Another Park with Friends

We were so bored today! I called my friend Syrinity, who was heading over to a park, so we joined her!

Madelyn is saying 'hi' to Bradley. He is almost 4 months old, and is currently in a cast! Poor little guy. It was an unfortunate accident...the kind that I'm sure Syrinity would rather I not shout out to the world if you catch my drift. He is a sweet baby with a great mama!

Playing in the barkdust

Say Cheese!

More fun on the slide

She even went down all by herself!

And she wants to get up there by herself too!

Madelyn is still a bit unsteady on her feet, but if she has somewhere to go, she can definitely get there upright. Often she just drops to her knees and crawls, since that is easier and faster for her. I've been told "life will change" when the baby starts walking, but I believe things like a park outing will be more fun when she isn't dragging herself around in the dirt the whole time and can actually run and play to boot.

Who Me?

Remember when Madelyn used to sit in the closet and play with toys while I took a shower? Of course I knew it wouldn't last, but we had a good run. Here is today's path of destruction.

Some moms savour naptime by taking a shower in peace. I, on the other hand, prefer to utilize naptime scrambling to get as much of my work done as I can. This is actually more of a necessity than a preference, since I have to cram an eight-hour workday into a (if I'm lucky) two-hour nap. So I choose to get as much peace in the shower as I can by allowing Madelyn to do pretty much whatever makes her happy in the bathroom, as long as it presents no immediate danger. And yeah, I have to sacrifice a few extra minutes cleaning it up, but it is worth it not to waste precious naptime in the shower. Now, when I do get a shower all to myself it is heavenly. Is this too much shower-talk for a blog read by family and friends? Sorry.

At the Park

We met the Evans' for a picnic lunch at Washington Park on this gorgeous day. Not until our 20-minute wait on the offramp of Hwy 26 commenced did I make the connection that it was Presidents' Day and everyone else had the same idea. Thankfully they were all at the zoo, so there was a more manageable crowd at the park, although still more busy than I would have preferred.

A picnic always tastes better out of an adorable basket like this one my friend Melinda gave us as a wedding gift, right? Yuka and Madelyn are enjoying it!

Wheeeee!

First time going down a slide!

Yuka, Kristen, Madelyn, Eddie, Demitri, Sarah

Chocolate Cake

We celebrated my mother and my brother Bryan's birthdays in true Winkel tradition: with three different desserts. And at our house the question is not, "Which one would you like?" It is "How much of each would you like?" Madelyn has a lot to look forward to.
Birthday Boy Bryan was disappointed in the dainty tastes I shared with my daughter. He liked feeding Madelyn big bites of cake.

Mmmmm....

Future Quarterback? Look at that face!

Crazy Driver?

Not too sure about this...

Madelyn's cousin Ethan pushed her around a little bit on her car.

She had a good time because Ethan is a GREAT driver! (You should see him do tricks with his RC car--it's impressive, Buddy!)

Grandpa's Chickens

All the kids love to see Grandpa's chickens. And all the parents love the endless supply of free eggs (thanks Dad)!

Uncle Bryan, Ethan, Madelyn, and Grandpa heading out to the coop.

Grandpa explaining the new jungle gym he built for the hens (and a rooster)

My Dad loves getting back to a little bit of his farm-boy past.

Look! She is pointing! This is actually a new accomplishment for Madelyn.

Piano

Every once in a while Madelyn moseys herself over to the piano and plays a few random high notes. I just thought this was a pretty picture. I learned to play on this piano, and I am honored to have it in my home. Unfortunately, the only time I would be able to play freely without little hands clamoring to bang the keys is when she is asleep...so I long to be able to make more music!

Upon My Return

While we were finishing up some work at Curves, I had to run a few doors down to make some copies. My mom said she would keep an eye on Madelyn there at the club so that I wouldn't have to take her along on this quick errand. When I returned, I didn't see Madelyn or my mother anywhere, and for a moment I worried that my daughter had been forgotten! But instead, I found her sleeping in Lana's arms while she talked business with my Dad.

Whatever they were talking about must have been pretty boring.

Attacking Bryson

While I was busy running an event we had for our team members at Curves last Saturday, Bryson entertained Madelyn on the stretching circuit.

Then she showed her affection by attacking him and manipulating his facial features.

Looks like they're having a lot of fun!

Videos

Importing, editing, and uploading videos=very time consuming. As you have probably already noticed, I barely have enough time to keep my photos up-to-date on the blog (hence the massive quantity of posts you get to enjoy all at once!), so it's rare that I take the time to post video. And then when I get around to it, the subject matter of said videos are out-of-date in relation to what Madelyn can currently do. But--here are a couple of videos that I decided to share after all my hard work editing them.

This first clip was filmed in January. The little ball rolls around making music and doing stuff that Madelyn doesn't really understand yet. But check out her awesome dance move! Last month, whenever any music came on she'd stick her left arm in the air and wave her right arm around. I hope she didn't learn that from MY dancing! Now all she needs is the white man's overbite. (Think: Billy Crystal in "When Harry Met Sally")



In this one, Madelyn is walking around with her push-toy first, then taking some of her first steps (toward a soft blanket, of course). This video was taken two weeks ago, so she is much better at walking now. But I think it's pretty funny the way she hauls that walking toy around--it look much more labor-intensive than just plain old walking!

In the next one, you get to hear a tiny bit of Madelyn's "reading" (I love this) and then marvel at her dexterity with the wooden stacking rings.

Magnets at Grandmas

Playing with the fridge magnets is Madelyn's favorite thing to do at Grandma Bonnie's house.

She is pretty proud of her skills

Clapping

We love Grandma!

Finding Kezia

Do you see the little paws under the bedskirt?

Kezia loves to crawl under the crib and take a nap. It's dark and cozy...I just have to check to be sure she isn't under there when I put Madelyn down for a nap. Otherwise the nap would end prematurely to the tune of Kezia's whining to be let out of the room.

Sweet puppy

Peek-a-boo Kezia!

Madelyn can sign 'dog' and says "d-d-d!" whenever she sees one.

I wonder where she learned this behavior...

But she is still beautiful to me.

Super Bowl Sunday

Over the past month or so, Madelyn has made a few one- or two-step travels. Although some of her characteristics as an infant made me believe she would be an early walker, Madelyn hasn't shown a great deal of interest in walking. She crawls fast, but is fairly cautious about getting around. Recently she showed a renewed interest in her push-n-walk toy, which I think has given her the confidence necessary to venture into the world of walking without holding onto the furniture and walls.

So last night she took a series of 5 or 6 steps, and has been enjoying practicing this new skill. Today is Super Bowl Sunday, and we went to my parents' home to enjoy the game with the whole family.

Madelyn walked all the way from the car into the house holding Daddy's hand.

Trying out a few steps during a Timeout. (PS: Don't you LOVE the vest?!)

Hanging out with Aunt Emma. I love that Madelyn is getting more friendly with everyone.

Even walking around with Uncle Bryan. Her shirt and pants are soaked because she found some water on the coffee table which she assumed was in a sippy-cup. This means she threw it back toward her mouth kind of forcefully, trusting that the water would be contained safely inside as it usually is. However, it wasn't. And she proceeded to test it out one more time.

Eating dinner at the Big Kids' Table! But still intently watching the Giants take Super Bowl XLII.

Blankie Hammock

Yuka and Mommy swinging Madelyn in her blankie before bed.

What fun!

Snowflakes

Admiring the snowy day outside our window

It has snowed more this winter than I ever remember it snowing in Portland. Perhaps I have seen more because we live on a high hill, but then again, it even snowed on the beach at the Oregon Coast! Take that, Global Warming.

Madelyn was entertaining herself in the family room while I made dinner. Upon one of my frequent checks, I discovered her with a half-inch piece of tissue sticking out of her nose. And she was oblivious to it.

When she is sleepy, Madelyn rubs her blankie on her nose and eyes. I think it is considerate of her to let us know when she is ready for a nap or for bed.