It's the small things

Madeline is officially 18 months old in 2 days- WOW! She is SUCH a big girl. She is very very independent and talking up a storm. Because she didn't get her first tooth until her first birthday, we've had a nightmarish last month. She got 7 (yes, 7!) teeth in the last 5 weeks. All 4 molars, 2 on the bottom and a third on the top. Needless to say, she's been pretty cranky. 

When she's not cutting a tooth (you know, like once every 12 days) she is in a pretty agreeable mood. It is so fun to see her smile and laugh; she really cracks Chris and I up a lot of times. You never know what you're going to get with her and I love it.

Riding in the cars at the mall. Daddy says these are a "cesspool" of germs, but we still let her ride the cars once in awhile.  I mean, the child goes to daycare. Talk about cesspool.

Putting her quarters in and pushing "go!"

Playing outside is a big activity. This week we got a new water toy, which she loves.

Here's her reaction to seeing it for the first time.

A little scared, not sure she wants to go near the water.

Very into it!

Helping nana water her flowers; she likes to use both cans at the same time.

On a side note, one of my college room mates is getting married in 2 weeks. This past weekend was her bachelorette party. It was really great seeing all of the girls, though I learned that I can no longer keep up like I used to. I was ZONKED by 11pm, but hung in there til about 2:30. Congrats Taryn-can't wait to celebrate with you in 2 weeks!

The bachelorette and her random gift

One of my dearest friends, and another room mate, Katy

Another week goes by...

So far, we are having a great summer! A few highlights from this past week.

 Madeline loves playing the piano!

First gelato of the season...she loved it!

As for the house, we are still trucking right along! We got the basement poured and sealed yesterday, so that was exciting. Next up is framing! 

Happy Father's Day!

What a great weekend! I had a stomach bug Thursday and Friday (it hit me quick!) that left me kind of queasy over the weekend but we still had a nice time celebrating with our dads!  Soley--we were sorry to miss your birthday bash, but I didn't want to contaminate anyone!!

Bathing beauty

 Dane jumping into the pool

Cousins being silly together!

We took Madeline to the zoo for a few hours on Sunday afternoon. She loved the carousel!

Madeline and her daddy who she loves very much!

Happy Father's Day to Chris - a great daddy to Madeline! She is wearing her "Daddy's Girl" shirt all day today.

Happy Father's Day to Phil - my father in law!

Happy Father's Day to my dad-love this pic of us dancing at my wedding.

I love you all!

Birthday Party Fun

On Sunday, we went to Lexington to celebrate Dane's third birthday. Madeline had a blast! The party was at a great park with a big playground.

 Dane opening his presents from Maddie and Stella

Madeline eating a special treat- ice-cream! She's very serious here because we stopped feeding her to take the picture!

Swinging!

 Going down the slide with daddy

Happy birthday Dane! We love you!

We've decided that Madeline is a daredevil. She's not afraid of anything. You cannot take your eye off of her for a minute.  She'll climb anything in sight, run anywhere, etc. I'm happy she's curious and creative, but it's a little scary too.  For example:

Madeline has been doing this and laughing. I think she might be attempting a forward roll. (She is not usually on her chair.)  I'm planning to put her in 'mommy and me' gymnastics later in the summer and I think she'll love it!

Building a house...

The house building continues to progress! This week we: 

Dug the hole

 Placed the footers

 & poured the footers

This week we will get walls poured. Then soon, we'll start the actual framing. That's when it will feel like a house to me. I cannot wait!

Saturday was gorgeous! Madeline went for a dip in the pool and loved it. 

Being a silly girl... 

Maddie is having a great summer so far. She is learning a lot of new words and it is so fun watching her! Right now, she likes to say yellow, Zoey (her friend at school, pronounced Whoa-e), Gogurt (a favorite snack), and of course Stella. She goes next month for 18 month visit- I cannot believe it!

Have a great last day of your weekend. We are heading to Lexington to celebrate cousin Dane turning 3. 

BERMUDA!!

Last Friday, Chris and I closed on the house.  On Saturday, we left for our first official adults-only vacation. We'd taken a long weekend and spent a few days in Atlanta, but this was our first official week-long trip away from Madeline. After long weeks preparing to sell the house, we were due for a vacation. 

Bermuda exceeded all of our expectations! It was GORGEOUS, the weather was perfect, and Chris and I really enjoyed our time together. We cannot wait to go back. Here are a few photos from the week:

Beach after gorgeous beach

Oldest church in Western Hemisphere--from 1600's 

Traditional Bermuda home with roof designed to collect rainwater

 Hiking the South Shore beaches

It was so hard to leave little Madeline. I am a firm believer though that parents need some time to themselves and that kids need some grandparents-only time so I knew it was for the best.  She stayed with both sets of grandparents for four nights each. Chris and I are so grateful that our parents were able to watch our sweet girl for us while we had some "just for parents" time. We looked at pictures of her everyday...and I know she had a BLAST!

 Observing the action in the pool

Playing in the pool with her cousin Adalyn  (yes, I realize they are Adalyn and Madeline...I didn't think about that when we named Maddie, but I think it's sweet!)

 Swimming with grandpa Hartman

Happy Monday! Hope everyone has a great week!

It's time to build!

This morning we officially closed on our house! It was a little sad saying goodbye. We built it when we were engaged and moved in the day we returned from St. Lucia. It's been a great house and I'm sad to leave it. 

But--I'm VERY excited for the next house. We officially started building yesterday!

We cleared the lot and had the surveyor come out to stake. Next week, we're hoping to dig the hole and pour the foundation.

Chris took today off for the closing. He ran some errands and then brought Madeline downtown. We took her to the museum and again, she loved it.

 Going through noodle forest with daddy.

 Coming through the tunnel

 Going down the slide (daddy is at the bottom)

This week, Madeline learned the word "hair bow." Her teacher put her hair in a pony tail and Maddie loved it. She walked around grabbing it saying "hair bow." Here is her hair bow with her aunt Mercedes.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend! 

Many many thanks to those who serve and have served for our nation!