Mad Gracie Photo Blog

(few more shots on Big Girl Bed page) Last week Maddie took yet another step in leaving that whole baby thing behind. She got a big girl bed !! After a nearly exhaustive search by Kathleen to find one with no luck we decided to check out Baby’s R Us. They, much like every other store she tried didn’t have the style we wanted in stock !! We were next door to a Wal-Mart so figured at this point what did we have to loose. Well this time we scored…not only did they have a toddler bed, it was the style we wanted and almost $40 cheaper !! BONUS !!! so after a rather easy build and addition of  Tinkerbell bedding, we were in business. Of course by the time we got Madeleine upstairs to check it out Murph had already taken it upon himself to take a test nap. Maddie LOVED it, she had a blast hiding under the blankets and snuggling up with Murph. She is doing really well with it too though she still wakes up and wants to go “go see mommy” some nights. Patience I suppose, she’ll get it eventually.

 Maddie caught a bit of the March Madness this year and was cheering on the Terps as they headed into the NCAA tourney this year. She was showing her team spirit a few days ago after getting out of the tub trying on my “Fear the Turtle” T-Shirt. She knows that the Terp’s name is Testudo after I taught her to say it a little while back. Now whenever she see’s  him she points and says “Testudo” !!

(few more images on the Number Two page) The munchkin has turned TWO !! Last Saturday we had a little party for her second birthday at Grams & Gramps house. Madeleine had a great time playing with Eli and Aydan and of course she got lots of cool presents. Her Tinkerbell tent was a hit, even Uncle Jeff climbed in for a peek !! She had cupcakes instead of the typical birthday cake and even blew out the candle. It really is amazing some of the things that she knows and watching her discover things and figure things out is so cool. She has become such a little person !!!

 (Check out the Feeding Squirrels page for more photos) Madeleine was outside a few days ago just splashing around in a few puddles enjoying the day when we spotted a squirrel. He was enjoying a few peanuts in the feeder and just relaxing. Of course as Madeleine moved in for a closer look the silly squirrel headed for higher ground. Since the peanuts were a little low I figured we could give the little guy a refill, Maddie agreed. I gathered up some peanuts from inside and off we went, she had to carry the bag of course. She put some in the feeder then decided she wanted to hide a few just for fun. The next morning we looked out the window and saw our furry friend nibbling away which of course Maddie loved.

 Madeleine has been looking at photos of her newest cousin Elle on-line with my mom for a little while now. A few Sundays ago Madeleine finally got to come face to face with Elle at her baptism party at my uncle Joe’s house. As you can see Maddie snuggled right up to her and the pair got along great.

(Check out Lil Shutterbug page for more)  For Christmas Grams & Gramps got Madeleine a Fisher Price little kid digital camera, it looks like one of the old  ViewMaster things. Madeleine still wants to use my camera when she sees it sitting out in the house but she will pick up her camera and snap a few shots around the house. The image quality isn’t the best but that really isn’t the idea. There’s even a little viewing screen on the back to view the pics. After Maddie was playing with it a few nights ago I downloaded the pics and picked a few of the better one’s to post.

 Madeleine loves to go for a ride on the four wheeler. She knows how to start it, rev it up and helps steer as we cruise around the yard. We decided to take a spin the other day after fitting Maddie’s new bike helmet. My mom came out and snapped a few shots of the munchkin and I and rolled through the mud puddle.

Madeleine loves driving stuff, so a few weeks ago we took her John Deere tractor outside to help move a little snow. We put a few shovels of snow in her wagon and she hauled it away. After a load or two she drove around the yard for bit, with a little help. She’s still working on the foot control to make the tractor go but she getting it.

(Check Christmas 2009 for a few more pics) Christmas 2009  is now just a memory. This year was fun, Maddie sort of got it. She didn’t want anything to do with Santa on this year’s mall visit but she did enjoy opening presents. We actually decorated our tree on Christmas Eve this year. We hope to wrap that up a little earlier next year but it was still fun getting Madeleine to help string the lights and hang ornaments.  I think for a few days after and maybe even a bit now she will still point to or pick something up and ask the adorable question ” Madeleine Grace’s ? ”  Maddie got some nice stuff this year, her John Deere tractor , complete with wagon, was a big hit. She loved her toy laptop too. She occasionally will sit with me and do her ” work ” while use my laptop.  It really does help make Christmas much more fun with Maddie around. I wouldn’t say I’m a grinch but my holiday spirit may not have been at peak capacity in the past few years.

 (take a peek at Tree Search 2009 for a few more pics) I know this one is a bit out of order but a downloading mishap had them hidden for a bit. In keeping with tradition this year we made the trek to see Santa Bob and his Reindogs at the tree farm for the Button family Christmas tree. After a little head start in the search by Kathleen and Madeleine, I arrived and with some debate we found the perfect tree. Which I can proudly say is now planted next to our previous years trees in the yard.