Madeline's birthday party!

 We celebrated Madeline's first birthday with family on March 17th. I had to post some pictures of her eating her cake.  She loved it! She would have eaten the whole thing if we would have let her! Also wanted to post her stats from her well visit at 1 year:
Weight: 20 lbs 12 oz. (41st percentile)
Height: 28 inches (15th percentile)
Head circumference: 17" (17th percentile)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Easter!

 

Happy Birthday Madeline!

One year ago: 

And Today: 

Dear Madeline,
It is hard to believe that it has been one year since you entered our family. We could not have been more blessed. You are an amazing little girl who makes us so incredibly happy. Here is a little bit about your first year:
1. You are super laid back, however you let us know immediately if you want something!  You adapt to any situation very easily.
2. You are an excellent sleeper and have always been.
3. Your favorite foods are fruits, especially blueberries and bananas.  You will eat just about anything and don't seem picky at all.  Your newest favorite food is a squeezable pouch.
4. Your favorite activity is to chase Carlisle, Mommy, and Raleigh around the house.
5. You are a super fast crawler and love to cruise around the furniture.  You started to crawl around 8 months and have been hard to catch since then.
6. You want to walk but are nervous to let go of our hands. You push your toys around the house, and can walk holding onto one hand, but you are not quite ready to take off.  You will stand by yourself.
7. You love to play with your brother's toys.
8. You love to play on your brother's bed and throw yourself backwards into the pillow.  You also like to jump and hold onto his bed rail.
9. You like to talk. The words we can make out are:  mama; dadda, uh oh and hi.
10. You love to clap and wave bye bye.
11. You have stayed pretty healthy this first year- other than a string of ear infections (which resulted in tubes).
12. You love your bath and especially love trying to drink the water.
13. You are currently obsessed with Raleigh's food and water dish, the refrigerator, and the cabinet doors.
14. You hate to wear shoes.
15. You no longer like to sit still to get your diaper changed or get dressed.
16. You love to toss your food to Raleigh.
17. You love mom's necklaces.
18. You have had your 2 bottom teeth for months.  Your 2 top teeth just poked through this morning!

19.  You love to ride in shopping buggy.
20. You love to pull hair, especially Daddy's, Carlisle's and Raleigh's
21. You are very quick with a smile.
22. You are not a great napper at school, but sleep great at home.
23.  You have just discovered how great a sippy cup can be.
24.  You love to give big hugs and love for people to carry you!
25. You are quite the dancer.  When music comes on, you rock back and forth, dancing and clapping.

You are such a sweet girl. We have enjoyed each and every minute of your first year.   We can't wait to watch you continue to grow, change and amaze us.   We love you so very much and thank God every day for you.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Happy New Years!

My 2013 Resolution is to post more! 2012 was an amazing, but extremely busy year with the arrival of Madeline and adjusting to life with 2 kids!   I also had issues with blogger which made posting more difficult. I think I have it figured out now, and am resolving to do a better job blogging in 2013!

Here are some pictures from the last couple of months:

Every fall we visit the pumpkin patch at our church with Carlisle's buddy  Henry.  Here are the boys playing around in the pumpkins. 

Madeline's first time at the pumpkin patch. 

Carlisle, Madeline, Finley (Henry's brother), and Henry

Halloween! Carlisle was his favorite character of all time- Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story movies.  DJ, Henry, and Carlisle had a blast playing at our church's annual Halloween festival.  

Madeline was a Fairy

Carlisle and Madeline had a wonderful visit from their Gran-Nana and Gran-Papa.  They loved getting to spend an afternoon with them. 

I, along with some friends and their kids, went to North Carolina and rode on the Polar Express.  It was a fun trip and Carlisle had a blast living the book. 

Holding up his ticket for the conductor. 

Talking to the chef of the Hot Chocolate. 

Excited to have gotten his bell from Santa. 

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Carlisle was very aware it was Christmas and it was so much fun to celebrate this year! He loved reading Christmas books (Polar Express was his favorite), watching Christmas videos, and having Elfie, our Elf on the Shelf with us for the season.  We spent time in both Aiken and Sumter with family and it was truly a special holiday.  Carlisle was very excited to get lots of CARS related presents and many super hero action figures.  Madeline loved her new activity table and walker.  Our families really spoiled us this year! Madeline is crawling every where and enjoyed trying to eat the wrapping paper and bows.  Carlisle loved the thrill of opening presents.  He gladly opened all presents, even if they weren't for him!  Here are pictures from Christmas time (in no particular order)... 

Santa pictures!

We tried to get a picture of the cousins (DJ, Madeline, Carlisle, and Katie), but they just were not cooperating!  

DJ and Carlisle opening gifts on Christmas eve

Madeline hanging with Papa

Madeline and Carlisle waiting to see their presents from Santa on Christmas morning. 

Carlisle checking our his presents from Santa

The kids with Uncle Josh. (Carlisle and Madeline opted to stay in their pjs for the entire day)

Crawling towards the presents. 

I tried to get a picture of both Carlisle and Madeline together, but it is nearly impossible. 

Opening more presents Christmas night.