Bunny Feet

This is what I saw when I went to go get Madeline from her nap yesterday afternoon. I heard her in the monitor talking and playing. When I walked into her room, I just watched for a little while before I peered over the edge. I witnessed the following silliness, and yes, she was wearing her bunny slippers yesterday.

Madeline is 5 Months Old!

Wow, over the last month, Madeline has really changed. She's "talking" a lot more, can hold her head/neck really steady, eats a huge bowl of rice cereal for lunch and dinner, doesn't hate tummy time quite as much, has a new found love of grabbing her feet, and has started taking big girl naps. She's doing really well with her new routine. It's only been 2 weeks since I started the new "lunch, play, naptime in the crib" routine, and she's starting to realize that's her normal day. She LOVES her playmat and swing. I would have to say those are her favorite "stations", but the exersaucer is becoming a new favorite. She's not quite there physically or cognitively to do all the things the exersaucer has to offer, but that's okay. She still enjoys being in it for a short period of time. Madeline has really started to explore the world around her -- she grabs any and everything that she can get those little chubby hands on, and whatever she grabs goes straight to her mouth first. Generally, she is just one HAPPY baby -- as you can see from the pictures.

Madeline can sit really well when she's propped up, and she's not quite rolling over yet. She wants to roll, but she's just not there yet. Okay by me, I don't have to worry about her when I slip out of the room for a quick second. (I don't leave her alone very long nor do I leave her on elevated surfaces anymore just in case she decides to roll over.) She really enjoys having books read to her. I realize that she doesn't understand the book, but she loves to hear the inflection in your voice, and she studies the pictures intently. Her Nana Stewart and Grandpa McCarthy are both avid readers, so she must take after them. (That's a good thing!! Her daddy doesn't like to read at all.) Her little personality is coming out more and more...she's a very happy-go-lucky baby. Her crankiness really only comes out when she's hungry or tired. She really loves her daddy, and who wouldn't? He is FUN-DADDY -- he makes her laugh out loud the most with all his silly songs, faces, and dances.

The ladies at the gym still adore Madeline, and I would have to say the feeling is very mutual. When I pass her off to Ms. Kelly or Ms. Mac, she kicks her legs wildly. Madeline is starting to outgrow a lot of her clothes. She can wear some 3-6 month clothes, and mostly she wears 6 month clothes. She looks really cute in her dresses, jeans, and sweaters now that she's not so slouchy and newborn-like. I'm doing my best to make her a girly girl. I've got a pack of bows ready and waiting for her hair to get just a little bit longer. Of course, I've already tried them out on her, and she does look cute with a little bow in her hair. I look forward to waking up each morning to take care of Madeline as she seems to do a new "trick" everyday, and I feel so LUCKY to be able to witness it all!

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

In all the years that I've lived in South Carolina, I've only seen it snow here a few times, and last night it snowed! Unfortunately, we missed the snow actually coming down, but this is what we woke up to this morning!

However, by mid-afternoon, much of the snow had started to melt and even dry up. It was fun while it lasted!

School, of course, was canceled, but Daddy still had to go to work, and Madeline and I still went to the gym.

Fun with Friends

We had a playdate with my friend Jenny and her twins, Delaney and Rutledge, on Friday. Again, it was more for the mommies, but this playdate was much louder. All 3 babies were babbling and testing out their voices. It was almost like they were competing with each other. Madeline is just a tiny bit more coordinated than the twins, so she was reaching out to grab on them while they just checked her out. It was really interesting to us to sit and watch them stare each other down. It was really cute as they smiled at one another. Before we know it, they will be running around playing with each other getting into all kinds of mischief!


Our pictures were taken towards the end of the playdate when it was time for all 3 babies to take a nap, so needless to say, they were not in the mood to pose nor smile for us. But, nevertheless, we got our picture!

Just thinking...

***I heard through the grapevine that my high school calculus teacher, Mr. Oberly, passed away last night. I'm so sad. He was truly a teaching genius -- he could make CALCULUS fun!!! He gave every student a nickname & picked on some of us more than others, and all the while, we learned how to take integrals! I'll never forget the first time I made a B on a chapter test (I never "got it" even though he was a phenomenal teacher, but I usually made C's and D's.), and he announced my grade to the class. He and the class gave me a standing ovation! That test hung on our fridge for the rest of the school year!

***I absolutely love my Shark cordless sweeper. It makes for crumbless tile and hardwoods quick!

***Eric and I were talking the other night about how run down we both feel these days. We have been going non-stop since Thanksgiving. We've traveled, had overnight guests, finagled schedules, arranged sitters, and seemed to be on the go 24/7. We are looking forward to the next couple of months of JUST US -- a family of three. We don't need a break from each other or Madeline, but we need a break from the constant go-go-go. We have no special plans except to do what we want, when we want, and how we want. The three of us need it, and we owe it to ourselves to just enjoy each other without a "to-do" list looming over our heads.

***I'm excited for my mom who leaves for yet another one of her trips. She has a wonderful group of lady friends with whom she travels. They've been all over -- New Zealand, Thailand, Greece, just to name a few. She leaves for Peru/Ecuador/Galapagos Islands on Saturday for this 3 week excursion. I do worry about her traveling the way she does with all the disgruntled people out there in the world, but I know she'll have fun and have many adventures to share with us.

***I need a gym routine change. I love going to the gym. It's an integral part of my day, but I need something new to jazz up the workouts. Perhaps running instead of the elliptical or a few new weight work-outs...I need to keep thinking on that one.

***I went to a new hairdresser last Thursday. I like him, and I think he did a great job on my hair. (He did much better than the first lady I went to in December.) I think I may have found my new hairdresser. No one can replace Arlene, but he's pretty good.

***I'm getting together with my two longtime friends, Steph and Dana, next Tuesday evening. We've been friends since elementary school. When we get together it's like we've never left each other.

A sign of a DELICIOUS meal?


When I look down for a second to grab her bottle, Madeline managed to dig her hands in the cereal bowl and proceeded to rub it all over her face. It was so funny. I just laughed out loud, and my laughing must've tickled her because she let out a giggle too. Luckily bathtime is right after dinner...

Big Girl Nap Part 2

Well, today was the first day of the second week of taking naps in the crib in the afternoon. I'm not sure what happened today -- minor adjustments from last week's experiences, exhaustion from the baptism weekend, new routine settling into her little body, or divine intervention -- but whatever it is, Madeline went down for a nap in her crib at 1:45 and is still sleeping soundly! It's 4:10. I've been able to accomplish so much and feel good that no massive crying it out fits took place in order for this little miracle to happen.

Our first week of the new routine was not really that smooth, but I am a persistent woman, so I was determined not to abandon my plan. I know, or should say that I am learning, that no plan goes off without a hitch especially when you are dealing with babies, and I know that I have to embed this new routine into Madeline's day so that it becomes the "new normal" for her. I am also repeating the phrase "slow and steady wins the race" in my head.

Last week, a couple of days were okay -- she slept 45 minutes to an hour of the allotted naptime in her crib and spent the rest of the time fighting the sleep and playing/talking. Thursday was especially AWFUL, and it was a test of wills. I, of course, was victorious, but I applaud Madeline's efforts. However, Madeline was somewhat victorious that day because she didn't take a sleeping nap, but she was in her crib for the 2 hour time period. (I must note here that she did NOT scream for 2 hours -- mostly she played, talked, and wiggled herself awake if she drifted off to sleep. There was one 20 minute episode of crying it out where I think she must've decided to abandon that plan since it clearly did not get her the attention she desired.) I must mention two things about this particularly awful day: 1. This Mommy did have to go stand in the front yard for about 15 minutes to escape the very angry baby noises coming from the crib. 2. Madeline went to bed at 6:30 PM that evening.

Despite the rocky start to this new routine/plan, I hunkered down and put the plan into action today. So for today, I am lucky to have the time to get some things checked off the "to do list", and I feel optimistic that my goals are not unattainable. Tomorrow is a new day, and it could be a repeat of last Thursday, but she has shown me that she can take a big girl nap!

Baptism

Madeline was baptized today at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church. What a great turnout we had -- both sets of grandparents, my two brothers with their wives and children, Eric's sister, and of course, my best friend, Stephanie and her mom.

When Eric and I moved to Columbia, we looked for a church family for quite some time. We are not "Mr. and Mrs. Church" nor will we ever be, but we wanted a place to belong and feel comfortable every Sunday both for ourselves and the family we wanted to start. We wanted to find a church home of our own, one for our family. We searched and searched, and we just went to Seven Oaks on the chance that it would be okay. We tried it out one Sunday, and we really liked it. But, we kept "shopping" around, but we kept finding ourselves being drawn back to Seven Oaks. While most of the congregation is older, the minister is quite young. His sermons seemed to reach out to both Eric and I. He's real, down to earth, and friendly. We were welcomed EVERY Sunday we attended by EVERYONE. We received phone calls and cards from various members letting us know that they noticed we were at the service the previous Sunday, and they'd hope to see us again. So, we bit the bullet and joined officially in December, 2007, the same month I found out I was pregnant with Madeline.
So, today, we had Madeline baptized in the church we found together before we knew Madeline was a part of us. The service was extra special this morning, and it was sweet, simple, and very sentimental to me. It was surreal to be standing in front of my family, Eric's family, and the church family holding my daughter while the minister spoke of the importance of baptism. Our entire family attended the service, and I was touched that both my brothers and their families made the effort to attend. Eric's family also made the drive from North Carolina to attend. Madeline was a perfect doll during the service before it was her turn to be in the spotlight, and she was even more perfect during the baptism -- no stranger anxiety, no fear of the dripping holy water on her head, and no fear of being taken up and down the aisle in the church while Reverend Fant made a lovely statement about her baptism to the congregation.
After the service, we had our families at our house for a luncheon -- a "make your own panini" bar was set. (We received a fab new kitchen gadget for Christmas that makes paninis!) It seemed to be a hit even though I had "hostess anxiety" all morning leading up to the lunch. The new recipes I tried out were yummy, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

A good time was had by all. Madeline is so blessed to have so much immediate and church family surrounding her that loves and adores her as much as Eric and I do.

Big Girl Nap

Madeline is taking her first big girl nap, and by that I mean in her crib NOT in her swing! Yay, this is a big accomplishment in the Stewart household!

Today started our new revised scheduling for Miss Madeline...new year brings on a new routine. I gave her breakfast bottle and mid-morning bottle as normal, and then I hit the gym early (I had to refrain from getting sucked into house chores this morning! I do my most productive work in the morning!) so that I would be home by noon-ish to feed her lunch. She eats a fat bowl of rice cereal for lunch now. We then read a few stories, played a bit, and took a pre-nap bottle about 1:15. She, of course, got extremely dozy because this is the first time today that she's slept since getting up this morning. I put her into her crib, and now I'm documenting the first of many big girl naps! I'm hoping this new routine settles in rather quickly and without many bumps along the way. I'm looking forward to having some afternoon time to do the things around the house that I'd like to get done, and I'm looking forward to having a well-rested little girl on my hands.

She's on a roll already for living up to her New Year's resolution to nap at least one decent chunk of time during the day!

New Year's Eve -- 2008

Eric and I had a REAL DATE on New Year's Eve this year complete with dressing up and adult conversation that didn't revolve around feedings, pooh diapers, and naps! Typically, we don't mind staying in on New Year's, but this year, we wanted to dress up and go out since we haven't done much of that since August. We made reservations at Gervais and Vine -- a tapas restaurant in the Vista that is so delicious! Being New Year's they had a special five course dinner with each course being paired with a different wine and/or champagne. It was right up our alley!

For the FIRST time, Madeline stayed with someone other than family for the night! She stayed with a woman that I used to work with at River Springs Elementary, Karen, and Karen loved keeping Madeline! We dropped her off at 4:30 PM on New Year's Eve, and we didn't have to pick her up until 10:00 AM on New Year's Day! Of course, we got a glowing report regarding Madeline's disposition and behavior!

It was so nice to be able to go out with just Eric to celebrate the New Year and not worry one bit about our girl!

Madeline in her seat ready to go to Ms. Karen's house!
Mommy and Madeline posing before we went to Ms. Karen's house. Notice Mommy is dressed up and not in workout clothes!

Sign outside of Gervais and Vine

Anne and Eric inside the restaurant enjoying our delicious meal!

Our menu

Happy 2009 everyone!

Eric and I hope to be blessed in '09 just as we have been this past year!

What are these things that I'm holding onto?

I think Madeline has discovered her feet.

As promised, Madeline's First Rice Cereal photo!

Despite her appearance, she really loves it!