Working on the cheese face!!

On Saturday morning, Madeline asked me, out of the blue, if she could vacuum. We have a small vacuum that is pretty Maddie-sized. I gave it to her, turned it on and she vacuumed our rug. She loved it! The pictures are blurry b/c she wouldn't stop moving!  

On Sunday, she spent the afternoon at Nana and Grandpa's and enjoyed the outdoors!

On Monday, Madeline had pajama day at school. She was so excited and picked out her Dora pajamas to wear. Let me tell you, it was tough to get a good picture!

Picture 1

 Me: Maddie, that is really intense. Can you tone it down?

Picture 2

 Me: Now, you look like you are in pain. 

 Picture 3

 Me: You're getting there. Can you try a soft smile like this? (And I tilted my head, b/c I always tilt my head in photos. You'll notice it know that I tell you.)

Picture 4

 ME: (Laughing b/c she mocked my head tilt) MUCH better smile, keep your head straight.

Picture 5

Me: FINALLY!!

Silly, silly little girl! 

Our big helper & mudroom reno

I've mentioned before that Madeline is VERY independent. She also really really likes helping!

Helping daddy do the dishes.

Helping daddy paint his project. (More on this in a bit!)

I've learned I can actually get Madeline to do things if I ask her to be a big helper and help me. For example, today she didn't want to go inside (we were outside playing) so I asked her to help me carry all of the special mail inside. Voila! We made it inside. The tricks you learn along the way. 

 Stella begging her sister for a snack.

 

The other night, Madeline pooped on the potty!! I told her she could pick out one m&m from the bag. Within seconds, and I mean SECONDS, she put her hand in there, grabbed as many as she could and shoved them in her mouth!

So, of course, we immediately brushed our teeth!

Chris is still busy busy around the house. One project to the next. In just two weeks, he transformed our empty mudroom to a great organized space with cubbies!

BEFORE

During...

AFTER!! 4 cubbies with a bench in the middle.

We are really pleased with how they turned out. No rest for Chris though, he's already sketching out his next job. He never stops!

Weekend at the Science Center!

As usual, Maddie had an action packed weekend.

Loving her Valentine's presents from nana and grandpa Hughes!

Chris and I had an AMAZING dinner at Corbett's for our anniversary. CANNOT wait to go back!

Maddie took not one, but two, trips to the Science Center this weekend. 

She found this stethoscope and wore it around. At one point, she was walking up to little boys trying to listen to their heart. I had to stop her from lifting up their shirts! :)

Enjoying some raisins on the way home.

Trip 2 with Hudson, Danielle and Kyle!

Maddie and daddy at the water tables.

 Building a skyscraper.

After the museum, we took the kiddos to Tumbleweed on the river. 

 Definitely my daughter, Madeline just ate up the salsa.

 

We've been trying to get Maddie interested in Hudson, but she only has eyes for an older man. She just loves her some Kyle!!

5 YEARS!!

Five years ago today, Chris and I were in St. Lucia with our family and best friends getting married! We had an amazing wedding on the beach and loved spending several days with family before our honeymoon.

Chris and I looked at our wedding pictures this morning- what a day we will always cherish!

  

Looking forward to many many more! I love you, Chris!

We live with a narrator.

I didn't think it was possible for someone to talk as much as me. One of the first things I liked about Chris was that he was content to let me talk all day to him. (I still do most of the talking.) Well, there is now someone else in the house who is challenging me. This is how dinner went last night.

Maddie: I'm just eating my strawberry. (pause.) I'm just putting my strawberry back on my plate. (pause.) I'm just eating my sandwich. (pause) I need a napkin. (pause...I didn't move fast enough to get her a napkin.) I'm just licking my hand. 

And then, after dinner

Maddie: I want to play with play doh. I'm just making a stamp. I want to make a farm. MOO. I'm a cow. I want to make spaghetti. I am done. My doll needs a diaper. Mommy, you wear a diaper? Mommy, you poop? 

Sigh.

Most of the time it is hysterical. She says words I don't even know how she knows them. 

And....PACI UPDATE. Sunday night she slept all night, didn't make a peep. And she did Monday and Tuesday night! I would say we are officially paci-free in this house now!

Maddie - 24 hours after the paci went bye bye. She had not slept for an entire day and glared at me anytime I tried to talk to her.

Maddie - 72 hours after the paci went bye bye. Amazing what sleep will do for a person!!

Meeting baby Quinn!

Our weekend, in pictures.

Madeline playing with the doll house at PBK. She is starting to move dolls around and have them speak to each other. When I was little, I had a huge doll house that my dad made for me. I'm kicking myself for giving it away now! Chris and my dad are already talking about making Madeline one--can't wait to see what they come up with. 

Don't mind me. I'm just going to lay on the floor to get my dolls in the kitchen.

BABY QUINN!!
We spent Saturday in Lexington meeting the newest addition to our family. Cousin Quinn was born on Monday and she is soooo tiny and sooo sweet!

Madeline is very into dressing herself lately. On this day, she wore a striped shirt, a striped (of different colors) sweater and a winter snowflake hat. Whatevs.

Funnily enough, this was the last time she slept. We have been weaning Maddie off the pacifier (only at car and bed, then only at night, etc.) and have really been wanting to get her off completely. Our pediatrician recommends that children are off by 15 months because kids are not as addicted at that point. I believe it. Maddie truly became addicted starting around 18 months. Last night was ROUGH. She barely slept and was upset a lot of the night. She'd wake up, scream, fall asleep so we'd fall asleep....and then she'd wake up again. She REFUSED a nap today. She cried for awhile and then played for awhile. After 2 hours, we got her up. She was exhausted but not giving in. Where does she get this stubborn streak from?!?!

We got her new princesses for her castle, celebrated with Panera, Barnes and Noble and even a kiddie scoop of Graeter's. She definitely inherited her daddy's love of ice cream. She chowed down on that bowl!!

   I cannot believe mommy and daddy have been holding out on me. This stuff is awesome!

And now, it's Sunday night. She got right in bed and didn't cry.  In fact, I think she might even be sleeping. But, I'm not saying it out loud yet!!