Video frenzy

We've had the video camera around (and charged) more often these days, hence the video posts instead of old fashioned snap shots. Here you can see that Madeleine has become very interested in her latest favorite sport: golf. Because there's no more basketball on tv, she has decided golf will do for now. She really enjoys hitting her golf balls under the tv console and then getting on her belly and using the red putter to get them back out. It's an activity that can occupy quite a bit of time so I'm a fan! She isn't quite agile enough to hit the balls into the "holes" her little golf set came with but in due time I'm sure she'll be the best putter in the family. Watch out Grampy and George...she'll be ready to challenge you when you come visit!

Laughter

I've realized that we have posted very few pictures and/or videos of Parker and Madeleine together. It's almost as if I only ever have to handle one of them at a time. Usually it's more a matter of trying to hold Parker while wiping yogurt off Madeleine's face and my third hand doesn't tend to show up to take pictures of this happening. But here's a little show of how Madeleine says goodnight to Parker. Of course we don't end it there. It goes on to show her silliness, which includes her imitation of a character from a book Justin and I have read. I taught her the initial impersonation but she's taken it to a new level. I hope you get a kick out of it.

Eyebrows

Many of you may remember back when we first tried to get Madeleine to raise her eyebrows. That was over a year ago. She has grown in so many ways but this has to be one of the most entertaining ways to measure her growth both in skill and personality.

Belated Easter

Easter was almost two weeks ago but after reviewing the video we took of Madeleine looking for Easter eggs I am compelled to share. Her expressions of delight and surprise crack me up, as well as her ability to be imaginative.

I don't know if you can tell from the video or not but Justin and I were both very sick that weekend so we didn't make it to church and we don't have any pictures of frilly dresses, bonnets, or shirts and ties. Maybe next year. Instead Justin and I commemorated this Easter by taking naps while watching the Masters tournament. Fortunately we woke up in time to see the playoff. I think voluntarily watching golf and taking a nap while doing so officially makes us grown-ups.

Six and three

Six being months and three being teeth, that is.

Today Parker celebrated his 6-month birthday by going to the doctor. Madeleine came with us and proved to be pretty good support staff. He continues to be a big strong baby but as his measurements were slightly off the curves from the previous months, we're scheduled to go back in six weeks for a follow-up. I've been slightly concerned about his head shape as he only rolls over to one side so we'll be working on getting him to roll to the other side. But besides the slight change in growth curve, he was declared 100% great. His third tooth (upper left when looking at him) broke through over the weekend. He hasn't bitten me much lately but he will shove anything and everything into his mouth to gnaw on. I'm guessing the tooth's partner won't be far behind.

Seeing as this is a little celebration of six months of having Parker in our life, here are two little videos of some of my favorite parts of this stage of babyhood. The second video is pretty lame and I should have edited it but that would have taken me too long so you'll just have to tolerate the horrible camera angles. The sounds Parker makes at the end of that video are just a snippet of the sounds he made for over an hour while I folded laundry. He was apparently making his word quota for the day as quickly as possible. As for the first video, I think it helps to show what a happy baby he has proven to be. Despite the chaos that having two little ones can be, we are daily grateful to have this little man be a part of our adventure.

Predictions

The National Weather Service forecast for the end of this week:

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 72.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Melinda's forecast:
Justin will try his hardest to go fishing.

Rebel

The authorities in pediatric care say babies should sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. How does one convey that to a 6-month-old? I haven't figured that out. Parker has slept on his tummy for months now. He is still swaddled (helps calm him down and symbolizes sleepy-time has arrived) but immediately breaks out of his swaddle and rolls over upon being put in his crib. And he refuses to roll back over. My personal favorite is how he'll push himself up as far as he can after waking up to peek at whoever might walk in his room to rescue him.

From snow to sun

This was our backyard a week ago.

And this is what we looked like when we went outside to play a week ago.

Here we are earlier today.





I've gotten into the habit of making strawberry/blueberry/banana smoothies with flax seed and probiotics for us every day. Madeleine has a special smoothie cup and she and I enjoy drinking them before nap time while we watch Wall-e, her new love. I haven't mentioned this but since her birthday a month ago she's bypassed Elmo for Wall-e which I continue to enjoy watching, even if it is a daily occurrence.
We've been very busy enjoying the 50+ degree weather we've had this week, hence little posting on my part. But where there's fun there will be pictures so I'll have more soon.

Final Four

We got into the college basketball spirit a little late this season but despite seeing only a few games, Madeleine has become an avid fan. She's very upset that we can't watch it on TV anymore; however, we're making up for that by playing basketball with our mini hoop that's suction cupped to the dishwasher and by using our neighbor's full-sized hoop outside. Unfortunately our outside play resulted in a minor ball-to-the-face event (bad shot by Justin) causing us to come inside early this evening. Here's Madeleine cheering for UNC during the final game. *Justin decided they were rooting for UNC whereas I wanted Michigan State to win*

Considering her continued superiority in the height category, I'm thinking she'll make a good center in high school. But just in case she's not interested in basketball, we've also started to play soccer and she's watched tennis on TV. She also has a drum and little piano and she loves to watch Justin play the guitar. Combined with her coloring and drawing, I think we're covering all of our bases when it comes to exposure to extracurricular activities for a 2-year-old. If you're wondering about drama, she covers that every single day.

Babysitter explained

So the basic story is that the babysitter didn't work out because she was having privileges taken away by her parents for bad behavior, i.e., she no longer had use of the family car or her cell phone. Since she didn't have a way to get here and I was asking her to come while the kids were napping, it just wasn't going to work out. But I've managed pretty well without her, especially now that the weather has gotten nicer. I'm hoping to post some fun pictures tonight. Thanks for harassing me (especially you grandparents!).

Just kidding

So the babysitter I had isn't going to work out. Wouldn't you know I had just planned a whole list of things to accomplish while she would be here? Back to the drawing board.