Monkey

This is Monkey. I went to the store to get the baby umbrella stroller, because Madison was enthralled with her friend's stroller, and walked out with a gigantic monkey in tow. Madison loves monkeys, and didn't want anything else in her stroller when Tony showed her the limitless possibilities of what could fit. Madison also has Moo Cow, one of those plush pillow pets...it's a pillow, but also a pet! (oooooooooooo) She dragged Moo Cow in the plastic bag across the entire mall, and must bring her pillow pet with her after every nap, which makes for quite the crowd coming out of the crib, Moo Cow, Bunny, Blanket, and Monkey. I had to hide Monkey last night, he wasn't letting Madison get any sleep, they would have been up talking all night.

Happy Madison

Oh the Places You Will Go

Monkey is secured

Christmas 2009

We had a white Christmas this year, and Madison wasn't the only one who had fun in the snow. I made it my mission to make a snowman in Texas, and being the first actual snowman that I attempted to make, I based my construction off of what I saw on T.V. Wrong! I'm not sure that angry words and flinging snow are part of the Christmas spirit, but I soon found out that
1. There is no such thing as rolling snow to make a spherical shape. 2. People will report suspicious activity when they spot a hunched over hooded person at 11 p.m. Christmas Eve, and 3. Making a snowman shouldn't take three hours, but it did. Regardless, it was well worth the effort, and it left me feeling that I might have acquired a minute portion of the family engineering gene...or maybe not. This was also Madison's first visit with Santa. She didn't cry, but was definitely perplexed. Way to go!

Enjoying some snow


Covered the front yard

Only a day before the snow

Here, sit with this stranger

Santa and Madison

Mr. Snowman

The Shopping Cart

Madison received a shopping cart for her birthday. Once it was assembled, and she figured out that she could be mobile, watch out! Everytime she ran into a roadblock, which was usually the dog or a wall, she would let out a short and frustrated "ahh!" After awhile, when we stopped laughing, we tried to teach her other ways to ask for help. Regardless, it was definitely entertaining to see her charge through with much gusto with the thing. I had to hide it from her when I was getting her ready for bed because everytime she saw it, more shopping had to be done. Beware of the baby shopping cart!

Hey! What's this?

I can walk with it?!
Out of my way!

I love my shopping cart.

I wonder if I can get monster tires on it too!

Madison's 1st Birthday

I started a tradition where I write a poem for my niece and nephews (Luke, I wrote yours, I just need to send it to you) when each turned a year old. Now, it's my daughter's turn, and I can't believe she is already a year old. So here it is:

May you always be surprised

with "ooos" and "oohhs"

through the chapters

you will travel

May your laugh be

just as infectious

over silly dances

and offbeat songs

Remeber

there was a dog

who had a name

May you get beside yourself

with flailing arms and feet

at the sight of your

favorite people

(even if you don't call us by

name and when I say us, I

mean me)

May you continue to find excitement

in touchdowns, Christmas lights, and

pushing the shopping cart of

your life

no matter what's thrown in

your basktet

Remember

Monster trucks

are for girls too

People will love you

for who you already are

and

Reading does make you

smarter

You

are one of my favorite people

I love you and will love you

Always

From the second you were born

I knew the word

unconditional

Happy Birthday

My Sweet Girl

Thanksgiving

Grandma came to visit for Thanksgiving. Hooray! Madison got lots of loving and quality time with Grandma, and I even stole some Mom time for myself. Tony smoked a turkey, and got up during the wee hours to start the project. He told the story of the first time he ever smoked a turkey, and I must share. Apparantly, smoking does not entail a rip roaring fire of five hundred degrees with constant stoking for hours. The outcome was a burnt bird with charcoal sprinkles. Well, that was far from what we had this thanksgiving. Everything was delicious, and made even better by the company. Thanks Mom for flying out!

Getting a little help from Grandma



A perfect Fall day

Halloween

For Halloween, Tony took portraits at Madison's daycare to raise money for the Make a Wish foundation. The portraits turned out extremely well, and of course we couldn't miss the oportunity to take some of our own. Madison was Princess Leia. She wore it well, and even tolerated the ridiculous felt wig. The belt was a bit too small for this chunky monkey, but she carried off the outfit with style. Of course, she really didn't have a choice, and I realize that at some point she will want to pick her own costume, but for now, enjoy.

She just saw Daddy behind the camera.

Definitely the best costume ever!

Looking for her buns.

Read Read Read

With school starting in late August, my one mantra is to read. Some of my students come in with the most famous phrase of all "I hate reading." I try to remind them that maybe you don't like what you are reading instead of all reading. I repeat this over and over, and I know they get tired. In fact I get tired of saying the same thing over and over, but not tired enough to stop nagging them. I find it so refreshing to read to a kid that actually likes reading. True, she is only a year old, but she oooos and ohs as she flips through her books, as if she hasn't see them a hundred times before. Madison loves books. She will sit down and flip through a book (upside down) for minutes. Way to go Madison!

Thanks Aunt Marline for all my great books!

What is Madeline going to do next?

It's been awhile..thanks Gina!

I have no excuses for being so late on these last few blogs, and thank Gina for being a constant reminder to update the blog. So here are a few postings. Summer ended, and with the hot and humid weather, we spent as much time possible near or on the water. Here are a few shots of us by one of our favorite spots on Eagle Mountain Lake, back in August.

Looking at the water and boats with Mama.

Smiling for the camera with Dada.

Showing the only two teeth that she is

sprouting on the bottom row.

Sharing some drool with her teething ring.

Goodnight Moon

What is it about being read to that everyone loves? I remember my Mom reading to us every day for an hour in the afternoon. It was put on the schedule during the summer. Some of my

favorite memories were from the stories that she read. I still remember many of them, and hope to pass this tradition down to Madison. Believe it or not, Madison would sit still for a book at about five months. Of course the book would take all but three minutes to read, and the stories came with animal sounds. Goodnight Moon is one of her favorites. Who would have guessed that saying goodnight to mush and a old woman who said hush would capture the mind of a seven month old? This is actually one of my favorite times of the evening, just after a bath and pajamas, and just before bed. Good stuff.

Madison at the Helm!

No boaters were injured when Madison had the wheel. Texas finally cooled off to a balmy 95 degrees. Enough of a cool down to head off to our favorite wakeboarding spot. The last few weekends have been above 100, a bit to hot, even for the lake. I'm happy that at least one of the drivers is looking at where he is going.

Daddy, exactly which one of these sets off the nitro jet blasters? I love this picture, it looks as if she is concetrating so hard on what to do next.

Fossil Rim

Fossil Rim is a great wild animal park where you can hand feed giraffes to deer. The giraffes are a definite favorite. This was Madison's first visit, and I'm sure that she thought all the animals were just like her puppies. She kept on trying to touch the giraffe's nostril, but he was only interested in whether or not she had food. Madison is six months now, and developing a little personality. She's so much fun to be around and we are enjoying our summer together.

I love how Madison is completely oblivious to the huge giraffe head in her window. I think she was concentrating on a bag of peanuts.

Oh look! There's a giraffe in my window!

Everything's BIG in Texas

Well whoever said everything is BIG in Texas must have been thinking about Anne's new jeep. Wow, 33 in tires, a huge lift kit on it's sooooo big it's got it's own zip code too!! It took some haggling (3 days..ugh) but we finally got exactly what she's been looking for over the last year or two.

She hasn't named it yet but it's already a high point of her day. It's also much easier for her to get Madison in and out of also. Originally she wanted a soft top but these hard tops actually have something like the old T-Tops. You can just unhitch a couple items and there you have it. Fresh air. And Nick will appreciate this...POWER WINDOWS front and back all from the drivers seat...NICE!

Ok, time for me to get ready for work. Madison is crashed out in my arms while I'm typing after an exhausting morning of bouncing and dancing in her new bounce toy. It's hilarious it has music and she bounces up and down, side to side until she about falls asleep.

Picture Day!

I can't believe that it has already been two weeks since going back to school. Leaving Madison at daycare has been the biggest adjustment. The ladies there are very sweet to her, and we are all adjusting. Yesterday was picture day. I joked, and told the ladies that I would do Madison's hair up in a big hairdo. Well, Tony brought out the wig, and we couldn't resist. Madison had the biggest hair at daycare.

Jamie Girl's Birthday

Our friend Jamie had her 29th (cough cough) birthday at a roller skating rink. Tony pulled out an Austin Power's costume to commemorate the special occasion. Needless to say, we were the only adult party there and I'm sure Madison was trying to figure out if she really belonged to the colorful 70's character. Sorry, but yes you do. Happy Birthday Jamie!

I think I know you.

Now this is how you enjoy a lollipop!

Charity and Jamie showing us how it's done.

Belly Time and Belly Laughs

I have been informed about the importance of belly time. Apparantly, Madison won't learn to walk, talk, crawl or have a good relationship, if she doesn't get sufficient belly time. O.K. Maybe not that severe, but important enough to incorporate daily sessions. She has also started laughing. Today it was Tony and a stuffed teddy bear that captured the contagious smile and laughter.

Belly Time Begins

Belly Time Ends When Eating the Mat

A Smile Begins

And Laughter Follows

You Are SMILING Now Too Aren't You?

The Many Faces Of Madison

We went for a walk on our favorite trail the other day. As I looked through the pictures, I realized exactly what people had been saying about Madison being a perfect blend of Tony and myself. There are times she looks so much like her dad. The redbuds are in bloom in Texas, and they are quite breathtaking, almost like we have cherry blossoms. If you look closely, there is a moth on the branch.

My Curious Relaxed Face

My Gerber Baby Face

My I'm Amused Face

The I Look Exactly Like My Dad Face

Self Portrait

So my lovely sister-in-law, Gina Bo Bina, sent on a triple dog dare, to take a self portrait without primping. Here is my picture and I challenge my two sisters, Susan and Sarah, and my brother Daniel to do the same. Daniel, your picture must be sans speedo. I know, I know, such restrictions. Madison can't believe that her Mom is posting this picture. Darn that double dog dare!