Maddie, coming down from upstairs, after her bath:
"Hey Mama!!! Hey Mama!!! I got my WAAAANNNNND on!"
Me: "You have your WHAT on???"
Maddie: "I got my wand on!"
That's Maddie code for "I have my wand" (i.e. her princess wand), which she waves in the air and then beats on the wall.
Hope that you get your "wand on" too!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Mommy's Big Helper
Now will you come play with me Mommy?
(This posting is for Aunt Lissa who is missing her Maddie - hope these updated pictures help!)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
It Runs in Her Veins
I'm a Kenny Chesney fan. In fact, Kenny may have helped Mike win me over. When we were first dating Mike found out about a "surprise" concert that Kenny was playing in Winston and took me to see him. It was in a really small venue - so it was like a private concert. Actually it was more like hanging out with Kenny and some friends, listening to him play the guitar and sing while enjoying a few beers. It snowed and sleeted that night. We went anyway. We only had one ticket to get in. We went anyway. Mike snuck in the back door. Mike was not a country music fan prior to this experience but he was a Kenny Chesney fan by the time the night was over. And my crush on Mike may have grown by a smidgen or so. I still remember Mike putting his arms around me during one of the few slow songs he played that night, if I close my eyes I go back.....ok, that was a really cheesy reference to a really good Chesney song. I. Just. Couldn't. Help. Myself.
Last night Maddie wanted to watch "dragon" and if you remember, I told her that she could after she cleaned up. To which, she replied that she was too tired to clean. We did clean up. I had to compromise and help her but we got the mess cleaned up and Maddie was able to watch dragon while I cooked dinner. Right as I was finishing cooking I heard the sound on Maddie's movie abruptly change to the stereo. I went into the living room to check on her only to find her slow dancing with her baby doll to Kenny Chesney's "The Boys of Fall." So I did what any Mom in my position would do. I put down my spoon and stopped cooking to slow dance in the middle of the room with her. And by with her - I mean beside her. I didn't want to interrupt her moment with baby or with Kenny.
Last night Maddie wanted to watch "dragon" and if you remember, I told her that she could after she cleaned up. To which, she replied that she was too tired to clean. We did clean up. I had to compromise and help her but we got the mess cleaned up and Maddie was able to watch dragon while I cooked dinner. Right as I was finishing cooking I heard the sound on Maddie's movie abruptly change to the stereo. I went into the living room to check on her only to find her slow dancing with her baby doll to Kenny Chesney's "The Boys of Fall." So I did what any Mom in my position would do. I put down my spoon and stopped cooking to slow dance in the middle of the room with her. And by with her - I mean beside her. I didn't want to interrupt her moment with baby or with Kenny.
Friday, February 25, 2011
True Story
Maddie has been working on cleaning up after herself a lot lately. That would be a combination of two factors. One being it's a skill that we work on at home and at daycare, Second - this girl makes a lot of messes in a short amount of time. Turn your back on her for 2 seconds - find the basket of neatly folded clean clothes completely turned over because the pair of shoes she wanted to wear were at the bottom of the basket.
This afternoon she had to clean up before we left her class. Then we came home from work and school to the mess that she made last night before going to bed. Usually we clean up before going to bed - but we cleaned up at least half a dozen times before bed last night. Only to have Maddie pull everything out again. When we got home she asked if she could watch "dragon" (How to Train a Dragon) and I told her that she could after she cleaned up. She crawled up on the sofa and turned to me and said "No Mommy, no clean up. I'm tired. See - here's my blanket." She covered herself up in her blanket and looked blankly at me.
This afternoon she had to clean up before we left her class. Then we came home from work and school to the mess that she made last night before going to bed. Usually we clean up before going to bed - but we cleaned up at least half a dozen times before bed last night. Only to have Maddie pull everything out again. When we got home she asked if she could watch "dragon" (How to Train a Dragon) and I told her that she could after she cleaned up. She crawled up on the sofa and turned to me and said "No Mommy, no clean up. I'm tired. See - here's my blanket." She covered herself up in her blanket and looked blankly at me.
Monday, February 14, 2011
No Substitute
This is what Valentine's Day without Daddy looks like:
As the evidence illustrates, our evening did include chocolate in an attempt to lift spirits around here. The effects were short lived however. Chocolate is just no substitute for the best Daddy in the whole world.
(True story - this photo happened after taking some candid shots of Maddie. As I was putting my camera away Maddie said "Take my picture" and I said "o.k." This apparently is her new "pose for photo/zoolander" look.)
Happy Valentine's Day!
Love,
Grumpy and Grumpier
As the evidence illustrates, our evening did include chocolate in an attempt to lift spirits around here. The effects were short lived however. Chocolate is just no substitute for the best Daddy in the whole world.
(True story - this photo happened after taking some candid shots of Maddie. As I was putting my camera away Maddie said "Take my picture" and I said "o.k." This apparently is her new "pose for photo/zoolander" look.)
Happy Valentine's Day!
Love,
Grumpy and Grumpier
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Shhhhhh!!
We still let Maddie sleep in our bed from time to time. It's something that we enjoy - having her next to us, snuggling early in the morning. Sunday night we let her sleep in our bed. We had finished reading 3 books, she was finished with her milk, we had just turned off the lamp and started our bedtime prayer.
Maddie is usually involved in the prayers - she likes to make sure that we remember everyone and she likes to tell us where they "are" ("Meme at home" - "Scott at home" - "Gahm asleep"). Sunday night she was less than interested in participating and was a bit restless. We kept trying to get her to lay still and say her prayers - but to no avail. She finally looked at us, put her finger over her lips and said "shhhhhh!" - she then rolled over onto her tummy and went right to sleep.
Mike and I are learning to accept defeat with more grace with each passing day.
Maddie is usually involved in the prayers - she likes to make sure that we remember everyone and she likes to tell us where they "are" ("Meme at home" - "Scott at home" - "Gahm asleep"). Sunday night she was less than interested in participating and was a bit restless. We kept trying to get her to lay still and say her prayers - but to no avail. She finally looked at us, put her finger over her lips and said "shhhhhh!" - she then rolled over onto her tummy and went right to sleep.
Mike and I are learning to accept defeat with more grace with each passing day.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
So Blessed
Last weekend Maddie you brought Mommy to tears. Not in a temper tantrum, pull my hair out sort of way - but in a super sweet - can't believe I get to be your Mommy sort of way.
Last weekend, you saw one of Mommy's friends hurting. Only it wasn't a "boo-boo" kind of hurt. Her heart is aching and there isn't much that we know to do to make it better kind of hurt. We stood there with Daddy and a few others and listened as she talked. When you saw her tears begin to fall you reached out from my arms to her and wrapped your arms around her neck.
Before you joined our family Daddy and I spent a lot of time talking about what we hoped to impart upon you. What I didn't realize is how much you would teach us.
Last weekend, you saw one of Mommy's friends hurting. Only it wasn't a "boo-boo" kind of hurt. Her heart is aching and there isn't much that we know to do to make it better kind of hurt. We stood there with Daddy and a few others and listened as she talked. When you saw her tears begin to fall you reached out from my arms to her and wrapped your arms around her neck.
Before you joined our family Daddy and I spent a lot of time talking about what we hoped to impart upon you. What I didn't realize is how much you would teach us.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Confessions From a Younger Version of Me, Your Mom
It's back to blogging for me in 2011. I hate that I've let so much time and moments and little tidbits pass by without writing them down. Maddie you are changing almost minute to minute and I don't want to forget any one thing about this journey. So I'm back in the saddle. Hopefully I won't fall down on the job again.
Let me first start by stating that I didn't intend for this to happen. Really I didn't. I really hate being dishonest. I just really don't like Barbie. At 22 months you love all things doll related and I have been petrified for some time now that dolls would translate into Barbie sooner rather than later. So I've done pretty much everything possible to keep her out of your world Maddie. Vigilant about it. Why? I don't like that she is small and comes with a billion tiny pieces. Her clothes and shoes are awkward and I know with those tiny fingers of yours that you are going to have issues getting them on and off of her which means an increase in temper tantrums. Plus, all of those accessories make me have cold sweats and nightmares. You on the other hand triple puffy heart some accessories. There are also more serious concerns like her unrealistic body shape - there is a reason she's plastic. And her choice in outfits, seriously no one wears heels everyday of their life (no one I know anyway).
So the first time you said her name it sent chills down my spine and wrapped me in fear. I had to ask you several times to repeat what you were saying to confirm it and though I wanted to deny it, run away from it, it was true. You were asking for B-A-R-B-I-E. But how could this be?? I have been so vigilent, so careful. And then it hit me. Toy Story 3. She has a key role. Stupid dream house. Stupid Ken and your closet of never ending outfits!!
It's not his fault you know. Daddy knows that I don't like Barbie. He knows how hard I've worked to keep her at bay. I think he felt obligated to support me, to find a way to help me with my cause. It was really out of love Maddie that he said it.
As soon as we realized what you were saying, Daddy looked at me and said "Did you know that Barbie hit Buzz Light Year?" It was wrong on so many levels but it was also sheer brilliance on his part. Buzz Light Year is your current BFF. As is Jessie and Woody and Bullseye. We have all 3 movies and you make us watch them more than I even care to admit. You have the book and the figurines and you carry them all around the house. You talk about them when they are not with us. You even sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and ask for them. If you could write I'm quite certain that you would inscribe BFF.4.EVA on each of their tiny bodies.
When Daddy mentioned that Barbie hit Buzz it was an impactful statement. One you did not take lightly. One you have not forgotten. It was a defining moment in your relationship with her. You see it seems that although you may look just like your Daddy and you may have inherited his stubbornness and love of cheese, you also received my ability to hold a grudge. And that's just what you have done every single day since. At least once or twice a day you remind us of Barbie's evil doings and how upset you are with her. It's clear at this point that you are officially not a fan of Barbie. And while this makes me happy on so many levels, I also feel a twinge of guilt because I know that this farce will only last for so long. At some point you will realize that it just isn't true. It didn't really happen Maddie. Barbie is innocent. Framed by your own corrupt parents. I just hope that you will be able to forgive us.
.
Let me first start by stating that I didn't intend for this to happen. Really I didn't. I really hate being dishonest. I just really don't like Barbie. At 22 months you love all things doll related and I have been petrified for some time now that dolls would translate into Barbie sooner rather than later. So I've done pretty much everything possible to keep her out of your world Maddie. Vigilant about it. Why? I don't like that she is small and comes with a billion tiny pieces. Her clothes and shoes are awkward and I know with those tiny fingers of yours that you are going to have issues getting them on and off of her which means an increase in temper tantrums. Plus, all of those accessories make me have cold sweats and nightmares. You on the other hand triple puffy heart some accessories. There are also more serious concerns like her unrealistic body shape - there is a reason she's plastic. And her choice in outfits, seriously no one wears heels everyday of their life (no one I know anyway).
So the first time you said her name it sent chills down my spine and wrapped me in fear. I had to ask you several times to repeat what you were saying to confirm it and though I wanted to deny it, run away from it, it was true. You were asking for B-A-R-B-I-E. But how could this be?? I have been so vigilent, so careful. And then it hit me. Toy Story 3. She has a key role. Stupid dream house. Stupid Ken and your closet of never ending outfits!!
It's not his fault you know. Daddy knows that I don't like Barbie. He knows how hard I've worked to keep her at bay. I think he felt obligated to support me, to find a way to help me with my cause. It was really out of love Maddie that he said it.
As soon as we realized what you were saying, Daddy looked at me and said "Did you know that Barbie hit Buzz Light Year?" It was wrong on so many levels but it was also sheer brilliance on his part. Buzz Light Year is your current BFF. As is Jessie and Woody and Bullseye. We have all 3 movies and you make us watch them more than I even care to admit. You have the book and the figurines and you carry them all around the house. You talk about them when they are not with us. You even sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and ask for them. If you could write I'm quite certain that you would inscribe BFF.4.EVA on each of their tiny bodies.
When Daddy mentioned that Barbie hit Buzz it was an impactful statement. One you did not take lightly. One you have not forgotten. It was a defining moment in your relationship with her. You see it seems that although you may look just like your Daddy and you may have inherited his stubbornness and love of cheese, you also received my ability to hold a grudge. And that's just what you have done every single day since. At least once or twice a day you remind us of Barbie's evil doings and how upset you are with her. It's clear at this point that you are officially not a fan of Barbie. And while this makes me happy on so many levels, I also feel a twinge of guilt because I know that this farce will only last for so long. At some point you will realize that it just isn't true. It didn't really happen Maddie. Barbie is innocent. Framed by your own corrupt parents. I just hope that you will be able to forgive us.
.
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