18 Weeks: Happy as a Clam

Maddy is fast approaching her 5-month birthday, and she's smiling all the way! She loves playing with her toys (she's starting to get better hand-eye coordination), and she giggles and squeals nearly all day long. You can't possibly ever get upset with this little ham--not when she drops that great big smile of hers, which happens basically every time you look at her!

4 Months Old!

Maddy had her big four month appointment last Friday. Like the last immunization, things started great. She arrived making flirty doe eyes at everyone, delightfully cooing away in nothing but her diaper. Just when all seems swell--enter the needle tray and we have another teary, screaming meltdown that breaks your heart.

But the visit was not all bad. Here are some exciting milestones our princess has reached, all needles aside:

*Weighs 14.4 LBS
*Stretches to 24.5 INCHES
*Blows razzzberries and makes some vowel noises (like "mum")
*Rolls both ways
*Slowly getting her piglet (foot) to pie (mouth)
*Turns at people's voices
*Giggles, squeals and is becoming more ticklish
*Grabs for toys, sees her hands
*Sits up for a few seconds on her own
*Sleeps through the night (hallelujah, praise God)
*Started taking rice in her bottle
*Nicknames= Madame M, Princess Pooh, Poohie, Poohie girl, sweet girl, Maddle-Ann, Maddlylinda and Senorita Loganberry (the latter 2 are from her daddy and that just about says it all)

Squeaky Clean

Sometimes there is nothing cuter than seeing little Maddy after a bath. Now that her hair is growing in, mommy can "style" those little fuzzies when she's freshly washed. And, she gets so happy and smiley afterward. Here are some pictures of her cheerful self--taken, of course, just minutes before a sleepy/hungry meltdown with sharp cries, crocodile tears and all.

Gliding Along

Here's some pictures of Madame M. being entertained by her latest contraption: a kick and glider! This toy vibrates, sings and lets her practice bending and kicking those little nubs of hers. I can just see her on that Rockette stage now...

Maddy and Inchy: A Love Story

Our sweet girl has made a new best friend. He arrived last week in a magic box from Amazon. This colorful, rolly-polly worm, which we have aptly named "Inchy," has been an absolute enchantment for Miss Madelyn. Like any good love story, Maddy loves everything about him, from his jingle bell feet and cuddly but plump texture to his just-the-right size frame and goofy antennas. The only problem is she can't seem to decide if she wants to grab him, squeeze him, kiss him ... or eat him!

Four Months Old!

Madelyn Ann is officially four months old! Here are some fun facts about our growing bean:

New developments: Can lift head about 90 degrees on belly, can roll over each side (with mommy's help), loves blowing razzzzberries and making more vowel sounds (like "oh" and "ah"), giggles when tickled, turns her head at voices, and now plays in her booster seat at dinner time.

Sleep schedule: Princess still wakes between 6:30-8 AM. She takes a morning nap (usually from 10 AM to about noon), plays for another two hours and takes another two-hour nap. She's up for the rest of the day, except maybe one evening nap. She goes to bed for the night around 10 PM.

Play schedule: Maddy works on an "interval" schedule when she's up and mommy's working. She spends about 15-20 minutes in each of her entertainers (exersaucer, floor mat, bouncy chair, and crib), and she likes to take breaks in mommy's or daddy's lap at the computer. In the evenings, we play mostly on a blanket with her toys, practicing lots of tummy time.

Click here for some more pictures of Maddy and from New Year's Day.

Maddy Through the Months
And, here she is at one week:


One month:


Two months:


Three months:


Four months:

New Year's Rockin' Eve

We did a LOT of rockin' this New Year's Eve...but not the kind we're used to! This year, we celebrated the end of 2009 by doing much rocking--in the glider chair with our poor whining, crying, shrieking, drooling, and painfully teething Madelyn Ann. Mommy can feel two teeth just waiting to breakthrough in her top gums. She managed to crack a few smiles, though, and she had fun watching the dogs tear up the snowy backyard (we woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland!). Otherwise, it was a quiet NYE, complete with take-in Chinese, lots of snuggling and, yes, plenty of rocking.
For more NYE 2009 pictures, click here.