Cute as a Button and much fun...

Madison Grace is ONE

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!

We celebrated Maddie's birthday all week, with the arrival of Grammie and Auntie Annie. The girls got plenty of snuggles, playtime and had lots all-around fun!

 It snowed the weekend the girls arrived, and it was a fun change for Auntie who lives in Florida!

Snow watchers

One of Auntie's many talents is cake decorating, and she brought all the fun supplies to make a special fondant cake for Madison's birthday. Lindsay was her sous chef, and had fun making her own pint-sized Hello Kitty cake.

This girl loves to cook in the kitchen!

When the weather improved, Grammie took the girls to Build-a-Bear for early birthday gifts. Right next door was the Disney store, where Lindsay had the opportunity to "open" the store with a little Disney magic. She was a little shy at first, but really got into the play when they let her wear Mickey's robe and hat. They also gifted her with a little Mickey lanyard, which she loved.

Lots of early morning snuggles with Madison & Lulu

The day before Maddie's actual birthday Papa flew in from California! He got lots of sugar from the birthday girl and from Lulu too!

We took the family into town for a tour of Princeton, from a very handsome tour guide. Auntie enjoyed seeing Einstein's classroom, and I think Mom's favorite was the gorgeous stained glass chapel.

Auntie, Jarrett and the little ladies

Looks like Dad needs a smoking jacket and pipe!

 Madison's birthday party was themed, "Cute as a Button" and I had fun recycling some of Lindsay's 1st birthday decorations into her party. It was bright and happy, just like our girl!

The birthday girl feasted on her favorite dinner lately: Spaghetti! Can you tell she liked it?

Look at my new top teeth!!

Then it was time for absolutely adorable cake... Madison was mesmerized by the candle.

MMMMmmm... CAKE! She enjoyed squishing the cake in her hands before deciding to take a bite.

Daddy capturing the first bite of frosting.

It's a hit.

The cute cake stayed cute for a couple minutes more before we all had to dig into it.

 Then it was present time! I loved how excited Lindsay was to open gifts with her sister!

Jarrett and I began the "1 Year" special gifts with Lindsay, and I created a shutterfly photo book documenting each girl's first year. I loved this photo with Madison's birth announcement photo (she was so TINY) juxapositioned with her at 1 year... priceless.

Madison loved her Lamb chair, and climbed right into it. Just like big sis, Madison received a special stuffed toy the day she was born. When she turned 1, Daddy got the matching lamb chair for a sweet place where she can sit and read stories.  Now her and sissy can sit in their chairs together and watch their favorite shows!

After the presents there was a little karaoking...

...and a few spins taken in her new pink ride!

 Thank you family for coming out to be there for Madison's big day! It was so special to get to host our family in our home. I loved to wake up and have coffee together and of course, all the wonderful conversations that develop from being close. We are so grateful to have so many wonderful people in our lives that shower our girls with love! Happy Birthday my baby Madison! Remember, as long as you're living, my baby you'll be! 

Here Comes the Bride

 

We were cleaning out the garage a few weeks ago and Lindsay caught a glimpse of my wedding dress in its giant plastic bag. She exclaimed, "Mommy! Is that your princess dress?" LOL. I couldn't resist and let my little princess try on the veil and corset...I am keeping this pic for one sweet day in the far far future...;)

11 Months

Madison Grace 11 months

Eleven months?!? This year has flown by, and I can't believe sweet Maddie Grace is a few days away from her 1st birthday. Here is what she has been up to this month:
*1st Cold... This month Madison got her first cold and ear infection! Not really exciting news, but this was my first encounter with ear infection as a Mom (Lulu hasn't had one yet) and they are pretty miserable. She is on the mend, just in time for her birthday.

*Eating.... Decided she didn't like peas recently. Will most definitely let you know she doesn't like something by waving her arm/hand to push away the spoon/Kleenex. Her favorite food lately is Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. She has been nursing 4 times per day, although less frequently when she was congested. Although we were doing great with the night weaning, when she got sick I fed her to keep up the fluid and calories. Poor baby! After our 1 year Pediatrician appointment we can begin dropping feeds.  I am not in a hurry, but after 12+ months, Mama is ready to have her body to herself again. I will probably cry at her last feeding... my last baby! Sniff sniff!

 *Sleeping... MG has been sleeping pretty good the past few days since she has been feeling better. She fusses around 11pm and usually goes back to sleep without us having to go in, and has been waking up 1 time around 3am. For a week she was fighting her naps fiercely, mainly because I think she was overtired and not feeling great. Lately she has been taking a nap around 10am-12:30ish, and going down again at 2-3pm. We usually do our errands in the morning, and she is pretty laid back about sleeping in her carseat between stores or the Baby Bjorn.

*Physical... Girl loves to crawl and move! She enjoys following Sister, pulling things out of the cupboards/drawers and patty cake. Luckily she hasn't figured out how to climb the stairs yet! MG is so ticklish, and loves to run her fingers through my hair, or touch Daddy's soft fuzzy hair and bursts into giggles. She's our little love bug, and gives great cuddles, or puts her head on our shoulder for a 'hug'.

*Mamama.. Hooray! Sweet Girl says "Mama" or "Ma" and "Dada".

"I'm gonna get you Mama!!"

*Personality... Our youngest is pretty vocal and outspoken around the house, but in public, is very serious and rarely cracks a smile. Madison is confident in her likes and dislikes, and will make them known. She is quite the squealer, and I can't wait until she picks up some words... we better watch out, because this girl likes to talk. Always curious and inquisitive, she will point at objects and wait for you to tell her what they are called. She loves to read, and especially turn the pages. At bedtime she will promptly hand me "Good Night Moon" to be read as soon as she has her jammies on.

Happy Girl

Little Miss Big Stuff

This picture is from this morning... we were trying to get out the door to take Daddy to work, and Little Miss was super quiet. Should have know she was busy getting into the toilet paper!

Love you sweet girl! Can't wait to watch you eat your first bite of cake in a few days!! xoxo

Nonna & Morris Family Visit

A couple days after Christmas Nonna, Sarah, Nate and Mia drove from NC to NJ to visit and hang out with us for New Year's! Here are a few pics of our visit:

Watching the kids play and visiting

 It snowed the day after they arrived, and the kids had a chance to play in the snow. It was an icy, light snow, and melted off within the next couple days. Sarah's friend from college, Megan, another recent NJ transplant rode the train down from Hoboken to hang out with us for the day.

Lindsay + Nate = BFF cousins

 We celebrated Christmas with Nonna and the Morris clan, and it was so fun getting to see each other open their presents in person!

Nate and Lindsay started the present opening earlier that night by themselves. Luckily they only opened their own presents by the time we realized what was going on.

Maddie getting some lap time with Nonna

Love this pic... Nate to Maddie: "You're as cute as a bug's ear!"

Thanks for the rainboot Nonna!!

We took a day trip into Philadelphia to the Children's Please Touch Museum. In my opinion, it is the best Children's museum we have been to, and trust me, we've been to a handful to compare. It is really big; two hours isn't enough time to walk through it. There is an indoor carousel, a mini hospital (Lindsay's fave) grocery store, post office, shoe store etc... (basically a tiny city) with props for the kids to play. However, I wouldn't recommend visiting in the winter (everyone got sick afterwards) and on a holiday weekend (super busy)!

Had to wear her new boots to the museum. My big girl is getting too grown up!!

Auntie Sarah, Mia and Nate at the grocery store... so much fun!

Our littles, Madison (11 months) and Mia (1 year)

Now, for being cooped up in the house for several days, the kiddos got along famously. Lindsay was a great hostess and was happy to play and share her toys (most of the time). Nate did wonderfully entertaining himself by playing with girl toys for 5 days, and they both were so gentle with the babies.

Playing in the playhouse in the garage. It was 29 degrees outside. They were little Popsicles when they came in.

 We rang in the new year right, with Reid Tacos and sparkling apple cider!

We don't give our children booze. Just sparkling cider, folks!

Nonna made her famous Hershey Chocolate Pie!!

"Happy New Year".... at 8:30pm

We had a wonderful time with our family, and LOVE having a house full! Come and visit anytime family, although it is our turn to head south next time!  xoxo

Reflection

One year ago yesterday... View from our bedroom window at Pepperdine

Sweet Maddie Girl arrives... the perfect addition to our family

 

NC Beach house for the 4th

 

Packing up our earthly belongings to move cross-country

 

First football game at Princeton

2012 was an adventure! As I am looking back on the highs and lows, it only reveals the Lord's perfect timing, provision and faithfulness. 

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

One of my greatest prayers for 2013 is that my family and friends who do not know Jesus will come to know Him. I hope that 2013 will inspire a fresh new walk with God, and a deeper commitment to living the Christian faith. We pray God's blessings for you and yours in 2013!