Summertime is Here!

It has been another busy week. Time is flying by and our precious daughter is growing like a weed. She is learning so many new things every day. She is now walking along furniture like an old pro and occasionally stands without holding onto anything. New words this week: book, bubble, blue (she likes B words).

Maddie had her one-year checkup with Dr. Chris this week and she is a very healthy girl. She is in the 95th percentile in height (by American growth standards). She has gained four pounds since we've been home (feels more like 40 when I carry her!). She got two shots and cried for five seconds. She has a high tolerance for pain! Her daddy stood by the door of the exam room, ready to split as soon as she started to wail. But, it was such a mild cry that even Mr. Wimpy stuck around!

Whenever she eats, whether in her high chair or when she is drinking a bottle, one leg goes up. I like to have my feet elevated when I'm relaxing, but she takes that concept to a whole new level!

Much to Squirt's dismay, Maddie takes great delight in chasing the cat. This afternoon the cat walked by her - sauntering lazily. Maddie immediately dropped to all fours and ZOOM... she was after her in a blue streak. I have never seen anything crawl as fast as Maddie does when she is chasing the cat. Funny thing is that she is usually squealing and giggling the whole way.

Our friend Bryan from Ohio was here for the weekend. Maddie had her first introduction to a Harley. She also had her first exposure to Nascar this weekend. Our friend, "Uncle Dave", moved into our basement this week and he is determined that Maddie is going to be a Tony Stewart fan. We'll see...

Last weekend was Doug's birthday. We had a bunch of friends over for steaks on the grill, and ice cream cake. Maddie enjoyed polishing off Daddy's ice cream. The next day, Doug got deathly ill with the stomach flu... we're not sure but we think Maddie may have had a touch of it and passed it along to him. Having a kid that doesn't feel well is one thing, but having a hubby who is as sick as Doug is yet another. By the time the weekend (and Monday) was over with, I was one tired mama! I just kept chanting our wedding vows... "in sickness and in health" and plowed through it. We all survived.

Kris, Shawn, Kaycee, and Kya were here for Doug's birthday. Maddie and Kya had good time together. Kya, like Maddie, is flourishing and has definitely emerged from her shell. She is such a sweet, charming little girl... more reserved than Maddie by a mile, but I can already see these two getting into some trouble together in the years to come!! Next week, we're going to start working on the phrase, "Kya made me do it." This will be Kris's payback for all the times she says, "Beth made me do it!"

Kaycee, Maddie, and Kya

Maddie and Kya both had a fantastic time on the slide!

Kya on the slide

Maddie on the slide

We are looking forward to spending time next weekend with my sister Iva and our beautiful nieces from Colorado. Normally, next weekend is the time that we have our annual party - airshow and fireworks - but that has been cancelled this year. The airshow as cancelled early this year due to a lack of sponsorships. So, we're not having a party this year. While that is usually the highlight of our summer, we are also somewhat relieved. For those of you who usually come over for the party, we still want to see you this summer - just not all at once!! :) So, give us a call and let us know when you want to come over and we'll have burgers ready to toss on the grill! Hopefully by next summer, when Maddie is a little older and a touch more independent, we can resume our traditional bash.

Thanks for checking in. Happy Independence Day!

Much Love,

Beth, Doug, and Maddie