Fun at the Mall by Maddy

Hey everybody! It's me, Maddy! I wanted to show you how much fun I had after Mommy's appointment today! When it takes over an hour to get to "town", riding in a car seat isn't on my list of favorite things to do, so Mommy & Daddy thought I'd like to stretch my legs at the play area in the mall. Here I am in the fire truck... (Daddy says I look super-cute in this picture...but what's up with that guy behind me?)
And here I am checking out the puzzle toys on the wall.
I also had my first taste of sweet tea today...and my second...and my third... Yummy!I'm not sure what was more fun...the tea or the straw!

38 Down!!! Two or less to go!

Me at my doctor's appointment today feeling like I can't get any bigger.... And very anxious to meet our little boy!
I am 38 weeks & 2 days pregnant today! Can you tell I am ready for our little guy to make his debut? Everyone says that each pregnancy is different...boy is that the truth! Could it just be the difference in being pregnant for the first time vs. subsequent pregnancies? Maybe. I love all the little joys of pregnancy...ultrasounds, shopping, feeling the baby move, wondering who and what the baby will look like, all of those mommy things. BUT...the last 8 weeks have been a bit of a drag. I have major pregnancy induced carpal tunnel syndrome going on---mostly feels like my hands and arms are on fire the majority of the time. Forget doing anything like writing, typing (it's killing me right now, but I am determined to blog!), stirring batter or dough, driving, even changing diapers & shaving, etc. It is extremely painful--much more so than my pregnancy with Maddy. Add to that lower back pain, leg pain & major Braxton-Hicks contractions & you pretty much get the picture! I would be glad to go through 40 more weeks of this, but am very glad that within the next 2 weeks, we'll be welcoming our little guy and the aches and pains will go away! At our 36 week appointment, Gavin was laying diagonally...At 37 weeks, thankfully he had turned and was headed in the right direction, although no other progress had been made. At my 38 week appointment today, no more progress! So, needless to say, we will be walking, walking, walking this weekend in hopes of getting Gavin & my body a little more motivated! Next appointment is Monday...praying for me to be "inducible" so we can set a birthdate for our little guy!!!!

Madelyne at 16 Months...Mommy must brag!

Our little Maddy-Moo as we like to call her is such a little joy! Jerod put it best the other night when he told her that we didn't know how boring life was before her! She is truly a fun little kid. Granted, she has her moments--she gets cabin fever and morphs into a little stinker sometimes--throwing food, hitting and dripping her sippy cup on the furniture, floor or whatever she feels like. But, for the other 95% of the time, she is a sweet little girl. She has learned to say "Thank you"(Cank-ooh) and does so at the appropriate times--it's so cute & fun to see her learning to be polite and mannerly at her age. She "says" about 30 words in "Maddy-Speak", several of which are very clear, others only Jerod and I can decipher. She's definitely Type A like her parents...knows her daily routine to a "T". When it's about 7:30pm, which is her bedtime, she starts saying "night-night", gathering her blanket & animal for the night & waving bye-bye, letting us know that she is ready for bed. She also holds up her arms and announces "All Done!" when she is through with a meal. She loves to eat & tries everything. She loves to "dip" foods into sauces & is especially fond of ketchup & salsa. Actually, she tends to love spicy foods--sausage, tamales, enchiladas, Mexican cheese dip, etc. She loves broccoli, green beans, cheese, pinto & black beans & any kind of pork! And, of course like any other kid, she devours French fries when she gets the chance! What else is she up to? Well, she asks for a tissue or TP to blow her nose--not that it's totally effective, but let's just say she has the right idea & does actually blow! (Don't ask how old Mommy was when she finally learned to blow her nose...it's embarassing...okay, 14 y/o--no kidding! As far as playing, she loves to tickle people & her Elmo. She can stack blocks 7 high and is putting puzzle pieces in the right spots. She is pretend playing in her kitchen--this blows me away. We play a lot together, so I know she is picking up on what I show her, but she continues to mimick stirring, "cooking" in pots & pans (turning the burners on!) and "pouring" ingredients into bowls, etc. complete with sound effects!!! She really wants to hop & jump, but is settling for jumping off of her chair onto the floor & landing on both feet! They do so much at this age that I could go on & on, but I just had to share her accomplishments....we are so proud! Each new milestone is like a little hug saying..."Mommy & Daddy, you are doing great!" and that is so reassuring! What a sweet blessing our little girl is.
Does this look like a little attitude pose or what?
Serious expression and starting to look more "grown up".
We were lucky enough to have a break in the cold weather a few weeks ago... Maddy was so happy to be running outside. We can't wait for spring!