I'll post more later with an actual update on what's been going on with us lately but here is the video of her first encounter with rice cereal for mom & dad! Enjoy!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Howard Family Reunion
Madison Claire and I went to Chattanooga this past weekend for a Howard family gathering. We were able to see my immediate and extended family in Chattanooga. Ryan had football that morning so he wasn't able to go. I was a little nervous about making the trip with Madison by myself but she was amazing and definitely gave me more confidence to do trips just the 2 of us moving forward. There were several highlights of the trip:
*Madison showed off her new trick of rolling over to Mom, Dad, Sarah, Ryan & Patrick
*Madison had fun jumping in the door jumper
*Madison was able to meet two of her second cousins for the first time - Max & Elijah! Max is 2 weeks older than Madison and was just a doll...check out all of his hair!! Elijah was just adorable and made me so excited for Madison to be that age (he'll be 2 in October). We can't wait to see them again!
*I had a great time visiting with their moms, my cousins, Elizabeth & Shelley. Special thanks to Elizabeth for taking the cute pictures of Madison - especially my favorite one of her smiling with her gummies!!
*We had a great meal thanks to my Mama Howard - the corn was the best!
*We took Madison & Max to visit my Papa Howard in the rehabilitation hospital where he is. They are too young to go in and see him and we would be too afraid they would get sick but my papa so wanted to see them and we really wanted to make that happen. We ended up pulling my uncle Russ's truck outside of his room and Russ held Madison and Sarah held Max while Shelley and I were inside. They looked like they were in a parade! It was hard to see them though so we had my uncle Russ hold them each above his head so they were right in the window for my papa to see. It was hilarious!! Check out the video:
My papa seemed to be doing better and was able to move his hands and feet. He still has a long recovery ahead of him so please continue to keep him in your prayers. We look forward to having him be at home for the next family gathering!
Kate's visit
Kate came to town the weekend before last for a visit with us. It was a special treat to have her here to see Madison Claire and spend time with us...especially because things have been frustrating with work lately...it was great to be reminded of one of the best perks of working at Stockamp over the past 7 years - and that is walking away with a lifelong friend!
Kate couldn't believe how much Madison had changed from the last time she was here. As usual, Kate came bearing gifts of the cutest clothes for Madison Claire! She took one look at her closet and said, "okay, I have to stop!" because she was shocked at how many clothes our little punkin has! Madison looked ADORABLE in her new little outfits from Auntie Kate and they have quickly become two of my favorites on her! She is sporting them here:
We went to CPA the first night to watch the end of the first ever Iron Man competition. Ryan created this as a way to get the guys excited about working out through the summer so we went to support him. It was Madison's first trip into CPA stadium...I'm sure there will be many more to come! 
Kate treated Ryan and I to dinner at Bonefish for our anniversary on Saturday night! We went to dinner and then saw Harry Potter. It was great fun! Oh - and did I mention that Kate brought a pressie for me too? It's a beautiful ABS dress so I wore it that night. THANKS KATE for a great weekend!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Work
Thanks to everyone for your prayers the past 2 weeks as I've gone back to work. I must say that it has been easier than I thought it would be which is a blessing. My workload isn't too heavy right now as we are just in the ramp up phase for our busy fall campus recruiting season. I'm able to feed Madison Claire in the morning and spend some time with her when she wakes up before I start working. I'm also able to see her throughout the day when I want to and so far I feel like I am able to get my Madison Claire fix. It certainly helps that I really like Annie and feel so comfortable with her being with Madison.
This past week I had to travel to Chicago for some meetings so it was my first out of town trip for work. I was really dreading it but it wasn't too bad. I definitely missed Madison but it wasn't unbearable. I did get a lot of funny looks at the office asking for the "mothers room" location so I could pump and trying to get all of the breastmilk through security at the airport! What a riot!
This past week I had to travel to Chicago for some meetings so it was my first out of town trip for work. I was really dreading it but it wasn't too bad. I definitely missed Madison but it wasn't unbearable. I did get a lot of funny looks at the office asking for the "mothers room" location so I could pump and trying to get all of the breastmilk through security at the airport! What a riot!
I'm hopeful that the coming months will go as smoothly as these first 2 weeks. Your continued prayers are definitely appreciated! Here are a few pictures of my little worker bee!
While work is going okay, we definitely miss our daytime naps & swimming in the bathtub (we don't have a pool so we have to improvise - thanks for the idea Ash!)
Nanny Annie!
We are so thankful for our Nanny Annie! Annie graduated from Freed Hardeman University this past Spring and is hoping to go to Fashion school in California one day. She is so great with Madison Claire and has really helped me feel comfortable going back to work because I know Madison is in such good hands! Annie reads to her, plays with her, gets her out in the sun, feeds her, puts her down, and even helps me with some light housework around the house - it doesn't get much better than that! We're looking forward to welcoming Annie to our family and the fun times to come in the months ahead as Madison Claire grows! I keep telling Annie about all of these things I want the 3 of us to do and then I have to remind myself that I have to work - BOO HISS!! What fun it would be to have a nanny and not have to work!!! Maybe one day....one can dream!
How did this happen?
I mean seriously....how can my sweet little angel baby already be this BIG??? She sat in her Bumbo chair for the first time 2 weeks ago and held her head up like she was an old pro! This a picture from the first night:
She's also done the following at 3.5 months :
*Found her feet - she is fascinated by them!
*Turned into a rolly polly - too bad she can't quite figure out how to get back to her back so she rolls over and then ends up frustrated at some point on her tummy. We help her out and put her back on her back only for her to immediately roll over again and the cycle begins!! It really is darling - she lifts up her legs, tilts them to the side and off she goes. She mastered it very quickly and is not content on her back now unless she is rolling - too cute!
*Begun reaching at things - she will reach for toys hanging from her car seat or mobiles, reach out to touch pages of books, and reach for you when you are holding her
*Found her voice - this technically happened around the 3 month mark - she is loud and just talks and talks. We love hearing her talk!
*Had an internal debate every time she eats - she can't figure out if she wants the breast or her thumb. She gets her little hand as close to her mouth as she possibly can while eating and you can just see her trying to decide which she really wants.
She is still sleeping like a champ and has such a great temperament. Uncle Dave says she has the best temperament of any baby he has ever known - and he's known a lot! I know these days are flying by so we are trying to cherish them each and every day!
She's also done the following at 3.5 months :
*Found her feet - she is fascinated by them!
*Turned into a rolly polly - too bad she can't quite figure out how to get back to her back so she rolls over and then ends up frustrated at some point on her tummy. We help her out and put her back on her back only for her to immediately roll over again and the cycle begins!! It really is darling - she lifts up her legs, tilts them to the side and off she goes. She mastered it very quickly and is not content on her back now unless she is rolling - too cute!
*Begun reaching at things - she will reach for toys hanging from her car seat or mobiles, reach out to touch pages of books, and reach for you when you are holding her
*Found her voice - this technically happened around the 3 month mark - she is loud and just talks and talks. We love hearing her talk!
*Had an internal debate every time she eats - she can't figure out if she wants the breast or her thumb. She gets her little hand as close to her mouth as she possibly can while eating and you can just see her trying to decide which she really wants.
She is still sleeping like a champ and has such a great temperament. Uncle Dave says she has the best temperament of any baby he has ever known - and he's known a lot! I know these days are flying by so we are trying to cherish them each and every day!
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