Maddie on the Go

In the past week or so Maddie has really started to take off with walking. She will even stand up on her own and walk without being prompted. She is very proud of herself and will often give herself a round of applause after standing up on her own or walking. In the process of applauding she usually loses her balance and tumbles to the ground.

Maddie walks.

Maddie stands up.

This means more bruises and bumps than ever before, but she loves getting around like a big girl.

It's her Party and she'll Sleep if she Wants to...

We had a great time celebrating Maddie's birthday today, even though she was exhausted this afternoon and slept right through dinner, waking up just in time to eat dessert.

But the preparations for her special day began last night when Isaac "helped" me by licking the beater after making cupcakes for his sister.

Maddie and I just before church. Her aunt gave her this dress months before she was even born and I have been waiting for her to grow into it. It fit her perfectly for her special day.

Hanging out with her Papa.

The Parkinsons came to dinner and helped us celebrate. They smothered Maddie with love and attention which is what she adores. Here they are eating cupcakes in the hall (space was a little tight in our apartment).

He started singing the happy birthday song to Maddie all by himself because he just couldn't wait any longer to get his cupcake.

Since Maddie is our little social butterfly, I thought these cupcakes would be great for her birthday. My friends Kelly and Amy introduced me to the book, Hello Cupcake!, where I found step-by-step instructions on how to make these cute little treats.

Digging in.

Muy bien, mija!

Getting a little TLC from her pseudo-uncle and next-door neighbor, Gavin, after the sugar rush.

One

Maddie giving one of her "besos."

Little Madelyn turned one today. We sure love our baby girl. She is many things to our family, including a princess, a drama queen, a tornado (because she refuses to be held and usually tries to spin out of your arms when you try to contain her), a daredevil, and most importantly a little light in our family. Here are some facts about Maddie:

• She loves it when you sing to her and will clap for you anytime you do.
• She loves being the center of attention.
• She still loves guacamole, hummus, anything sweet, and her latest favorite is grapes.
• She is an awesome sleeper and has been since she was six weeks old.
• She is an easy-going little girl as long as you give her whatever she wants, right when she wants it (we'll keep her just the way she is, drama and all!)
• She loves to wave bye-bye and has even been know to wave good-bye to her milk after she throws it off her high chair tray.
• She will clap for herself on cue whenever you cheer, "Yay Maddie!"
• Her big brother can make her laugh like no one else. He watches out for her (and tattles on her as well).
• She is starting to say her first words, though only her parents' ears can decipher most of what she says. Her first word was che, as in leche---it is still the first word out of her mouth almost every morning when I get her out of her crib (Can I get a buenos dias, mama, please?). She also says Papa, Mama (but she'll usually only say this when in distress), beso, galleta (Spanish for cookie---though you have to use your imagination to understand that one) and bebe (Spanish for baby).
• She makes the best kissy face and will give "besos" or blow kisses to just about anyone who asks.
• She hates getting her diaper changed.
• She still crawls most of the time to get around, but is walking more and more every day--she has a big bruise on her forehead from the other day when she tried to walk by herself and the book shelf caught her fall.
• She is fearless--and a little wreckless.
• Her favorite toys are keys, wallets (Ryan calls her our little gold digger), and water bottles.
• She would swing all day long if I would push her.
• She is our little angel and I don't know what we ever did without her.

Happy Birthday, Maddie! We love you!

Welcome to the Family!

This afternoon my sister gave birth to her third child and first little girl, Harper Kate Adams. She weighed in at 8 lbs. 11 oz. and is 20.5 inches long.

Allie is amazing and did the entire labor/delivery without an epidural or any pain medication.

On purpose.

Pretty impressive if you ask me.

I can't wait to meet her.

Favorite Place

This boy loves to swing.

Today I pushed him on the swing for so long that my arm felt like it was going to fall off, so my friend Aupreille offered to take over (thanks again!).

Another bonus to having children close together...

...there only has to be one swing free at the park.

Pretty sweet, huh?