The Forbidden Fruit

Madeline has started eating food. She brought it on herself though. 

Madeline has been very grabby lately, taking almost anything I hold in my hands. One day I was eating an apple and...just like that...it was in her mouth!

 She started sucking on it and thought it was mighty delicious. She just licks it over and over again.

I don't fight it anymore and we watch her very closely as she licks and licks. It does mean, though, that I am forced to share all of my apples with her. And I don't mind one bit.

You can't really tell, but she brings the apple to her mouth all by herself. I just hold it so it doesn't fall. Without further ado, Madeline and the Apple.

82 degrees in January

This past Friday, Madeline and I went with my work to a brand new indoor water park at a local ski resort, Jay Peak. The park is called Pump House and it is crazy cool. Madeline wanted to try the boogie boarding, but I made her start with the kiddy pool. 

She really loved swimming and splashing in the water. 

That girl was cracking me up. She keep trying to dip her head down and drink the water. And she was kicking like crazy. We had such a fun time, even though we had to drive home in a snow storm in the dark down a mountain!

Christmas 2011: It's Christmas!

Finally, almost a month later, but here is our adventure in Ohio from Christmas on. We started by getting ourselves all gussied up. I love Madeline's little heart tights. So cute!

She is ready to get up and go.

One happy family on our first Christmas together! Our first stop was the extended Crank family. No photos, of course, but a great time. We could only stay for an hour, but it was so nice for Madeline to meet everyone, especially Great Grandma Ilene and her cousin Ava who is only a month older. 

Then we went to the Boehle's to meet more Great Uncles, Great Aunts, cousins, and Great Grandma Alice. 

Then it was off to see Grandpa Richards! Don't mind Madeline's face. She had a long day, but did just fine in Grandpa's arms. He said the only other baby he held was me. We are two special ladies!

Then back to the Boehle's. Uncle Jon was there.

He likes making her give the thumbs up! I love her face in this one!

The next day we slept in, we were exhausted, but we had a few visitors like Cathy. We had fun with her.

The next day we got ready to go back to Vermont. Madeline was able to say goodbye to Uncle Steve, who was all dressed for work. 

At the airport we waited and waited, and Madeline was all, "I'm going to eat this bunny and poop in my pants three times before we board the plane." And she did...through her diaper and clothes! Good thing our flight was canceled and we had to stay the night in Columbus. I was able to pack some more clothes for her.

She did great on the plane rides, but boy were we glad to be home. 

The end!

Christmas 2011, Part 2: Christmas with the Cranks

We were certainly not short of visitors during our visit to Ohio! Madeline met her cousins Libby and Colin. She adored them. 

And her Uncle Steve. 

Several friends came by too, we just didn't get any pictures :(.

Madeline's first official "Christmas" was with the Crank family. 

Ahhh...we had so much fun with all of them! Madeline didn't want to leave. She will miss the sparkling tree most of all---just kidding!

 Madeline's first gift...she was enthralled.

And she got a hat that will fit her in a few weeks...probably tomorrow at the rate she's growing.

Madeline also received some socks that look like shoes. They are adorable and Madeline thought so too! Here is a video of her squealing with delight! (Pay no attention to the conversation in the background about the store Pink.)

Christmas day to come!

Christmas 2011, Part 1: Mostly the plane trip and the Boehles

It is no secret that flying during the holidays can be unpredictable. We arrived for our flight a few hours before it was suppose to take off, boarded the plane on time, and waited at the gate for an hour. There were maintenance issues that couldn't be resolved quickly, so they let us off the plane to wait. We waited about 4 hours before we asked to be put on another flight the next day. 

Madeline waited like a seasoned traveler.

She said she wanted to work in an airport when she got older:

We told her we'd love her no matter what, but that discounted flights wouldn't hurt.

Delta kindly gave us a room and food vouchers.  We sure enjoyed relaxing and watching TV!

The next day our flights went off on time and we arrived in Ohio around night fall. Here is us in NYC waiting on lunch:

The next day, we got dressed up to visit family. Madeline wore her best tutu! She showed it off to Grandma Crank and Dada.

Madeline met Mamaw Boehle for the first time. 

And Uncle Travis. He was very sweet with her.

Then we met up with beautiful Aunt Jessica. 

Madeline met many more people her first day in Ohio, but sadly we didn't get a picture with them all. We appreciated everyone that stopped by the Cranks to see us. 

More visits in Part 2!

Madeline at 3 Months

Madeline turned 3 months old on Christmas day...which is perfect because she is the best gift we ever got. 

Length

Birth: 20 inches

Now: 25 inches

Weight

Birth: 7 pounds 13 ounces

Now: probably around 17 lbs

Special talents

Sucking on your hands (but you can’t find your thumb yet), smiling at people you don’t know, entertaining yourself for 10-15 minutes at a time without anyone’s help, making cooing sounds, grabbing at things you want, and tasting those things you grab

Crying

You still cry around bedtime at night sometimes, but it’s getting better. You mostly cry when you are hurt, those stupid shots.

Sleep

At night, you still wake up 1 to 3 times to eat, but you fall right back to sleep! You also like to take around 5 naps a day. It’s difficult to get you in bed before 9; you keep thinking bedtime is just a nap until the whole house is asleep.

Dislikes

Car rides in the dark, long travel days, and bottles

Likes

Christmas decorations—there are things that light up, colored red, and sparkle! You like to sit up and look at things around you. You are also enjoying looking closely at everything, especially strangers…which can be a little awkward on a plane.

Firsts

You rolled over, back to belly! Mama, Dada, and Grandma Crank were so proud of you. We cheered and cheered! You have also started to reach out, grab things, and put them in your mouth.

You celebrated Christmas in Ohio and met so many people! We rode on a plane to get there and got to stay in hotels along the way. You also watched cartoons for the first time on a giant TV and you really liked it. 

Madeline at 2 Months

Madeline at 1 Month 

And, for fun, some outtakes: