Meet the Gs

Madeline Grace: Twenty-Four Months

2017-04-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

Sweet baby girl, somehow you are TWO! You are just having a language and personality explosion lately, and you certainly seem much more like a little girl than a baby. You love to tell stories, and you feel very strongly about the stories you are telling, punctuating them with yells and emphatic hand gestures. Your personality is SO BIG in every way - loving and mischievous and stubborn and sweet and funny and goofy and silly and aggressive. You are certainly living up your terrible twos in some ways, although it seems like you might just have mellowed out a bit in the last week or two. Maybe those constant time-outs are paying off!

You still basically only eat like 5 foods, but it's fine, and we quit fighting it. You are clearly growing just fine, and have no shortage of energy. At home, you are sleeping like a champ, although sometimes you take foreverrrrr to fall asleep, doing all kinds of weird things in your crib while you settle down. When you're tired, you turn into a manic Tasmanian devil child, so you still haven't made it past a 6 pm bedtime, but we can go out and do things that push naps back without much of an issue as long as there as something fun to see and do.

Movies and TV are still a hit, and you are starting to predict/narrate what is happening in them, which is super fun! It's also my favorite time to cuddle, because you love to crawl on my lap and snuggle. You LOVE reading and imaginative play, and will play with Lilly or by yourself for a long period of time in some kind of imaginary scenario. It is so cute to hear what your little mind comes up with for your characters. You are starting to pick up on interactive games too, like counting hiding, and searching during hide-and-seek (and I can now confirm that apparently you can count to 10!). Your characters are probably your #1 favorite thing to play with (Duplo people, Barbies, miniature figures, etc), but you do love your baby doll as well. You are fascinated with real babies, especially our friend Baby Callie, and you even named your new doll after her. You are getting to be about 90% gentle with her, but occasionally you still hug too much or push her over just to see what happens.

Another favorite lately is playing outside, especially bug hunting. You love to find rolly-polies for Lilly, and are so proud when you spot one, or a snail. The water table is finally fun, and I think summer is going to be a blast.

Madeline, you give the best hugs and kisses, you love your sister fiercely and mostly want to be just like her, and even though you give us a run for our money, you are such a smushy ball of adorableness when you do your arms-crossed-stubborn-pout that we can hardly help ourselves. I love seeing your little personality develop as you grow into yourself. You are so loved, baby girl!

Madeline Grace: Twenty-Three Months

2017-03-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

Madeline Grace, somehow you will be TWO next month. What the what?! You are definitely acting like a typical two-year-old, though, so I know you're ready! You have gotten into the habit of crossing your arms VERY aggressively when you say "NO!" with those pursed little lips in a pouty face. Add in some pigtails and it is adorably stereotypical two-year-old. You have added some new phrases to your "no" vocabulary, such as "don't want to" or "won't do it." So that's fun. You've also got a scream that could wake the dead when you're angry. As cute as you are, I won't mind when you grow out of that, you stubborn little thing.
On the bright side, you are also picking up things like counting - I think you can mostly get to 10 although I don't think you have any idea what those numbers mean. You know all of your colors, and are starting to pick up a few letters. You know S and W because they are on every driveway when we go for walks! You love wearing shoes and you love going outside, so thankfully the rain should be letting up soon. You are also still going pretty hard with the jewelry, although you'd really prefer to just give your bracelets to random people. You do love to share, unless you've determined that something is "MINE!" You are also stringing together sentences all the time now, but you are also perfectly happy to yell things incoherently. It's pretty hilarious.
We visited Colorado this month, and you got to meet your cousins Ada and Henry. You slept decently at their house, but oh my word you were a nightmare in the hotel. Definitely not going on any overnight trips again soon! Maybe when you're three...
Also, I found the CUTEST Dr. Seuss dresses for this spring, and your sister obviously had to join you in your photo shoot this month so she could wear her beautiful new dress too. This picture of the two of you cracks me up because it shows your relationship perfectly...Lilly is being sweet to you and you are smirking, probably planning something.

Madeline Grace: Twenty-Two Months

2017-02-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh, child, somehow you grew again this month. Probably like 2 inches. Seriously, you are a giant. With that came this crazy eating boycott, where you got even more picky (which was superfun and also made no sense because you'd think growing would make you hungry...), and I actually thought maybe you were getting those last molars, but no such luck.
This month you have come up with some of my favorite new phrases. You still love to give your love, and lately you'll run up to someone, give the tightest squeezy hug, and say "I missed you, I missed you!" Heart. Melted. You also do it between your dolls which is so funny to eavesdrop on. You will also pick special toys (or random objects) and hug them to you and exclaim, "I love it!" So stinking cute. Along with these funny sayings, your singing has become more recognizable this month. You love to sing "keen up" when we clean up, and the other day I finally realized that when you were giving me a "chep up," you were singing the whole Doc McStuffins song. Still working on the tune, but it's so cute! You are also OBSESSED with hiding, which often means you just dive onto the couch and yelling "I HIDING" in full view. Lilly desperately wants you to play Hide and Seek with her, but I'm not sure either of you really have the hiding concept down yet!

Madeline Grace: Twenty-One Months

2017-01-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

WHY DO YOU SUDDENLY LOOK LIKE YOU GREW UP OVERNIGHT?! I mean, again with the skeptical face, but to be fair, I did take your picture right after naptime. I can't get over how much more grown-up you're looking lately, although I think a lot of it is because your hair is suddenly getting really long. Your love of accessories is still going strong-you love your "neck" along with bows, bracelets, and shoes. Oh the shoes. Your Papa got you some super-fancy-light-up-high-tops for Christmas and you. are. obsessed. You stomp and prance around in them and it's just hilarious. Along with brushing your teeth, putting on shoes is a great way to bribe you to get ready to go somewhere.

You had just as much fun at Christmas as I expected, although by now I think we are all burnt out and wacky from all of the time off of routine, plus all.the.things. Other than the shoes, I would say your favorite toy was a Doc McStuffins Duplo set, but really just the little characters, particularly Lambie ("wammy"). Your language has just taken off again lately, and you are putting together sentences all the time, so whenever you can't find Lambie, you will say "Uh-oh. Where wammy go? Wammy, are ooooooooo?" with your hands on your cheeks. It is so funny. You basically can repeat any word we say and then file it away, and you are putting subjects and verbs together often. This is absolutely always my favorite stage, when the language just takes off! I think your favorite thing is to be understood, because if we repeat it back to you and get it right, you just beam with joy and nod, "HUH!" On the other hand, if you say something and we don't understand it, oh the frustration. Soon, sister, soon we will be completely past the language barrier!

Madeline Grace: Twenty Months

2016-12-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

I just love this picture of you, little goober! You are certainly filled with personality and funny faces, even though you also love a big cheesy grin. Even though you are being goofy, I think it's safe to say that you are excited for Christmas already. We spent Thanksgiving weekend getting the house ready for our annual Christmas party, and you LOVE it, especially the twinkly lights. You will put your face right up to the bulbs on the garland on the stairs, and when I remind you not to touch them, you play it off by going "OOH!" You also recognize Santa, and we've started reading a cute book called Santa Mouse, so I think you actually think his name is Santa Mouse instead of Santa Claus, because you call him "Tan-tah Mow." More importantly, you also know Jesus, and love to play with the baby Jesus in your new nativity set. I'm glad he's your favorite :) You had some fun at our Christmas party, but ultimately were escorted upstairs pretty quickly because you still really can't hang past 6:00. You are so ornery when you are tired, and you just laugh and run away when you refuse to do what you're told, which is usually the cue to take you upstairs. Nevertheless, everyone thought you were pretty cute and you gave some good cheesy grins. This season is already so fun with the two of you, and I can't wait for you to get to open some presents!

Madeline Grace: Nineteen Months

2016-11-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween, little Minnie Mouse! You were so thrilled to dress up as Minnie, and to see your sister as Daisy. In fact, I think you thought the whole Halloween thing was pretty awesome. We went Trick-or-Treating (first time for either of you!) on the Miracle Mile, and even though I kept you in the stroller and collected minimal candy for you, you got your first glorious taste of a lollipop from Lilly's ballet teachers, and oh my goodness were you enthralled. I mean, I guess I'm glad you tried something new? I would have preferred a vegetable, but whatever. You were thrilled to have your own bag to carry around, too, and I think it's safe to say that you enjoy accessories just as much as Lilly does!

Madeline Grace: Eighteen Months

2016-10-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

Eighteen months is always one of my favorite ages because you are really transitioning from baby to toddler and with that comes so much more independence and so much less frustration! That said, you are still a stubborn little thing, and full of sugar AND spice. So much spice. You are a little clown who loves to make everyone laugh, especially if it involves being naughty. You love pushing the envelope, but you have to make sure someone is watching. You are refusing to try ANYTHING new lately, and even refusing some of your previous favorite foods-I think that may have something to do with working on those pesky canine teeth at some point soon. It makes dinner challenging, though, and we think that's part of why you wake up so early, because you are just so darn hungry.

You are loving your baby dolls and putting them to sleep, yelling at us all to SHH. My favorite new words are "nack" (snack), "wap" (lap), and "Joo" (George, as in Curious), and "bahg" (bag). You love your bags, or carrying anything. You are great at cleaning up ("keenup")...when you want to. I can't wait to dress you up for Halloween in your Minnie Mouse costume-you are obsessed with Minnie and Mickey! Dress-up in general is a big hit; you insist on bows ALWAYS, you love wearing bracelets and necklaces, and you are offended until you can put your shoes on! Gosh, you are cute though!

Madeline Grace: Seventeen Months

2016-09-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

Well, little sassypants, this is the first month in a while that it hasn't been a major struggle to get your picture! I would say you are finally mellowing back out a little, but that's probably not true. This month has been a little all over the place -- at the beginning of the month you had a MAJOR sleep regression and were waking up between 3:30 and 5:00 am for the day. Not my favorite. You did come through with two top molars and a major language explosion, so at least there was some fruit for all of that nonsense, but if it was your last terrible sleep phase I wouldn't be mad about it.

You also got a big treat this month when we went to Disneyland! You were crazy about the rides, especially Little Mermaid and Dumbo. It is so fun that you are developing vocabulary, both oral and signing, to indicate what you want, and you made your wants known anytime we were near one of those rides. Your overall favorite part, however, might have been just running around in circles with Lilly in an empty little nook of the park. You're not used to being cooped up in a stroller all day long, and even with snacks, you were sort of over it.

I also think we've gotten into a decent routine for eating - you eat granola with yogurt or zucchini muffins and scrambled eggs every morning for breakfast, cheese and a fruit/veggie snack bar for lunch, and chili or mac and cheese with peas for dinner. You go through at least two applesauce pouches every day, and you love salty snacks, so I have to keep those hidden. There's no variety, but at least I feel like we are getting a decent balance of food groups into you, especially with hidden veggies and purees in your dinners. You are still extremely offended at the idea of trying new foods, even Lilly's chocolate which she graciously tried to share with you. Your loss, sister.

I just want to list out as many words as I can, because I think it's so funny to see what you are picking up on: mama, dada, sissy, Lilly, Madeline, meow, dog, woof, neigh, hiss (like a snake), ooh ooh ah ah (like a monkey), whoo (like an elephant? maybe not super accurate, but whatever), fishies (Goldfish), fish, cheese, please, thank you, sorry, mermaid, bow, ball, Doc (McStuffins), Pooh, show, Minnie, up, uh oh, oh no, uh huh, peekaboo, MINE (not my favorite...), baby, and I'm sure there are a few more I'm not thinking of. You are starting to put words together here and there, mostly "MY _____" but also "please up" or "no mama (another favorite). You definitely understand WAY more than you can say, and you can follow almost any direction I give you (when you want to).

You are still obsessed with whatever Lilly is doing, and you both currently love giving check-ups to each other and to you toys. You are an aggressively physical little love, and you just want to smash your face into mine all day long. You are happiest when you are wrestling, and you and Lilly are just playing more and more together. I have been trying to step back a little and let you girls work on working things out, and you both generally resolve things pretty quickly. Sharing becomes an issue sometimes, along with you giving "too much love" to your sister. We do a lot of "hands to yourself" around here.

We love you, little sister! I can't believe you will be a year and a half so soon, and are getting closer to the age Lilly was when she became a big sister. Also, my favorite milestone is that you will finally let me put a ponytail in your hair! Win.

Madeline Grace: Sixteen Months

2016-08-06T12:59:00.000-07:00

Well the months just keep marching on, little miss! You are definitely growing in language as well as stubbornness! You love to shout "No!" or "Stop!" but you get equally as excited about balls, dogs, bows, dada, mama, sissy, cheese, shoes, books and babies. You know your nose, eyes, and mouth, and Daddy taught you to stick out your tongue, which entertains you to no end. You still love animals and love to make elephant noises and meow. You learned to walk backwards, knock, stomp, and "shh" with your finger. You are OBSESSED with your sister more than ever before. You are so sad when she is still sleeping (although perhaps if you learned to sleep past 5 she would be awake when you get up...), and you give her unending hugs and kisses. You want to copy everything that she is doing, except when she tries to get you to try her food. My favorite skill that you have picked up this month from her is dancing; you twirl with your arms up and love to plop down and yell "DOWN" like you're playing Ring Around the Rosie. You also started saying "mama" in the cutest high-pitched voice, but I think that voice is already disappearing and it makes me so sad!
I swear you are working on some serious molars, but so far the only tooth that has appeared is your fourth bottom tooth (finally). You are down to nursing once a day (HOORAY), and sleeping decently except for this neat little waking up at or before 5 situation. EYE ROLL. It doesn't seem to matter when you go to sleep or how much we work on training you to sleep later, you are determined to wake early. I am hoping it is just a short phase since you are in your last leap, and summer just always seems to bring about early waking. You are still not a great eater-you love granola or muffins for breakfast, and eat a pretty consistent lunch of bread and cheese with a ton of applesauce throughout the day. Dinners are super hit or miss-you will go to town on homemade mac & cheese, or chili (go figure), but you are extremely wary of trying new foods and on the occasion that I can sneak something in your mouth, you are generally extremely offended. So that's fun, but it's progress and I'm looking forward to the days of bribing you to eat, like we do Lilly, although your temperament might just be stubborn enough that it won't work.

Madeline Grace: Fifteen Months

2016-07-06T13:30:00.000-07:00

Oh, sweet girl. Less giant leaps this month, but lots of darling little mannerisms coming through. My favorite is when you say, "Uh-oh!" with this concerned look on your face, and your hands up. You even gasp, and then mumble something that sounds like, "Where go?" or, "Look!" and look around. It is hilarious every time. You especially love looking for Lilly. You know your nose, eyes, and mouth, and enjoy making cow and monkey sounds every time you see them. Animals in general are your favorite, but especially dogs and the snake and alligator blocks that you attack us with and hiss. You love to show off your belly button and stick your tongue out, and then laugh at yourself for being so silly. Every month you get more and more of an opinion-and you let it be known by nodding or shaking your head. You choose your own books, food, toys...so far I still get to choose your outfits but I don't see that lasting much longer. My favorite development this month is that we are fully weaned at night and you are finally sleeping about 6-6 consistently. Hallelujah! I think you are happiest when you are being naughty, but hopefully that is just a function of age. You give stink-eye like nobody, and your eyebrows are out of control. This is a tough age to get out of routine, as we saw when we went to Tahoe for a few days, but luckily you are so sweet and affectionate, and you love to give kisses, which generally makes up for the serious sass. The chair photos were apparently not an option this week, but I had to throw in some of your attitude.

Madeline Grace: Fourteen Months

2016-06-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

What a fun month this has been! We've actually made it through the month without getting sick, and you have made so much progress since you've been healthy. You are talking and signing up a storm. Most popular is "please"--both the word and the sign, but you also can sign "water," "food," "milk" (ok, I lied, that one is your favorite), and "all done," which you've been saying for a while. You are so much better about handing me food or shaking your head when you don't want it (which is often) instead of throwing it all on the floor or freaking out and flailing. You blow kisses and wave, and you love to give kisses, particularly to the animals in your books. You still LOVE animals, especially fish, dogs, and cats. One of my favorite phases that Lilly ever went through was finding the cat in every single book we have, and you are starting to do the same. You love reading, and are starting to sit still for stories beyond lift-the-flap type books. You are still so silly and playful, and you get such a kick out of pretending to feed us or grabbing something you know you shouldn't have, like the remote. You definitely understand almost everything we say to you, and I laughed out loud the other day when I told you that if you kept screaming, you would get a time out. You sat yourself right down and then looked up at me like, "ok, I did my time out, can I go back to screaming now?" Incidentally, the screaming is a neat trick that could go away and I wouldn't be mad about it.
You are finally eating food, praise the Lord, although your palate is pretty limited. You love bread, cheese, raisins, applesauce, and apparently now bananas. You were trying some new things at dinner for a while, but that is super hit or miss if you'll even let us sneak you a taste. You have legitimately tried a few different fruits a few times now, but apparently you truly don't like the taste. Weirdo. But thankfully now that you are actually eating real food, we have started to wean a little bit. You are having milk much less often, and I have completely stopped nursing you to sleep for naps are bedtime. You are down to only waking up about once a night regularly, although we are hoping to cut that completely out soon. It is so nice not to be tied to such a short window leaving you; we were even able to catch a Giants game without worrying too much about you going that long without milk. I'm sure it doesn't hurt that your Papa and Marion are super fun and kept you distracted the whole time! Overall, I am so thankful that you are finally making some progress this month-the last few months had been rough with illness and constant nursing combined with general separation anxiety. Don't get me wrong, you still get awfully mad if I appear to be walking away without you, but you are just doing so much better in general.

Madeline Grace: Thirteen Months

2016-05-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

We kicked off this month with a wonderful birthday celebration for you, little miss. So many people who love you in one place. You had absolutely no interest in the cupcake, mainly because the frosting was sticky, which I totally get, girl, but you seemed happy enough to have everyone there to celebrate you. We also took your one-year photos, which turned out beautifully despite your super grumpy mood that day. Actually, it's been a pretty grumpy month overall, with lots of sickness, unfortunately. You had a nasty cold/allergy/teething/general mucus situation for a couple of weeks, so we started giving you some allergy medicine, thinking you may just be struggling with Stockton life as we all are. Then you got a fever from your 12-month vaccines, combined with some kind of stomach bug for a few miserable days while we were on vacation. It was a bummer because you didn't really get to enjoy your friends or the beach, but you LOVED the aquarium. Oh my gosh you loved it. You were so fascinated by the fish, but it turns out that what you really love are birds. Really. We walked laps in the stroller at the cutest park in Monterey chasing geese, and you made BFF with a seagull while we ate dinner at the FishHopper...right before you completely blew out your diaper, outfit, my outfit, the changing pad, diaper bag...so there's that.
Despite spending most of the month a little off, the last week or so you have finally made some progress eating and signing, and you are a complete professional at walking now. You still pretty much only eat bread, cheese, and applesauce, but you're eating. Which is great, because a few weeks ago you were literally only nursing. Your little body just can't keep growing without some food, girlfriend! We tried teaching some baby signs while we were on vacation, but you were having none of it, probably because you felt so terrible. Now, though, you are picking them up, or at least "up" and "milk." LOL

Hoping you have a better month this month sweetheart! At least you and your sister love each other...

Madeline Grace: Fifty-Two Weeks

2016-04-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL!!

You are cuddly, sweet, opinionated, bold, determined, stubborn, playful, goofy, slow to warm up, sassy, and fiercely loving. You love to play peek-a-boo, read books (especially lift-the-flap books), hold your baby doll, push around the shopping cart, check out anything your sister is into, tackle your sister, and share whatever you are eating or chewing on. You can walk, blow kisses, clap, point, shake your head, give hugs and kisses, and say "mama," "uh-oh," and "all done." You have five teeth, and they have not come easily. You go on hunger strikes any time you are teething, and have really yet to develop an interest in food. You are sleeping in your crib and self-soothing like a champ, but you still wake up to nurse a couple of times a night (or more, if it's a rough night). You like applesauce, cheese, bread, chili, and Chex. Your love language is definitely physical, you love physical play, and you are happiest being held by Mommy. You hate textures, such as any food other than bread or cereal, or grass. The separation anxiety struggle is real, but you are the sweetest when you hug me and bury your head in my shoulder. You don't smile much at strangers, but you are so goofy with your family and love to play games.

It's amazing to me that it's already been a year, but I also can't even remember what our family was like without you. We love you, Madeline Grace!

Madeline Grace: Fifty-One Weeks

2016-03-28T20:04:00.000-07:00

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a walker!! This weekend, you just up and decided to start walking stretches across the room. I think it's helped that I've been leaving you barefoot as often as possible, but you finally found your balance and managed not to get overexcited. You have this awkward stutter with your feet, like you can't quite control your pace, and you always keep your arms up by your head when you go. I guess it's good that you're ready to catch yourself when you fall, because there is still plenty of that!
Also, I think the pictures this week are pretty indicative of your personality lately. Teeth are a blast!

Madeline Grace: Fifty Weeks

2016-03-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Fifty?! How is that possible? You are definitely starting to feel more like a one-year-old than a baby, and I have to say, I like it! You are so playful, and getting pretty good at communicating. You point and grunt to tell us what you want (Chex), and you are just overall much happier than you were a month or two ago. Amazing what sleep can do, huh? You are still thiiiiiiiiiiiis close to walking, taking steps here and there, but you get too excited and plop forward or backward. You can stand yourself up from sitting by putting your hands down and pushing your booty up, and then you do this funny little bear walk to get yourself all the way up. You love hiding in the tent and playing peek-a-boo, and you've been starting to try to dress yourself up. I guess we are going to have to buy more dresses, because you are going to give sister a run for her costume money! I have been having so much fun getting everything ready for your first birthday party, and our photo shoot! I am so excited to capture you at this age because you are just so darn cute--that hair growing in really helped ;) I swear one of these days this second upper tooth is going to cut through, too. You are growing up, little miss!

Madeline Grace: Forty-Nine Weeks

2016-03-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

You took steps this week!!!!!! Just a few here and there, and let's just brush aside that the first time was to Aunt Brookie instead of one of your parents, but whatever! You are just so proud of yourself, but you aren't very successful because you get too excited and fall over. I would imagine that you'll be going pretty well on your own by the end of the week. I honestly thought you'd be running by now, so I very much appreciate that you waited a bit even though I know you are so anxious to go!

The other nice thing this week is that once you finally got over your cold, your appetite has come back in full force. I think getting a top tooth has really helped you learn to chew (although I'd love for that other one to break through any day now...), because you are doing much better with whole foods. Your favorite thing? Chili. I mean, obviously bread and carbs and snacks, but you devoured the chili I made the other day, by spoon and everything! Who knew. We decided that you just don't like cold food and would rather have warm, but we totally could have made that up.

Madeline Grace: Forty-Eight Weeks

2016-03-07T19:24:00.001-08:00

Poor girl, you spent most of this week out of commission with a SUPER NASTY cold. We think that it was maybe compounded by teething (because you cut one top tooth and the other is close behind) and allergies (because pollen exploded around here, and we had some flowers in the house that really knocked your dad out), but you had crazy amounts of mucus streaming down your face, your throat, and into your lungs. You had a nasty cough that we ended up going into the doctor to get checked out, but thankfully it was just from the cold. Sleeping was rough, so we put a wedge under your mattress to help with the congestion, but you kept flipping upside down so you were sleeping head down.

Thank goodness you were on the mend by the weekend, and you seem very happy now that that first top tooth has cut through! You are so proud of yourself because you can stand on your own, and you are sooooooooo close to walking on your own! You are as mischievous and playful as every now, and I can't even imagine what you will get into once you are fully mobile! I had to include this extra photo-you little daredevil!

Madeline Grace: Forty-Seven Weeks

2016-02-29T20:41:00.000-08:00

We've been waiting and waiting and waiting for your top right tooth to break through, because it has been SO CLOSE forever, but apparently while we were watching that one, you cut another one on the bottom. Cool.
We also dug back into naps this week - I had kind of quit for a while because it was just pretty awful, but we put up some blackout shades and dug in our heels, and so far, so good! You are still much more upset than when you go to bed at night, but you are getting past it pretty quickly and sleeping for a decent period of time. I've even noticed that sometimes you wake up sooner than you really wanted to and will put yourself to sleep if I don't go to get you right away. That made for a glorious afternoon on Thursday where both of you slept for like an hour and a half at the same time! WOO-HOO!
Also, you say "mama" all the time now and it is super cute. You also did this thing the other day where you would copy me by hitting your head and saying "oh!" Lilly and I got such a kick out of that! You are so playful, and you love to play games. Your favorite is absolutely peek-a-boo, and you will duck your head down to hide and then pop back up over and over! I love how interactive you are becoming!

Madeline Grace: Forty-Six Weeks

2016-02-22T19:28:00.000-08:00

So you absolutely started doing the cutest thing this week! You have been blowing kisses to us, and I die. I started noticing that whenever I say kiss or blow kisses at you, you pucker up and smack back, and sometimes you do it to catch our attention. You love to blow kisses at your sister! Now, this is not to be confused with a real kiss, which is open mouth and aggressive ;) You also have been very into hugging things lately, by tucking your head down onto my shoulder or onto whatever it is you're hugging. Blankets and your baby doll, in particular, have been major objects of your affection. I love watching your sweet cuddly nature transform from clingy to affectionate!
Also, just looking at your pictures between this week and last, I swear you look like a different kid. Apparently you've been doing some growing during all of this new sleep.

Madeline Grace: Forty-Five Weeks

2016-02-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

I don't have much to say this week, except that we are all sleeping and it is absolutely delightful. You are in better spirits, your daddy and I are certainly in better spirits, the sun is shining, birds are tweeting...you get the idea. But really, praise the LORD because we all needed this. I honestly can't believe how successful "sleep training" was, and I wonder how much sooner we could have done this and saved some major aggravation. I mean, you are still being fed right before we go to bed, and usually once around 3:00, so we aren't on a full night, but it is night and day (haha, get it?) from where we were! Regardless, it is a lovely, lovely, milestone and I couldn't be happier. And now I am off to continue catching up on sleep!

Madeline Grace: Forty-Four Weeks

2016-02-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

I feel like I could write a novel this week. We were obviously at a breaking point in the sleep department, so I devoured the book The Sleepeasy Solution (in about two sleepless nights' worth of time...and also along with about 7 other books in the past few weeks of insomnia...). It's funny how it all worked out - I read a random blog post from a blogger who I rarely read, and rarely posts often anymore, about how she sleep trained her toddler for her birthday and it was life-changing. As I read I was like OH YES JESUS WE NEED THIS. So I downloaded the book, and as I said, I read it as fast as possible. A lot of the information was review from other sleep books I've read, but this time I decided to try just a bit of timed crying, or as the book described it, frustration as you learned a new skill. Honestly, you've been so cranky lately from the lack of sleep, it really didn't feel like I was allowing you to try any more than you do when I don't pick you up immediately (for the love), and when we tried it Friday night, you were asleep in under a half hour. By yourself. In your crib. Not our bed. Not my arms. And I was downstairs and FREEEEEEEEEE. And then, that was it. The book suggested going in to wake you up to eat about an hour before you normally would so that you wouldn't get any mis-association of crying and relief, so I guessed as best as I could, because seriously, who knew what would happen any given night, and...that was it. I got up at about 11:30 and 2:30, fed you, put you back in your crib, you fussed for a couple of minutes, and then I got to sleep in my own bed. I mean, really, it was stupid easy. I feel like a moron for not trying something sooner. The second night was even more painless, and now there are glorious angels singing in the sky. I will say that naps so far are a complete and total bust, but I just totally don't even care because DID YOU HEAR THAT WE ARE ALL SLEEPING AT NIGHT?

Madeline Grace: Forty-Three Weeks

2016-02-01T20:23:00.000-08:00

Finally a quiet week! After all of the chaos of the last few weeks, it has been nice to just get back into our routine. We are all nursing colds, and I think your top right tooth is working its way through, so we've just laid low. Unfortunately, sleep has been pretty terrible as a result. On top of whatever else is going on, I think you (and definitely we) are ready for you to sleep in your own crib all night. You don't settle with me anymore, which has meant a lot of time in the rocking chair settling you down back into your crib. We've got a few things I am looking forward to trying, including a new swaddle-up sleep sack, which I realize is completely backwards because you are WAY too old to be swaddled, but if it helps the transition, I am all for it. Right now, we have that darn bouncy chair in the crib so you can get used to the environment, but I also found a wedge for your mattress to give it a bit of an angle in hopes that it might help any gas issues as well. So we'll see. In the meantime, Mommy is very tired...

Madeline Grace: Forty-Two Weeks

2016-01-25T20:11:00.000-08:00

You may not remember it, but you have survived your first official Alpha Phi Formal Recruitment! It was a whirlwind of a week and weekend, especially after we got back from our trip, and you spent a lot of time at the house with me and all of the girls. On Friday night, I was at my wit's end because you were not interested in sleeping (and I can't really blame you because it was quite exciting), but it was also waaaaaaaaay past my your bedtime, so you were sort of a mess. It made it hard to do what I needed to, but we got through. Saturday and Sunday were so much better because I handed you off to some of the girls who were super eager to get their hands on you, and it was a complete win-win-win! They loved playing with a baby, you loved the attention, and I got to do what I needed to! AND your daddy didn't have to attempt to force-feed you a bottle. Definitely winning, but we were definitely exhausted at the end. Congratulations, little legacy, for making it through!

Madeline Grace: Forty-One Weeks

2016-01-18T20:01:00.000-08:00

Well, sweetheart, as of tomorrow, you'll officially be out as long as you were in! Time has FLOWN by, and it feels like you have always been a part of our family. At the same time, I swear that you were just born. It feels like yesterday and another life all at the same time.

All sappiness aside, we had so much fun this weekend in Oregon! Overall, you were a great traveler, considering how much time we spent on planes or in the car. You were not a fan of our rental carseat, but then again I wasn't either. Lesson learned, it might be worth the inconvenience to bring our own. You went through just about a full box of teething crackers on the trip because they are the easiest and most portable snacks for you, and eating seemed to placate you during all of the driving. Really, though, you and your sister did great and made for a very smooth trip. We had so much fun at the Portland Children's Museum (although the germ levels made me a little twitchy as you tried to put everything in your mouth...). You gave us a bit of a hard time at Auntie Rachel's wedding, and Daddy had to spend part of the ceremony outside, but you were pretty happy to be passed around the rest of your aunties while we ate and danced. Your sister, on the other hand, couldn't be dragged away from the dance floor. I can't wait until you can be out there with her! You are itching to participate in it all. We got to spend some time with my mom's family and you got to meet your great grandparents, aunties, and uncle. Everyone was enamored with your smushiness and fought to pass you around. We were definitely all worn out by the time we headed home, but it was a great trip!

Oh, and by the way, you cut your first two teeth on the trip as well. So that was fun... Ha! Actually, it worked out because you were pretty much over the worst of the pain after they initially broke the surface, and it was more that they were starting to show up.

Madeline Grace: Forty Weeks

2016-01-11T20:33:00.001-08:00

As unimpressed as you look in this picture, you are actually a thriving nine-month old! We went to the doctor this week, and you are hovering around the 90th percentile in both height and weight, at 30 inches and 20 lbs 13 oz. You are clearly not hurting for nourishment, and I love that this dress shows off your rolls! That's my least favorite part of winter-all of your rolls get covered up! Those little elbow creases kill me. You still have no teeth, so you look like a little turtle when you eat. Generally you are all about doing it yourself, but if we are eating something that looks delicious, you stick your little chin out like a turtle to take a gummy bite. Your current favorite is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches-thankfully you are not allergic to peanut butter because you stole your sister's sandwich one day and started chomping down before I could grab you! Sneaky girl. You are as playful and mischievous than ever, and I am starting to get the feeling that you are going to keep us on our toes a bit more than your rule-following sister! Especially when the two of you get together and get to egging each other on with your giggles. Today we got a balloon at the grocery store, and you thought it was the best thing ever to grab the string and bounce the balloon off of my face, which obviously had Lilly cracking up. It's so much fun to watch the bond between the two of you grow, but boy does it make me nervous!