03.27.12 - My two best girls

Maddie wanted to go for a walk tonight so we did. She's good about walking without running off or running out in the street. Still, I like holding her hand. About 10 minutes later, I was carrying her back down this road toward home after she tripped, fell and bloodied her nose. She was more scared than anything and there was only one little scratch on her hand. Next time she'll watch where she's going and we'll make her wear better shoes.

Angie reminded me of this photo (click here and scroll to last photo) taken about 18 months ago. Look how much she's grown!

02.12.12 - "Dad, I'm done with pictures."

Harley cuddled up next to Maddie at story time tonight. That's never happened before. She left the room as soon as we were done reading stories but for a few moments she just laid there as if it were her normal routine. Maddie didn't mind although at one point she did tell me, "Dad, I'm done with pictures." I like this moment, though. I wonder what she's thinking about.

01.07.12 - Kitchen assistants

Maddie got to bake cookies with Mommy again today. And she made my favorite - raisin bran! (That's what she calls oatmeal raisin.)


When Maddie mixes flour, a good amount ends up on the floor and on Harley.

11.22.11 - My two best girls

I wish I could take credit for this frame but I can't. This is all Angie. In fact, I didn't even know she'd shot it until I was editing for Tommy's blog tonight. This frame stopped me in my tracks. I can already tell you it will be one of my all-time favorites of Maddie.

(And Harley, too!)

12.16.10 - Nurse Harley

Maddie was feeling rather puny today and Harley stayed close to comfort her.

12.05.10 - Sleepy heads

We hit the road super early this morning to travel back from Manhattan where we had Christmas with the Swearingens. Up late and up early means one thing: Naps! This is actually Maddie's second nap of the afternoon. She woke up after two hours very cranky. So we cuddled on the sofa and fell asleep.


Mid-afternoon naps on the sofa started about four years ago with our first-born. This photo was taken Nov. 26, 2006.

11.02.10 - Keep away

Maddie tries to keep her Rice Krispy treat out of Harley's reach by running in circles around the back patio. Maddie kept running long after Harley lost interest.

05.16.10 - Skinnie Pearl

Maddie got a new hat today and had to wear it on our walk tonight.


Seriously, do kids get any cuter than this? Nope, they don't!

04.13.10 - M-a-d-d-i-e

Maddie's penmanship is coming along quite nicely. ;) She even remembered to dot her "I."

Thanks to our neighbors, Tori and Andrew, for letting us use their driveway as a canvas.

03.21.10 - Snack time

Maddie likes to sit with her feet crossed. She also like to eat Cheerios. She also like to share Cheerios with Harley. About 20 seconds after I snapped this adorable portrait of Maddie, there were about 20 Cheerios on the floor with Harley doing her best vacuum impression.

02.25.10 - Learning to share

Actually, Maddie was preoccupied with a binkers so sharing her Cheerios with Harley was the only other reasonable thing to do.

02.06.10 - "No one asked me if I wanted a brother!"

And, no. I don't want him to sit by me.

The next frame in this sequence and Maddie is on the other side of the couch sitting next to Harley, who, I assume, is as displeased about today's events as Maddie is!

01.16.10 - No means no

I'm sorry, Maddie, but no means no especially when it comes to eating Harley's food!

12.27.09 - Full house

We had a great turnout for Maddie's first birthday party! Angie made a pink and yellow daisy cake to accompany a table full of snackies and punch. Maddie didn't care for the cake but ran her fingers though most all of the frosting. She even got a little in her ear! She raked in a ton of cool prizes including some new clothes, books and a shopping cart walker-rider.

All of the immediate family was able to attend including, from left to right, Aunt Tori and Uncle Brent, Grampy Keith and Gramma Karen, Grandma Nancy, Angie and Harley (duh!), Grandpa Shepherd, Uncle Tim, Grandma Shepherd, Grandpa Greg (who's holding cousin Emerson), Aunt Tessa and Nan and Pop along with a few other young aunts and cousins sitting in the corner where this image was made. To everyone who could make it and who've been so supportive of us this past year; THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING! We've been so blessed!

12.18.09 - Find your own lap to sit on, Maddie!

Tonight, Harley decided it was her turn to sit on Angie's lap for awhile, something she's been doing more of the closer we get to Maddie's brother's due date.

12.11.09 - Joy ride

Nan and Pop joined us for some Christmas light looking tonight. Maddie slept through the first part of the west-side tour but woke up when Harley decided to snuggle with her in her car seat. If you've ever seen Harley try to rearrange a blankie you can imagine what it was like! Maddie thought it was hilarious. She laughed so hard we had to stop the Pilot and laugh with her.

11.19.09 - Mommy's little helper

Maddie enjoys helping Angie make dinner. Tonight she tapped two wooden spoons on the floor as she whipped up some blueberry pancakes. And Harley was on standby in case anything hit the floor!

11.18.09 - Smiles

Maddie flashes a little smile for our friends Brian and Brandi tonight during dinner.

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!

10.22.09 - 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?