Madeline cooled off today with a yummy blue berry Popsicle. She actually ate a lot of it but I think she got more on her face then in her mouth!

Now that she is considered a Toddler, Maddy enjoys lots of new foods. She has been eating lots of pasta, vegetables, applesauce and mac n cheese. She has even been eating muffins and oatmeal. I have been enjoying making her real meals instead of just a bottle every few hours. Maddy was given the OK to stop formula and replace it with whole milk but she doesn't seem to like milk. I have tried mixing it with water and tried giving it to her in a cup and she just gives me a sour face and spits it out. I bought her Similac Go and Grow powdered formula which she has 3 times a day mixed with water. She will drink this for a while until she eventually drinks milk.

Madeline and I went swimming with our friend Annette this afternoon. She took us to her pool within her condo community and we enjoyed some fun in the sun. My thermometer said it was 112 degrees so the cool water felt wonderful! Madeline wore her new Minnie Mouse Bikini and we had a great time relaxing and playing around. Madeline really loves the water and she giggled when we went near the waterfall.

Fun at the Mall

Today Madeline and I got up early to meet our friends Allison and Lauren at the mall. We had fun riding the carousel and the train. The train ride goes all the way around the whole mall and Madeline had so much fun waving at the people we passed. The four of us had a nice lunch in the food court. Madeline and Lauren shared spaghetti, bread sticks and a banana. Madeline tried to run away several times because she loves being able to walk on her own and do what SHE wants to do. This was a great way to stay out of the horrible 115 degree weather!

Daddy and Maddy

For the Love of Mickey

Maddy's Uncle Kenny from Indiana sent her a gift card to the Disney Store for her 1st birthday. What a great gift because we all know how much she loves Mickey Mouse. Kevin handed her this big Mickey and of course she latched onto it giggling and smiling up a storm. Maddy ended up getting the stuffed Mickey, a Minnie Mouse bikini, a T-Shirt and a small Minnie doll. thanks Kenny and Kate!

Diva!

Our Little Diva wanted to wear my sunglasses today.

Little Fan

Madeline has definitely inherited Daddy's love for the University of Michigan. Today she wore this cute dress given to her by Aunt Linda. Today is the first day she can fit into her leather U of M shoes. They are size 4 and squeak every time she takes a step. She is counting down the days with dad until the football season starts so they can Cheer on their favorite team together!

Last night Madeline pulled all the clean laundry out of the basket as I was tryin to put it away. She rolled around all over the clothes and tried to help sort.

1 Year Check Up

Madeline had her 1 year check up with the pediatrician today. Madeline surprised the doctor by running around the room and blabbing the whole time. The doctor was very impressed that she is so mobile already and we were told she looks great.

Maddy is 29 1/2 inches long which is in the 62nd percentile. She weighs 21.13 pounds which puts her in the 80th percentile and her head is in the 90th percentile! Madeline has a little bit of baby eczema on her face but we will treat that will medication.

Madeline was given the OK to start replacing her formula with whole milk. She will also start eating lots of regular food instead of baby food. She will basically start eating whatever I eat.

Fun with the family

Madeline was able to spend some time with her family who we dont get to see very often. Aunt Carol and Peter (Jills Sister) flew in from Hawaii and got to meet Maddy for the first time. Kevin's brother Adam brought his son Myles and his mom Melisa all the way from California so we could celebrate Maddy's birthday and fathers day together. The kids had so much fun running around together.

Birthday Party

This weekend we had the second round of Birthday Celebrating. Kevin, Madeline and I flew to Reno and stayed with Grandpa Doug and Grandma Jill for 5 days. They threw Madeline a wonderful birthday party and a lot of friends and family members were able to attend and some were meeting Maddy for the first time. Some family such as Carol and Peter took the long flight from Hawaii and Aunt Linda and Uncle Fred even flew all the way from Michigan to meet Madeline and help celebrate her 1st birthday. Grandma Jill made special homemade cupcakes which Madeline loved! We all had a great time watching Maddy open gifts and running around with her cousin. Madeline received several cute outfits, a U of M Cheer leading outfit, a huge piggy Bank, and lots of books and toys. Maddy had so much fun that she fell asleep around 9pm an slept all the way until 10am!

Kevin and I are so grateful for such wonderful friends and family. We all had a great time together and we know Madeline really enjoyed her party.

Lake Tahoe Trip

Madeline took her first trip up to Lake Tahoe. We took the scenic drive from Grandma and Grandpas house up the mountain to Incline Village which is on the north end of Lake Tahoe. This is where Kevin grew up so he enjoyed walking Madeline around showing her the Lake and all the beautiful trees and flowers. It was a perfect day to be outside since it was pretty warm in the sun but breezy in the shade.

We had a nice lunch with our family to celebrate fathers day. Our table at the restaurant overlooked the lake and mountains and it was gorgeous. After lunch, we took Madeline to the park near Kevin's old house and she enjoyed playing with her cousin Myles on the swings and play ground.

Uncle Ryan and the Fire House

Uncle Ryan is one of Kevin's oldest and dearest friend. He works for the Fire Department in Virginia City, Nevada which is just outside of Reno. Unfortunately he was on duty while we were visiting Grandpa Doug and Grandma Jill so we took the scary drive up the mountain to surprise him at work. Ryan let Madeline sit in the fire truck and she also received a Junior Fire Chief Hat. She had a great time looking at the truck and ambulances.

Happy Birthday Madeline!

Madeline turned 1 year old this past Friday! I can still remember the day my water broke...4 weeks early. Seems like just yesterday when our little angel decided she was ready to meet her family. Kevin and i were told by our nurses and doctors that not only would Madeline not be able to breath on her own but she would also have to spend several weeks in the intensive care unit after delivery because she was so early. Of course, Madeline had her own idea of how she would come into our lives. She was born via C-Section kicking and screaming. To every ones surprise she was born healthy and able to breath on her own. No Intensive care and No heath issues what so ever.

This year has brought our family many changes both good and well.....not so good. Madeline has experienced the flu, lots of bumps and bruises, and countless sleepless nights. She has learned to pet the dog and not hit them, or they will bite. Maddy has learned the cat will bite if she pulls on his tail.

We have also had some fantastic trips across the country to visit our family in Indiana, we spent Christmas at Disneyland, and visited Kevin's home town in Nevada. Madeline has brought us laughter and tears and lots of feelings in between. We have spent this year leaning to crawl, swim , walk , and talk. I am very lucky to be a stay at home mom so I can watch Madeline learn and grow. Being a mom is the most rewarding and happy "job" I have ever had.

Kevin and I are so grateful to have such a healthy, smart and strong baby girl. We look forward to the many adventures the next year brings our family.

Swim Class

Madeline and her friend Lauren have spent the last 2 weeks going to swim lessons. Maddy started out slow and not really wanting to play in the water much. Now that she has been in the pool several times she loves it. Maddy is able to kick her legs and splash her arms. Maddy enjoyed standing on the steps and splashing the other kids and playing with water toys. She has a ball in the pool and she even has a tan.

Mommy and Maddy

daddy and Maddy

Birthday Princess

We dressed Madeline in her princess outfit that Aunt Kris sent her. We went to Harold's Corral for a yummy dinner for another night of birthday Celebrating. Madeline had her first Ice Cream sundae and loved it!

Fun in the Sun

Madeline received this awesome water table for her birthday from Grandpa Doug and Grandma Jill. Madeline put on her cute leopard suit and had a ball splashing around with the water. She had so much fun dumping water onto the concrete and dunking the toys. Madeline can walk now so she wore herself out by running around the patio and circling the water table over and over.