@ my Mom's

Last weekend, we went down to Georgetown for Lacey's baby shower. Aside from it being a total success and her scoring tons of cool stuff, we had a great time with my mom, Shannon, Misty and Henry.

hitting Dos Salsas after an exhausting day shopping! not pictured: my giant margarita!

On Friday, we went to an event Mom had where we got some Santa photos........

Maddie talking to Mom's dog, Emma, through the back door.

Thanksgiving 2009

This Thanksgiving, we went down to my Grandmother and Grandad's in Fair Oaks Ranch (outside of San Antonio). They had quite a crew and a total of 15+ for the actual meal. We had a fantastic time as the evidence shows....


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Oh man, this picture. Uncle Wes in his turkey fryin' apparel.

Madison's 2nd cousin, Abby keeping her company.

Great Grandmother Taylor and Madison

Maddie, the Dog Whisperer....or squeeler

Miss Maddie has discovered she can communicate with dogs. I can't guarantee they are very receptive, but it does not stop her. It's been so fun to watch her become more cognizant and now befriend the dogs....especially Allie. Maddie reaches for, smiles at and squeels at the dogs. Behold the evidence (it's about 2 minutes long with random squeeling throughout and of course commentary by Max and me):

Bridal Shower - Britni

Last weekend, we went down to Georgetown for a bridal shower honoring my friend from High School, Britni. We also got some good family time with my mom and Poppy Shannon.

The blusing bride!
Madison meets Rory (in Lacey's belly)

This was right before we left and she was so conked out from the party festivities. A perfect cuddly opportunity.

Daddy, what silly voices you make....

We've been reading to Maddie since day 1. We read baby books, big people books and educational books with LOTS of BIG words (we've heard that the more words a baby hears in the first year, the better off they are educationally.....broader vocabulary, smarter, etc...and of course we'll do what we can to stimulate this mental development).

ANYWAYS - the reason I took this photo is because of this new thing Maddie does when you are reading to her. She'll sit in your lap and look at the book with you, then every ten seconds or so she'll jerk her head up and look at you. I don't know if it is because she wants to be reassured that it is us she hears, that we are still there or what. But it is one of my current favorite personality flares she has right now.

Reese the Protector

Handsome Black Bear, Reese, loves Maddie. In fact all the dogs do! I captured a few pictures of Reese sitting near Maddie while she played. We are crossing our fingers that the love is still there when she gets old enough to tug, ride and poke the dogs.

Happy Halloween!

Maddie's first Halloween, yay! She was not really cognizant of the outfit, the kids, etc., but we had a good time and I think she looked just 'beeeeeeee-autiful!'.

Our neighborhood is filled with kids and our neighbors have taken us under their wing. We spent the evening trick-or-treating with them and their kids......plus 10 other kids and their parents. It was fun and I forgot how fast little kids can run when motivated by candy!

We also got a sweet Halloween card from Grandmother (dad's mom). It had a Halloween ruler and a $1 bill. Maddie was so thrilled, she decided to put it in her piggy bank (okay, I did because I want to start practicing how I will teach her the value of saving.....a lesson I learned too late). :)

Tuckered out!

Peas! Carrots!

We took a leap, folks.....and tried baby food. We started with carrots and peas. She liked the carrots way better. And a special thank you to Kassie Kemp (a co-worker) for reminding me that a naked baby is easier to clean when they get the food all over themselves. Mmmm.....

Alex Turns 18!

Last weekend, we made a trip to San Antonio for a couple of reasons: 1) see Alex (max's little bro) play Varsity football; 2) celebrate Alex's 18th birthday and 3) hang out with the San Antonio DuBois.

Go Canyon Cougars!
Despite her scared looking face, she enjoyed the game and all the sounds.

We were taking family Christmas photos and ended up posing a few times with Maddie.

She loves those hands.

Gregg is a champ at making her laugh.

Alex gets his birthday dessert at Salsalito's.

Sunday morning group shot.

Family Shot

Alex and Maddie

Oh man, this is the best photo-bomb ever.

Please note their parents' dog 'Sooskie' at the bottom. She is obsessed with Maddie and wanted to love on her the entire time.

On the way home, since I sat in the back entertaining my little darling Reese and Allie snuggled in the front seat. So sweet.

The First Attempt at Food

After we went to the Pediatrician for month 4's check-up and shots, the Dr. told us that we could start testing Maddie with rice cereal. So, we got started and for some crazy-hippie reason I decided to make my own.

Peace, love and rice cereal y'all!

To make, you take brown rice and grind it in a coffee grinder until a fine powder.
Be careful not to spill!

After boiling and adding milk to it, we were ready to rock.

Before!

After!

As to be expected, she had no idea what to do with it. Since, she has turned into a rock-star eater. She watches us take the spoon to the bowl and then opens up when we get it to her mouth. Now what happens after that, I think she is still a little shaky on. Luckily, this event is followed by bathtime!

I did video the first eating experience.....

She Grasps and Chews

Maddie is in full swing of grabbing toys and directing them straight into her mouth. You may have noticed in some of the pics her abundant slobbering. She is not teething yet, but is definitely close.

I had Max take these pictures because I wanted to take a quick snapshot of this sweet time when Maddie is: alert, able to sit against me without support, self-contained and ooooooooh so squeezable and cuddly. I have a feeling getting her to sit still in my lap won't be something that lasts forever.

Charlotte and Maddie

Our neighbors down the street have a 2 year old named Charlotte. Charlotte is about to be a big sister to James....due any day now....actually he was due yesterday.

Anyways, we go over to Charlotte's house for dinner often and always have a good time. They have recently converted their dining room into a playroom. Pictures below are of Maddie and Charlotte in the room on a Dora the Explorer kid couch.