Growth

Growth is the next subject in the photo challenge. I wasn't sure how to do this one. After I snapped the following picture I realized that it'd be perfect. This is a picture of Mom, Dad and Maddie measuring Caitlyn.

Ballet and Easter

Practicing for their recital.









Making cookies.

Off to hunt eggs with the VHA.


She only wanted green eggs.

Excitement

I decided to do a photo challenge that one of my friends mentioned in her blog. I'm not an artsy photographer (even though I'd love to be) but I thought I'd give it a try. Last week's challenge was excitement.

"I can crawl at last!"


"Yay, Gramma is here"

Fun times at the zoo.

Maddie has speech twice a week. She goes on Monday and Wednesday mornings. On Monday we came home straight after speech and had the meltdown of the century. It was horrible. She kept saying how she didn't want to come home. I think because we drove past the library and she wanted story time since we've gone there straight from speech before. I put her and Caitlyn to bed an hour early that day and they both slept for 2 hours. They woke up just in time to sit in the closet with me for the tornado warnings. Anyways, I think everyone is happier if we don't come home after being out. We drove straight from speech to the zoo on Wednesday and then went to the zoo again today after dance class. Maddie was so good, especially this morning. She rode in the stroller, sat at the picnic table and didn't leave until I said it was ok, stayed close by if she walked, and even helped me with Caitlyn. It amazes me how some days are complete disasters when it comes to behavior and others she's such a joy. I think that's having a spirited child, but I'm constantly trying to find the secret to what makes each day a success. I'm sure my latest theory of staying out of the house until nap time will be proven wrong at some point but we'll try it for a while.

At the zoo on Wednesday. "Is this pad urine proof?"

This worked out great. I could fasten her seat to the fence behind the table.

"I hope this isn't the alligator section behind me."

"Do I smell or something?"

Tired, on the way home.

So one activity Maddie does that drives me crazy is walking JoJo around the house on his leash. I let her do it because it gives Jo some attention and keeps her happy, but then JoJo is just always right next to me and seems to be in the way. Maddie loves tying him up so he can't escape. On Wednesday I put Maddie to bed. An hour later I heard some whining and found JoJo tied to Jon's chair. Oops.

I think I see a dimple in her right cheek.

I dressed them alike for some pictures at Maddie's school. They looked precious.

"Lets see how much Windex it will take to clean this window after we're through with it."

"Like mommy always tell us...Look directly at the sun."

10 months and crawling

Cailtyn turned 10 months today. I can't believe she'll be a year in just two months. I'm trying to soak it all in before my baby is all grown up.

She started crawling today. I'm so happy for her because she was getting frustrated but I'm not sure I'm ready for a mobile baby. Jon left her in the living room today, turned his back for one minute and she was gone. She was in between two pieces of furniture playing with the TIVO box.

A visit to Pappy and Gramma's house.

A visit to Pappy's and Gramma's house means a little break for me and Jon. We had plans every night we were there except for one. You can tell we don't get out much when we're home. Two of the nights were interview dinners. It was nice being wined and dined at fancy restaurants and even being picked up in a limo! We also went to a children's museum, the zoo, and the circus. It was a busy trip.

"Find your own bread stick old woman!"

Deja vu to when Gramps used to push my brother and I in the wheelbarrow.

Gramma and Maddie sewed a new dress for her doll.

My friend Anna was able to come over to visit as well.

Planting a vegetable garden.

"Is he still working? It's so hard to find good help these days."

"Yes, Pappy, I know what dirt is."

Look who also got a ride in the limo.

We were able to stock up on Grey Poupon.

Maddie was a little scared at first.

She finally warmed up to it once the tigers were out. I love the big cats too.

Breakfast before our drive home.