Random January Fun

This post will be a collection of our end-of-January adventures. So... lots of pictures!

Updated Boppy Picture
It's amazing to me how much bigger she is!
I also love her little toes in this picture
Anthony thinks its funny that she has a bit of a belly in this picture.

This is what Maddy looks like when she's getting sleepy.
Look at those chubby cheeks!!!

Maddy and Bella chillin'
(they are becoming fast friends)

This is what Maddy looks like when she's waking up...
(lots and lots of stretching)

The wake up face

Ice Festival

We decided to venture out for a family outing and visited the Plymouth Ice Festival. It was a great day for it - sunny and not too cold - and Maddy ended up sleeping the whole time. It was so neat to see all the incredible things that people create out of ice!

Maddy all bundled up to be outside for 1+ hours

The whole bundled family!
(don't you love our hats?!?)

One of my favorite ice sculptures

One cool thing... the park where they hold the Ice Festival is the same park where they do weekly music events for kids in the summer and an annual art festival - both of which will become annual traditions for us. It's fun to think of being in the same place experiencing different things in different seasons!

Ski Trip

This weekend we took our annual ski trip to Boyne Falls with Anthony's family. It's become a tradition and one that we really look forward to.

Anthony has loved the opportunity to re-learn skiing and get out on the slopes. This year he skied several black diamonds - and only fell a few times!

Lee, Catherine, Anna and Anthony

(Anthony's two sisters and Catherine's boyfriend)

The past two years I have opted not to ski and instead to enjoy the spa at our hotel. This year I indulged with a massage, a facial and a manicure/pedicure combo. Sooooo nice to be pampered!!!

Maddy really enjoyed her vacation! :) She did great on the 4 hour drive up there - slept the entire time except the few minutes in between when she ate. When we pulled up at the hotel, she promptly stretched her arms and stirred awake. It was so cute - it was like she was saying "Well, I did my part and slept the whole way here... Now I'm ready to be up and get this vacation party started!" Here's a picture of her in her winter gear.


While we were up north, Maddy had her first opportunity to swim. It was so fun!!! She really loved the water and we all enjoyed holding her in the water - it's like she felt free, floating in the pool. She liked it so much we even went back a second time! I'm considering swim classes once she's old enough...

Pre-Swim Picture

Post-Swim Picture

We captured the whole experience on video. The first part of the video is Anthony 'dipping' Maddy into the water after blowing on her face so she'd hold her breath. I don't think I knew that this was safe to do with infants until after he did it, so you can imagine that it pretty much freaked me out to see my baby under the water! She, however, did not seem to mind at all and actually seemed to enjoy it. The second part of the video is me floating Maddy around a very peaceful pool - I loved that moment.

Maddy's New Trick

We caught a brand new trick of Maddy's on video! But, before I get to that, I have to post some adorable pictures of Anthony with Maddy in her carrier. She loves to be in it!

"Look Ma - no hands!!!"

"Hmmm... I think I like this thing."

Okay, now on to Maddy's new trick... She's starting to roll over!!! We were packing to get ready for our ski trip when Maddy woke up early from a nap. So, Anthony decided to bring her into our room and have her lay on the bed while we finished. Well, as soon as he put her down on her tummy, she rolled right over! We weren't sure if it was an accident or not, so we put her back on her tummy and she did it again.... and again... and again! Now, she was definitely aided by the heavy suitcase on the opposite side of the bed, but she's also definitely learning! Here's the video...

Maddy Talks!

The coolest thing happened today --- Maddy started talking to us! Okay, it might sound more like cries than talking to most of you, but we can definitely tell a difference! It is so cool to hear her 'voice' and so exciting to see her interacting more.

Randomness

Nothing too exciting going on... but I do have some new pictures to post!

Look at those sweet little toes!

Isn't this hat adorable!?!

Maddy got some new wall art!

2 Month Check Up

Maddy went to see our pediatrician - Dr. Segaloff - today for her two month check up. Since this was also her first visit for shots, I decided that pajamas were in order.


Her visit went great! Maddy has grown 3/4" and is now weighing in at 11 pounds! She sure is growing! I always feel relieved when I see the number on the scale - it is tangible proof that she's actually getting enough nourishment from me. After the check up portion of the visit it was time for the shots. Since this was her first time getting shots, poor Maddy girl had no idea what was coming. The nurse was great, though, and all three shots were done in a matter of seconds! Maddy cried hard for a few minutes after the shots but calmed down and never showed signs of discomfort or pain. I think it was a success!

Maddy's badges of honor

I gave her a bath later in the day - which she loved - and took this picture after bathtime was done. It has become a new favorite of mine.

Isn't she beautiful!?!

Welcome to 2009!

Since I'm catching up to get started with this blog, this post will be a random collection of pictures from the first few days of 2009...

Maddy woke up with some crazy hair...

It might be crazy hair, but she's still cute!

I adore this picture of the two of them snoozing together.
How precious are her little hands?!?

A cute self-portrait
(any other moms feel like all the pictures they have of themselves with their kids are with one arm stretched out holding the camera?)

I never know what she's thinking when she gives me this face
(which is often)

Bella getting some good snuggles.

Look at those eyes!

We're starting to get the first smiles - they are AMAZING!

Tummy time on her playmat.

How can two photos taken seconds apart have such different expressions?!?

Our Angel Baby

New Year's Eve

We had a relaxing New Year's Eve day. Not too much going on until we decided to make dinner plans with Anthony's family. They invited us to the Hunt & Grunt (aka The Huron River Hunting & Fishing Club). It's a formal restaurant and they have really yummy food. So, we got all dressed up and ready to go!

Don't we look pretty?

Fancy Kisses for Maddy!

Maddy all dressed up and ready to go!

We had a very yummy dinner. I had a modified surf & turf (crab legs and filet) and Anthony had lamb chops. Maddy tried to have a bottle (I had pumped before we left), but she was a little bit distracted by all that was going on. Overall, she did great at the restaurant though. Even still, next time we try to go to a fancy restaurant, we'll probably leave her home with a babysitter. :)

After dinner, we were all pretty wiped out. We came home and by 10:00pm, we were all in our pajamas. We rang in the new year together in our pjs!

Pajama Kisses for Maddy!

This last picture has nothing to do with New Year's Eve, but it's so cute and I love it, so I decided to post it.

Maddy with her Daddy