Kisses

Madeline started giving kisses around Thanksgiving, which is beyond sweet. Now sometimes she'll give us each a kiss goodnight or spontaneously when the mood suits her. They're big open-mouth sloppy baby kisses and we love them!! Catching her doing something for the cameras is very hit or miss, but luckily this week she leaned over to kiss her reflection in the mirror, and I'm so glad we caught it on film.

State of the Union

Madeline's first State of the Union was on past her bedtime, but she caught up on the action first thing Thursday morning.

Hi Dada

The blog took a bit of a hiatus, as Dave's been stuck in the ICU in one of the busiest blocks in recent memory. He did make it home in time to play for a bit before bedtime this weekend, much to Madeline's (and my) complete delight. As you can see, she's clearly thrilled, and even though you can't hear her sweet chirpy "hi, dada!" believe me, it's adorable.

Peek-a-boo Giggles

Madeline has fun playing peek-a-boo across the kitchen counter. Here she is being highly amused by her daddy... it's impossible not to laugh out loud yourself.

Carrots

Madeline started branching away from rice cereal on Thursday (1/7) with a foray into organic carrots. Yum. The first two days proved difficult, as she was not interested in eating them. My favorite thing was seeing her want to hold the spoon just so she could push it away - very deliberately but still gently (so sweet). But by day three she got more enthusiastic and by the fourth day (today) she had some smiles.

Here she gives it another try.

A bit of a carrot-filled frowny face.

Then she prefers to feed herself.

All carroty-smiles. Yum. Though, it might have more to do with the fact that she loves her daddy (who took this picture) and less with the carrots.

Bear Sleep

This image was just before Madeline went down for a nap last week as she was chattering away in her crib. She LOVES her little bear... they seem to have all kinds of adventures together as she downloads the day's activities. That's the position he starts sleeptime in, but by the time they're done, he's been tossed somewhere very different. He also holds onto her lovie/blankie that she always takes out and tosses around as well.

Aunt Mandy New Year

Madeline was fortunate to get another visit from Aunt Mandy over New Years and just before busy season. Aunt Mandy's mellowness seems to have rubbed off on Madeline.

And we enjoyed a nice neighborhood stroll as well.

Hands-on Cereal

Madeline is getting the hang of this solid food stuff... here she is being very hands-on in the mealtime experience. Note her furrowed brow - I love it!

Cookies

Madeline joined Rachel in the kitchen to decorate cookies and make icing for cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning.

This one was about 30 seconds before she grabbed one of the cookies herself. It was hilarious.

This must have been when she started thinking about taking one - she looks like she's ready for some fun...

More Christmas Visits

Madeline enjoyed a visit from Grampa over the holiday as well, and she was very glad to have company on her home turf.

She also showed Grampa how she likes to shoot some hoops and is getting strong enough to almost completely support herself while standing. We're still working on balance.

And of course, the night time ritual always includes at least one story.

And she got to see her friends Uncle Kevin, Aunt Jules and their kids Michael, Dillen and Abby.

And, she loved playing with her Christmas choo-choo train from ZMA and ZPA... she knew exactly how to make it work in an instant, which was better than mom and dad could do.