Gymnastics

Last week we enrolled Lindsay in gymnastics through Malibu Parks and Recreation for a 10 class trial to see if she liked it. She really wanted to do ballet, but the age requirement is 4 years, so we have to wait a couple of years. This is a beginning gymnastics class, and they did light stretching, and then an obstical course with fun things like a trampoline, balance beam, and slide. She even did somersalts in her very first class!!

For the first class the coach wanted to take the Mommy-and-Me approach. You can tell by what I am wearing that I wasn't expecting to be doing gymnastics with her, but I got some good stretching in, or as good as jeans will allow :)

She took the class very seriously, and listened and followed intructions really well. Much better than a lot of kids older than her. The coach commented, "Wow! She is so focused for a two year old!" She is definitely our child. LOL

Lindsay Bridge

Run run run

She is such a little peanut, so much smaller than all the other kids, even ones her own age.

Going for the GOLD!! Not the metal, rather a booger. LOL

Coach "Tom Tom" giving her a good job stamp at the end of class. Let's just say he is quite the character; but he is really good with the kids.

Daddy and Sister came to watch her first class! 

It was really fun to watch her in class. Although it is only one 45 minute class a week, I feel like it is such a big-kid thing to do! It dawned on us that this is the first of trying out many activities.  It's funny; every kid has their own thing: I enjoyed ballet, my sister was a great cheerleader and my brother loved tennis. I can tell that whatever she chooses to do, she will try her very best!  We are so proud of our big girl!

SB Zoo

Saturday before Father's Day we took the girls to the Santa Barbara Zoo. It was beautiful weather, and we had such a great day. I never mind driving long distances together because I love the conversations that J and I get to have while they nap. So sweet! Anywho, here are some of our favorite pics:

Check out the new ride... I got the Baby Jogger Double stroller and I LOVE it.... Seriously L.O.V.E. it. Oh, and so do the girls.

 Happy early Father's Day to Daddy... Can you tell this girl adores her Daddy? She had so much fun with him pointing and talking about all the animals. We took her to the LA Zoo when she was 11 months, and oh boy, it was so much fun getting to hear all the commentary about the animals she saw this time.

My loves.

 Here are a few animal pics...

OK. This picture makes me laugh every time I look at it. You can't see it, but I am holding Lindsay and we are looking at the elephants. To me, it looks like I am by myself staring at an elephant butt. LOL

My little monkey

 We ate lunch at Rusty's Pizza Parlor on Balboa street in Santa Barbara, and walked to the park down the street where they had a carosel. We couldn't leave without taking a spin.

 My sweet Maddie girl was SO good all day long... such a little cuddle bug.

After the park we drove down State Street and got to eat some delicious ice cream at Mc Connell's. I had the Salted Carmel Chocolate Chip and Jarrett had their Chocolate Burnt Almond it was the perfect finish to our day... so delish. If you are in SB, you gotta go there and get some!! This was Jarrett's 3rd year celebrating Father's Day, and he never fails to impress me at the amazing father he is to our girls. Lindsay and him have gotten closer (if that was even possible) since Madison has been born, and as soon as she hears the door beep around 5pm, she yells "DADDY HOME!!" and runs to the door for hugs. Mama plays second fiddle to Dad when he comes home bringing his silly songs and rough housing. Madison gives her best smiles and giggles for Daddy, and one of her favorite resting spots is on his chest. It makes me fall in love all over again with him seeing his love and devotion to our girls. You are irreplaceable and the most wonderful Daddy in the world!! Love you! xo

Father's Day & Aunt Annie's Visit

Well I have a TON of catching up to do on my blogging... so beware there will be several postings before our vacation on Saturday.

Father's Day 2012 was a nice one, and Jarrett celebrated being the Daddy to TWO little ladies. We had a super relaxed Father's Day at home, and I made Jarrett "Reid Tacos" for dinner and we had Crumbs cupcakes for dessert. Jarrett is the best daddy in the world to our gals, and he wanted to simply spend it at home in our pajamas hanging out. We could definitly do that! I have a cute picture we took of Madison wearing the same red onsie that Lindsay wore on Jarrett's 1st Father's day that I will post in her 5 month update. We love you Daddy Bear!! xo

Happy Father's Day Papa!!

 The day after Father's Day, my sister who was in town from Florida came to spend the day with us while we celebrated Papa! Lindsay had fun playing "Hop-on-Pop".

 Madison got some Papa time and cooed and kicked her legs... she likes it when he tickles her feet with his beard!

 Aunt Annie with Madison... it was the second time she had gotten to hold her since she was born! Madison couldn't wait to wear her "My Auntie Loves Me" shirt when she got to see her.

 Silly girl... Lindsay loved all the family attention!

 Aunts just have such a special relationship with their nieces... they have a fun silliness that us Mom's just can't duplicate. Lindsay had so much fun eating popcorn, singing and dancing with her Auntie.

 Earlier this year Papa moved into a new house in Bakersfield and has worked really hard to create a garden in the back yard. We decided the perfect gift for Father's Day would be stepping stones... we can't wait to pick some veggies in your garden this fall!

Lindsay was very proud of the stepping stone she created...

 We had a lovely dinner at Paradise Cove and it was so yummy.

Madison's stone... Mama helped a bit :)

Auntie and Lindsay... such a sweet day! We love you Papa and Auntie! Thanks for coming to visit us... next time we will come to Florida to visit you!! xoxo

Four Months

Precious Girl is four months!?! Here are her stats:

height: 24 1/4 inches (50th percentile)

weight: 12 lbs, 9 oz (20th percentile)

Had four shots at the Dr.'s... sad but brave baby girl. This month I wanted to document all the sweet chub this little lady has gotten (hence the photo sans clothes). Love it!

 Madison's been rocking the bumbo seat these days.. she is trying so hard to sit up. Won't be long!

 Big blue eyes... they look green sometimes too.

 "Who's that cute baby?!? It's ME!" (please excuse the pj no-make-up lady to the left)

What she's been up to this month:
*Eating... Still eating like there's no tomorrow. She has been taking the bottle for Jarrett when we try, but Mama can't be anywhere near. We are trying to push her to eat every 4 hours, which she has not been a fan of so far. She likes to snack, and I fear I have become the pacifier. She is not patient... sound like someone we know? *Wink* They gave me a chart for introducing solid food when we were at the pediatrician, and I was like, "What? Already?". She is not anywhere close to being interested in food... I remember with Lulu we were so excited to introduce solids, but with Madison, we are not in any rush; maybe at 6 months.
*Sleeping.... (I wish) We have been working diligently on getting little miss onto a schedule. Bedtime we have down, but her nap schedule is all over the place. We have been doing all naps in her crib, but they are only lasting 45 mins. to 1 hour. Working on lengthening the time to two, 2 hr naps per day. At night she will wake up 2-4 times...I think this will improve when we get her on a more regular eating schedule...hopefully!
*Appearance... Light brown hair (with a bald spot in back where she sleeps) and big blue/grey/green eyes. They change color in whatever light or clothes she is wearing. She has some chub, which I have been loving. No teeth yet, but she has been drooling like crazy. She has been wearing 3 month clothes, and can still fit into some of her onsies, but is in 6 month jammies and other clothes.
*Physical... Madison's been reaching and grabbing this month. She is similar to her sister in that she has to look at whatever object she is going for with an intense focus, then carefully stick her hand out and grasp it... it always goes one place: her mouth! Maddie loves to suck, chew and play with her fingers and hands. She is still not to keen on tummy time, and is SO close to rolling. She starts on her back, throws her legs over and is on her side and almost over, then she realizes she will end up on her tummy (which she dislikes) and rolls back to her back. This is the opposite of Lindsay, who rolled from her tummy to back at this age :)
*Vocal... To say this child is 'vocal' is an understatement...she loves to coo, squeal, scream, squeaks and what sounds like singing sometimes. She is so loud sometimes we aren't sure if it is a happy scream or an annoyed one. When she cries she lets out terrible sounding shrieks which are downright painful to hear, and oh so dramatic. Our neighbors probably think we are pinching her.
*Smiles and giggles... She is such a sweet snuggle bug, and likes to be tickled. Yesterday Daddy was playing "tickle-your-footie" while she was in her car seat and when he would stop she would lift her leg and put it up again and again to be tickled. Her giggles boil up from her tummy and erupt with such fierceness. You can't help but laugh right along with her.
*Big Sis... Madison loves her big sis. Lindsay will lay down with her when she is on her play mat and will touch her head, or give her kisses and Madison will gaze up and smile and wave her arms. Already besties!
*Funny quirks... Lately while nursing she has been kicking one of her legs (for a lack of better description it look like when someone scratches a puppy's tummy and they move their leg kicking in sync) it has been cracking me up.
Love you precious girl!! You are growing up way too fast for Mama!

Fake Camping

This Memorial Day, we did some "Fake Camping" at the Malibu Creek State Park, a short 6 minute drive from our house. We had never been there, and with all of our camping stuff in Bakersfield storage, we realized that real camping wasn't an option. So, we did the next best thing: grabbed some hot dogs and charcoal and found a nice shady spot.


As soon as we pulled into the park, Lindsay shouts from the backseat "FOREST!". We have been reading a lot of Bambi lately :)

King of the "Forest Dawgs"... as Lindsay decidedly named them

Getting some sugar from Daddy

Chips and Dip Monster

 We took a nice little walk around the camp, and enjoyed being outside in the the sunshine and trees. It didn't feel like Malibu was a short drive away. To think, I drive past this place at least once a week, and never stopped in! We are so appreciative of all those in the military who are both actively serving and retired. Our dear friend is currently deployed to Afghanistan, and all day I was thinking of him and his sweet family who were missing him at home. No matter what your political views are, we can all agree that this is an amazing country, and we are truly indebted to our servicemen (and women!). Thank you for your continued sacrifices, bravery and we are praying you come home safe!

Mother's Day 2012

We had a lovely Mother's Day Weekend (yes I am claiming the entire weekend!) in Bakersfield! We are so lucky to have all of our Moms/Grandma's in the same city so we can celebrate together. This was my first Mother's Day as a mother of two, and I couldn't be more grateful to get to be the Mama for our sweet little ladies. It was HOT in Bakersfield, (think high 90's!) but it didn't seem to phase Lindsay too much, partly due to all the fun she had swinging and soaking up the Grandparent time.

Grammie surprised the girls with swing set in her backyard, put together by Papa and Uncle Matt! Thank you guys! She was so excited to test it out!

Papa and Uncle Matt were never far behind to give her a helping hand climbing!

Queen of the Fort

Can you tell that this kid loves to swing?

My little love bug Maddie Grace! Check out those sweet chunky legs- I could eat them up!

Me and my Mama!
I love you- only now that I am a mom can I truly appreciate all that you do/have done for us! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! xoxo

Lindsay and Grammie spending relaxing under the tree (probably only 90 degrees in the shade..lol)

Sorry this pic is a little blurry, but Madison LOVED getting tickled by Papa. She let out the best giggles and grins!

Nonna with her swingin' grandgirls

We stayed at Nonna's house this trip, and she spoiled us with homemade ice cream!! Can I just say- I have the BEST mother-in-law a girl can ask for! We went to church with Carol and Jerry on Sunday for the second mother's day in a row, and my favorite part of the service is the amazing Gospel choir. Worship was vibrant, and we always feel so welcome... I loved looking over at Lindsay clapping to the music.  A few people thought I was Carol's biological daughter, and it is always a happy mistake- I love being one of her kids :) Lindsay was so excited to get to sleep in a toddler bed (a handme-down from Sydnee) in the playroom. She said "Bee-u-tiful!" when she saw it...lol. It was good practice for when we put the rails on her bed, in the near future, after potty training is complete...

Wonderful Mama Auntie Katie and Madison (3.5 months). I wish I had gotten a pic of Katie and Katarina...next year!

I have been reading a book about praying for your children, and it had this quote in it that I wanted to share...

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life. ~Abraham Lincoln

How lovely to think about all the prayers through the years from our Mom's that have surrounded us, and that in many situations, her prayers had already gone ahead of us. Thank you Mom and Grandma!