The Latest News!

Well, we just haven't gotten around to posting a blog about it, but I am now 13+ weeks pregnant! We're very excited, most of all Madelyn. When she learned that there was a baby in Mama's tummy, she thought about it for just a few seconds before kissing up my belly. She has been crawling into bed early (!) in the morning to whisper little messages to her baby brother or sister, and has already decided that she would like to be called "Sis" when the baby is born.

Mike will tell you that this picture just shows my Thai food dinner, but from my perspective, this baby popped out fairly early. They say that's the way of #2s... Early pregnancy has been pretty mild, not much sickness, and not feeling as wiped out as I did when pregnant with Madelyn. I'm thinking it's because the last two-3 years has taught me to function with a pretty high level of exhaustion, so it's all become normal:)

Due date is at the end of June, which should get me though the school year, and perhaps a few months off in the fall!

Christmas business

What fun to have Grandma Jude, Grandpa Jeff, and Unkie David in the holiday mix! We've been BUSY, to say the least. Madelyn is perfectly content to stay in jammies all day and play inside with her new-found captive audience. Library story-time, art openings, cookie baking, swimming at the rec center, airport trips, holiday lunch, new toys, etc.

Holidays!

Happy Solstice, Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza and Festivus to all! Lisa's folks and brother are here for a Holiday visit. Maddie has had lots of fun hanging with them and showing them the local hot spots, like storytime at the library, the local sledding hills, playgrounds, rec center ect.

Here is some footage of Maddie and her sister "Ella"! They are reading a book together and chatting with G'ma.

Another of Maddie and her new matching/memory game!

More to come later!

The world of pretend!

Madelyn has been in the world of pretend for quite some time, but we are noticing her imaginary play become even more creative and entertaining (for us!). This first picture is of Madelyn waiting at the "airport" with her luggage... she's headed to Mexico! She would walk into the living room (Mexico) and announce, "Hello Mexico!" To which the only proper response from us was "Hola Maddie!" We heard all about how heavy her luggage was, what she packed, what she would do in Mexico... Can't wait to ACTUALLY go to Mexico with this kid, she apparently knows how to travel!!


Her favorite thing to do with blocks and leggos is not to build, but to pretend that they are other things. This next clip is of Madelyn directing (!!) the creation of some dinner pies. This is clearly a girl with VISION that can not be swayed by anyone or thing! It's a long one, but I was entertained so I thought you might be too...


And, at random, here's a picture of Madelyn all bundled up in her snow clothes, ready for a night-time sledding adventure around the block. How in the world did MY child end up so pink!??!

Week (or so) in review

Whew, that week got away from me! I went to put pictures on the blog and saw some from T-day weekend that hadn't quite made it yet.

We've had great snow in the past week - Madelyn went sledding with her friends Leah and Benji over T-day weekend. And, we got out and about one night around the neighborhood via sled to scout holiday lights. They're just starting to trickle on around here...




Michael and Madelyn set up the Christmas tree this week - it was fun to look through all of the ornaments and find all of our personal favorites and tell Maddie the stories behind them. Most have come from Michael's grandma, and a few are from my childhood. My current favorite is a cardboard tree that my brother made at age 5 - it's decorated with random uncooked pasta squiggles (featured in the bottom of the picture of Madelyn with tree). There appear to be a few missing, which make me think that one of us picked them off and crunched them up as a kid:) LOVE that "genre" of Christmas ornaments!



Other big news - we said goodbye to our little Lady Bug (Subaru Impreza)... the first item of joint ownership we ever had, before we were even married! Alas, it was too small for us at this point in life, and starting down the slippery slope of becoming a money pit. Michael did a load of research and came up with a beauty - a 2009 black Subaru Forester! Needless to say, we feel like it's a MASSIVE upgrade, stylish beyond reason! Oh so spacious and sleek looking! WIll get pictures up at some point...

2 and a half more weeks of school until Break! Let the countdown begin!

A partial snow day!

Today we had a partial snow-day, unheard of in these parts! Kelly kids (and teachers) were sent home early due to a TON of snow up North - they were afraid we'd get stuck if we didn't leave early, and that's just no way to start the Thanksgiving break! Things weren't quite as nasty in town, but there's still quite a bit of snow.

After a little snow play this afternoon, we came in and had hot chocolate - Madelyn was besides herself, what a TREAT!;) The hermit crabs are home for the vacation and Madelyn's happy to have them visit again. They're not going to know what hit them- only 2 hours in our house and she's redone their tank, taken them out for play time, and asked to feed them about every little crumb she comes across!

What a performer!

Madelyn had an evening full of performing last night... she gave a piano concert, a puppet show, and then gave each stuffed animal a personal concert and lessons in clapping. Busy, but self entertained!

My favorite part in this clip is Madelyn personalizing each song for her animals - the doggy got "Bingo," Madelyn told Bunny that she new a song about getting carrots at the store, and Moose got a Papa moose song and clapping lessons with hooves. They were a great audience!