Happy Easter

Last weekend was Easter. I think it will be the new favorite holiday. She got to eat candy before breakfast. Who wouldn't love that!? When we first showed her her easter basket, she just smiled. She wouldn't go to it though. She just stared. I had to go sit by it and then she finally came over, and even then she wasn't that interested until she saw stuff inside the basket. She loved opening the plastic eggs and finding surprises inside. She really likes the mini robin eggs. It was such a fun morning. Thanks Easter Bunny for coming to visit.

Walking on sunshine

This has been going on a few weeks now, but Madison is walking everywhere. She won't even crawl anymore, it's that serious. She also has a favorite blanket that drags along with her. It's pink and has monkeys and colored balls on it. When she was a baby, I was not good about putting shoes on her feet, so now it is a struggle to put them on (she curls her toes so it's hard to put them on). I did teach her that when we go outside she has to wear shoes, which she only tolerates because she wants to go outside. Most days she will find her coat and bring it to me. When she has her shoes on though, she will NOT walk or even stand. She turns into a "wet noodle" and flops to the floor and starts whining. It's annoying, but quite hilarious. Someday well get there, we better anyway cause I refuse to always carry my child just because she has shoes on her feet. It's a little backwards.

Madison's Birthday

Wow! I am trying not to get emotional, but I cannot believe how time flies by so quickly. 1 year ago, tomorrow, I finally got to meet my beautiful baby girl. I want my little baby back that loves being held and want to constantly snuggle. However, we traded the snuggling for wiggling and a few other, more exciting things. I have loved hearing Madison laugh, say "mama" "daddy" and "wow" (my new favorite word), blow kisses, starting to stand up on her own, become stubborn and independent when it comes to feeding herself, the list goes on and on. It has been a wonderful year. My happiness grows everyday I get to spend with my little girl. I never knew parenthood would be such a wonderful thing. The tantrums, dirty looks, and dirty diapers don't even matter cause her smile wins my heart everytime. I am very blessed to be Madison's mom and wouldn't trade it for anything. Happy Birthday to my little sweetheart. I love you!

Reflection of the year

I just want to reflect on the year 2009. So much has happened. Probably one of my best years yet...
January - Matt was still working in Burley. I was living with Janae in Idaho Falls until my temp job at United ended. Mid January I was able to reunite with Matt. Patiently waiting for baby "Melvin" to come.
February - I celebrated my 28th birthday. Feb 13th & 14th I worked really hard at getting my baby to come out. Lots of walking and trying out myths that would induce labor (eating pineapple, foot massages, etc.) Madison Gail was born Feb 15th. Fast and easy labor. Went in to labor around 8pm Feb 14th (didn't know I was in labor yet). Arrived at hospital at 3 am and then Madison was born at 3:26, all natural. I am so proud!!!
March - Madison and I were given a wonderful baby shower, with lots of loved ones in attendance. Even Aunt Ang and Ashley were able to attend. Matt went to work in Washington. Madison and I drove to visit him for a little over a week.
April - Matt went to work in Nampa and we got to go with him. Madison was blessed by gramps at their house (the day before Easter). Had Easter in Kuna.
May - Traveled to Utah. (Madison has been more places in her 3 months of life than most people do in a lifetime) :) I got to experience my first Mother's day. Matt and Madison were wonderful. I received beautiful roses and a beautiful heart necklace.
June - Matt experienced his first Father's day. Madison gave him a fist mold. So sweet and tiny. We also had some of my side of the family come camping down in Burley for Father's day weekend. We had lots of fun...but got rained out. 10 year high school reunion. Can't believe how fast time went.
July - Fourth of July was fun. Spent time in Swan Valley. Went camping at Bear Lake. Had a blast on our floating island. Started looking for houses. Long process. No luck yet.
August - Still looking at houses. Took Madison swimming in the rv park pool. Lots of fun.
September - Went camping at Willow Flat. My favorite place to camp. So many memories growing up. Found 3 houses we liked. Left Burley (laid off) to come to Idaho Falls for spud harvest. We also are trying to make our home up here.
October - Celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary. Made an offer on a house & offer accepted. Just waiting for our 5th wheel to sell and trying to find employment.
November - Matt took Madison sledding around nana and papa's yard. She's not a fan. Was not happy when she tipped over. Thanksgiving at the Mathews. Did some black Friday shopping. Pulled an all-nighter. Probably won't happen again anytime soon.
December - Used a sewing machine for the first time. Made holiday aprons for Janae's family. Turned out really cute. Once I have a house I will make some for me :) Had to put our house back on the market. Trailer never sold. Oh well, guess it wasn't meant to be. Had a great Christmas. Family has treated us VERY well. We have wonderful parents and siblings. On Christmas Eve, we received a new nephew. He is a handsome little boy!! We look forward to getting to know him and giving him lots of love.

I really look forward to 2010 and more quality time with Madi. I have been blessed this year to be able to stay at home with her. It's something that is very important to me so I am so greatful that Matt is a hard worker and has been supportive of me not working. I hope that blessing continues. We hope to be able to find a home of our own in '10. Madison will turn 1. We have a lot to look forward too.

Baby's first Christmas

Today has been so wonderful. Christmas is a lot slower with a 10 month old. Around 8am, Madison was still sleeping and everyone else was awake and ready to go so we woke her up. We have a picture with her giving a "leave me alone, I want to sleep" look. **All pictures taken with our new Nikon Coolpix camera** We started opening presents and she wasn't really interested. She just wanted to eat and probably go back to sleep. She helped take off some wrapping paper. We hardly got started and then papa gave her a present. He gave her a pink rocking horse. SO cute!! We put her on that thing and had a huge smile on her face. She was mad when we tried to take her off to open more presents. I guess we should have saved that one for last cause she wasn't interested in anything else. Oh well. She was so cute to watch with her pony. If you press the ears it sings, neighs, etc. She would bounce to the music and just have a good ole time. After an hour or so, everyone else was done and we still had stuff to open so Matt and I just opened our gifts and then opened the rest of Madi's. Maybe she'll be more into unwrapping presents in a couple months for her birthday. She got lots of great things...pink boots, clothes, movies, toys, cabbage patch doll. She was treated very well. So was her mother!!! Matt was amazing and got me my very own bowling ball. Anyone who knows me well, knows that is a good gift :) I'm excited to hit the lanes. Thanks honey!!!

First visit to Santa

Matt and I took Madison to see Santa at the mall yesterday. We were impressed that even though we went on a Saturday afternoon and 6 days before Christmas, it only took about 40 min. from the time we stood in line to the time we were done. I was very curious to see how she would react to Santa. She was happy, but sometimes if mom isn't holding her she gets mad (we're almost past that phase, but you never can tell). I wasn't completely surprised, but she LOVED him. She stared at him and then started touching his gloves, beard, glasses, etc. He was great and let her play with his beard. She would look at us and smile, then go right back to checking out Santa. He asked Madison what she wanted for Christmas, then said "I bet you'll get some diapers and maybe a warmer to warm up your wipes so you won't have a cold bum." I wish I would have had a video of the whole thing it was so sweet. Our camera was lame so we didn't get a great shot either. If I wasn't so cheap I would have paid the $13 to have the mall take it. Oh well. It was a fun experience. I was already very excited to have Madison's first Christmas, but this made me even more excited.

Angel Tree

Today Madison and I went to Sportsmans and picked up a tag from the angel tree to purchase a gift for a child. It makes me so sad to know that some kids don't get anything. Even though Madison doesn't know any better, starting this year we will do an angel tree gift every year so we can help her understand the importance of giving. As she gets older it will be more fun to teach her and have her do the picking out herself. In the same respect I pray that Matt and I will always be able to provide for her so that she won't have to be on the receiving end of angel tree gifts. It will hopefully help her realize the blessings she has.