Barbecue down the street

Our neighborhood had their annual barbecue yesterday. Since we moved in last August this was our first one to attend. We haven't met a lot of our neighbors yet, except other dog walkers that JoJo always says hi to. Everyone was really nice so it was good getting to know them. My hidden agenda was to find people in our neighborhood to watch Maddie. Maddie was a big hit at the party. There are a number of people with kids in their 20s and no grand kids, as well as some with grand kids, who loved Maddie. If we need a babysitter I may ask one of them. Anyways, we left early to get Maddie to bed on time. Of course we stayed long enough to hear who won the dessert contest. My Tandy cakes (cake with peanut butter and chocolate layered on top) won second place (out of 3) so I got a $15 Publix gift card :) These pictures were taken just before we headed down the street. I thought she looked adorable in this outfit.

Excersaucer fun

We can now play in our excersaucer. She loves all the toys and can spin herself around to play with each one.



"Hi, want to play?"

"mmmm, tasty"

"Now if only I can figure out how to put this in my mouth"

Velz's Wedding

Maddie, Jon and I traveled to Annapolis, Maryland this weekend for my good friend Daniela's wedding. We had a great time! This was Maddie's third airplane trip so we're becoming quite the pros, but each time I'm learning some very important lessons. This trip was no different. First, I learned to never take an early morning flight again. Our flight left Nashville at 6:45am on Friday. We woke Maddie up at 4:40am to feed her and get her ready to go. This messed up her entire sleep schedule and she only took sporadic 20 min naps throughout the day. She was so exhausted that we had to leave the rehearsal dinner early. The next day we made sure she got enough sleep so we could make it through the wedding. The other tip I learned is to NEVER have the center armrest in the up position during landing. Since our flight to DC was nearly empty the stewardess allowed us to bring her car seat on the plane so she didn't have to ride in our laps the entire flight. She was really fussy towards the end of the flight so I was holding her. I didn't even think about the fact that the armrest was still up while we were landing. Right when the plane hit the ground the armrest came crashing down. I don't even know how it missed her head, since the seats are so narrow. Anyways, I'm just so thankful it didn't hit her because that would have really been bad. Other than that the flights went well. Daniela is now Mrs. Van Wambeke, but she assured me I can still call her Velz (nickname taken from her maiden name Vella Camilleri).

Waiting to board our plane in Nashville.

Jon and little Jon hanging out in the hotel room. I don't know about you, but I really see the resemblance in this picture.

Maddie is always trying to grab something, unfortunately that includes our skin.

The hotel gave us a crib to use. Maddie was fascinated by the mesh siding. We woke up both mornings to her running her fingernails up and down it.

Jim and Maddie at the rehearsal dinner. We had to leave earlier because our little girl was upset and tired that night.

Brunch on Saturday morning. Maddie was there but didn't make the picture. The boys were golfing.

Madding talking to Sarah and Janz.

Her latest trick is using her legs. She's really strong and loves pushing up to a standing position.

My beautiful friend Daniela being walked down the aisle. The wedding was a blast!

Jon stood in the back of the ceremony with Maddie. I couldn't stand with him since I was reading. She fell asleep in his arms and miraculously we were able to put her down without waking her. This was the first of two naps she took at the wedding.

It was a little warm so we borrowed Velz's fan to keep Maddie cool.

The Bucknell gang

Back in our hotel room after the wedding

Yep, it's confirmed. She's definitely my daughter.

"Man, I wish I know how to open this bottle!"

Chilling in Annapolis. We ate brunch with Sarah and Jim and then walked the cute streets window shopping. I knew better than to ask Jon to enter the stores, or maybe I just knew what the answer would be.

We crashed with the newly weds on Sunday night. Maddie didn't seem to mind her sleeping arrangements.

On the flight home. Maddie is looking for our house.

Finally home, clean, and in our own bed.

Believe it or not I took even more pictures than I posted here. To see all my pictures go here.

Rice Cereal

Not a big fan.

19 1/2 weeks old

Helping me put away laundry.

JoJo and Casper intested in something outside. I looked but couldn't see anything.

Adorable outfit. Thanks Bob and Cissa!!!

This picture is for Maddie's grandfather. We were watching the US open tie break. I'll have you know Maddie was squealing in delight :)

She loves the teething ring I took out of the freezer. She flipped it over on her face by herself.


Trying to take a sip of my strawberry smoothie from Sonic.

I shot some more video this week. I'll try to post them over the next few days.