21 Months!

Dear Maddie Girl,

Hard to believe another month has gone by! You are now twenty-one months old, and living life to the fullest! It is a joy to see you enjoying each day, creating new adventures and games and songs in order to keep things exciting.

You love to sing! It makes your Mama so happy to hear you singing each day, sometimes songs you've learned from us, other times your very own creations! On the way home the other night, your Dada and I listened, beaming with pride, as you sang your own version of "Jesus loves me," a song we sing to you each night at bedtime. You were able to recall many of the words from each line, and it warmed our hearts to hear your little voice praising God.

You continue to grow more mature and independent each day, climbing up in your chair at meal times, zipping up your jammies, brushing your teeth, washing your hands, and helping feed the dog. But it's nice to know you still love to cuddle. You will run up to your Dada or I, arms raised, asking "Hold you!" You are kind and gentle to your babies and animals, giving hugs and kisses all day. And you love, LOVE, babies.  A few of our friends had babies this last month, and they are a source of joy and delight for you. You use the highest, sweetest, squeakiest voice as you shower them with love and affection. Luckily, most of our friends are really easygoing about their babies and allow you to kiss, hug, and give loving touches. Often, long after we've seen these friends, you will talk about "baby Barrett," "baby Claire," or even a baby you haven't met but already love, "Kayla Rose...friend." 

We still spend many hours each week coloring, but you also love to help in the kitchen and around the house, cleaning with wipes, helping dust the furniture, and even washing the floor. I keep hoping someone will invent a toddler vacuum that actually picks up dirt. THEN we will have housekeeping success! This morning I spent a few hours cleaning and you went back and forth between your toys and the cleaning supplies, working alongside me, smiling, and making the work much more enjoyable.

But having you around definitely makes everything more fun. The amount of joy and love and laughter you have brought into our house is what makes me get up each morning. I hear you singing in your crib before the sunrise, softly at first, then gradually getting stronger and stronger until it evolves into, "Mammmmma....MMMMMamaaaa....Mama! Mammmma!" That's my cue to roll out of bed. Often I'll bring you back into our bed to snuggle, and this morning you showered us with kisses and little pats, repeating our names with affection.

There are many trials of toddlerhood, but as I write this update I realize none of them come to mind. I cannot think of anything but how greatly your Dada and I love and appreciate the little person you are. You make us so excited for this next chapter of life, welcoming a new person into our family. I know that it will be really hard and caring for two small creatures will bring a new set of challenges. But at the end of each day, I will thank our Heavenly Father for giving me the greatest of gifts in allowing me to be your Mama.

I love you, baby beans!

Mama

hiking las trampas on a windy day

golden hair, golden hills

big girl hiking on her own

pausing to show Dada some special dirt

is it a ma'am or a sir, a him or a her? pt. 2

for pt. 1 of this story, see here

Today we had the pleasure of seeing baby Nemo again. All of our suspicious were confirmed when we learned that Nemo is indeed a little boy!

Here's mama at 17 weeks, 4 days, and big sister at 20 months, 25 days.

Hooray! 

pictures from our week

Mama's little helper making pumpkin muffins.

"Stir it up!"

Caught in the act:

toddler's escape attempt foiled!

Three little monkeys after an afternoon

at the park. Too cute!

Squirrelly

Maddie's first song, caught on tape. We especially love how she switches into her high voice for the second half of the stanza. She was a little distracted, but you get the idea. Actual lyrics:
Squirrelly, squirrelly, shake your bushy tail (x2)
Wrinkle up your little nose
Hide a nut between your toes
Squirrelly, squirrelly, shake your bushy tail

"jog" down memory lane

For a while now I've been meaning to take a photo of Maddie in her jogger stroller to compare and contrast with the first time she used it. Suffice to say, she's grown:

March 2007

October 2008

what we're up to these days

Maddie is very fond of climbing these days, as demonstrated on the tree outside Tutu and Boppa's house:

Daddy used to climb this tree! Maddie is also fond of the monkey hang, as demonstrated below:

It's always a relief when Daddy is there to catch her!

Another great love: coloring. In a given week, Maddie will spend 1-2 hours each day coloring away. Mama and Daddy were able to take her to dinner last week and actually feel like they were out on a date! Conversation, little distraction, all thanks to a handful of crayons and a coloring book:

Though left on her own, Maddie forgets that colors "are for paper only" and leaves her mark on couches, in books, and even the outside table:

teeth = no sleep. duh.

So the "mystery" of not sleeping at night? Poor Miss Maddie has cut four teeth in 13 days, and she has two more right behind. Can't hardly blame the poor little thing.

The good news? After those last two, we only have a couple molars until the mouth is full of teeth! Hooray!

twenty months

My Dear Girl,

You are now twenty months old. Hard to believe that in just a few months, you'll be two. And then there will be two, as in two children. But I'm getting ahead of myself, so let's just recap the last month, shall we?

It's been a little rough, to tell you the truth. For the first time since those early weeks we brought you home from the hospital, you've had trouble sleeping through the night. Many nights you wake up multiple times, crying out for your "Mama," and you can't always get yourself back to sleep. This month we have two colds, separation anxiety, and four pressing teeth to thank for that. Thanks a lot. Add your sleeplessness to Mama's, and the two of us are sort of a sorry pair. But we get by. You, me, and the Cinderella music DVD.

Your absolute favorite things these days are stickers, princesses, and pirates (though not necessarily in that order). This month I could be found scraping stickers off the cupboards and your skin (ouch!) or singing the "princess song" (A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes) many, many times a day. We read your pirate book at least once each day and you love to point out their hooks and hats and earrings and boots. 

You amaze me with how smart you are and how quickly you learn new things. Tonight as we took a bath I said, "Where are Mama's toes?" as I hid them beneath the bubbles and you said, "There they are! One, two, three, four, five!" I joked to your Daddy that I might have Noggin to thank for your newfound counting skills. TV isn't all bad, you know, especially when one is suffering from pregnancy-related nausea or trying desperately to get dinner on the table. 

You've started calling us "Mommy" and "Daddy" all on your own, and it makes me a little sad, though I know that as long as we have our middle-of-the-night wakeup calls, I'll continue to hear "Mama!" when really needed. You are saying all kinds of sentences and making us laugh with your word combinations and the things you repeat. At night you've started to "read" to us, naming objects and animals and identifying emotions in your books. Every time we read your Cinderella book, when it gets to the part where our beloved princess cannot go to the ball, you get a tissue or blanket to wipe the tear on her face. You love to read your Bible and to hear stories about Jesus. Almost any time you hear his name, you say "Jesus...So much!" (Maddie speak for "Jesus loves me so much!") It makes us smile, inside and out.

Despite the struggles of a sleep-deprived month, you've managed to maintain your sense of humor and easygoing personality for most of the day (except when you're whining, which, in my mind, has started way too early). You love to laugh and make us laugh. In this last picture we're watching a fly buzz around the table and saying, "Shoo!" You thought it was hilarious and I was able to capture a classic Maddie face on camera. You are wagging your finger at that pesky fly, saying, "don't bother me," and cracking yourself up. Madeleine Noelle, you are one spunky girl. Thanks for keeping us on our toes.

Love you bunches,

Mama/Mommy

new hobby

Maddie and Daddy go longboarding...

in the summer, in the city

Last Friday we headed to SF to "beat the heat," only to discover it was nearly ninety degrees! A rare day for the usual fog-filled summer days. A trip to the city wouldn't be complete without visiting our favorite restaurant, Caffe Sport, where Maddie checked out all the decor. Then we headed around Little Italy and played at a local park. Afterward, Maddie got a ride on Daddy's shoulders:

Then we headed to Golden Gate Park, where we rode the Carrousel and enjoyed the warm sunshine while playing at the children's discovery and play area. 

Fun day for all in the city!

another Maddie anecdote

On Sunday Maddie had a bit of a cold, so instead of putting her in nursery I took her to church with me. Ben was preaching and I didn't want to miss it. We stood in the back for the worship songs, Maddie swaying and singing along. When she started to get too noisy, we moved to the chapel where a live feed of the service plays. Because we were the only ones in the room, Maddie had the freedom to run about while I watched the service. 

She was very interested in the large stained glass image of Jesus at the front of the chapel. I explained to her that it was a picture of Jesus, and that He loves her very much. She smiled as I spoke and soon began to say, "Hi, Jesus!" over and over, waving and smiling and pointing at her friend. Next thing I knew, she was in the second row of chairs, squatting down, and then jumping up shouting, "Peekaboo, Jesus!" This continued for some time.

I offered her a snack. She hurriedly opened the package, withdrew a single snack and held it up to toward the front of the chapel. "Here you go, Jesus," she said, offering to share her food. Still later, she lifted her sippy cup, "Here you go! Jesus! Here you go!" 

It is so silly, but the whole spectacle brought tears to my eyes. Here was my tiny child, interacting with a stained glass image of Jesus, playing peekaboo and offering snacks. It warmed my heart to know just how pleased her Heavenly Father was with her in that moment, delighted in the simple way His creation, a toddler, showed love. 

night-night everybody

One of our bedtime routines is saying night-night to the people we love. The first time I remember doing this with Maddie was back in June when we were on the houseboat trip. As Maddie had some trouble going to sleep, I would sing a little song called "everyone is going night-night." I'd run through a list of her beloved family and friends (some stuffed), assuring her that everyone would be going to bed soon, she wasn't missing out.

For some reason tonight she was having a really hard time settling down so I held her in the rocking chair for a bit.  She soon broke out in a spontaneous round of night-nights to her loved ones, including: Mama, Dada, clock, Mickey, puzzles, books, princess, Jesus, Grammy, Papa, Uncle Joe, Tutu, Boppa, Jennie, Susan, Wyatt, & Tyler (not an all-inclusive list). She fell asleep shortly after, drooling on my shoulder.

and the award for most patient dog of the year goes to...

...Hanalei the Wonder Dog!

Exhibit A: "Giddyup! Giddyup!" the little one says

Exhibit B: "Oh, Doggy! Kiss. Kiss."

Exhibit C: "Uh-0h. Losing my balance."

Not to mention:

-multiple ear pulls, "love pats" and dog climbing excursions each day

-parroting the parents' words w/a stern tone, "Hanalei, COME!"

-extremely close observation of mealtime

*But no need to go calling the ASPCA, as there is unlimited daily snacking, love and affection provided by the small person

This Week's Theme: Climbing

in the planter boxes

on the dining room chairs (and table)

oh, yes, and to the top rung of the ladder

(with Daddy close by)

a few nibbles

Maddie is going through some crazy developmental changes these days. But apparently developing strength, smarts, independence and dexterity requires some work in the wee hours of the night. For the past week, she's been waking up multiple times at night, crying out, "Mama!" or simply sighing, whimpering, and tossing about. 

I figured that by the time my baby was sleeping through the night, I'd learn to sleep through the little sounds and wake for the serious ones. Not so much. Maybe it's the second pregnancy and the fact I'm waking three times to use the bathroom and at least a dozen other to change positions, but I swear, I hear every peep coming from that room. It will probably come in handy if and when my kids are sneaky adolescents. I found myself smiling at the thought that when I was home visiting my parents, my own mom probably still stirred when she heard me wake to use the restroom. At this rate, I am assured that long after my kids are grown and gone, I'll be waking to phantom cries in the middle of the night.

Maddie loves to sing and will ask for her Maranatha kids CD most mornings, saying, "More holy" or "More hallelu!" Her aunt Jennie made the CD when she stayed for a few days while we were out of town, and it brings much joy to the our household. She loves to do the motions to, "He's got the whole world in his hands," and especially loves to sing, "little bitty baby." 

I found her singing to and playing with her stuffed animals yesterday, asking them babbling questions and then saying, "Okay, Froggy?" and "Okay, George?" It kills me it is so cute. I never expected my 19 month old baby to act like such a big girl so much of the time. She is into puzzles and books, telling me all day long, "Sit down. Puzzles." 

It is as if her brain is growing by the second, soaking up new information and digesting it then spitting it back out in new skills, words, jokes and incredible understanding. She is counting items, pointing out letters in her books and is a pro at finding princesses or Nemo. I never imagined we'd be buying into consumer packaging at such an early age, but I actually find it rather sweet.

Maddie likes to peek at my belly and say hello to the baby. She is obsessed with big pregnant bellies and has lifted up many a shirt searching for the baby, much to her mama's embarrassment. Luckily most of our pregnant friends have their own toddlers and are more than happy to display "silly" belly buttons and "big bellies" for Maddie. It is really fun to see her so interested and aware. The other day we were leaving our friends' home after a play date and I said, "say goodbye to the baby in Susan's belly," and she leaned over to give her belly a kiss! 

I'm writing in baby Nemo's journal less frequently than with my first pregnancy, but I find myself writing lots of prayers and hopes for this new little one. Ben and I feel like Maddie is such a uniquely special person, and it is my prayer that in getting to know our new little one, we will recognize and appreciate how different and special he/she is, too. I pray that I can be as intentional and hands-on a parent, find the time to take care of myself in addition to two babies and a husband, and learn to divide and expand myself and my heart further. 

The blessing of being a mama has taught me such great love, the limits of exhaustion, the need for mercy, boundless creativity and the joy of each new day, fresh with possibility. It is a journey I wouldn't trade for the world.

fun in in the sun

Who needs a wine press with legs like these?

All wet and lovin' it!

Taking matters into her own hands 

(shortly before soaking Mama and the camera!)

Nineteen Months

Sweet Madeleine,

You turned 19 months this past week, and what a month it has been! We've spent three of the past four weeks traveling up and down the West Coast. Camping in the Sierras, camping on the Central Coast, down to Santa Barbara and then to Anaheim, back home and then up to Oregon. Whew! You've proved to be the most adaptable and easygoing baby ever, as you handled each trip with your usual joy, curiosity and vivacity!

Something new in the last month or so is your ability to sit and work at an activity for an extended period of time. You've always been good at quiet play, but now you love to color in your books, play with stickers, and do puzzles. It's amazing to see you place puzzle pieces in their exact spots with dexterity and ease. In so many ways you are resembling a talented, capable little girl and not the baby you once were.

You are friendly with everyone from the waiter, to our neighbors on the plane, to "grandmas" you meet in waiting rooms. Nobody is a stranger to Maddie, just a friend waiting to be hugged or greeted with an enthusiastic "Hi!"

In addition to your charming and delightful personality, you've also developed quite a sense of humor. You love coming up with your very own sayings and shouting them triumphantly, looking for laughter and applause. At Grammy and Papa's house, you kept us all entertained while you jumped from the hearth shouting "Koo-La-La!" With each jump, your words became more and more exuberant and when Papa joined in the fun, repeating your silly phrase, it was as if you experienced a taste of heaven, to see that smug and satisfied grin spread across your face.

One of my favorite parts of vacation was seeing my family love and enjoy you to no end. Getting to spend extended, quality time with your Grammy and Papa, Uncles and Aunt, and cousins was soul-satisfying in a way I couldn't have expected. I get to experience the joy that you are each and every day, but to see those I love most dearly enjoying you was so touching and so sweet.

You are such a loving girl, and with a gentle prompt you would bestow kisses and hugs with wild enthusiasm. No family member departing the premises could leave feeling unloved, what with your showers of affection. 

On a final note, you've come up with a name for your new sibling. A few weeks back, I was looking at a picture of a 9-week embryo in one of my pregnancy books and I showed it to you, explaining, "that is what our baby looks like." You glanced at the picture for a moment before saying, "Hi, Nemo!" Always making us laugh, constantly keeping us on our toes, that's the toddler you are!

Love, 

Mama

a few pictures

Maddie and her throng of grandparent admirers

Somebody's feeling happy because she got ice cream

(something grandparents are good at)

A few weeks of traveling is taking its toll

Disneyland!

A highlight of our time off was a trip to Disneyland with Grammy and Papa, Aunt Michele and Uncle Ben, Uncle Joe, and cousins Grace, Lizzie, and Elijah. We all had a great (but exhausting!) time, big and small kids alike!

Grammy, Papa and the kiddos on our first morning at Disneyland!

Trapped on Pirate Island

Posing with our drivers' licenses at Autopia

Family Portrait

Flying high on Dumbo

Papa & Maddie on Dumbo

We spent many afternoons lounging at the pool. 

Miss Maddie loved the spitting turtle!

On the carousel: Grace

Lizzie

Maddie loved the "horsies!"

Posing with Ariel at our Princess Lunch

Watching the Electric Parade with Papa & Grammy

Dancing around the Plaza Gardens to the swing band

The trip was a total blast! Our first morning, we were lucky recipients of Dream Passes which allowed us to ride on the most popular attractions without a wait. We spent most of the day running from ride to ride, laughing and screaming and having a great time. Without her much-needed first trimester midday nap, Mama fell asleep before Maddie that first night!

Thursday morning we had early entrance and so Mama, Maddie and Dada ran off to Fantasyland, tackling 7 or 8 rides without any lines. After each attraction, Maddie would say "More, please!" and clap her hands with glee. Favorites included Dumbo, the Carousel, and Pirates of the Caribbean. 

Friday, our last day in the park, concluded with a late night watching the Electric Parade, fireworks, and dancing to a swing band in the park. Maddie stole the dance floor with her spins, twirls, head banging moves, and bounces. It was a night her Mama and Dada will not quickly forget: magical, wondrous and totally special.