07.31.11 - "Good job, Suzie!"

Gramma Karen dropped off a new play mat for Tommy tonight. Maddie overheard her tell Tommy "good job" more than once. So as soon as Tommy was done with it, Maddie raced to her room, got a baby and a changing pad. She played for awhile, reassuring her baby doll by saying, "Good job, Suzie! Good job!"

10.10.10 - Little House on the Prairie

Gramma Karen bought Maddie an indoor playhouse at a garage sale yesterday. We set it up in the basement after Maddie went to sleep so it would be a surprise first thing this morning. We waited with eager anticipation for her reaction yet she didn't even notice it.


But this animal train (also a garage sale find) that we've had forever is AWESOME!


Actually, once she found it, she loved it! Thanks, Gramma Karen!

09.06.10 - Future engineer

Here's to hoping that this is the day we look back on and realize Maddie was destined to be an engineer. She loves to build things and demanded "out!" of her stroller at the Carter Outlet Store today when she spotted the Lego table.

05.26.10 - We've been invaded!

Our house has been invaded by babies and all their stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

05.23.10 - Runnin' the bases

Maddie runs around the infield that I drew on the back patio while we played with some sidewalk chalk that she got for a prize at cousin Emerson's birthday party yesterday.

05.09.10 - Building blocks

Nan and Pop joined us for brunch on Mother's Day. After we ate, Maddie showed Nan how to build a tower.


Nan was quite impressed!


And then the tables turned as Maddie started launching the blocks at her. Maddie just discovered throwing a few days ago and while it's cute now we're not sure how long we want to allow her to throw things in the house. It's harmless fun for now but I'm thinking that won't always be the case!


She's adorable even when she's doing something she probably shouldn't.


Ready, aim, fire!


If only you could hear her excitement!

05.05.10 - In the sandbox

Maddie enjoys playing outside while we make dinner. She spends her time swinging or digging in the sand. So far, she doesn't mind getting a little dirty!

01.18.10 - Ball popper!

Maddie loves to play with the ball popper that friends Kent and Amy got her for her birthday. This musical toy shoots up to five balls out of the top. They fall into the tray, wind their way through and shoot back out over and over. Mostly she likes to stand over the forced air coming out. She thinks it's the best thing ever! Thanks, Kent and Amy!

01.13.10 - Cookin' up a storm

Maddie fries up an egg for dinner while I prepare turkey tetrazzini for dinner tonight. She loves her Elmo kitchen toys but that doesn't stop her from pulling various items out of our lazy susan.

01.09.10 - Nevermind Emeril ...

We're cookin' with Elmo!

01.01.10 - Happy New Year!

Even though she's feeling puny, Maddie can still climb ... all the way into her shopping cart that Grandpa Greg got her for her birthday. Hey, why not?!! She rides in the carts at Target all the time!

12.07.09 - Toy box

Pop made a toy box for Angie when she was little. Shortly after we got Harley, he made one for her toys, too. So it only made sense that Maddie get her own toy box, too! We've had it since before she was born but only in the past few weeks has she really been interested in crawling over to it and picking out what she wants to play with. Occasionally she'll get into Harley's toys but for the most part knows which ones are for her.

11.10.09 - Goin' on a trip

When packing for a road trip, it's very important to pack a few good books to read. Or eat.

10.06.09 - What's better than shoes?

The box they came in!

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.

08.31.09 - Pied Piper

Angie tried to get Maddie to play in a pot-n-pan band tonight. Thankfully, she preferred to play the flute rather than the drums!

08.28.09 - I've said it before ...

... and I'm sure I'll say it again. All those toys and she wants to play with the tag on the area rug! I know what Gramma Karen's thinking ... if you'd just cut that darned tag off!

08.26.09 - Mac girl

Miss Maddie likes a Mac! She won't crawl for her toys but she'll crawl for the laptop and TV remote.

08.22.09 - If you're happy and you know it ...

Maddie's been clapping A LOT lately. Sometimes she'll do it when she sees her mom or dad. Sometimes she does it with a toy or two in her hands just to see what sound it makes.

08.16.09 - Hi, Mommy!

At the same time Maddie is learning to crawl she's also beginning to pull herself up on things. Today, she leveraged herself against one of her toys to pop up and say, "Hi, Mommy!"