Merry Christmas!

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" 



What an amazing Christmas.  We enjoyed a beautiful candlelight service with Grandbuddy in our new sanctuary at church on Christmas Eve. The nursery was closed, so Madeline joined us, as well.  And I must say, she did great! Following church, we had a yummy meal and a visit with the Hobby family (Mimi's mom - Granny - and brother and his family).

Christmas morning was such a treat for Madeline. She came downstairs to find a kitchen from Santa, and a wooden table and chairs from mom and dad that she uses as her "art table."  Other big favorites were her Dora CD and plush toy (if I haven't mentioned it before, she's a HUGE Dora fan.  HUGE!). We even had a FaceTime with Uncle David all the way from Paris. Derek, Madeline and I had a quiet family morning soaking in Santa and unwrapping gifts.  Mimi, Buddy, Uncle Keith and Avery joined us for Christmas brunch and then we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Mimi and Buddy's house that night. We're looking forward to a visit from Vie and Papa this weekend to continue the Christmas celebration with them.

Christmas has always been a favorite for me, but I tell ya, it keeps getting better.  Nothing makes you feel more grateful than spending quality time with family and experiencing this special celebration through your child's eyes. 

Christmas celebrations have begun!

We celebrated an early Christmas with a visit from Uncle Kenneth and Aunt Kristen (or as Madeline affectionately calls them, Uncle Cork and Aunt Krusty) this weekend.  We started our weekend with a yummy dinner at Angus Barn with the Beavers family.  Madeline and Avery ate like little champs and seemed to really love all of the Christmas decor.

On Saturday, we headed to Mimi and Grandbuddy's to find a wonderful treat.  Mimi found a fantastic bounce house for the girls, complete with a ball pitt.  These girls jumped and threw themselves around this "jump jump" and loved every minute (when I speak of the girls, I mean Madeline, Avery and Aunt Rachelle, too!). After a wonderful dinner with the family, we unwrapped gifts and the big kids exchanged Secret Santa gifts.  We completed the weekend with lunch, another round of jumping, and decorating Christmas cookies with Aunt Rach, Uncle Keith, and Avery.

Such a wonderful time of year - my favorite.  I feel eternally blessed and I'm so grateful for the blessings of family and friends. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Roman 15:13

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.

- James 1:17

A visit to see Santa

As you can see, it didn't really go so well.  Madeline liked to be in the vicinity of Santa, and waved to him a few times, but lap?  No thank you.  Maybe next year!!

Boots, Booster Seats, & Big Girl Church

Madeline ate in her "big girl chair" at the table this morning.  AND she graduated up to the 2 year old class at church.  When did she grow up?!

And, we also have new boots.  We're mighty proud of these boots...

18 months old

18 months old. Wow!  Madeline is attempting to feed herself with a spoon (all by her lonesome), saying “pee pee” when she has a wet diaper (does this mean easier potty training down the road?!), and having full blown conversations with us.  She can say just about any word she hears and is letting us know when she wants something to drink; when she wants more to eat; if she’s finished with her meal; when she’s ready for her bath, to swing, or go outside; and even when she wants “out” of her car seat…this happens daily.  She has even picked up the sign language for “more” from Bozenna’s house, so she does that quite a bit.  She’s such a smarty pants.  This is SO much fun.  She’s just a little bitty woman telling her mama and daddy what she needs and wants.

Over the weekend, we conquered some eating milestones.  I have been hesitant about the size of the bites I give Madeline because if it was up to her, she’d shove the entire plate into her mouth and call it a day.  This makes me oh so nervous.  But, she has to learn sometime, so this weekend, we gave her an ear of corn for dinner one night, which she ate like an adult, and a waffle cut into fours…which she picked up, bit off bite sized pieces, chewed, swallowed, repeat.  WHEW!  She did it!   Makes mom and dad feel so much better.  She knows how to control portion when she wants to, I suppose.  I’ve been slowly cutting larger pieces, and giving her whole pieces of food (in her size, of course) to bite off and chew.  So far so good.  Knock on wood!

Her favorite thing to do right now is color.  We have a couple of coloring books and some crayons for her and she goes to town.  She has also attempted to color the floor, my coffee table, Deacon.  We’re getting there – she’s just learning boundaries.

Madeline has also perfected the real deal tantrum.  Screaming, throwing herself onto the floor with gusto, and stomping her feet.  Derek and I have been trying to walk away from her and not give her the satisfaction of a response/not let her see us cracking up. How is there so much fire in a tiny child?!  She is still an excellent drama queen and gives us the fake cry (imagine the sound of crying with mouth gaping open, tongue hanging out, eyes cracked half-way open to see if you’re watching).

We had the *dreaded* 18 month doctors visit…and by dreaded, I mean that every time we step foot in Apex Pediatrics, Madeline lo-o-o-oses i-i-i-t.  And all the nurses and Dr. Steele are amazing.  She has a good memory on her, apparently.  But, all looks great.  She is 23 lbs., 11 oz. (41%), 32 ¾” in length (81%), and head measures 19" (89%).  Growing girl.  SO excited to eat Thanksgiving deliciousness with her this week.

Eating like a big girl

Madeline has been eating off of a plate in her high chair recently (successfully - as in, not trying to pick it up and share it with Deacon).  Tonight, she picked up her spoon, and spooned several bites of mashed potatoes into her mouth.  Unassisted!  Such a big girl. I'm one proud mama!

Just readin'

Madeline was reading a book...busted us taking pictures...and said, "CHEEEESE."

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Red Riding Hood and her wolf.  

We had a wonderful Halloween.  We stopped by Tracy and Nick's house to trick or treat and then headed to Uncle Keith and Aunt Rachelle's house to hand out candy and play with sweet cousin Avery.  Madeline LOVED every minute.  Here's a cute video of the girls.  You'll note the Hot Dog dance in the background...

Celebrating Avery!

We had a fun little Saturday celebrating cousin Avery's birthday over the weekend.  We enjoyed a bounce house, a hay ride, and delicious cupcakes.  Happy early birthday Avery Boo!

17 months

Almost halfway through Madeline's second year of life.  Really?!  Our little bitty baby has turned into a little bitty woman overnight. 

Not too much to update since last month, though she is growing her vocabulary all the time.  Yesterday at Bozenna's, she pointed to each of the children's pictures on the board and said their names (Stellan, Amelia, Valerie, Michael, Megan). She does this with the family pictures, too.  Of course, she likes to say the usual - Keith!  Keith!  Avery!  Avery!  She's a BIG fan of these two. She also calls for both sets of grandparents daily.  Some new favorites are flower, plane, scarecrow, thank you, apple, berry, choo choo (for train). She also now has 16 teeth - 4 molars, 8 in the front, 4 canines. 

Madeline is really enjoying eating at restaurants, and just being out in public, period. She waves at the wait staff and other patrons, and colors with her crayons while we wait for food. She thinks that drinking out of a straw is the coolest (which is totally true if it's precious M that's doing it!).

She's running everywhere because clearly, walking is so overrated. She's also having real deal melt downs. I mean, limp body, red face. Whew. These are very rare and only last a second, but MAN!  She can dish it out if she wants to. That being said, I will follow this up with a story about her usual sweet demeanor. This morning while I was finishing getting ready for work, she came running into our room and said "MAMA!" and jumped into my arms (insert melting).

Madeline has also recently discovered her belly button. She really likes lifting up her shirt to show it off, too. We're working on cutting that out in public. :) 

And her newest love, The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on Disney. I was that mom who said "no TV." This meaning that I didn't want her to watch it all the time and become dependent on it for entertainment. And she really doesn't - I can honestly say that she prefers her puzzles, books, and being outside. But I tell you, the "Hot Dog Song" comes on and that child lights up and dances!  She also closes it out with "byeee Mickey" (while waving).  Anything that makes her that happy is okay with me!  

SO, since Derek and I walk around the house (and every other possible location) singing this song, we wanted to share with you.  You can thank us later.

First trip to the zoo

We met Vie and Papa at the NC Zoo this beautiful Saturday morning.  Madeline loved every minute of it.  We walked from the N. American side to the African side, stopping to see all the animals.  Madeline especially loved the elephants and the gorillas (we saw the new baby!).  We had a quick bite of lunch, stopped in the gift store (where Madeline picked out a red wolf puppet to take home) and then hit the road - M was asleep before we even got back on Hwy 64.

Wonderful day!

16 months

Madeline, the big girl, update.  Trying to keep a running tab of what she’s up to -

• She has 14 teeth. 
• She sleeps longer (8 pm – anywhere between 7-8 am). 
• She has cut her morning nap, so she has the one, long afternoon nap.
• No hair cuts to report!  We’re letting it grow out and have discovered that she yanks bows out, but will keep a rubber band in!  Score one for mom and dad!
• She eats pretty much anything we eat nowadays.  She has recently decided, however, that she no longer wants to eat green beans.  Whether this is a phase, or we just gave them to her too often, I’m not sure.  Knock on wood – she’s still going strong everywhere else.  Her favorite foods include:  avocado, eggs, broccoli, tomato, and FRUIT – any of it.
• She loves milk.  She easily drinks 20 oz. plus every day.  Clearly, we’re buying a TON of milk these days.
• She’s a dancing machine (still)
• She is completely fascinated with the vacuum cleaner
• She is a touch dramatic, complete with “wet noodle” and fake cries.  This doesn’t last long, nor does it happen too often, but she can really dish it out if she’s feeling up to it.
• She likes to “jump jump” – this could be on our laps, on the bed, or in an exersaucer jump-thingy at Mimi and Grandbuddy’s house.
• Her favorite words are Baba (this is mama), Daddy, DD (Deacon and Madeline are BFF), bunny, Acey (Avery)
• Speaking of Deacon and Madeline, when she wakes up every morning, she calls for DD and he comes in and sticks his nose in between the slats in her crib to give her morning love.  I think we lucked out in the dog department, too.
• Favorite animal sounds:  Sssss (for snake), woof, meow
• Favorite activity is reading!  She loves to flip through her books, or have you read to her.
• She’s starting to form sentences, or use multiple words at once, rather.  She’ll say her own version of Happy Birthday, hi ___ (fill in person or animal or DeeDee here), hi there, love you.
• She just talks.  There’s no telling (yet) what she’s really saying, but she’ll tell you a story if you let her.
• When she wants something, she says “please”
• She blows kisses
• She knows eyes, mouth, teeth, ears, hair, nose, toes, foot
• She’s in a mama phase.  Holding on to this as tight as I can before she goes back to strictly daddy J
• She enjoys saying a blessing before dinner and a prayer before bed.  Smiles and says her version of “yes” (sounds like “aye”) when we finish.

She’s just awesome.  Period.  We have truly been blessed with this little girl.