And the stockings were hung...

Near and dear to us:
Smokey the Bear
(This up close encounter turned Maddy in to a stalker. She was so excited, she wouldn't leave the poor man alone!)

Wow, Christmas is fast approaching and I'm never on here! That is how time goes. Hopefully, I can learn to skip the "I'll get to it laters" and just do it! My brain doesn't work well with putting things off - unless of course I jot it down somewhere, Thank you iphone :)

My THREE year-old!

Madelyn continues to crack me up often. She is so smart, truly smart. I know I'm her mom but man, this girl has got it! She is wonderfully impressing her teachers at her new "school". She attends a Mothers Day Out program 3 days a week at our local church. They are constantly telling me how impressed they are (and she is not the oldest in this class as she was at her past daycare). Most recently it was her coloring that they highlighted. This girl is serious about staying in the lines, taking her time, matching colors...LOVES it!

She is also soooo imaginative. I see Madelyn play with other kids her age and wow, she comes up with some really great dialogue. She plays daily with her doll house, doesn't matter who lives in it (animals, dolls, squinkies, cars) but they all are a family and play house. I love spying on her to here what they are up to and what happens next in this saga :) Oh, and the snails. I despise the snails. We have small little creatures of wonder in our backyard. Maddy cannot leave them alone. On days that it is "too cold" (yes, that happens here once in a while) to be out with them she simply "checks on them real quick" to make sure "they are ok" and get "to eat". To highlight her imagination, often they are napping when other important things are going on and Maddy can't be with them! the other day, after opening a carton of orange juice, she took the insert from her dad because it was a new trampoline for the snails and she went out to show them how to jump on it so they would "be safe". As much fun as she has with them, I keep hoping the chill will eliminate these little buggers for the season but they live on!

So excited at Papa's shop!
(Mommy made me wear a helmet every time I actually rode though!)

Have I mentioned Maddy is growing like a weed? Check-up coming up, but guessing she is still in the 90's for height percentile. We are buying clothes based on length versus width always. She is mix of 3 and mostly 4T right now. Delaney is also impressing us with the growth. She too is outgrowing the length on things. We are in 6 month outfits on several things. A few are a little too big, but I can see them fitting nicely in the next few weeks. I am excited as I watch her change, but saddened as I put away our "too small" items. It is a weird feeling when you are not sure that you'll ever do the 'baby' thing again. I keep waiting for the magic of older children to hit me so that I don't question giving up these all too precious little people moments. Granted, the tantrums I can do without so I'm sure once Delaney hits the "fighting" stage I'll be more ready to "let go" :)

Pajama babies.

Delaney is easily keeping her head up, standing tall (assisted), trying to roll over, grabbing toys, putting everything in her mouth (including her entire fist!), and possibly teething as the drooling is out of control. She continues to be a very happy, easy going baby. She gets a little feisty when tired, but easily cured with a cuddle and a nap. Delaney is also keeping her brown hair. By now, Maddy was losing hair and getting so light with new hair it was evident she was to be a dirty blond. While Maddy has her Daddy's eyes, Delaney is appearing to stay blue. Not as light as mine, but blue nonetheless. Also seeing some curls when her hair is wet. Maybe she'll get that sought after curl that I've been waiting for!

2 Months

3 Months

Delaney size ride at Papa's shop :)

Shaye is doing great at work. He is in a new job which he seems to enjoy. He is learning all about the programs behind his job and is working toward even more of a leadership position once he puts on that next stripe that we are excitedly waiting for. He's already been granted it but has to wait for that timeline to hit so he is able to wear it. Unfortunately, He has been having some increasing in his pain level with his back. This is disappointing but we are looking in to possible further problems or the need to wait it out a bit longer. He follows up with his doctor in a couple weeks, but time may be our only answer right now.

5 years of Wedded bliss!

I have taken on work 2 days a week and am quite happy with that. Delaney is spending those days with a really good family friend and they seem to enjoy each other a lot. Nikki is truly a blessing to us! She even takes Madelyn those days when school is out for holidays. I am so much happier leaving Delaney with a friend during this awful cold/ flu season, especially being so young.

Let's compare:

Madelyn @ 2 Months

Delaney @ 2 Months

Madelyn with Nana & Papa (~8 weeks)

Delaney with Nana & Papa (~10 weeks)

Now we sit and wait in great anticipation for Christmas. Madelyn is a little annoyed that she keeps putting stuff on "a list" but is excited to go shopping for Delaney's Christmas gift. She is also obsessed with learning about Baby Jesus and the Nativity Scene. Even better that her "school" is at our church. They mix academics with good morals and teaching the kids Bible stories/ lessons. Win- Win!

Other happenings:

Halloween;

My adorable girls! (Thanks Auntie)

Pumpkin Patch!

My Lioness.

My Candy Corn.

Trick or Treating with Caileigh.... impatient toddlers or peeping toms?

And after every house... "What did I get?"

Grandmas, Grandpa, Nana, Papa... (those that I actually got pictures of)

Grandpa Mike

Grandma Regina.

Great-Grandma Olstad

Great-Grandma Mc

Nana & Papa et. al. :)

We love you all! x
Shaye, Jody, Madelyn, Delaney, and of course, Daisy

PS. Maddy and I thank everyone for helping us celebrate our birthdays and your generosity with gifts!!!

We welcomed Delaney Dawn!

Mommy note:
As I was cleaning out my fridge today - purging, scrubbing, the works - I thought. Maybe I should use this precious time to actually update my blog! I know my friends and family would appreciate it... (this was started 2 weeks ago, ugh) Maybe I need to be more brief?!?

That is life in a nutshell right now. No, I'm not so crazy busy, but I also haven't intentionally ignored my blog - it just hasn't been a priority. Sorry. Previously I was just sick and didn't really care. If you had the "flu" 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 40 weeks, you'd get it. Now - I have just taken these past six weeks to enjoy. I find myself not really remembering these precious first weeks with Madelyn and oh how they change! I also am adjusting to a new schedule and routine. It's not so easy getting out of the house with 2 little ones! Especially now that I am flying solo. Husband back at work, family all filtered out from visits, and reality. Not a bad reality, just new.

We have also had to adjust to a very busy almost 3 year old spending her days at home. Now that I've decided to work minimally - Maddy had to leave day care. We were all sad for this transition. Shaye and I to see how sad Madelyn was to leave her friends. I am pleasantly surprised at my tots ability to entertain herself and the amount her imagination has grown in the past year. I guess I sort of missed that step having not been with her as much. But enough rambling, on to the important stuff! Btw, these next few updates may be a bit out of sequence but I really have intended to share a lot of the past few months.

Madelyn:Proud Big Sister!

Maddy picked out their matching outfits!

I have a new baby sister! Delaney Dawn Melton was born August 4th at 10:21 a.m. She weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and was 20.5 inches. Mommy says she is just like me when I was little, but a bit bigger.

Delaney DawnMadelyn Ray
Sweet Daddy time.

I like her (so far). I love to hold her and give her kisses. Actually, Mommy and Daddy keep telling me that Delaney needs some "Delaney time". They say I over-love on her. She needs a lot of Mommy's time because she really likes to be held and cries when we put her down too much. I'm ok though. I play outside, in my toy room, help with Delaney, and my most favorite is spend time with my bff and neighbor Caileigh. I'm sad to not be in school, but Mommy says she is trying to get me in a new school when I turn 3 - I can hardly wait!

Princess make-up!

Nana was lucky enough to fly in just in time for Mommy to have baby. Delaney was born 2 days after Nana got here. After several days of lots of contractions, Mommy decided to let the doctor help bring Delaney in to the world. She only needed a slight nudge. Mommy was told if she had any more babies, she would likely have them in her car if she let herself have "spontaneous labor". Yikes!

Nana was a lot of fun. She played with me and helped with the baby and we were so lucky to have her here for 3 weeks! She even took me bowling for the first time ever! I LOVE IT and continue to ask Mommy to take me every week :) Nana also bought me presents so that was cool too! ;-)

We took Nana to discover some of Abilene that we have not yet explored also. This involved the children's museum. I could have spent all day there (Nana could have also :) There was so much to do and I could do it over and over and over...
Mommy wants to share a few more pictures and then we are just going to hit "publish". So many people have been waiting for a blog and we will do more just as soon as I let her! ;)

Going home.

Sleepy princess!

Why does Daddy always do this?

Delaney

Madelyn

LaneyMaddy

Love to you all!

Wow!

This is my response to the last time I posted... Was it really April?

New favorite "snack".
I don't always eat them, but I'm happy to burn a marshmallow for you any time!

My silly Papa convinced me a helmet might be a good idea ;)

Well, a lot has happened and yet it doesn't feel like it has been that long....
Birthdays seem to be the name of the game these days. Everyone around us that I play with is turning 3. This brings lots of questions and planning for my big day. Currently, I want it to all be pink, with dinosaur balloons, singers, and of course lots of presents. My friends at school keep turning 3, meaning they move the preschool room. I keep asking Mommy when I get to go but I guess it is a long ways away yet. I finally am getting the idea that not every birthday is shared with me and that I do need to let the spotlight shine on that person on their very special day. (Poor girl had a birthday with Mommy, Christmas where everyone got presents, Daddy's birthday on Easter and was beginning to think birthdays meant presents for her!)

Jacob turns 3!
This is his new brother, Ben -he's so cute!

I helped celebrate at Mr. Gattis (kinda like Chuck E.Cheese)
Did you know you aren't suppose to play this game over-handed?

They had a roller coaster!
Due to Mommy (pregger) and Daddy (back surgery), Ms. Kim was happy to accompany me while Chris took Jacob. This thing was actually quite fast!

Averie turn 3!
She had a little trouble so I got to help her with her candle :)

Mommy's belly continues to grow. I keep asking when the doctor will take baby out, but Mommy keeps saying it is a long ways away. I asked for a brother the other day, but Mommy says we can't change it and I'm getting a sister. I guess I'm still okay with that...
Work is getting harder. Mommy says being pregnant the second time is a lot more work. Is it cause she is old or cause she has a 2 1/2 year old at home? Likely the latter of the two and the fact that she is up and down on the floor all day long with other 2-3 year olds at work.

31 weeks

Mommy had another ultra sound and found out that the placenta moved so all is well with this pregnancy. At her last appointment (2 weeks ago) she is measuring right on track. Seeing the doctor every 2 weeks, soon to be every week as she is already 32.5 weeks along. The doctor predicts a 6.5 - 7.0 lb healthy baby - 100% a girl :)

Daddy had a spinal fusion in May. He is 3 weeks out (explaining the picture above) now and seems to be healing well. He has bad days of course, but for the most part it seems to be helping overall. Right now he is tasked to go back to work on July 20th. He is busy working on studying for his next promotion test, using all this time off to his advantage.

My Nana and Papa also visited in May. I love when they come! They helped Daddy pour a bigger patio out back and add some lights to the garage. Papa really likes to work when he goes on vacation. They held down the fort while Mommy and Daddy worked and the carpet guys were at our house too. We put carpet in our living room - it's so cozy!

I got to put my feet and hands in the new concrete!

They also couldn't believe the heat here. They managed to come just in time for our first 100 degree weekend. Nana and I helped Mommy get ready for baby after Papa and Daddy got everything out of the attic. I just need a dresser so I can finish my bedroom and we can put all of baby's stuff away in her (my old ) dresser - it has the changing table on top. Mommy is still working on baby's room. She decided to get new bedding so pictures of that are still to come! I got new bedding too so we'll post pictures when my room is all done as well!

Finally, going back even further. Easter was amazing this year. I loved hunting for eggs. I still shake random eggs in my play room just to make sure they don't have any candy in them :)
Did I mention Easter was on Daddy's birthday this year? He had a good day. We celebrated on our own, but went to friends for Easter brunch and Ms. Kim even decorated a cake just for Daddy! That Friday, Mommy and Daddy had a date night with other friends too and I got a new baby sitter (who I was still asking for the next morning when I woke up).

Easter morning - my house. I got a T-ball!

Easter brunch - hunting with Jacob at Ms. Nikki's (friends of Mommy and Daddy)

I leave you with a video (finally). Daddy got our Internet cooperating better this week :)
Dance off at Jacob's bday!

Love to you all, M.