Smiles, Giggles, and Drool

Maddie just had her four month check-up, and at 16lbs,5oz and 25.5 inches, she's in the 95th percentile for both height and weight!  I'm thinking she's not gonna be a shorty like her Mom.  But, as proof that some of my genes are mixed in there, the child can flip her tongue up on its side!  Dakota can't do this, so though she may look like Daddy, she's got the tongue thing from Mom.  And that's important.  

Now, for some cuteness (which I know is why you all are here, so...):

Happy Morning Madeleine, excited to be awake!

Introspective Madeleine, taking time to smell, er, eat the flowers.

Cuddly Madeleine, enjoying a quick snuggle with Mommy.  She really like to lick the wraps...

Outfit One Baby, the way Mommy likes the dress...

...and the way Maddie likes the dress.

Sunshiney Madeleine, ready to go to the library! (Though in reality, we didn't make it that day because Maddie spit up on me three times, and after three changes of each of our clothes, we'd pretty much missed story time).

Playbaby Madeleine, drooling her way to happiness.

Sleepytime Madeleine, napping in a wrap.  Isn't she just the sweetest thing ever?

Bouncy Baby, testing out the jumparoo.  She's still not sure what to make of it.

Baking Baby, helping momma make nummy brownies.

Playtime Madeleine!  Maddie and Daddy play "Madeleine Crushes Tokyo," where Maddie gets to stomp all over...everything.  Her shirt depicts a monster trying to hitch a ride to Tokyo.  Thank you, Threadless.

Daddy's Girl, wrapped up for an evening walk!

Chillin' Baby, takin' it all in like a big girl in her Bumbo.  Pardon the rolls - she's a growing girl.  And pardon the nakedness; it's hot here.

Grumpy Evening Madeleine, soothing herself with her thumb.

All Tuckered Out Madeleine, getting ready for her evening massage.  How come I don't get a massage every night?

Rinse, lather, and repeat...and that's pretty much our life!  

And a side note, we're all about skyping now, so if anyone wants to see Maddie in action, we can book a conference call for you.  Hurry; her datebook's filling fast, because as you can see, she's one busy four-month-old.

Celebrating in Style

Maddie had so much fun on the fourth of July!  

There was a great outfit to wear...

...people to hold her...

...fireworks to watch with Daddy...

...and yummy arms to suck on...

What a great night that was!  Madeleine hopes your 4th of July was as fun as hers!

PS - Maddie would like you all to know that she loves your comments, so if you're reading, let her know how cute you think she is.  She hears it a lot, but really, one can never have too many compliments.  

A Few Words From Maddie

Madeleine wants to tell you about what she's been up to.  I'll translate for you, since I just totally get her.

Gaaaaab eeee!

This is the coolest toy ever!  Except sometimes it hits me in the head and I don't know why!!!

Eeeeebbbbb bbbb bbb. 

I can hold two things at once.  Mommy and Daddy say I'm super talented.  I know that.

Gggggg bb.

Daddy says  I'm a vegetarian and that vegetarians don't eat giraffes.  This is what I think of that.  Hmph.

Gllb.

Gllb.

Mmmm bbb.

My hand is so yummy.  Why doesn't it all fit though?  I'll try again.

Eh.

Why the flashing?  Always the constant flashing!

Gaaaah!

Shower time with mommy rocks! I'm just so happy!

Eeee eee eeeeeeeb.

Why you touchin' my chin? 

Heeeee.

Silly people.  Why do they bother putting clothes on me?  

Zzzzzzz.

Zzzzzz.

Gah eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Brrrrr.

This was the best part of my first time swimming!  That water was coooooold.  Brrrr.

Last Visit

I'm so behind, but here are the pictures from Maddie's visit with her Grandma R., Uncle Kenny, and Aunt Katrina.  They came out over Memorial Day weekend and we had a wonderful time!  Maddie did a great job at lots of restaurants like Golden West, Iggies, and The Fractured Prune.  Come to think of it, we all spent a lot of time eating! (What a surprise...)

Grandma was excited to hold her one and only grandbaby!

Maddie and Ken were both a little nervous about each other, but they both did a great job of holding and being held!

Katrina and Maddie quite enjoyed each other's company!

Sling and Swaddle

I know I've been pretty scarce the last month, but I've been busy competing in the Sling and Swaddle Journey! 30 of us moms have been slinging and swaddling all month long, and twittering about our experiences of motherhood along the way. For someone who knew nothing about Twitter, I think I've come a long way in the last month. I never knew a hashmark (#) could be so useful! I can't really summarize the experience in 140 twittering characters, but I'll try and limit it to one blog post.

During this month I feel like I've become more conscientious in my babywearing. I enjoyed wearing Maddie before this contest, but I've learned so much more about the benefits of babywearing that I want to share it with everyone I meet! I used to think it would just make life more convenient (having two hands is something I used to take for granted!) but now I see it as this wonderful way both Dakota and I can bond and communicate with our baby, soothe her, and meet her needs.

I can see how addicting babywearing is, too, but at least it's a healthy addiction! I love my Hotsling for quick trips into the grocery store or for dinner out with friends, because it's so portable and the poppability (ease of getting Madeleine in and out) is fantastic. For longer walks I love our Beco Butterfly II, and for the shower (that's right - we've solved the baby-hates-the-bath dilemma with a sling) I'm quite smitten with our Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Mesh Pouch (a $25 Craigslist find!). I am quite certain that our baby carrier collection will continue to grow (surely I need a wrap, right? And a mei tai?).

I'm spreading the babywearing love, too! I've definitely convinced other people to try babywearing with these carriers and others (I should totally be getting a sales commission here) and I'm headed to a babywearing workshop next Sunday at Soft and Cozy Baby, a local boutique. I've invited the moms and babes in my Thursday playgroup to go to it, and hopefully I can organize a babywearing workshop in our neighborhood, as well. My cousin thinks I should open my own baby boutique, and while that sounds awesome, I think she just wants a discount on some cute slings! ;-) If you want a discount, use code TBWHS15 to save 15% at www.hotslings.com, or check out the clearance section at www.babysnazz.com.

As for the swaddling, we've been in love with our Miracle Blanket since Maddie was about two weeks old and started busting out of a traditional swaddle. For those of you who are wondering what a swaddle is, it's basically putting a baby straight jacket on your kiddo. It keeps their arms from flailing about and waking them up; it is truly the most amazing thing to watch Maddie go from screaming-angry-baby to calm-sleepy-baby in the Miracle Blanket. Sadly, she's starting to get big enough and strong enough to wiggle out of it, so now we have to start transitioning her to a sleepsack. As of this writing, the transition isn't going so great. Without the beloved Miracle Blanket, she won't go to sleep (I tried for about an hour and half last night and the night before - put the MB on her and she was asleep in minutes. If only she'd stop wiggling out of it...) So any hints on how we could get her to love the Halo Sleep Sacks as much as the Miracle Blanket are welcome! If you want a discount on one of these, go to miracleblanket.com and get 10% off one blanket or 15% off two. They call the second deal the Twins Special, but in my opinion, you need two, because when you lose one in the middle of the night to pee/spit up/some other bodily fluid, you'll want a second clean one.  This is seriously something every new parent needs.  It's our new go-to shower gift for pregnant friends. 

The month is drawing to a close, and while I've competed to the best of my ability (I've got 2,240 followers, have updated 763 times, and have loved the weekly #babywearing chats) I know there are a lot of other worthy moms!  Even if I don't win, I've had fun, met some great people, and become a babywearing advocate (I was already a Miracle Blanket junkie - anything that helps new parents got some sleep is priceless in my book!).  If you want to join up for the last few days of my journey, I'm Mom_07 on Twitter (but Mom 1 to Maddie!).

Happy Father's Day!

Today we celebrate Dads and all that they do - the flying, the bouncing, the hugging, the cuddling - Dads are pretty awesome. I'll always remember dancing on my own Father's feet on Saturday mornings, and now I get to see a different perspective of Fatherhood. I love Dakota more than I can explain, and yet seeing him with Maddie brings out this whole other gush of emotions for him. So thank you to my husband, for being a wonderful Dad to Madeleine. Thank you to Rob, for helping to raise such a thoughtful and amazing guy, and thank you to my Dad, for taking the time to dance, to build, and to sing.

Today Dakota and Madeleine are featured in a UK blog dedicated to babywearing. Check it out at Calin Bleu. Aren't they cute? I sure think so.

And, there's a new diaper I'm dying to try. Yes, this belongs in the Father's Day post because they're running a Fathers' Day contest. If you're interested in winning a free diaper set, check out the Applecheeks Contest or visit the Applecheeks site to learn more. I love that name! (And if you win, you'll give them to me, riiiiight?).

Happy Father's Day!

Preakness Party!

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late for a very important update!

Ok, not that important, but I am quite behind in my blogging.  So, here's Maddie at her first Preakness Party, complete with a fancy hat, of course.

Doesn't Viraj look great with the baby?  And check out Sarah; what a natural!

Madeleine enjoyed the party immensely, but she got upset and actually missed the race.  Maybe if we'd been watching it live... ;-0