Sonia and Axel's Visit

We were so fortunate enough this past weekend to have Sonia (Mike's sister) and Axel (Sonia's husband) visit. Maddie loved their company. She could not get enough time with them. She loved sitting on Sonia's lap while she read her some of Maddie's favorite books.



Friday we just hung out around the house having great conversations and letting Axel try and prove to us he could eat a Medium Deep Dish pizza which was NOT a success. Maybe next time. :)

Saturday we headed down to the city to do some sightseeing and to check out the Field Museum. Once again we were surprised at how well Maddie enjoyed herself. I really think she just entertained herself by beating on the glass displays...good thing we went in the morning so there wasn't too big of crowds wondering why we were letting our child touch the dinosaur displays!



She took a 30 minute cat nap during the Ancient Times People Tour (I think Mike and I could have joined her) but was ready to go again when she woke up.



After spending a few hours at the museum we headed down to find some lunch and do some more sightseeing. We unfortunately had to head back up to the suburbs and leave Axel and Sonia to finish up on their own. It won't be a long good bye as we will be able to see all of Georgia in October!!!!

Lincoln Park Zoo

I really need to learn to Blog more often so I'm not spending a whole day playing catch up :)

A couple weeks ago Mike and I decided to travel into the city and take Madison on her first trip to the zoo (actually, she has been to a zoo already but she was still in my stomach at the time so I don't count it).

Maddie loved the zoo! Here she is at the edge of her seat just itching to get inside.



We saw so many animals. It was a gorgeous day outside. Not too hot with a nice cool breeze! We saw lions, tigers and bears. Oh my! Madison's favorite were the monkeys. I think she enjoyed watching them jump around and chase each other.



The part Mike and I could not get over is that the zoo was FREE. So if anyone is looking for something entertaining to do with your children...head on down to the Lincoln Park Zoo!

After spending quality time with the animals we went to Gino's East to have a Chicago style deep dish at the original location (so we thought). Maddie LOVES pizza just like her momma! She could eat it all day everyday.

Aubery's 3rd Birthday Party

Happy 3rth Birthday Aubery!

I can't believe how fast you have grown up. From swinging in baby swings to Elmo and now to my little ponies. Next it will be princesses, talking on the phone and boys (watch out Becky and Joe...you have your hands full).
I am so lucky to have 2 beautiful nieces that live so close to me so I can watch them grow up and become young ladies!



Madison was so excited to go and play with her cousins and friends. She loves all the excitement from the kids screaming and running around and can't wait for the day where she can keep up with them!



The kids popped a hole in a blow up house but they ended up having more fun getting pulled around on it anyways. Even Maddie joined in on the fun and loved it. Haley was being such a good big cousin and holding on to Maddie so she wouldn't fall off. Daddy got tired pretty quick as kids just kept jumping on.

Walking and No More Bottles!

Over Labor Day weekend Madison became a toddler!
She is a "true" walker now! It still surprises me when I'm doing something in the other room and I hear her walking into the kitchen now instead of a loud stampede of elephants crawling in to see what she can get in to. Daddy was supposed to baby proof the house this weekend but I think we will have to wait until Papa comes to visit for this to happen ;)



We also took the bottles away! I thought this was going to be a nightmare of a task. Who would have thought that she wouldn't mind this? I think this is always harder for the parents then it is for the kids because we just don't want to see them grow up!

Madison's 1 Year Appointment

Madison had her 1 year appointment on August 17th with Dr. Brown (the drill Sargent and Mike's best friend) and everything looks great! She's developmentally right on track or even in some cases exceeding expectations. She should start walking soon as she already is taking 5 to 6 steps between Mike and I. She stands alone and "cruises" around the house.
She weighed in at almost 25 lbs. which puts her in the 94% and was 30" long and in the 75%. She is definitely in 18 month clothes now and I am afraid that 2T will shortly follow...that just sounds so old!
Dr. Brown gave us the green light to get rid of all the bottles and bring in the cows milk. What a transition this will be. We are trying to find a couple of days where we can start this but I guess there is never a better time then now. This will be the hardest on me I'm sure!
She still has her bottom 2 teeth and her 4 top teeth are really coming in now...she has learned how to bite which is NOT a good thing.
She had to get her finger pricked to check her iron which she hated (thank goodness Daddy was there). It seemed to take forever but it all checked out fine and also had to get 3 shots. My poor little Binky! Our next appointment will be her 15 month in November but we will have to swing in in October for her flu shot.