Nice Moves

Since we don't have a car and most of our things won't be here in Saudi Arabia until the end of June, Madeline and I spend a lot of time dancing together during the day.

Random Cuteness & Family Fun

Madeline (and ME) has really enjoyed having her dad home this week. Paul is off the entire week for Thanksgiving/Vacation. He has gotten some much needed relaxation and reading time in and we have had a good time playing and going places and just being together.

The other day we took Madeline outside and her and Paul played some B-ball and ran around a little. It was fun.

Here she is after discovering a weed of some sort near the driveway. It was pretty exciting so she showed it to her dad...


Here she is tossing the ball around with her Dad...


Here's Paul teaching Madeline proper form when shooting the ball...

This is Madeline yesterday. I just thought she looked extra cute with her pigtails and poofy socks so I thought I'd share...

Here she is, ready to go bye-bye and wondering why I am taking so many pictures of her...

Madeline LOVES poofy skirts and tu-tu's. Here's her newest skirt from her Grandma Suzi. She loves putting it on over whatever she is wearing and then just hanging out...

Here's Madeline saying her latest word - "ice". She loves ice. She has really been saying a lot of words lately. I love hearing her say real words. She has the cutest little voice.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good night!

New Way To Partay

Last night I was pulling a blanket out to the front room and Madeline jumped on to hitch a ride. It started a new way of having fun! It actually brings back lots of memories. We had a lot of fun with blankets when I was a kid. We pulled each other around and we threw each other up the in the air... fun really can be cheap.

She's Walking!! She's Walking!!!!!!!

Paul began standing Madeline up on his lap when she was just a wee babe. She has always had very strong legs, constantly kicking them.

Madeline has been almost walking for some time now. We bought her a little stroller to push around a little over a month ago that she fearlessly pushes around with no question that she can do it.

The past couple of days she would take A step between two objects... sort of testing the waters. But as far as walking on her own, she hasn't yet dared to take that lone step with several consecutive steps to follow. For the past couple of weeks she would walk if you held just one of her hands... then, it moved on to if she could just hold onto your finger... until now.

As of this evening, 7:27 pm, my Madeline is walking on her own. I give you...

Madeline Walking

The joy I am feeling is immense and exciting and causes me to giggle uncontainably.

More Baby Boogie

I just can't get enough of this. I turn music on whenever I get a chance because I love how Madeline reacts. She is so much fun!

Ahhhhhhhh. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.

Mads and I do this a lot together. She loves it.

I'm Gonna Gitcha!

Lately Madeline loves when I chase her and threaten to tickle her while her and her Dad are doing their daily walk around the house. She laughs this delicious chortle and runs so fast she is almost flying... Have I scarred her for life? Will she be a fan of horror films because of this? She's laughing, so hopefully not.

Wanna See Something Awesome?

Who is walking without the assistance of another human? Madeline is! She is still working on her balance, turning, and backing up, but by golly miss molly she can go forward!

New Moves

Madeline has some new moves she wants to show you. She LOVES to boogie. If there is any music of any kind, she usually starts to dance. It is SO much fun! Last night we were playing in her room before bed and she kept doing this...

Make Time... It Matters.

Yesterday was the funeral of one of my best friends, Stacey Lynn. I was absolutely heart broken that I couldn't make it to her funeral. I know she touched many people's lives. Her passing has been a life changing thing for me, and a reminder that every moment with our loved ones is meaningful and precious. It has also been a reminder to trust my own instincts and to listen to the promptings I receive.

Paul and I were recently in Utah for a week to visit friends and family, but Stacey was unable to attend the barbeque my friends were having because she had just recently had her newest baby boy, Greyson Lynn. I had the strongest urge while we were there to go and see her while we were in town, but time and other plans got in the way for some reason. So I didn't go. I figured, I would see her again soon. Then, when I got a phone call a couple weeks later from her husband saying she was in the hospital, my heart sank. I couldn't stop thinking, "Why didn't I go see her?! Why didn't I make that effort?"

So I thought it would be a good idea to make some more memories with the most important people in my life. Yesterday the weather was finally tolerable enough to be outside, so we took Madeline on a walk around the neighborhood and to the local park nearby. Then we came home and made homemade pineapple-strawberry-blueberry-blackberry-raspberry-orange juice-milk-ice-banana-spinach smoothies. They were delicious! I didn't tell Madeline and Paul about the spinach part.

Here's my angel doing one of her favorite things... walkin'.

Make time for your family and friends. Listen to your instincts. It really matters.

A Couple Things That Make Me Happy

Madeline. She reminds me that no matter what, we have to keep trying. When we fall, we need to give ourselves a round of applause for trying, and then wipe of the dust and get back up again.

She also dances...

My husband. We've been married for over seven years now and I am still madly in love with him. I get that spark when he touches me and I can't wait to see him when he gets home every day.

He's smart, funny, a great Dad, and he takes care of us.

Other things...
My mom. She always knows what to say. Always. Not just some of the time. And her hugs are like a recharge. She is wise beyond her years. She has many gifts and talents that help a lot of people. I'm proud to be her daughter.

My Family - every single one of them. They're all unique and special in their own way and I miss them all so much.

My Friends - The true ones are always there for you. And I have a lot of good friends who are there for me.

Just one more of Mads. This is her watching herself on video. She is pretty fun to watch so I can totally understand her excitement.

Do You Remember The Music In The Movie Jaws?

Here's Madeline and her "MAD" crawling skills. She's all over the place now. The tile is a little hard on her knees so I usually put a breast pads in some of my long socks on her legs when she wants to crawl on the tile (Except in this video, which is why she tries to move using her feet) and it works pretty good.

Oh and just so you know, we're also going to move the shredder and plug all the plugs with those plastic thingy's - So don't worry, in case you were worrying. Anyway, isn't she a great crawler?! I know Kitty is excited about it.

Going A Bit Crazy With The Video Setting On The Camera.

But seriously, can you blame me? When you are surrounded by adorableness 24/7 it's a natural urge to whip out the camera.

Me and Madeline went to Misty & Brooke's house to go swimming again on Tuesday and had a blast! Isn't it funny, the noises we moms make to try and get our babies to smile?

After we went swimming we went inside for some playtime. I was trying to capture little Brooke and her mad circling skills for her momma and caught a cute moment between the girls and Abby. Madeline loves Brooke's dogs. Abby, the dog, loves attention... it works.

And last but not least, Miss Madeline has been working hard at moving! She can crawl, sort of, when she wants to. It would probably help if I removed the baggy clothing. She can also get up from her tummy back into the crawl position and then sit! She also LOVES walking (assisted of course, but not for long at the rate she is going), pulling herself up and standing - I still need to get that on video, surprisingly.

Now, if her momma will just stop teasing her... then maybe she'll stop flipping me off.

More videos to come! I only have a million to choose from.

Okay. One more, cause I like ya...

Lights On, Lights Off.

Lights on, Lights off.... the Madster.
"clap clap"

All you need is a blanket and a good attitude and you are in for hours of fun.

Epic Composers In History.

M. Night Shyamalan asked Madeline to compose the music for his next feature film entitled, "Signs of The Sixth Lady In The Village".

I think this one's gonna go platinum.

These are exciting times...

Ridiculously exciting times.

The Almost Crawl

I caught Madeline talking to herself and practicing her almost crawl on camera for a good minute and a half before she realized it. She's been doing her almost crawl the past few days now. She does it a lot when Paul and I aren't in the room.

Right now as far as ambulatory transporation she scoots, rolls over, does a sort of backwards scoot crawl (not very often) and, of course, she stands up and her Dad helps her take steps. I have a feeling our little sugar plum will be all over the place soon.

Playing With Kitty

Madeline has watched her Daddy play with Kitty so many times she knows exactly what to do!

Where's The Baby?

There she is!

The Squeak

Paul doesn't have to do much anymore to make Madeline squeak with joy.