a carousel ride to remember

I love to watch her face light up. Whether it's first thing in the morning with good morning kisses. Or when she spots her baby doll from across the room. I love to watch her sweet face light up. Thank goodness for my iPhone to capture the sweetness. I'll always be able to flip back and remember how much I love to see her face light up.

Friday in Sienna Plantation

Usually when we travel, getting MK to fall asleep at night is not a problem. It's the staying asleep. Considering she wasn't in bed until after 10:30pm last night, I was thinking she was not going to sleep well at all in general. She's used to a cold, noisy fan and blackout curtains. Even though she only slept 10 hours compared to her normal 12 plus, she slept hard!! She loved their comfy guest bed and I loved the beautiful Pottery Barn Monogrammed pillows and bedding.

Nathan made us a yummy breakfast and MK enjoyed all of it.

While the boys were hanging out, checking out the area and going to lunch, Elise and I ventured out with the little ones for lunch in Sugar Land. We ate at this yummy restaurant, The Black Walnut. It was fantastic.

Madelyn loved spending the afternoon playing with Mac. She adores him and talked about "the baby" non stop.

While Mac was napping, we made a quick trip to Super Target! I could walk down every single aisle of Super Target just for fun. Despite that, we went with one thing in mind to buy...Wedding Magazines!! We were buying them as a gift for a special bride to be (more on that later).

Of course we tried on a few hats just for fun while we were there!

Madelyn finally napped on the way back to the house and for two GLORIOUS hours after we got there. She hadn't napped longer than 10 minutes in days!

I am not sure much compares in the world to the feeling of a sweet baby in your arms. I definitely soaked up every second of it. Mac feels like a newborn compared to our nearly two year old.

It was a fun Friday in Sienna Plantation.

a weekend with the Rees'

We left town mid afternoon to head South to spend a few days with some sweet friends just outside of Houston. Luke and I went to high school with Elise and have loved getting to know her hubby, Nathan. They are passionate about Jesus and sharing about Him to the people of Houston. They have the cutest 5 month old, Mac, that I couldn't wait to meet in person for the first time. 

We weren't sure how MK would react to having a baby around full time for 3 days but she was great with him. She loved to bring him his toys, talk to him and talk about him!! (The rest of her behavior left a little to be desired...she cut 3 teeth while we were there!!)

Mac is absolutely precious. He has beautiful blue eyes and a sweet personality.

Luke and I kept trying to remember MK at that age and it was definitely a stretch. She looked SO big next to him!

Elise made us a yummy dinner and we just enjoyed hanging out at their new house and enjoying good conversation! We are so thankful to have friends to spend time with who serve on staff at a church and encourage each other.

{20 Months} a day late

Dear Sweet Madelyn Kate,
I can hardly believe that you are only 4 months away from celebrating two years of life. The last 20 months have been magic. You are the most delightful little girl, with the sweetest personality. I am thankful that as your personality continues to develop, we are seeing a confident, caring, little girl emerge with equal parts sweet and sassy. I pray your outgoing spirit and love for people only continue to grow as you do.

You love to sing and dance (nothing new, really). It doesn't matter where we are or what kind of music it is, if it's on then you are dancing! I sing to you all day long (or try at least--I definitely am not gifted in that area! ha!) and you have picked up on some of those. Earlier this month as we were driving down the road you started singing, "Mommy's girl...Daddy's girl...Mommy's girl...". Your daddy and I were both speechless. It was one of the most precious sounds we've ever heard. 

Your language is developing so rapidly that it's hard to keep up. You say too many words to count and make new sentences all the time. One of my favorites is when you really want something, you throw in every word you know that makes it sound like a polite request. Like yesterday when you really wanted a Jelly Bean even though you hadn't pottied to earn one. You said, "More please Mommy. Thank you! You're welcome! Yes sir! Love you!". Oh my...it's so stinking cute when you do that.

One sentence that is new this month is when you ask us to turn on the TV. I'm not much of a TV lover at all so we don't keep it on during the day. Just a few weeks ago you realized that you really like it. A few times a day you bring me the remote and ask, "TV (which sounds more like "yee-vee") turn on please, Mommy". You love to watch Leapfrog Letter Factory, The Dinosaur Train, The Backyardigans and Toy Story 3 (all on Netflix).

Another one of our favorite things you say is your name. When we ask you what your name is or someone in public does you proudly proclaim, "Maddie Kate!". It sounds so country...more like "Maddieeee Kaaaay". We are working on your last name, but it might take a couple of years. You also tell everyone that you are one and hold one finger up.

If I tried to list all the words you say, I know that I would fall short. Pretty much everything we say, you repeat. You often resort to calling Daddy and I by our first names if you want to get our attention. It's kind of funny, but we tell you that we aren't going to respond to that.

Your beautiful, dark hair is growing quickly. I don't really notice all the growth until I look back at pictures from the month before! Right now it is wild and sometimes in your face, but I can't bring myself to cut it.

Recently you have become possessive of your toys. I was thinking we might skip this phase, but no such luck. I know it's "developmentally appropriate", but hearing you say, "Maddie Kate's" then entire time your friends are trying to play with you is no fun. I am hoping this phase passes quickly. 

You have a mouth full of teeth and more on the way. Most days you love to brush them. Speaking of brushing, this month you have really started loving to brush my hair when I get out of the shower. I have to do a "pre-brush" of course to avoid having to cut the brush out when you take your turn. I love it and makes me so thankful that our first born is a sweet girl.

You are such a jewel to us, Madelyn Kate. We love you dearly and look forward to the days ahead!

Love you now and always,
Mommy

sweeties

I took some pictures of my friend's little girl this evening so MK enjoyed a few minutes running around the yard with Ella. Since Ella has known how to stand, she has always been a runner. I'm thinking we will be watching her running in the Olympics some day. She looked so sweet in the dresses her mom picked out for pictures.

MK had somewhat of a rough day. Screaming was her only form of communication today and I just don't speak scream. Or tolerate it, really. Thankfully tomorrow holds a new day. Even on days when she really forces me to discover patience when I think I have none, I wouldn't trade staying home with her for the world. I may just need a mommy-only trip to Sonic for a large diet coke to recover! Can I get an "amen"?!

we are ready!

Luke has been getting the pool ready for us to swim in after all the pollen flying around made it look more like a pond. He's worked so hard and MK and I are excited! We were tempted tonight by the clear water and had to stick our feet in.

 Madelyn LOVED it and insisted on wearing one of her hats from last year (that's pretty snug).

 She was having so much fun that she decided to hop on in.

Bring it on summer. We are ready!

guess who came to visit?

Madelyn Kate,
Gigi and Aunt Kenda came to visit you! They planned on coming yesterday, but storms delayed them for the evening. They love you so and couldn't wait to hug your neck, but it's always better to be safe. Today, they doted on you, laughed at all your new "tricks", and gave you a fun new present! You are so loved, Madelyn. What a treasure to have two families love to spend as much time with you as they possibly can.

Gigi and Aunt Kenda even let Daddy and I go on a date! We went to the movies for the first time since 'The Blind Side'. Wow! What a treat. I sure love your Daddy!

Love you sweet girl,
Mommy

feel better quick MK

MK was a little clingy and not so energetic this morning but I didn't think too much of it. She was woken by me this morning, so I thought she might have just been sleepy still. After nap was a completely different story. She had a high temp, and was very mopey. We aren't sure if it's her teeth coming in or if new symptoms will come about, but we are just taking it easy for now.

Gone Fishin'

Yesterday Luke took his girls fishing. MK was excited from the minute he said, "Let's go.". She had no idea what was in store but she was excited anyway!

Luke taught her all that she needed to know and she was set!

Thanks, Mister! We love you and had so much fun (even if we didn't catch anything)!