Ark... Completed.

I use to rave about how still and content my little girl was when I changed her clothes. She was AWESOME... now, not so much. She literally gets stuck in her clothes because of the constant rolling, wiggling, and squirming. Here she is in a short photo timeline...

This is when she first gets caught up. Right before this picture was taken she decided that grabbing onto her spaghetti straps was the best way to complete this clothing mission.
Peek-A-Boo! She finally emerges!

She also has two new full top teeth. After seeing these humungo teeth I feel bad for ever getting frustrated at her. The poor thing has gotten teeth we are not supposed to see until age 2!

Good news is... I completed my Ark. Due to the CONSTANT rainfall- I am a gloomy, self-pitying, ark creator. Madelyn helps with the project, but decided that she must have a rain hat.

Dear Madelyn

You are the most precious gift I have ever received. There is a saying, "Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” Elizabeth Stone. You have my heart sweet girl.
I realized this evening that I would lay my life on the line for yours. Knowing -without a doubt- deep within your soul that you would give up your life for another is a powerful feeling.
You are the most gentle, kind, and loving little girl. Please forever stay that way. I am blessed to know you, and be your mom. I will be here now and forever.
I love you more than any word, picture, or expression I could ever say or show you. You were born to be amazing... thank you for allowing me to witness your life.
I love you to the moon and back. Mom xoxo

Me, Myself, & I

It's that time again... QUIZ TIME!

1. Pierce your nose or tongue? Nope, but in HS I did want to pierce my lip!
2. Be serious or be funny? Funny.
3. Boxers or briefs? If I were guy? I'm think boxers would get all bunchy... but then they make briefs sound like "Vasectomies in a box." So, probably boxers.
4. Whole or skim milk? I used to drink 1%, since Ray now calls the shots it's 2%.
Crash! Bam! Oops... sorry... I just fell over (Ray calling the shots!) hehehehe!
5. Single or taken? Very much taken... I could be more taken... wink, wink. :) I am a riot! :)
6. Simple or complicated? Simple is wonderful. It is like a warm breeze on a summer day, by the beach. I am complicated. That is more like rainstorms in winter while fighting lions.
7. Law or anarchy? Law... I like order.
8. Flowers or angels? Angels.
9. Grey or gray? I'm not really hooked on either... I guess gray?
10. Read or write? I love to read... but write much more.
11. Color or black-and-white photos? If I am in the photo- I do sepia or black & white to even out the blemishes. If it is a photo of anyone else, I usually stick with color.
12. Sunrise or sunset? Sunrise.
13. M&M's or Skittles? Skittles!
14. Go to bed late or wake up late? Is this supposed to say "wake up early"? I think so... Wake up early! If not... that would be the pattern I would fall into.
16. TV or Radio? TV- Daddadada- So You Think You Can Dance. Dance. Dance!
17. Is it POP or SODA? Soda.... it was pop 30 years ago.
18. X or O in Tic-Tac-Toe? X- middle space first!
19. Leather purse or knit purse? Leather!
20. Eat an apple or an orange? Neither... Pineapple!
21. What came first the chicken or the egg? Egg.
22. Hot or Cold? Cold. You can always add clothes, but you can only take off a certain number before getting arrested.
23. Light or dark nail polish? Depends on the season/ mood.
24. Tall members of the opposite sex or short? Tall!
25. Sun or moon? I like them both at different times.
26. Emerald or ruby? Diamond.
27. Mt. Dew or Surge? Mt. Dew, although Fresca is up-and coming fav!
28. Left or right? Right, always.
29. 10 acquaintances or 1 best friend? 1 best friend. I don't like to answer the phone.
30. Vanilla ice cream or chocolate ice cream? Vanilla... Chocolate takes like dirt to me.
31. High or Drunk? Neither... I'm pretty cool with being me.
32. Green beans or carrots? Greens.
33. Low fat or fat free? Low fat... Come'on let's not take all the fun away!
34. What is your biggest fear in the world? Vomit. Death.
35. Silver jewelry or gold jewelry? Silver, hands down.
36. Kids or no kids? Yes, we have Maddy :) She is a pretty rock'in kid though.
37. Cat or dog? Dog. Cats can drive me insane.
38. Half empty or half full? Half full, I am a very optimistic.
39. Mustard or ketchup? Mustard.
40. Hard cover books or soft cover books? I love the look of hard cover, but I like to read soft cover.
41. Newspaper or magazine? Magazine.
42. Sandals or sneakers? Sneakers.
44. Red car or white car? White :)
45. Happy and poor or sad and rich? Happy and poor- 100 times happy and poor.
46. Singing or dancing? In front of Ray... Singing and Dancing. In front of ANYONE else... I sway form left to right!
47. Hugging or Kissing? Not really a touchy-feely person.
48. Corduroy or plaid? Plaid.
49. Happy or sad? Happy.
50. Purple or green? Purple... I guess.

Uncle Matt Turns 22!

Happy Birthday Uncle Matt-u G-rome! (This is what I called Matthew until I was 6 years old.) We had a great dinner with Nana and an AWESOME Dairy Queen cake. Nana Patty wanted Madelyn to have a party hat, but her search turned up fruitless... Until she entered the Costume store down the street. The photos speak enough for the hat :)

Madelyn is now requesting birthdays happen everyday!

This whole birthday celebration has got me thinking... What will Maddy's birthday theme be? Should we go with the expected Halloween party? Or do something cutsie and kidsie?

Skinny Cow

Have you ever heard of a "Skinny Cow?" If not... Go. NOW. Run. Find them, buy them, AND ENJOY! If you have heard of them... repeat above! AMAZING. As I eat them I usually repetitively turn to Ray and ask if he knows how they did it. How did they make such a delicious treat with so little fat and calories? It is like a cosmic miracle, where the stars and moon aligned in perfect harmony to shine down upon the Skinny Cow Factory and create magic. Yum.

I am done. My salute to Skinny Cow needed to happen. I need the world to know.

With Father's Day only being a few hours expired I have again become nostalgic. I think it might be something in the air... This nostalgia seems to creep up much too frequently. Off track... Here is a lyric in the song "Butterfly Kisses," Madelyn is the epitome of a daddy's girl...

"There's two things I know for sure: She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl. As I drop to my knees by her bed at night. She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and I thank God for all the joy in my life. But most of all...for butterfly kisses."

Happy Father's Day!

To Daddy: You are an incredible father. Today is your day... You mean the world to us.

Today we celebrated daddy! We made daddy's favorite breakfast sandwiches, opened gifts, and made homemade pizzas for lunch. Today has been a great day, and hopefully reflected how important dada is. While it was a beautiful day... here is an oh, so beauitful picture...HAHAHAHAHA>?! Seriously... she looks drunk. I always hate how I come out in pictures... I like this one, if only my beautiful daughter did not look like she kicked back one too many Jack & Coke's :)This is one of her "trying" out her binky. Daddy and I try and make her use it, she wants NO part of it.

Have I mentioned the crying, whining, inssesnt irrititablity that is occuring over here in Georgetown? While daddy seems to be getting better :), Maddy is still not happy. I have been on edge because of this. There seems to be a low-constant ""EWWWEEEWW" sound occurring, this makes my nerves feel like they are being plucked,literally plucked. Why do I mention this? Because, I TAKE IT ALL BACK... Last night we discovered that Madelyn is cutting 6 teeth. We can see 4 upper and 2 lower teeth right under the skin- 1 upper has actually just broke through. Once these come in she will have 7 teeth... Is that even possible?

Good night for now... Oh, wait it's only 5:40? Good-bye for now... Happy Father's Day to my Dad, Ray, and Dad-John... May you have wonderful days that show how truly appreciative we all are to you.

My Beauty

Why do most babies love bath time... but my sweet little girl? She will scream like someone is holding her toes to fire until we get her out... I can't figure why? I always thought splashing around was fun... Madelyn wants no part of it! Look how happy she was to get out...

The Sweetest Voice

For months now Maddy has "spoke" in baby talk with some of what she says sounding very similar to "dada." I have always said that I didn't think she knew what she was saying just yet, that it was probably just a sound she was making... Although, don't say anything to Ray- IF you ask him she has been saying -and meaning- dada since she was 2-months old. This morning though I may have to stop denying it, she bounced up and down looking at her dad saying... dada... Her first word is dada. Can you think of a more perfect Father's Day gift?

I have to add... while I am very happy for Ray... :mama: better come out of that little girl's mouth very soon! :)

Looks like the swing will be hitting the old dusty trails...

My daughter is a ninja... a baby ninja...

Daddy and Maddy PJ Fun-Day!

Daddy and Maddy are at home for a couple of days this week. They have both not gotten out of their PJ's and I am pretty sure Maddy has worn daddy out. It is very cute! I came home yesterday to find all of Maddy "accessories" (swing, jumper, blankets, MISC toys and blankets) all over the living room- Daddy created a Utopia of baby stuff.

On the personal front, I had my MRI yesterday and am AMAZED at how comfy they make you now. I had headphones set to 96.9, warmed table (or was that body heat from the lady that had just gotten out? Ewww... OK scratch that one) and was offered a warm blanket. As I left they handed me a CD of all the images that they took. If you know me- I am a hypochondriac, neurotic, medical-student-in-waiting young woman. So what would I do? IMMEDIATELY insert CD into Ray's work computer and dissect every little image on the screen. My diagnosis? Nothing in my back looks right! Every thing's broken! (I will wait to hear from the doctor before I treat though.)

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Agghhh!!! We. Bought. A. Home. Suh-weet!!!

I go from wanting to get sick to running around excited. I am told that it is normal. :) I may need reminders.

Ouch!

My. back. is. out. again. Are you serious? I was EVER so slightly bending over to get my checkbook Tuesday morning and... AGHH! SPASM. Ever since then I have not been the same. Out of work for most of the week, and even when I manage to make it into work I am half under the desk- I am irritated. At what? Who? Who knows, but I can be mad if I want to! :) Hopefully it is nothing, but I have an inkling that it is again my disc... ewww... Onward and upward though... MRI results to follow.

Other than the old lady typing... we are great. Maddy has got to be cutting some major chompers this week. She wants steak! This weekend is grampy's birthday, so we'll get some great cake pictures up soon! (Mommy and daddy cake pictures! You didn't think I meant Maddy- did you?)

Daddy is a Crazy!

Do you see Ray in the background? Do you notice Maddy imitating Ray? Yeah, she's a daddy's girl. While we were over Nana Patsy's house the other day she had said to me... "Look how she looks at you! She loves her mom!" I do agree... she loves her mom, BUT she LOVES her dad. She lights up when he enters a room. Although, I think I might light up too! :)

I am so bummed this picture came out blurry... this is HER "face." She makes this expression a lot now due to her teething, it is so darn cute!

And her is the outfit Bridgette bought us!! Thank you!