Monday, March 12, 2012

Big changes

The last couple of weeks have been full of big changes for Madison. Last week she moved from the Lambs room to the Lions. It was a tough transition and was bittersweet for both of us. The lions room is better suited to her now, since it is full of kids her age, neater toys, and lots of learning opportunities. But, I REEEEEEEAAAALLY liked the lambs room, and I know Madison did too. Those girls cared so much for Madison, I couldn't have asked for a better place for her to be when we couldn't be with her. They've made this transition back to work as smooth as it can be and have loved her like one of their own. Not only did Madison make new friends, but we really did too! Ugh, we are going to miss seeing them every day. 

But, after a week of rough days and acclimating to her new surroundings, she is handling the transition like a champ. She's latched on to her new teachers (especially Abby) and has already learned a million new things. She can do the actions for "I'm a little teapot", she is walking like she owns it, and she is saying tons of new words. Currently her vocabulary includes dada, bella, hi, more, belly, night night, bubbles, and Joe (that's right, she is saying my brother's name before mama, hmph). She can point out her nose, eyes, ears, and belly, and can sign the words more and please (we're still working on this one, manners aren't her strong suit). 

In honor of the big move, we did a little photo shoot with her cool lion hat from nana. We were actually supposed to be taking old pretzels out to feed the squirrels, but Madison thought it was a better idea for her to eat them. I decided to choose my battles. :) Then we went inside for an afternoon of finger painting. Really it was more like 5 minutes of finger painting until I realized the mistake I had made!


This last weekend the weather was beautiful and we took full advantage of it. We took several cruises in Madison's pimped out Bugaboo (thanks Ricardo!), played in the dirt (and ate some of it too, on purpose), took the whip out for a cruise, and took Bella for SEVERAL walks.







Saturday night Madison had a play date with some of her besties—Claire and Liam. We've been so fortunate to meet so many great couples in the area that have kids around the same age as Madison. Claire is in Madison's room at daycare, and they seriously are the cutest BFF's I've ever seen. Every morning when we walk in Claire runs over and gives Madison a kiss and a hug and then sits in my lap. Cutest. Thing. Ever.


Videos for grandma

Sunday, February 19, 2012

A visit from grandma x2

Last weekend Adam's parents came to visit from Nebraska. 

 
Madison latched onto Grandpa Melvin all weekend. She was mimicking everything he did. Adorable.

She had about 14 tea parties with Grandma Kate


My mom and dad stopped by to visit, and you would have thought Madison was in heaven with TWO grandmas swooning over her.

On a side note, Madison has decided that it is about time she started wearing shoes. Dad's almost fit.


Monday, February 6, 2012

The holidays... a little late

I'm finally getting around to editing the photos from the holidays. We had a wonderful relaxing time once again this year and have so much to be thankful for. Madison loved everything about Christmas, but probably enjoyed getting to see all of her cousins the most.

Nebraska was unusually warm this year (thank the lord for sparing us from the usual blizzard that we encounter) so we got to spend a lot of time outdoors. Adam and Justin did a lot of hunting and Madison and I got a lot of play time in with her sweet new toys (seriously, we had to leave a whole carload of stuff in Nebraska because we couldn't fit it all in).

The only thing (and it's a big one) missing this year was my side of the family. Omie and Jordan had to work close to the holidays and couldn't get a big enough chunk of time off to justify all the cost of making it back. Joe and Dylanger were in the middle of big projects and couldn't make it work either. My parents ended up flying out to Cali for a couple of days to hang out with the guys. So, I was a little teary-eyed over my first xmas that I haven't see Omie or Joe. Tear. Next year we'll have to make it work out somehow! Also, note to self, take more pictures around my side of the family. We see each other more often, and I have so few pictures of it!