October trip to FL

October 17th Madison and Mommy left for FL to visit Mommy's family and friends. We had such a great time visiting. Madison played with Shanon and her kids, Declan, Alex, Riley, and Bobby. She wore her Gator outfit from Uncle Matthew that day- needless to say it was NOT the day of the Georgia-Florida game. Shanon's youngest, Bobby also had on a Gator outfit, which confused Riley. She thought our little baldy Madison was 'another Bobby'. We also had a great time playing with Reagan Kelly, Macy Baker, Dylan and Kaisley Carswell, and Kendall Sines. Kendall was a little timid the first time we played. By the second time, she and Madison were dancing and running around Old Navy together trying on hats.

Uncle Matthew taught Madison how to use Gramm and Grandpa's sofa like a jungle gym (thanks a lot Uncle Matthew!). Aunt Abby taught Madison how to go down the stairs face forward (with two hands for assistance of course) instead of inching down backwards as she used to do safely. When Gramm and Grandpa's dogs barked, Madison learned to tell them, 'No, No'. Unfortunately she used this new found word on Mommy when she didn't want to go down for naps too. She also perfected shaking her head back and forth (like saying no) when she is doing something she shouldn't be. For example, if she pulled on the lamp cord she would look at us and shake her head 'No'. It's great, she disciplines herself now. HA

Gramm had surgery on her elbow while we were there. Madison was a great nurse, sitting down next to Gramm and snuggling with her every opportunity she could find. She was especially happy when Gramm's cat, CC was on Gramm's lap. We taught Madison, 'gentle cat' so she didn't pull CC's whiskers and hair too much. Surprisingly Madison was pretty gentle and CC was pretty tolerant. All and all, I think CC was happy to see Madison go.

One of her favorite activities was waking Mommy up early to open the blinds and look out the front window of the bedroom to watch the cars go by. She learned the word and sign for 'car' and used it every time one drove by. She also learned the word and sign for 'ball'. And the sign for 'cup'. She knows she has to sit down to put on her shoes and now will sit down and try to put them on herself.

Gramm bought Madison squirting frogs for bath time. It didn't take long for her to figure out how to open the door handles at the house and let herself into the bathroom. She just stands by the tub pointing and saying, 'frog, frog'. Uncle Daniel brought out his GIANT Cha-Cha the tree frog from Rainforest Cafe too. Madison thought it was great fun to hug and lay on the frog. We thought we were going to have to buy an extra seat on the plane for our giant new friend!

We also got to spend a night with Aunt Dar and Uncle Michael. Aunt Dar showed Madison a special doll in Mommy's old room. Miss Madison remembered the pretty 'baby' and ran back to the door often, touching the door and saying, 'baby, baby'. She wanted to go back in and play with the baby more. We were quite impressed by her memory. She also got to play with Emma and Jack Ryan from across the street. They had lots of fun pretending they were cats and chasing Madison around the house. Of course whenever they would 'meow' Madison signed and said, 'Cat, Cat'. Poor Emma tried and tried to entertain Madison, but she was so enamored by Jack Ryan she barely paid attention to her little red-headed friend.

Madison did manage to get a sinus infection while we were in FL, so she got to meet Mommy's old family doctor. We learned Madison is allergic to the antibiotic Septra, which Mommy is also allergic to. No serious reaction, just a rash and yucky diarrhea. Madison also had her very first projectile vomit at Olive Garden with Mommy and Gramm the afternoon of the day we were leaving. Even with her cold, she was a trooper on the plane. As usual a fantastic flyer.

One of Mommy's favorite parts of the trip was watching the GA-FL game with her Gator friends, Jen and Tina. We had a great time harassing each other all game long. In the end the Bulldogs pulled through with a long awaited victory over the FL Gators. Go Dawgs!

Daddy says Madison grew a foot in the two weeks we were gone. She did get THREE new teeth while we were gone. Each day she seems to grow and change so much.