Jumping into 2!

As part of Maddie's 2nd birthday weekend we visited Pump it Up with her grandparents. As you can tell she had a blast and gave Gramma and Pappy a good workout.



Maddie with her headless grandmother.



"I haven't had a wedgie this bad since 1973."





"It may look like I'm sliding...I'm actually just stuck here."


"I haven't had a wedgie this bad since 5 minutes ago."

All grown up and using the potty!

Maddie is now potty trained. It was an exhausting and frustrating week but I'm happy to report that we're done with diapers. We started her training on Thursday. I put her in underwear and followed her around all day shoving juice at her, urging her to sit on the potty, and cleaning up messes. We went through 15 panties the first day, seven the second, and only three the third day. Today was the first day we were accident-free! I sent her to school in panties and she did great and even napped without an accident. I'm so proud of her. It was a rough week but I love not changing diapers anymore.

"This is how I sit on the toilet...only it's Jojo's bed, so I'll hold it in...well, maybe not."


"Is this how mommy flips the grilled cheese?"





"Only cool girls wear panties."

The Van Wambeke's visit Nashville

Velz, Lew and JP visited us over the 3-day weekend. It was so nice to have our good friends in town, and to get to know JP better. He's such a sweet little guy. Maddie liked playing the role of big sister and "helping" out.

We ate at the Aquarium restaurant in Opry Mills.








A child-free evening at the Bluebird Cafe


"Rain rain go away..."



Pancake Pantry (Maddie didn't like her bear-shaped pancakes)



"Remember, no peeing in the bathtub."



"So this is what having 3 kids feels like."



Nashville Zoo

Nice weather at last!

We upgraded from sitting on a chair to sitting on the counter when we make cookies.

The weather finally warmed up slightly on Thursday so we hit the park (as you can see, still dressed for sub-zero temperatures).


It was so warm yesterday that we could play coat-free.


What a sweetheart!

"Just try to pry me off...I've got my Kung-fu death grip working."

"C'mon Mom, brown shoes with pink pants?"

Dance time!

Maddie and I dance after breakfast each morning.

The video camera was in my purse, which is in our coat closet. I opened the closet to dig out the camera while she was dancing. I assumed she didn't notice since she was preoccupied, but as I was filming she grabbed the camera. She ran to the closet, opened the door and threw the camera in. She has a subtle way of telling me to stop filming.

Playing catch

Cincinnati and my birthday

We enjoyed a wonderful trip to Cincinnati for New Years. We were able to see our friends from college (Jim and Sarah). We also made a quick trip up to Columbus to see Todd and Jenn (friends from Residency). On Friday, we saw Anna, Cris, and James for a fondu meal at my parents house. Maddie loves James so we can't get enough pictures of them hugging :).

I had a great birthday on Monday. It was so much fun to get emails and phone calls all day long from my friends. Thank you so much! Maddie and I went to lunch at Puffy Muffin (Yum!) and then Jon and I had a date to Stoney River that evening.


"Why do they always want us to hug?"

Helping Pappy with the pancakes.

This is what happens when you let a two year old dress herself.

Mommy's birthday lunch.

We split a cupcake to celebrate.

This is the dessert Jon and I split later that night (notice the 2 shot glasses of milk)

Mmmmm, more cupcakes from my Nashville friends.



Trying to catch snowflakes on our tongues.

"Look what Mommy snuck in my hair this morning."

"but I'm going to take them out in a minute."

"Just kidding, I wouldn't do that."

"or would I . . . "