Back to the Grind

My summer is officially over. I spent a few days this week getting my classroom set up. I saved today for Maddyson. We took a morning walk. Then tonight I took her to Bed, Bath and Beyond to get a bridal shower gift. Maddy just loves being strapped into the baby carrier! I usually use it when we're shopping instead of putting her into her carseat in a grocery cart. She can see so much more with the carrier and just takes everything in wherever we go. Steve likes using it too. We've also used it at Steve's soccer games and in Chinatown, Chicago.

So anyways, teachers start on Monday and the kids come back on Wednesday. My classroom is so bare! Changing from kindergarten to a 2/3 multiage is a huge difference, and I'm hurting in the resource department. At least my room looks clean and organized. Yes, but bare and boring. I need to ask the PTO to help with a few things. I've already spent $100 and and not looking to spend much more of my own money. Easier said than done.

I'm a little divided about going back to work. I do look forward to getting out of the house again and having more on my mind other than feeding and napping schedules and things that I want to get done around the house. BUT I have truly enjoyed my summer with my Maddyson. I have seen her accomplish so many things these past 2 1/2 months, and I am so grateful that I was here to experience these things with her and give guidance when needed. This summer Maddy:

• has come to enjoy tummy time!
  
• started eating rice cereal and Gerber fruits and veggies.
  
• started sitting in a booster chair for meals.
  
• is drinking small amounts of juice from sippy cups.
  
• rolls herself all over the place, from tummy to back and back to tummy.
  
• played in swimming pools/wore sunblock (Banana Boat for Kids spf 30).
  
• started sitting up (started in early August and can now sit without using her hands for support).
  
• takes naps (usually 2-3 hours long)!
  

The list could go on and on. Everyday she shows us something new - sounds, reasons for giggles, strength. Just adoration from her mom and dad.

Today we finished another 2 hour video tape with our camera. I watched it off and on for most of the day. It's pretty much all Maddyson (and a little of Jackson here and there :) and every little thing that we thought was worthy of catching on tape. Pretty much everything that she does is worthy! It was nice to sit and watch all those little moments from the summer. Thank goodness we've captured them forever.

Zoo

We took Maddy to the zoo on Saturday evening. It was a first for everyone. Maddy's first trip to the zoo (she saw camels, giraffes and elephants). And Steve and my first time to al a carte. It was a bit more costly than we expected. Regular zoo admission and parking PLUS foods that didn't seem so discounted for their portion size. We walked around, ate a bit and just enjoyed the time together. Maddy fell asleep in the reptile house (Steve's choice) and had a short nap. When she woke up we took her out of the stroller so she could see more. She looked right at the giraffes. It's amazing to watch her experiencing new things.

Maddyson knows that she's Maddyson!

Just recently (like this week), I have noticed that Maddy responds to her name. Whether she's playing on the floor, sitting in her swing or eating in her booster, if I say her name she looks right at me. It's funny too because she doesn't respond to Maddy which is what we usually call her. She ignores us when we say Maddy. But as soon as we say Maddyson, she immediately looks at us.

We took another walk tonight while Steve was coaching. She really loves stroller rides - barely makes a peep as she's trying to take everything in. We stopped at the park, and I pushed her on the swing for a few minutes. Then we were on our way. This weekend Steve and I are thinking about taking her to Zoo a la Carte. It would be our first time, and we thought it would be fun to try it out. He's been wanting to take her to the zoo all summer so we might as well get some good food out of it!

Maddy's 6 Month Checkup

Yesterday was Maddyson's 6 month exam. She was 16.12 pounds and 26 1/2 inches. Still so little! She is doing great. Had two shots in the thighs, and doesn't have to go back until she's 9 months.

She has been sitting up all of August. Lately she has really been trying to striaghten her back and sit up tall. She falls over occasionally, but it usually doesn't bother her. Every now and then, she takes the chance and tries to sit tall without using her hands to prop her up on the floor. She seems proud of herself. Her mom is!

Weaning

I am now down to nursing Maddy just twice a day - morning and night. We have been slowly working our way down for over 2 weeks now. She seems a little fussy about it. A lot of times when I'm holding her, she turns to me and tries to find a boob. I'm o.k. with the weaning. I miss the convenience, but I also like that I can rely on Steve for complete meals now! I'm also very glad I dediced to stay with two feedings a day. I'm not ready to completely wean her yet. I just hope my supply stays up.

Maddy's First Professional Portraits

We took Maddyson to JCPenneys yesterday for her 6 month portraits. It went pretty well. Maddy smiled in the beginning. Then it got a little difficult because she was really preoccupied with everything that was going on (phones ringing, other children). Mom was the one man show standing behind the photographer. I sang many songs and blew kisses - two ways that I can always get her to smile.

We ordered pretty many prints for family and friends. Our favorites were the poses that included the pink feather boa and pearls. Too cute!

More Veggies

She likes squash.
She likes peas.

Green Beans

Now that Maddyson is 6 months old we have started her on other foods. The rice cereal has been going well, so I went to Pick 'N Save the other day and bought every kind of veggie and fruit that they had for Stage 1 eaters. Two days ago we started her on green beans. She didn't really seem to like what I was feeding her, but she ate the entire serving! Such a trooper. Yesterday she wasn't very happy with the green beans, and she didn't finish because she started to cry. Poor girl. Tonight was a little better. She ate the entire serving and didn't make as many faces. I don't even think she gagged this time! It really does take a few days for them to get used to a new taste. Green beans again tomorrow and then we'll move on to another veggie - maybe carrots.

Now that she's eating messier foods, I have moved her to the booster chair that I bought for the kitchen. She sits pretty well in it. I only had to adjust her a couple of times, but I think it was mostly because she was interested in keeping an eye on Jackson.

Love My Girl

This evening I was trying to keep Maddy occupied for a little while until it was time to get her ready for bed. We were playing on the floor of her bedroom, and I pulled a new toy out for her to try. It's the one where you stack the 5 different sized doughnuts onto the cone. She was laying on her tummy watching me take the doughnuts off and put them back on. Her eyes just lit up. I got choked up and almost cried because she was seeing something for the first time and the look in her eyes made me realize how new everything is to her. I can't wait to see that look again. It will happen many times.

Another Week Gone By

We all survived the Chicago trip, and it wasn't as traumatic as I thought it would be. Maddy did just fine with my sisters. Steve and I had a good time. We did a little shopping and watched the soccer game on Sunday. I had a glass of wine with dinner on Sat. night and then had a Long Island Iced Tea at the hotel bar. That's about all I needed.

This weekend was good for Maddyson to be with other people. I noticed this week that she is becoming more comfortable. She let Liz, Louise and a friend of Louise's hold her at the gyro stand at the lakefront on Wednesday. She let Kourtney and Grandpa hold her as well. She still likes to know where I am, but at least she's not pouting and crying right away.

Maddy does not object to tummy time at all anymore. When I put her down on the floor to play, she usually rolls right to her stomach. She is pushing up on her hands now and lifting herself nice and high. She is also pushing from her feet a bit. Sometimes she sticks her butt in the air. I think these are the beginning signs of crawling, but it will be a little while.

We Leave Tomorrow

Tomorrow afternoon Steve and I leave for a short weekend trip to Chicago. We'll be gone until Sunday night. I'm looking forward to the trip, but I am really going to miss my baby. This is going to be difficult for us as much as we know we should do it. I just feel that Maddy is going to be so upset the entire time we're gone. My sister Kourtney is taking care of her, and we chose to have Kourtney stay at our house so Maddy is in a familiar environment. My mom is five minutes away and Kollette is helping out on Sunday. I just feel guilty leaving her, even though it's with family, because she has become so attached to Steve and I this summer. Anytime anyone else holds her, she always looks for me - she has to know where I am. It's so cute, but at the same time, I want her to feel comfortable with the other people in her life. 

Summer School is Over!

My summer course ended tonight. Yay! I think I will get an A. Great instructor who always let us out early. Easy assignments. I wish she taught more courses at UWM.

The past two nights while I've been at class, Maddyson has been rolling back and forth for Steve. She rolls onto her tummy and then rolls back to her back. Tonight Steve said she did one complete roll where she started on her back and ended on her back. I guess I missed it by about 10 mintues. I was at my parents house getting Kollette's breast pump for the weekend. Steve and I are going to Chicago with some friends for a Manchester United soccer game. We're leaving our dear daughter with Kourtney and Jamar. I'm a little nervous, but I know it will be good for all of us. Good for Steve and I to have a night out together and good for Maddyson to have some new faces to look at besides her mom and dad. I'll miss her so much, but I know she'll be fine. And I may have a drink or two. It's been 14 months!

Our Summer

Summer is about half over, but so far I have enjoyed every moment with Maddyson. Steve and I have also had a lot of time together since he has been home with us during the days. It's nice to do things as a family on days other than the weekends. I still have 5 or 6 weeks left of being at home, and I plan on taking full advantage of my time with my family. Once the school year starts, I will be so busy - one class at UWM and a new grade to teach. I really try not to think about it, but I do have to start putting some planning time in since I have neglected it so far. Once I am done with this final paper for my summer course, I can put a little energy into my new classroom.

More Firsts for Maddy!

Today was a fun day with Maddyson. This morning Steve and I decided to take her to the wading pool in Tippecanoe Park. The weather has been humid and hot for the past couple days (finally) and I just bought her swimming diapers and baby sunblock so we were all set. We dressed her in her mathcing swimsuit, skirt and hat. Then loaded her into the stroller with our cameras and set off for the park. The pool is actually free which surprised me because it costs money to run and you'd think they'd be charging with the way things are nowadays. Steve videotaped us as I carefully lowered Maddy into the water - just her feet at first. She didn't really react so we slowly moved a little deeper. She really liked it. We got a few smiles and one loud shriek. I swished her around in the water and Steve sat with her for a while. We only stayed for about 30 minutes, but that was long enough. We loaded her back into the stroller and started for home. She was asleep before we were even out of the park. I want to take her again because it was really fun to watch her quietly enjoying that experience.

The other first happened later this afternoon after her nap (1 hour 15 minutes). Steve had Maddy playing on the floor on her blankets when she pulled her feet up to her mouth and started sucking on her toes. Loudly! So of course Steve grabbed the camera and now we have that on film as well. For the past couple weeks she has been grabbing her feet and holding on to them, but today she finally put them into her mouth. Too cute!

A Walk in the Park

Maddy and I went for another walk this morning because we finally had another dry day. Since she was still awake when we got to the playground, I put her in one of the infant swings and pushed her for a few minutes. She sat there with a big smile on her face. I tickled her feet every time she came near. Then I put her back into her stroller and we went home.

New Bathroom

Our bathroom is almost done. Today Steve painted the wall behind the toilet and new sink, and the toilet was installed for the last time. Tomorrow the sink and other fixtures are being put in. I think we can start showering in our own bathroom again! Then we're just waiting for the electrician to finish up. Now Steve and I (mostly me) have to pick out towel racks and other accessories. It will be so nice when everything is done. Can't wait.

Maddyson is 5 months old!

Our girl is already 5 months old. She is so much fun now. Every day is really enjoyable, and I am so grateful to have my summer off with her, this summer and every summer from now on! I can't count how many kisses she gets each day from Steve and I, but she loves them all - on her neck, on her cheeks and on her tummy.

Today she sat on a park swing for the first time. She did pretty well. I pushed her gently and also tried to take some pictures. I could hardly get her to look my way - she was so intrigued by everything else that was going on at the playground.

It is very difficult to try and express the love that we have for our daughter. She is a gift from God, and we truly feel blessed. We take pleasure in giving her everything that she needs. What a wonderful way we get to start each day - by walking into our daughter's room and finding her playing in her crib, so happy and excited to see us. We love you Maddyson.

Class

I started my summer class last night. I like the instructor - she lets us out early. There is no required text, and she is only giving us three assignments. Our first week is almost over, and I have no stress about this class. What a nice class to take during my already hectic summer.

I really am going to try to take things slow and enjoy each day. Today we took Maddy and Jack for a walk. I also painted some more of the garage trim and laid out in the sun while Maddy napped.

We can bathe!

Our new whirlpool tub was installed this afternoon so now we can take baths and use the jets. Steve tried it out. The plumber was barely out the door for the day and Steve was already running the water. I think I'll take a bath later tonight. I just want to shave my legs. :) It's a really nice tub, not as long as our old one, but much deeper. It should be very nice having that especially with sore muscles. Next week is the electrical, drywalling and tiling. We will also have to pick a shade of blue from the 20 paint chips we brought home.

Maddy naps!

We have struggled getting Maddy to take a nap for long periods of time, but this morning I tried something different. When she began to fuss because she was tired, I layed down with her in our bed and nursed her. She fell asleep and has been napping for 2 hours now. She likes our bed, and she's sleeping right through the installation of our new bathtub! So much for tiptoing around the house for the past 2 weeks while she took those 30 minute catnaps. Steve and I will not have to be quiet anymore. I think we'll let her nap in our bed from now on. Of course, at night she will always be put down in her crib, but during the day she's comfy in our bed and I guess that's o.k.