In mid-November, we took a trip to visit Grandmama and Grandaddy. Uncle David showed up also and we had a huge lunch and playtime in the yard afterward. That's the thing about growing up on a farm, anything and everything can be a toy. When I was little, there was lots of make-believe and pretending. I hope Maddie can grow up the same way.
Learning to ride the tricycle at Grandmama and Grandaddy's house. She's getting pretty good at it.
Mason is not a fan of hats these days. So what did we do? We put on a tobbogan that is adult-size, but for some reason didn't bother him as much as the smaller ones we try to cram on his noggin.
Of course, no trip home is complete without the golf cart rides. Uncle David let Maddie steer. Watch out cats and dogs!
And later, Mason and I put the golf cart to another good use, relaxing!
Wheelbarrow fun! Everyone had to take a turn pushing Maddie around the yard.
The week before Thanksgiving, Grandmama came to stay with us for a few days. I got some errands and appointments taken care of while she was there to help with Mason. He's smiling and laughing now at most anyone who will talk sweetly to him. He lights up and grins when Frank or Maddie or I'm around and talking. So much more fun than even a few weeks ago! Those first smiles are the best!
We found some dress up clothes in Maddie's closet while Grandmama was here (thanks Aunt Angie) and they finally fit. Actually, I think these are dance recital clothes from some unsuspecting little girl whose Mom covered her in sequins and polka-dots. But that is what Maddie is into these days, so.......She said she was a ballerina.
We've been doing serious sponge baths up until a few weeks ago, when Mason had his first real tub bath. The baby/toddler tub we have is huge and takes up most of the actual tub, which makes it a total pain to move in and out of the tub for Maddie and Mason alternately, but the infant recline part and sponge make it oh-so comfy for Mason.
Well, it was until Maddie decided to scrub, and I mean scrub, his face. Oh, and she was still in "ballerina" gear. "Poor little Mason," is said around our house a lot these days. If ever love could hurt, it will be with these two kids. Maddie loves him so much she doesn't know her own kissing and hugging and helping strength sometimes. But she really, truly loves him and runs to him first when she gets home from daycare. Too sweet!To try to explain the photo below, the conversation went like this:Maddie: Mommy, I can't get this off. (Translation: the toilet paper roll will not come off)Me: Maddie, it isn't supposed to come off. What have you done??Maddie: It won't come off!!Me: I'm going to take a picture and show it to your boyfriend when you are 25. That's a Mom's only revenge.To clarify: I made her use all the paper she'd rolled off onto the floor. It took about a week, but now it's "all gone."
I can't blame the kids for how far behind I am in posting to the blog. If any of you are still following, I'm going to make it up to you -- promise!!
I'm heading back to work later this week and want to get caught up with everything before then, including the blog. Imagine, three posts in one week!
Before I can share the funny Thanksgiving photos, I have to back up to our busy times over the last few weeks (this is why people shouldn't procrastinate!!)
A few weeks ago, I decided our backyard needed a serious makeover for fall. Our pine trees are big enough now that we have almost enough pine straw for all the back flower beds -- yay! So Maddie wanted to help me rake and I really put her to work with her own rake and wheelbarrow. She was bored after about thirty minutes until I offered to push her around in the big wheelbarrow while moving the pine straw across the yard. She ended up helping me for two hours and was really working! Now when we see pine straw in someone's yard, she asks if we are going to rake it. Too funny!
After working in the yard, it was time for a shower; we were "stinky." She wanted my "hat" which is really my hair towel. I think it's too late to rescue her from the princess priss syndrome....We also had a recent visit from my cousin's family, who recently re-relocated to the area. Maddie calls their little boy "Baby Brendan" because that is what she used to call him before he was one year old and walking! 
She gave him hugs and kisses until he literally pushed her away. I think the highlight of the visit was when they both jumped on her bed with huge beaming smiles. It's nice to have family close by. Now Brendan just needs to grow big enough to run away from Maddie!
Maddie "shows" Brendan how to play with the birthday toy she gave him ;-)
Meanwhile, Mason has been busy gnawing his fingers and ours. His only preference is whichever is closer to his mouth. During his 10-week doctor visit, we learned he is now 13 pounds, 8 ounces, which puts him in the 90th percentile for weight -- wow! I knew he was a big boy but that is crazy compared to Maddie, who stayed in the 50th percentile forever. He got a great report and after I described how he doesn't settle at night (he does something that looks like running in place and Elaine's dance from the famous Seinfeld episode), the pediatrician said he is "very physical" and exhibiting signs of four-month old behavior. She even mentioned the word "athlete." We'll see. For now, I'd settle for a bookworm who goes to sleep. He is still on a three-hour feeding schedule so we are still short on sleep. But he's such a sweetie, and very, very loving. He likes to have his hand held as he's sleeping and when he's drinking his bottle. I know he is a bit spoiled, but he's my last baby. Next post: Part Two
Our two little monkeys. Maddie says, "Get this kid some pants!"
Our motto is "divide and conquer" these days and trading kids is getting easier. A nighttime conversation in our hours goes something like this, "Frank, I'll wrestle Maddie into her pj's if you can get Mason to stop squirming and take a nap." Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but I really love having two kids....and a small glass of wine at the end of the day sometimes ;-)
Maddie and Mason have had several "firsts" in the past few weeks. My next post will cover our Halloween activities, but I wanted to post about these things before they become just a faint memory.OK, on to firsts...
During all the terrible tantrums and bouts of sickness in October, Maddie somehow managed to transition from Pull-Ups to big girl underwear at nighttime, too! This means no more diapers at all!! We are so proud of her. She's been potty trained since July but still wore Pull-Ups at night "just in case." So far, only one accident and it's been a few weeks of no diapers at all.
Mason has the lion's share of firsts of course; every day brings something new. I'm trying to keep up, but I think this covers them all so far:
*First smile
*First laugh
*First cry with tears (broke my heart just like it did with Maddie!)
*First tummy time
*I don't know if this counts as a first but he can sit and stand by himself for a few seconds. He's had really great neck and head control since we brought him home. Maybe he'll be pushing up soon! Can't believe he will be eight-weeks old on Thursday.
*Oh, and first Halloween! But that's in the next post......
"This tummy time thing isn't so bad."
"All done!"
Mason finally understands the purpose of the baby gym: sleeping.
Smiles!
Mason practices standing while big sister Maddie is in awe!!
Learning to ride the tricycle at Grandmama and Grandaddy's house. She's getting pretty good at it.
Mason is not a fan of hats these days. So what did we do? We put on a tobbogan that is adult-size, but for some reason didn't bother him as much as the smaller ones we try to cram on his noggin.
Of course, no trip home is complete without the golf cart rides. Uncle David let Maddie steer. Watch out cats and dogs!
And later, Mason and I put the golf cart to another good use, relaxing!
Wheelbarrow fun! Everyone had to take a turn pushing Maddie around the yard.
We found some dress up clothes in Maddie's closet while Grandmama was here (thanks Aunt Angie) and they finally fit. Actually, I think these are dance recital clothes from some unsuspecting little girl whose Mom covered her in sequins and polka-dots. But that is what Maddie is into these days, so.......She said she was a ballerina.
We've been doing serious sponge baths up until a few weeks ago, when Mason had his first real tub bath. The baby/toddler tub we have is huge and takes up most of the actual tub, which makes it a total pain to move in and out of the tub for Maddie and Mason alternately, but the infant recline part and sponge make it oh-so comfy for Mason.
