Madison Mae--16 Months

Big time picture overload, but how was I to pick?  This was me being extremely selective! :)

Pop!  Madi's about to poke the bubble in the corner of this pic.  LOVE!

Such a magical, fairytale princess picture.  Totally love.  Wow, our photographer (code name "Grandma") is amazing!

Smack!  I just wanna lay one on that sweet cheek.  Delicious!

Soooooooo Madi!

Curls and Ruffles...love the textures and fluff from this backside view.

These breathtaking photos totally melt my heart.  Grandma working camera + Jill, Jodi, and Grandpa juggling wardrobe and hair, bubbles, lighting, spirited toddlers, fussy newborns = TOTALLY PRICELESS PICS!  A photoshoot of this magnitude and caliber is not simple and definitely counts as your cardio for the day!  I thoroughly love these pictures!  What a surprise since I never even knew the team had left the apartment..I was fast asleep napping upstairs!  It was better than Christmas to be surprised with these amazing pictures.  Such a treasure.  THANK YOU!

At Sixteen Months, Madi:

* Is a wild child.  She loves the park, has no fear of the big kid slides, loves to run, throw, kick, dance, twirl, squawk and scream.  She showers herself with wood chips and dirt and thoroughly loves sticks and rocks.  Grandma and Grandpa kindheartedly call her a "little character" which is a much nicer way of saying little shi*!  Church is pure torture--wonder if we'll ever make it through an entire 3 hour block again!

* She still LOVES her white blankie.  It has almost strangled and smothered her a few times in her crib since it was a big queen size softy (used to be Mama's), but Grandma Black solved this problem by cutting it into 4 perfect sized blankies that we can now take everywhere..stroller, van, crib, and couch.  Madi will start to stroke her curls and run her hand through her hair when she is sleepy--our signal for naptime.  She usually just takes one long nap from 12-2ish now.  She is also still great about sleeping through the night from 9-7 or 8 a.m.  Thank heavens!  When her eyes are open she goes a million miles an hour, more like a fun little boy, so we are very grateful for the deep sleep at night.

*  Madi still LOVES books.  She is quite the little talker and seems to be learning a few new words every day.  It's especially exciting when she strings them together to make an intelligible phrase.  Daddy is gone most of the day between student teaching at Skyview High and work at UPS.  One day, out of the blue, Madi was holding an animal cracker and decided that Dad would want one so she went to the bottom of the stairs, starting bellowing out, "DAD! DAD!" Then held up her hands with a big questioning gesture and yelled, "WHERE ARE YOU?"  She loves animals, can identify them and imitate their sounds.  She often dramatically yells, "OH, NO" when she accidentally/on purpose throws something or draws on herself.  This week she is exploring with 'M' sounds...Madi, Mama, moon, milk, monkey, etc.  She is a hoot.

*  She makes me laugh my head off.  She's been exploring her grouchy eyebrows and will entertain herself for quite awhile in the mirror.  A few nights ago, she bellowed out in her sleep and I went to investigate.  She was in a pretty awkward position--probably doing some Kung Fu Panda moves in her sleep--so I picked her up and flipped her over in her crib.  She was still dead asleep but yelled out, "BOO" and chuckled when I moved the blanket from off her face, then continued  right on sawing logs.  

*A few weeks ago we were out running errands.  Had to get some stamps at the post office.  I underestimated how complex such a simple feat can be with two tiny tots.  I figured since I was parked 10 feet away from the automatic sliding doors, I didn't need to go to all the trouble of unpacking the cumbersome stroller.  I had Hannah in her carseat in one hand, my purse and letters to mail in the other.  I foolishly figured Madi could follow along.  Ha!  She'd take three steps forward, a half step back, rotate clockwise, slide to the left, get squished in the automatic door, get distracted by the rug, bend over to investigate, nearly snapped in half by the second sliding door, jiggle to the right, hop, hop, hop, get distracted, go investigate, etc., etc.  When we got to the counter, I put Hannah down on the floor, set my stuff on the counter and went to retrieve Madi.  I held her while completing my transaction as she tried to push the credit card machine buttons. "Beep, beep, beep!"  Then I had to let the tiger loose again as I packed out my bundles.  She was doing her very slow, frustrating dance back out to the van and the mean, crusty post lady must have thought we were out of earshot.  "That one is NOT old enough to be a big sister," she snorted to her co-worker.  "I KNOW!" I boomed back.  And then a nice older lady, who probably had her own monkey once, grabbed Madi's hand and led her through the dangerous automatic doors (that don't seem to recognize 25 lbs or less) and safely back outside.  

* Madi loves her some adventuretime.  She is an outdoor baby for sure.  She still LOVES her stroller rides, park fun, and Willow Park Zoo visits. We usually get out after breakfast, lunch, and dinner to maintain our sanity.  We can't wait to have a real house and yard someday and are already dreading a Logan, "shut-in" winter.  

*Mads loves her dress-ups now.  We have a million Halloween options including pink poodle dog, monkey, elephant, panda, bumblebee, and Little Red Riding Hood.  Pictures to come, I'm sure :)   

*  She can be periodically subdued with some of her favorite shows including Kung Fu Panda (especially "The Princess and the Po" episode),  Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (I love how she says MickeyMouse like it's all one word), Sesame Street (BIG Elmo fan), Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, and her new fave--Caillou.  Our go-to-guy we save when we need her to be super subdued is the recording of the Pixar Short Movies including the "Jack-Jack-Attack" clip (how fitting that she is totally amused by this exploding baby).

* Madison is still a JUMPY little bean.  She gets sooo startled by every sound and just can't seem to tune them out.  The garbage truck that comes to empty the dumpster in front of our house is both terrifying and captivating.  She'll shake, and cry, and wave, and yell, "BYE!" all at the same time.  If something is too loud she'll wave bye to it to get it to leave.  When someone knocks at the door, Silly Lily will bark and Madi will burst into hysterics.  The neighbors' muffled cupboard slams make her gasp. Every car that passes, and especially loud trucks, sends Madi running to my arms.  She can hear a helicopter or airplane 10 minutes before I can.  Never a dull moment.

*Madi is a GREAT...good...fair big sister..depending on the moment.  She lights up when she's sees baby girl, gives kisses, and the occasional swipe.  She says, "Hannah" perfectly.
  
* We love our Madderdoon so very much!  She is getting so big, strong, smart, curly, coordinated, and sweet...but mostly saucy!  She is full of life and love and fills our days will sunshine, fun, and excitement.  Madi, you SPARKLE and SHINE!

Hannah Kaye-Two Months

Little Diva Photo Shoot
September 2012
Two Months

 

"IT TAKES A VILLAGE!" Grandma worked the camera, Jill and Jodi were in charge of lighting, wardrobe, soothing Hannah, etc, and Grandpa entertained Madi and rocked Hannah when it was Madi's turn for pictures.  WOWZERS!  All this occured while I was up in bed fast asleep!!!  What a surprise when a few days later, my mom presented me with these breathtaking photos.  I hope she is starting to give herself some much deserved credit and that she feels very proud of these incredible pictures.  I couldn't be more grateful.  They are such a treasure.  I tear up I love them so much.  There is no way we could ever afford to pay for professional photo shoots of this caliber and I can't imagine not having this priceless documentation of our little diva.  "THANKS" just isn't a strong enough word, but THANKS!  We love you sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!

At Two Months:
*  "Big" sister, Madi, can say your name perfectly but we still like to call you Hanni because every name should have a version that ends with an eeeeee sound.  We also call you Little Hanner, Sweet Pea, Sugar, Baby, Sister, Sugar Bear, Honey Boo Boo (yes, we LOVE this T.V. show), etc, etc.
 *  You are such a great nurser, THANK YOU, little angel.  For this reason, you are growing at lightening speed.  You don't look like our little newborn anymore :(  You have delectable and delicious chubby cheeks that get nibbled all day long.  But you still have your sweet, long, chicken legs that always cross delicately at the ankle.
*  You have gigantic blue eyes with long lashes that curl up and completely melt my heart, sooooo precious!
*  You coo and smile and light up when you hear voices and see faces that are interacting with you.
*  You LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to be held.  Oh, you are a cuddlebug.  You love to share body heat and be bundled in blankets...you are a little hot box.  Daddy starts sweating profusely when he holds you.  Momma loves to be warm, too, and you are my own personal little hot pad.
*  You struggle BIG TIME with pacifiers.  FRUSTRATIONS!  We've tried every brand and style sold and still no SUCK-CESS.
*  You love to sleep on your side.  You also enjoy tummy time and can get quite comfy in this position, even occasionally drifting off for a snooze on your belly.
*  You are incredibly hard to burp!  Since day one it has been nearly impossible.  We'd jostle, tap, pat, jiggle, and wiggle you for hours but never get a belch.  Luckily, the gas drops we give you after every nursing session seem to help you get comfortable and toot out the bubbles.
 *  Initially you resist the tight mummy wrap because you like to have your hands free (to knock out your paci, scratch your face, stretch, etc), but when you get used to your warm cocoon, you give up and fall into a deep sleep.  At first, you had night and day completely confused but are making steady progress.  A few nights recently you were nursed at around 9:30 p.m. and then not again til 4:30 or 5 a.m.  Mommy is soooo grateful for the consecutive hours of deep sleep and feels so much more sane than when we were up literally all night.  Baby steps!  We're gettin' there! Update:  On Thursday, September 27th, oh, blessed day to go down in the record books, Hannah nursed at 9:30 and then not again til 6:00 a.m.  She slept a solid 8 hours and we hugged and smothered her in kisses we were so ecstatic!
*  You are a little barometer for the emotions around you.  If calm, loving Grandpa is rocking you in the recliner cuddled up against his 100% cotton polo shirt that is soft as silk you are in HEAVEN (this is hands-down Hannah's favorite place in the world)!  But if stressy Mama or Daddy reveals just a hint of grouchiness, anxiety, or exhaustion you pick up on it and mirror our emotions.  We try to take three breaths before picking you up and paint on a cheerful smile at all times...well, most times...okay, some times so that you can feel safe and happy.
*  Your favorite day of the week is Grandpa/Grandma/Auntie Day.  Grandma and Grandpa Black left their big beautiful house in Blanding empty for a year and rented an apartment in Ogden to be closer to all us baby-poppin' folks up narth.  You have three cousins due before Christmas and Grandma and Grandpa selflessly came up to help.  And boy, do they ever!  They come up to visit us a couple of days a week in Logan and when they do, aaaaaaaaaah (deep sigh of relief)... we all breath easier!  We have sooooo much fun with these folks who love and adore us.  Sometimes even Aunt Jill and Jodi get to jump in and come up.  On these blessed days, the house is spotless, dinner magically and deliciously appears, pictures are happily snapped, babies are lovingly held, parks and zoos are joyfully visited...and Mama even gets to take a NAP!  Words can't express our gratitude.  Life is never better.  Grandma Marcia's favorite saying has always been, "I like hugs, and I like kisses.  But what I LOVE is help with the dishes."  Grandpa Black says, "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?" or "Your actions are screaming so loudly in my ears I can't hear your words."  Your Grandpa and Grandma must REALLY love you, Hannah, because their actions SCREAM it!  They are still great about smothering you with hugs and kisses, but even if they never did, we'd still know they loved us because they do our dishes...plus a million other acts of kindness.
*  Two months have flown by!  You are growing too, too fast!  Make it STOP, little angel.  We love you more than words can say.

Hannah's Two Month Stats:

9.88 lbs----23%

21.5 in.----15%

15.0 in. Head Circumference----32%

        

#2...I STILL LOVE YOU...I REALLY DO!!!

Dearest, Sweetest, Babygirl, Hannah:

I love you.  So very, very much.  Just because you weren't the firstborn, doesn't mean you aren't incredibly precious and perfect in every way.  Sure, Madison had more pictures taken of her during her first two days of life as you collected over your first two months of life (Madison's pictures are organized by WEEK :)   ).  And I'll admit, you don't get the pampered nighttime bath ritual your sister did.  Okay, it's true...I usually just wait for you to blow out your diaper and outfit with a super explosive and amazing poop that CAN'T be ignored (because yes, sometimes at night when I am sooooooo tired I feel trapped inside of a tranquilized body there has been the occasion that I actually just stick my finger inside your diaper--so that I don't have to turn on any lights--and feel around to see if that bubble sound resulted in a tiny skid that can be ignored or an actual puddle that needs to be changed...it's kind of like checking the oil with a dipstick...wow, I'm shameful...can't believe I'm admitting this).  Every few days, all your grunting pays off and you go Pompeii in your pants and poop through a diaper, outfit, blanket, and carseat (usually while we're out on a stroll, very rarely near a bathtub and change of clothes, thank you, little angel).  So then you finally get rewarded with a badly needed bath.  Hey, it's a ritual.  Kind of.  And sometimes, at the end of the day, I realize I have hardly even held you.  Monster Madi has very URGENT and demanding needs most of the day.  So I am very grateful for the forced-sit-down sessions I get nursing sweet baby Hannah.  At least I can count those as our bonding/cuddling sessions during our non-stop nutso days.

Dear Hannah, I know diaper changes with little-big sister Madi's help can be terrifying.  And when she pushes you in your swing, thinking we're at the park instead of the living room you take it like a champ.  I'm sorry that your paci gets snatched and traded when Mommy's not watching.  I apologize for the oversight when I wrapped you in Madi's favorite blanket and placed you on the couch.  Madi really didn't have anything against YOU, please don't take it personally, she just wanted that blanket and when she pulled, the whole bundle slid (safely) to the floor.  Mom won't make that mistake again.

But here's the silver lining, gorgeous.  You are sweet.  You'll probably be a little more chill than your big sis because, sadly, you had to be put down and, yes, even ignored at times.  I promise I'm doing the best I can, and we're getting better at sharing the love and attention.  But maybe the constant stimulation your big sis got made her a little lot wired and it's not such a bad thing to sit and relax every now and then.  Oh, and sometimes I actually DO focus entirely on you and completely ignore your big sis.  I usually try to get Madi all set up with snacks, toys, and engaging shows like Kung Fu Panda on T.V. before I sit down to nurse you.  I try to put anything potentially disastrous and devastating out of her reach so I don't have to interrupt you mid-suckle to go save Madderdoon.  A few days ago, I decided to just pretend I wasn't hearing the loud crunches when I forgot to put Lily's dog food up and Madi was happily snacking away...finished the whole bowl, in fact, in the kitchen.  She even got down on all fours like a puppy to lap up the water in the dish and wash her fibrous snack down.  And I didn't stop her.  Hey, we were having our moment!

Thanks, little "Hanner," for rolling with it.  You are our precious little angel straight from heaven.  We all love you more than words can say.  It feels like I haven't slept in two months, but ya know what?  I wouldn't trade you for anything.  When people look at my two babies and try to figure out how such an oversight could occur I just say, "Yep, I wouldn't really recommend having babies so close together, but we sure love our girlies and I DEFINITELY wouldn't give one back, so....we're rolling it with it, people!"  You make my heart burst with joy, happiness, and love.  You are just so darn cute.  So little number two, I still love you...I really, really do!     

I'm happy because Mom remembered to put me high up on the counter out of reach of Monster Madi who thinks my bouncy, vibrating chair is playground equipment and tries to catapult me out.  WEEEEEE!

Sweetness

Daddy got a tiny break between student teaching and rushing off to work to cuddle with the crew.  Madi's got a WILD look in her eye...wonder what she's scheming next?!?

Aaaaaahhh...life is good.

HELP!!!  Madi knows how to turn the gentle sway of the baby swing into the terrifying free-fall of Lagoon's Rocket!

Lil' Mama

Madison has become quite the little Mama since becoming a big sis.  

I love the sheer look of determination and focus on this little Mommy's face.  Perhaps she is waddling purposely off to a SUPER SALE at the local mall.

Getting SLEEPY...This "Mommy Thing" can really wear a gal out!

Snack time and then . . .

. . . nap time for the babies.

One night, Matt and I were cuddled up on the couch in the living room when things got eerily quiet.  Usually the sneaky silence means Miss Madi is up to no good so Daddy went to investigate.  He found her on the kitchen floor being 100% sweet...a happy surprise.  She was deep in concentration figuring out how to diaper her baby.  She's been "helping" Mommy change Hannah and decided she'd better prevent her babydoll from any embarrassing accidents.  In our last pack of diapers, they included two Pull-Up Samples, Madi's new favorite toys---a Lightening McQueen and Princess Diaper.  She used her coveted Lightening to help her baby . . . what a good, selfless Mama!

"Mama, now it's time to change MY diaper!" (Madi's super-soaked diaper is looking a little lumpy--time to teach her how to change her own pants!) 

Tradesies

We've been doing a lot of trading around here lately, literally and figuratively.  I'll start with a very concrete example.

 WE USED TO:

RIDE AROUND IN STYLE IN DADDY'S BEAUTIFUL TRUCK

WE LOVED MATT'S TOYOTA TUNDRA AND HAD MANY FUN FAMILY ADVENTURES IN THIS SWEET RIDE.

Which is why we were all very sad to part with it.  We were so impressed with Daddy's selflessness when he started fixing it up a few weeks before Hannah was born.  Mommy told him NOT to sell it, that it was 100% his decision.  I thought we could part with it later if we had to, that it would still hold our little family.  I didn't want him to resent us and I knew a good truck comes in handy for all the moving we'll have to do over the next little while.  I knew Matt LOVED his truck--he keeps it immaculate besides looking so darn handsome in it.

                         

But Matt put on a brave face (Madi just couldn't) and posted the truck on KSL after getting it in tip-top condition.  It was sold within a few short days and we got just what we wanted out of it!

SO NOW:

We are the proud owners of a MINI VAN! We were very patient and Matt really did his homework.  We took a few trips down to Salt Lake and went as far south as Lindon on the van hunt, narrowing the contestants down.   

Madi is a HUGE fan of the big-girl view out the windows and she feels like a real little person now!

Our new ride.  An older Honda Odyssey in great shape!  We feel like we hit the jack-pot with this lucky find.  I sure thought I'd never get soooo excited about a mini-van, but hey...these times they are a'changin.

Madi loves the DVD player and Mom is sooooo happy it can captivate her attention and appease this little wiggle worm.

I started thinking about all the tradesies in our life.  Our marriage started off with another Matt sacrifice.
He traded this:

... his beloved motorcycle...

For this:

My beloved wedding ring.

To be a stay-at-home Mommy I TRADED THIS:

Just a random picture of a classroom from Google, but I choose it especially because my favorite part of the teaching day was reading aloud to my adorable students.

FOR THIS:

Hands-down the biggest and best trades of my life!

Now don't get me wrong...Matt, Madison, and baby Hannah are the greatest blessings and biggest joys of my life.  For many long, lonely years I prayed my guts out for the opportunity to be a wife and mother.  I was just beginning to make peace with my single status when my world turned topsy-turvy from upside down to right-side up in dramatic fashion.  I was married just a few days after my 30th birthday, Madison joined our family before I turned 31, and Hannah joined us just days before I turned 32.  Life really started MOVING for me...and QUICKLY!

I stopped teaching when Madi was born and thought I'd never look back.  I was making a trade for something I had wanted all my life--full time mommyhood.  I didn't think I'd struggle with the transition even though I had LOVED being a teacher for almost a decade of my life.  My lot in life had been to love everyone elses' beautiful children--my many classes of super students and precious nieces and nephews.  I figured that if I could manage 24 + first graders everyday, my OWN sweet little baby, would be a breeze.  HA!  This mommy thing continually kicks my trash and rocks my world on a daily basis!  I could never go back to life without Matt, Madi, and Hannah.  But I wish I could go back to my single self  and tell that footloose and fancy-free gal to RELAX and ENJOY the selfish splendors that only complete and total independence can bring. Life was lonely but ooooooh, it had some real perks:  traveling, spending money--my own, hard-earned money--on anything I wanted (expensive hair products, gym pass, unlimited gas to get in my car and just DRIVE whenever I wanted, unlimited Diet Pepsi, me, me, ME!), sleeping when I wanted, etc, etc.  Teachers aren't known for rolling in the dough, but looking back, I was pretty rich!  My car was payed off, I lived in beautiful apartments, I could travel at the drop of a hat...life was okay!  Now that I know how rich and full and complete life can be shared with people who love me and whom I love unconditionally, I could never go back to being a lone lady.  But I wish my single self had known how lucky and blessed she was even when she thought she was completely forgotten.  How quickly life can change and you can get everything you ever wanted, with all the daunting responsibility and overwhelming selflessness it requires!

I TRADED THIS:

*I had never been on an airplane until I was 20 years old headed to Jerusalem for a study abroad experience.  This opened up a whole new world to me and over the next single years I squoze in every traveling adventure I could including--Jerusalem, Petra, Egypt, China (for 4 months of student teaching and traveling the country), the Bahamas, Hawaii, and lots of roadtrips in the U.S. to places like Florida, Washington D.C., New York, San Francisco, and a "Sisterpalooza" Roadtrip to beat all roadtrips with Jill and Jodi touring the entire west coast in David and Ronni's minivan.

FOR THIS:

Logan River Trail just minutes from our house--favorite walk

Logan City Libary--Weekly Visitors

So grateful for the many parks within walking distance of our apartment.

Willow Park Zoo--we stroll over and visit the monkeys and billions of birdies almost everyday

Now a trip to Wal-Mart or Sam's is a real treat.

And Sonic, ten whole miles up the street, seems as exotic as the beaches of Hawaii!

Our trips may not be as glamorous as they used to.  My world has admittedly gotten smaller--usually confined to our apartment and neighborhood.  My life has changed wonderfully and drastically over the last three years.  Tons and tons of tradesies.  I am so eternally grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who directs our paths and helps us trade wonderful things for even better ones!  Like my eloquent big sister Kellie put it,

"It's no wonder we'd do anything for these kiddos of ours...just look at what you're doing now! We give everything we've got and their welfare is so wrapped around our hearts that we'll sacrifice everything for these pint sized miracles. Mostly our sanity by the time it's all said and done!"       

Life is crazy and wonderful and constantly changing.  I'm so grateful for the happy trades in life.  Some may seem like downgrades (like a terrific Tundra for a less-than-flashy mini-van).  Some are completely heaven- sent (like a husband and girlies). . .  but still take a little getting used to.