SHE SAID "MA-MA"

Yes, thats right she finally said the two words that made my journey into motherhood all worth it!! The icing on the cake when you hear your child call you (okay she may not have known what she said but she has never said Ma-Ma before). Randy was coming up from the basement and he wasn't in my view so I said "Was Madison playing golf in the basement again" (she likes to play with Daddy's clubs and golf balls) and then she said very loudly and clearly "MA-MA?" as if she was looking for me. TOTALLY AMAZING!!

(This is Madison helping with the dishes)

Last weekend while visiting Grandma in Ottawa Madison went from crawling on her belly to crawling on her hands and knees. When we got home she decided that wasn't enough milestones to reach in one weekend so she pulled herself up to her knees. Yikes!! On March 27th Daddy took Madison to the basement while Mommy had a shower and when Mommy was finished she went to go see them and guess who pulled herself to standing??? Yup, thats right our little baby is no longer a baby - Where did my baby go? She is growing way too fast. I was staring at her in amazement and sadness all at once, Amazement - that she is meeting so many milestones so quickly (right after another) and sadness that my little baby is no longer a baby - Yes, she is technically still a baby but to see her standing when only a few months ago she needed support with her little head. Motherhood is totally amazing and rewarding but at the same time I feel great sadness (which I know I should be happy and pleased with her accomplishments) that these times are going by faster than I expected. Soon she will be saying "Daddy I need some clothes can I have some money or the mastercard?" Oh, and she won't want us to go with her she will want us to drop her off a block away so her friends don't see her with her parents.

I am sure Opa and Oma are also sad this week and excited too!! Sad that their southern trip is coming to an end (Heading home on Saturday the 31st) but excited to see all their granddaughters. Jillian can't wait for Oma and Opa to take them for ice cream (which Madison had her first lick on Sunday March 18th - she liked it) - Soon Opa and Oma with have 3 to take for Dairy Queen. We are looking forward to them coming home and hopefully brining the sun back with them as they have so nicely rubbed in "the weather is phenomenal" lucky them.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Translation: Back to bragging about my daughter.

Nothing new to report (I am saving any updates for my scrapbook month page) - She is growing like a weed, she is cute as a button, and I absolutely adore her. I still stare at her in amazement and think "Wow, I gave birth to this most amazing little person." I can't believe I nurtured her in my belly!! She is exactly the same in utero or out!! Squirmy, busy, constantly moving, and she never kept me up at night. I have heard that a lot women they are up a lot at night because the baby keeps them up at night - Not our Madi, she has always been a great sleeper at night (except her first teething episode).

We received in the mail today the most wonderful gift from our neighbors, (Linda and Michael - last name omitted intentionally) they are in Alabama enjoying a snow-free winter, it was a box FULL of the most beautiful spring/summer outfits. I can't wait for the warmer weather so I can show them off - I can't wait for the warmer weather just to see her in them all. Michael is a big golfer (Randy is eagerly waiting to play with him) and they sent the absolutely cutest jacket and matching pants (windbreaker set) with IY GOLF on the back - and it is the cutest outfit and Daddy thought it was perfect - of course the funny thing is that Michael is golfing a lot (Alabama = warm weather = opportunity) and Randy is itching to get out - Shining his clubs/irons - re-gripping them - re-doing the shaft weight (whatever that means) and they sent the gift in a shoe box but not any shoe box - Golf shoe box and on the top it was written - Don't get excited Randy, they are not golf shoes - We laughed so hard!!!

Jillian and Daniella saw Madison crawling across the floor and Jillian said that she looked like a green tree frog and actually she is absolutely right. Madi lays on her belly and crawls sliding her belly across the floor its the funniest thing but she is quick - We have to have eyes on the back of our heads. Her favorite place to go is the dog bed and of course its the place we dont want her since his bed is full of dog hair but she loves to crawl on his bed whether he is on it or not. I feel like I have the vaccum and swiffer constantly in my hand cleaning the dog hair off the floor. (and the camera around my neck)

Madison seems to intrigued by Daniella whenever she looks at Madi, Madison smiles back and is totally enamoured with her but Jillian she plays shy with. I ask Jillian to say Hi to her and Madi puts her head down and looks up with her head tilted (like we can't see her). It is so funny and cute - At dinner last Sunday Madison was showing off by talking, yelling, and playing at the table only because she had an audience with Jillian and Daniella - Its so nice to see them all get along. Daniella said "Madison is going to be my best friend forever" - How cute is that!!

I didn't think I was going to have time to write this and post pictures since we are off to Ottawa Friday to visit Grandma, Aunt Leah, cousin Jadon, and maybe Uncle Chris, cousin Christian, Uncle Donovan, Aunt Sylvie, cousins Dylan and Bubba (Kevin). (Uncle Donovan only wants to see Baxter - he actually thought that when I was pregnant I wouldn't have time for a dog so we should give them Baxter - Baxter loves to visit cause he gets to snuggle in bed with him)

Thanks for visiting - Come back next week

THE "REAL" REASON

Randy and I finally realized the "real" reason his parents go south in the winter. I earlier wrote that we "assumed" they went south because of the snow and frigid cold. We were recently sent pictures and we finally realised the "real truth" behind their trips south.

Randy's Dad (Fred) is in the pink shirt, Randy's Uncle (Bob) is to his left in a blue shirt and a long time fried on the family in the back row is also "Fred", all they way from Holland.

Randy's Mom (Enid) is in the middle in the pink with the nice tongue directed in her ear, Randy's Aunt (Ria) is behind her, and to her left is Coby (I hope I spelled it right) with the flower on her shirt visting all the way from Holland.

Must be nice!!

Oh, Yeah Oma and Opa we have Madison's passport when are you sending us a ticket???

ENOUGH WITH THE PAPARAZZI

I know I am beautiful but enough with the pictures!! Geesh

Cranky Pants

This is Mommy, Daddy, and Madison going for a walk by our house to feed the ducks. Mommy and Madi try to go out for an hour walk every day - weather permitting. We are enjoying the milder temperatures but that has changed quickly again. We walked all the way to the grocery store and back in under an hour. Momma needs to lose 10 pounds.

Our lovely little girl is busy teething which makes for a very cranky baby. Not only has she cut her two upper front teeth but the two next to them are pushing their way through and her gums are swollen and white so our little princess is very cranky and in a lot pain. Poor little thing.

Mommy bought Madi some bunny ears for Easter and Mommy couldn't resist taking a picture of Daddy and his little bunny. They are so cute together, Mommy loves watching Daddy play and spending time with his daughter.


Now that Madison is crawling - one day only going backwards the next she was going forward and she realised that now she can get to the dog. Baxter and Madison greeted each other and Mommy caught it all on camera. I think the camera is becoming Mommy's new necklace - okay not that bad but Daddy is getting tired of me taking so many pictures.

Eight Months and Growing!!

Yes there are lots of Pictures of Madison in a basket but every picture has such a different look on her face I couldn't help but put them all up. She's my camera ham!!

8 Months
18 Lbs 8oz
30½”

You are such a busy baby that we have to keep a very close eye on you. You get into trouble quickly these days especially with those long arms; you can swipe something so quickly if we aren’t paying attention. You are talking up a storm saying things like “ba-ba” or “ga-ga” and moaning when you eat your food. You love to put things on your head, I think it’s your version of peek-a-boo.

You have this almost flirtatious look you give your Daddy when you are around him. It is so cute because you only seem to do these faces when you are looking at your Daddy. It seems like you are trying to whoo him and boy have you. The one thing I have waited and looked forward to is the moment you reach you arms out to say “I want you Mommy” and you now do that, it is the most heartwarming feeling – I knew I couldn’t wait for it and now that you are doing it, it melts my heart every time. There is nothing sweeter to your Mommy when just picking you up and cuddling you in my arms makes everything better for you. I love holding you in my arms when you are looking for just a cuddle it’s my favorite time particularly in the night and then I have long talks with you about all things I want to do and experience with you.

Your other firsts this month are:

February 16 – Mommy and Madison played with bubbles, you couldn’t figure out where they went to after they hit the floor.

February 18 – Moved from your infant seat to a big car seat.

February 22 – Making puckering noises with your lips.

February 28 – First time sitting in the grocery store shopping carts, the first 10 minutes you were tense and after that you relaxed and enjoyed the ride and then talked and yelled at people going by. Trying to stand up on your feet when you are on all fours.

March 5 – Your top right tooth made a small appearance.

March 8 – Your top left tooth poked through.

This picture below is for Linda - I am not photogenic and this will be the last one of Mommy unless for some reason I actually do my hair and put make-up on (when i have a minute for myself). Notice it is considerably smaller. Thank goodness Madi is in the picture she makes it all cute....

Where has the last 8 months gone........... Time is flying by, soon it will be time for this party to end and Mommy will be going back to work and not get the honor and privelege of being with her as she grows, learns, and changes. I will never get back these amazing times of my life watching my baby daughter grow into a little person. How honored and lucky I have been. I truly feel very blessed but just no one ask that week (in september 2007) how i am doing cause i will probably crack and start to cry.