. I enlisted her to make my 1st Birthday cake! She also made some really yummy cupcakes.

The famous cupcakes...
and especially famous cake!

Today, Mommy took me to Ms. Misty's house for dinner. They work together. It was fun. Her husband is a nurse at the hospital and actually helped with my arrival into the world. I got to meet her puppies too! They are a little more relaxed that my Daisy. Misty is actually a baby nurse (in the NICU) like Auntie Jessica was, but in true military wife fashion takes whatever job is available!

Mommy told her MANY times to stay off the Boppy.
She kept walking away - until Mommy wasn't looking anymore!

Well, I think that is all this week.

Love you lots!

Maddy's crew