Madeline is 4, part 1

So over a month ago Madeline turned four. Yeah, I'm behind. Like very very very behind. Don't remind me.

So although I never intended it this way it seems we have a tradition of going to the zoo to celebrate Madeline's birthday! This is the third year in a row we've spend her birthday at the zoo with friends. (Read about her second and third birthdays by clicking on the links.)

We started the day on the carousel. I should have cropped these photos better than I did, but click on it to see her HUGE smile a little better.

And did you see Lydia's terrified expression? I'll wait while you go back to look.

Totally worth a second look huh? Comedy gold I tell ya!

And because I am posting this way after the fact but just a few days after father's day I wanted to post this photo because if that expression isn't the look of love I don't know what is.

Good God I love that man!

Back to the zoo....

As soon as I snapped this photo I remembered a similar photo I took almost three years earlier. This girl needs to stop growing up so fast. Stop it I tell ya!

Although Madeline loved the zoo animals there was one person who really made her day:

This is Scott, Kevin's best friend and Madeline's birthday buddy. He and his wife and brand new baby girl (eep!) just happen to be in town for Madeline's birthday (which also happens to be Scott's birthday). This might just be one of my favorite photos of Madeline ever. She and Scott have a very special bond and the love and admiration is mutual.

A huge thank you to Anna, Madeline and Cullen and Scott, Becky and Eliza for joining us in celebration of Madeline's 4th birthday! It was a great day and I am so glad she got to share part of it with you!

The Tuesday Ten, vol. II

The Tuesday Ten-1.11.11 edition!

-1-
It snowed today. We played outside. Madeline and Kevin went sledding. I made chocolate chip brownie bars. Not one cup of hot chocolate was consumed. I think we need a do over.

-2-
We had a new bed delivered today. It is huge. I may never leave it. If you don't hear from me ever again you know where to find me.

-3-
Scott and Becky arrived back in STL today. We've decided we need to tell Madeline that Scott and Becky are arriving one day later than reality to avoid the constant stream of "are they here yet? is that their plane? are they coming here now? is it time yet? when are they getting here?"s spewing from her mouth.

-4-
Madeline played independently for almost 30 minutes yesterday. That is HUGE! I am half way to an episode of Oprah. (I'm (half) kidding!)

-5-
It is 10:15pm and Lydia is currently screaming from her room. I don't know why. I kinda hate this part of motherhood. (The not knowing why your baby (or 14 month old) is screaming therefore not being able to fix it.) (edit: it is now 10:27 pm and she isn't crying, fingers crossed...)

-6-
Kevin has to go back to work tomorrow after being off for three days in a row. I like having him around. I know he likes being had.

-7-
I am currently obsessed with potato soup. Snow is perfect soup weather. I think I may have to cook up a pot tomorrow. That would make five pots in four weeks. I tell you, this stuff is guh to the ood!

-8-
Or maybe I'll try a butternut squash recipe I was introduced to last week. It's pretty much potato soup - potatos + butternut squash. I bet it is just as yummy. I'll let you know.

-9-
Today I got a comment on this post from a blogger I L.O.V.E. Do you read Are We There Yet? You should. (but then again don't because you might like her more than me and then this here bligity-blog will seem even lamer... so never mind, forget I said anything.)

-10-
We had dinner out tonight. With other adults. It was ten kinds of awesome. (Thanks again Mr. H!)

I made it through another Tuesday Ten! Now it's your turn. Post as many as you'd like in the comments or post your own on your blog then leave a comment so I can read yours too!

Tonight, I proved myself to be completely emotionally unstable

Happy 4th of July.

Today was kinda crappy but for totally boring reasons except for one.

Tonight I proved myself to be completely emotionally unstable.

Let me back up. The 4th is generally my favorite holiday. This year it just hasn't felt right. I thought it might be because it was on a Sunday so the festivities were unnaturally spread over the course of three days. This is one case where three days is not better than one. Tonight I proved that there was way more to it than that.

After finishing dinner I sat at the table with Kevin and Kathy (my SIL) conversing. Kathy, very innocently asked if our friends Scott and Becky were in town for the holiday and I BURST into tears immediately and without warning. Not just little tears, like a full out sob. Immediately. So it turns out I really do have emotional problems.

Kevin had to answer her because I couldn't. As it turns out I miss them more than I was letting myself feel and although I couldn't put my finger on why I was so unbalanced this 4th of July at that moment I knew that it didn't feel right because they weren't there. I was missing them in a way that I totally hadn't expected.

Where were they? Well Scott is a member of the US Army and is currently deployed to Iraq. Becky, is living in Hawaii where he is stationed until the end of this year sometime. This is the first 4th of July in at least 6 years that we have spent without them.

It sucked.

To top it off we went to see fireworks tonight and stopped by 'our usual spot' to say hello to Scott's mother and upon telling her this story I began crying all over again.

It's official. I need serious psychiatric intervention.

Now.

mg

Because without them, we'd be loosers

Let it be known that I am not feeling particularly clever, or literate for that matter, tonight. Bare with me.

Week of Thanks- Part II
Our Friends*

Not only do our friends make me less of a looser, but they help me keep my sanity. My friends in no particular order:

• have talked me down from emotional hysterics
• fought to protect me, you and our entire nation
  
• cooked us dinner (and it was yummy too)
• known me longer and better than most people, except my family members
• reassured me that my child was 'normal' (especially when it comes to speech and language!)
• Helped me become a better person, a better mother and a better wife (honest you did.)

So thank you to my friends. This lame-o list is in no way comprehensive... there is sooo much more that you do to make me thankful. You rock.

**********
*One of my best friends in the entire world, and one of the few people who I can be totally honest with, no matter the situation, is my brother. He married a lovely woman, Kathy who is also very dear to me. Then there is Kevin's brother and our sister in law Beth who are hilarious and wonderful in their own ways. I mention this here, because although they are technically family, they are some of the best friends I could ask for. Even if I wasn't stuck with them, I choose them as my friends.

mg

Because you asked so nicely...

Kevin's bestie* Scott is currently on his second tour of duty with the US Army in Iraq. To say we miss him is a HUGE understatement. He left us a comment the other day that I can't ignore.


I know it has been almost two weeks since Lydia joined our family, but honestly I don't know where the time has gone. It isn't like I am using it to sleep... let me tell you. Honestly posting is just not at the top of my priority list, but for Scott, I make a major exception.

And I know that photo doesn't show our little girls best features off, so there are a few from the hour after she was born.



I do have a lot to blog, but right now I hear her crying from the other room. Birth story, meeting the big sister, coming home and adjusting to life as a family of 4 coming soon.

Until then, we love you all!

*Yep, I said bestie... deal with it.

mg

Water wings

Madeline is totally our daughter. Kevin and I both love the water. I swam competitively most of my life. Kevin just loves playing around although he did surprise me a few years ago in a freestyle race. He gave me a serious run for my money.


Scott and Becky were in town for the last two weeks and we spent a lot of time in Scott's mom's pool. Madeline shows no fear around the water. That is both a good thing and a bad thing.


She loves the water and I never want her to fear being in the pool. Last year we took some mommy and me swim classes and there was one little girl in particular who clung to her mother for dear life and cried and screamed and was bribed with food to simply put her toes in the water on her own. I NEVER want that to be Madeline.


However, Madeline jumps from the side of the pool with such ease that it makes me worry. She can't swim. Although she tries, oh how she tries. At one point last night she wanted out of my arms and just launched herself out towards Kevin. Although I would never let her go, with her arms paddling and her legs kicking she is just moments from being a fish.

With the summer not even half over I know there is plenty of time to build her skills. If only I could grow two or three more arms to help wrangle her!

mg

Sundays

Sundays are one of my favorite days of the week. Kevin works, which isn't much fun, but Madeline and I hang out all morning just playing around and sitting around in our "jam-buz." (aka. pajamas) Then when Kev get's home we head off to one of the grandparents houses for dinner. (We alternate every other Sunday with Kevin's parents and my parents.)

I went out to celebrate my friend Anna's birthday on Saturday night and when I got home, this is what was waiting for me.
That's right folks. That is all of our laundry clean and folded. My least favorite chore. My husband ROCKS!. All I had to do was put it away!

Then Madeline played her current favorite game.
She calls it, 'baskets.' She loves lining the laundry baskets up and diving from one to the next. Then she drags her babies with her and pretends they are sleeping in each of the baskets.

Isn't she a cutie?! I was trying to get a photo of her hair after a wild game of 'baskets.' It is standing on end.

If you click on this photo you can see it much better... but she was upset b/c in trying to climb into the dark blue basket it swung up and hit her in the forehead. Isn't that face pathetic. I assure you she is ok.

Once Madeline realized I was taking pictures she wanted her baby in on the action. She picked up baby (who she calls, Maggie or sock-n-mecky* alternately) and said, "baby picture." She loved seeing the two of them on the digital screen.

In this photo she had picked up baby 'le-oo' (baby Leo) and wanted a picture with all three. I made the mistake of asking her to smile. What a face huh? Just wait...

So Kev came home and we headed to dinner at Kev's parents house. Kevin's Grandmother, who Madeline calls GG celebrated her birthday** this week so we had cake and opened presents.

This time I didn't ask her to smile, but someone did. You have to click on that photo to see her face in it's full glory. This photo makes me laugh sooooo hard!

Madeline had hugs...

and kisses for the birthday girl.

Madeline and GG are so wonderfully sweet together. Madeline loves her GG!

***********************

* sock-n-mecky (aka, Scott and Becky) are two of our best friends. They are currently living in Hawaii, where Scott flies a Chinook Helicopter for the Army and Becky works as a speech and langauge pathologist. They were home over the holidays and Madeline fell in love with them. She has been asking for them ever since. (That's right guys, Madeline misses you so much she has named a babydoll after you... when are you coming home again?!?!)

**although Grandma has never owned a computer and may never know I posted these photos on our blog, I know she would be very unhappy with me if I told anyone her age. Let's just say she has lived through both World Wars and as a young woman she took an open cockpit biplane from Florida to CUBA as a day trip while on vacation.

mg

2008

So I feel compelled to do a year in review post. I am jumping on the bandwagon and bending to the peer pressure.

January found us at home. All month. Inside. Cold. I think that about sums it up.

In Febuary we were still inside. We did recruit some friends to come keep us company. Maddy had Frog. Mommy had Netfix.

March gave us some of the most beautiful snow in years. Madeline spent hours looking out the door at the white stuff.

April is when we discovered swings. Little did we know this one day at the park would lead to hours of swinging over the next four months!

May brought Madeline her first revolution around the sun. We celebrated with cake and a blood draw.

Madeline spent most of June upside down or in the pool.

July was full of late nights hanging with our very missed friends visiting from Hawaii. We also spent a lot of time with our new friends too.

August was the month of peaches and glorious days outdoors. We miss August. We miss peaches. We miss days outdoors.

In September I ruined the television show, Extreme Make Over Home Edition, for many of my readers. We FINALLY watched the show today. It was a tear jerker, but I am much more of a cynic now that I have seen the process.

In October we got a new lawn decoration. It didn't want to stand still.

November was full of cozy days at home and Indian summer days at the park.

And finally, December. December gave us one of the best Christmas' in my memory. Seeing the magic of the holiday for Madeline is amazing.

Looking back, not a lot happened to us this year. Except that Madeline grew, a lot. Can you believe how much she has changed!?!?!?! 2008, you have been a very calm and peaceful year. Thank you.

Now on to 2009.

mg

Happy Anniversary

One year ago today our friends Scott and Becky got married!

Since then, Scott went back to Iraq to finish his tour with the U.S. Army, Becky packed up their lives to be shipped to Hawaii, he came back and Becky moved to HI, they have successfully combined their lives, purchased a vehicle, survived an ant infestation, Becky has found a job, taken a million photographs and now have gotten word that at some point they will be going some where. (Don't you love the military and their "plans.") And, they still have smiles on their faces just like the ones below.


I'd say that is a successful first year of marriage. Congratulations!

**For Scott and Becky: Happy Anniversary! We know you can't be together on your special day, but know that we are thinking about you and hoping you both have a wonderful celebration when you are together next week. We love you! ~Maureen, Kevin and Madeline

mg

Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Independence Day everyone!

This is by far my favorite holiday of the year. I love the parades, the barbecue, the friends, the family and best of all, the fire works! This holiday has all of the fun but none of the responsibility of Christmas. I don't have to buy presents or make time to see all 100+ of my various family members across the city. (Which is more complicated when you get married and then even more complicated when you add kids into the mix!) The Fourth of July is sunshine, beer, swimming parties and did I mention fireworks! What is better than that?

Madeline and I went to the parade in WG this morning with Uncle Bryan and Beth. I will post photos tomorrow when I have time to download. She looked so cute in the onesie and hair clip I made her for the occasion. She didn't quite get the concept of parade. But she did chase after every dog or minature pony screaming "AHLA! AHLA! AHLA!" (That is "Olive" for any of you who don't yet speak Madeline. Olive is our cat and every animal is an "Olive" to her.)

Tonight Madeline heads to Grandma and Grandpa's for a sleepover so Kevin and I can watch fireworks with Scott and Becky and then stay up too late swimming in Mrs. P's pool and playing Rock Band. Have I mentioned how much fun it has been to have them home from HI?!?!

We are off to our second barbecue of the day this time at Becky's mom and dad's first. Did I mention that I love this holiday?!?!?


mg

Wacky Wednesday

I am a really poor speller. For that reason alone I hate Wed-nes-days. Now that I got that off my chest I feel better.

**********
Normally the bop-oo is reserved for bed time only. But on Saturday Maddy found one under her bed and brought it out into the living room. I caught this moment and it is now one of my favorite photos of her. Look at those curly locks and big lovely eyes. She really is an amazing little love isn't she?!?

June 28

**********
Madeline is so curious about everything. On Sunday night she kept looking to her grandparents watering can. Just to see if there was anything inside. How cute is she?! (And how pink are those pants! Whoa!)

June 29

**********
Scott and Becky are in town for the holiday and we have spent time with them every day since they got home. On Monday Kev and Scott got out the RC cars and raced them around the island in the subdivision. Kevin is thrilled to have his best friend home for the week. None of us are getting any sleep! (It is a good thing really...) I got a really good photo of Madeline that night, but I have special plans for it so I am not going to post it now. Try back tonight or tomorrow and I may have finished my project... (that is a tease so you will come back!)

June 30

June 30

mg

Scott is back from Iraq...

And all we got was this photo of his condo's kitchen. (All be it a very nice kitchen indeed!)
Welcome back to the U.S. Scott. Can't wait to see you back on the main land sometime soon!