A Day in the Life

Here is a day in the life of Madi. I feel like I am always telling her no and she is getting in trouble all day. I decided to try and help the problem by making Madi her very own desk right by mine so she could feel like she had somewhere that was hers. Then she could color and be a good little girl while Mom works. She was really good but really needy. She kept wanting me to pick up her crayons, push her chair in, tell her how pretty her picture was. It was pretty adorable but I don't think I got any more work done than usual.

She loves coloring!

I'm busy Mom!

We tried potty training today for reals. Madi has been telling us occasionally when she has to go potty. I think she is trying to tell me she is ready to be potty trained. It was an okay day, she went twice in the potty and twice when i put her diaper back on. At least there were no underwear accidents though. I think I am the one who doesn't know what she is doing.

Then on to being a super hero or maybe a bride, I dont know what she was thinking. She actually is going through a naked stage lately. I was surprised she was putting more clothes on.

Of course you can't forget to give mom a snuggle. I love my snuggly, fun, happy girl.

Seaside and Kites

We went to Seaside, Oregon for the day last Saturday and had some fun on the beach. It was pretty chilly, you can see Madi's sweater. Madi loved the beach and the sand. I guess here in Oregon we have a lot of barkdust on the playground instead of sand. She thought the sand was fun, the first thing she did was throw it up in the air and get it in her eyes. Poor girl. I had to explain to her that sand and eyes dont mix well. She loved running in the water. I am sure she would've gone right in if we let her. Trevor had a great time flying our $1 kites. It was really windy, great weather for kite flying. The kites went right up in the air. It was a very fun day. I would love to spend the weekend there sometime and have more time to explore.

Did I hear a Niner?

I recently was able to go on a guys trip to Sandusky, Ohio home Cedar Point Amusement Park and Tommy Boy. Doug Taggart came in from Texas, and my brother Tyler flew in from Philly and I flew from Portland into Akron, Ohio and we drove up to Sandusky. It was pretty amazing. You can check out cedarpoint.com and go on the virtual rides. The ride in the picture goes straigh up 420 ft. and then right back down. It goes 0-120 MPH in like 4 seconds. My favorite rides were magnum PI, Millenium Falcon and of course, the dragster(shown).

20 Months

My Madi is 20 months old. She is practically 2. I can't believe it has been that long since she was born. She continues to surprise me everyday. Here are a few things she is up to lately:

• She recognizes most of her letters by sight.
  
• She calls Trevor and I by our first names, like she is way too big to call us mom and dad.
  
• She says NO to everything lately, which replaced Okay sadly.
• She eats at the table now (still in her seat but without the tray).
• She loves to go shopping with mom and loves to get a Jamba, our favorite summer treat.
  

I love this picture. She was watching Dad play ball after his last day of finals.
It reminds me of summer time which is my favorite time of the year.

Seattle

We got back from AZ on Wed. and left for Seattle on Thurs. We met the Kunz's up there and went to a Mariners game. It was fun, but the Mariners stink. This is Eric eating a finger full of Garlic from the Ralley Fries that didn't work too well. The next day the girls went to the Science Center and this is Madi in the Butterfly house. Eric and I went and played golf at Bear Creek Country Club with Scott and Kevin Croshaw. Kevin had just arrived home from his mission in Atlanta the day before. The Mariner tickets were from the croshaws too. Thank you Lori for hooking us up with an awesome vacation.

Vacation in the Sun

We went to AZ for about 8 days of our break. We first spent 4 days with the Heids swimming and playing games. Grandma and Grandpa got some quality Madi time, and we got to see Casey, Sophie, Tiff, and we saw Derrick for a split second.(They were in the middle of moving) We then spent four days at Summer's family. We apparently did not take any pictures so hopefully Grandma Sandy can send us some. We had a lot of fun there in their pool and playing games with the boys. Madi adored Sierra and followed her everywhere. Thanks to everybody in AZ. We also got to see some friends for a BBQ. It was good to see you Hassells and Holdaways and Knights.

Chinese Gardens

School is out for two weeks and we decided to go to the Chinese Gardens in Downtown Portland. It was pretty cool, but after about 15-20 minutes of walking around with Madi, we were ready to leave. Luckily we got in free with a cultural pass from our library.

Egg Whites?

For those of you that don't know Madi has had a rash on her face, arms, and legs for about a year now. It just keeps getting worse and it started spreading to other parts of her body, like up her legs, and back. I have been constantly asking our awesome doctors (j/k) at the clinic here what I could do about it. They just told me it was something she would grow out of and try new lotions or soaps. I have tried just about every lotion on the market by the way. I even took her off dairy for a while thinking it might be a milk allergy. It still didn't clear up. Finally we went for her 18 month appointment and we met with a new doctor since our regular one wasn't there that day. I again asked if she thought it was allergies. She said lets try an allergy test. The previous doctor said our insurance wouldn't cover it so we didn't try. The doc says the skin tests are not covered but blood tests are. So they try to take Madi's blood which was heartbreaking. I was alone with her and two other nurses tried to hold her down. It wasn't happening. We rescheduled to when Trevor could be there to hold her. That time it went good and they got the sample. The lab tech says it should be a few days, we'll call you if anything comes up. Yesterday I finally call them back (two weeks later) wondering if maybe they did find something and didnt call. The nice nurse on the phone explains that Madi is allergic to egg whites. Egg whites? I would have never guessed that. It is a mild allergy but it could be why she has developed the rash. I was so relieved which is weird to say. I am sad that my baby has an allergy but am so happy to find out what the problem is.

So no cookies, cakes, or chicken nuggets for Madi. We now have to change how we eat a little bit. Maybe it will actually make us eat a little bit healthier. I am hoping that we will start to see her skin clear up soon.

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?"

Splash Park Fun!

Madi had so much fun at the splash park this past weekend. The weather has finally warmed up so we made sure to take advantage and go outside. The water was still freezing but Madi played for the longest time. She loved it. She would come say hi to us and I could tell she was freezing but having too much fun to care. Oh what fun to be a kid again!

What we've been up to

I have been slacking lately. Here are some random pics of the last few weeks. We have been having some awesome weather so we have been outside as much as possible. Madi and I went with some friends to the Rhododendron Gardens . They are beautiful!splashing her feet in the water
Trevor played in his schools golf tournament last weekend.
They played at a really nice course in town and had a really good time.

We went to a picnic on Memorial weekend at Blue Lake park with some friends. I want to get Madi a chair like this, it is so cute.

This is just a random pic of us waiting for Daddy to come home. We sometimes go on the balcony and wave to him and Madi gets so excited for her Daddy!

New Kids are Back!

The New Kids on the Block performed on the Today show on Friday and it was so good, I was dancing in my pjs. I love these guys and they are better than ever. The dance moves were great, even in the pouring rain. Their new song is my new summer theme song. I love it. Also, they just announced they are coming in concert to Portland November 23rd. Anybody in?

Waterfront Park in Bellevue

We took Madilyn to this park on the water by Trevor's grandma's house . It was the cutest little park and you could swim there in the summer, they had lifeguard stations and everything. Too bad it was rainy and cold:( It is amazing how we lived in Seattle for three months and never saw anything. I love having a child, it makes you get out and explore.

A major closeup family portrait.

Take me out to the....

Mariner Game.

We went to Seattle on Friday to see a game. I just love baseball games, the fans, the food (yes, I love junk food), and the fun of course. I even love the little games they play in the middle of innings, you know the ball hidden under the hat or the racing bottles of condiments (Trevor always picks mustard). The dancing grounds crew always makes me laugh. I even love the proposals on the big screen. Lastly, I love the baseball! I do sometimes miss that being such a big part of our lives. It was kind of funny for Trevor to see two of his old teammates playing on the field.

I do like the Mariners but I am still a Diamondbacks fan at heart. Except I still think it is weird to see them wearing red, it's just not right.

We took Trevor's cousin Darren and his wife Brandy. I had never met them before and Trevor had last seen his cousin about 10 years ago. We had a lot of fun getting to know them, they are a cute couple.

Gymnastics

We went to open gym with our friends Angela and Ryder this week and had so much fun. She loved the trampolines and hanging from the bars. She even liked the balance beam. They are really low to the ground for kids and the parents are by them the whole time. She was a little cranky since it was so close to naptime but I hope she will get better as we continue going. They had this 3 person swing that the kids just love. The video is Madi's first time on the swing.

Since my work schedule varies week to week, I love open gyms so I don't have to go every week if I am busy. The pool is open preschool swim too. I decided that is way better than swimming lessons where I hear they don't really teach them much at this age anyways. We love getting out of the house everyday and doing something, even if it is at McDonalds playplace.

18 Months

I can't believe my baby is 18 months old. She has changed so much in the past few months it blows me away. It's like she went from a baby to a little girl overnight. Here are some of the highlights of the past few months:

• Madi learning how to climb out of her crib this week, luckily she is doing really well in her toddler bed. Luckily she can't open doors yet so she isn't just walking out of her room.
  
• She wants to walk up and down the stairs instead of me holding her. What a big girl.
• She has gotten better at swimming. She blows bubbles, doesn't choke when I put her under, and can go down the baby slide without swallowing water. AZ here we come!
• She is climbing on everything, chairs, tables, she is a little monkey.
  
• She is trying to learn her ABCs, she says ABCDE so far. The leap frog video is awesome. She says the letter sounds already.
  
• She can do a somersault and can jump. Her jump is actually one foot at a time. It looks hilarious.
  
• Can't wait for nursery. She is a social butterfly so she will love it!

P.S. I just have to add that the cat blanket was given to me by a little old lady in our ward when Madi was born. It is actually a really nice warm blanket and we haven't gotten her a bedding set. No, I am not a cat lover lady. ( To Shana)

I Passed Boards!!!!

I got my scores this morning and I passed all 6 sections. Pathology I barely squeaked by, but our Path teacher being fired recently might be why some of us were not as prepared for that subject as we should have. No more Chemistry ever!!!!!!

Fun in the sunshine

Madilyn and I went to AZ last week for a quick trip. We didn't really have a reason, just wanted to see some sunshine and play with family. Madi loved hanging out with everyone and could say almost everyone's names. Also she loved playing outside and getting dirty. I was excited that she could finally wear her spring/summer clothes. It was such a nice break from the rain.

Picking up the kids from school.

She fed Sophie cereal and practically shoved it in her mouth faster than she could swallow.
It was hilarious.

Time for kisses! We loved Gramma Tracy's new carpet, so nice for the babies.

The girls hanging out.

My brother Sal had prom while we were there so I got to go and take pictures.
How fun! Isn't he handsome?

The Little Tulip keeps on growing!

We were off to the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival this week. Because of the cold cold weather we have been having, not all of the tulips were in bloom yet. Probably about 60% were bloomed but it was still really pretty. Madi really enjoyed running through the rows and rows of flowers and had muddy knees by the time we left. We rode a cow train that was adorable and shared an elephant ear. Good times were had by all.The train was made from old barrels and wasn't the most comfortable ride but a very cute idea.Smelling the flowers.This was taken last year. She was such a round little thing. She has grown up so much this last year.
She was busy eating part of her elephant ear and didn't feel like posing.