We were ready for some football!

The whole family (including Lucy dog) was all dressed and ready for some Steelers football on Sunday. Unfortunately, many of our lucky charms turned out to be rather unlucky (our Steelers lost their second game in a row!). I'm sure that next week we'll still proudly sport the black and gold anyway. . .

Story Time

Last night, Maddy enjoyed her first storybook readings. She made it halfway through "The Big Red Barn" but snoozed throughout "Green Eggs and Ham." Then, she was out like a light until 4 AM!

The Birthday Girl

Tonight, Madelyn will celebrate her two week birthday!
Here is how she spent most of the day commemorating the event.






And a couple of new Madelyn milestones to date:
1. Likes her bouncy chair and swing more and more everyday
2. Is also becoming a bit more sensitive to noise when she sleeps
3. Is about to be introduced to her stroller and her first walk outside this week (if all goes well)
4. Likes to "hold hands" (or fingers, to be exact) when she feeds
5. Eats like a pro!

Adventures in Maddyland

It seems the older Maddy gets, the more baby gadgets seem to pile up around the house. Increasingly, our living room is looking more and more like a playground of vibrating, swinging and bouncing contraptions for our little Bean (who, by the way, really seems to be taken with this transition). Here she is enjoying one of the more popular rides at Maddyland.

Attack of the Milk Monster Part 2: Maddy's Revenge

In a blog appropriately titled "Attack of the Milk Monster," Maddy's aunt Alysia and uncle Mike wrote about their experience with new baby Talia's first growth spurt. Just a few states away, Maddy was more than happy to provide the sequel to this rather chilling encounter with her own 24-hour feeding frenzy. It seems she stumbled upon her own growth spurt rather early and the result can best be likened to a natural disaster: unpredictable, uncontrollable, chaotic and, yes, at times a little violent. We are happy to report that she is now back to her sweet self, happily eating and sleeping on her regular schedule. Whew. . . for now!

Madelyn Ann Tripp Has Arrived!

We are so happy to announce that our precious baby girl, Madelyn Ann Tripp, has arrived! She came into the world on September 7 (also Ann's birthday) at 6:10 PM, weighing a hearty 7 pounds, 10 ounces and stretching out to 21 inches! You can view more of her first photos on Daddy's online photo album.

As can be expected, we experienced a few surprises leading up to her delivery (to put it mildly). Ann's water broke at around 11 PM Sunday night. She walked for about an hour at the hospital that night to get things moving, but still no Bean. She waited out the night to see if things would happen, but still no Bean. Then, after inducing labor from 7 AM to 5 PM yielded only 2 centimeters of dilation and definitely no Bean, it was time for a C-section. Although mom was upset and scared, the surgery went very quickly and before we both knew it, she was soon sobbing as the doctor lifted the most beautiful face over the curtain and said, "It's a girl!"

Much has happened since that moment, which was now about a week ago. Maddy has had many visits from her Grandma and Pappy Diffendal, and she got to meet her Uncle Mike, Aunt Alysia, new cousin Talia Mae, Aunt Alicia, Grandma Joy and Poppy. You can view more pictures from her visitors on Daddy's online photo album.

Yesterday, she had her first pediatrician appointment. The doctor said she is doing just great and we learned she is only two ounces shy of her original birth weight. So far, she is also a "super sleeper," averaging one three-hour and one four-hour stretch between midnight and 10 AM. She has become very fond of her bouncy chair and loves to have Daddy rock her to sleep.

Mommy is recovering very well and Daddy had his first day back to work today. It has taken us a while to get caught up since coming home from the hospital and settling in, but we now hope to update the blog more regularly.

So check back for more Maddy news!

Are you coming, baby?

Yesterday, my mom took me to what will *hopefully* be our last prenatal office visit. The doctor said all looks well with the baby and that I am now close to 3 centimeters & 70% effaced! (She also tried to "stir things up a bit" during her exam to get Bean moving). We'll see if it works. If not, then I will be induced next week. Maybe playing with her pony will make her want to come out sooner than that! :0)