September Already?

Wow, what a week! I gave Mommy lots of opportunities to showcase all my new skills and she gave me lots of opportunities to try new foods... What does this mean for all of you????? VIDEOS and PICTURES of course!

I have learned that I love spaghetti(obviously a diaper only event), pizza (although this took a bit to get used to), and grilled cheese. Let's face it, I love food! I even try (continuously) to eat Daisy's food. Mommy says this grosses her out and I have officially been banned from the kitchen on a regular basis. Mommy also feels blessed that I am not picky, but has a hard time telling when I'm full enough. She seems to think I would eat all day long if I were allowed!

Even during snack (which started in a bowl), I stay busy!

I also had a great week of entertaining Mommy and Daddy with my "lil' Indian call", lots of kisses, playing with Daisy (tug-o-war), getting in my bumbo all by myself (sort of), pointing at things, using some basic sign language ("more" and "milk"), and WALKING. Yes, I have learned to take a few steps, although it still makes me slightly nervous and I am a bit cautious. Mommy and Daddy can't believe how big I am getting and are so proud. Oh, btw, I am cutting tooth 8 FINALLY and am in a much better mood these days and sleeping like a champ! After 9.5 months, I will now give Mommy 8-11 hours and I'm a good napper.

"Lil Indian:"

Pounding on the glass quickly turned into a kissing game with my "Dada."
I have been sharing kisses for a while now, but I have decided to be more generous than usual this week :)

In other news, Daddy is going to look at houses!! I am so excited to get a new bedroom and a BIG closet. (I have to have somewhere to put all these fabulous clothes my fans buy for me!) Mommy says I will even have more room for my toys, can you believe it?? Daisy will get a proper yard, and I have also been promised a swing set in my future. I'm not quite sure what this is but I like to swing, so I'm guessing it's good!

Daddy loves to "fix" my hair!

We hope you all have a fabulous week. Next week we'll have lots to fill you in on. Daddy will be back from the big house hunt and we are taking a mini vacation to the Southern coast. Because of this, Monday's post will likely be late or early Tuesday. Finally, I saved the walking video for last. A huge milestone to my fast approaching "toddlerhood." You can also see a bit of my fascination with pointing!

Love to you all,
Madelyn et. al.

Lions, Tigers, & Monkeys?

Oh my! I went to my first zoo. Disappointingly there were no bears, but lots and lots of different monkeys! Mommy says this busy animal strangely resembles my need to walk, climb, crawl, and explore every nook. I wanted to reach out and touch everything. Most of it was behind glass, but a few things I got up close to...

In other news this week...


I've had my first dose of antibiotics. They say I have the infant equivalent to a sinus infection so hopefully in two weeks that will all be cleared up. Despite being "ill", I am still very happy and cooperative so it hasn't affected me too much.
Daisy went for her annual exam at the vet. She checked out well (I spent the afternoon with Ms. Traci to make this trip a little easier for Mommy) and we got some information to help us get ready to ship her back to the states this fall.

Hmmm, wonder where the reverse is?
(The washcloth is a daily thing these days... still working on those teeth!)

I got to have my first taste of steak! Mommy took me out to dinner with friends while Daddy was away at work this week. YUMMY!

VIDEO: Daisy and I are learning to share (although Mommy would prefer I leave bones alone).
P.s. Daddy is on the phone - dealing with one of those lovely voice prompt services!

VIDEO: I am a genius. A girl has to figure out how to get around when Mommy insists on putting me in dresses. They should carry a warning label: Not intended for crawling children!

Love to you all,
Madelyn, Shaye, Jody, and Daisy

Miss Independent! (40 weeks)

I love taking walks with my Daddy and my Daisy!

Have I said before that I am SOOOOO busy?!?!

Is this a girl happy to be walking or what?

Mommy does her best to stay one step ahead of me, but I usually still get around her. I love eating dog food (unfortunately, she bought a baby gate and now uses this to keep me in the lounge while she is getting breakfast in the kitchen), I am growing with my need to feed myself, I love to go but HATE the getting there (I cause a fuss in the car seat these days), and my Daisy and I are best friends.

Mmmm, bananas (Mommy still has to put it on the fork, but I do the rest).
PS. Like my morning hair? :)

VIDEO: Food Scramble...

We were lucky enough to have Daddy around for a few days this week. He hung out and played with me because he had a back procedure on Tuesday. Mommy and I hung out in Cambridge. We visited Tesco, had a picnic, took a nap in the car, and just waited for Daddy to be ready to come home. He was more numb this time so walking was a bit amusing. He used my stroller to guide himself out of the hospital and to the car so that the nurses wouldn't make him stay any longer (although Mommy told him we needed to hang out a bit more). Hopefully we get this back pain resolved so that he can feel better and doesn't have to start all over with new doctors with our upcoming move!

Daddy is so much fun!
(Wonder why I have "no fear"?)

Mommy and I went to Ms. Misty's for dinner on Thursday night. I got to play with her "boys" Gizmo and Duke (doggies) and had lots of fun!

My 5,6,7, and 8th tooth are coming all at once and Mommy's jewelry makes a Great teether!

This weekend we went and shot my 9 month pictures at the Botanic Gardens. Mommy hopes that I gave Teresa at least one good picture because I was much too busy eating rocks and flowers to look up and smile! For example, while Ms. Teresa tried to interest me in some bubbles, I was WAY more interested in the machine making the bubbles!

My "curious" look.

Well, that is all for the week. Below is my favorite game, played on a daily basis. Whether using a blankie or the curtains, I can rock it!

Love you all!
Madelyn and gang

VIDEO: Peekaboo
(Videos are getting more challenging. The minute this girl sees the camera, game over!)

9 Months Old!!

Can you believe it? I am 9 months old today! And this week I had my first play date with someone my own age... well, she is a couple weeks older, but who's counting?

Meet Arabella.

Mommy says I was the naughty kid. I think I am just overly friendly. I wanted to feel her hair (pulled it) and catch her nose (scratch her eyes out) and feel the fabric of her dress (pull it off her). Oh, we both wore purple with white polka dots that day AND she is wearing a bib that I just had on at lunch before she arrived - WEIRD :)


I have some other firsts this week as well...


I'm learning to climb: Stairs, over legs, chairs, Daisy :) You name it!

I almost have it...

So Proud!

Mommy, I can't get out!!!

I have decided that although I'm mastering the pincer grasp, when all else fails, your tongue will do the trick rather nicely. I think I learned this from Daisy? Anytime I can't pick something up that I really want (fuzz, lint, grass) I lick it up. :) ** Mommy really thinks this is gross!

Although I am still very attached to my Mommy, I am starting to brave the world on my own! Well, within my house anyway. I will venture into the kitchen and hallway independently, until Mommy closes all the doors on me!

I also HATE diaper changes now. I was a little wiggly before, but now, oh boy. If I can't get away, I scream.... so loud... Mommy said she is afraid of what the neighbors must think, but I don't care! I have so much to do and see and learn - who has time for all that butt cleaning?

I have an exciting new toy. It was a hand-me-down from a lady at Mommy's work. I LOVE IT! I can stand here all day playing music, walking around, dancing, and pushing the same buttons over and over and over again. (Mommy did ask for more noise toys!)

This video is not that exciting. Mommy didn't really catch my best moves :)

Oh, I got an "official" weight at 18 lbs this Thursday and was a wiggly 27 inches long (not sure exactly how accurate that one was).


Finally, I have learned how to use Mommy's water bottle. This is exciting because it takes some serious skills... you have to bite and suck and I LOVE IT! Only problem is that Mommy doesn't love it. She says I get too much spit in her water. Hmmm... may have to get my own...

All my love until next week,
Madelyn et. al.

** Mommy Post

So it is official, we will be moving to Texas, Abiliene to be exact. To answer all those questions...

Did we pick it? No. Not even on our list.
Are we upset? No.
Are we excited? We are now. Any place is what you make of it.
What base? Dyess

In a nutshell... We are so very lucky to be in the situation we are in. My husband is fortunate and brave enough to do the job he does. I can't say I would pick his profession, but I am lucky enough to be married to him. We have been so very blessed with multiple opportunities since we have been together. There is nothing bad about any of. Just think of our adventures so far; we've gotten married, moved to England, traveled, I got a job, WE HAD A BABY, traveled some more, and now get to have some new adventures in TX. We've also discovered some of the highlights of our upcoming move: We know people there, it is warm, we will be in America :), I can get job (bonus that my former supervisor and friend is living there!), we get to buy a house, people can visit a lot (because we are in America), we can visit everyone, and we will continue to love and discover life!

Thank you all for your thoughts and warm wishes always. Now, don't fret... Maddy's post is below and I'm sure you'll get your fix this week!

Love to you all, Jody

38 weeks old

Peekaboo

WHAT A WEEK! Here are the highlights of my life:

Tues: Had to go get Daisy Benedryl. She was stung by a wasp while trying to catch it and her mouth began to swell.... Since then Mommy and Daddy have been killing about 2 a day. Where are they coming from??
Wed: Went to the doctor regarding my eye (was pretty red) and loose stools (if you must know). All okay - probably teeth they say (which we kinda new but like the confirmation) and the eye is probably from the plugged tear duct but got some antibiotics "just in case." Man, those docs know a lot :)


Thurs: Met Traci for coffee. We then got to go to dinner with her and her 2 kids because both our Daddy's were working. (Daddy had to go away overnight and boy was I happy to follow him around when he arrived home!
Fri: Mommy bought me a walker/ ride-on toy. It's GREAT! And we found out we'll be moving to the great state of Texas this winter.

Video: I am soooo talented, I can operate it one-handed!

Sat-Sun: Lazy days. Oh, and Daddy bought me Elmo Live - He is fascinating!

(footage of this to come in the future :)

Video: My discovery of Elmo. Mommy was flippin' channels while I was "re-arranging" the living room and I was stopped in my tracks. That voice is mesmerizing!!

Mon: The usual; eat, play, nap, repeat, and go find a baby gate... those stairs are becoming more and more fascinating with a "down" option.

Video: Playing with Mommy.

We have also been working all week to get the house "in-order" Do you know how many spiders can build homes in a house that has been empty for a month? Mommy is putting away "baby" stuff. I'm getting more and getting too big for some things. We also got a new vacuum and it really sucks :) Great for all that doggy hair (Thanks Kings for the recommendation). I am still fighting my teeth but only have the 4. I really wish 5 and 6 would make their appearance since they have been such troublemakers. I'm officially over the jet-lag. I sleep at least 7 hours at night and take good naps morning and night. Mommy thanks me each day for my independence at falling asleep without a fight. I actually really like my crib.


Until next week,
Maddy et. al.


PS. Below are some videos from while we were still at home. Mommy finally got them uploaded so we are having a video marathon!!



Video: Mmmm, lemon!

Video: Having so much fun on the swing at the park in Wyoming.

Video: My silly uncle Chad.