Happy New Year!

Maddy started officially walking December 10th, although she had been taking multiple steps by herself for a couple months.




A typical meal with Maddy-first she eats, then she rubs it all in her hair!

The kids both did well with Santa. Griffin told Santa what he wanted and Maddy was not scared at all.

Just veggin' out watching some TV on Christmas Eve and waiting for Santa! Maddy loves watching Mickey Mouse with her big brother. She will watch the whole episode and wave at the end when Mickey says "See ya real soon!"

Griffin checking out what he got in his stocking on Christmas morning.

Maddy is checking out her new sippy cup she got in her stocking.

Here is Griffin keeping an eye on Maddy because he sees her reaching for his new Diego toothbrush!

Maddy playing with Uncle Scott and Aunt Natalie's baby/dog Julie at Yia yia's house on Christmas day.

This is what happens from too much Christmas fun-you pass out on the floor! It must have been the Nintendo Wii bowling that put him over the edge!

Christmas with my family-that's me, my Aunt Patti holding Maddy, and my cousin's Helen and Grace.

The kids playing in the school bus tent Griffin got from Aunt Patty and Uncle Jim for Christmas. They LOVE playing in it together!

Maddy in the bus.

Griffin and the snowman that he and Daddy built. I know it doesn't look like we bundled Griffin up very well to play in the snow, but it was actually 60 degrees that day (notice the fog hanging over the snow!) Only in Michigan can you have an 8 degree day and then a 60 degree day in the same week!

These are just some photos from the last month. We had a great Christmas around here-I think Maddy enjoyed her first Christmas and Griffin was so excited about Santa coming. I really didn't buy the kids many toys this year because I new they would get so much from family. We already have SO MANY toys. We brought out a whole box of Griffin's baby toys for Maddy a few weeks ago and it was like Christmas morning for her! So looking at all those I just couldn't bring myself to buy anymore. I was feeling a little bad Christmas morning because I hadn't bought more. I really only bought Maddy one toy, and the rest I splurged on all kinds of cute clothes. And for Griffin I bought alot of learning type things. Puzzles to help him learn to spell, a clock that helps teach how to tell time, art supplies, that kind of thing. But not many toys that were just plain fun toys. Well, I'm glad I stuck to my guns, because we came home from Christmas Day with Craig's family with a huge bag full of toys talking, playing music, and blinking lights. And then they got gifts from my family the next day. Needless to say we have PLENTY of toys!

Maddy has been walking for a few weeks now and now there is no.stopping.her. She is into everything and she is fast. You have to look around before you open the fridge because as soon as you do she makes a mad dash and tries to get inside. Griffin loves his little sister (most of the time!) and they play together all the time. Its so nice to hear them playing together and making each other laugh-and keeping each other occupied so Mommy can get some things done around here. Maddy knows what the word "no" means now, even if she doesn't really listen when we say it. Now when we say no she shakes her head no, and when she goes to touch the Christmas tree or something else she knows she shouldn't be doing, she will turn and look at us and shake her head before we can say anything! She is pretty much sleeping through the night now, but occasionally will wake up and want to be rocked back to sleep. She still has no teeth at 11 months old! Her pediatrician said they will probably all come out at the same time. Great! I don't know if it will be better to get it over with, or will it be ten times worse because they are all cutting through at once. The poor thing needs some teeth though because she wants to eat more than just baby food. I give her softer things she can gum, but she wants what we are eating! She is still a petite little thing wearing 6-9month clothes, but she is definitely getting enough to eat. She has what we call her little "Buddha belly" that sticks out all the time. She is such a little cutie!

Speaking of cuties, congrats to Ann who is in Vietnam right now to bring little Brian home. I am reliving our trip through her blog! I just hope all the other PAP's can bring their little ones home very soon!