And she's off . . .

Visit with Friends

Maddie and I just made a trip out to New Jersey to visit my good friends this past weekend. I'm so glad we went!!! It was great to see everyone, and to meet Jen's baby, Alyssa, for the first time. The flights went ok, but I'm really glad that I'll have Jon with me for our next plane trip over the last weekend of February. Flying out to NJ the plane wasn't full so I put Maddie's car seat in a seat. She didn't sleep on the flight (which I was really hoping she would) but fell asleep in the car ride on the way to Jen's. Coming home the flight was full so Maddie sat on my lap. It was so crowded and felt about 100 degrees. Maddie was squirmy for most of the flight but miraculously fell asleep on my lap for 40 minutes. I could tell the passenger next to me wasn't a baby person but she was still nice and didn't mind that Maddie occasionally reached for her long hair or kicked her. The passenger behind me helped put some of our stuff in the overhead bin and then offered to help me off the plane (which I told him I'd just wait until everyone was off to gather my things). Anyways, it turned out that guy was one of Jon's attendings that he mentions often and has done research for. I have never met him so I didn't realise this. Jon was waiting for Maddie and I at baggage claim and then the connection was made.

Anyways, about our visit, I was the first of our friends to arrive. Jen, who is a pediatric resident, was post call so picked me up then we drove to the babysitters to get Alyssa. Alyssa loved Maddie, but Maddie wasn't so sure about her. Alyssa, who is almost 8 months old, would squeal and crawl over to where Maddie was playing. Maddie would then just look at her with a frown on her face. She wasn't quite sure what to think, especially when Alyssa went after the toys she was playing with. Daniela, Sarah, and Jim arrived later that night and then Janz arrived on Saturday night. I was so excited because Jen's parents watched the babies on Saturday evening and we got an adults night out at a really good Italian restaurant. It was so great hanging out with everyone!!

The weeks before the trip we spent a couple of afternoons at the mall's kid area and hanging out with friends. Next up, Maddie's 1st birthday. Can you believe it?!!

Brady reading to Maddie

Grace showing Maddie her new toy.

Jen has a lot of help in the kitchen.



She LOVED this slide!





Out to lunch.




Fighting over the walker.





Sweet sleeping baby!



I love this picture! Maddie took two steps on her own last night. I think we're days away from a walker.


"Oh no, if I have to share my chair I'm out of here!"

Still not a walker.

Maddie's still not walking on her own, but enjoys her push toy. She also loves walking while holding onto fingers. It's so sweet but hold her little hands while she wobbles along.

We're back from Vacation!

Maddie and I have had a busy two weeks. Right after Christmas we drove to St. Louis for a couple of days to visit relatives. We came back to Nashville for New Years and then flew out to Colorado for a week. We had a wonderful visit with family and enjoyed being in the mountains but I'm really sad Jon couldn't be with us. His presence would have made the trip perfect!

I'm still trying to catch up from being gone for so long. It didn't help that our washer isn't working so Maddie and I visited the laundromat yesterday to wash our stacks of clothes. Maddie's schedule was so messed up on our trips. She still took two naps a day but her bedtime was pushed back and she'd wake up about 4 times a night. We're almost back her normal schedule now. It amazes me how quickly she adapts to new situations. She was so happy the entire trip (except for the long car rides).

Visiting Gramps in St. Louis

Visiting Aunt Barb (my mom's sister) and family

Back in Nashville.

On the plane ride to Colorado. We finally got Maddie to sleep.

She was a busy shopper.

We decided to visit a Good Wills in Ft. Collins to look for a snow suit since Maddie didn't have one. The snow suit and boots were the best $8.00 I've ever spent, especially since it was -10 degrees when we arrived in Steamboat.

My mom and I skied that first day while my dad watched Maddie.

Our family arrives.

My hair froze on the slopes.

That's the gondola on the mountain behind my little snow bunny.

Sneaking some ice cream from Grandma.

It snowed the entire time we were there (accumulating 20" on the mountain) except for the day we planned to leave. My dad and I decided to ski with Uncle John for an hour that morning because we couldn't pass up the views and well-groomed slopes. All the other days the powder formed mogul-like conditions. It was a great way to end the trip.

Downtown Steamboat.

She's making progress towards walking. The heavy boots help stabilize her.