Three Months

When I was pregnant with Madelyn - Rob, Greg (who was living with us at the time) and I went bowling every Tuesday and Thursday. When I was about nine months along, the Dr put me on bedrest, and our dream of becoming professional bowlers was put on hold. So for Maddie's three month birthday we decided it was time to get back on track - I'm sure it was an event she will always remember.
Rob apparently jumped right back into the game, and bowled his all time high (193). The high score record had been mine until today...farewell 176. I unfortunatly did not do so well, and racked up an amazing 105 for my best of four score. In the end, I won one game and Rob won three. Maddie is still learning. We're hoping she'll go pro by three if we start her early.

The World is Our Playground...

Okay, so maybe not the "world", but we do have some really beautiful places close by. We took Maddie on her first outdoor adventure - and when she was awake, she seemed to have a good time. Here are some pictures of Provo Canyon (where Sundance is located) and Cascade Springs.

Can you believe those cheeks?

If anyone has seen Madelyn's neck, please contact us as soon as possible. It has been missing for quite some time now.

Strangers

I swear, the minute Madelyn was born - someone stamped "talk to me" on my forehead. It seems like now that I have a baby, strangers feel the need to tell me things about her. Usually they are sweet compliments that make me feel great. But as you may have read in an earlier blog - sometimes people say the weirdest things. For example: I was out shopping with Rob on Saturday afternoon. He was in the dressing room, and I was standing outside with Madelyn - who was in her stroller. A woman walks up to me and says, "Oh goodness. She is a beautiful baby!" I smile and thank her. She comes a little bit closer to Madelyn and says, "She's what - four months, five months?" I tell her she will be three months this week, but that she's a big baby for her age. She replies, "Oh wow - just three months? Well you can tell that she is really intelligent for her age. She is a very smart baby. I can tell these things." At this point, I'm really not sure what to say. If Maddie had been doing something like singing her ABC's or tap dancing, it would be one thing - but this whole time - she is sleeping. So apparently my "kinda chunky", "crooked-eared" daughter is an extremely intelligent sleeper.

Playtime

Maddie has a new best friend - herself. She is so excited to see herself in the mirror. Here are some pictures of her playing with the girl in the mirror (it's on the back of one of the hanging things).

Insert foot into mouth..

I know what you're all thinking, but no, it actually wasn't me this time.
We have a neighbor that always seems to know exactly what not to say. Up until this point, she has said nothing but sweet things about Madelyn. She is brought to tears every time she sees her - and is constantly talking about how beautiful she is. Well, last night she came over and began gushing about my "precious baby." She sits down on the arm of the chair that I am feeding her in, and starts playing with her hair, and touching her cheeks. Then she begins: "Those eyelashes just curl right up, don't they? Gosh she's beautiful. Look at that hair - It's so gorgeous. I have to say, she looks like her daddy. Do you know how lucky you are? She is perfect. Just perfect. I don't think I can find a single thing wrong with her. Except she's kinda chunky. And her ear is crooked."
Apparently - Maddie is almost perfect. But we should probably look into liposuction, and maybe ear reconstruction. Then she'll be perfect, just perfect.

Back to Work

I guess I really cant call it work, because it's just watching my nieces two days a week. But it really is funny to see the way that they interact with Madelyn. The older niece is Abby, and the younger is Sydney. They truly are adorable. Abby (5) is getting to a very independent age - and spends most of her time running around the neighborhood with her friends. But whenever she comes home, Abby has to check on Maddie. She is constantly asking me age questions..."when I'm 15, how old will Maddie be?" I answer, and the following question will be, "and I can babysit her then, right?" Oh yes, Abby. You are going to regret asking that one day - when I really take you up on the offer.
Sydney (2) is hillarious with Maddie. We truly have the same conversations three times a day, every day. First of all she calls her Maduhwin, and she is constantly correcting Abby who often forgets Maddie's name. When I feed Maddie, Sydney has to hold the bottle with me. Her arm will get tired, so she then holds up her arm with her other arm. She is always bringing Maddie random things - like plates, or fake flowers, or toys. She then says, "Maddie wants this.." I explain that Maddie is too little, and I get.."No she's nooooot...she told me." But my absolute favorite is Sydney consoling Maddie. ANY time that Madelyn cries, Sydney is right by her side. "It's alwight Maduhwin, Don't Cwy Maddie, It's alwight.." This goes on for maybe thirty seconds every time - and when Maddie doesn't stop crying, she ALWAYS says, "I think she's sick," and walks away.
I am so grateful to have cousins close by who are so excited to help with Maddie. We really have a lot of fun together.

Sorry - the first picture is a bit blurry, but Maddie has found her thumb!

Maddie's Angels

I swear that Maddie sees angels. I will walk in the room and find her laughing at nothing - and watching something go back and forth, but there's never anything there. Then she will start playing "shy baby" with the same spot she's been laughing at. She will smile at it, then look away - then look back and smile again. She is such a flirt! I guess if there have to be ghosts in my house, I'm glad that they make her laugh. That's reassuring - if she starts screaming at those things, I'm moving!
As Rob and I were giving her a bath tonight, we were talking about how different life is. Now instead of going out to a movie, we stay in and give baths. The funny thing is I enjoy this so much more. I absolutely love being a mom. It truly is the most amazing and fulfilling thing I could possibly do with my life.
We took some pictures tonight.. and Yes, Rob really does feed her in the middle of the night. He is the most wonderful husband and father. I truly consider myself to be the luckiest girl in the world. I have a healthy, happy, beautiful daughter, and I'm married to my best friend. Does it get any better than that?

Oh the changes...

I cannot believe how big Madelyn is getting. Rob and I can't figure out what happened to our little baby. She's already trying to get out of everything - her swing, bouncer, and even off of the changing table. She just digs her heels in, and starts walking her body up. She is such a strong baby. Not to mention the fact that she's already wearing 3-6 month clothing. Having Madelyn is more like having a toddler than a baby.
We moved her into her own room this weekend, and I was scared to death. I woke up every hour to check on her. I felt so powerless - but that feeling was gone by the second night. I had forgotten what it was like to have my own room!
Here are some pictures that we took tonight - and also one of her when she was one day old. It's amazing how much different she is!