One bright update... Doug is feeling MUCH better than he did over the summer. While he is still dealing with residual muscle weakness on his right side (MS), his sugar is back under control and he is stronger than he has been in almost 6 months. We are very thankful for that. Maddie and her Daddy are bonding so much now that he has the strength to play with her and to help care for her.
In August, I went to FLto work with our team at our Sarasota branch. Grandma JoAnna went along to babysit for Maddie while I worked during the daytime. We stayed with my Aunt Enda and had a very nice time. Maddie loved the beach, the sand, and the waves.
Last week I had my first full day away from Maddie when I went to Indianapolis for a conference. Grandma Karen came up to take care of her then. It was hard going a whole day without seeing her. Next week I will be gone for two days on a business trip. This time, Maddie will once again stay home with Daddy and Grandma Karen. I'm not looking forward to being apart from my sweet baby for that period of time but I'm sure Doug and Maddie will bond even further if I'm gone.
Here are some new things that Maddie is doing:
- Climbing! Last week she climbed up on top of the piano keys and started playing the piano with her toes. Then, when she couldn't figure out how to get down, she freaked out.
- If she can't reach something, Maddie will push a kitchen chair up to it and climbs right up to get whatever her little heart desires.
- Maddie LOVES the ABC song. She sings along with me whenever we say that song. Her two favorite phrases right now are "ABCD" and "Happy birthday".
- Maddie has discovered The Wiggles and Barney. She gets so excited when those shows are on. We are taking her to see The Wiggles live in South Bend in a couple weeks (yes, I know... she's a little young. This one is more for her dad's enjoyment than Maddie's!)
- Maddie responds extremely well to positive reinforcement. She completely ignores or just doesn't get the meaning of the word NO. However, if we get her cooperation and tell her she is a Good Girl or Big Girl, she just glows and wants to do it over and over again.
- Maddie loves to be Mommy's helper. The best way to get her out of the dishwasher, refrigerator, kitchen drawers, etc., is to ask her to help Mommy close it. She's all over it. She also loves to help pick up toys. I'm milking this one as long as I can!
- Maddie FINALLY has enough hair for ribbons and bows. YAY!
- Maddie's favorite people are her cousin Cassidy, Uncle Dave (Frey), Erma and Jayden (her babysitter and son), and both Grandmas. She is a very loving and loveable little girl and is bonding with so many more people than just those listed here. We are blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives!
- She's only 15 months old, but we're already starting to see glimpses of those "terrible twos". Every once in awhile, when Doug or I take something away from her or tell her NO for whatever reason, she sasses back. Yes, I said SASSES! The words are not in a language either of us understand, but the tone is definitely there. YIKES... we are in for a FUN time over the next few years.
- Maddie is a VERY independent little girl. She does not like to sit still at all. Mealtime and church are real challenges.
Maddie taking a walk in Aunt Kathy's shoes. She LOVES shoes. Her favorite pasttime is bringing her shoes from her bedroom into the living room and playing with them or shuffling around in whatever adult shoes she can find.
Maddie and her proud mommy at Lido Beach in Sarasota.
She likes playing in the sand... both on the beach and in her babysitter's sandbox. Every day when I pick her up a the sitter's, she is just filthy. When I undress her or remove her first diaper after getting home in the evenings, dirt and sand pour out. She has such a wonderful time and gets excellent care and lots of love at her babysitter's house. We are very fortunate to have found her.
It looks like she's chasing the bird but she was actually running away. She was scared of the birds on the beach.
Mommy, Maddie, and Grandma
Yes, she has 2 toothbrushes. Normally, she holds one while I brush her teeh with the other. Tonight, she decided to brush by herself - while sitting in the sink, no less!
Our neighbor was getting rid of this Harley so Uncle Dave rescued it and gave it to Maddie. Anyone starting to get the feeling that there many forces at work trying to spoil this little girl!?
Maddie and Red have become great buddies. She uses him as her horsey, stepstool, and companion. Red loves the attention.
We try to get together with Kya and her family at least once a month. It's so much fun to watch the two of them together. They are both growing and changing so fast.Thanks for checking in with us. Things are just super here.
Much Love,
Beth, Doug & Maddie
