A swinger!

I took Madison to the park on Friday and we tried one of those baby swings and she had so much fun.  I told Rick and he went ahead and put up her swing that we bought a while back. She had a ball.

Just in case the video doesn't work, I have a still photo too.

A day at the Spa

Madison loves going "swimming" in Daddy's Spa.  She finally let me put her in her floaty boat, she was afraid of it other times, but today she was happy and did great!  We played for a long time and then Daddy got her out and I couldn't resist the Elmo moment. She isn't into him as much as before, but this was just too cute.

I got a new camera with a faster shutter lag, hence all then new photos, trying it out to decide if I want to keep it!

I hope you enjoy.

Tasty Baby - Frozen Organic Baby Food

I was finally able to find some organic frozen baby food that you can have delivered to your house. Since I don't live in the Big City or near the stores that carry it, I found one that did deliver (for free through Amazon). http://www.tastybaby.com/ 

I bought one of each of all they offer to try and here is the verdict so far.  Madison hates peas but eats theirs better than any other, I think it has to do with the fact that the "Peas on Earth" are mixed with a hint of mint.  Interesting combination but she doesn't seem to mind them as much. 

Most of the foods we have tried are very interesting combinations (Bananas and Mangos - AKA Bangos - very tasty) and we are very pleased with the quality.

Madison might disagree.  We are trying to add some texture and more complicated flavors to Madison's diet and so we tried the Stage three foods with Tasty Baby....Here is her reaction to "Mama Mia" A pasta/zucchini mixture that was very fragrant with spice....

I got a really nice letter of thanks after I ordered from Amazon (free shipping) from the owners with a free shopping bag - and they suggested that I should send a photo of Madison experiencing the product and let them know what we thought! What do you think, should I share this with them? HAHAHAHAHA

Funny thing was, she did this EVERY TIME I gave her a bite of this food.  I couldn't get the picture so I kept giving it to her until we got it just right! She kept watching the spoon to see what was coming next. She is getting smarter everyday!

All in all, we love the food, just more than she could handle at the moment, texture, aroma and flavors.  All of the first and second foods have been well received so far!

Bye Bye Bee Bo

Here is the photo of Madison saying Bye Bye to Bee Bo the signing Bear at our last class.  We signed up for the next round or "More Sign Say and Play" starting in Aug so she will see him again.  Did I already say she gave him a kiss and I missed it with my stupid slow shutter camera? :-)

Biter Biscuits

Madison had her first Gerber Biter Biscuit tonight!  While sticky and gross and got over everything, she thought it was tasty and was willing to share! It took her some time to eat it so at least I had some time to eat dinner myself.

I took some shots and since most of my posts are long winded I will let these speak for themselves.
Happy Viewing!

YUMMY!

WANNA BITE?

Meet my new dogs "DYSON" and "SWIFFER"

Happy NINE Months!

Signing Update: Madison learned "Flower" at her last class and she has been doing it ever since!  I think the really strong smelling roses made an impact on her and now she will "Sniff" everytime she sees a picture of a flower and you say "Where is the flower". Just today she added a lip thing that cracks me up. We were only able to get a photo of it on the phone so the quality is not that great but while it is not the most attractive of faces it is good for a good belly laugh!

Madison Signs FLOWER (While Sniffing)

My parents have also taught her how to say YES and NO my imitating you shaking your head yes and no. The funny part is she uses her whole body and it is just the cutest thing EVER!

She can pick out the following from a book, she listens, looks to you for the sign and then points to the picture: Frog/Duck/Dog/Flower/Bird/Cat.  We are still working on Mouse/Butterfly/Bee/Bug. All of these are in a Puppy Picnic book that is one of her favorites. I think she remembers Frog mostly because when she sees the book she starts signing Frog right away! :-)

This is really fun and only getting better!

Baby Sign Update

We had out last class this week and we signed up for the "More Sign Say and Play" class starting in Aug. We will learn things like Feelings/Safety/Colors/Birthday party signs etc. (Perfect timing since it is only 3 short months to her 1st Birthday!) I thought about waiting but didn't want to lose the momentum and she seems to really enjoy it and so do I.

I was so excited on Tuesday because when we were reviewing the signs, each child takes a turn (we had a 9mo old, a 14mo old and a 10mo old in class) pulling out 'concept' cards from a back pack. At the beginning everyone was like "I am not sticking my hand in there" and all the Mommies had to help. This time Madison was like "I know what's in there" and reached right in. She pulled out the "Frog" card and right on cue (When she saw it, we hadn't said the word yet) she stuck her tongue in and out and signed the Frog sign! I was so PROUD! She signed "More" when the music stopped and it was adorable.

I commented to our instructor in an email how enjoyable this was for us and I wanted to share her response:

"I am so glad you guys are enjoying the class. I know it certainly made a huge difference in our lives (particularly the child development info!). Even though Madison is on the young end she definitely seems to be getting it figured out (she’s going to be dangerous when she really figures out how to precisely control those hands and arms!). The fact that she has FROG perfectly is a huge thing! It’s not a mealtime sign so it shows she’s moving on to higher order signs (beyond basic needs) to talk about things that interest her."

I am a very PROUD Momma this morning....can you feel the GLOW? :-)

I tried to get a picture of her hugging BeeBo the signing Bear but it wasn't very good. And then I missed the KISS! (She gives kisses now when you sign for one) I need a new camera with a faster shutter lag! I am missing all my Mommy Memory Moments!

Touching Moments

I finally found a CPR class to take.  I asked my Mom if she wanted to take it with me and we got all signed up.  She called the other day and said that my Dad wanted to take it too and so I got him registered as well.  Rick is a certified EMT so he didn't need to come.

So off my parents and I went, leaving Rick with Madison and the bedtime routine all by himself.

Touching Moment #1

Watching my 69 year old Dad on the floor with his hurt knees bent over a CPR doll giving chest compressions and breathing touched me in such a way I can't hardly put it into words.  My heart was just filled with so much love for this man it was unbelievable.  God truly works in mysterious ways and I truly believe He gave me Madison at the time He did for many reasons beyond my comprehension.

Touching Moment #2

We watched some scenario videos and I was fine until they came to the infant one.  It just so happened that the scenario was a grandpa on the phone to the daughter saying "Have a good time the baby is fine with us".  Then the grandma goes in to check on her and she is in her crib not breathing (One of the hardest things to get out a new mom's mind).  She begins CPR and we go on.  Except when the lights went up I had tears in my eyes.  What a wuss.  There was another new Mom there and she wasn't crying. I chalk it up to the hormones from nursing (I don't tell people that I have ALWAYS cried easily even at Hallmark commercials!)

I have to say, doing the CPR on the tiny infant dolls was much more difficult emotionally than I anticipated.  It was so real and scary to think I am learning something I hope never to have to use.

Touching Moment #3

I told Rick that if I heard the baby crying when I came home that I was going to just keep on driving and come back when she stopped.  She wasn't crying but fast asleep.  Daddy did good without Mommy, which brings me such joy I can't explain.  Not that I didn't want to be home, but that she did well for him. He had never put her down before (the nursing really hinders the Daddy involvement, one of the few downsides)  He said he even took her around the house and said and signed goodnight to the dogs one by one. This is part of our new routine and I am glad he did it with her and read her books and all.  He makes me very proud to be his partner in this parenting adventure.

That is enough Touching for tonight...time for bed....hmmm...things that make you go hmmm. Whatever, sleep is my most treasured desire these days! :-)

If you're happy and you know it.....CYH!

Tummy and Music Time

Madison got a new toy to hopefully encourage her to try some tummy time. It is filled with water and has floating toys inside. She had fun for a little while. She is getting stronger and rolling back and forth more and more. 

She was playing with her new drums (thanks for the tip from Amanda) and her piano that Daddy got her.  It was so cute, she was pounding on the drums and then she reached way over and pounded on the piano. She made her own little one lady Lulu band!  Rick walked in and said "She can't date a musician!"  She loves music so much and will dance to most anything. One of her favorites are the music cards from Hallmark.

Happy Times!

I got some photos downloaded finally and wanted to share some recent good times.

Happy 1st Fourth of JULY!

We went to the arts and crap (I mean crafts) fair in Atwater (My good friend Sabrina had a booth for her massage business so we went to say HI) Then we went to a friends house for a BBQ - Good times.

Madison was sporting her long mohawk - Rick said it was her fuse cause she was a firecracker!

The above was Madison explaining to me her new book about American songs. Or she was showing her Dad some gang signs!

Today we had a fun day outside in the water with bubbles and splashing.  Daddy emptied the spa for cleaning so we filled up Roxy's little pool and played around.

If you look close you can see two tiny teeth. They kind of look like reflection but trust me they are there, she proved it this weekend by biting me while nursing for the first time....yikes.

 

Life is good, wait, life is so much better than good! Life is Tony the Tiger GRRRREEEAAATTTT! (I know you heard it in your head just now!)