Father's Day

all you can eat crab legs
dinner with family
outside
drizzle
dad's happy
husband's full
don't forget ice cream on the way home

Max Spends His Half Birthday at the Zoo

Max is 1 1/2! Our baby boy can say hi, bye, dog, Mama, go, and Da (daddy and Maddy). He can climb onto the couch all by himself, follow directions, put dirty diapers into the garbage can, open and close the patio door (escape), irritate his big sister, get his shoes and jacket when he wants to go outside, throw AND catch a ball and dunk his head underwater (with Daddy's help).

Today we spent the morning at the zoo. Maddy had zoo camp for 2 hours, first time without Steve or I. She did great and had a fantastic time. Meanwhile we walked Max around the zoo to look at all the big animals. It was a gorgeous day, despite what most weather reports said it was going to be like. I still think meteorologists are the most overpaid people. Beautiful time had by all.

Happy half birthday Max!

No More Milk

After breastfeeding Max everyday of his 17 1/2 months, we are officially weaning. I have mixed feelings about it because I have really enjoyed this time with him and the bond that it has created between us. But I am also enjoying the freedom that comes with only eating and drinking for myself again. ;)

I knew that weaning him would eventually happen and that it would be bittersweet. I am facing the fact that I will most likely never breastfeed again since we are probably not going to have anymore children. So I am sad that we are coming to the end of a special time. But I am very proud of myself for being able to give him such a great thing for so long.

I nursed Maddy for 12 months and now Max for nearly 18 months. And I am so glad that I did that for my children.

Please Keep Jake in Your Prayers

Please pray for this little guy and his family.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jake
Jake is losing his battle with cancer. After a long fight, his parents have taken him home to love him. They are fighting no longer. I have been following his story for some time now, and my heart is breaking.

Here We Are Now

I stopped blogging when Maddy was just a baby because I had so many things going on. Maddy was keeping us quite busy, and I was finishing grad school. Once I was done with school, I wanted to start a written journal to chronicle Maddy's milestones and everything that goes on in our lives. Now, a few years later, we have our darling little boy, Max. I'm still journaling, but thought that maybe I could fit blogging in as well.

Maddy is now five. She is my sunshine. We are amazed by her energy and exuberance. Our little girl does not rest from sun up to bedtime. She truly enjoys each day no matter what is going on.

Max is our baby boy. Our little snuggle bug. He's just a tiny little peanut. He has a beautiful smile and a wonderful laugh. His whole face brightens up when his big sister comes into the room.

Our family is complete. We are so thankful for our two beautiful, healthy children. I thank God every day for the gifts that He has given us.

The Reason Why I Am So Blessed

Actually, two reasons.

Blessed and in Awe

I have not blogged in nearly four years, and I can't believe that it has been that long. But lately I have been following some amazing blogs by some amazing women about their amazing families, and I just can't seem to stay away any longer. The stories I have recently read have changed me. I am in awe at the strength that women, more specifically mothers, have within them. I can only hope and pray that I am as strong for whatever comes my way, whatever my path leads to, whatever is planned for me. I am in awe.

Deep Thoughts about Sesame Street

Steve and I were vegging out in the living room wathcing Sesame Street with Maddy yesterday morning. The skit was another one with Ernie and Bert where Ernie was just being obnoxious and annoying Bert. Here is the conversation that took place between Steve and I:

Me: Do you think if they were real people Ernie would be considered mentally retarded?

Steve: (after some thought) Yeah. Are they brothers or are they gay?

Maddy's Verbage

I was just telling Steve today that Maddy is saying so many things now it's hard to keep track anymore. Here are all the words that Maddy can say now @ 17 1/2 months:
Mama
Dada
Bumpa (grandpa)
Ma (grandma)
Na (Nate)
Jack
Elmo (perfectly!)
dog
hi
bye
up
more
no (all the time!)
do (yes) (I have no idea how this evolved)
mo (motorcycle)
baby
hot
hat
night night
cheese
keys
chirp (the sound a bird makes)
Uh oh!
knee (has fallen down alot this week and hurt her knees!)
eye (identifies these body parts)

Many more to come!

Finally a Bike Trailer

We have finally purchased a bike trailer and after a two year hiatus, Steve and I got back on our bikes this week! Woo Hoo! We didn't really want one last year - Maddy was still so small. I'm just now getting comfortable with having her strapped into a moving vehicle that is made of aluminum and nylon!

Maddy seems to enjoy it. This morning we put her in the trailer, gave her a little baggie of Fruit Loops and her sippy cup of water and off we went. We rode over to my parent's house to see Grandma and Nate. Maddy just sat back and munched on her Fruit Loops. She doesn't make a peep!

Our Only Busy Weekend of the Summer is Done - Yaaaaay!

We just got back from a 2-day trip to Madison. I had to attend a reading research symposium for one of my summer classes. While I sat in a cold air conditioned building for 2 days straight, Steve and Maddy toured UW-Madison and shopped and ate on State Street. It was nice though. When I was done for the day yesterday, we spent the evening on State Street. We had Noodles for dinner and then just walked and people watched. I hate to say it, but that's our only trip for the whole summer. My class in August prevents us from going camping like we usually do.

Next summer I'm wide open!

I told Steve if I ever think about going back for my Ph.D, just hit me, shake me, strap me down - something!

Maddy was really good. Isn't she always? Yes, my baby is a sweetheart. Her new thing is saying "no". She even has the headshake down. What can I say - she's her mother's daughter. She won't take any grief from anyone either. That's my girl.

Summer is Here!

I can't believe I made it. I didn't think I would survive the last two weeks of the school year, but as usual, we came through just fine. I am now blogging from our brand new computer at home. Yes, our Internet access is back! Thank goodness. I need it for school, but it's still nice to be able to mindlessly search the Internet every once in a while (something that I had absolutely no time for during my school days). An added bonus is the screen we bought with our new computer is a 19 inch flat screen. It's huge!
Happy days!

Yay for Me!

Going back to kindergarten next year!

Not Much New

Not a whole lot new to post. Just two more days until my spring break! Can't wait for 10 days off. I need it! I think Steve and I might paint our bedroom over the break since we're both off the whole week. I thought we could get that out of the way before the summer so we wouldn't have to worry about it then.

Maddy is moving around more than ever. She is really enjoying walking now. Just yesterday it seemed like she was really improving. She can also climb onto the IKEA chair now all by herself. It's funny when she does it - she gets so excited for herself like she's just reached the top of a mountain.

First Steps

Yesterday after work I was playing with Maddyson in the living room while Steve was making dinner. We were walking around, hand in hand. Then I stood her up and directed her away from me. She kept her balance and took her first steps! I think it was about three steps. The best part is both Steve and I were there to see it together. We cheered for her. Then of course I had to grab the video camera, but it didn't happen again.

I think we have weaned

This morning after Maddyson's 5 minute feeding I decided that we are probably done with breastfeeding. At 1 year 2 weeks - She will be fine with it. The question is, will I? I had a little cry, and Steve was there to comfort me. I did want that little bit of freedom back (I want to be back on my regular pill) so this will be good. It's a little sad to think that that part of our relationship is closed, but I truly enjoyed it and am so grateful that we stuck with it for so long. It's good to know that I will have the opportunity to breastfeed again with our next child. Our baby girl is growing.

Is It June Yet?

I am so ready to be done with this school year. I'm ready to go back to kindergarten. My 2nd and 3rd graders this year are pretty good kids, but teaching two grade levels is just way too much work. I think I truly was meant to teach the peanuts. Hopefully next year I'll be back where I want to be.

Maddyson is 1 Year Old!

Maddy is now one. We celebrated her birthday by taking her to JC Penneys to have her 1 year portrait taken. She wore a red outfit that we bought in Chinatown in Chicago last summer. It fit pretty well considering that we had to predict what size she would be in 5 months before we wanted her to wear it.

That afternoon we took her to see all the grandparents so that they could see her in her outfit and wish her a Happy Birthday. We actually almost forgot to give her a card and gift, but we made time for it before we put her to bed. She got a big box of Legos of course (my favorite). Every toddler/child needs Legos.

We can't believe how fast her first year has gone. We are so fortunate to have our Maddyson.

1st Birthday Party

Today we celebrated Maddy's 1st birthday with family and friends. Gold Rush chicken, cake and gifts. Maddy enjoyed herself and was in bed by 6:50 without a peep, which is quite early for her. She loved her piece of birthday cake. I made a white cake with pink vanilla frosting. I gave Maddy her piece on her tray, and she just dug right in. It was all over her face, clothes and hair. But it was fun to watch.

I can't believe that she is already one year old. And what a year it's been. We are so blessed to have her.

Whining

Maddy spent a good part of the weekend whining. I think her teeth might be bothering her. I don't know what else it could be. She is completely content when she's eating. She's been a bottomless pit lately.

On Saturday we went to Mayfair to buy Maddy her first pair of good shoes from Strite Rite. They're cruisers since she's not quite walking yet. $40 but well worth it for her ankles and feet. They said we'd be back in 2 to 4 months for her next pair.

Afterwards, we went to Boston Market for dinner. It's been a while since we've eaten there. Maddy enjoyed the mashed potatoes, chicken and green beans. She's such a good girl when we're out and about.