Weekend Fun

We had a relaxing weekend and just enjoyed all the latest tricks Madeline does. She's always loved her swing, but now she loves to "talk" to her fish as they go by on the mobile. We were very entertained by her enthusiasm for her swing and fish mobile. She was quite the chatterbox!

Remember Delaney and Rutledge from a prior post? Well, their mom and dad attended UNC, so they are huge UNC fans. They invited us over to their house to watch the UNC vs. NCSU football game on Saturday. Madeline, of course, had to show her support for her Daddy's alma mater. (Her blood really runs orange, but we made an exception for this outing.)

Madeline: "Dad, I'm not so sure that the Wolfpack is going to get a W, but I'll cheer for your boys anyways!" Madeline: "Dad!!! The Pack won!!! Go Pack!"

And, lastly, Madeline's daddy is always doing something silly, so here's the latest silliness....

Madeline: "Are you serious? Can you take your picture and be done with this nonsense?"

Three Months Old--Posted a few days late

Wow, it's been 3 months since this little precious baby entered our lives! Madeline's little personality is really starting to come out, and I'm happy to report that she seems to have such a sweet, lighthearted personality. I think she may take after her daddy with her laid back personality which is probably a good thing. This household can probably only handle one type A woman at a time! She's all smiles when you talk to her, and she's found her voicebox with her little coos and babbles. It's so cute to make her smile and talk back to you! She's very predictable with her routine, and she's trying to sleep through the night without waking up at all. We've decided to help her along with her sleeping through the night by just going in her room if she fusses and plug her paci in her mouth and sneak back out. Gradually she has fussed later and later, and this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to wake up at 6 AM and realize we didn't hear a peep from her all night. When I went to her room about 6:15 AM to feed her, she was wide awake just kicking and looking at her mobile. Hopefully we're onto something permanent here. She goes down at 7:30 PM after a last feeding, and it's so nice to have the rest of the evening to make dinner and visit with my husband. Otherwise, she eats about every 3 hours during the day starting at 6 AM. Madeline seems to enjoy getting out each morning to take a trip to the gym, and I'm sure all the action in the kids care is intriguing to her. One part of our day that I cannot let slide is her naps. This little one loves to nap, and she can be quite a bear if she doesn't get her sleep. Not to mention, she can just about sleep anywhere or in any position.
Madeline LOVES her swing, bouncy seat, and activity mat. She just kicks, looks at the mobiles and lights, and makes small, delightful giggles at the squeaks and music that each one has to offer. She's an independent little lady as she is content to be on one of those "stations" or propped up on the sofa to look out the window rather than be held. I enjoy those independent moments when I have Mommy chores to do around the house. Of course, she loves to be "talked" to, and I think bathtime is one of her most favorite activities of the day. I still read to her just about everyday even though she's probably not really listening.

She's getting much stronger in her neck and legs. She much prefers to be "sitting" or "standing" upright rather than flat on her back if you are holding her. Her neck control has improved dramatically since last month, and I call this the "jello stage" because she sits up (assisted of course) weeble wobbling around like a big bowl of jello. Tummy time is still not her favorite thing to do, but I do believe it is helping her learn to pull her head up, so we do it a few minutes several times a day. Madeline has really started to lose all that newborn hair, and there is just a slight amount of white blond fuzz underneath it all. I'm not sure she'll be blessed with a gracious amount of hair at an early age, but I'll figure some way to attach bows to my girly girl. She still looks to be a combination of both of us (at this point the verdict is still out as to who she favors), but I am starting to think she's got my husband's fair skin. Now, I'll have two fair skinned sweeties to lube up at any outdoor activity! I'd better invest in large quantities of sunscreen and aloe vera lotion!
Over the last month, Madeline has been babysat by my parents in the evenings, and just recently, Madeline had her first weekend free of Mommy and Daddy!! Eric and I went to Clemson homecoming, and Madeline was left with her Nana and Papa (Eric's mom and dad). All went well, and I'm sure Madeline loved her snuggles and caretaking from her Nana and Papa. We are happy to know that "she was an angel!" Eric and I sure appreciated our adults only weekend away, and we only called one time to check in!

We love this little girl with all our hearts, and we are definitely looking forward to sharing her first Thanksgiving and Christmas with her in the very near future.

Loot!



Aren't grandparents the best? Madeline's Nana, Papa, and Aunt Brittany came to visit today, and they came loaded with treats for her. We can't say thank you enough, and we certainly can't wait to wear all these ADORABLE outfits in the very near future!



In a few small coos & smiles, and with sleepy eyes Madeline told me the following as I was putting her to bed tonight:

Dear Nana, Papa, and Aunt Brittany,

Thanks for coming to see me today. THANK YOU for my new clothes, snuggles, and silly noises that made me smile. Sorry I was such a pill while you were here. I'm not always that grumpy, I promise.

Hugs and Kisses,

Madeline

PS--Aunt Brittany, Happy Veteran's Day! You're one of my most favorite veterans! I hope your windshield gets fixed really soon!

Caught Napping



While this is NOT the most flattering picture of me, I thought it was a sweet moment captured on camera! Rarely do I settle in for a nap with Madeline, but on this particular day, it was just too snuggly to resist.

The only thing missing was the Tostitos and Dip!

Left to Right: Rutledge, Delaney, & Madeline

Madeline and I had our first playdates with my friend Jenny and her twins, Delaney and Rutledge. (Jenny had her babies about three weeks after Madeline was born, and they spent some time in the NICU.) Since Jenny and the babies have to stick close to the house, Madeline and I decided to take lunch to Jenny and visit those sweet babies once a week for the last three weeks.

What fun we had--mommies talking, eating lunch, more mommies talking, feeding babies, even more mommies talking, changing babies & trading tips, and LOTS of mommies talking. I got to Jenny's house around 12:30 thinking we would eat lunch, visit with the babies, and commiserate for a bit. Before Jenny and I knew it, it was 2 feedings later and almost 6 PM!!! Wow, we really needed a playdate where the mommies could socialize about any and everything. We had so much fun the first Monday that we went back the next Monday for a second playdate (read: LOTS MORE mommies talking)! And, yesterday, we went back for a third playdate. I think this may become a weekly adventure for us! I'm so excited that our children are so close in age, and they can grow up together! Jenny and I have already started planning our trip to Disney World together when the 3 kids are old enough to enjoy the magic of it all.

Delaney and Madeline on the sofa. These two little girls are going to be the best of friends!

Next time, I am going to convince Jenny that she needs to be a stay-at-home mommy instead of going back to work in a few weeks! Thanks Jenny, Delaney, and Rutledge for hosting such a wonderful and much needed playdate! Madeline and I had a glorious time!