Happy Thanksgiving!

Playing with Sophia's pony during church.

Another eventful week around here... First we hope you all had a great Turkey Day with friends and family. We had a big meal over at the Johnson's who so graciously hosted this year. 13 adults + 3 kids = a great day! It included some Wii, entertainment from us kids, and just good 'ol fashion conversation. Oh, Wednesday night we went to a Thanksgiving ceremony at the Ely Cathedral (amazing church) where some of our friends sang (Ms. Alicia, Erica, and Jackie). It was nice and I was such a good girl!

Mommy and Daddy at Ely Cathedral (back of it)
When they first got here... Jan. 2007!

The rest of the week involved packing and sorting - yep, they are still at it!! Mommy and Daddy have successfully gotten rid of most of the things they wanted and are now just trying to get everything we don't want the movers to take into one room (so there are no mistakes). I'm not really quite sure what is going on. I really hope this means something good is going to happen. I still look for Daisy by the back door when I hear her name... Although I did get to see her on the web cam this weekend! She is now in SD with Nana and Papa and Hucky!!

I love Misty and Julian...
but really didn't want my picture taken!

We also had to (sadly) say goodbye to Ms. Misty and Mr. Julian. They were such good friends and Mommy is so glad she got to meet Misty through work. We were lucky enough to hang out several times this week. We are really going to miss these two, but they promised I could come and visit them in California... plus, Julian is from New Mexico so maybe we can even get them to pop over to Texas some day!!

Misty is so much fun!!!

Hope you all have a great December! This week's video is kinda long, but I am eating by myself - I am such a big girl! Other things I do myself... I LOVE throwing things away - even my own nappies! I am talking like crazy, especially in the morning. I try to repeat almost everything Mommy and Daddy say and when I stop for a second and concentrate on Mommy's mouth, I'm almost perfect at it. I do not like to do anything I don't want to do... this means I am getting good at throwing tantrums - arch back, yelling, crying - quite the show. I take off my shoes and socks at every possible interval (** Mommy note - plan and extra time to get out of the car once destination is reached), and I would much rather be NAKED than anything else!

xoxo,
Madelyn

Packing

Well this week is going to be brief. We have been very busy because the movers are officially coming on Dec 3rd and 4th. Mommy and Daddy are getting rid of stuff (selling, throwing, donating). The good thing about moving a lot is that you clean out your house a lot more often than others... you don't have that random closet or garage that just keeps collecting (well, you do, you're just forced to clean it up every 3 to 4 years :)

Yep, that's me... Dr. Maddy :)
Don't you love my new scrubs?
Thanks Great Granny!

Daddy had a denervation done on his back on Tuesday and is feeling good. Not really sure if it is going to help the pain yet or not. He gets to have 2 weeks off to "take it easy" and has been helping decide what goes and what stays along with sorting through papers. Really, having him home helps provide that much needed motivation to get it all done. He has also been busy setting up the flight home, hotel reservations, car shipment, and all the other necessary moving things... he has a long list! Btw, we will be in the states in 42 days! {Will fill you all in on the "plan" when it becomes a bit more official}

Me.... well, I've just been playing with my new birthday presents!
Mommy says I have to decide what goes and what stays. It will all evenutally make it to Texas, but some has to leave on the 4th where others won't leave until closer to Christmas (also arriving in Texas at different times). I play with so many of them! I've also been a bit 'under the weather' but am getting better. Low grade fevers, super BAD diaper rash, diarrhea (TMI?), and high-grade crankiness to go with it - really just hoping it is the teeth and wishing those darn molars would surface already.

I think that is about it. Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! We will be spending it with lots of friends and should have more to share next week.

xoxo,
Madelyn et. al.

What a Year!

CHEESE!

We had a great week that was full of staying at home and playing. Since Mommy decided to let me get my 1-year vaccinations on Tuesday, I spent 3 days with fevers and grumpiness. By Friday, I was good again - Luckily cause Nana had to leave on Saturday and I didn't want her to remember me as being sour!

"Hi Nana!"

Aside from running errands, we got to spend a little time at the Bazaar this weekend. Nana bought a few things Friday and then Mommy and Daddy took me back on Sunday. Saturday's trip to the airport was good for us. I played the whole way there, ran around for an hour and then slept the whole way home! Nana, however, was delayed about 2 hours in London, missed her connection and got to spend the night in Detroit. She finally made it home Sunday morning. Man, trouble with flights out and back... wonder what ours will be like in January? Nana had good spirits about it though. She left here "knowing" she would likely be missing her connection in Detroit. Too bad she couldn't make it to Minneapolis to see Auntie and Daisy though!

Nana and I got to take our picture at the Bazaar too!

This is as close as I got...I was smiling and waving at him though!

Poor Daisy (and Auntie)! Okay, in case you hadn't heard: Daisy left for MN on Friday (the 13th no less, think we would've learned something from G'pa Mc!). Auntie called worried because she was told that Customs closes and Daisy would have to spend the weekend in the kennel due to London putting her on a flight so late. Well, Mommy and Daddy paid a guy to help with Daisy's shippment so Mommy was awfully upset and drove over to the man's house (when he wouldn't answer the phone). Long story short - he made some calls, got Auntie some paperwork, Auntie worked her magic with Customs (although it sounds like NW Airlines were the most helpful), and Daisy was freed! She is no longer confined and has been promised NO MORE trips out of the United States - EVER! Auntie says she is a bit whiney and skittish, but I think she just misses me a whole lot!

Finally, a video of me! I have been really talking and know a lot of words now. Here, I showcase a little singing and Mommy tries to get me to talk about my "shoes" and "socks" (a daily occurrance the past 2 weeks), but I'm not a performer people! Other words in my repertoire: "Mama" (I actually know who she is now thanks to Nana being here), "Dada", "juice", "duck", "boots", "shirt", um... okay, I know there is more, but Mommy can't think of them right now :) Point being, I am a smart girl and am learning LOTS every day!!

Mommy did a little picture tribute to the year. ENJOY :)

1 Day & 1st Month

2nd & 3rd Months

4th & 5th Months

6th & 7th Months

8th & 9th Months

10th & 11th Months

ONE YEAR!

Amazing what a difference a year makes!
Love, Madelyn, Shaye, Jody (and Daisy, snuggled safe and sound with her Auntie)

Happy Birthday Madelyn & Mommy!

We're 30.... ;)
Here are the stats for today...

Weight: 19 lbs 12 oz 25%itle
(Guess we're not quite legal for that forward facing car seat - case closed... for now!)
Length: 29.65 inches 75%ile
Head: ~50%ile

**Overall = doing great! She is a little smaller (weight) than we anticipated, but I was assured that is a combination of being breastfed and moving constantly (especially since she has been walking for about 2 months now!)

I did great at my shots. As annoyed as I was at the time, Mommy took me to play (see below) and I quickly forgot about how the day started :)

Birthday details:
I had a great party on Saturday with lots of friends who were very generous! I still need to personally thank everyone! My Auntie Alicia also made my cake which was very yummy and turned out great (especially since she was sick most the week before the party).

I got a whole block to myself!

Checkin' out the scene with Nana (above)
and opening gifts (below)

Today (my actual birthday), I got to go and play with some friends (couple of 3 year olds and a 9 month old). Really... I just explored and ran around like crazy. I gave Mommy a taste of toddlerhood for sure today!

Video: The play-land is my new favorite place to be!

After playing, I had just enough energy for a bite at Burger King and then it was home for a Long nap! But once the nap was over... I had some more energy and showed Mommy and Nana how to ride my new horsey (Brian and Barbara gave it to me on Saturday). He makes real horsey noises too!Can you read my shirt?

It says "My 1st Birthday"

I have been so lucky that Mommy has been letting me open something almost every day. My Grandparents and friends are so kind and generous that I have gotten something new in the mail every day. Mommy even said that she knows of one more package yet to come. I think I am the luckiest one year old ever!!

Video: Opening one of my many great presents.

Video: ** Madelyn got some new Wellies while in Ireland. She is so used to walking in her soft leather Robeez shoes that these boots are a bit of an obstacle. It was quite entertaining and although she loves to have help putting them on, she didn't want to let go of Mommy!

Video: ** I have a fabulous video of the great cake smash, but it is on a different camera and for whatever reason, blogger is not loading it :( Two days we have been trying... I'll think of something. Here is a pic of the event nonetheless. She was definitely not shy about it and even demanded extra applause by clapping for herself at times!

Love to you all,

Madelyn, Mommy, Daddy, and Daisy

PS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to everyone for my Birthday wishes and gifts. I love you all! xoxo

Ireland

So beautiful, so many pictures to share. I'll try to be selective...

At Blarney Castle (I had to say hi to Everyone!)

What a busy week. Nana celebrated her birthday the day we flew to Ireland and while we were there Mommy and Daddy celebrated their 3 year Anniversary! I think I like airplane rides for a little bit. I much prefer to run around, but lots of people give me attention so that is cool.

Killarney...

View of town near our cottage

St. Mary's

It was nice relaxing vacation. We rented a very cute cottage and each had our own bedrooms (well, Nana was in the loft). Each day was something different but all included the beautiful scenery of the South Western portion of Ireland.

Around Killarney:
Ross Castle...

2 days were dedicated to sights in Killarney our close around it (the town we stayed in). 1 day for the Ring of Kerry (a scenic drive with stops whenever you'd like) and 1 day to the Cork area for the famous Blarney Castle and Jameson Whiskey tour a little farther East. Mommy really wanted to take Daddy to the Guiness Factory, but it was 3 hours away and he didn't think it was nice to make me ride in the car that long. Isn't he sweet? :)

Ring of Kerry...
On the road...

Yep, stopped by a cow train

Blarney Castle...
Nana kissed the Blarney stone so she will forever be graced with Eloquence... make sure you ask her about it! She had to hang upside down and has a picture!!!

I led the way...

Jameson Whiskey...
Yes, Madelyn's first Whiskey tour :) It houses the largest pot still in the world (for distillation) and it holds over 31,000 gallons!

The only part she was even remotely interested in (showing the "aging" process)

Also while riding around, I showed Mommy that I much prefer to face forward in the car (as we had a rental car seat as well). We have been going back and forth on this. Legally, I can face forward and really want to, but Mommy keeps reading I am safest backwards. I told her just put me forward and don't crash... we'll see who wins ;) *** This may be my only sanity in the car... when will she outgrow this cranky car thing??

Silly girl in the car.
Also loves taking those socks off!

Killarney area...

Ladies View

Beautiful fall colors.

Torc Waterfall

We had a lot of rain while in Ireland. It would rain one minute, be sunny the next, and without notice raining again. We loved it anyway though!

Daddy keeping me dry :)

As much fun as Ireland was, I was so happy to be at home. I walked in the house and let out a huge sigh of excitement to see my toys, and then walked around to each room and excitedly reported that everything was in its proper place. *Guess moving may be harder on this little one than Mommy originally thought...

So sweet... Maddy has Lots of love to share everyday!

Stay tuned... will post 1 year stats tomorrow and some bday pictures! In case you hadn't heard, we had a party on Saturday, but that is just too much to share for one week!

xoxo,
Mads et.al.