Saying goodbye to 2007 and hello to all sorts of new adventures...

I don't have any new pictures to share, as we made a last minute trip to Michigan for a funeral, but I felt compelled to note a few things about our little girl that, due to my post-pregnancy brain, I will likely forget tomorrow but really want to remember in case I ever get around to working on her baby book...

It has been quite a week since Christmas! Madeleine has noticeably changed the last few days - from a newborn to such a big girl! Here is how we know this:

*She has grown out of her 0-3 month clothes and graduated to 3-6 months (with the legs rolled up, of course!). We have started in to Luella's oh-so-cute hand-me-downs and enjoy playing dress up everyday.
*She has definitely become enthralled with the world around her, spending most of her awake time smiling, cooing, and tracking. She and her Papa read stories every night before bed and Maddie does not take her eyes off of him. If he looks away, for even a second, she does everything she can to get his attention back - kicking, grunting, smiling.
*She has (finally) stopped needing to be swaddled to sleep and, having found her right fist to be a suitable replacement for Mama's milk at 4 a.m., has been sleeping 9 or so hours a night since 12/27/07. (Ironically, this was our first night out alone since she was born. And, yes, this even includes the last few nights we have been away from home!).
*She wakes up SO happy every morning! There is no telling how long she lays there staring up at the angels before I venture in to see if she is awake.

Other fun things happening at 10 weeks old -

*Madeleine has become a pacifier junkie! I chastised my sister for buying her pacifiers because I was determined not to let her become an addict. But, alas, my baby girl LOVES to suck to ease her gassy tummy and, because I do get a little tired of her using me a human binky, we are both happier this way.
*This child can sleep through anything - a five hour car trip, a funeral, a dinner party with 70 people. I actually had to wake her up (gasp!) to feed her after four and a half hours in the car on Saturday. At this very moment she is in her sling - SNORING!
*She loves her sound & lights play mat and talks to the dangling animals for as long as I will let her. She gets so excited by the colors and action! She has started working on her grabs...time to cut my hair and put away the earrings!
*We discovered the most awesome reflex a few days ago. When we gently blow on her face (from forehead to chin), she makes the most dramatic startled gasp, followed by a HUGE open-mouth smile. So precious! I swear I don't think she can get any cuter!
*She totally knows her Mama and her Papa's voices, smells, and touches and we are getting to know her as well!

This is, by far, the most fun few days we have had watching her grow and change since her birth. There are, however, a few things I am already missing including her tiny newborn body and being able to take her to the movies or out to dinner.

With that said, we are looking forward to a happy, healthy new year full of new memories for all of us, as well as all of you!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!!

I think this sums up all of our Christmas blessings this year!

More Christmas Memories

"Maddie-Daddy" time at its best!
(I could not keep her little velvet shoes on to save my life!!!)

Bryan and I have been having a Scrabble tourney since early yesterday. My poor performance is a clue that my hubby has been using those late night feedings to study the Scrabble dictionary for all of the 2 letter words that are allowed, knowing that I will challenge his selections and have to suffer through his "I told you so"s for the rest of the day...

So, at my sister's request, we all gave each other webcams for Christmas. We have been chatting with the Badgers and Evermans in Denver all day! Ah, the joy of seeing my two-year old niece look so drugged-out on Christmas cheer. So fun!

Merry Christmas 2007

Good news! Santa (and Nana Isa) came to celebrate Madeleine's first Christmas in Chicago. Too bad Ms. Maddie Rose did not wake up for the morning until 10:30! Doesn't she know we are into instant gratification in our family???



Maddie's Christmas dress (courtesy of Luella) was a big hit - translation: she barfed all over it repeatedly before we even started opening gifts. She loved the time spent opening presents but not the time spent trying to get our first family photo.

Special Day...

Today is not only the first day of winter and Maddie's two-month birthday, but also the anniversary of my first date with my husband - 12 years ago!!! Were we babies or what?!?

Someone is turning 29....again!

"Peanut" goes to the pediatrician

Madeleine had her two month check up today. Here are the stats - 10 lbs, 8 oz; 21 3/4 inches; four shots; & one crying mama!

My daughter is a couch potato! I wonder where she gets it...

Nanno & Grams first visit

My dad and Lisa were in last weekend to meet Madeleine for the first time! I am amazed I actually got a picture of my dad holding her, as Lisa rarely gave her up!

I dressed Maddie Rose up for a Glamour Shots session in her Christmas dress yesterday. So fun!!!

MADELEINE SPEAKS!!!

Make sure you have the volume turned all the way up!

Maddie's typical day

Morning - Snuggle time with Papa, under the covers so as to avoid the draft in Mama & Papa's bedroom.















Afternoon - Playdate with my friend Hank Nathanson. Aren't we so cute?!? Today we held hands for the first time! I played hard to get but I think, in the end, I turned him off with my excessive barfing and tooting! There's always next week...






Evening - Bathtime with Mama. After a big day, I like to relax with a nice long soak in the tub. Do I look like a drunken sailor, or what?!?

The Big "O"s (Oprah, Obama & Organization)

Oprah is not the only celeb to be coming out in support of Obama! I had this shirt made long before Maddie was born and, in a moment of "wishful thinking", it is a 6-12 month size. Hopefully, he makes it past the primary so she can actually wear it!



Over Thanksgiving, Bryan, his dad and his brother-in-law installed a closet organizing system in Maddie's room. Looks like we need to go shopping to fill up all of that empty space! :)

IT"S OFFICIAL!!!

She is all Bryan...she doesn't look like me at all! See that blonde hair peeking through? A little toe-head in the works, how exciting!

Baby, it's cold outside!

This was our best attempt at keeping our baby girl warm. I promise she is under there... somewhere!

We hate Oklahoma!

Despite Maddie's best cheers, the Missouri Tigers suffered blowing defeat on Saturday night, dashing their hopes at the national title game. As you can see, both Maddie and Papa had strong reactions to the loss. Maybe next year...

SNOW DAY!!!

Today was the first snowfall in Chicago and Maddie was in awe. She sat in the window watching and talking to the snow as it fell. It's just too bad that she is too small to fit in any of her warm winter wear (this hat is a 0-3 from Old Navy - the smallest thing we could find)...alas, she will have to stay inside and hibernate all winter!

GO MIZZOU!!!

Tonight is the night of the big MU vs. KU game and we had to get Maddie in the action at an early age, thanks to uncle Christian. Keep your fingers crossed for a victory!!!

A few things we already know about Madeleine....(at five weeks old)

She is super mellow and only cries when she has gas or wants to nurse (which she really enjoys).
She takes after her daddy in lots of ways - she favors him physically, always sneezes twice in a row, and takes a really long time to wake up.
She loves to be held, bathed, sung to, and rubbed on her feet.
She is very social and doesn't like to miss any of the action. Mommy and Me Yoga is her favorite.
If she is fussy (which is not very often), she will always quiet down if she is put in her car seat and swung really high.
She hates getting swaddled but loves to be swaddled. She digs the baby sling too!
She loves her daddy and enjoys "MDT" (Maddie-Daddy Time) every night.
She could live forever in "Poopie Diaper Land" aka her changing pad. She loves it!
She also loves her mobile and her baby faces book. She got mad at me when I tried to change the page from the happy baby today.
She could win a gold medal in projectile vomiting!
She is starting to smile and track voices.
She is the light of our lives and we cannot imagine loving anyone any more deeply!