A message from the MOM.

It's been roughly 12.5 months since Madeline was born. In that time, the most I've been away from her was for an evening out with friends or my husband from time to time. I'm a mom who is very careful, very protective, and very set-in-her-ways....just ask my husband. I can be a bit overbearing and maybe even a bit ridiculous, but, I'm Madeline's mom and that's my right. I will love her and protect her until the day I die....fortunately for me, my husband is very supportive and he truly is a great dad. I love watching them play together in the evenings, and even more, I love watching her face light up when she's see's him come through the door at the end of the work day. And of course, it's even more adorable when Jersey and Sophie give her all their kisses.

This weekend I am leaving the house from Friday to Sunday. It's the first weekend away. To some, this isn't a big deal, but to me, it is! I think I'm having regular panic attacks. Not because I'm worried that she's not in good care, but because I will miss her so much. She'll be fine, this I know.
We're traveling north, about 90 minutes outside of Taylor Falls, WI. My friend is opening up her family cabin to 4 of us for a mom's getaway. Our plan is nothing, except for 90 minute massages on Saturday afternoon. Good friends, food, cocktails, chick flicks and games. I'm really looking forward to this. But kisses to my baby and a big thanks to my husband!

Just hangin' around.

Madeline had her 12 month appointment this week.

• Weight: 23.14lbs
• Height: 30 3/4 inches
• Madeline cruises when she crawls and when she's walking along the furniture edges
• For you Yoga enthusiasts, she's started to do a great downward dog, which I believe is how she is learning to stand up on her own, unsupported by furniture.
• She's a master at peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.
• She understands many words but only speaks Momma and Dada...and now Baba.
• Sleeps a good 10-12 hours each night and still has at least one nap during the day for about 1.5 hours.
• She's not a big fan of eating, but she'd great at feeding others...especially the puppies. She would prefer all her meals in a bottle, but we're not going to become concerned for a few more months yet. She loves all fruits, and some veggies. But her favorite continues to be yogurt.
• She loves to crawl up the stairs, and now, down the stairs. She also likes to crawl up on the couch and hang out for a while. She can get herself down from the couch, too!
• She plays so well on her own, and with others. She loves her book, her Baby Einstein videos and Ooo and Ahh from Playhouse Disney. Oh, and she LOVES Elmo. She has 3 stuffed Elmo's right here!
• She's snuggly, she's cute, and she's perfect in our opinion.

Here's a few shots of our little ham smiling for the camera....

State Fair.

We brought Madeline to the great Minnesota get-together on Sunday. She helped us eat our fair food and even tried a bit of a hotdog herself. Mmmm, corn dogs, macaroni and cheese on a stick, frozed chocolate dipped banana on a stick, sunnies in a boat, roasted corn. My goodness, it was gooooooooooood.
Madeline enjoyed the horses, she giggled as they trotted by. The sheep she wasn't sure of.

A trip to Great Gramma Shirley's!

Last week Madeline, my mom, and me went to Austin to visit my Gramma Shirley. Doughnuts, coffee and a beautiful day. It was really nice to sit and visit with her for the day. An added bonus was an opportunity for my aunt, Madeline's great aunt, Laurie to meet her for the first time.

Madeline's First Birthday PARTY.

My apologies for the lack of posts recently. I have been quite busy around home, getting the house staged, decluttered and listed on the market. In addition to that, I was preparing for Madeline's 1st birthday party, which was so much fun! Our home looked like a daycare with all the babies...I think at one point there were 10 babies in this house! A special thank you to Nana Donna and Grandma Barbara for helping me with the food. Little to no leftovers=success. Madeline did not care for her birthday cake, she was overwhelmed with the new exciting toys she received and so she pooped out early! Good for her. The adults stayed and played until about midnight. Here are a few of the many photos we took:

Happy Birthday Madeline!

Good Morning Miss. Madeline! Thank you for sleeping in until 7:45 this morning!

Happy baby!
Okay, guys...enough photos. Get me out of here!

Mmmmmmmm, yogurt for breakfast! I'll just help myself to that thankyouverymuch.

Lunch at CRAVE at the Mall of America!

Her first birthday treat, a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and sprinkles!

She actually liked it!

Good face.

A trip to Underwater Adventures to see all the fish....

...and to even touch a few starfish.

Madeline had a nice little outting for her first birthday.

Cupcakes!

For Madeline's first birthday party she told me she wanted Confetti cupcakes with Gram's Dessert Frosting....so if you come to her party and sink your teeth into this deliciousness, you'll just have to ask me to make you more for your own party or personal enjoyment as I cannot share the receipe...it's a secret family one!
We made these today, they freeze fabulously and we'll enjoy them on Saturday!