Arizona Bound.

 

So, Madaelyn and I took our first trip via plane ride together.  I being a first time mother and it being her first trip via airplane was super nervous.  It was a 4.5hr flight an oh.my.gosh. what if she cries the whole time, and there’s turbulence, and I can’t walk her around to calm her down?!?!? I will be that person the whole plane hates.

and yes. the plane was full.

Thankfully that was not even an issue in the slightest! In fact people commended Madaelyn’s fabulous plane etiquette both to and from Arizona!!

{but you all knew she would be an excellent flyer since she is so mannerable at home anyways, right? right!.}

Here are some highlights of our trip:

Arizona Loving. VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

I may be a tad bit addicted to the way my child looks in leg warmers…. what can I say?  She looks ah-dor-able. I cannot wait until it is warm enough to rock that look at home in Pa.

Arizona was absolutely superb. We l.o.v.e.d. it.  Warm weather, family, no humidity {score for easy hair days, minus for a bloody nose the first night there…}

If you have not ventured to the desert I must say it is a beautiful place.  You should definitely try it.

6 Months old.

 

Baby girl you are 6 months old, half a year… what?!?! (actually at this present time you are a week away from being 7 months old…what can I say.  I’ve been spending my time with you instead of posting)

Here is a picture of you on your actual 1/2 birthday…

 

You’re quite an amazing person. You are weighing in at 16lbs 9oz and 27 inches long! (that is 90th percentile for height)  Which is not a surprise as I have to dress you in12 month one piece pajamas.  You fit into 9 month separates.

 

You’re personality is really starting to shine. You can say several syllables; mama, baba, dadada, and vowel sounds.  You also tend to speak in a soft voice where you whisper. I. love. it.

You have recently started to bounce while sitting.  This is absolutely adorable. You are a bouncing baby of joy.  You still have not rolled over, I believe that you know how to do it, because you roll to your side and then smile at me, then go back.  You simply like looking up and around at the world.  You still dislike tummy time.  You can put yourself on all fours, hands and knees and rock, so I know crawling is coming.  You absolutely love to stand.  You have been able to pull yourself up holding onto my hands for quite a while.  You now bounce while standing and enjoy holding onto my legs or the couch.

You also are a cuddle bug. I don’t mind. In fact I enjoy it.  You always keep tabs on me and when you are upset and want me you scream “mamamamamama.”

You love music.  You recently started dancing/bouncing. Its great. You soon will be walking around singing with me ;o).

This month you also started to eat other food besides breastmilk!  Another post will follow to discuss how this went.  You are a pro.

And you, my muffin, are quite an observer.  At home, out and about, you are constantly taking it all in.  You are quiet (except at home.  when you are very happy and comfortable you will babble).  You like to sit in a spot and take in the environment around you. You seem to be in know hurry to move around.  You are content snuggling with me and exploring your surroundings. You remind me of myself in that way.

What you love.  Snuggling with Me. Winston and Bree. You especially love petting them.  You are quite the animal lover.  Your grandparents, uncles and great grandparents.  Walking around in the Mobi Wrap. Going for walks in your strollers.  Jumping in your bounceroo.  Motion.  You love being rocked and when you are upset you tap your head to help soothe yourself.  You also love your giraffe, sophie (soffee). You don’t have any teeth yet but Sophie helps your gums feel better and you love gnawing on her.

I am amazed at how much you grow and change. I love spending my days learning the world through your eyes.  I live for your smiles and laughs.

 

Let’s hope the next 6 months slow down a little, yes?

birth to 6 month comparison:

Thanksgiving.

So, how did it happen to go 2 weeks without a post??  Things have been busy, crazy, chaotic to say the least.  In the midst of all the craziness I am also dealing with other issues.  One issue in particular.  I am going through a divorce.  yuck.  So this was my 1st holiday separated.  And it was different.

It was also my first big holiday with Madaelyn, who I now fondly call my ‘muffin’  {you see peanut is no longer appropriate as she is 80th percentile in length} And she is the best part of my life.  I am truly thankful /grateful to be her mother.

In the midst of this chaos I am thankful for my amazing family and friends.  They have been superb.  They love unconditionally and I can not begin to express how helpful they have been.


Please forgive my lapse in blogging. I am working on getting everything situated and taking care of my muffin.  We are going through big changes, and it is an adjustment.  One that is sad, but will lead us to the better things in life.  To keep us focusing on the positive and being thankful for everything that we do have every day.  Not just on Thanksgiving.

Apple Crisp.

In honor of the fall weather I decide to make an apple crisp. yum.

The recipe is from my favorite cook book.

This cook book offers seasonal recipes to eat clean

(unprocessed/less processed) foods.

So here is a little photo montage of this delicious apple crisp.  Because, really, what screams fall more than a warm apple crisp?!

The above ingredients:

Apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, canola oil, oatmeal (rolled oats with flax seed), maple syrup, and flour.

The final product. I promise you it was de-lic-ous.

And here is how I cooked the meal.  With Madaelyn in her Moby Wrap.

{Where she ended up falling asleep}

Added bonus, the house smelled soooooooooo good.

What is your favorite fall treat?

4 months old.

      

When did my child get to be so big??  Weren’t you just in my stomach? Weren’t you just 7lbs 4oz?? Today you are 4 months old. {what?!?!.}  Time has flown by and I cannot believe that it is now November.

          

This past month has proven to be full of many changes for you.  You have become very interactive.  You love sitting up and now hate being on your stomach.

{I cannot blame you lying on your stomach provides a limited view}

You also love your “big girl” stroller.

 

You have become very verbal.  You can make vowel sounds as well as “buh” sounds.  You had your first laugh {at me sneezing} which has not occurred again.

You are recognizing people and do not like when I am out of your eyesight.  You smile with your whole face when you smile.

You love your soft pink blanket, luvvy, and pink doggie

{as well as your real dog and cat who you love to watch run around}

I’m so proud of all of your accomplishments and cannot wait to see what the fifth month of your life will bring us.

xoxoxo

crisp air and halloween.

SO remember in my last post I said it was finally feeling like fall?? Well, it is cold in the morning!  It certainly helps to wake you up.  In fact we even had our first snow on October 28th!
{Here in Pa that is unseasonably cold}
So of course I had to document this unique first for October, and is Madaelyn’s 1st snow….


It also was Halloween {a week ago} and I had a beautiful Lady Bug.  We didn’t go out because it was cold, but we certainly had fun in her costume.

Fall Favorites

it is finally starting to feel like fall! we have had quite an Indian summer and I am ready for it to cool off!

My favorite things about fall are…

No. 1.

a hot cup of hazelnut coffee or green tea.

yum.

(especially when in enjoyed in the good company of a friend)

No 2.

dressing this little miss thing

in the cutest outfits and not worrying of she (or I) will melt. And putting adorable little fleece jackets (no pics yet of this) and this cute hat on her. love. love. love.

 

No. 3.

going to my Dad’s (he coaches some little ones 5th and 6th graders) football games.  It has been a very enjoyable experience, especially since the games have been played during beautiful weather.

No. 4.

I am looking forward to Halloween this year.  I cannot wait to share with you the costume that I have picked out for Madaelyn!  Halloween has taken on a new meaning of fun for me!