Madison's First Pismo Trip

This past weekend Madison went on her first camping trip to Pismo Beach, one of Mommy's favorite camping spots. We loaded up the RV and started to leave Thursday night. After running into a small problem with a fuel line we decided to wait and leave Friday morning after Daddy went to the auto parts store. Problem solved and on the road we were. Along the 3 1/2 hour trip north to Pismo Beach we had a tire blow out on the freeway. Luckily we were in a safe spot to wait for roadside assistance to help us change the inner dually on the RV. Whew...after all that we arrived in Pismo around 4pm on Friday.

As soon as we got there, we put Madison's bathing suit on to play at the shore with Kate and Carolyn Briggs while Daddy pulled the RV into camp. Sierra got to run around in the salt water, too. Once Daddy pulled in, we set up camp and played in the sand before dinner time. It's funny watching Madison try to walk in the sand. She takes a few steps then falls to her knees and crawls, using her hands as flippers to fling sand everywhere. Such a trip.

Madison didn't get to enjoy the campfire much on this trip, as in camping trips past. She played so hard during the day she was exhausted before 'campfire time' really started each night. We took along some great sand toys and her cool ladybug tent from Grandma Betty in Florida (Gramm's friend). We almost forgot she had the tent as she got it back in November. It was perfect for camping. All the kids had a great time crawling thru the tunnel and sitting inside to play.

Madison also enjoyed her first wheeling trip in the dunes. We strapped her into her car seat in the jeep and took off. Daddy obviously took it a little gentler than usual, but boy did she love it. She likes driving over the woops (like a washboard in the sand). Madison opens her mouth and makes an 'uhhhhh' sound. She loves it when her voice sounds like she is bouncing on a knee. Her big smile and giggle is just great! She also enjoyed her first 'beers on the ridge' trip. Needless to say Madison skipped the beer part. For those who are not familiar with our camping rituals...usually our group of campers ride up to the top of a dune or high spot to drink beers while we watch the sunset.

It was great to have the motorhome to travel in. When we hit traffic on the way home, Mommy could get up and go back to make a sandwich or get a snack for Madison- even go potty if need be! Such a great 'toy' for the family.

We got some awesome pictures on this trip. Hope you enjoy.

Daily Wagon Rides

Since Madison got a great new wagon for her birthday and Noah already had one at his house, we started going on walks everyday. It's a little tricky to find time in the day when they are both awake and not eating. Noah is still on the 'up two down two' schedule and Madison seems to have adapted to taking her two short naps while Noah is awake. (No rest for Mommy). We manage to find time for two walks a day now. Noah's house is close to the park so we started strolling down and playing in the sand.

Madison even got to teach Noah how to swing on Tuesday! He is still a little leery of swinging by himself but loves to tandem swing with Madison. They are too cute together. Everyone who sees us asks if they are twins. Angie and I don't think they look anything alike-not to mention they are six months apart.

What do you think?

Happy 1st Birthday

We started the morning of Madison's birthday by giving her one present before Daddy went to work. She enjoyed her animal train until it started moving toward her. Not so much a fan of the moving toys. She's warming up to it now. She LOVES the animals though. She wore her birthday girl shirt all day. When Daddy came home for lunch we got to open the presents that came in the mail from Grandma Shemenski and Grammy and Pap Luty. Madison loved the outfits she got and tried to put one of the dresses over her head. Her favorite part are the birthday cards which she likes to rip in half. We used lots of glue and tape this year.

When Daddy got home from work Uncle Chris Whalley came over and took Daddy to fly his fighter airplane. Madison had a nice bath and went to bed before the grown ups had Sushi, pie, and bananas foster to celebrate the day.

Saturday we had Madison's polka dot birthday party. What a great day. Angie and Noah came over early to help Mommy and Daddy get ready. Noah and Madison took nice naps while we busily set up. Carson, Kamryn, Kate, Caroline, Spencer, and Noah all helped Madison open her numerous presents. She is so blessed to have such great friends. Madison got lots of fun toys, cute clothes, a pop up book from Gramm, a hand painted rocking chair from Mommy, camouflage pants from Daddy, pink camo shoes from Gramm, My Little Pony from Uncle Daniel and Aunt Abby, a Georgia cheerleader doll and plates with her Madison's name on them from Aunt Kimberly, and cars to ride on from Mommy and Kate and Caroline. Her favorite two presents are a wooden rolling toy from Gramm and Grandpa, which she pushes all around the house (in fact we had to take it to Noah's house today because she can't seem to be without it!) and her new WAGON from Noah and his Mommy and Daddy. Uncle Brian helped put it together during the party and Madison and Spencer Snee enjoyed rides around the yard. They sat in the wagon for almost an hour before it was bed time for both of them. Madison also got lots of fun outside toys too. We can't wait to blow up the new sailing pool from Aunt Stacy and Uncle Matt and take Noah swimming.

Before wagon time Madison had one of her polka-dot cupcakes. She didn't need any prompting to grab pieces and put them in her mouth. Mommy helped make it a little messier though. We thought she was going to put half of it in her mouth at one point but the moist cupcake fell apart before it got to her mouth.

Most of the grown-ups stayed to help Daddy celebrate his birthday even after Madison went to bed. Daddy's friends Chris Curtis and Kevin Jackson from high school even came for the big event. They had lots of fun playing with Madison's toys and making her new LeapFrog spelling toy say bad words.

Everyone had lots of fun on the first shared birthday for Daddy and Madison. Madison is so thankful for everyone's generosity and making her 1st birthday so great!

One year old ALREADY

Madison turned one year old on August 16th. It's tough to believe this big girl is the same little angel we brought home from the hospital. She walks, talks, giggles, signs, hugs, kisses, explores...our little girl has grown so much. Her vocabulary now includes, Mama, Dada (neither of which she uses much anymore), bird, dog, baby, and Uh-oh. We decided to teach her sign language as an alteranate form of communicating with us. Her first sign was bird. Now she signs milk to nurse and more when she wants another bite of yummy food. Just before her first birthday she started saying Uh-oh anytime she dropped something or fell over. She makes the cutest face when she says it. SHe hold the oh part and stretches her face so long. For the last several months she won't go anywhere without her 'jewelry' so we invested in a few more beaded necklaces for her birthday. It's hilarious to watch her dig around for them and put one on her neck before she gets up and goes.

Although she is developing quickly, she hasn't gained much weight. Staying steady at 21 lbs now. The doctor isn't worried about her growth so neither are we. Those chunky legs keep getting longer and longer though and there is no sign of that nice round belly leaving us any time soon. Madison still loves nursing with Mommy in between her big meals and is wearing 12 month clothes now.

She loves her big girl food and now prefers to feed herself. She tolerates being spoon fed but prefers bite size pieces she can hold put in her mouth herself. One of her favorite eating time activites is pushing things over the edge of the highchair to share with Sierra. Needless to say Madison and Sierra are becoming great friends. Sierra tolerates Madison climbing on her since she is so generous with her food and snacks. Sierra is more than willing to share pieces of her dog biscuits too. It's pretty sweet to watch Madison toddle over to Sierra and put her head down next to her. Soon enough this dynamic duo will make lots of trouble, I'm sure.

The last month she is growing and changing so much. We enjoy watching her discover how new toys work and learn to perfect her new walking ability. Lately she thows her arms up and practically runs around the house she's moving so fast. She just toddles with her arms up above her head, giggling the whole time. It's not always fun and games though. Miss Madison is learning to throw temper tantrums. She arches her back and throws her head back if she is unhappy with you. Best of all, when she gets really upset she walks around in a big circle then lays on the ground or dramatically throws her head back to lean against the sofa. We are learning to ignore the occasional tantrums in the hopes they will cease. Needless to say, one of the new signs we are working on is 'Stop'.

Back to fun...We found out Madison enjoys swinging. The day before her birthday Mommy and Madison went to the park to play with Spencer and Megan Snee. Spencer and Madison had so much fun swinging together. One of our favorite new things are her hugs. Madison walks right up to each of us and hugs our legs then looks up and smiles. When we are sitting down she will crawl into our laps and snuggle with us. What could be better for a Mommy and Daddy? Such a precious gift!

Click for photos of the past month.

Pumpkin Update

We are growing another big pumpkin this year. This one already passed last year's weight and we still have 2 1/2 months until Halloween! Last years pumpkin was just under 200 lbs, this one is up to 215 already!!

As reminder here is a photo of last years final pumpkin so you can compare. Look at how big our little girl has gotten too.

Walking at the mall

Last night we went to the farmer's market at the mall to walk around. Literally. Madison had her first opportunity to walk outside. Mommy and Madison went to the outdoor mall play area yesterday morning for a little practice. The real test came last night when Mommy and Daddy let Madison walk around the farmer's market in the parking lot. As you can see in the photos we were worried about skinned knees so we were not far from her. She was the hit of the market with her cute shoes and wobbly toddle. She loves to stick her belly out and go. We wrapped up the evening with more playtime at the mall play area. Daddy had fun showing off Madison's wheel barrel trick too. I just laugh every time! She tried to follow the bigger kids around the play place and was just exhausted when we got home. It was an early bedtime for this little girl.

WALKING!

She's been standing on her own for over a month now. Actually she's been walking for a couple weeks. Her first steps were July 11th. She's practically a full time walker now. She walks all around the house. She even turns around without falling now. Pretty soon she'll be running! Still working on getting a video posted of our new toddler. Stay tuned for the action shots.

Month Eleven

This month was full of fun. We went to Florida to visit family. Flew to Ohio and Pittsburgh to go to a wedding and visit more family. Aunt Kristi came to visit. Gramm and Grandpa Lackey came to visit. Madison went from one or two unassisted steps to an almost full time walker. Now she prefers walking to crawling. Unless of course she is tired, and then it's crawling or sitting and crying. She is developing a little temper and does not like to be told no. If she is doing something she's not supposed to be she will look back at you to see if you are watching. If she gets caught she just smiles and goes right back to it. She knows she's the boss around here.

Madison LOVES swimming in her pool too. She has 4 bathing suits now. Afterall, a girl need options, right? She is a crack up, crawling from one side of the pool to another. She knows she's not allowed to stand up in the pool but she loves to test us and do it anyway, then look at us with a huge smile.

Mommy started this month with Madison full time. We get to stay home and play together all the time now. Madison and Mommy also help take care of Noah Stead. His parents, Chris and Angie are Mommy and Daddy's friends. Noah is 6 months and a day younger than Madison. We play at his house two days a week and he plays at our house 2 days a week. So far the kids really seem to enjoy each other. They make the funniest faces at each other.

Most of this month's pics are in other posts but we saved a few for this. Still working on getting a short video of the walking phenomenon. All our footage is on the video camera not the digital.

Can you believe she is almost a YEAR old?