Gramm and Grandpa Lackey's Visit

Gramm and Grandpa Lackey came to visit July 17th and stayed for two weeks. We didn't get to go very many places because Grandpa is still in a cast from his foot surgery, but we had a GREAT time playing at home. Mommy took Madison to Grandpa early in the morning when Madison first woke up every morning to snuggle and play for a little while. Grandpa doesn't like waking up so early but he thinks snuggling with Madison is a super way to start the day. Gramm and Grandpa had a great time encouraging Madison to make her new pouty face and rock in her new rocking chair. Mommy got the rocking chair as a birthday present for Madison and plans to paint it. Madison had such a great time climbing in and out of it though, she got to have her present a little early. Now the question is: How will Mommy sneak it away to work on painting before her birthday? Hmmm

Gramm and Grandpa got to see Madison walk a little. She just toddles for a few steps then falls back on her fanny. We had a nice time watching the dolphins jump when we ate at Duke's in Malibu, Grandpa's favorite California restaurant; and visiting the Ronald Reagan library. Gramm thought it was funny that Mommy knows all the songs on the Disney morning cartoons. Madison loves to watch the Handy Manny, Doodlebops, Little Einsteins, and Higglytown Heroes in the morning. We just learned about Noggin too which is great to have on in the morning while Madison crawls and plays. She loves to dance when all the songs come on. Gramm laughs because Madison's 'dance' is flapping her arm like a chicken. Gramm calls it her chicken wing. It's pretty cute.

We were so sad when Gramm and Grandpa left. But we will see them again in the fall. Maybe even for Christmas!

Stoeber Wedding

Madison had so much fun at Aunt Kelly and Uncle Jason's big Wedding. Daddy was the best man so Mommy, Aunt Kristi, Uncle Chris, and Madison got to hang out together all day before the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and a super fun reception. We danced until Madison fell asleep. Then Sarah helped hold Madison so Mommy and Daddy could dance into the night with the happy bride and groom.
This photo was taken when Madison enjoyed her first Daddy/Daughter dance. Mommy got all teary eyed.

Aunt Kristi's Visit

Madison had a great time with Aunt Kristi. Madison learned to put her fingers in her ears, turn the pages of her books one page at a time (instead of cover to cover as she used to do), and started reaching from one piece of furniture to another without help. My favorite of her newest tricks is when she lays her head down on the sofa or floor when she is tired. She is so cute.

We took our first trip in the new RV to the Kern River with Aunt Kristi and Uncle Chris. Madison learned to drink from a camelback, Aunt Krisit's to be exact. We had a great time swimming in the cold Kern River and watching a movie in the RV. We only stayed one night but had a fun time in the 110 degree heat. Yikes! Thank goodness for a/c in the motorhome.

When we got back from the Kern Madison started handing her toys to us to share. She loves it- she hands us a toy and we say 'thank you'. She just smiles with excitement. She loves to take everything out of her toy bins and put it back..just not all of it back.

On July 11th she took her first 2 unassisted consecutive steps. By Friday she was up to 3-4 steps. Before long she will be a walking machine!

Aunt Kristi's trip ended with Aunt Kelly and Uncle Jason's wedding.

Madison's First 4th of July

Aunt Kristi came to town on the 3rd and we all headed over to Kelly and Chad's for swimming and fireworks on the 4th. She LOVED the fireworks!

Trip to FL and Ohio

For months Mommy and Daddy tried to figure out how we could go to Mommy's cousin's wedding in Ohio. Gramm solved the problem. She helped Mommy and Madison fly to Florida the Monday after Mommy's last day at work. We stayed for a day to visit with Grandpa, then Gramm, Mommy, and Madison flew from Florida to Ohio to visit family and go to Jocelyn's wedding. After the wedding the girls flew back to Florida where we stayed for another week to visit with more family and get to know Uncle Daniel's new fiance Abby better.
While in Ohio we stayed with Mommy's Great Aunt Lillian on her farm in Salem, Ohio. We threw a bridal luncheon for Cousin Jocelyn Friday before her wedding on June 23rd. During the trip Madison was just not herself at first. We found a local pediatrician in Salem who helped us learn Madison had her first ear infection. The antibiotics helped and within a couple days she was back to her smiley self.
We wrapped up our visit north by driving over to Pittsburgh to visit our Grammy and Poppy Luty. Madison had a great time swimming in the pool with the Luty's puppies. So much fun, in fact, that we got her the same pool to swim in at home. We also enjoyed a tour of the Homer Laughlin China Factory aka- the home of Mommy's favorite FIESTAWARE!
She picked up two new- not so great- habits on the trip. Madison now hits when she gets over tired and makes a funny pouty face when you tell her No. We still don't know where she picked up these habits, but the face is pretty funny.
We had a great time playing with Aunt Abby. She is so nice and really makes Madison smile. We think Madison likes Abby better than Uncle Daniel. tee hee
Abby helped Mommy re-design Mommy's old bedroom at Gramm and Grandpa's too. No more sunflowers, instead a fun and functional playroom for Madison and any other grandbabies to come. It is so fun with polka dots on the ceiling!
Madison also got to play with Ava, the baby that lives next door to Gramm and Grandpa. Mommy and Madison even got to swim with Ava, 14 months old, and her Mommy, Susan in the BIG pool. Madison just kicked and kicked like she'd been in the pool hundreds of times before. Ava is the baby who gives Madison all the fabulous hand me down hats and shoes. Madison also had a playdate with one of Mommy's high school friends, Linda Kelley and her daugther Reagan, 16 months.
We were sad Daddy couldn't come and missed him So much in the two weeks we were gone. It wasn't too sad to leave though since Gramm and Grandpa already had a trip planned to California for July.
Click for all our trip pics.

Month Ten

Madison crawls all the time and has learned she can pull up on things. She pulls up on the back of the dining room chairs and walks along the sofas. Every once in a while she gets brave enough to let go for a second to stand by herself. She is such a dainty girl though. When she wants to sit down she carefully lowers her bottom down to the floor before letting go of the furniture.

She also said her first real word- doggie. Everytime she sees Sierra she says doggie and points. So exciting!

As the month began we saw three of her top teeth trying to poke thru. By the end of this month all three of those were in plus another. She is up to 6 teeth now! She's learning how to use them too. She loves to chew on the end of a carrot to soothe those new teeth. Our little explorer also uses her teeth to bite Mommy's chest. Luckily she still knows not to use the teeth when nursing-which is still one of her favorite things to do.

Memorial Day weekend Madison helped Mommy and Daddy plant the vegetable garden. She had a great time playing in her pack and play under the umbrella while Mommy and Daddy worked.

We ended the month with Mommy's last day of work. Yes, you read correctly. With Daddy's new job and Mommy's Pampered Chef business- Mommy gets to stay home and play with Madison full-time instead of sending her off to daycare. We all have mixed emotions about narrowing down to one salary, but are excited aboout our new adventure.

Pics from this month.

Month Nine

Daddy started his new job at Aerovironment on April 16th so Madison started her new daycare. Another in home daycare here in Simi Valley. She gets to play with 4 other babies ranging from her age to 2 1/2 yrs old.

Madison is starting to figure out how to pull up on things so Mommy and Daddy dropped her bed for the first time this month. We also moved to size 3 diapers and started wearing her 9 month clothes. As of May 9th, Madison weighs 18lbs 2 oz. She learned she can put her mouth on Mommy's leg and blow to make a funny noise (and get slobber everywhere!) and figured out how to click her tongue. She also learned to put her hand to her mouth back and forth and make a sound like an Indian. Seems everyday she learns a new trick. This month also marks the first time she took juice out of a bottle and not just breastmilk.

Madison had her first real babysitter, Uncle Chris Whalley the night Mommy and Daddy went to dinner with Daddy's new company. She went to sleep shortly after he got to the house. We think he wore her out! She had her second babysitter on May 5th when we went out to Mommy's friend Peter's Cinco de Mayo party in West Hollywood. Mommy was a little anxious about being so far away so we put Madison to bed before we left. She did great with Alyssa, Mommy's friend Darcy's daughter.

Good thing we dropped the bed, one week after we dropped it she learned to stand up in bed. I went to get her out of bed one morning and found her standing there bouncing while waiting for me- with a HUGE smile on her face. She is so proud of herself. Shortly there after we removed the bumper from the outside side of her crib as she tries to use it as a step to climb out. Oh, and we dropped the bed again for peace of mind.

Such a great sharer. Madison had her first bitter biscuit this month too. She thought Sierra should have some, so Madison would take a bite then put her arm out for Sierra to take a lick. They say a dog's mouth is cleaner....no use justifying. Sierra is just happy Madison is so generous.

This month she came into her own with crawling too. She crawls constantly now! We have entered the world of mobility.

Click for this month's photos.