23 Years

Twenty-three years. Can't believe it's been that long.

For those of you that haven't known me as long as others, you may or may not know that I lost one of my brothers, David, in a tragic drowning accident. I was beginning my senior year of high school and he was beginning his sophomore year at Texas A&M. As you can see on his marker (sort of - there's a shadow!) he would have been TAMU's Class of 1991. He was an Aggie through and through.

I am in Longview this weekend (along with Alan and Madeline) visiting my parents. It was 23 years ago today that David passed away. My parents change out the flower arrangements at his grave several times a year, and always put out a fall arrangement in September. I accompanied my Mom out to the cemetery today to put the new one out. I got tickled at her - she told me she made sure that there weren't too many orange (burnt orange was implied) flowers in the arrangement and also made sure they were mostly in the back and that maroon flowers were more prominent in the front. Love it. It would have made him happy.

Gig'em, David. We miss you.

Mom, Dad, Philip, and Melanie

Madeline #1 and Madeline #2

We have been SO GRATEFUL that Madeline has been a great eater since day one; However, the past week or so she has been a TERRIBLE eater! The girl that would eat a whole bowl of oatmeal or waffle along with a whole banana for breakfast went to a girl who would only eat a handful of Cheerios and a few forced bites of oatmeal for breakfast. The girl that could eat AN ENTIRE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH for lunch went to a girl who would only eat a few bites of chicken and a couple of bites of carrots. Our refrigerator had become FULL of leftover foods that we'd tried to get her to eat. Had she had any other symptoms (like fever or something) we would have thought she was teething or had another ear infection, but there was nothing else out of the ordinary. She just didn't want to eat!

Alan and I became so frustrated at times! We'd offer her the first bite of a meal and she'd immediately push our arm away - over, and over, and OVER again. She definitely tried our patience! We had decided that she might have reached an age where her appetite had slowed down and that this might be the new "norm" - which was sort of scary! Mealtime had become less than enjoyable! We had resigned ourselves that when she was hungry, she'd eat. This pattern lasted about a week, until, FINALLY this past Sunday she began to eat like her old self again. During mealtimes, we had started referring to her as Madeline #1 (the girl we knew with a voracious appetite) and Madeline #2 (the girl with the appetite of a little birdy). Alan would ask me how she had eaten at a particular meal and I'd tell him, "Well, for Madeline #2 it was pretty good, but for Madeline #1 she didn't eat much at all". We have slowly watched Madeline #2 disappear and we are THRILLED that Madeline #1 has returned!

Pucker Up!

Madeline has been able to blow us kisses for quite a while now. She used to just put her hand to her mouth for the kiss part, but now she moves her hand away from herself like she's throwing the kiss. So cute!

But...TODAY we were excited to get a REAL KISS! She has learned how to pucker those sweet little lips and give precious smooches! Here are a couple of shots of her getting that cute little mouth ready to smooch her Daddy!

The Little Scholar

I have to use my reading glasses when I cut Madeline's fingernails. Her little nails are still so tiny! I feel better wearing them because I'm so afraid I'm going to cut her finger! I left my glasses on her nightstand after trimming her nails and she decided she need to model them.

I don't know why, but this second picture of her reminds me of the Japanese sailor that was on several episodes of Gilligan's Island! Anyone else remember him?

 

 Or does she remind me more of Austin Powers?!?

MOPS!

Madeline and I went to our first MOPS meeting today! MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. What is MOPS? It's a place to meet with others moms and mentors that encourage, equip and develop you to be a great mom! Our MOPS group meets on the first and third Fridays of each month at a church that's close to my home. There are several MOPS groups in our area, but this is the only one that meets on a day that's good for us!

Today's meeting was basically and introduction day - learning how MOPS works and what we will do at our meetings. I got to meet the ladies in my table group. Each table was decorated with the theme of a board game. My table was the Monopoly Mamas! Pretty cute. Each table has a leader, a mentor, and a member of the steering committee. I was excited to learn about the mentor part of the program today - I didn't know it existed! A mentor mom is a mom that's "been there and done that" already and who's willing to share her experience with others. Pretty neat!

Our meetings will consist of a discussion time, teaching time, and a time for different activities like arts and crafts. Our little ones are taken care of by workers who love to love on children in a pre-school like setting. It's called the MOPPETS program! :)

It was fun to meet a whole new group of ladies that have children around Madeline's age. I'm looking forward to making new friendships and seeing what God has in store for us at MOPS!

If you're interested, you can check MOPS out HERE!

Bean Burritos are Bueno!

Madeline ate her first burrito from Taco Bueno today. Do you think she enjoyed it? We think she LOVED it! But...we didn't like cleaning her up after she was finished! Yuck! I think this is the messiest she's ever been after a meal. I think we'll wait until she can proficiently "bite" off pieces of the burrito instead of us cutting it up for her! It was WAY too messy!

Construction

I was working at the kitchen table while Madeline was eating her afternoon snack – Gerber crunch vegetable corn snack thingies. I can’t remember what they’re called, but she loves them! :)

I caught her “building” and fortunately had my phone close to capture it on video. There’s no sound until the video is almost over, so don’t think that the sound is off. I was trying to be quiet so she’d keep building.

I have no idea what she thought she was doing, but it was hilarious to see how methodical she was being!!!

No?!?

This past week, Madeline has learned how to shake her head back and forth - as IF she's saying "no", but she doesn't say anything or even make a sound. We're not really sure she knows what it means or why she's doing it! She usually does it when we're feeding her. We offer her a bite of something, she shakes her head back and forth, and then eats it! We think it's really funny, as if she's saying, "No, no, no, no...okay!" We'll see how long it takes for her to REALLY understand what it means! I have a feeling it won't be long...ha!

Waiting to See Dr. Bub

I took a few pictures of Madeline yesterday while we were waiting for Dr. Barret (Dr. Bub) to see Madeline. She cracks me up walking around just in her diaper!

Hmmm...maybe they could use my help? I'll just mark out this part about getting shots today...

She always loves playing with the spinning chair.



Trying to climb on top of the stool.




She always touches this outlet cover with her foot - it's cold!



Returning a few phonecalls to pass the time...

Purple Puppy was along for the ride since she was getting shots. He always makes her feel better! Dr. Bub asked if he could give Purple Puppy a hug, and she let him have him! I didn't get a picture of it though. :(

We are SO GRATEFUL to have a wonderful pediatrician that loves the Lord! He and his staff are AWESOME!

Madeline at 15 Months

Miss Madeline – You turned 15 months old last Friday, but I waited until today to make a post because you had your well-check today. I wanted to have your weight and height handy.
At 15 months you…

• Pretty much eat anything. The only “risky” foods we haven’t tried are peanuts and honey. You have such a healthy appetite and we are so grateful that you aren’t a picky eater! I won’t list all your faves this time, but it’s safe to say that your absolute favorite is still green beans. Hot, cold, seasoned, unseasoned – you love them. They’re like green candy. If they are a part of your meal, we have to put them aside until you have eaten your other foods or that’s all you’ll eat!

Yummy breakfast - blueberry waffle and bananas!

• You had your last bedtime bottle this past Saturday night (see earlier post here). You drink whole milk, water, and sometimes grape/apple juice diluted with water.

• Are still wearing size 4 diapers.

• Wear a size 4 or 5 shoe.

• Are suddenly outgrowing all of you 18 month clothes! I was hoping you’d make it through the summer before we had to move into 24 month clothes, but we’re going to have to buy a few more lightweight things to finish out the season. Some of your shirts are starting to look like tube tops. :)

• Weighed 26.2 pounds (90 percentile) and were 31.2 inches long (74 percentile) at your well-check today. Your height percentile has gone down quite a bit – even with the discrepancy (see note below). The last time we were at the doctor (a few weeks ago) for an ear infection, you got to STAND on the scale for the first time! What a big girl! Today, Dr. Bub said your ears looked great and that you looked awesome! Great news!

  *A side note on percentiles – they told us today that they apparently misread your length last time at your 12 month checkup. It was noted that you were 31.5 inches, which would be impossible since you were 31.2 inches today! They measured you twice today to make sure and informed us that’s probably why your height was in the 99 percentile last time! You’re tall, but not quite as tall as we thought!

• Have a total of 11 teeth and are great about letting us brush them. You like the song we sing while we brush your teeth and wash your face, and that always helps!

You can see 10 of her 11 teeth here! CHEESE!


• Still take both a morning nap and an afternoon nap; most of the time (thank you, Lord!). Some days you only take a morning nap and some days you only take an afternoon nap. It just varies. Usually it’s the former.

• Usually go to sleep between 7:30 and 8:00 and are sleeping later again (thank you!) until around 7:30 am.

• Can get yourself into predicaments pretty easily – since you’re so mobile and curious!

• Can now safely get in and out of your rocking chair by yourself. Sometimes you sit in it and watch Mickey Mouse Playhouse.

• Have a cute little “flip” in your hair on the sides – especially right after I’ve washed it. It’s darling – and the back is wavy.

• Love, love, LOVE balloons! You can even spot them on TV!

Great Aunt Beverly with Madeline at Mimi's Birthday Party

She found a balloon on the TV!

• Are DEFINITELY not ready for crayons yet. I thought we’d try the ones made for 18-month-olds, but you couldn’t quite get your hand around the chubby bottom of them. You DID, however, like tasting them. Good thing they’re non-toxic! We’ll try again at a later time! Mommy had fun with them, though!

• Love to try to “drink” out of anything resembling a cup or a can! I think this comes from us playing “tea party”. It's hard to keep you from drinking bath water out of your toys!

• Are starting to say a few more words, but not a lot. Gran keeps saying you have lots of words stored up in your little head and one day they’re just all going to fall out! Words you’ve said: Mama, Dada, Mommy, bye-bye, hello (heh-wo), Mimi, baby, woof, and hi. You love parroting what we’re saying – especially the inflection in our voices! Just this past week, you've started picking up anything that resembles a telephone and then say, "Heh-wo!"

• Like to clap your hands – especially when we’ve told you you’re a good girl, or if someone on the television is clapping. You can make the touchdown motion, wave hello and bye, give a high five, and blow kisses.

• Aren’t paying much attention to Bond these days. I think he's enjoying the break! You pet him on the head around once a day and that’s about it.

• Are still pointing like crazy! You LOVE looking at photographs and pictures on the wall. You have started pointing to things in your books – flower, puppy dog, Jesus, star, ladybug, “the Mommy”, “the Daddy”, boy, girl, etc. You want to know the name of everything!

• Still love your baths! When we say it’s time for a bath you walk quickly to your bathtub. You’re recently gotten pretty ornery about having your hair rinsed. You’ve never been bothered by the water in your eyes, but you DEFINITELY don’t like it now.

• LOVE being picked up. Makes my heart melt when you walk to me with your arms up in the air wanting to be held! You've started going through a little attachment phase - Mommy is your best bud. Daddy's not too happy about this, but we understand it will be a phase. You cried for the very first time when we left you in the nursery yesterday, but it didn't last long.

• Are still hearing “No No!” or “Don’t Touch” a lot. You know the items you’re not supposed to have (mostly remote controls and Bond’s bones/toys), but you pick them up and immediately bring them to us like you’re doing us a favor! You’ve also started putting these items (especially Bond’s bones) in the basket where we keep the remotes. We appreciate your housekeeping!

• CANNOT get enough of books. We still read before each nap and at bedtime, but now you bring us books and want to sit in our laps and read. We love watching you make connections – you’ll see a ball in a book and then point to your real ball. You’ll see a dog in a book and then point to Bond.

• Are pretty fast on your feet. We’ve seen you pick up the pace several times – something we’d classify as a “run”. You’ve also started climbing a lot – like onto the couch. Dr. Bub suggested we get you one of those little plastic slides, put it in the middle of the room, and let you go crazy on it!

• Have shown a “not so pretty side of yourself” – the possibility of temper tantrums! You do NOT like it when I want us to walk one way and you want to go the other. You THROW your little body down on the grown and fuss like crazy! Once I pick you up and get us going in the right direction, you’re fine.

• Still use your pacifier, still only when you’re sleeping and sometimes in the car. We still let you take it with you to the church nursery, because if we don’t, you swipe other babies’ pacis!

• Still sleep with a blanket, Purple Puppy, Piglet, and Green Puppy – and have added Blue Puppy.

• Still love the water. We’ve been swimming several times at Aunt Michelle and Uncle Bruce’s house. We can’t wait to take you to swimming lessons next year!

Silly Uncle Bruce!

Aunt Michelle, Madeline, and Cousin Gregory - one of her favorite playmates!

• Can do the motions to “If You’re Happy and You Know It” pretty well, and on the beat, which makes your Mommy happy! You also love singing“The Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes” and can do most of those motions as well.

• Still love playing with balls. ANY kind of ball.

• Have learned more body parts! The newest ones you have down pat are mouth, teeth, hands, and fingers. Still working on knees and shoulders.

We love you, sweet Madeline Rose!

Bye-Bye Bottle

Tonight Madeline said goodbye to an old friend - her bottle. Tonight was the last night she will have a bottle of milk before the rest of her bedtime routine. Alan and I both shed a little tear - seems like there aren't many things left about Madeline that say "baby" - she's a full-fledged toddler. :( Alan gave her the first half and I finished up giving her the last half. Honestly, we don't think it's going to be a big deal for her. We've been putting it off for miscellaneous reasons - Alan was out of town, Madeline and I were out of town, Madeline had an ear infection, Madeline was teething, etc. - it was good for her to have a "comfort" item. There just never seemed to be a good time to make it official! We had decided to give her the last one on her 15th month birthday (August 19th) - her pediatrician said he'd like her to be completely off bottles by then - but Alan was hanging out with the guys from our Sunday School class last night and wasn't here for her bedtime. So, we did it tonight!

She's been using a sippy cup for water/juice since around six months and has been drinking whole milk out of a sippy cup since her first birthday. She gave up her morning bottle on July 1st and has been using a sippy cup exclusively since then, other than a bedtime bottle. We might be surprised, but we think she'll be totally fine tomorrow night having a little milk from her sippy cup before getting ready for bed. Time will tell!

Sharing Goldfish

About a month ago, Alan and I had a lunch date with Madeline at the Cotton Patch Cafe. It was an interesting experience - the only table they had available was a booth, which ordinarily we like; however, their booths are raised up off the floor a foot or so which makes it inconvenient to use a highchair. The waitress suggested a booster seat and we decided (foolishly) to give it a go since we were on a tight schedule and didn't want to wait for another table. I sat on one side of the booth with Madeline and Alan sat on the other. There wasn't a safety belt or anything on this booster seat (not sure if that's the norm or not), so I kept my arm wrapped around her the whole time. I was afraid that at any moment she would slip under the table and fall. This worked fine, until my food came! It was interesting trying to eat a meal with one hand! We won't be trying the booster seat again anytime soon!

What I most remember about this lunch date (and why I want to make a blog entry about it) is a gesture made by my sweet girl. While waiting for our food, she snacked on the usuals - Cheerios, veggie melts, puffs, and Goldfish. I was playing as if I was going to steal a goldfish from her when she reached down, picked one up, and held it up to my mouth as if to say, "Here, Mommy! I'll share with you!" It was so sweet - it just melted my heart. She does it fairly often now and it melts my heart every time. I pray that she will always be willing to share with others with a smile on her face!

Couch Climber!!!

Well, we have now entered yet another chapter in our lives with Madeline. She has learned how to get up on the couch! We rearranged the furniture in our living room quite some time ago to give Madeline a bigger space to play and to also keep her away from breakables and other things on bookshelves. We moved the couch up against a bookshelf and the loveseat up against another piece of furniture. It's worked great - until today! She decided she was going to get up on the couch. She hiked her little leg up there, and the next thing I knew she was up on the couch - reaching for above-mentioned breakables.

I'm pretty sure she can't completely do it by herself yet - she sort of has to use my leg to push off - but I'm sure it won't be long before we're rearranging furniture again! Ha!

So determined!



Is she proud of herself or what?



A look of satisfaction!

NOT happy after I made her get off the couch!