Daddy Love

I'm playin catch-up tonight with all these posts!

Anytime Madeleine can hear her Daddy's voice she turns her head any way she can to find him. Even when she is eating! Now that is saying something because this little one does not like to skip meals. Here they are on the couch tonight.

4 Months

Last Thursday Madeleine turned 4 whole months old! Where has the time gone!?

This little baby is such a source of joy for her parents and her big sister. We love having her here with us, I can't really remember when she wasn't. She's always smiling and happy...unless she really needs something. Then she lets us know, but as soon as her need is met, she is back to being Miss Sunshine again. It's like she has a switch that can be flipped on and off. The poor little thing just drools buckets and buckets. I do everything to try and keep her dry but I can't keep up with it, she still has a little rash under her chin.

Noelle loves her sister so much. She can almost always be found face to face with her saying, "Hi Madeleine! Hi Madeleine! Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Madeleine!"

Her 4 month check-up went really well. I have been somewhat concerned that she is not reaching for toys or swiping at them like she should. She has toys she loves but she is perfectly content staring and giggling at them rather than touching. She is developing on track in every other way, so it just seemed odd that she has not been doing this. Doctor confirmed she is doing great, just keep dangling fun toys in front of her.

When it came time for shots this poor little girl had no idea what was coming. You would think her ample chub would make it hurt less, apparently not! She cried, screamed and cried some more. Nothing would appease her, finally I just packed her up without even getting her clothes on, she knocked right out before we even left the parking lot.

Height: 25.25 inches - 81%

Weight: 16 pounds 2 ounces - 90%

Head: 16.25 inches - 58%

A Year Ago...

One year ago today my life changed significantly for the better...

I met little Miss Georgia for the first time. On Sunday we were with her as she celebrated her First Birthday. She is the sweetest girl, it was a fun day!

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I also found out that this little blessing was going to be joining our family.

There were no words to describe the joy and apprehension I felt. It took an entire year and two rounds of medicine to get pregnant, little did we know it was because of the Graves.

Funny story: I took a left over test given to me by a friend (Georgia's Mommy, actually, she did not need it any more!) really early that morning and I was not sure if I was reading it right (long story.) I needed to know if it was truly positive. I scoured the internet for a picture that matched and it seemed that I was right, but, I HAD to be 100% sure. So, I ate really salty food, went to the gym and worked out without any water, then walked around Costco forever letting my pee concentrate, bought more tests and finally went home. I have the proof that it was obviously correct. Oh, the things we women do!

Luckiest Girl

I feel so blessed and just plain lucky to be surrounded by so many people who show me such love. My birthday festivities started yesterday with yummy take out from Stonefire Grill and good times with two of my very special girlfriends, Kelsi & Melanie. The kids played, we snuggled babies, and laughed. There was a moment of clarity when in the midst of the madness and I said, "Guys...between the 3 of us we have 6 kids. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN!?" It seems like yesterday we were camping out at the Kern River with our Single Adult Ward.

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Note: Don't let a 3-year-old take pictures of three women who are recently post-pardum and scrunched down in a couch. EEEEEEK! It turns out looking something like this:

Kelsi made me such a great gift. An adorable Happy Birthday banner made out of fabric so it is actually permanent! This picture does not even remotely do it justice. It's best idea ever! We get to hang it now for every Birthday. I hung it in the living room last night and when Noelle came downstairs she was so excited squealed with delight, "MOMMY! MOMMY! Look at all the letters!"

This morning started off with Birthday muffins, fruit and juice with more good friends. I had such a great time. I decided I did not want to go straight home because I would just do housework and who needs that on their birthday? We spent the afternoon over at Auntie's house. Noelle played, Madeleine napped (after her all nighter) and I played Guitar Hero (all by myself!) I completed a lot of songs and did not have to share, it was a blast!

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This evening was dinner with my dear, sweet husband. He made reservations at an Israeli restaurant in Encino that he does business with. It was so fun! Look at all of these little plates of all kinds of vegetables, salads, and breads. I ate the BEST, BEST, BEST, cauliflower....it was unbelievable. They won't tell you what's in it, either! We counted 27 different little plates and that did not include your main course. Aaron had a steak and I had salmon. It was to die for, such fresh delicious food. The whole experience was fantastic.

Look at all the loot I've collected!

I just have to reiterate what great people I have in my life. Every gift were things I said in passing during conversations and they remembered. A package arrived from Texas yesterday with a wok because I had told Amy, "My fried rice never turns out...I think because my pan is too small, I really need a wok." Now I have one! Plus, a Chinese and a Thai Cookbook.

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I asked Jo if I could borrow her book, The Flat Belly Diet, instead she bought me one. (It's not a gimmick either, written by the editor of Prevention Magazine.) A good friend is one who will by you a diet book!
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Julianna brings me daffodils and fresh blueberries because I always buy frozen, they're so much cheaper. I can't wait for the day when I can just walk into Costco and by the fresh ones without feeling guilty.

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Liz gives me luscious cream and special moisturizing socks because I just adore stuff like that. Especially for my feet!

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I sent Aaron a text telling him exactly what I wanted from Costco including the price so there would be no confusion (the lessons I've learned over the course of our marriage!) He came home with a cupcake holder and the world's most comfortable flip-flop-memory-foam-things that are perfect to wear on our tile floors. Plus, some tulips to make the whole thing 'more personal.'

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Now is time to reveal the BIG KAHUNA...the thing that brought me to tears. Because someone I love so much wanted me to experience some Birthday Magic, and be giddy over a complete surprise!

Now I get to buy a Wii Fit, YIPEEEEEE!

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Last but not least I got to be with my special Angel Baby Girls. How could your Birthday not be the best when you get to haul this around with you? No picture of Noelle today because she was just too busy. I love the fact that Madeleine is currently immobile.

And it's not even over! Tomorrow night is a birthday dinner with Auntie and Unc. I'm being spoiled rotten and I love every minute of it!

Night Away

Last week we were at Auntie's house and when it was time to leave Noelle begged to stay. They finally got their own car seat so they said they would be happy to bring her home in the morning. Alright! It was a very interesting evening with just the three of us. I made dinner so fast without my 'sous chef.' Noelle and Unc meanwhile had a blast riding their bikes in front of the house for over an hour. By the time her bath was over and they were at the dinner table she was pooped. One bite and she said to them, "I need to sleep." She got her pillow and blanket that she loves, crawled on the couch and was OUT!


Madeleine did not have the best night so we stayed in bed and dozed until late, it felt great! Nice change from hearing, "I NEED to watch Playhouse Disney!" 80 times over and over until you give in and turn the TV on.

Once we were awake I decided a photo shoot was in order. WARNING: I could not decide which pictures I like best so I posted most of them. Madeleine just has the sweetest personality and I can see it in these pictures.






Then she got all of my time for a leisure bath, if it were up to her she would have stayed there all day.


Then it was time to get dressed. When I would see Dr. Tabsh while I was still pregnant, I bought her this little outfit from the gift shop where they have the CUTEST baby clothes on earth. They are normally really expensive but this was on a clearance rack and I had to have it. She looks just edible!

Sisters Playtime

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Yes, Noelle is wearing her pajamas and they are in fact on backwards and inside out. This was on St. Patricks day, both girls were in cute green outfits. Noelle got some water on her shirt and decided that she couldn't possibly wear it anymore. So, she got herself some pajamas out of the dirty clothes and that is what she wore for the rest of the evening.

We did have a YUMMY St. Patty's Day dinner. Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, fresh squeezed lemonade (with green food coloring) and green swirled homemade rolls. Auntie and Unc came over and we ate and ate!

Sunday Best

Noelle looked precious for church on Sunday, but the little stinker would not stand still for a picture. she kept running...

Back...

...and forth

She stood still for about a nano-second and I got this one.

Thanks Liz for the outfit!

Free Street Sweeper

Aaron was cleaning out the garage on Saturday afternoon and, of course, he had a little helper. Noelle created this little contraption all by herself. I think she's pretty smart!

After all the hard work she and Daddy went and got their usual Berry Smoothie (she actually got her own and had no problem drinking the whole thing!)

Funny

Funny Things Noelle has been saying:

She bites into a very ripe, brown banana, "MMMMMM, this tastes very fresh!"

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Noelle: "Ummmm, Mom?" (when did she start calling me that?)

Mom: "Yes?"

Noelle: "There are BEES flying in the tree!" (our orange tree is in bloom)

Mom: "Ooooohhhh, they are really neat! Do you see them getting the pollen?"

Noelle: "Oh, the bees are very hungry for the pineapple!" Turns to the tree: "You bees keep eating the pineapple, I'm going back to Mommy. OK, then? See you later! Bye bees!"

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Noelle: "Sister Jones?"

Mom: "To you, my name is Mommy."

Noelle: "No, I call you Sister Jones."

Mom: "Actually, I'm Mommy."

Noelle: "Sister Jones, what are you doing? I'm hungry."

American Idol's Youngest Fan!

She just loves watching it. Look at her, she's glued to the screen!

What? It's a good show!