Happy Easter

Seventh Month

She just keeps growing. We started this month with her six month birthday check up with Dr Pattan. The doctor and her nurse were quite impressed at how advanced Miss Madison is with her motor skills. She sits up by herself, reaches with both hands for toys, (although she favors her left- we think she's a lefty!) rolls all over the living room, pushes up to all fours and wiggles. They say the next step is crawling, but she seems to like just rocking. She gets up, moves her knees forward a bit, but can't seem to get her hands to move. This month was particularly exciting for Daddy because he started his 7 week paternity leave. He is having such a great time playing with Madison. Bath time is a favorite for both of them. Lots of splashing and playing with all Madison's duckies. She loves most of her toys, but her favorites still seem to be her toes and whatever paper Mommy and Daddy are holding. Everything goes to the mouth now. It seems to help soothe the TWO teeth that poked through on the bottom. They are tough to photograph because if you push down her front lip to see them she sticks out her tongue!

Mommy was pretty slow about introducing solid foods to Madison. Before this month began she'd tasted single grain cereals, bananas, applesauce and sweet potatoes. Dr Pattan said Madison needed protein via meaty baby foods by her 7 month birthday. We stepped it up, and now Madison eats all Gerber 1st foods and some 2nd foods too. She even tried some spicy bean dip at Los Toros at dinner with Mommy and Daddy and the Snee family. Madison was very interested in her friend Spencer Snee, who is one month younger than she is. They were so big in their high chairs across the table from each other.

This month Madison had fun camping at the Kern River, hanging out with Mommy on President's Day, playing at home with Daddy, going to her friend Caroline's 1st Birthday party, and playing with her first Balloon on Uncle Chris's birthday! She LOVES rolling around the room to find her friend Sierra and play with her. Sierra is very tolerant of Madison's exploratory hands.

This month's photos.

Rock and Roll!

Madison is rolling all over the house, but her newest trick is rocking. Can you believe it? She is up on all fours rocking. No video of this new trick yet, but lots of photos. She'll be crawling before too long. Daddy says by the weekend. Mommy hopes she waits so I won't miss it!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Here are a couple of Mommy's favorite photos from our recent shoot. Gramm sent this outfit in honor of Nana's (Mommy's Grandma) birthday March 17th!

New Bath Tricks

Saturday Madison showed Mommy and Daddy some new bath tricks. She can splash the water with her hands and kick with her feet like she's swimming! She loves to splash Mommy and Daddy. We knew it wouldn't be long before she figured it out.

Camping at the Kern River

We took a short family trip to the Kern to camp with some friends. Kelly and Jason let us stay with them in their trailer so we didn't have to pitch a tent. The weather was beautiful. Just a few clouds in the sky and a nice breeze. Madison had a great time hiking on rocks with Mommy and Daddy and watching the boys fish. She even got to hold her first fishing worm! Sean helped Mommy make sure the worm didn't go into Madison's mouth like so many other new toys. Last time we went to the Kern Madison was still in Mommy's belly. This time she decided camping is hard work. Just before we left Madison fell asleep on Mommy's shoulder, mouth wide open. Check out all Madison's weekend adventures.

Madison's Sixth Month

Happy Half Birthday! We realized as the date approached, Madison shares her half birthday with Uncle Matthew's actual birthday. Unfortunately Uncle Matthew lives in Florida so they weren't able to share the day together. He sent her a Steelers teddy bear with her name on it to celebrate the occassion. Check out Madison and her new bear. This month we learned Madison loves to stick her hands in Daddy's coffee cup. She is quite the little explorer. Her hands grab everything (and send most things straight to the mouth!) Madison started eating fruit too. Just bananas and applesauce so far. She learned to push up to her knees and scoot around more. This little rolly polly bug is too active to lay on the sofa for naps now. She sticks her fanny up in the air while sleeping and rolls from front to back. This new sleeping manuever keeps Mommy and Daddy on their toes! Madison mastered sitting up. She can't get to the sit up position by herself, but when we sit her up she stays and plays or watches her favorite cartoons- Handy Manny and Little Einsteins. She'll sit up until a toy is just out of reach, then she lays down to scoot and reach.
Madison enjoyed camping in the Mojave desert this month. She loves being outside and playing. Her peach fuzz is growing, but we still like to make sure her little bald head is covered outside. No sunburns for this kiddo! She looks too cute in her hats. Madison learned to say 'MaMaMa' this month. She still doesn't know what it means, but she uses it all the time. She talks ALL the time now, but MaMa is the only recognizable word. Her changing table seems to bring out her voice. Everytime we lay her down she chats up a storm. She's also learned to grab her feet during changes. Makes our job a little more difficult, but it's so cute to see her toe touches.

Madison enjoyed Valentine's Day too. She wore a cute red and white gingham dress and red sweater to daycare. Madison loves her maryjane socks from Gramm. She wears them all the time since most of her shoes are too big or too small now. She is wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes now and has graduated to 9 month sleepers. We go to the doctor February 20th for her 6 month check up. Check out some more photos of our favorite little girl.

Happy Valentine's Day

Look who's sitting up like a Big Girl!

Madison started sitting up all by herself this weekend. Our amazing little girl is so big. Sitting up by herself and trying so hard to crawl. She'll be mobile before long!

Aunt Kristi's Birthday in the Desert

Aunt Kristi, one of Mommy's best friends, came to town from Georgia to celebrate her birthday. Uncle Chris Whalley planned a camping trip to Dove Springs in the desert to celebrate the occasion. Madison had so much fun getting to know Aunt Kristi better. Dana and Brian Woronec let Madison and Mommy stay with them in their new trailer since overnight temperatures were in the low 30s! Daddy had the flu with a high fever so it was good for Madison and Mommy to get out of the house for a couple days. Unfortunately Madison did get a runny nose and developed a bright red rash between her nose and lips. Luckily its all better now. Take a look at some photos of our adventures in the sand.

Month Five

My how time flies! We can hardly believe our little girl is 5 months old. She's turning into quite the little lady. Madison has learned how to pull her pacifier out and put it back in again, although she usually plays with it and tries to put it in backwards first. She loves her baby Emily's crinkly dress. It makes a great noise! This month Madison met some of Grandma and Grandpa Shemenski's friends, including the Cottriel's. They've known Daddy since he was a little boy!

She graduated to size 2 diapers this month and is still wearing 3-6 month clothes (for the most part). Madison is SO tall she's wearing 6 month sleepers. She weighed 16lbs when she went to the doctor January 8th with congestion in her nose, throat, and chest. 10 days of Amoxicillin and she is all better.

Madison learned to take a bottle since Mommy had to go back to work on January 2nd. It was harder on Mommy than Madison, she's having fun with her friends Carson and Kamryn Daub at daycare. Mommy only cried the first two mornings (ok and the entire day before she had to go back). Mommy and Daddy are so happy to have Madison in a home, rather than a big commercial place. She loves watching the older pre-schoolers play, and they are enamored by such a little person. Madison is increasing her diet to single grain cereals. We've tried Rice, Oatmeal, and Barley. Rice seems to be her favorite (and makes her toot the least) so we're sticking to that, but she still loves Mommy's milk best.

She now rolls from front to back and back to front. Madison figured out who Sierra is and they are great friends. She smiles and laughs when she sees her four legged friend, and Sierra is learning to tolerate Madison's explorations of her snout and floppy ears. Mommy and Daddy are also subject to Madison's curiosity as she grabs at our noses, lips, glasses and ears! She seems very interested in everything around her, including all the food Mommy and Daddy eat. It won't be long before she's crawling. She kicks like crazy, loves her tummy time, and reaches for everything around her. More often than not she rolls or scoots off her floor blanket when she is playing. Daddy's favorite trick is holding Madison's fingers and letting her take steps. Yes, you read correctly-steps. Madison walks with assistance, much to Mommy's dismay. She's anxious to get up and go! She wants to skip crawling and go straight to walking. She's working on sitting up too, although being still isn't her favorite. She's working on sitting up on her own. It helps that she has built in toys (her feet) to keep her occupied while sitting up! Take a look at this month's pictures.

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.