Madison Meets her Cousins

The day after Christmas Madison got to meet her cousins for the first time. She was mesmerized by Lisa Marie and Noelle. She is looking forward to meeting their dad, her Uncle Danny, (Daddy's brother) when he comes back from Iraq. Madison got to hear his voice on the phone though. The three Shemenski cousins seem to get along great! She enjoys watching them and they enjoy entertaining her.

Oh, What a Christmas!

Madison's first Christmas was so fun. Grandma and Grandpa Shemenski and Grammie and Pop Luty came to visit for the holiday. They were here a week before Christmas to ensure optimal playing time. Christmas Eve we had dinner at the house where they are all staying just 15 minutes from Madison's house. We made it home in time for Mommy and Daddy to help Santa put together Madison's new stand up and bounce BrightStart toy. She woke up happy Christmas morning with Mommy and Daddy- she must have known Santa came. We were good and waited for the Grandparents to arrive before opening presents. Madison slept thru half the event (morning naps are important for growing girls) but when she woke up Mommy helped her open all her new toys and gifts. Madison got to hang out in her PJs longer than usual, she loves the Baby's First Christmas sleeper Nana (Mommy's Nana, Madison's Great Nana) got for her. When all the presents were open Madison changed into the pretty Christmas dress Gramm got for her. The tights and black shiny shoes had to wait until evening though- it was a HOT 80 degree first Christmas. Madison enjoyed pulling on some of the paper, but was more interested in the bright colors of her toys than the paper surrounding them. She LOVES the growling polar bear from Gramm and her cool new Steelers onsie, stocking, and feeding set from Grammie and Pop Luty. She spent a lot of time in her fun bouncy toy from Santa. Grandma and Grandpa Shemenski got Madison a high chair. She had so many presents from so many friends and family including fun squeaky toys, a piggy bank with her name on it, lots of ornaments, a Raggedy Anne doll, a toy hammer to help Daddy around the house, and a squeaking phone to call her Grandparents so far away. She also got a pretty baby doll from Great Aunt Dar and Uncle Mike. The only thing that would have made Madison's first Christmas better was to be with ALL of her Grandparents and relatives. Santa was so good to her this year.

Christmas Photos

Madison had a great time on December 18th in her photo session beneath the tree. She even managed to wander into one of Mommy's Longaberger baskets (with a little help from Mommy). Gramm says Madison should be the Longaberger spokesbaby! Click for more photos of our photos session

Month Four

This was a fun month. We started it in Florida with Gramm and Grandpa and wrapped up the month with Grandma and Grandpa Shemenski and Grammie and Pop Luty coming to visit for Christmas. Madison had her first all girls sleepover at her Uncle Daniel's girlfriend Abby's apartment in Gainesville, FL on November 16th. It was a stop over on the way to Athens with Mommy and Gramm. She learned her MMmmm sound this month (practicing saying MaMa) and played with the fish on her cool Aquarium swing at Gramm's house. She also learned how to grab her pacifier and take it out of her mouth. Once she even managed to put it back in...only once though. She had her first rice cereal but doesn't want it regularly yet. She's still enjoying nursing with Mommy. Madison also gave herself her first owie this month. She hit herself in the face with her favorite crabby rattle and left a little bruise under her eye. It healed quickly but made Mommy and Daddy so sad. She loves her tummy time and puts most toys, burp clothes, and blankets straight into her mouth now. Madison weighed 14 lbs 8 oz when she went to see Dr Brooks December 4th with her first sinus infection. Bath time is one of Madison's favorite times. Mommy and Daddy's too- we love her chubby thighs and belly. Our little girl is growing. Click for more pictures of this month.

Madison's First Christmas Tree

Madison went shopping with Mommy and Daddy last weekend for her very first Christmas tree. She had fun shopping from lot to lot looking for the perfect one. She looked so cute all bundled up. We're not sure if she had more fun tree shopping, or supervising the decorating when we got home. Decide for yourself in the photos.

Mmmm...Rice Cereal

On November 28th Madison tasted rice cereal for the first time. She was a little confused by the spoon, but before long this little one was chowing down! It didn't take long for Madison to figure out the hands in the mouth help the rice cereal go down, or so she thinks. She makes quite a mess with it. Mommy likes it because Madison takes long naps after she eats it!

Meeting Grandma and Grandpa Shemenski

During Madison's visit to Florida her Grandma and Grandpa Shemenski went to Florida for Grandpa's work trip. On November 26th all the grandparents got together at Gramm's house to meet for the very first time! It was also the first time Grandma and Grandpa Shemenski got to meet Madison. What a fun day!

Madison Meets her Great Grandparents

While Madison was in Florida she met her Great Grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Lackey and Nana and Grandpa Shoop. She was just as excited to meet them as they were to meet her.

Thanksgiving Trip to Gramm and Grandpa's in Kissimmee

Our Thankgiving trip turned into almost the entire month of November! Mommy and Madison stayed from November 13th until December 4th. Daddy flew to Florida in time for Thankgiving weekend. Such a busy trip. Madison met lots of family and friends. Mommy and Gramm did lots of shopping and Madison was showered with clothes from Mommy's high school friends. The temperature dropped while we were there so Madison needed warm clothes. Good thing we went shopping because she outgrew most of the clothes we packed! She is wearing 3-6 month outfits and 6 month sleepers now. She is so tall! Daddy is convinced she grew a foot while we were in Florida! Mommy, Gramm, and Madison also took a crazy overnight trip to Athens, Georgia to see Mommy's best friends, Aunt Kimberly and Aunt Kristi. Madison had her first (2nd, and 3rd) trip to Fat Boys Bar-b-que restaurant- a Kissimmee staple. She had a great time out to eat with Mommy's high school friend's too. Thankgiving afternoon was fun. All the boys fell asleep but Madison was awake so Uncle Daniel fought off his nap to keep Madison entertained. Madison experienced her first 'Black Friday' shopping with Mommy. She was not as crazy as Uncle Daniel and and Daddy though, they were in line at Best Buy at 1am! After shopping Madion had fun helping Mommy, Daddy, and Uncle Matthew decorate Gramm and Grandpa's house for Christmas, then helped Gramm wrap some presents for under the tree. Grandpa loves bath time and was sure to step up to the challenge throughout the trip. She had a great time hanging with Uncle Matthew too, who was constantly asking her 'who's your favorite uncle?'. Gramm's favorite times were early in the morning when Madison got to snuggle with Gramm and Grandpa in their bed before they had to leave for work. Madison got to meet lots of family on her trip including Aunt Darlene and Uncle Michael and Mommy's cousin Rick. Mommy and Madison were so sad to leave Kissimmee. Click for more photos of Madison's Thankgiving trip.

Shake, Shake, Shake

Madison waited until she got to Gramm's house to pick up a rattle and shake it. November 15th, just before her three month birthday. Our little girl is growing so fast!

Month Three

We started this month with Madison's two month visit with Dr. Brooks. Our little eater has grown so much. She weighs 11 lbs 8 oz now. This appointment was no fun for anyone as Madison got her first 4 immunizations. She screamed like we've never heard before. Mommy and Daddy were so sad. Our little girl is growing so much. She's starting to show signs of teething, drooling and starting to put things in her mouth. We finished up the month by packing for our Thanksgiving trip to Florida to visit Gramm and Grandpa. Madison helped Mommy pack and stood by herself holding onto the laundry basket. If we're not careful this little girl will walk before she crawls! Madison had her first plane ride just before her three month birthday on the way to Florida to visit Mommy's family and friends. Click for more photos of this month's events.