Birthday Fun

On her actual birthday Maddie had a nice long visit with Zaide, took a nap, woke up from her nap to open presents from Uncle Chris and Auntie Sophia, went to swimming and got a fish (the coveted good girl prize) and then home for mac and cheese.

On Sunday we had a family party for her. Kip guilted me into making the smores cupcakes. They are pretty tasty. I sent most of the leftovers with him to work this morning. Had they stayed there would have been trouble (for me). Too good to let sit on the cake stand.

Um, I am thinking the chiropractors of the world are cringing at this picture.

Who needs candles when you have the biggest cupcake in the world? ( I think Zaide, Megan and my mom die a little inside each time I fail (which is every time) in the present wrapping/card writing/remembering to buy candles duties. What can I say...at least I write thank you notes :-)

The morning after...

Nine Months

I couldn't pick which picture I wanted.

The stats:

Allie:

26 3/4" (24%) 17lbs 13.5 oz (30%)

Maddie:

38" (50%), 31lbs (50%) BP: 70/40

The appointment:

I was running around frantically trying to get out of the house on time when I realized (shocker here) that I couldn't find my keys. I realized that they were in Kip's car. Kip's car was in Ballard. I tried calling my mom a few times, no answer. Sam my lovely 18 year old brother was kind enough to answer his phone AND drive my spares (both of them were at my mom's house...weirdo) to me. We made it to our appointment about 5 minutes late. Not too bad. While checking in the receptionist asked, "why are you here so early?" Huh? early? I'm late! (this is where I begin to inwardly groan) "You're appointment isn't until ten"

That's the start. Okay, whatever Valley has some fountains. We'll go check those out. Hour killed no problem. Kip manages to meet up with us (thank god) and we proceed to the appointment. Madeline refuses to be weighed or measured. Allie is looking at her like the freak that she is. Finally I tell Kip to lay Madeline down on the table so that we can just pin her and mark her head and heels on the paper and get it done that way. After she calms down she informs us that Allie can go first with her shots and blood test. I was inwardly groaning again when the nurse mentioned that we needed to prick M's finger to get a little vial of blood. The girl flipped out for measurements and BP but sat there and didn't say a word when we had that procedure done... Anyhow the rest of the appointment was uneventful. Madeline refused to draw a circle, count, tell the doctor if she was a boy or girl, say her name, or really do anything other than answer, "what color is this?"

My Little Moo

My little Moo,

3 years old, I can hardly believe it. It must seem like forever to you but it has gone by in a flash for your Mom and me. You are growing in to such a smart, funny and beautiful girl. I cannot wait to see what the years to come bring us, and yet don’t want another minute to go by because I love who you are right now so much.

Happy birthday big sister. It is so much fun watching you grow and learn. Every day seems to bring new excitement and happiness. I think to myself that I couldn’t love you any more, and yet you seem to find a way to find more love in my heart at every turn.

Thank you for being so amazing. Thank you for being so adventurous. And thank you for being mine.

I love you more than you can imagine,

Dad

Boom! Wham! Pow!

Brand new baby

6 months old

12 months old

18 months old

24 months old

32 months old

THIRTY SIX MONTHS OLD

Maddie,

You have been special since the moment I knew you would be you. I watched in anticipation as you grew and took up more and more room in my tummy watching in amazement as a gentle prod led to a swift kick right back at me. Your anticipation to be free of your small confines led to an April, not May as was planned, birthday.

I was thrilled to see you begin to crawl, was more than anxious when you began to walk and was speechless when you began to communicate. The date of your birth, one of the most precious days of my life, a source of joy that continues to this day to add meaning to my life. I am so happy you picked me and your dad to be your parents.

veintiuno, einundzwanzig, vingt un, XXI, twenty-one

Sonja is 21 today!

While pregnant with Madeline I came to the realization nearing my ninth month that personality wise I might have a Sonja junior. I also truly believed Maddie would make her appearance on Sonja's birthday...close, she missed it by just over an hour.

Her nickname as a toddler? The naked robber. Unfortunately Sonja still lives up to that name and has now taught Maddie how to moon people. For that Sonja there will be a price to pay. I cannot wait for you to have kids.

Happy Birthday. Have fun tonight!

The many faces of Allie

Oh wait...I guess I should have posted the ONE face of Allie.

4.20.07

Cisca (that's the female version of Cisco) and her little helpers

Our first year of a REAL veggie garden. We have: horseradish, garlic, onions, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, romaine, basil, cilantro, oregano, blueberries, artichoke, pumpkin, tomato, bay leaf and rhubarb. Stay tuned to see what Madeline harvests before it's ready!

Tested

remember all that new ski gear maddie got? yup, thanks to uncle chris and auntie sophia maddie got to test it out. she hasn't stopped talking about it since saturday. thanks you guys!!

Shoot missed this one

I love capturing genuine Madeline smiles...Her eyes are so twinkly.

Our Day

6:30- Both girls up and ready for breakfast

7:45- Allie naps until 8:45

9:30- Kid's Club for the girls, spinning for me.

11:00-Nonna's

12:00-I go and fly...rainy and gross out

2:00-Back home. Madeline convinces me that she took a nap at Nonna's. Lunch. Allie goes down for a nap.

3:00- Head outside and play!! Rudder plays with the ball launcher. I take pictures. Maddie picks up the little dirt balls from the aerator. Kip watches from a distance until I finally notice and he scares me...Allie is the ONLY person who noticed his arrival.

5:00-Uncle Chris and Auntie Sophia take Madeline to Costco.

6:30-Allie goes to sleep for the night.

6:35-I ponder cleaning or doing nothing with a silent house.

7:00-Maddie home. Carried up from the car in her car seat SOUND asleep.

7:05- I question why I believed that she took a nap at Nonna's. :-)

Okay I take it back

She's still sweet.

Lis: Rudder, stop PULLING!

Maddie: Mama, you're supposed to say
Rudder HEEL!

Lis: Hey Kip come here!

Maddie: Mama, don't yell just talk.

Maddie: Soooo, what's the plan mama?

Maddie: Zaide hid candy in blocks and I am not supposed to tell you.

An open letter to my almost three year old

Madeline,

My first born. The one that I am supposed to ruin because of my ineptitude. Have I done it? I was really embarrassed the other day at the store. When asked about your day later that evening you knew what you had done was wrong... Am I not firm enough? Not consistent enough?

Yesterday we went to see baby Calvin and Hannah. You were so helpful loading your baby sister into the stroller and getting Rudder a kong toy so he would eat that instead of household furnishings while we were gone. Was it that horrible of a thought to have to go home, with me, that you had to let the entire neighborhood know of your displeasure? Just so you know you were wanted in this picture but you refused.

Sigh. I really hope that we are not getting a dose of the terrible threes. Neither of us will survive if your behavior continues along this path.

Love you.

4.13.2010

Opening Day

I think before meeting Kip I had been to one or two baseball games in my life. Since Kip, (thanks to Baba) I've only sat in nice seats. A couple of months ago some people from Boeing decided to buy tickets to opening day. I told Kip I was happy to go but it was his job to figure out child care. He didn't. All four of us packed it up, parked about 13.1 miles away (it was a good training run for the rock and roll in a couple of months) and hiked up the equivalent of the Columbia Tower in stadium steps. Once there I sat in front of some guy who I could now probably answer any question about his life thanks to his incessant talking and next to another who somehow kept inching closer and closer to me throughout the game despite the one seat gap between us. maybe he was concerned about why I was gagging, not realizing it was his B.O that I was being overcome by. I could have probably shortened this whole description with a simple statement. I've been spoiled. I do not want to sit in the 300 level. Ever.

With all that said, despite our cramped conditions the girls were both amazing. Allie didn't make a single peep other than giggles when Kip would dance with her and Madeline stayed in her seat and even clapped along with everyone else. So despite the loss the game was a success.

During the game Maddie needed to use the restroom and she wanted Kip to take her. When they were in the stall he put Maddie on the toilet paper holder so he could pull off her pants. She commented that it was "danger city" and they might get in trouble. Kip said it was okay and that no one was going to yell at them but Maddie insisted that the Moose was not going to be happy with them.

Tubby

Oh what Madeline wouldn't do to take a bath...

The Easter bunny brought her a Thomas the Train bath boat so now she's desperate to get dirty.

4.8.10

My Talented Sister

It really doesn't take a whole lot to impress me...

Per Kip's request

What do you think? Who do she look like?