09.30.09 - Back-focused cutie

A point-and-shoot's minimum focal length isn't quite a short as my Nikons but the result here is the same: stinkin' cute!

09.29.09 - My three best girls

My three best girls spend some quality time together.

09.28.09 - Peas and carrots

Maddie's lovin' people food ... especially peas and carrots! We'll see if that lasts into her toddler and adolescent years.

09.27.09 - That's more like it

After yesterday's rough housing photo, I thought I'd share this nice moment between sisters when Harley interrupted Maddie's nine-month photo shoot. Unfortunately, we didn't get much in the way of photos as Maddie wasn't having any of it!

09.26.09 - Tackle!

No dogs (or Maddies) were harmed in the making of this photo.

09.25.09 - Nanny!

Nan and Pop came over tonight to finish up a game of dominoes that we started several weeks ago. Maddie sat in her high chair where Nan played peek-a-boo with her between rounds.

09.24.09 - Let me outta here!

Maddie turned nine months old today so we bought her an age-appropriate gift: a baby gate!

09.23.09 - Nine month checkup

Maddie had her nine-month checkup today. The doctor said we're doing a great job with her as she's about where she should be at 12 months. She's eating well, sleeping regularly, crawling, sitting and starting to get into everything. If she has any faults, it's with keeping her socks on.

09.22.09 - A new toy

We went to Babies R Us last night to use a special coupon we received in the mail. Angie had been eyeing this for Maddie and thought about getting it for a Christmas or birthday gift. But, she's been pulling herself up on the sofas, the TV stand and in her crib for the past few days so we went ahead and sprung for it now. It has a computer, phone, flip book and keyboard. She likes it but spent most of her time tonight pushing the stool around in the kitchen.

09.21.09 - Blueberry pancakes

We have breakfast for dinner usually once a week. Tonight we made Mickey Mouse shaped blueberry pancakes. The Mickey Mouse part didn't turn out so good but the blueberry part sure did! Maddie liked 'em!

09.20.09 - Tuckered out

Maddie was so excited to have us back from California that she stayed awake ALL DAY Sunday. No naps! It finally caught up to her shortly after seven o'clock tonight when she just laid her head on the floor between her legs and went to sleep ... for 12 hours!

No, we didn't leave her in that position. Shortly after this photo, she found her way to bed!

09.19.09 - Welcome home, Mommy and Daddy!

Look who greeted us at the airport today! Maddie girl!

09.18.09 - My fair goin' outfit

Hi Mommy & Daddy!!

I had a GREAT day - hope you did too!

First I got a prize from Gramma - new boots!! I love them!

Then we went to run some errands and THEN we went to the ............. STATE FAIR!!!!! It was SO fun. I saw lots of things - only Gramma left her camera in the car - so I can't show you much. Harley had to stay with Nanny & Pop. (Check out my picture of my Fair Goin outfit!!)

Grampy was going to share his Pronto Pup with me; but, well, that didn't happen. And no french fries or chicken nuggets either - bummer! Gramma says that I did really good being in the stroller. I got to spend time with my cousins - Taylor & Savannah still make me laugh and I told Emerson some good stories. We saw lots of stuff in the buildings and lots of people told me how cute I was! :):):)

Nan says that Harley must be a little homesick because she was a Nervous Nellie all day today. I'm not homesick - but I WILL be excited to see you tomorrow!!

Gramma, Grampy & I ate dinner with Nanny & Pop (well, I didn't REALLY eat, because I didn't want my vegetables) but I did drink my bottle and had some puffs (did I tell you how much I LOVE those things?) I played with my toys and then I got in my jammies and we went home.

I will see you tomorrow at the airport! Are you going to be excited to see me? (he he)

Love,

Maddie

PS: Happy Birthday Daddy!!! Hope you had a great day!

09.17.09 - Swingin' with Grampy

Hi Mommy & Daddy!!

Harley & I are doing GREAT!!

I woke up this morning around 8 a.m. ready to start my day! I ate my breakfast and played for awhile.

Then we went outside and I played in the baby walker a bit. THEN I played in the swing that Grampy hung for me. It was AWESOME!! Harley ran around the yard while I swang.

I had some fruit for lunch (and a bottle) then napped awhile. Then I played (some more) and had puffs for a snack ( I LOVE those things!)

Then after dinner I got my jammies on and we hung out in the cabana. I had part of a cookie and then got really tired. Played a bit more then off to bed.

Harley was glad, because she wanted to have Gramma ALL to herself!

Hope Disneyland was fun!!

Have fun again tomorrow!!

Love,

Maddie (and Harley)

09.16.09 - Bedtime stories with Gramma

While we were on vacation, Maddie sent us nightly email updates with photos ... the perfect way to end our day!

Just a note to tell you about my day!!

I sat on the ladder and helped Grampy hammer fence boards. Gramma didn't have her camera, so I don't have a picture of that.

Then I took my nap. Harley chased the neighbor dog and was REALLY tired, so she took a nap too!!

Then I had my bottle - YUMMY!! Then I played with Nan's toys (I love those toys!) I ate some chicken & apples, while Nan made dinner. I sat with all the grown ups at dinner and had some puffs & a cookie. Harley waited for me to drop my cookie, but Gramma & Nan kept catching it!

THEN, I had my bath. Love that sink! Then we packed up Gramma's car & Grampy's truck and headed to their house. Harley rode home with Grampy.

I had my bedtime bottle (yummy, again!) and Gramma read a couple of books to me. Harley made a nest on Grampy's couch. I played for a little bit and then off to bed - I am REALLY tired.

I had a GREAT day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope you are having a fun trip!

Love,

Maddie

09.16.09 - To our readers

Editor's note: Maddie's blog is on hiatus while Mommy and Daddy have a good time in SoCal. Maddie and Harley are spending the next few days with Gramma Karen and Grampy Keith and we're quite confident that we'll have TONS of photos to choose from for posting upon our return.

09.15.09 - Goodnight, Maddie

But I'm not sleepy yet!

Maddie pulled up in her crib tonight for the first time after we put her to bed. I guess it's time to lower the mattress ... again!

09.14.09 - Eat this!

About two seconds later, Harley was enjoying this tasty treat.

09.13.09 - A good book and a bubblebath

After a hard day of playin' toys (literally! Maddie didn't take an afternoon nap until after three o'clock and only then after I pushed her around the neighborhood in the stoller!), Maddie unwinds with a good book and a bubble bath.

09.12.09 - We wanna go outside!

So at Angie's insistence I loaded up both girls and headed out on a walk this afternoon. It was so nice we'd had the windows open all day! But, right when we got to the end of the street it started to rain so back we came. :(

09.11.09 - Flower power

Maddie was feeling a bit under the weather today so after picking her up at daycare we headed over to the immediate care clinic that's near our house. The exam room was full of pretty flowers and butterflies which Maddie just found amazing. The doctor said Maddie's watery eyes and constant sneezing was most likely due to a virus and we'd just have to wait it out three to five days. The flower power of that room must have worked because after a full night's sleep, Maddie awoke to her normal, chipper self again! When it's time to update her bedroom, we're going to have to find some of those flowers!

09.10.09 - Attitude?

A little bit of attitude, perhaps?

09.09.09 - Daddy does my hair

A few weeks ago, Angie spotted a cute onesie at Babies-R-Us that read: "Daddy does my hair." We thought it was especially appropriate given that her hair has pretty much stood on end since she was born (as does mine, first thing in the morning). But, it was part of a gift basket that we thought was overpriced so it never made it into her wardrobe. I thought of that onesie tonight when I saw this scene: Harley was begging for dinner and Maddie was playing toys.

09.08.09 - Hugs & Kisses

Maddie loves hugs and kisses!

09.07.09 - Off to the races

As I predicted a couple of weeks ago, Maddie blew this joint (the living room) and took off down the hallway after her mom. She's not exactly crawling as she only puts her left knee down and pushes off with her right foot. Unorthodox but effective.

09.06.09 - Just for kicks

Maddie wore a pair of shoes for most of the day today. Aren't they cute?

09.05.09 - Pilot's pilot

We returned from our quick jaunt to KC today after having breakfast with Brian, Emily and Cayden, shopping at Legends and visiting our friends Kent and Amy at their new house in Gardner. Angie and Maddie slept for a good portion of the drive back and were feeling quite rested so Maddie offered to take over the helm at our potty stop on the turnpike to give her Daddy a break from driving.

If we let her drive like that we'd be bad parents like Britney Spears!

09.04.09 - Go Royals!

We met up with our good friends Brian and Emily and their son Cayden for the Royals game in KC tonight. It was quite a pitchers' duel until the Royals blew their one-run lead in the eighth inning. Didn't matter; Maddie still had a great time! She rode the carousel in the kids' zone, got a nice stuffed Royals daisy (should have been a pansy?) and a certificate for attending her first Royals game. There were fireworks after the game, though, but she slept right threw them on her mother's shoulder.

Two baseball stadiums down, 28 to go!

09.03.09 - Cookies!

Maddie wasn't a big fan of squash for dinner but she sure gobbled up some baby vanilla wafers.

09.02.09 - Fingers

At least she didn't put it in her nose!

09.01.09 - Uh oh

Time to baby proof the house!