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.