Now Accepting Applications

So, last week, shortly after the appearance of Maddie's first tooth - #2 arrived two days later. So she now has both bottom front teeth in place - and her little gums feel like they are peppered with more teeth getting ready to cut through her gums anyday now. It has to be painful because Maddie's been a little fussy lately and hasn't been sleeping through the night quite a peacefully as normal.

Apparently, our daughter would like to rush through the baby stage - straight through to toddlerhood. This past week she has started the early stages of creeping, which is the pre-cursor to crawling. She's got the army crawl thing going. BUT - don't be misled, it's still the early stages. She's creeping slowly - but it's definitely intentional not accidental. YouTube video to follow in the near future.

This past week we've been fortunate to have Nancy and Cary here with us, otherwise known as Noni and Pop. It has been wonderful. Not only are they watching Maddie, they wash clothes, do the grocery shopping, prepare lunch and dinner. Maddie is not the only person being spoiled. And I should note that before they arrived, my sister Maggie has been with us for most of the summer and she has been a major help as well. My house would be a wreck if it weren't for her cleaning efforts.

It's a lot to balance - being parents. Especially when one parent travels a lot. Poor Annie is getting a lot less attention these days. And it's about to get worse. Maddie starts daycare August 17th. Which means I'll be formally divorcing all of my household cleaning products and anything formally known as my plants outside. I'm going to have to get up at 5:00 in the morning to get Maddie to school and myself to work on time. And we won't get home in the evenings until 6:00. I love to cook but Lean Cuisine and other well known frozen products let me introduce myself. We're about to become best friends. It's going to be rough balancing everything and I'm a little bit worried about coming out of it without some liquid addiction or some crazy personality ticks. So, if you know someone who would like to be my personal assistent - send them my way. The pay is bad, no benefits, little vacation time and lots of housework to do - but room and board is included (I'm afraid if we let you leave the house, you may never come back). We're accepting applications effective immediately.

Wasting No Time

It finally happened. I woke up yesterday morning and like most weekend mornings, laid in bed with Maddie, talking and cuddling with her, when I decided to check her gums. We've been expecting teeth for quite some time now, as Maddie has been exhibiting all of the typical signs of teething - excessive drooling, low grade tempature, excessive drooling, diarrhea, excessive drooling, crankiness, chewing on any and everything she can get near her mouth, and did I mention excessive drooling?? She drools so much that on many days the front of her outfit is just dripping wet. Low and behold, I felt a sharp little tooth yesterday morning. It's her bottom front tooth on her right side. Really, it feels like there might be several more teeth coming in very soon. Which makes me feel really bad for her - I can't imagine getting all of those teeth at once - but maybe it's better to get it all over with at once? I'm not sure. I just can't believe that she already has a tooth. We are trying to hold off starting solids until she is 6 months old, which is only 6 weeks away. I recently read that the odds of developing allergies and childhood obesity go way down if you wait until 6 months to start solids. Who really knows if this is true or will help. It seems like the advice you read and receive for little ones is constantly changing. However, Maddie seems content right now with her current diet, so we'll just wait a little longer - can't hurt. When the time comes though - she's going to be more than ready to gobble down some real food. She's already eyeing Mommy and Daddy's plates. And drooling when she smells our food. You can just tell that she is eager to try the real stuff. At this point, in 6 weeks time, she might have enough teeth to tackle anything you put on her plate.

Videos Now Working

If you had problems viewing the videos in the last two posts you'll be happy to know that they have been fixed and are now working. The were taken exactly one week apart and it's amazing how much better she has gotten at new found skill. Enjoy!

Practice Makes Perfect

Looks like someone has been practicing her moves - check her out:

Milestones in the Making

The good news is that my laptop is finally working! So now I can bring you the footage of Maddie rolling over!! I apologize in advance for the overzealous coaching by Mommy. Enjoy!

4 Months & Counting

Maddie is now 4 months old - where does the time go? In some ways I can't believe that it's already been 4 months, and in other ways, it seems like Maddie has been with us for much longer because I can't remember a time without her.

Maddie's personality is really blossoming. She is such a happy baby. She loves to smile and her smile is so contagious and full of sweetness. She likes to sit straight up now so that she has a full view of all that's around her. She loves her bath time which she spends kicking the water and splashing Mommy. You wouldn't believe how much that little girl loves to kick and splash. She loves the pool, and spending time outside. When we walk outside now, she no longer wants to sit in the infant seat in her stroller, she wants you to carry her sitting straight up so that she's part of the group and can see everything. We think that she is teething so EVERYTHING goes straight into her mouth - even Mommy and Daddy's fingers.

I'm guessing that she weighs close to 15 pounds as we have already graduated out of the Costco size 1-2 diapers into the 3's. I bet by her next Dr.'s appointment she is about 16 lbs. Needless to say, her appetite is still in full swing.

The biggest and newest bit of news is that Maddie has started rolling over on her own! Monday night when I got home, Maggie told me that she had been rolling over when she put her on her mat. So I got out the video camera and put her down on her mat. Sure enough Maddie went from laying on her back to laying on her stomach! And Maggie says that she is also rolling from her stomach onto her back, but Mommy has yet to witness this milestone just yet. Just as soon as I get my laptop back and can figure out how to upload a video to You Tube, I'll debut the video of Miss Maddie rolling over. The cutest part is once she is on her stomach she starts scooting backwards!! I'm telling you this child is advanced! : ) I can't believe how big she's getting! It's amazing!

Maddie's Christening

Spread the word - Maddie's Christening is going to be Sunday, August 23 at 11:00 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in High Point. If you are traveling from out of town you can reserve rooms at the Crestwood Suites. The online link is:

https://www.crestwoodsuites.com/reservations.php?p=high_point

This hotel is very close to our house and the rooms start at $54.99.

Invitations will follow, but we wanted to spread the word because High Point University starts their semester that weekend, so hotels are booking quickly. If you need a room please book it now!