A trip to Santa Claus!

You both did great! 
Brady got to meet him for the first time and Madison even shared some top items from her wishlist.
Best of all... smiles all around! :)

Brady-9 weeks old

Brady's ninth week has brought lots of smiles and giggles, along with more cooing and talkative sounds! You are loving interacting with us, responding with coos and goos.

 I am so in love with that toothless smile!!! This is by far one of my favorite pictures yet-- love this baseball outfit!

We tried out the Bumbo seat this week, and you sit up in it so well! You definitely are proud of yourself, sitting like a big boy and scouting out the scene in style. We also discovered that your sister can still fit in it too! So funny!

You watch your big sister's every move, your eyes follow her all over the room. Madison is definitely your hero and you are amazed at all the fun things she can do.

This week, you met Santa for the first time and had a big smile on your face when you saw him! Pretty good for just waking up and time for a feeding :)
As always, you prove to be a quiet, mellow relaxed little fellow and such a great baby.
We've had some more reflux to deal with this week and not sleeping more than two hours at a stretch during the night, but you continue to be so content.
We attended a number of holiday parties this week, which you slept through.
Today, at one of the parties, you got your first Christmas present ever today: 
a little firetruck from Mommy and Daddy.
I think you already do like it, although your sister is loving it too!!

Madison had lots of fun this week with school, attending some holiday parties and a playgroup.
She can't wait for Santa to come and has added much more to her list!! 
When you saw Santa,  you told him you wanted an Ariel dress and a white stuffed kitty. Way to keep it short when you saw the Big Guy kiddo!
She loves finding Bella the Elf in the morning and typically spots her right away! (You definitely did not like finding her having a tea party with your Princesses one morning though, and having to clean up the mess she left on the floor!)

Madison's Pre-K School Photos

Madison has loved being in school! This year (2012-2013), you are in the Pre-K 3 classroom, which consists of children that are three and four years old.

I have been told many times that you are like the "mayor" of the school- needing to say hi and goodbye to everyone you come across and a little social butterfly.
You should consider running for office someday.
You enjoy playing with all the kids really, in all the classes but your favorite friends are: Rileigh (the pink Rileigh), Riley (the yellow Riley), Peyton, Anneliese, and McKenna.

Here are your Pre-K 3 Fall pictures, looking gorgeous as always.

Christmas Pictures 2012

Brady- 7 weeks old

At seven weeks old, we are seeing more and more smiles from you, little one.
You love the silly songs that Mommy sings you-- mostly about changing your diaper (which you love) and about you being a cute little prince.

You continue to show your strength, pushing up with your head and boy, do you have a great kick!
You are so in love with the bears (your bear friends as we call them) that hang over the pack n play- you can lay there for so long just smiling at them!

You also love your crocodile toy, getting lots of puppy kisses from Abby and watching your sister play- which is always entertaining to say the least!

Here is your first professional picture taken-- one with a hoodie on, exactly like one we cherish of your sister at your age. And... just like Mommy thought, there is such an uncanny resemblance of  your sister, you two look so alike at this stage..

I so cherish this picture of you...

Meeting the Family!

Brady was born last night and today got to meet the family! Everyone was so excited to meet him!
None, however were more excited than Big Sister Maddie!!!!

Big Sister Madison

What a Great Big Sister she will be!! Love at first sight :)

Grandma and Grandpa!

Nana and Madison

Aunt Jackie..

It's A Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's A Boy!

The biggest surprise of my life! I was so surprised to find that you, little pumpkin, were indeed a boy but what a fantastic surprise it was!

Brady Anthony Melan was born on October 6, 2012, weighing in at 7 lbs, 1 oz and measuring 18 inches long.

All of our hopes and dreams came true today when you came to us. With my first glance at you, I immediately knew you had my heart, little boy.

You look so much like your sister it is uncanny and i can't get over how beautiful you are. It took so long for me to stop my tears because I was just so incredibly happy to meet you. It was if you were always with us, waiting to be with us, and meant to complete our family. You are so loved.

Happy Birthday Brady!! Our sweet boy! :)

You have beautiful dark hair and gorgeous blue eyes!

You and your proud Daddy!

The things you say.....

I just have to start writing down each day the funny ,and many times amazing, things you say.
Just so I will always remember.
This morning, you told me that Olivia was the "best kitty ever".
I asked you if you would go on the potty and you said "Never" (but in your pirate voice, like Captain Hook, more like Nev-ah!)

When You Give A Duck An Egg...

We recently took the "If You Give A Mouse" books out from the library, some of Mommy's alltime favorites.  They remind me of student teaching in the Kindergarten class.
You have LOVED them.
At least twice a day we have to read both- "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie",
and your favorite "If You Take A Mouse to the Movies".
Something about the mouse going to a movie really cracks you up.

Well, tonight YOU read both of these books to me- WORD FOR WORD!
Talk about an impressive memory. It was adorable and so incredibly rewarding to hear you read these stories to me. I will never forget the experience, your sweet little voice
and the animation and excitement on your face.

You then told me to hold the book in my left hand, and showed me which one was left
and then told me which one was the right hand.
I told you "you must be a genius Madison"
"And I know you didn't get it from me,
and Daddy might be clever but I don't think he's a genius".
Your response was: "Daddy is a genie, rub his belly and get wishes!"

You then made up your own story, telling me that....
"If You Give A Duck An Egg,
He Will Want Cheese!"
Too funny, munchkin. We will have to finish and publish that one.

Gymnastics Award Night!

Tonight you had your first awards night for Gymnastics.
You just began taking gymnastics a few months ago, and it is amazing what a natural you are!
You love to roll, hang on the bars, climb onto the horse, walk the balance beam and most of
all- JUMP! ( which is no surprise to us).
Typically when it isn't your turn, you can be found with a yellow hula-hoop,
jumping on the trampoline,
or climbing the pirate ship. AHOY! you always say!

But tonight, you heard it was a show, and boy did you put on one!
You were focused, so excited and did nothing but show off your moves.

Of course you said "I do it myself".

You jumped around, clapping and yelling "YAY!" and did a lot of "Ta-Da's".

All by myself again!

Thanks Mrs. P!

You received a medal, for your first year of gynmastics and two

ribbons for your forward roll and for using the balance beam unassisted!

You were so proud of yourself and we are so incredibly proud of you.
We are so lucky to call you our daughter and it is wonderful to see you so happy.
Love you.

The next day, after you played in your pool, you got warmed up with a hoodie on. And your medal too!

You just didn't want to take it off, and wore it around all day.

Mommy thinks you looked like a little Olympian, ready for your TV interview.

Happy 1st Birthday Abby!

Abby is one!
We had a great time celebrating with her today. She even

posed for a few pictures, with a little help from a yummy bone.

Happy Birthday to You! Maddie did a great job

of singing Happy Birthday to Abby all day long!

Yumm-o! An iced birthday bone.

Who needs cake??

The birthday girl.

Maddie and Abby. Two years old and one year old.

Kisses! Love You Abby!