Christmas w/ a Toddler

I dont think that I could put into words how magical the past few weeks have been for Pat and I. I was bugging Pat about putting up our decorations a few weeks ago and he caved! If I would have had my head screwed on straight I would have thought to get the video camera set up before I got Maddie out of bed. Her reaction was priceless and brought tears to me eyes. Watching her face light up right before my eyes was something that I will never forget. Ever since that morning, I have been in the Christmas spirit and having so much fun with her and Pat. If she starts to get sassy or anything I am not afraid to turn to my new best friend SANTA. I have always been a big fan, but now he is a vital mom tool that I use from time to time! If only he could be used all year round! Our weekends have been packed tight since Thanksgiving, hence the reason for the delayed post, but we have been having fun. (When we arent wiping boogers and dealing with colds!)

Maddie's reaction to the Christmas Tree

Diva in the making

When we got our first snowfall Maddie ran to the window after she woke up and yelled "SNOW!! MAMA DADA SNOW!!" After than she ran to her room and grabbed her snowpants and boots. We took her outside for awhile and she loved it. She did manage to face plant in the snow, but she still had fun!

Sipping on her tea at our friends house - such a lady isnt she?

Maddie and Mary, they had a ball playing together!

Our frist Christmas Party was the Froh party in Lake Mills. Due to the wonderful WI weather, not many people were able to make it. Here are all the kiddos that were there!

Before the Froh party, we made a pit stop at my Cousin Melissa & Adams house where they insisted Maddie get to open up 1 Christmas present. She got a little broom and dust pan that she hasnt put down yet! Pat and I have bets on who is going to get a black eye first. Pat got out our broom and Maddie and him were witches!

Wrestling, playing "get you," and riding the horse are just a few of the many activities that took place Saturday evening during the bad weather!

I am looking forward to see what the next few weeks have in store for us. We do have a lot of parties to go to, but we are more than ready to make this a Christmas that Miss Maddie never forgets. Now if only we could all stay healthy. . . .

21 Months

going on 15. . . . .seriously! This little lady is unfolding in front of our eyes and it takes my breath away! I think that I have been in denial that winter and the holidays are coming, and it didnt really dawn on me until this week that after that is done, Maddie will be TWO!!

Favorite Foods -

Pizza, Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup, Hot Dog, Spaghetti, Applesauce, Bananas, Green Beans, Gummys (fruit snacks)

Favorite things to do -

*SWIM
*Playing with her babies
*Coloring PEECTURES
*Playing "Get You" - you chase her around the house, its SO fun
*Watching Mickey Mouse and Sesame Street
*Cleaning up - this isnt a joke either! Who does she get that from? Her anal mom by chance?
*Reading her books
*Shopping w/ me, but she HAS TO bring her purse or a bucket - I push for the purse

Funny things that have happened this month -

*Her and I were on our way to Target to get diapers when Maddie yells out "French Fries" and points to a very popular fast food joint. . . .I pretend I dont hear her but she repeats it again, followed by "Ice Cream" . . . .I was blown away by this and turned around and told her that we were not going to stop there. Her reply. . . . ."Grandma. . . . ." My reply - "Oh, Grandma takes you there???" "Uh huh" BUSTED! So now Maddie will point out every McDonalds you drive by!

*For some reason, Maddie has had a lot of gas lately. . . .well, she lets it out, YELLS TOOT MADDIE TOOT and laughs her butt off. And the best part, it doesnt matter where we are, she will still do it.

*Whenever Maddie has gotten hurt we ask her to come over and we kiss the part that hurts. Well, Maddie took a tumble and fell on her butt. Pat took it upon himself to have Maddie walk up to me and say, "kiss my butt mama, owie" She then turned around and bent over! Smooth one Pat!

I could go on and on with the funny things that this little girl has done in the last 30 days. She is getting smarter and smarter each passing day and I am so thankful to have her in my life. She is the reason that I am ready for bed most nights by 9, but she is also the reason I get up in the morning.

Sweeping the kitchen, its never too early to start assigning chores!

Look at that HAIR - can you tell she had pony tails in!

What a goofball!

Giving Thanks!

Wow!!! What a whirl wind lately for the Froh Family. It has been non-stop for the last several weeks. Of course it is always life on the go for us but it has been crazy on the go. To the Point that I have been going every week for the last 3 weeks straight. Seattle, Minnesota and San Francisco were the last places I got to see. I was so thankful to see my girls and my own bed!

I am happy to say that the next two weeks I am not getting on an airplane. It will be a great break for me to not be traveling. It will be even a bigger break for Jamie not to have to wrestle a toddler and her work schedule all on her own! I don't know how she does it. I knew that she was amazing and that when we got married I sure was lucky but seeing her now as a proud mom, loving wife, and the best friend to Maddie and me is astounding. She gives multi-tasking a whole new meaning.

I can't say it enough how lucky Maddie and I are to have Jamie in our lives. She is the rock that keeps us stable whether she knows it or not. The love that pours out of her is an endless well. To that Maddie and especially me wanted to Thank you Jamie from the bottom or our hearts. We love you so much. You are what we are the most thankful for this year!

Love
Pat

A Nice Blend!!

That's exactly what this past week was, a nice blend! Of what? Well, fun and chaos of course! Pat was in town for the first part of the week, and we got the opportunity to sit court side at the Bucks game!! What an awesome experience! I never realized how tall these NBA players are until they are inbounding a ball right in front of you! It just so happened my mother-in-law was staying with us the night that we were offered the tickets - PERFECT!! It was a nice treat for Pat and I to get out!! **Thank you Cindy!**

Us at our seats - awesome!!!!

Then Pat headed out of town for work for a few days which left me and Maddie in charge of this place! We spent countless hours taking care of her babies and putting "ponies" in her hair! It is so much fun to watch her imagination unfold before my eyes. Her babies now poop and need to sit on the potty, have a runny nose that needs a tissue, and need to sit at the dinner table and eat with us! Cracks me up. . . .but that's a typical day at the "office" for me!

Maddie and her "ponies"


I had been looking forward to this past weekend for quite awhile because I didn't have to work, and we had a wedding to go to! Maddie would be in Horicon at my parents so Pat and I could enjoy the night out as adults and spend some time with our friends! I wake up Saturday morning to find myself sick as a dog!!! WHY this weekend? WHY??????? I managed to clear the gunk from my throat, get the eye boogers removed, and get jacked up on cold meds just in time to make it for the dinner! It wasn't the ideal night, but we still got to spend some time with friends! **Thanks for watching Maddie mom and dad!**

For feeling like death, I clean up nicely!



Another week with Pat in CA for work. Maddie and I are both trying to get back to 100% one day at a time! I decided to drop everything today and have a Mommy and Maddie shopping day! No cleaning, no working, nothing. . . .just a day for her and I to hang out! After her siesta, we are going to head out to spend some more of dad's money! When I told Maddie that we were going to do some shopping for Christmas, this is how she reacted. . . . .

Maddie:"Shhhh mama, he watchin!"
Me: "Who's watching?"
Maddie: "Tanta"
Me: "You mean Santa??"
Maddie: "Uh huh, now shhhhh!"

These are the moments that I want to bottle up and keep forever!!!

Brr. . . .Someone turned the heat off!

It is obvious that winter is right around the corner! I dont know about you, but Im perfectly happy wearing flip flops and t-shirts all year long! Im not a fan of winter for many reasons, but ready or not. . . .its coming! I should probably find a warm weather climate to live in, however, I have a few people in mind that would not be too happy with us for that! No matter what I think about winter, Maddie is geared up and ready to rock it!

Boots. . . . . . . . . . .check!

Snowpants. . . . . . check!

Winter Coat . . . . .check!

Hat and Gloves. . check!

The fact that she can barely walk, and manages to not
be able to get up when she falls over. . . . . . .PRICELESS!!!

Getting all of this on was quite the process!

So far so good. . . .and she has a smile on her face!

Barely able to walk. . .


Show me to the snow, Im ready!

Unfortunately we didnt get to participate in trick or treating this year, but Maddie still was able to get a few treats! Here she is more than thrilled about her peeps from Uncle Eric!

Each day Maddie gets older I can see her strong independence shining through! This is what she HAD to wear all morning yesterday. If thats what makes you happy kid. . .knock yourself out!

20 Months Old

Hello. . .

It has been quite awhile since I have had the opportunity to sit down and update the blog. Today marks 20 months for Miss Maddie. Once again, this month is filled with new tricks, words, and food!

Weight - 25lbs

Height - 33in

New foods - grapes (lots of them), popcorn, alfredo, and on and on and on

New sayings - "how cool!" "ok" "I'll get you!" "whats up?" "Its a ghost. . .boooo"

We spend our day doing the following:

1) Singing, and lots of it

2) Dancing

3) Coloring PICTURES - she would do it all day if we let her

4) "Side". . . .OUTSIDE MOM!

5) Playing at the Y
6) Counting to 10

7) Working on our colors and words

8) Potty training

It is interesting to see how Maddie will push her limits with Pat and I. I hate having to yell at her, but I feel as if it is so important right now to set limits for her. When I have to raise my voice at her she knows I mean business and will bury her head on the couch. After about 30 seconds she will run over and give me a hug and a kiss - she's no dummy! Stinker is already trying to soften me up!!!

With Pat gone as much as he has been, Maddie and I have spent a lot of time at the Y. It gives her and I both a chance to enjoy ourselves. It is funny to see her when we get there because she walks in like she owns the place. She will bop from office to office saying hi to people and usually getting snacks out of it too. Like I said earlier. . . .she is no dummy!

As we are starting to approach the end of the year, schedules seem to tighten up, and free time seems less and less for us. Pat has a packed tight schedule for November which means we will do everything we can to enjoy our weekend time together. Over the past few months we have been reminded over and over how important life is, and that you need to take the time for each other. A good friend of mine blogged a few months back that she would vow not to feel guilty about a decision she makes for her family. That is something that I plan to take on as well. Making the best life for my family is #1 in my life no matter what the sacrifice is.

Mommy and Maddie at the pumpkin patch

Maddie being. . . .well, Maddie!

Being her normal fish self in the tub

Waving to mama during swim class

A Badger Cheerleader for the Y's Halloween Party

Happy 20 month birthday sweet girl!!

Watch Out Picasso!!!!

Watch out Pablo! Maddie is going to be the next Artist (said with a french accent)!!!! This girl loves to color. She would sit there all day and color if she could. The nice thing about it is she is learning how to color better each time she does it! Pretty soon we will have abstract pieces hanging from the walls signed by Madeline Liz (that's her artist name)...

Cousins Day at the Zoo!!!

We finally got to get all the Froh Girls together for a nice brisk day at the Zoo. All three girls had a great time playing together and seeing the different animals. It was a blast to see them interact with each other. A few pictures from the day below.

All three girls holding hands running to see the next cage of animals. They are so happy!

Off they go! They never quit running. The only problem we had was a couple of them kept trying to crawl into the cages by the animals. They got so excited they wanted to go pet them!

We finished the trip at the Zoo with a train ride and a carousel ride. All had a good time even though it was a little chilly! After the zoo 2 out of the 3 girls took a nap which made corralling the little ones a lot easier for a while.
Thanks again for joining us at the Zoo Uncle Court, Aunt Shari, Ceanna & Briella. See you soon.

Maddie at 19 months

Here she is. . .another month older! She is a ball of energy and continues to learn and grow! Here are some of Maddies stats at 19 months . . .

Favorite Foods - Pizza, yogurt, Crackers (imagine that), apple slices, hot dog

Words - My goodness, this flood gate opened this month for sure. Everything you say, she will say. A few of my favorite at the moment would be: chip, yellow, dress, mess, share, hippo

New friends/activities - In LOVE with her doll, Elmo, Big Bird, and an oldie but a goodie - Hippo! She is quite the singer now too! Her and I take a class as the Y and she loves singing the songs!

All along we have known that she was a tomboy, but it is nice to see her soft side as well. She will

take the time to snuggle, hug, and kiss when she can tell you need it!

I love her sense of curiosity and adventure . . .she isnt afraid of anything!

With Pat being gone so much lately, she has become quite a daddy's girl when he is home. He is eating it up every second!

Outside helping daddy!

Goodbye Sept, Hello October!

September has been the busiest month by far for me and I couldnt be happier to see it go! With Pat's massive amount of travel, the wedding, and extra hours for me, I am eager to welcome October with open arms! I am sad that the wedding is done and over with, but now we are able to focus on some personal goals!! Im taking 4 workout classes at the Y right now and I couldnt feel better. It is the hour in my day that is all about me! Plus, Maddie is happy to be running around with other kids and playing with toys. It is a win win for all.

Ryan and Karis wedding was a beautiful day and I am so honored to be apart of it! I could go on and on for pages writing about it, but I will let the pictures tell the story!

Kari and I before the ceremony

Ryan giving Maddie kisses after church

Grandma and Maddie

Kari and I in the limo on our way to the Chula

Cute picture!

A walk with Mama and Auntie!

Dancing with Daddy!

It was a great time had by all! A special thank you to my mother-in-law Cindy for watching her for us, especially with her coming down with the flu - we appreciate it so much. Knowing that she was in good hands allowed us to enjoy the wedding and spend time with family and friends! THANK YOU!

As a reward for all of the madness in Sept, we were able to enjoy ourselves this weekend with tickets to the Badger game with some of our best friends! Maddie got to spend the day with Grandma and Grandpa Tamminga!

2 of my oldest and dearest friends!

Jill and I at the game

Goodbye September. . . .

Dah Dum Da Dum, Dah Dum da Dum..... Wedding Time!

Well this weekend is a big weekend for the Tamminga family! Jamie's little brother Ryan is getting married to his fiance Kari. We have all been waiting for this day for roughly 3 years now!!! It is funny as we have all told Ryan more than once you better not screw this up. We like her a lot. Like her?? Heck we love Kari. It is going to be a great celebration of family and love!

We are so happy for you two! Congratz ahead of time! We love you!
And about time!!!!!!

Hooo Hooo Hoooo Hooo Hooo
(cheer done with the Tammi Tamminga arm punching motion)

Time is running out!

Busy few weeks here as Pat has been traveling, I've been working, and Maddie is running circles around us both! She did have her official 18 month check up and she is measuring up nicely!

Weight - 23.2lbs (30th percentile)

Height - 32.5in (70th percentile)

Her new recent love - Elmo and her "dolly"

The last few weekends have been filled with some family fun! Cookouts, a fish fry, a baptism, and so on and so on. We just continue to pack things up and pop to the next destination!!

And. . .our next destination. . . . . .THE WEDDING!

We are now smack dab in the middle of September and it is hard to believe that in less than a week my brother is going to be a husband to Kari - yikes!! The time leading up to this wedding has gone by so quickly! We have been busy getting our last minute items ready to head to the Dells later this week. There is one thing that I am still trying to finish. . .my speech! I dont mind getting up in front of people and talking, but I am having a hard time coming up with the words I want to say. On one hand I have Ryan. . . .him and I have been in each others lives for 24 years! Where do you even begin to summarize that one up? Im sorting through the millions of stories I have trying to figure out which ones I want to use. Then. . .there is Kari. . . .my sister-in-law to be! Her are I are like twins separated at birth and she means more to me than she will EVER know! Im in a jam. . . .I think I have thrown away about 6 speeches already and time is not slowing down for me to write 6 more! I cannot wait for this weekend to begin, it will be fun bringing family and friends together to celebrate with the bride and groom!

Here are a few shots over the past 2 weekends!

Doesnt she look like a nerd! This has Pat written all over it!

She thinks her daddy is pretty cool


Cookout with grandma and grandpa!

A day at the park enjoying the swing!

Down the slide all by herself!

Oh Miss Maddie. . .

Did we miss Maddie while we were gone? Absolutely

Did she miss us? She did, but she had a great time with the grandparents and her great aunt Terri

Here are a few fun shots from before we left!

She let me do this. Once it was done, she looked at me and said, "ow" Honestly Maddie??

I decided to send her nice and clean to grandma and grandpas house!

I going to say that this shot is her trying to UNPACK me because she didnt want me to leave. Do you believe me?????

Eating at home with mom and dad. . . .giving Pat quite the look for taking this picture. Thats our Maddie!!

When we got back from vacation and took one look at her we thought she grew 3 inches, sprouted a ton more hair, was saying so many more words, got a tattoo, etc etc etc. . .she seemed so different. Now I understand how Pat feels when he leaves for work. She does change so fast. After getting things unpacked and back to normal (as normal as our life is) we learned something new about our little girl. . . .she was ready to become a big girl. . . .Here is how it went down on Tuesday night.

Maddie: "Mama. . . .pooooo. . . . .pooooo"

Me: "You have to go poop?"

Maddie: "Uh huh" (she then runs the opposite direction)

Me: (chasing after her) "Maddie lets go potty hun!" **meanwhile Pat is on the phone**

I rip the diaper off, place her on the toilet and she instantly needs toilet paper. Really Maddie? You didnt do anything yet!?!? Whatever, if that makes you go poop then take an entire roll for all I care!

Pat: (still on the phone) "Push it out Maddie"

Maddie: **Grunts like an old man. . . . .** and there it comes flying out!

The look on her face was priceless!! She was so proud of herself that she starting clapping - so damn funny! Then she turns to me and says, "all done mama!"

When your newborn smiles. . . .you take a picture, when your infant rolls over. . . .you take a picture, when your baby walks. . . you take a picture . . . .when your toddler takes a poop on the toilet for the first time. . . .you take a picture!?!?!?!?! What the heck am I going to do with a picture of poop???? It was habit. . .or insanity - one or the other. But either way, operation potty training is under way!