14 Months Old

Hi there. . .

Well, the past 2 few weeks have been a blur for me! It hasn't been my favorite two weeks, but like I have said in the past, you cant have sunshine and rainbows every day! The last few weeks I have found myself up at night with feelings of disappointment, confusion, and curiosity. But, when you are in charge of a 14 month old, you cant let any of that get you down, because you are BUSY!!! Plus, she is my constant reminder to smile, laugh, and relax! Maddie brings me constant joy and because of that, I am able to make it through each day no matter what is thrown my way! My TODDLER is into so many things right now that I dont even know where to begin!!

We went to the Dr. a few weeks ago so I do know 1 statistic. . . .her weight is right around 20lbs right now. (somedays she feels like 45lbs, but dont tell her I said that!)

Dislikes at 14 months -

**Having her hands washed after eating

**Having her snotty nose wiped - dont blame her!

**Being told to slow down when she is shoving any and all food in her mouth

Likes at 14 months -

**Being outside ALL the time! She would live out there if we let her!

**Trying new foods - newest one is baked beans!

**Dancing. . .music is on tv, she is dancing

**Still loves to kiss everything

**Making animal noises with her silly daddy

**Swimming - bathtub or swimming pool, she doesnt care!

She does have a few new tricks I have noticed her do over the past few weeks. . . .

*New words - Uh oh, duck, done, juice

*She now licks her fingers clean . . .so funny!

*She shakes her head yes and it is the funniest thing!

*Wiping her own nose when there is a little snot running - doesnt do a good job, but its funny to watch!

I could go on and on with her new things, she would be happy to show them to you the next time she sees you!

How you not smile while living with this monkey!!!

Dinner time!

Trip to the zoo with Keegan!

Helping mom cook

Total goof ball. . . .

Have a good week!

A Morning With the Boys. . . .

Here we are at another Monday morning and I am asking myself - "Where did the weekend go?" I dont think that we could have crammed anything else into this week! We had a dinner date with friends, dress shopping for my mom, a cookout at our house, Pat went golfing, bridal shower. . . . .and on and on and on! My idea of keep our schedule somewhat open isnt working too well! With everything going on this weekend, I didnt have a chance to take pictures, however, Pat did when him and Ryan were in charge of Maddie while the girls went shopping! I am head over heels in love with these - they bring a smile to my face on this tired Monday morning!

Pat and Ryan took Maddie to good ol' Cabelas!

A lawn chair just her size!

A Barbie fishing pole!

Checking out the fish with Uncle Ryan! **LOVE this picture of them**

Maddie had to kiss the fish goodbye before they left - how cute is that?

With Pat out of town this week for work, Maddie and I will be keeping ourselves busy! I can feel the early bedtimes already (for me)!! Keeping up with a VERY ACTIVE 14 month old sure wears you out!

Have a good week!

Celebrating Life Take 2

As Jamie had stated previously we had to say goodbye to Aunt Joan just last week. The Irish Wake put a whole new spin on things for myself and I am sure for many others. Jamie said it best when she said how often do you hear someone say they had a good time at a funeral/wake? Not too often! But to celebrate the life of a beautiful person couldn't have been done better than to have family, friends, laughter, tears, stories, food, and music.

Truly a beautiful celebration. I was lucky enough to catch some of it on video. This is a glimpse into the celebration that took place.

Love,

Patrick

Celebrating Life. . . . .

When you think of a funeral, what do you think? Tears . . . .black. . . . .long faces. . . . .What if I were to say a "funeral" could be happiness, laughter, drinks, dancing, and music. We got to experience a "funeral" in a totally different way this weekend. A Celebration of Life is what we attended - that is much more fitting than a funeral. Pat, Maddie, and myself got to celebrate the life of a daughter, mother, aunt, wife, sister - one amazing woman to say the least. Saturday was her visitation and she was celebrated in style. There was an abundance of food, drinks, loved ones, dancing, singing, laughing, and good ol' Irish music. Have you ever told someone that you had a good time at a "funeral" . . . .I know I havent, but now I can say that I have. This weekend was filled with so much love and celebration that I have a hard time putting it into words.

On our ride home on Sunday, the Celebrating Life theme got me thinking. I need to take a step back from my day to day hustle and bustle and celebrate the life around me. There are days I try so hard to be "super mom" . . . .but what does that mean? Does that mean getting the house clean, prepping dinners for a few days, paying bills, etc etc. . . . .that stuff is all important, but what about laying on the grass looking up at the sky giggling with Maddie? What about days where we play in the dirt and find worms? Or laying in our pajamas all day and letting the dust collect? I need to see more of that super mom . . . . .and that is my new promise to Maddie and Pat. We need to take more time for ourselves and celebrate life.

Maddie running all over the park in Whitewater!

Aunt Joan's kids celebrating her life to a little Irish Music!



Maddie and Daddy dancing to the Irish music!


Playing w/ bubbles on Sunday when we got back! Maddie was soaked with them, but it was well worth it!

More bubble fun. . . .

When Dad is Away. . . .

The girls will play! With Pat in CA this week, Maddie and I have been hanging out and having a good time this week! I have had to work at the Y a bit this week, but otherwise we have been bonding!

The stroller has been gaining dust each and every day with this darn cold weather! But, we managed to have a good time and laugh at one another!

We hang out in our pjs all morning - because we hav no where to be!

We play in boxes. . . .because we can!

We wrestle - those blue adidas pants would be mine!

We have a couple drinks. . . .dont worry that is juice in her cup!

And we talk about boys. . . .can you guess who she talked about?

We also hit the Y up yesterday and went swimming but Maddie insisted on no pictures! She feels she is too white yet! The week has gone well! A big thank you to my Aunt Terri and Cousin Erin for watching Maddie for me this week when I had to work! I have the best family!! Maddie is snoozing a bit before we hit up the mall !!

I hope everyone is having a good week!

An Angel Went Home

This week our family has to say goodbye to a beautiful loving Aunt that was taken Home on Wednesday this week. Although we know she is now free of the illness she suffered here on earth it doesn't make the reality that we are all faced with any easier. We will come together like the family always does and we will console each other. It is God's love that keeps us strong and together as much as we are. And for that all I can say is, "Thank You!".

Words can't express the feelings at this time. However, I found a poem that was fitting.

~God looked around his garden and found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb, so He closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be Thine". It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone, for part of us went with you the day that God called you home.

Love,
patrick

Easter Easter Easter!

Morning -

As you can see, my time on the blog has been quite less lately, but can you blame me with this beautiful weather!?!?! Maddie and I have a very busy outdoor schedule that we need to take advantage of when we can! The stroller is back out in full force getting about 6 miles a day! The fresh air takes a lot out of Miss Maddie which is fine by me - better naps!

Not much to report on our end. We are still getting use to our new schedule with Pat at the new job. This week the gals are on their own as Pat zips over to good old Cali! My fingers are crossed that we can continue with this warm weather so that we can be outside as much as we can!

We wanted to take time to enjoy this past weekend with Pat leaving, and we did, but with many stops along the way! Our Easter weekend was packed with lots of family. . . .and lots of Easter baskets for Maddie - 6 to be exact!!!!!! Yes, you are reading that correctly, 6 Easter baskets for this little one!!

Maddie colored an Easter Egg at the YMCA last week! Adorable!

Good Friday was spent at the park. . . .wearing a SUN DRESS none the less!

Down the slide with Aunt Kari

Maddie checking out Easter Basket #3

Maddie playing with a tractor the Easter Bunny got her

Dressed for Sunday Church with Nana & Papa

Easter egg hunt after church!

Wnjoying treats out of our last easter basket. . . .at home with mom and dad!

Look at all of this stuff - 6 baskets total! Wow!

Miss Maddie is such a lucky girl to be showered with love and gifts from so many family members! Thank you to each and every one of you for making this Easter weekend so special. We love you all very much!!

Jamie