Hello.

Well hello there. I've been a little absent from the blog the last week or so. It's tough when you try to balance so many things.  It's inevitable that something will eventually topple over. I've been trying to balance the everyday stuff, work, family time and the last two weekends I've thrown some friends time in there. Thus, the blog posting toppled over. But I'm back now and ready to share a few pictures.

Sometime over the last several months our toddler sprouted some legs. Look at her working it in her mini ruffle skirt and dress up shoes.





Yeah, don't like this so much. She looks way to big and grown up. I prefer our long legged toddler curled up in the bathtub finger painting.






So, I joined my friends for a couple of concerts.



Last Saturday we went to see Brad Paisley and on Friday we went to see Kenny Chesney.



I must admit that I am not a country music fan. I don't have a single country music station programmed on the buttons in my car but this Mama likes to have a good time.



I love my friends and if country music is what they love then I can cowboy up and become a fan too.





One more quick story and picture...Ryan and I were in the kitchen making dinner the other evening while Madison was in the living room playing. Ryan peeked out of the kitchen to check on her. He motioned for me to come look at her and this is what I saw.....



She climbed in her baby doll's playpen with her milk, baby and baby blanket and was just sitting there watching Dora. Man I love this kid!

Bye for now!

Summer Nights and Days

My fun tank was filled to the brim this weekend. I enjoyed a nice balance of doing and relaxing. Which is always the key to a perfect weekend. I felt like we accomplished something because we didn't lay around like sloths for the entire weekend yet I'm not wore out because we ran around all weekend.

Saturday Ryan, Madison and I walked...Ryan and I walked, Madison rode in her stroller...over to the festival at the local Catholic church. We joined my sister, bother-in-law, niece, nephew and their friends. My nephew was celebrating the big 1-0. Happy birthday Buddy! A celebration can't get any better then some wind rushing across your face, a tickle in your tummy and some strawberry lemonade to wash down the fun.





We played games and the kids won prizes. Also known as junk that will be thrown away in couple of days, after they have forgotten all about it. But that is part of the fun, right?



They even had some games for the wee ones. Madison made her daddy proud because the first game she picked was......the golfing game.



After a couple of games Madison caught on to the gig. No matter if you win or lose you get a prize so Madison gave them her ticket and went right for the prize basket. I guess she thought there wasn't a need to waste everyone's time on the silly game. Let's just cut to the chase right?



My sister determined that it was her personal mission to win Maddie O. some fish. Two dollars later, mission complete.



She won three. Way to go Christy!  Two of the three are still kicking, one of them didn't make it through the night.  Not bad odds if you ask me.



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Someone got a backpack and it is super cute. Wouldn't you agree?



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Sunday was spent at my mother-in-law's house basking in the rays and enjoying the perfect weather next to the pool. Madison was playing and drinking her tea around the sides of the pool. When I asked her if she wanted to get in the water she simply replied No.



Finally I decided that I was just going to take her in with me. So, I scooped her and baby up and in we went. After a few minutes she was in love, blowing bubbles, kicking her feet, splashing her mommy and no fear whatsoever.



She would throw baby in the pool then her and I would go get baby. Once we retrieved her, we'd go back to the steps and and repeat. Baby sure does take a beating, she's still drying out this evening. Luckily we have a backup.

I've been trying to work on counting with Madison. She can count to two but I have to say one. Hey, I said we are working on it. So, anyway, we would count to three and then I would throw her up in the air. She would laugh and immediately say more.







While her and I were swimming I looked at her and I said "Madison, you are Mommy's little fishy."

She replied "Bishy. Die."

So, she had some fish in her tank die and I told that they died. Now every time I say fishy she says die. Whoops! Maybe it was a little too early to bring up death. Rookie mom mistake....add it to the list.

'Night.

Whew! It's hot!

This weekend has been a scorcher. We've had temperatures in the high eighties maybe even close to ninety. Heck, I don't know really, I haven't watched the news once to see what the actual temperatures have been I'm just going off of what skin is telling me. It's been hot and that is one thing that I do know. The heat has been intense and we've been slathering on the sunblock because the sun is shining and we've been hanging outside to soak up some vitamin D.

We've found several ways to keep ourselves cool. Saturday we crashed Nana's house, again.





Madison has always been a big fan of bath time. We give her one every night because if we don't her skin starts to dry out, eczema is no fun. As soon as we start the water for her baths she hops up, runs into her room to get a "washtoth" and flings open the closet door for her towel. She's always been a lover of water. Last summer, we had a blast in the pool she sat in her floating ring and splashed away. However, this summer she has grown more timid of getting in the pool still loves her baths but shys away from the pool. She prefers to stay on the side, splashing her feet and drinking her tea.







We don't want to scare her or make her terrified of the pool so we're going to take it slow and wait for her to come around. Heck if we keep up with temperatures like these she'll learn real quick.



Today we found ways to cool off in our own backyard. I thought that maybe it was the size of Nana's pool that freaked her out. So, I got out her baby pool for something more her size. Hah, she wanted nothing to do with it either.



So she gets out and who goes in? Baby of course.....



Oh, baby.



Baby is pretty water logged right now. She's on the kitchen counter drying out. Speaking of drying....the one place we could use some heat right about now is in our dryer and guess what?  The dang thing has gone out. It just blows air and spins around. Which really blows, no pun intended.  I want to just go back to the pool right now. It's more fun there.

We start and end the same.

Our days typically begin in the same way each and every morning. Around 6:00 am Maddie O. awakes and begins shouting "Mama" along with other baby babbles. Some mornings I'm struggling to get my feet firmly planted on the floor and others I hop right up and rush into her room but always after a quick diaper change and a trip to the kitchen for a cup of milk I, with Maddie O., climb right back into our bed. Here is where we wake up, share cuddles, watch cartoons and get right for the day that lies ahead.

We're never alone in our bed either Maddie always has baby in tow, along with blocks, books and any other small trinket or toy she picked up on her way into our room. I have however banned food and coloring from our bed. I don't care to sleep with crumbs and I like our duvet cover as is, with no crayon markings.







Today was one of those perfect days. A mother and a daughter just enjoying each other's company. I love these days when I have her all to myself. When each hug she gives is given to me and me alone. And especially now that she follows each hug with a kiss.

Given that it has been so hot here the past several days I decided to take Madison to her favorite place ever....outside. So, to the backyard we went.









I got our sprinkler out for the first time ever. Basically I watered the grass for about twenty minutes because she wanted nothing to do with it until I ran through the spray of water to show her how it was done.









We have ourselves an outside gal. She has always loved being outdoors no matter what the weather may be. Thus, I am blessed with many silly faces because she is on an ultimate happy high.







We did eventually go in for some lunch and a nap. When things cooled down we headed back outside where she had her first push-up.



It only took a moment to figure out how it worked.



We live fairly close to a small airport therefore we have planes flying over our house on a pretty consistent basis. No matter if we are inside or outside if Madison hears a plane she stops and yells "pane". Today, on this beautiful, clear day we saw many "panes".





Prior to going back inside for the evening, Madison climbed up in her chair, turned around, looked at me and said "cheese". Oh my how I love her.





Much like the beginning, we end our days the same. We climb into our bed, share cuddles, Madison drinks her milk and we watch cartoons.





Before putting Madison to bed I thank her for being a good girl today. She replies with "nice". Yes, today our girl was good and she was nice.



And because being a wife and mama, working a full time job, maintaining a clean house, cooking dinner, grocery shopping, going to dinner with friends, playing with Madison, taking pictures, doing laundry, updating this here blog, stalking people on Facebook, watching the "must see" shows that I've recorded on DVR and everything else I do on a daily basis...I've gotten out my Christmas present from my sister.



Tada! I'm whipping me up some headbands. Check it out!



'Night.