Week 104: January 6 - 13

The biggest thing we did this week was go to Roswell and walk in the woods. I checked the weather and the temperature was supposed to be “warm,” meaning the upper 60s. So we made plans to spend Saturday morning out.

First up, we went to Douceur de France, a fabulous little place that serves French food, most notably pastries. You may recall that Matt, especially, has something of a weakness for pastries. Our “second breakfast” was eaten here. I had a croissant and a beignet, Matt a chocolate croissant, and I shared my croissant with Madeleine. Which means that she ate most of it and I got the rest! I also had a yummy hot chocolate.

Then we went to the Roswell Mill area, where we went twice before. It was one of my favorite times, sitting with Madeleine out in the middle of the river. And it did not disappoint this time! Instead of walking by the river, we chose to go up to the top, as we did on our first trip.

Madeleine LOVED walking through the leaves, over fallen trees, wherever she could go. LOVED.

After walking the upper trail, we headed back to the covered bridge which leads to the car. But Madeleine wanted to go down by the water, so Matt obliged, and I snapped some pics from above.

The weather wasn’t as nice as I’d thought it might be, but it was still the warmest day in a while, and we had a great time.

My great idea …
Since I’m pregnant, with a baby due in July, there are a few things I’d like to have done before the baby comes. Two big things are potty training (don’t want two in diapers!) and a toddler bed for Madeleine, since we’ll need the crib for baby.

I did some research on potty training on the web, specifically a “3 day training method” after hearing about it from one of SuSu’s friends. She said it worked like a charm, so I went there first. It looked good, but it said the best time for potty training is 22 months. Another place I read said that every day after the child turns 2 it gets harder to train.

So the week before Madeleine turned 2, I decided it was time to train her. I bought the e-book, read it, we prepared. As of the night before her birthday, she hasn’t totally grasped the concept, or at least isn’t too interested in it. It was supposed to take 3 days, and day 4 starts on her birthday. We will see what the future brings!

I can say that I have really and truly enjoyed the 3 days of training. It requires someone (usually the mom) to be super focused on the child, and we’ve spent every waking second together. I have loved all of that time to just concentrate on her, as I usually do other things around the house. Who knew potty training could be so wonderful? Now, if we can just get her trained, I’d be thrilled!

SLIDESHOW

Week 103: December 30 - January 5

Matt finished the kitchen this week! We both absolutely love it. Matt said, "What does it say about us that the kitchen adds to our house?" I'm not sure, but I don't care! It's so pretty, so nicely done. Madeleine... likes the doors. LOL. That's about all she got out of the kitchen this week, opening all the doors, then shutting all the doors. But, hey, it's a start! She also likes her little grocery bag that I got at Harry's.



Madeleine had something of a small trauma this week. We were invited to the Ray's house on Monday for hanging out and for dinner. Well, when Madeleine woke from her nap, Matt went to get her. He brought her out of the room still in her sack (which is unusual). Then he told Madeleine to show me something. She had a very serious expression on her face, and finally she held up Blankie--who had a huge trip down almost the entire length! The border wasn't ripped, but there was a huge hole.

She said, "MMmm broke." MMmm was still her word for her blankie. She was very matter-of-fact, very stoic. She didn't cry or get upset, though clearly, it bothered her that blankie was broken. We didn't have time to worry about blankie right then, since we had to rush to get out the door to they Ray's.

Madeleine had a GREAT time with Chase and Molly and Miss Liz and Mr. Chuck. And Lelu, of course! Dinner was DELICIOUS, and Madeleine got to sit in a big person chair (on some books or a pillow or something) and eat with us! She's such a big girl.

When we got home, Madeleine had to go to sleep without Blankie. I texted a friend that night, asking if she had time the next day for a "quick sewing session." I told her Madeleine's blankie got ripped and I didn't want to mess it up. She said yes (phew!). On Tuesday morning, Madeleine asked to see Blankie, and she gave it a kiss. She even started calling it "Blankie" (pronounced bwankie). Miss Ronna came over during Madeleine's nap and did an amazing job fixing blankie.

When Madeleine woke from her nap, I told her Blankie was fixed. She didn't want to see blankie yet, though, so I waited until I got her up and changed. We went into the living room, where Blankie was. I pulled out blankie and showed it to her. She inspected it very closely, and finally gave it a big hug. Now she says, "Miss Ronna fix Blankie." :)

THANK YOU, MISS RONNA!


SLIDESHOW

Week 102: December 23 - 29

Quite an eventful week!

We finally picked a dress after yet ANOTHER big shopping trip by Papa Pete and SuSu. I hope there's a picture of it somewhere...

Okay, I can't believe this is the ONLY picture we have...



Christmas morning was a blast. Madeleine's first present was a book, and she was pretty happy to get it. Then Mama opened a box of four square soaps which occupied her for quite some time. I loved watching her open her presents! She got it this year, unlike last year (no surprise there), and she seemed genuinely interested in everything she opened. Though the cars from Papa Pete and SuSu, and the big car from Marshall, were by far the favorite gifts of the day. Madeleine promptly gave them all rides in the red stroller. :)

Then it was time for church. Madeleine wore the dress we finally selected, and she was beautiful. She loved looking at herself in the mirror. Oh, she also liked licking the mirror... not sure what that's all about!

Madeleine got a great nap after church, then had a lovely afternoon playing with her new toys and of course the red stroller.

The day after Christmas, we drove a very full car to Tampa for Christmas with Mimi, Poppi, Uncle Alan, Uncle Wes and Lola. It was a blast! Madeleine opened a present, and as soon as she saw the end of it, she knew what it was. "Legos!" she said, and hurried to finish opening it. It was funny because she had never really played with Legos before. She saw them when we were in Gainesville, but she didn't have any interest in them. But as soon as she saw these, she wanted them "open!" And of course we obliged. After that, she was pretty much done, very happy with her Legos. That night, when going to bed, Madeleine lay in her crib and said, "Legos. Legos! LEGOS!" over and over for a few minutes. It made Mimi and Poppi laugh a whole lot!

The stay in Tampa was nice but short. Poppi had three whole days off, so Madeleine got to spend a lot of time with him this trip. She had a blast! He taught her how to put Legos together, and she was building tall towers in no time.

Madeleine also got to see Kaley again and spend some time with Nana and Grandpa Alvin, Grampa and Ann.

Daddy went home the day before Madeleine and I flew back to Atlanta. We had another successful plane trip, though I got somewhat detained in security for Madeleine's little comb with a silver plated handle. I guess they thought it was a screwdriver? I'm sure I looked like quite the terrorist, with my sweet little almost-two-year-old in my arms, who again cried when the stroller went on the conveyor belt. BUT, we got to bypass the body scan and the wand, which was NICE. Thank YOU, Madeleine!

SLIDESHOW