Last weekend I went to visit a good friend who just had a baby boy. I remember when Madelyn was born people would say I don't remember ours being this small. At the time it meant nothing to me until this weekend. I was beyond shocked that Madelyn was that small 8 months ago! Though it is scary how fast time flies when you have children we are absolutely loving the stage she is at now.  So with that said, here are a few updates from the past few weeks.

Madelyn has recently started moving all over the place.  Her primary form of transportation is rolling, not just a roll here and a roll there, but barrel rolls across the floor to get to her destination.  Along with this she has started to get on her knee's to reach for something but just can't seem to figure out how to crawl, it's only a matter of time though.  She also recently sat up from the laying position for the first time which was fun to watch.  She has realized that if she rolls to her side, props her weight on one arm and then pushes up on that arm then she can get into the sitting position.  

Mad's has also started to feed Bo while she is supposed to be eating herself.  This of course is extremely funny to us even though we try not to laugh and encourage it.   We tell her no which she seems to understand but it's hard to keep on top of it when she's so dang cute and of course Bo is loving life. Suddenly he now loves hers

Always a pacie in my mouth these days! Of course my Hawkeye one is best :)

Love sitting in the cart these days! I wave at everyone as they walk by!

Valentine's Day :)

She recently experienced her first snow which was uncharacteristic for Charlotte.  Derek's mom and dad came into town that morning and just beat the "storm" and Derek ended up being able to leave work early than expected.  This allowed us to spend a lot of family time together and also give Madelyn her first experience playing in the snow.  She thought it was fun and actually enjoyed it.

Think we have a future opera signer!!

Favorite teething toy, a clementine

There haven't been any big updates over the past weeks other than everyday Madelyn ceases to amaze us with all she learns. This week she learned how to feed herself. We now can put food on her highchair and she can eat by herself. She has become a rolling machine. She doesn't stay put. If you walk away for a second when you come back she will be on the other side of them room. Apparently Madelyn started rolling around and scooting so she could steal the toys from other little boy she goes to the sitter with. She even steals his pacie. I guess sharing will be a lesson in our future, lol!

She is now eating two meals a day of baby food/ finger food. She loves the finger food like toast, noodles, fruit, cheese and isn't that into the baby food. We joke she is 7 months going on 3 years old. She is back to being such a good sleeper. While sick she was really off but most nights she will sleep 12 hours. This weekend both days she woke up after me, I had to go in and make sure she was ok! Another favorite right now is the bath. Madelyn LOVES the bath. We can't wait for summer to take her swimming. She loves kicking and splashing in the bath!

Here are some recent pictures/videos :)

Bath Time :)

Playing with pots & pans, aka the drums, with daddy

Sitting in the highchair like a big girl when out to dinner

Little book worm!

Madelyn is now obsessed with her pacies! Here she couldn't decide which pacie to play with, ha!

One smart little lady :)

Here are two cute videos from this week! Thankfully Madelyn is finally much better and back to herself! She is such a smart little girl and here are two of her newest tricks :)

Sick Baby :(

Last Thursday, Madelyn started having a cough. I kept telling Derek I have this feeling it is RSV(I think I just have heard so much about how bad it is this year I was so afraid any cough may be it). To top it off she had an VERY bad diaper rash and was pulling at her ear. With all of this, on Friday Derek took her to the doctor. When Derek went in he explained to Dr. Lake how I thought she may have RSV. Her first response was there is no way, she is way to happy. However, after testing her Dr. Lake was surprised to tell us she did have RSV. This is such a testament to what we and everyone else continues to say about her. Only Madelyn can be so sick with RSV and still be so happy that she could trick the Dr. IAfter the appointment we found out she had RSV, an ear infection, the bad diaper rash, diarrhea, and cutting 2-3 teeth. The poor girl had it rough. Unfortunately since we caught the RSV so early they said it will most likely get worse. Since it is viral we just had to keep her home with lots of rest and started antibiotics for her ears. The worst part is RSV is very contagious so just when our sitter was starting back this week we were going to have another week of no care and not being able to take her out of the house. I think Derek and I almost cried. Thankfully my mom was already coming last Friday until today and when I called in panic she changed her ticket to stay the whole week.

Throughout the weekend Madelyn really struggled. She had a fever on and off, coughed, weezed, wouldn't eat much and was really struggling to sleep at night. Sunday she started having bad coughing attacks where she would turn red and struggle to catch her breath. She broke our heart because all she wanted to do is have you hold her and rest her head on your chest. After her continuing to struggle to breath and many nights of not sleeping we headed back to the doctor today. They said her lungs didn't sound good and tested her oxygen levels and decided to start her on breathing treatment. We now will do it at home every morning and night and can do it every 4 hours as needed. She goes back on Friday and hopefully her lungs have cleared up some.

We are so thankful my mom is here. To top it off besides lots of snuggles with Madelyn and staying with her while we are at work, Derek and I are eating like kings. Today we came home from work to warm chocolate chip cookies, and have had delicious meals cooked for us each night! We both agree we could get use to this, lol!

Snuggling with Daddy while not feeling well

Trying to rest

Out for some fresh air with Nana

Starting my breathing treatment before bed

Have to watch baby einstein during treatment to make it through

Happy New Year!

This is our first post of 2013! Derek and I were talking about how this time last year we found out we were having a little baby girl! Can't believe how fast time has gone and imagine our life without that little baby girL!

The past few weeks have been very crazy. Due to a very sad tragedy in our sitter's family we haven't had a sitter for the past two weeks. To top it off Derek is out of town for 5 days at a conference! Therefore, we have been very stressed trying figure out what to do with Madelyn each day. We truly realize at a time like this what amazing friends and family we have! So many people eagerly jumped without hesitation to watch her at different times to help us through this stressful time! We are so appreciative of all of you and can't tell you how much this means to us!!

Last week we had Madelyn's 6 month check-up. Dr. Lake was SO impressed with where she is developmentally. She was above the 9 month chart with all the things she could do. She has become a very busy body and though she can't crawl you can tell she wants to so she can move all over the place. For now she rolls  or cries for you to get her from place to place. Another big milestone this week is she cut her FIRST TOOTH!!!!! We thought it was coming from the amount of drool, chewing and waking up in the middle of the night (which isn't like her) and Wednesday morning while with Derek it finally popped through! The poor girl cut her first tooth, got her 6 month and flu shots this week! Rough week on the girl! Of course no surprise even with all of this and change in her routine she continues to be the happiest little baby!

As for food, she has tried all the first foods and we are onto the second combo foods. She also tried puffs for the first time this week. We are working with her learning to grab them and put in her mouth. Right now she is isn't so sure about them.

Please Bo can I pet you???

Went to the Y childcare and was finally big enough to ride the buggy ride past Daddy's office!!

And we buy toys why??

Love giving kisses!

Christmas

Last Friday we headed to VA to spent Christmas with Derek's family. Even though Madelyn isn't old enough to know what is going on, it made the holidays even more exciting having her here to celebrate with. It was very nice to have time off and spend it with family. While in VA we also had Madelyn baptized. It was extra special because Madelyn was baptized with her cousin Tate.  She was wonderful during church, and just smiled away while being baptized! She looked absolutely precious in her gown!

We are so appreciative of everything everyone did for us. Madelyn was spoiled with so many presents from family and friends and we are so thankful for everything!!! 

Recent updates:

•  Over the past few weeks Madelyn has now tried many foods (bananas, carrots, peas, squash and pears) She is doing really well eating and squash so far seems to be her favorite. 
• She has become quit the diva. She now can push away when she doesn't want something. If she is done with her bottle she will shove it away, or if she wants to not be held anymore she will start pushing away like she is mad at you.
•  She is all about Bo! Anytime he is in the room she is leaning over watching him and holds her hand out to always grab him. Of course we all know that Bo is not feeling the same back at her. He does worry about her when she is upset but other than that he wishes life would go back to the old days, ha! 
• Madelyn also now can sit up on her own. She prefers to sit over laying on back or stomach to play.
• She give lots of kisses or "love-ies" (she grabs your face and presses her mouth against your cheek)
• Her favorite place no matter her mood is on Daddy's shoulders
• She got her first bad cold and is very congested :(  She is struggling at night to sleep because of her breathing! The poor girl breaks your heart and hope it goes away quick!

This week we rearranged our downstairs to start transforming the front room (was the office) into a play room. We needed somewhere to go with all her new Christmas toys and realize we will need a room downstairs until she is bigger for her toys. 

Here are lots of pictures from Christmas :)

Christmas morning

My Santa Jammie's

The good picture Poppy took on Christmas

Family picture (Thanks Grandma & Grandpa for my pretty dress!)

One of my adorable new outfits, thanks Kara!!

All warm in my new hat from Aunt Lucy & Uncle Bimi 

I now always hold on when in my carseat, safety first lol!

Holiday Pictures :)

Here are some of our holiday pictures we got taken!