I forgot to mention another great thing about our trip to Nebraska.
I'm sure you know how it is to have a favorite restaurant (or several, in my case) that you have to move away from and how deeply saddened you are by that. So, I made a list of the restaurants we had to eat at while in Lincoln.
Old Chicago - where I waited tables in college - YUM!
Famous Dave's - the BEST cajun chicken sandwich you will ever eat!!! Why they don't have a Famous Dave's in Houston, I'll never know.
Valentino's Pizza - super YUM! You have never had pizza like Valentino's, I promise.
I am happy to announce that we were successful at visiting each place ...and probably at gaining a few pounds too.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
We're back!
And I have lots to talk about... I wasn't sure where to start even, but here's a few posts to catch things up. More to come...
Madison goes to Nebraska
Two weekends ago, Madison, Dylan, Sherry and I flew to Nebraska to see Grandpa and Grandma Hogue, Aunt Karen, Uncle Kurt, Ethan and Logan, and Mindy. Ron had flown in a couple of days before us, so was already there. It had been over 2 years since we saw some of them and longer for others and was the first time they all got to meet Madison, so we were really excited! She had a ball with everyone. She was thoroughly entertained the entire time, as were the rest of us - she was often playing in the middle of the floor while everyone sat around her and just watched to see what she would do next. :)
The guys did a lot of hunting, so Sherry, Madison and I got to do a lot of relaxing! It was a very laid back trip, which I really needed.
I absolutely loved having several days in a row home with Madison without a ton of things to do. I got to just sit around and play with her and not feel like the house needed to be cleaned or errands needed to be run, etc. A wonderful but almost sad thing to think about is that I almost felt like I got to know Madison even more than I did before the trip. I hate to think that is even possible, but it seemed like she just did so many things over the weekend that I had not seen her do before. I want to say that it is probably because she is doing something new every single day and in fact, that what I was seeing for the first time really was new...I hope that is the case.
Anyway, I went through Madi withdrawals when I had to go back to work after our trip. It took me a bit to get back into the swing of things. I was definitely getting used to that time with her.
We can't thank Grandpa and Grandma enough for having us. It was so great to spend that time with you all.
The guys did a lot of hunting, so Sherry, Madison and I got to do a lot of relaxing! It was a very laid back trip, which I really needed.
I absolutely loved having several days in a row home with Madison without a ton of things to do. I got to just sit around and play with her and not feel like the house needed to be cleaned or errands needed to be run, etc. A wonderful but almost sad thing to think about is that I almost felt like I got to know Madison even more than I did before the trip. I hate to think that is even possible, but it seemed like she just did so many things over the weekend that I had not seen her do before. I want to say that it is probably because she is doing something new every single day and in fact, that what I was seeing for the first time really was new...I hope that is the case.
Anyway, I went through Madi withdrawals when I had to go back to work after our trip. It took me a bit to get back into the swing of things. I was definitely getting used to that time with her.
We can't thank Grandpa and Grandma enough for having us. It was so great to spend that time with you all.
First real swim
Madison and I went swimming with Melissa and her kiddos the last weekend Dylan was out of town. (That last part was a bummer). She really enjoyed being in the water and I was SO happy to get some sun. Overall, it was a success though I may have gotten a little carried away with the sunscreen. I put sunscreen on Madison 30 minutes before we left and then at least 4 times while we were out there (about an hour total time, I think). I'm pretty sure Melissa was ready to call the looney bin on me when I put a big glob of sunscreen in my hands and rubbed it in Madison's hair, trying to get it on her scalp. She wouldn't wear her hat though and I didn't want her scalp to burn!!! Her hair was a little greasy the next day even after washing it good. oops. ;o)
She fell asleep on the way to the pool and she really needed a nap, so we attempted to create an umbrella with a float.
Just woke up and not sure what she thinks about all the roucus in the pool.
She fell asleep on the way to the pool and she really needed a nap, so we attempted to create an umbrella with a float.
Just woke up and not sure what she thinks about all the roucus in the pool.
Right before Madison pulled off her hat (again) and I decided to fix the problem with sunscreen.
Swimming with mommy.
Fish lips
A fun face Madison likes to make these days...
Oh, and check out the hair (a little foreshadowing...).
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Single parents
A couple of weeks ago, Dylan was out of town for 3 or 4 days. He then was gone all last weekend for Stewart's bachelor party and turned right around Monday morning and flew to AL for work. He got home late last night, thank goodness!!! I got a taste of what it would be like to be a single mom and I can say with 100% certainty, I would NEVER want to be there....for so many reasons. Madison is such a good baby so I don't even know what it would be like if we had a little terror! Not only is it quite lonely, there is just stuff that has to be done to live and there isn't much time to do that if you don't have any help. We already knew what we have in Dylan but got confirmation again!
I have to mention my friend, Melissa, who is not a single parent, but whose husband works out of town close to 3 weeks out of the month, each month (his schedule differs, but you get the picture). They have 6 kids combined (5 that live with them) - the youngest is not quite 2. Having been home alone quite a bit the past couple of weeks, I am questioning how in the world she does what she does. Melissa, you deserve a cookie (or maybe a dozen). :)
I have to mention my friend, Melissa, who is not a single parent, but whose husband works out of town close to 3 weeks out of the month, each month (his schedule differs, but you get the picture). They have 6 kids combined (5 that live with them) - the youngest is not quite 2. Having been home alone quite a bit the past couple of weeks, I am questioning how in the world she does what she does. Melissa, you deserve a cookie (or maybe a dozen). :)
Whoa horsey....
...slow down!
I can't keep up with Madison anymore...she is doing so many new things all the time and before I can post something here about one thing, she's impressing us with something else!
First, I don't think it will be long before Madison is walking. She is all over the place these days and has been practicing at school with a little walker thingy that she can hold on to and push. She's really doing great! Only thing is, her little left foot that turns in a bit kind of gets in the way and almost rolls over as she walks. I am sure it will be fine once her little leg gets stronger and she has more control over it though.
Though she doesn't have any teeth YET, she is doing great and absolutely LOVING finger foods - cheerios, fruit and veggie puffs and chicken sticks (I felt a little bad about giving her one of these at first...not something I was willing to try, but she LOVES them)!!!
Funny story about the cheerios and puffs. Roxanne and Yara came over to play and watch a movie with us Saturday night when Dylan was out of town. Roxanne brought a baggy of cheerios for Yara and the girls spotted them. Before long, we had cheerios and puffs all over the kitchen floor and the girls were grabbing handfuls and shoving them in their mouths. I'm serious! HANDFULS! It was like they were trying to eat them all before the other one could get them!! This idea was confirmed when Yara started moving her hand back and forth across the floor quickly pushing the snacks out of Madison's way. It was hysterical! Madison didn't mind - she just crawled over and around Yara.
Sidenote: The girls will soon be reunited at school. Madison will be moving to Yara's classroom in about a month. We have been visiting Yara before we leave school in the afternoon and Madison gets so excited!! Yesterday, Yara's teacher brought her to the door and they were waving (well, Madison was trying to fly) and grabbing at eachother through the glass. Madison even leaned over to the glass and put her mouth on it, as if she was giving Yara a kiss. :)
Ok, back on track. We can definitely tell that Madison is forming associations and remembers things she likes and dislikes. She loves baths and the minute you start to pull open the shower curtain, she starts bouncing and smiling.
She is also becoming a bit pickier with eating (though she is still SUCH a good eater). There are a couple of things she used to take just fine, but has recently started closing her lips tightly and blowing out of her mouth to try and keep us from putting it in there. You also may get food spit on you if she decides she doesn't want anymore!
Finally, she understands when we are telling her, "No". She sits back and looks at us and though she will sometimes try it again...and again, many times she just goes on to something else.
What a smart girl! :)
I can't keep up with Madison anymore...she is doing so many new things all the time and before I can post something here about one thing, she's impressing us with something else!
First, I don't think it will be long before Madison is walking. She is all over the place these days and has been practicing at school with a little walker thingy that she can hold on to and push. She's really doing great! Only thing is, her little left foot that turns in a bit kind of gets in the way and almost rolls over as she walks. I am sure it will be fine once her little leg gets stronger and she has more control over it though.
Though she doesn't have any teeth YET, she is doing great and absolutely LOVING finger foods - cheerios, fruit and veggie puffs and chicken sticks (I felt a little bad about giving her one of these at first...not something I was willing to try, but she LOVES them)!!!
Funny story about the cheerios and puffs. Roxanne and Yara came over to play and watch a movie with us Saturday night when Dylan was out of town. Roxanne brought a baggy of cheerios for Yara and the girls spotted them. Before long, we had cheerios and puffs all over the kitchen floor and the girls were grabbing handfuls and shoving them in their mouths. I'm serious! HANDFULS! It was like they were trying to eat them all before the other one could get them!! This idea was confirmed when Yara started moving her hand back and forth across the floor quickly pushing the snacks out of Madison's way. It was hysterical! Madison didn't mind - she just crawled over and around Yara.
Sidenote: The girls will soon be reunited at school. Madison will be moving to Yara's classroom in about a month. We have been visiting Yara before we leave school in the afternoon and Madison gets so excited!! Yesterday, Yara's teacher brought her to the door and they were waving (well, Madison was trying to fly) and grabbing at eachother through the glass. Madison even leaned over to the glass and put her mouth on it, as if she was giving Yara a kiss. :)
Ok, back on track. We can definitely tell that Madison is forming associations and remembers things she likes and dislikes. She loves baths and the minute you start to pull open the shower curtain, she starts bouncing and smiling.
She is also becoming a bit pickier with eating (though she is still SUCH a good eater). There are a couple of things she used to take just fine, but has recently started closing her lips tightly and blowing out of her mouth to try and keep us from putting it in there. You also may get food spit on you if she decides she doesn't want anymore!
Finally, she understands when we are telling her, "No". She sits back and looks at us and though she will sometimes try it again...and again, many times she just goes on to something else.
What a smart girl! :)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Madison is on strike
"Bye-bye strike" - a made up term similar to "relationship vacation" - that should sound familiar to all you Hills fans (boy, I'm really sharing all my secrets today!).
Anyway, since those first few times, when trying to get her to wave, she just stares at us as if she is just watching to see how long we will desperately try to get her to imitate us. She will lift her arm and sometimes move her whole arm up and down, but it is almost as though she forgot how to open and close her hand!
Anyway, since those first few times, when trying to get her to wave, she just stares at us as if she is just watching to see how long we will desperately try to get her to imitate us. She will lift her arm and sometimes move her whole arm up and down, but it is almost as though she forgot how to open and close her hand!
Confession
I have a confession to make... I really enjoy banana baby food. I always did and apparently I still do. ...well, someone has to eat the leftovers, huh? ;)
JUST KIDDING about that last part, but I do sometimes taste the food I am going to be feeding Madison. Wouldn't you want to know what you are feeding your baby? Don't worry, I know all about the importance of not exposing Madison to the germs in big people's mouths. :)
JUST KIDDING about that last part, but I do sometimes taste the food I am going to be feeding Madison. Wouldn't you want to know what you are feeding your baby? Don't worry, I know all about the importance of not exposing Madison to the germs in big people's mouths. :)
Thursday, April 17, 2008
A couple of fun stories
Earlier in the week, when I dropped Madison off at daycare, Ms. Rosie was there and Madison hadn't seen her in a couple of days. Let me just say, Madison has NEVER been so happy to leave my arms. We walked in and Madison started bouncing and then as we got close to Ms. Rosie, she almost flew out my arms and into Ms. Rosie's. It really is a great feeling to know she loves Ms. Rosie so much and that she is happy there, but I have to admit, I was blindsided by her sudden expression of independence - so it was kind of bitter sweet.... :)
And last night when I was getting Madison in her pjs, she started fussing, as she usually does during this time. She does not want to lay down to get her diaper changed or dressed. I usually sing to her or something to try and distract her, but she normally keeps fussing and tries to roll over and squirm away. This time though, she stopped whining and looked at me and started dancing (she bounces to music when sitting, but managed to make the same movements while lying down) and then started singing along with me! Her singing = the sweetest melody of soft aahs, baaahs and humms. So precious.
And last night when I was getting Madison in her pjs, she started fussing, as she usually does during this time. She does not want to lay down to get her diaper changed or dressed. I usually sing to her or something to try and distract her, but she normally keeps fussing and tries to roll over and squirm away. This time though, she stopped whining and looked at me and started dancing (she bounces to music when sitting, but managed to make the same movements while lying down) and then started singing along with me! Her singing = the sweetest melody of soft aahs, baaahs and humms. So precious.
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