Our Little Model

I previously reported here that Madison had been chosen as one of the models for Lillian Grace Originals, a new clothing line started up by a very talented mama.

Well, last night was the big night. We had Madison's photo shoot!

We set off around 3:30 for the two hour drive to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Madison was bubbling with excitement.



Okay, so not so much. She slept the first hour, which was perfect because it put her in the best mood and she was ready to go once we got there.



Upon our arrival, we were quickly rushed in to wardrobe then, hair and make-up. Now, you might be thinking exactly what I was thinking.....Madison has hardly any hair what could they possibly do and she's not even two why is she wearing make-up?!?!? Well, the sweet stylist curled Madison's hair into sweet tendrils that lasted all of five minutes and only applied a light layer of lip gloss. She was then camera ready and that's when the magic happened.



Madison was Madison. She ran, marched, climbed on rocks and sat in chairs. At one point the photographer exclaimed "Wow! She's fast!" as she switched modes on her camera. I was definitely "one-of-those-moms"! I was jumping around, singing and making stupid faces all to help my little model perform her best. I'm not really sure if my help was needed but it made me feel better.



The photo shoot lasted about 15 minutes and we were done. But before we climbed back into the car for a two hour drive home, I snapped some of my own pictures of Madison. During the "real" photo shoot she had a striped sweater on along with a pair of bright red boots. I supplied the brown shirt. The pants are the item from the new Lillian Grace Originals clothing line. I'll keep you posted on when her website is up.












We'll be able to view the pictures from the real photographer in a couple of weeks.  I'm axious to see the faces of Madison that she captured .





We have a superstar on our hands, I tell ya. A Superstar! (Alright, I admit, I might be a little biased but she sure is cute.) Have a great week!

Saturday was good.

Our weekend began perfectly. Saturday was a gorgeous day. Ryan was off to play golf with his buddies so Madison and I headed out for a little breakfast date.



For $4.09 we got a delicious breakfast, laughs, lots of pictures and a great time.







While at breakfast I learned that Madison can now count to fifteen all by herself, minus the number five. I don't know what it is about that number five but she leaves it out every time.





After our breakfast and a quick trip to Target, we returned home to enjoy the beautiful, perfectly fallish day.





Here lately, Madison has been attached to this monkey that she received as a gift at her birthday party. The monkey grunts, makes noises, moves his arms and sheds a lot. I decided that a shirt on the monkey would help with the shedding. Then Maddie decided that monkey needed a diaper and pants too. So, monkey is ready to go and Madison takes him everywhere I will allow him to go.







While Madison was swinging she looked up and said "Sky. Bainbow." I asked, "Is there a rainbow in the sky?" "Nope, I don't see one." she replied. Okay, well, I'm glad we had that conversation.



"Bishy" had fallen from the tree....again. So, after a quick pump of air from Madison, I returned him to his hanging spot.



I mostly post pictures of Madison smiling, laughing and showing her cute faces. However, Madison does have quite a temper. When she doesn't get what she wants she gets mad. Really mad. I don't even know why she was mad here but I just started snapping away. I want her to see one day how ridiculous she looks when she throws a fit. It's good parenting.



We ended our day at the local winery. We joined my mother-in-law and father-in-law for some music, conversation and wine tastings.





Madison had a blast running around, dancing and making friends with the other kiddos.







I think we have a budding photographer on our hands.






After the winery, we came home and put our tired girl to bed. I decided to throw a quick load of laundry in the washer before bed because we had another big day planned for today, Madison had been invited to her first tea party. I was in the kitchen getting ready to head off to bed myself and I kept hearing this thud, thud, thud coming from the laundry room. I peeked in the washing machine and I see this bright blue glow. Holy crap! That bright blue glow is my cell phone. I quickly retrieve it to find that it is dead and water logged. A google search informed me to place it in a bowl of rice. The rice is supposed to draw out the moisture from the phone.



So far it's been 24 hours and all I have is a non-working cell phone in a bowl of rice.  Needless to say we didn't get to go to the tea party. I didn't have my friend's phone number so I could call her to get directions. I am totally bummed. We didn't get any tea, nor a party, nor any rice for dinner and my phone is dunzo. At least we had a perfectly great Saturday though.

Have a great week!

It's getting official.

I'm doing it! I'm growing my hobby of photography into something just a little bit bigger. I'm not planning on going pro or anything just want to play in the minor leagues.

Check it out:



Call me!

Looking Back

Every American remembers exactly where they were on this day ten years ago. September 11, 2001 is day that will forever be etched in our memories and our hearts

On this day, ten years ago, I was home, here in Greenwood, Indiana. I woke up bright and early that day because I had to board a plane to get back to school. I was in my Junior year of college at Florida Gulf Coast University. I came up to Indiana to visit Ryan and this time I was taking my niece, Brooke, back with me so she could visit my parents. At the time, she was four. Ryan took Brooke and I to the airport. Where I told him to just drop us off at the curb, that we would be fine. I checked us in for our flight to Ft. Myers, got our boarding passes and started for the gate. I stopped in a shop to buy a pack of gum for the take off and the landing. As I stood there, buying a pack of Juicy Fruit, I saw it on the television that hung over the cashier's head. A plane had just struck tower one of The World Trade Center. Even though I saw what had just happened on the television, it never occurred to me the magnitude of the event that just took place

My generation had never been through war, never witnessed historical events that my parents or grandparents had. We'd never witnessed anything of this great proportion. Therefore, it just didn't click with me that America had been attacked by terrorists. Brooke and I boarded our flight, which was scheduled to depart on time. Once taking our assigned seats we learned that a second plane had hit tower two. It still didn't sink in that America was under attack

The fight attendant was so kind and help me keep my niece comfortable with juice and snacks. After an hour of sitting in on the plane waiting for take off, we were told that we would have to get off because it looks like we might be delayed another hour. The airport was crowded with travelers left in shock and filled with questions. We were told hour after hour that we would be taking off shortly. Obviously, that didn't happen until several days later.

I don't know how much Brooke remembers about that day but I know that I was grateful that I had her with me. It was comforting to have someone I loved with me while we experienced this horrible tragedy. I've counted our blessings time and time again that our flight was scheduled for take off when it was and not a moment earlier because who knows where we might have ended up

In the hours I have spent in front of TV today, I've learned things about that day that I never knew and I've seen photos and videos that leave an imprint of the devastation.

This was the biggest event in the history of my generation and I sure to hope that it is the last.

Oh the ABCs....

Ryan is back and we are so thankful he is home, especially me because our little Maddie O. is putting us to the test but more on that in a minute. Ryan and his fellow co-workers arrived back home this past Friday. He was thankful to be home after a long ten days but he was also very greatful for the opportunity he had.



He saw many sights that he had never seen before. Unfortunately for us, he isn't quite the shutterbug that I am. In the entire time he was gone, the whole ten days, he took thirty three pictures with our camera. Thirty three! I take thirty three pictures in three minutes. So, I being the one that wanted more, am left with only a few pictures to share with you. Here is a street in New Orleans:



And here is a real dude:



Yep, that's all I've got. So, now back to our little angel, and I'm using that word losely, Madison. She is a very sweet girl, very loving, eager to please, polite and typically very happy. We've never had any issues with her and I don't want to imply that we are really having any issues now but it's just that she is beginning to test her limits. This week she has pushed us and pushed us. She is getting into things she's never even touched before and then has a complete meltdown, throw herself on the floor, screaming fit when she's told no.

Last night Ryan came into the living room after putting Madison to bed. He was gently rubbing his forehead and said "Maddie headbutted me. Twice. And I think it was on purpose." Of course all I could do was laugh but I did feel sorry for him because after the last few days I don't doubt his guess that it was on purpose.

I realize that Madison isn't quite two yet and everyday can't be filled with daisies, roses and petunias. Sometimes we're going to prick our finger on those thorns and we'll bleed. It's how we care for our wounds that's going to matter. So, for now Madison has spent a lot of time in timeout while Ryan and I look at each other wondering what to do while muffling our laughter because we can hear Madison calling out from her timeout seat. Gosh, parenthood really is a lot of fun.

On the brighter side of things, Madison has been working on her 1,2,3's and A,B,C's. Her counting goes like this: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9! We keep trying to get her to squeeze that 5 in there before we move on to 8 and eventuly 10 and the others but she's not having it. She's got the right tune down for the ABC song and a few of the letters. Last night I was lucky enough to capture us singing on video. Please disregard my singing and me forgetting the end of the song for a moment and focus on our sweet little Maddie O. It really is moments like these that make all of the tough times escape from my memory.