12.19.10 - Just. Cute.

Even if she is "big smilin'" while eating yogurt melts, she's still stinkin' cute.

12.18.10 - Shhh, Santa!

It took a little coaxing but Maddie met Santa (again) tonight.

12.16.10 - Oh, Christmas Tree

Maddie shows off her "big smile" while standing in front of our "big Christmas tree."

12.16.10 - Nurse Harley

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

12.14.10 - Midnight movie

Maddie watches a Charlie Brown Christmas special while drinking her bedtime milk.

(It wasn't really midnight.)

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.

11.21.10 - That was for me

Angie decided she wanted chocolate chip bagels for breakfast this morning and everyone was more than ready for breakfast when I returned from the store. Angie broke off a few pieces for Maddie but she insisted on having her own half. Angie was a little disappointed. "Hey, that was for me!"

11.20.10 - First haircut at the salon

11.10.10 - Cheese

We asked to see Maddie's "big smile" tonight at dinner. She gave it to us ... while saying "cheese!"

Saying what??!!!

Where on earth did she learn that, I wondered. Certainly not from any of us around here. Then it dawned on us - Lisa takes a lot of photos at daycare. Well, we couldn't keep her from learning to say cheese but at least, so far, we've kept her from McDonald's. I don't think we have to worry about Lisa doing that. Now, Nan on the other hand ...

11.09.10 - Maddie poops!

I was doubtful that Maddie had to go. Her diaper was soppin' wet but she insisted on sitting on the potty. Really, I think she was just stalling before bed time. But, after 20 minutes or so we finally heard a little tinkle! And, then? Well, we had poop, too! We got really excited about it and so did she. She laughed and clapped so hard that she nearly bounced off her Abby Cadabby potty seat. But before she could flush, she wanted to make sure it was in there.

"She'll love you for that later," Angie said, "for writing about her first poops."