A little daddy time.

So while the older girls, including Mommy, decided to go to the opera...who goes to the opera anyway...Madelyn and Daddy got to spend the whole day together. Even though we had the whole day pre planned for us by Mommy (just kidding), we still managed to have some unauthorized fun. In between losing socks on our walk, refusing to take an afternoon nap, and having a little fussy session during dinner, we really did manage to have a great time. I can see a fun personality starting to develop, and she can sustain longer periods of playtime. I can't explain how exciting that is. Go Seahawks. Papa

A day by the river.. inspecting leaves

I love watching Madelyn's face as she examines her surroundings.. she stares, furrows her brow, squints, moves her head side to side, and of course tries to taste everything. One of my favorite things is to ly her under a tree and watch her.. she looks above, in complete awe, and watches the leaves blow in the wind and the sun shine through them.. then she puts her hands out reaching toward the sky and moves her wrists back and forth, back and forth. I'm not sure why she does this but I love that she loves it so much. I laid next to her the other day and looked up into the trees. It was such a needed moment, both of us with no other cares or worries, fascinated with the small but incredible things.

Ryan & I have officially changed the spelling of M-A-D-E-L-Y-N's name..

(and we're excited to hear people pronounce it correctly:)

FIVE MONTHS AND GROWING.

When people ask me how old Madelyn is I often find myself answering 5 months.. and then immediately question my response, is she really 5 months? Did I just make that up?! no way, if that's right, next month she'll be half a year already! Oh. My. I'm finally starting to realize why everyone says they grow up so fast! Ryan and I are truly enjoying being parents, we have possibly the sweetest child (I'm sure everyone says that about their own, but it's true..) Madelyn keeps us on our toes, and more importantly keeps us smiling.. yes, even if it's at 1am with a poo-ey diaper.. If you haven't spent much time with our Madelyn it's hard to explain, she's funny, or amuses herself anyway (i'm sure she gets that from her papa:), and she's a total flirt, whether it's with her coo's, smiles or eyebrows she'll suck you in! Needless to say it's been somewhat of a struggle at times when she wants to be cute and play, and you need her to go to sleep. She's doing really well though and we are so very proud of her.

some of my cousins..

Halle, Jones, Maia, & Madelyn enjoying the last days of Summer.

Sitting, watching the Momma cook.

Sitting up like a big girl, it's exciting but sad that she's growing so fast.

little water bug.

We've wanted to take Madelyn into the water for awhile now.. this weekend we visited her Auntie Pat and ended up spending the afternoon in the pool. Mad seemed awestruck by the sun reflections in the water, and kicked her feet a bit.. but got a little nervous getting too far from the papa.

Momma & Papa @ Jack Johnson

When we got tickets to jack johnson we contemplated taking madelyn but decided in the end that it wouldn't be the best environment for her, plus it would give ryan and i some much needed alone time.. It was a long LONG night, especially missing our 'little bucket'.. but i think we both agree that it's nice to be able to go out and do things that don't revolve around baby toys and diapers. (it's still sooo hard though).

cousins..

Lael and Madelyn.