Trying to Walk!

At our playgroup today we focused on a new skill- walking using our walkers. I have tried this with you before, but at the time, you weren't very interested. You just wanted to play with the toys on the other side! Today you surprised me, because when we went to give it a try, you took right off! We tried this again at home with our walkers since it was so neat for me to see, and you did wonderfully! Such a big girl! You will be walking on your own very soon. :)

Starting finger foods

We just started finger foods, and boy are we trying! Over the past couple of days we've tried a few things: bananas, grapes, cheerios and teething biscuits. All you seem to be interested in however, are your "cookies", aka the teething biscuits. Guess you have a sweet tooth!

Maddie's New Ride....

We got Maddie her first car..... :-) !! A sweet new ride to go around in for walks and just cruising around the driveway. She LOVES it! She instinctively held right on to the steering wheel and was turning it. When I stopped pushing her in order to take pictures, she started rocking back and forth as if to make it go by herself!

Video: I love the swing!

Video: The Spinkler!

A day at the park with Mommy and Daddy

Today, we were lucky to have Daddy stay home with us, and we took him to the park. You had so much fun on the swings again, you really love it!

And... since it was a hot, sunny day we got to break in your cute new swim suit (Thanks Aunt Nikki!) and run through the sprinklers for the first time! You weren't really sure what to think about the sprinklers and getting wet, but you wouldn't take your eyes of of them and all the big kids playing!

Yummy Sweet Potatoes!

We moved on to our second vegetable today... Sweet Potatoes! You loved them. They were gone before I knew it!

A new adventure.... the park!

Mommy has been wanting to take you to the park for quite a while now. Unfortunately, it has been really rainy for the past few weeks. Today, we finally went and we had a fabulous day. We went to the South Abington park, which is our park right here in town. It is so much nicer than I could have imagined! There are the swings and playground equipment, walking trails with covered bridges and a really cool sprinkler play area. I had so much fun with you today!! You went in the baby swing, which you loved and we spent some time watching the big kids play in the sprinkler.

More new things....

We used the pack n'play for something new today.... to play in. I had thought about it for awhile now, but was afraid you would tip over and hit your head. While you are so good at sitting up, when you are playing you tend to lean too far to one side and over you go. Well, grandma suggested it the other day and I thought we'd give it a try. You did fall over a few times, but then I just sat you in the corner. This seemed to work a little better, and as long as there are toys- you have a good time.

Also today, you started rocking back and forth on your hands and knees. I hear this is a big step in beginning to crawl! You can go backwards which is funny to watch, but need a little more time before you are moving forward. In any case, it is great progress and I am so happy to see you more interested in learning to crawl!

The first Father's Day

Daddy's First Daddy's Day!! Sunday, June 21, 2009. We spent the day at home, visiting with Grandma and Grandpa. Daddy has been working really hard, so it was a day for him to relax. He also decided to have you try on some shoes... very funny!

Your First Vegetable-- Carrots!

We have moved on from cereals and have now started vegetables! (FINALLY!) You tried carrots today, which actually despite your face below, you seem to like. You always make that face when you get the first spoonful of anything, even if you've had it many times before! I think you didn't mind them too much.

Da Da !!!!!

And.... your first words are "da-da" !!!!! As always, you start a new month off with a big milestone! This morning you were "talking" up a storm, rambling different sounds together and mommy was repeating them. "Ga Ga, goo goo, then all of a sudden "da da da da da". I actually repeated you a few times before I realized, and then thought wait, did you just say "da da" ? Did we both just say da da? Well, you did!! Of course, daddy had just left and couldn't believe the news when we told him!

Seven Months Old!!

You're 7 months old today!!! Here you are in your new floppy beach hat and sandals that Nana gave you. Too cute! You are ready for the beach.

Your First Solids- Rice Cereal

We have finally started solid foods or "big girl cereal" as I call it. We have begun with rice cereal, which we will keep trying for about a week and a half or so. We will then move on to two other cereals and in about a month you will begin the fun stuff.

Daddy videotaped you eating your rice cereal, which we will have to post on here soon. In the meantime, here are some pictures of your first "meal." Most of it did not make it into your mouth, and I'm pretty sure you are not very fond of the taste...

5 Months Old!

Dear Maddie,

I say it every month, really every day, but it is so hard to believe how fast time flies! You are growing like a weed and getting bigger and more independent every day. I thought we had a pact- you were going to stay mommy's little baby and live with me forever, what happened? It is amazing to me that you are now five months old and just like the previous months, you must instinctively know you are older today because you felt the need to show off! I was woken up this morning to you talking up a storm. "Gooo, gaa, gee, oh, ey, hey"!! You woke up very sure of yourself and you had much to say. This was so funny as it came out of nowhere, as if your eyes opened and felt the need to talk to the world. I was so excited and loved hearing it especially since the last few weeks you hadn't been saying very much.

You continue to be my "little magician" and showing mommy your new magic tricks. Your newest trick is taking your pacifier out of your mouth and putting it back in, all by yourself! Your hand-eye coordination has improved dramatically, just in time for you to put anything that crosses your path into your mouth.

Over the past month, you have mastered rolling from your stomach to your back as well as sitting up. You can sit up very well, almost completely on your own. Very soon, my dear you will not need any assistance, but for now, mommy and daddy sit near you to make sure you don't topple over! You are trying to crawl, it is a bit more of a scoot on your belly, but you are determined! Your personality is developing and coming out more each day. You are soooo funny!! You make silly faces, try to eat everything and make mommy laugh all day long. You are still going through early teething. You haven't gotten any teeth yet, but they are on their way. This has caused some changes in your sleeping habits and you want to eat EVERYTHING!!!!

This month we read a lot. Mommy is really trying to increase our reading and you seem to really enjoy it. You are now in the habit of really looking at the pages and will often hold the book all on your own. What we have been reading lately is a lot of Dr Seuss. You are tolerating longer stories and so we have been reading a lot of silly ones: The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, Mr. Brown can Moo can you?. And, since it was just Easter- we have been reading pretty much anything with a bunny in it!!

Mommy is trying to be much better at taking lots of pictures and writing everything you do down. Your favorites right now are: the jumperoo, baby einstein exersaucer, pooh bear, bunnies, and still elephants ( dumbo, horton, giggles). We have been doing a lot with animals, you seem to love the animals from the rainforest and the animal sounds. Most of the day, mommy is singing songs to you! You love Old McDonald Had a Farm, If you're happy and you know it and the wheels on the bus.

I love you more every day my little cutie. You continue to surprise me and I just can't get enough of you. While I really want you to stay a baby forever, I admit I can't wait to see what you are going to do next!!

Love,
Mommy

Your First Easter!

It's Your First Easter, and boy did you have a blast! We hid candy-filled eggs that Daddy had to find, and followed the bunny tracks to see what he brought you. You now have lots of bunnies, some new books and clothes and oh how you love the Peter Cottontail song!!! It was a fun day.