I Am Thankful For...

our girl. We are so blessed to have Maddyson in our lives. We thank God for her every day. In church this morning, we were asked to think about the things that we are thankful for from the past year. Maddyson was the first thing that we thought of, of course.

Maddy is now pulling up onto everything. She also likes playing with doors - closing them and opening them and so on. We have taught her how to blow kisses. It's cute if you can get her to do it. Whole fist in mouth plus sound to mimic mom and dad's kiss sound. Too cute. So we've established that she's trainable. ;)

Our girl.

Happy Halloween

We made it through Maddy's first Halloween. She wasn't real impressed with her costume - I think it was either supposed to be Winnie the Pooh or a Hunny Pot. Either way it was cute and best of all - FREE. A mom at school gave it to me. She bought it on clearance last year at the Disney Store.

After Maddy's nap which, by the way, was cut short by a little kid screaming into the house "TRICK OR TREAT!", we took her over to my parent's for pictures with Nate and his green frog costume. He was cute and considerably happier than Maddy. She wanted out of that costume fast. She just sat there, grumpy. And when she tried to move, she didn't get very far. Everyone had their fun watching her in her misery and then I took her out of her Hunny pot so she could play. Too bad we had to put it back on her when it was time to go because we didn't bring any other coat for the ride home.

Love My Weekends

It is so difficult for me to go back to work on Monday mornings. I miss Maddy so much after spending all weekend with her. I just cherish that time. For the past month and a half we've been going to swim class on Saturday mornings. Our last class is next Saturday which is nice because now that the days are cooler, I want to just stay in our cozy little house with her on Sat. mornings and just snuggle up.

This weekend we went Christmas shopping for the first time as parents. Maddy came with us, of course, but I kept telling her to close her eyes. We bought her a wagon, an infant sled that you pull, a Fisher Price doll house (girl stuff, yay!), and some Duplos (one of her birthday presents). We also bought Nate a truck and the Fisher Price farm set. That was also our first time shopping at Farm and Fleet, but they had all their toys on sale so I couldn't resist. I'm still looking for a doll, an xylophone and a Leap Frog toy.

Today we took Maddy to Swan's Pumpkin Farm. I really just wanted to go for the photo opp. We sat her in the middle of a pumpkin patch and I snapped away while Steve recorded the event on film. New parents over here! Maddy had a good time taking in all the sights. We picked two pumpkins - one for Maddy and one for Daddy. Steve's was 35 pounds. Carving night should be interesting.

Alas, the weekend is over. We're getting ready for bed, and I find myself looking forward to the morning when Maddy wakes up and smiles at me when I go into her room to get her. That hour that I get to spend with her at the beginning of our day really does get me through to the evening.

I Miss Kindergarten

I am definitely not a second grade teacher. I am definitely not a third grade teacher. I miss kindergarten. I miss zippers and shoelaces and buttons. I miss it even more after visiting another school that has adopted the Reggio Amelia philosophy in their early childhood program. I love Reggio, and wish I were teaching a K grade so I could really get into it. Someday.

Maddy's Crawling

I barely have time to check my e-mail these days let alone blog, but I needed to record that Maddy has started to crawl. She did it last Thursday night (Sept. 30th) on her bedroom rug. When Steve came home she crawled over to him while he knelt down in her doorway. I almost cried. Then by the weekend she already had the hang of it on the slippery hardwood floors. Her crawl is so cute. Her body switches from side to side as she slaps each little hand down on the floor. She still seems so tiny. A whole new world has opened up for her, and now a new level of worries for me. Although, Jack usually keeps our floors free of any tiny debris that might seem attractive to our babe.

Now I Get It

So it took a 9 month pregnancy, 12 hours of labor and me becoming a mom for me to finally realize why the previous owner had a lock on the door that leads to the basement of our house. I originally thought it was so that they could lock their kid down in the basement. I didn't really think that was what they did, but couldn't understand the need to lock a basement door that lead to nothing but a basement. And then it hit me...........seriously only like a week ago.............the lock was probably to keep small children from opening the door and teetering at the top of a very steep and dangerous staircase. The lock is long gone so now we will be buying one and installing it very soon. Good thing I figured this one out.

Maddy Wants to Blog

AGR b jooo, ,,,,,,m 7zaaaaxsv

More Firsts

Maddy has a tooth! My mom found it today while she was babysitting. When I came home from work, Steve told me to feel Maddy's lower gum. And sure enough, I could feel her first little tooth. I don't even recall it being a problem for her. We haven't even bought Oral Gel yet. She did wake up twice this week at about 9:00 p.m., and I thought it might have had something to do with teething, but she was easily soothed so it didn't seem like she was in any pain. They say it's easier for some kids. But this is still just the beginning.

She also stood up by herself this week - for a brief moment. She was sitting in the laundry basket while I was folding clothes. When the basket was finally empty she put her hands on the side and pulled herself up to her feet. She was trying to get to Jackson. I couldn't believe it. Of course it happened so fast, there is no picture. Next time.

Shopping Carts

Steve is coaching at a soccer tournament in Madison. He's been gone since Saturday morning. It was just Maddyson, Jackson and me this weekend. We had Maddy's swim class yesterday. As soon as we get into the water, she's thrilled. Her eyes get real big and she just wants to move around under the water. Nathan is really liking it too. Kollette was floating him around on his belly, and he was actually moving his arms and legs like he was swimming!

One of my goals this weekend was to try the new dollar stores that are in our neighborhood in search of things for my classroom. Last night after I fed Maddy we went to the one in St. Francis. Steve accidentally took the baby carrier with him to Madison so I couldn't use that to go shopping with which is our normal way of doing things. So I had to try her in the shopping cart. I knew they'd be smaller at the dollar store than the big honking ones that they have at Pick 'N Save. I put Maddy in, and she seemed o.k. She liked being pushed around the store. She sat there so nicely trying to take everything in as usual. Then this morning I thought we'd visit the other new dollar store (this one's by Target). The shopping carts at this store had little seat belts. Maddyson showed her excitement by yelling and bouncing through most of the store.

Grad. School

Not looking forward to my grad. class this fall. This instructor actually makes the graduate students do more work than the undergrads. Imagine that!

Maddy is movin!

Maddyson has decided that she likes to scoot on her tummy across our hard wood floors in the living room. Today Steve found her under the IKEA chair. Being the good dad that he is, he took a picture so I could see when I got home from work. Then while he was at soccer practice, Maddy scooted from the living room all the way into the office. I grabbed the video camera and made sure to get this event on tape. I should add that all this scooting is being done feet first so as soon as we walk into the room, she's looking right at us!

Can't believe how much I miss her during the day when I'm at school. Today Steve e-mailed me to let me know how their day was going - he read to her and took her and Jackson for a walk. I almost cried because I wanted to be there with them. Then on the way home from our faculty meeting this afternoon, it was almost like I couldn't get to her fast enought. I almost cried again. I really cherish the couple hours I get to spend with her in the evenings before her bedtime.

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.