Transition....

....is happening all around us...

I'm transitioning to my new home and routine.

And, to my new potty chair which is by far the COOLEST thing ever invented. I like to sit on it an really crunch up my face like I'm in deep concentration. Then, after a couple seconds I look down to see if anything magically appeared. This photos is from the first day I got it....can you see my excitement? By the way, nothing magical has appeared yet....maybe tomorrow.



I'm transitioning to my NEW BED. It's pretty cool. I supervised Dad in the building process. I was the project manager who helped put parts together, read the instructions, test the strength for climbing purposes and tested the mattress. I really love it and don't plan on going back to my crib anytime soon.









I'm also transitioning into the house chef. It's about time I teach mom and dad a thing or two in the kitchen. I help all the time. I carry things from Mom to Dad or from Dad to Mom. Tonight I taught them how to make homemade empanadas. They sure are messy to make when teaching Mom and Dad how to make them, but they have to learn sometime. I think they turned out pretty well considering I ate all of mine and Mom and Dad sure didn't complain about their meals.





Transitioning....the roughest transition is getting up early for daycare. Mom and Dad wake me now, yup the first time in 2-3 years mom and dad are setting an alarm clock because I like to sleep until 7. Now they wake me at 6:30 to get ready for daycare. Speaking of daycare, it's going okay but I don't have any new boyfriends yet. There is a boy named Nate, but we're just friends. Overall, I really have been a good tropper through this transition and am enjoying playing with new friends.

Okay, until later.
Madeline


(my new hat, scarf and mittens from my buddy Kelly in CO...they are awesome!!!)

ps. did you know the other day on the news they said there were 93 days until X-mas...I better start my shopping. Mom and Dad said I might get one present early this year....a new baby brother or sister....that sounds pretty cool as of now.

I am the big 2.....

....and that means one thing, PRESENTS!

Well I bet you have been wondering when I would update my blog again and include some photos. Well, I've been a little busy....I had to unpack boxes to find the cable to upload my photos....then, I had to find mom's camera that had the photos on it....and then, I had to find the computer. I'm telling you, moving isn't as easy as it seems. Let's go back 2 weeks, that's the the move kicked into "high gear."

The movers came on a Friday. You would have thought they were going to take everything from our house in CO, including the kitchen sink, windows, etc., and move it all to MN. The truck with 53 feet long and it stretched all the way across the cul-de-sac. Mom and Dad told the nice guys that we really didn't have that much stuff and inquired if they were packing a second house in it as well. Nope, just our house. It wasn't half way full when all was said and done. The movers left with all our belongings except what we needed for 1 week around dinner time on Friday. So we stayed in a hotel that night with the 3 dogs...amazingly, everyone slept well.

We took off on Saturday after lunch and drove all the way to IA. The drive really wasn't too bad. Mom and Dad claim they drove through the night but I don't really recall that portion of the drive and think they are kidding. Oh well, we invaded Grandma and Grandpa Kiefers house around 6:30 am on Sunday and camped out there until the following Saturday. I did pretty well and only asked mom a couple times when we were going home. I went to the park, visited Uncle Tom and his family, drove the John Deere tractor and watched some of the Iowa State vs. IA game (which Iowa State won...GO CYCLONES), and read some books, before heading to our new home in MN. Uncle Tom taught me how to make homemade grape juice and I sure thought that was fun. Aunt Mary made me work in the garden and I picked tons and tons of tomatoes.











Our furniture was supposed to arrive in MN on Friday but the moving company decided to wait until Saturday to come. Mom and Dad said I wouldn't be a good help to the movers, so Dad drove up and met the movers with Grandma and Grandpa G and then on Saturday Mom and I drove up. Let me tell you, a 5 hour drive to MN was much better than a 14 hour drive to CO. We arrived to a pretty unpacked house thanks to the help of Dad, Grandpa and Grandma G and Uncle John. They all worked really hard!!

Anyway, we've been settling into a new routine and navigating our way around the rental house. We're out of boxes, we had to be since Mom went to work last Monday and had to find her work clothes. Anyway, I got to stay home and play with dad this past week. I taught him how to feed babydolls, play dress up with baby dolls and play with stickers....I really like stickers....and I played trains with him on the Thomas the train set. It might be my favorite toy now...well, next to my shopping cart. Yup, I got a couple new toys because it was my BIRTHDAY!!!!!















I liked to tell everyone I saw, "I'll be two." For my birthday I helped Grandma frost my strawberry cupcakes and then everyone sang Happy Birthday to me and I opened presents...it was pretty cool. I like to think it was an Elmo birthday since I had Elmo plates and napkins....he rocks in case you didn't know!

How are Mom and Dad doing? Pretty well I guess. They looked a little tired last week and I'm not sure why. Mom started work and Dad stayed home with me during the day, but he claims he was working at night to get some stuff done. I guess the move may have added a wrinkle or two to mom and dad from fatigue and stress that comes with any cross-country move.

How is the rental property? Well it will work for now but Dad and Mom are meeting with a realtor on Tuesday to start exploring the area and homes....apparently this isn't going to be a permanent home.

And me, how am I doing? Well moving is tough no matter how old you are. I have done really well but every now and then I have a little break down and just need some time to cry. Tomorrow I am going to a new daycare....it won't be like Katie's house in CO, but hopefully I can make some new friends fast and get on their routine. I think I'm going to like MN. We went for a run by the lake near our house this weekend and then to a park. It was pretty fun. I always liked my runs in CO with the mountains nearby, but the lakes and trees (that have started to change colors) are equally as pretty. As Annie says, "I think I'm going to like it here." That's my attitude for now.

We're all taking it one day at a time and accepting that we're in a period of transition and no matter how you spin it, transition stinks at times.

The baby....yep, still cooking and set to make his/her debut around Christmas.

Until later,
Madeline

What will I miss in CO for awhile....this view out the kitchen window and throughout our runs of Pikes Peak...



PS. on a funny note, while I say we went for a "family run," it's really more of a modified run/walk...or in mom's case waddle....she's going to surpass the weight she gained when pregnant with me....I find that rather funny!