Things I still Love...

I feel like 16 months is about the time we can start saying she's about a year and a half. I know developmentally, so much changes month to month, but for those who don't have little ones, don't remember their ones being little or like me, don't like to figure out the math to figure out how old a 27 month old child is, we will stick to Maddie is 1.5 years old.

Ok - that being said..WOW what a personality. Remember this post?

There are still so many things to love about this little girl...and in fact, there are more...

-She still thinks she's kind of silly when she passes gas...even more silly when someone else does it.

-She is still a very passionate eater....throwing her hands up jazz style to indicate "ALL DONE!", coupled with very dramatic flailings when something is presented that is not what she wants to eat.

- Oh boy does she come alive when Daddy comes in. If I have ever seen a Daddy's girl, here she is. She literally gives him the most cheerful, exuberant "Hey!!" when he comes in, falls into his arms and does her very best to tell him all about her day through exagerated hand gestures and explaining it all in Maddiese.

- In the midst of her very busy life, she still finds plenty of time to snuggle with us both. Lovingly patting, hugging and kissing (word to the wise - keep your own mouth closed).

- Expression is one of Maddie's greatest talents. Facial expressions mostly. Using her face, you can either tell exactly what she's thinking, or cannot for your life figure out what she is thinking...and she does this all on purpose, I know

- The most endearing thing about this little girl by far is her absolute joyful nature. She loves, plays, giggles, dances all with a purely happy heart.

God was good to me then, and is even better still.

She is beautiful - all thanks to Him.

Look who made it back to the blog world!!! We have had some technical computer issues in our house for about 5 months. We had a computer, but it was such a pain, I had no desire to deal with blogging. Long story short, life is simple again...at least for the blog world. I want so much to show all that we missed the past 5 months...so fast forward..the little girl turned 1. She is very good at being a one year old. She is walking, talking and showing signs of slight brilliance.

Ok...I've convinced myself for a 5 month rewind recap....pictures to follow - starting with that Happy #1 Birthday

"In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed. They smiled at the good and frowned at the bad, and sometimes they were very sad. They left the house and half past nine in two straight lines in rain or shine - the smallest one was Madeline."

Pigtails for the very first time!

And helping Daddy mixGlad to be back! Thanks for hanging in there with us :)

December Photo Roll

December in a nutshell..see for yourself and enjoy!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

Christmas, oh Christmas. I'd love to be able to say our Christmas time is full of wood-burning fires, hot cocoa, relaxing family time, home cooked meals, and writing letters by candlelight. I'd also like to be arriving home by horse and sleigh wearing my full gathered skirt and petticoats. But we live in America....21st Century America. I will settle for my Avonlea Christmas movie (watched religiously every year). I swear I was born in the wrong century..sigh. Amidst all the holiday "cheer", we are truly enjoying this very first Christmas with our Madeline.

To be a bit sentimental for a moment, I am reminded how truly truly blessed we are. We have fantastic, loving and supportive friends and family. But, admittedly...I have favorites. These two, this one picture...a thousand words could be said.

More to come of our Christmas festivities and fun! (as soon as I can get these larger files to load successfully!) Merry Christmas and love to all!

We found a giraffe in the yard

No really...We had a great Halloween, the day after moving; day before I started a new job...So at least these pictures are being posted BEFORE Thanksgiving!!

Did you know giraffe's like twizzlers??

Have a fantastic evening...enjoy The Office :)

It's a great day for Peek-a-Boo

Aunt Anna (Auntie Mims) stopped on her way back from fall break to have lunch with us today. I packed the diaper bag, and left it by the front door. Usually I can dig something up out of my purse to keep her occupied...toys, snacks, something...not today. My purse was unusually clean, leaving only one option..

Yep, peek-a-boo with a plate

And it was quite successful, as well as her own personal water cup. And though there is no hard evidence, she was extremely friendly today. Everyone she met was the greatest, nicest and most attractive (or interesting) person to look at EVER. I think she was almost intimidating with her staring antics. Have a happy peek-a-boo day!

To the Pumpkin Patch we go!

As we were walking through the pumpkin (punkin as some say) patch, I was reminding Luke of our first Halloween together. We went to this same pumpkin patch with our church friends. So no - I did not cut my hair. Picture to the right, circa 2007. Anyhow, we were reminiscing about how everything was SO exciting during that first year of marriage. Our first Halloween season, our first Christmas, ect, ect. So this past cold, dreary Monday afternoon, I decided to drag our little family of 3 out of the house and into the pumpkin patch. I told Luke I wanted to pick our own pumpkin, as a family. I told him to pull Maddie in the wagon. My husband humors me so well! I couldn't help but feel that first-year-marriage excitement all over again. Everything is a first with Maddie and I fully intend on being excited about it.

Off we go! Let's find a pumpkin!

Found one!

My pumpkin pickers, happy with their choice!

(and both ready for a nap)

If you know Maddie at all...you can guess where the picture following this is headed...

Must EAT pumpkin!!!

Yay for Fall!! I am in love with this time of year, and loving sharing all the seasons and celebrations with my first for all of her firsts!!