10.31.09 - Happy Halloween!

We had a great time making the rounds for Maddie's first Halloween! After Grandpa and Grandma Shepherd's house, we made stops at Grandpa Greg's, Nan and Pop's and The Munks' house. We're beat but we had a great time!

10.30.09 - Stand up

Maddie stands up by the fridge to reach her new favorite magnet: a daisy! What's she gonna be for Halloween? I don't know! You'll have to check back tomorrow!

10.29.09 - Dinner at Nan and Pop's

Nan and Pop invited us over for dinner tonight. We had honey glazed baked chicken, sweet potatoes, fried green tomatoes, peas and apple cobbler. It sure was tasty and Maddie enjoyed a little bit of everything (except the apple cobbler, of course!).

10.28.09 - "da godfaaathuh II"

We had an unexpected visit from Uncle Brian today. He was in town visiting a fellow RCPD officer who's recovering here from an on-duty car wreck a couple of weeks ago. This is the third time in a month that Brian's been to town on business and it was good to finally connect with him. We had dinner at Olive Garden and then came back to the house for a little play time. Unfortunately, the only thing Maddie was playing was shy and Brian had to hit the road before she completely warmed up to him - no matter how hard he tried.

10.27.09 - Clean Plate Club

But, to be a member of the Clean Plate Club, you gotta have clean hands!

10.26.09 - Tickle me Maddie

We went out to the fabric store tonight to find the finishing touches for Maddie's Halloween costume. This green feather boa isn't it but it sure was fun to play with!

10.25.09 - It's fall!

Jackets and leaves mean one thing: it's fall!

10.24.09 - "How do you fix a broken pumpkin?"

With a pumpkin patch!

For Maddie's ten month birthday we met up with Gramma Karen and Grampy Keith for a trip to the pumpkin patch. You might not know it from this frame, but Maddie really had a great time! We saw the petting zoo, rode the slide and took a hayrack ride. And, she picked out her very own pumpkin. Thanks, again, Gramma and Grampy, for treating us to an afternoon of fun!

10.23.09 - Maddie, no!

I sure hate to see that baseball photo get bumped from the top spot, but it's another day which means it's time for another photo. It's fun watching Maddie grow and learn about the things around her. We usually learn something, too, like we did today when we realized it's time to get those cabinet locks to keep her out of things!

10.22.09 - We wanna pitcher not a belly itcher!

Maddie plays baseball with Harley while watching Game 5 of the ALCS tonight. While they never really played with each other, we took turns tossing the ball to Maddie and then to Harley, who, at one point bolted up the stairs and had me chase her around the house with it.

Will she really be a lefty?

10.21.09 - Mommy's helper

We have breakfast for dinner at least once a week. In fact, it's been a big craving of Angie's during this pregnancy. Since it's fall, Angie decided to whip up a batch of pumpkin pancakes. Maddie helped make them. Then helped eat them!

10.20.09 - Yellow ducky

You make bath time so much fun!

10.19.09 - Tired eyes

Maddie rubs her eyes as she finishes her bedtime bottle. Unfortunately, she would want no part of going to bed tonight and squired, wiggled and screamed for about an hour before she finally calmed down.

Maybe this wasn't as easy as I thought!

10.18.09 - Guess how much I love you ...

To the moon and back, of course. But with a smile like that, how could you not?!!

10.17.09 - Me and my Pop

Maddie hung out at Nan and Pop's today while I was away shooting a wedding. I hope he's teaching her a thing or two about those hammers because I know I sure can't!

10.16.09 - Daddy's home!

So great to come home and walk in to see such a happy, smiley baby who's always so happy to see me!

10.15.09 - Tag, you're it!

Maddie is fascinated with Harley's collar and tag.

10.14.09 - Magnets

Maddie likes to play in the kitchen while we fix dinner, playing with the magnets on the fridge. Notice the left sock.

10.13.09 - Dinner time!

Maddie has recently discovered that Harley joins her for dinner. She likes to lean over the edge of her high chair looking for her. Her arms are just long enough that she can reach Harley if Harley stands on her back legs, which she does for a reeeeeaaalllllllllly long time in anticipation of getting a bite or two or ten!

10.12.09 - First tooth?

I know. We've been saying for months now that we think Maddie might be teething. Today, while eating dinner, she kept sticking her finger in her mouth. We looked, and there appears to be a small, raised bump on her lower gum. Could it be?!! Her first tooth?!! Nah, probably not.

10.11.09 - "da godfaaathuh"

We made a quick trip to Manhattan today for Cayden's second birthday party. For some reason, we missed his first birthday last year. Before we left, Maddie spent some quality time with Uncle Brian, "da godfaaathuh."

10.10.09 - Apples

Maddie gets pretty excited about having apples for the first time.

10.09.09 - Snuggly

Normally, Maddie snuggles with a bunny as she's going to bed. But tonight she held on tight to one of her shoes as she drank her bedtime bottle.

10.08.09 - Test playin'

Maddie does some test playin' on the newly installed carpet in the basement. Nerf green was replaced with a neutral "lily." As soon as we can get organized the playroom will be officially moved downstairs so we can enjoy the cooler temps in the summer and the fireplace in the winter.

10.07.09 - On the move

One of Maddie's new favorite hangouts is underneath the dining room table. Interestingly, it used to be one of Harley's, too, until we replaced the carpet with laminate flooring.

10.06.09 - What's better than shoes?

The box they came in!

10.05.09 - No pictures!

Whatever!

10.04.09 - Tuckered out

We're all worn out from a long, but good, weekend.

10.03.09 - Oh. Brother.

We had a great time hanging out with Heather and Dennis and their kids Braden and Taylor tonight. Taylor is about six weeks older than Maddie and while we used to see them all the time before the girls were born we haven't seen much of each other in the months since. After our reconnection tonight, I'm hopeful that will change! Maddie might not be so sure if Braden keeps picking on her, though. Better get used to it girlie ... you're gettin' a brother!

10.02.09 - Dad's shoes

Harley bought me this pair of shoes for Christmas last year. Maddie likes to play with them.

10.01.09 - Bedtime bottle

Usually Maddie's bedtime bottle is followed by a few books and some snuggling but tonight she conked out before she could drink even three ounces. Must have been a good day playin' with Grandma Shepherd!