Best Toy Ever

Madelyn's all-time favorite toy? my camera case (for now)

Toy Box

I keep all of Madelyn's toys in these fabric cubes. They were so cheap, and I love that I can throw everything in them to keep the hosue neat, and they can be carried from room to room and even out and about!

The best toys, of course, are at the very bottom.

Which doesn't stop Madelyn!

She'll just play inside the toy box.

Alley Cats

We went bowling with my mom, John, and Bryan's family. I don't know why I continue to go bowling of my own volition...I am terrible! My best score was 100. This time Yuka played with the bumpers and did awesome, though. Hooray!

Madelyn fell asleep in the car on the way over, and we were all shocked that she didn't wake up inside the bowling alley where they were playing loud music, flashing neon lights, and crashing bowling pins. She stayed asleep in there for maybe half an hour or so? It was great!

Bryan Laurel Kristen Madelyn Gary

Ethan Shelby Yuka

We love Uncle John! He's visiting home for a couple of weeks during the school break from Scenic View Academy, where he lives in Provo, UT.

Grandma Winkel and Madelyn

Chillin' with Ethan.

YES, those are leg warmers, aren't you jealous?

After bowling, we went to Red Robin for dinner. Madelyn's spoon is delicious!

Mmmmmmm! Tres bien!

Curves

Getting a good workout, I'd say!

I Love to Climb!

So happy on the stairs

Convention Center

Grandma Bonnie came with us to the Gentle Birth Expo in downtown Portland.

Favorite Book

Madelyn loves lift-the-flap books. Here she is reading one of her favorites.

I suppose you get better leverage for flap-lifting if you sit on TOP of the book.

She really wants to get on her feet! Enough with this sitting and crawling already...she wants to walk!

Learning about colors on the farm with Yuka.

Jailbird

Fun behind bars...

Hold On!

Ready for take-off!

The Student

Madelyn came along to a recent Curves Leadership training. My mom was so generous to attend this training twice in order to help take care of Madelyn so that I could be there.

She is SO happy playing with Grandma's cosmetic bag! This was the thing that kept her quiet and occupied the longest.

Exploring under the chairs

A special treat makes Madelyn happy, and thus usually quiet, but sometimes she makes really loud "Mmmmmm" and "Numm Umm Umm" sounds while she eats. Normally adorable. In a small training room, not so much.

MY corn

...and don't even think about sharing!

Grandpa Winkel gave Madelyn lots of corn from the garden!

Drive-In Movie

Don't you just love the drive-in movie theatre? I have fond memories of sitting on top of our big van with my sister and a blanket. There is something special about watching a movie under the stars. If you've been to a drive-in recently, you probably know that only 400 of the many thousands of original theatres are still operating. And it is ALL YOUR FAULT for not buying more popcorn and coke and twizzlers! Nothing like a 20-minute overly dramatic commercial to send you running to the snack bar. We went with the Fairhursts, and both managed to escape without feeling guilty enough to buy anything. So thanks to us, next time you want to head to the 99W Drive In, it will probably be out of business. Sorry.

Pre-movie Baby Dance Party!

Madelyn and Jack are ready to watch the movie!

Full of (restaurant) pizza, (homemade) cookies, and (storebought) doughnuts--we're bundled up and ready for the movie to start.

The first movie was "Balls of Fury." VERY stupid; don't recommend it. Madelyn finally fell asleep about 20 minutes before it was over. The second movie was "Superbad." We have heard this movie is hilarious. After 15 minutes of nonstop gratuitous profanity without developing a major dramatic conflict for the plot, we walked--er, I mean drove--out. That was disappointing.

Random Thursday

Here are some random things I captured today:

Fun with the screen door

Madelyn often sits on her knees like this. I think it so so cute! Sometimes she plays here on the kitchen floor while I make dinner or baby food. Or in tonight's case, both simultaneously. There were pots and utensils strewn everywhere! (Ask Gary, I am the messiest cook)

Now THAT's what I call the perfect husband: doing the housework and tending the baby!

Climbing the Stairs

She climbed up all 16 steps by herself. This was her first attempt!

Nine Months Stats

We went to the pediatrician today--no shots this time though--Hooray! Madelyn is 28" tall and weighs 15 pounds. She is tall, but so tiny! She has grown an inch and a half and gained 10 ounces since her 6-month appointment. So we discussed some ways to help her put on some weight, and we're going back in a month to get weighed again. Wish us luck packing on the pounds this month!

Corn on the Cob

As I was cutting some corn kernels from my cob to share with Madelyn, my mom suggested I just break off a chunk for her. I think corn on the cob is my new favorite dinnertime baby food. Not only did she love every bite, but it kept her busy through our entire family dinner!

Laughter

Is there anything as sweet as the genuine laughter of a child?

Best Seat in the House

...for Kezia, that is!

What delectable morsels will she be lucky enough to catch today?

Leg Crawling

Here's a little excerpt of Madelyn's signature hand, hand, knee, and foot crawling. This was over a week ago, so she's getting better at it now.

Juice

Although she's already adept at drinking from a regular glass, she's just getting the hang of the no-spill sippy cup. Only she doesn't yet understand how to tip the cup back as she drinks. This is a problem because then she just sucks and swallows air--not good for the tummy.

Pulling Up

Come on, girl, you can do it!

Hooray!

And there's that silly tongue again...

Slippery

Imagine the voice of Bob Saget and a slide whistle in the background....

Sisterly LOVE

Kezia is so patient with Madelyn, which is especially important now that she is mobile and likes to use the dogs to assist her in standing up, and play with their tails and ears....

...But this french kiss is a little too close for comfort.

Standing

Now that Madelyn can pull herself up, she wants to do it all the time!

Hmm...Which toys should I play with?

Bonnie and Dale came over for dinner and games. We all had fun playing with Madelyn before she went to bed. Does her tongue ever retreat?