Visit with Cousin Drew

Eric and I took the opportunity to take a little road trip with JUST Madeline to see my brother and his wife and their son, Drew in Greenville. Madeline LOVES her cousin Drew, and Eric and I love to hang out with my brother and his wife. Win-win! We spent the morning at Drew's final rec basketball game, and Madeline made us all laugh with her constant question, "Is Drew done playing basketball YET?" It bordered on funny and whining. Eric and I enjoyed watching Drew play some good D and score a few points for his team.

Amelia enjoyed a happy, teething free weekend with my parents! Grandma and Grandpa got to spend a fun weekend with Miss Amelia! :)

Back to Greenville: Later in the evening, we had a wonderful dining experience! Greg and Angela made fondue for us, and it was nothing short of delish! It was Madeline's first fondue experience, and she loved it. Drew loved showing Madeline the in's and out's of the fondue process.


Drew so kindly posed for my picture...he was ready to cook and eat!

An attempt to get a cute cousin photo...Drew cooperated and well, Madeline, not so much! Drew is surrounded by girl cousins, so he's used to the girl antics. Sweet boy is such a good sport!

Then, we said, "Make a funny face." Typical 8 year old and typical 3 year old, I suppose!

Finally, the CHOCOLATE fondue. Madeline Stewart was in serious heaven --- melted chocolate, marshmallows, pound cake, strawberries, rice Krispies treats, nutter butters, pineapple, and bananas...this girl would have eaten all night if we hadn't stopped her out of tummy ache fear!

Nothing like a little game of Twister to top off the weekend. Another Madeline first. It was pretty hysterical considering Madeline doesn't know left/right nor does she have the coordination for this game. Competitive Drew was not super thrilled with Madeline's lack of "skills". Amusing and maddening for both sets of parents/cousins...luckily we're family, so it's all good! :)

What a fun weekend for us. Madeline felt like a big girl going on a trip with us, and it was reported that Amelia LOVED being the center of attention back in Lexington!

Jamaica, 2012

Thanks to this wonderful girl's (J) planning and organization, Dr. D's dental study group had a wonderful trip to Jamaica! Eric is a part of this study group as a result of his job, and I am a lucky spouse to attend such luxurious trips. J and Eric attended the lectures each morning with the speaker and the doctors while we spouses slept in, relaxed at the pool/beach, received spa treatments, and shopped! Fabulous!
This group of dentists and oral surgeons and their spouses are a welcoming, fun group to travel with, and I have enjoyed getting to know them over the last couple of years.

The dentists and surgeons in this group work hard and give premium care to their patients, and the wives are very supportive, hard working women (both inside and outside the home). On these trips it is enjoyable to sit down with the women and talk about kids, school, toddlerhood, housekeeping, work, and life in general. Being on these long weekend trips without our children gives us all the "break" we need to be the hardworking Mamas and Daddies back at home. The Jamaicans are also determined to make sure we have a fun time...responsibly, of course! :)

I had a spectacular time getting to know Dr. D's wife, Susan, and Dr. C's wife, Jessica. Kindhearted, fun ladies!

Sadly, this is the ONLY picture Eric and I took of ourselves, the day we were leaving. Rain and clouds make it easier to leave Jamaica! Our lack of pictures is a testament to just how much fun and relaxing we had.
Special thanks to my Mom who kept my children for FOUR long, 102.5 feverish days while I was relaxing in the tropics! Thanks, Mom, for dealing with the virus and teething issues that flew through our house while we were away! :)

Amelia -- 14 Months

Whew, weee, Miss Amelia! Fourteen months and going strong! We went from the best month ever to another awful month at the snap of a finger. I'm blaming teeth for all of these adjectives that describe your most recent month: grumpy, not sleeping well, loss of appetite, drooly, snotty, blow out stanky diapers, fussy, clingy, and horrible diaper rash. However, her little self presented FIVE more teeth (THREE were molars!) over the course of the month, so who can blame her for being so miserable? I have to say: Bless ALL of our hearts! :)

On the upside, Miss Amelia has decided that walking is AWESOME! She doesn't walk alone yet nor has she even taken by herself steps yet, but making laps around the house behind the baby stroller is pretty much the only activity she wanted to do everyday! She loves it and has this hilarious grin on her face the entire time. Anytime she sees the stroller she goes after it and literally walks until she can barely stand anymore. She cruises easily on both carpet and hardwood floors, and she's even figured out how to get out of "jams". But it is pretty funny that when she gets herself stuck, she stands there shouting out, "UH-OH!!!" over and over. Climbing steps is pretty awesome too!

While I'm bragging, I'll go ahead and note another word in her vocabulary, "Thank you!" She loves to pass something back and forth over and over. Each time you hand her the object, she says "Thank you!" (garbled, of course, but it's the same "word" each time), and when she hands you the object, she expects a thank you in return. I have a love-hate relationship with this new game. It provides great entertainment at restaurants while we wait for food, but when I'm trying to grocery shop it definitely impedes my concentration. She doesn't say "hi" or "bye-bye" or even "mama" or "dada", but she gets that arm waving when someone greets her or says "bye bye" to her. All very cute stuff for such a grumpy month. Her actual "speaking" is not really developed, but I only have Madeline as a comparison, and well, Madeline is and always has been a clear, verbal little gal. Not to mention, when your big sister can talk FOR you, who needs talking?!

Amelia's favorite food items this month were milk and icy cold water. She may have lost her appetite for food, but she was hydrated! I guess last month she ate enough for two months since she was pretty much on food strike all of January. Poor baby!

All in all, a rough month for everyone, but we expect great things once all her teeth make their debut! Sweet baby girl, you've had a rough month, but we are seeing you through all these uncomfortable milestones, and your happy days are coming, I promise! We love you Amelia Bedelia!

Sidenote: Dearest Amelia, Please forgive your Mama for missing the "monthly sign picture". Sometimes, it just doesn't happen. We LOVE you to bits and pieces!!! I promise we take pictures of you -- they are just more candid than posed with "the sign". Love, Mommy

Evening Fun


Over the weekend, we had the most gorgeous weather, and the girls took late naps which means late to bed. We decided to go on an evening bike ride.

Amelia was all for it!
Madeline got a new bike helmet on Saturday, so, of course, we tested it out. However, it was dark outside even thought it was only 6:00 PM, so Eric decided to give Madeline light. He attached his camo hunting headlamp to her helmet! She thought it was fabulous. I thought it was redneck and hilarious!
Madeline was digging her princess helmet and her flashlight!

The evening was perfect for a little family stroll. The weather gave us spring fever for sure!

Miss Amelia living it up past 6:00 PM!

Madeline loved leading the way!

Good times in the Stewart household!

Holy Hair Fairy!

The hair fairy had quite a field day with Amelia's hair while she napped on Sunday afternoon!

This view wasn't so bad:
But, check this out:
And, Eric BRUSHED her hair before he brought her downstairs! I'm still laughing.