Zoo Mania!!!!!!!

We are so thankful for getting the zoo passes this year. We utilize them a lot and Maddie loves it. She is learning so much and is getting good at making a lot of the animal noises. She doesn't know what to think about feeding the goats. Frankly either does Mom. She had one kicking at her because he wanted more food and she was out.... Too Funny!!! :)

On our most recent zoo outing we had Uncle Ryan and Aunt Kari with us. We took Maddie on her first train ride. She was making the "choo choo" sound and staring at everything that went by. I was trying to teach her to raise her hand and pump it like a train conductor blowing the horn. She had that down pretty quick.

The rest of the day was a blast. We pushed Maddie around as she would sit at the edge of her stroller seat and just point and nod her head from one animal to the next making all sorts of noises. She is good at making cow noises, sheep noises, monkey noises, and lion noises. The rest of the animals I do them for her..... Or maybe it's for me... either way we all have fun and Mom pretends she doesn't know me.

Below are a few pictures of the Maddie climbing up on the baby gorilla and kissing the baby gorilla as well as a few of our train ride.

Enjoy!
Dad

Change . . .

Holy cow, I just realized that it has been 3 weeks since I have been on here - wow!!! Time flys when you are having fun huh?

I have been thinking about how things have changed so much. . . over the past few days, weeks, months, and years. We are in a moment in our lives right now that feels really good. I've been stopping lately to notice the changes that are around us and think back. For example, Pat and I use to book up every minute of every day we possible could and run everywhere. Recently Pat and I spent a Saturday night with an old friend (not age, just length of friendship) talking about the past, looking through old yearbooks, laughing, crying, and having one hell of a time! Who would have ever thought we would be doing that 5 years ago. That night was one of the best that I have had in awhile.

My hometowns summer festival. . . .when I was younger I was so excited to get my wristband on Thursday night so that I could ride on the rides all night long! Then I was excited when I was finally 21 and could drink down there - SO COOL. Now this year my excitement was watching my daughter dance to the music with complete strangers, ride the rides with our parents, and run around and explore everything. Hmmmmm. . . . .never imagined that before.

The word CHANGE and MADDIE are basically one and the same. This kid has something new to do or say every day and I am so blessed to witness it. Here are a few of her new things. . . .

*HAIR - yes you read that right, the kid has hair, and I took a picture of her bedhead one morning because I couldnt believe it

*Babbling and talking - she goes on and on and on, her new words "thank you" . . .I gave her a cracker today and that is what she replied with

*Her affection. . . .she is definately a tom boy, but this girl knows when to give a hug or kiss! I hit my head yesterday and she walked up to me, hugged me and kissed me right on the lips! When Pat put her to bed on Monday (flew out Tuesday AM) she gave him the biggest hug and wouldnt let go. . . .followed by a nice wet kiss!

People think change is a scary thing. . . .taking the time to reflect on things this month have gotten me excited about change. Im in a great place right now and look forward to more change soon . . . . . . .

Check it out - she can grow hair!

1 thing that hasnt changed, her love for books! (and her daddy)

She LOVED this frog - went by him about 10 times!

Our dancing queen!

Simply adorable - love this picture!

Papa and Maddie on her first ride!

Choo Choo with grandma!

Took daddy out for lunch downtown for Fathers Day!

A walk on the riverwalk downtown

Is my head screwed on. . . . .straight????

Wow, here we are in the first week of June, how is that possible?? It is terrible that quite often I have to look at my calendar on the fridge to figure out what day it is! All of these hours, days, and weeks are starting to blur together. Pat is running in one direction, I am running in the other, and we pray to god that one of us has Maddie!!! Lately I have had to have these out loud checks with myself. . . .purse (check), car keys (check), diaper bag (check), MADDIE (double check). . . . .my brain (check) . . . .not in that order of course! Our lives are still on the go with no end in sight at this point. Just when we feel as if we have something figured out, a curve ball is thrown our way! BUT, with this nutty life we lead, we must keep reminding ourselves that we will see the benefits of it all soon. Pat and I set high goals for ourselves over the next year and a half, but we are running in opposite directions and making sacrifices knowing that we will hit these goals one way or another. In the mean time, we have to enjoy the ride and take in all of those special, and not to special moments, together!

For example. . . .me taking Maddie to her 15 month check up today! I will fully admit that as we were pulling into the parking lot I had my head held high and my shoulders back because. . . . . well. . . .I WAS EARLY!!!!! It can be tough getting somewhere on time with a toddler who runs away from you thinking it is a joke! Well, today mom won the battle and we were early! As we approached the room Maddie was going to be in. . . .she cried. "seriously child, we just entered the room, what are you going to do when they poke you 4 times today!!" The other thought that entered my mind. . . ."Next time dad is bringing you!" She hated the poking and touching and all that is involved with examining her, but she did manage to make me smile as she sniffed at the Dr over and over. If you are not #1 on Maddie's list of people, you will get sniffed at! Thats Pat's daughter for ya!! So we got through the easy part (if you want to call it that) . . .and here are the stats at 15 months . . .

Height - 30 3/4in (60th %)

Weight - 21lbs 4oz (24th%)

Head - 43cm (87th %)

Then came the nurse with the shot tray. . . .I knew we were doomed but braced myself for the battle. I felt like we were about the hike the ball and I had to do everything I could to play defense. . . .she was looking at a book. . . .then threw the book. . . .looked at me. . . and SCREAMED! That thought I had earlier . . . .ran through my mind again, "Your dad can bring you next time!!"

But just like that we were out the door, she had her hippo, and she fell asleep in the car! So, we survived yet another visit to Dr Franck!!

Here is the comment Pat had after I filled him in on the adventures at the Dr's office. . . ."Now I know why she falls all the time, her skinny little body cant hold up her giant head!"

Mommy and Maddie enjoying a warm day in her backyard of toys!

Quite the diva. . .where does she get that from?? My guess is Pat. . .

All the fresh air knocks this peanut out. . .

We dont get adult time very often, but its good to know she is living the high life when we are not around. We wouldnt want her sitting there crying for us or anything!