Driving my car

First time parents...

....mom and dad have so much to learn!

We had a pretty good weekend. We sure were busy working around the house since it was nice outside on Sunday.

Dad was working on a deck seating area so I made myself the project manager. I offered to help cut the boards, but then I decided to take a nap and gosh, I missed out on all the building. Oh well, maybe next time.

Anyway, let's get to the point of this update. I decided the building environment was a perfect opportunity to see how Mom and Dad would react to an "emergency" situation. They failed.....

A splinter flew into my eye when mom was taking a picture of Dad and I by the new bench. Well, after a minute (can you believe it took that long???) mom looked at my eye because I kept trying to rub it. Anyway, there was a nice splinter floating in my eye and every now and then it was pointed directly outward. Mom and Dad FREAKED OUT (ha ha - you can start laughing now) because obviously I was going to rub it into my eye and do serious damage (still laughing, right?). Anyway, they brought me inside quickly and started stripping me down with the idea of setting me in the sink and starting to run water over my face/eye in hopes the splinter would come out.....
Failure #1 - FREAKING Out
Failure #2 - taking the time to strip me down, if it was that serious they should have started pouring the water over my face eye with clothes on....geez, they value my clothes more than me....

Anyway, in the midst of them stripping me down I continued blinking since mom pinned my arms down so I couldn't rub my eye (bonus point mom) and then the splinter came out enough that mom was able to get it. Wow, I missed out on a bath.....I should have kept them going for a little longer.

After all that Mom and Dad said I wasn't allowed to building the seating area anymore.

Oh well, I guess Mom and Dad have a lot to learn still. Oh well, the joys of first time parenting. ha ha

PS. It's apparent we do not have eye wash at the house for emergencies like this....give dad a few days and he'll probably pick some up.


That's all - Love Madeline

Life in the fast lane....

I have 2 speeds, stop and go....there is no inbetween. Really, life in a fast lane makes a girl my age super tired.

It's been awhile since I've updated. No reason for that really other than I've been busy as the weather has improved. I've been taking Mom, Dad, Elvis, Sadie and Dibs on lots of walks and I've also been teaching mom the art of pushing me on the swing...she's getting pretty good at it. She has mastered multi-tasking while I swing; she pushes me and then throws the ball for Sadie to fetch. We do this nightly unless the weather is bad.



I have been practicing driving my jeep. It's tough work really and I prefer looking over my shoulder and going backwards, mom claims I'm learning to parallel park early in life.



I finally got fed up of mom and dad shoving food in my mouth all the time and have taken control of the situation. My new favorite foods are, toast with grape jelly....I really like the jelly but mom says the toast comes with it....anyway, I also like my cheerios, puffs (banana, apple cinnamon and sweet potato flavored) and yogurt bites.....they're all pretty yummy! I still like my cereal (apple flavored of course) and pretty much everything else....with the exception of green beans.

I have two teeth! Mom and Dad call them my chompers......something about them being sharp. I'm pretty proud of them though and am now working on a third tooth. I know I mentioned my teeth before but I really am excited about them.

I've been practicing standing a ton and figuring out this walking thing. I like to look out the front window but I have a difficult time seeing over the ledge.....don't tell Mom but I put my fingers all over the window right after she washed them the other day....I thought they needed my personal touch.



I'm going to help Mom and Dad out with some projects pretty soon. Dad is definitely going to need my help fixing our deck and Mom will need my guidance when planting flowers.....speaking of flowers it's a good thing we have held off planting them so far because it's supposed to snow tonight.

A couple weeks ago I went to the airport....no I didn't go anywhere. I met Rita. We got to have breakfast together while she had a layover on her way to South Carolina.....I've never been there but Mom say's well go someday to visit Uncle Matt and his family.



Well, I gotta run. Mom says it's way past my bedtime.

Love - Madeline

I'm Free.....

We have a chomper!!!

It's been crazy around the house the past 2 weeks.

I've had mom and dad on the edge of their seat thinking I was getting a cold. Maybe I was...I mean, I did have a fever for 2 days and a stuffy nose. To top it off I've been extra fussy. Did I mention I've been drooling up a storm???.....heck, I've been able to drench a shirt in 2 min. with slobber (mom and dad love my wet kisses) Tonight, I finally showed mom why I had been on an emotional roller coaster the past 2 weeks....I GOT A TOOTH!!! It's a sharp little devil too....do you want to feel it? I'll clamp down and chew on your hand. I'm quite proud of it though.



In addition to my tooth I've been working on walking. Yes, that correct. Although crawling may be fun for some, I am opting to walk so I don't get my clothes dirty crawling on the floor. It's lots of hard work, but it sure is fun.

I'm an offical Jeep owner now. Since I like walking so much, mom and dad finally bought me a Jeep walker. I spend a ton of time walking and looking at myself in the side mirrors....don't I look pretty in my photo below...heck, yesterday I was in it for almost 1 hour straight.....Look out boys, I'm a girl on the run now and have a set of wheels to drive you around (dad says no passengers for now, but it will be our little secret)



Other than that not alot has changed. I love vegetables and prunes. Prunes really are my favorite food. Mom and Dad say they really "get things moving"....I'm not sure what they are talking about.

Have a great week!

Love - Madeline Rose

Look at me....

...I sure am growing fast. Yesterday was Easter and it sure was fun. We went to church, came home a played and then we went to some friend's house for dinner....they also have a little boy, Colin, who I like to flirt with but shhh, don't tell mom and dad.

I've been a busy girl lately. I can crawl....mom and dad call it a modified crawl since I only go in circles, but that allows me to reach what I want. Going forward and backwards would be like meeting societies expectations so I'm doing it my own way and being slightly stubborn. ha ha...

Here are a few video clips of me in action. I thinking of becoming a professional actress since mom and dad like to video record me in action so much.

Enjoy!!!

Love - Madeline

World Traveler...

It's been pretty busy around here.

I think it's important that we acknowledge I'm officially a world traveler.....I went to Ohio. I guess it's a popular travel destination......however, it was my understanding most people travel someplace warm, like FLORIDA or HAWAII when it's cold and snowy out.....but apparently, Ohio is equally as fun. I got to fly on my first plane and it was so fun and overstimulating, that I took a nap to pass the time.....so I really don't remember much of the flight.

We had a good trip. Mom had to work a little bit, but dad and I tagged along to see some relatives. I actually met my Great Grandpa......and you know what, he was pretty great. I think that's why they call him Great Grandpa. I also hung out with Grandma and Grandpa G, plus I got to meet some new aunts, uncles and cousins. It was a fast trip but it went well.

Let's focus on me now.....

Sitting - I have perfected the art of sitting up by myself for extended periods of time. It's rather fun and exciting....now I can see things from higher than 4 inches off the ground since I'm not stuck on my tummy anymore. Usually after 15 min I get a little tired and "face plant" on the floor. Mom and Dad say it's all part of the growing process, I think it kind of hurt when that happens. (I can almost stand by myself)

Food - I prefer my dairy diet, but mom and dad say I have to eat rice cereal. Let's get your vote on this topic....why would I want to eat rice cereal when mom and dad are eating steak? Rice cereal, really! Have you tried it?! Mom and Dad haven't even tried it because it is that unappealing. Don't you think they should give me something more exciting.....like OREOS (hint, hint)...if you don't mind, please drop a hint to my parents.

I'll be 6 months old this week. That's practically old enough to drive a car! Look out world, here I come! ............well, maybe I'll take up walking first.

That's all for now....

Love - Madeline

Possible Careers....

Since I just reached my 5 month old birthday I decided it's time I start considering possible careers. You can never start thinking about these things too early. Below is my list so far.

Option 1 - Night Guard

I thought this might be a good fit for me since I'm good at staying up late. I've tried to teach Mom and Dad, but they really aren't fans of the Night Guard option. I don't know though, I think with a few more months of training they'll be pretty good at it and we could start a family business

Option 2 - Veterinarian

Since we have 3 dogs it only makes sense for me to be a veterinarian. I've been practicing petting the dogs lately and mom is teaching me how to tell Dibs NO when he gives me a mean look. She says there is a no return policy with me and not on him.....I'm not sure what she's talking about, but I think that means I get to stay.

Option 3 - Chef

I don't let Mom and Dad cook dinner anymore without sitting in my blue chair on the counter. I have to be a part of the action and also, I'm giving instructions on what ingredients to add and how much. The meal always looks yummy but for some reason they won't let me sample....maybe someday I can try the big-kid food, because this Rice Formula they shoved in my mouth the other day tasted pretty bland. How come they get all the good stuff?!

Option 4 - Teacher

I sure love reading books so I think I might be a good teacher. I don't think it matters if I eat the books as well. Some people say they learn from osmosis, well I learn from chewing on the book. Anyway, I have a few favorites now and we read them every night.

Option 5 - Podiatrist

I am fascinated by my feet. I almost got one in my mouth the other day, but I got distracted by a toy so I stopped trying. They are great to grab onto and roll around with on the floor. I'm not sure where they came from, but they appeared in the last month and are good friends of mine. I think I could be really good podiatrist......especially if I get to play with other peoples feet.

Option 6 - Audiologist

The last career I am currently considering is an audiologist. For an obvious reason, I work with them all time with my Microtia. My audiologist is really cool and I think it would be fun to work with other kids with hearing problems when I grow up. I might be able to relate to them and help them hear better.

So those are my current career ambitions. I was going to say I want to be a dancer because I like to wiggle all over the floor and am becoming very mobile, but mom and dad said they like the options above more.

Speaking of wiggling, I'm almost mobile. I can roll all around and get the toys I want. I still prefer to stand and hold onto the couch, but this rolling thing is great because I am becoming independent. I talk to all my toy friends when playing on the ground now too......Dad says he has no idea where all my talking comes from and then looks at Mom (I think it's because she likes to talk as well).

I have a busy weekend coming up. I'm flying on a big plane....remember the thing that is like a bird and flys through the sky....yep, that. Anyway, I'm flying on a plane to Ohio...yes, I'm taking Mom and Dad with me. Mom has to work on Saturday, but other than that I get to meet lots of new relatives. I hope I remember all their names. Mom and Dad hope I take my nap on the plane....I'll let you know how that goes after the trip.

Peace - Love - Happiness -

Madeline

See - I can sit up all by myself!

Splish-Splash....

....I was taking a bath......

Yes, I was taking a bath the other day and figured out I can splash the water. It was rather fun because mom was trying to get me clean and I was kicking the water and wiggling around. I sure like my bath. I like it so much I accidently tinkled in it when mom set me in....mom said it defeated the purpose of the bath. Oh well, at least there was nothing floating so she should be happy.

I really enjoy swinging now too. It was 50 degrees over the weekend so mom and dad let me go outside and play on my swingset. It's REALLY fun! I smiled and giggled while swinging when mom played the "Blast-off" game with me....she says, "1, 2, 3, BLASTOFF" and I would swing real high!

I'm a real mover and shaker now. Mom and Dad lay me on the ground to play in my jungle and I twist and turn around to get the toys I want. I don't really need to roll over to get them when I can just turn in circles. The other day Mom was playing with me and looked away for a second (maybe two) and I rolled over.....again, when she didn't have the camera out to record it....ha ha ha...I'm sneaky!

I found my feet the other day....I have 2 of them....it's crazy! They move all over the place and I can't figure out how. I've been concentrating on them alot lately. I'm not sure when they appeared but they sure move alot.

Last week I gave mom and dad a flashback to life when I was first born. Now that I'm almost 5 months old they had almost forgotten. So, I decided to get up multiple times during the night....mom and dad loved the extra time with me I think. I made sure to catch some extra naps at daycare to help me power through the nights with mom and dad.

I met the plastic surgeon, Dr. McDowell, today. Sounds like I will have my first surgery in June to remove the skin tag on my right ear. Although there was talk about other surgeries when I am around 7 years old, Mom and Dad are thinking of not doing them unless I think it's important at some point in life. If God thinks I'm special enough to have a special ear, then why get rid of it or try to hide it.

I think Dad really wants a new car. He wants one so bad he let someone hit his Jeep again last week. Mom said there are other things to do for fun then let people hit your car. It was the second time in 5 months someone has hit him. Both times he was sitting at the stoplight, what are the odds?!! Dad's okay....he got a little whiplash, but his Jeep has an owie. So Saturday I took Mom and Dad car shopping. They found one they like, a Jeep Commander. It's a little bigger than the Wrangler and hopefully a little safer and HOPEFULLY NOT A BUMPER CAR MAGNET! (that's the goal) Maybe they'll finally buy one versus just talk about it.

Well, that's all for now. I'm tired and should go to bed.

Love - Madeline

Report Card

...well it's time to share my report card and status update.

I've been a busy girl since my last post. I started daycare and gosh, it's going great. So great that I now have a boyfriend....or two. Fletcher is 5 months old and we sit next to each other in our bouncy chairs quite a bit. I like to talk to him too and he's a really good listener. We like to roll on the ground as well and it turns out we both started rolling over a week ago so now we can be even closer together....just what dad wants to hear. Then there is Owen who is 3. Mom thinks he likes me because he chats with her when she drops me off....she thinks he's trying to suck up to her so he can date me. I tell you, it's tough having 2 boyfriends. Dad says he's going to check for hickey every night.....I don't know what he's talking about. Mom says she can't keep up with all these boys.

Yes, you read that correctly above. I now can roll over. Last weekend mom set me on the ground and joking told dad "I think she wants to roll over tonight" and low and behold.....I did. ha ha - I did it when they didn't have a camera out or anything. Pretty sneaky on my part.

I had a 4 month check up last week and wow, I'm growing like a weed......at my own pace which apparently isn't very fast. Somehow I started in the 90th percent for height/weight and now I'm in the 20th. I'm now 24 inches long and 12 lb. and 4 oz. Don't worry, I eat like a champ and then work it off with all this exercise and moving I'm doing. Mom is convinced I'm teething and she might be right.....but I'm going to wait awhile to tell her that one.

This weekend we had lots of fun. Mom and Dad took me to my first Iowa State basketball game against UC-Boulder. No offense, but their arena is aweful....it was old and really, really, really small and there weren't many people there. So few actually we sat in the 8 row. I cheered really loud and then decided to "tip the bottle" when I got bored. It sure was nice mom and dad brought me a bottle so I could have a snack don't you think. It was a great game and heck, Iowa State won so I must have brought them good luck.

Other than that, not much else new. I now am on skype so if you want to chat with me let me know.

Love - Madeline

PS. Mom and Dad are doing alright still.

New Year's Resolutions....

Happy New Year.....(close enough)

(I fell asleep in my rocker chair playing with my mom's baby rattle....I think I was praying for a new one of my own)

I would have updated the blog before now, but Mom and Dad were around more since it was Christmas and they didn't have to work. They require lots of attention, so I've been a little busy and haven't had the chance to use the computer.

(Santa's goodies)

Christmas came and went......it was pretty good though. I helped mom put out some cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.......I made mom put the plate up high so the dogs wouldn't get the carrots since they like them so much. Then, I wanted to put milk in Santa's mug, but mom thought Santa was getting lots of milk from all the other kids and informed me he really prefers wine. Since I wasn't sure how much to give him I put the bottle in the mug and figured he'd poor himself a glass......can you believe it?!! He drank the entire bottle. I hope he make it to the next house okay. Anyway, the cookies and carrots were gone in the morning as well so maybe next year I'll leave some more. I think I heard Santa during the night around 2 AM....so I made mom get up to protect me....while up I had a mid-night snack and got a new diaper too.

This Christmas thing is pretty neat though. I got presents. I had to have help opening them, but they are all really cool. I even got my first John Deere tractor.....before Dad. ha ha ha

(I guess I went to X-mas mass)

We went to church on Christmas eve and arrived 1 hour early hoping to secure a seat. We were the 2nd, yes SECOND, family in the entire place. So needless to say we had our pick of seat. I really wanted to sit in the front row, but Mom and Dad made us sit near the back by the exit. I guess that was okay since I was extra fussy in my pretty Christmas dress. It felt like we were at church forever so I finally gave up and took a snooze.....that seemed to help. Mom and Dad said the 15 min. of mass they saw/heard was rather nice.

(I got a little tired vacuuming.....I'm not really into the chores thing)

Not much else is new here. I've been hanging out at home this week with Mom since she doesn't have to work. It's been a busy week though. She made me help vacuum.....I tried to eat my way out of the carrier and then gave up and took a nap...all while she was vacuuming.

Next week though, I'm going to daycare and going to meet a 9 month old boy.....perhaps a future boyfriend????? I better look cute for my first day. (Dad is nervous already about the boy)

(Dad and I were really excited the Browns won a game)

Okay, gotta run. Tonight is New Year's Eve.....lots of partying to do around here with mom and dad.

My New Years Resolution......

...learn to crawl

...learn to walk

...eat some real food

...travel to some new states

It's going to be a big year, but a good one....

Love Madeline

Back to work she goes...

Mom went back to work....so let the party begin.

It's been a busy 2 weeks in our household. Mom went back to work.....she said it has something to do with "bringing home the bacon"......I always thought you bought bacon at the store, but whatever. I'm still convinced when mom and dad go to work they are really taking naps. Since I don't get as much time with mom and dad during the day now I've decided to stay awake a little later and get up during the night to have my quality time with them. Mom says we can play in the evening and on the weekends, but the night time wake up calls are not necessary. That's her opinion.

Grandma and Grandpa G are visiting right now. They make great playdates when mom and dad are at work. Initially I thought it was funny to cry when Grandpa would hold me. I only did that for a couple days then I decided to be nice and let him give me loving as well. Grandma talks to me a ton and I think she's silly. I'm pretty lucky though, since they came out to play with me for 2 weeks I don't have to start day care until January. Lucky me!

We have all the Christmas decorations up. I really wanted Dad to put Christmas lights on the roof that said, "Santa Stop Here" but Dad said maybe next year. I'm a little worried though, because when I went to see Santa I got all nervous and didn't tell him where I live....hopefully he can find me. Maybe if I stay up real late and get up during the night on X-mas I'll flag his sleigh down.......I have to remember to put out some peanut butter cookies (mom says they are Santa's favorite) and carrots for Rudolph (mom says they'll go quickly, hopefully the dogs can't reach them because they love carrots too).

I'm officially 3 months old now. I love to sit up and stand.....really those are my favorite things to do. Mom and Dad say they'll have to baby proof the house sooner than later.....little do they know I'll break through any "baby-proof" item they install. They're in a for a true experience raising me. ha ha ha

Have a Merry Christmas filled with lots of love from the Ho-Ho-Ho man.....that's Santa!

Madeline

So close and yet so far away....

Look at me....I'm trying to roll over....easier said than done. But I figure once I master this I'll be ready for the Olympics......

Did I mention I can almost sit up and I love to stand holding on to things.....Dad and Mom say baby-proofing the house may come sooner than later.

Love -
Madeline

BAHA

Amazingly Madeline is giving me the opportunity to update the blog...I'm guessing it's a one time thing.

Today was a fun day. Madeline got her BAHA hearing device. It was so funny to see her reaction to the BAHA once it was in place and turned on. Her eyes got very wide, she looked around and then cried. Our audiologist said that is a common reaction. After a minute though she was looking around and listening with stereo sound for the first time.

It's a slick little device. The audiologist had Jeremy and I put it up to our heads as well so we could hear the different. Amazing, is all we can say to describe it. The BAHA is programmed specifically to Madeline's hearing so it should allow her to have close to 100% hearing with the device on. It turns out Madeline is the first person in the entire USA to get a white BAHA; it's a brand new model so they are still being shipped around the world. They felt bad that her white device hadn't arrive by today, so they provided us a free headband which holds the BAHA in place. So until next week we have a loner BAHA, but it works just the same.

I'm sure we'll have some fun putting it in place multiple times a day as Madeline's little hand like to tug at it already.

Overall, a great day.

Road Trip....

....to Iowa for my Baptism and Thanksgiving.

I experienced my first major road trip.....14 hours to be exact. Everyone always complains about the drive across NE Colorado and Nebraska, but I didn't think it was that bad......granted I slept the entire way except when we stopped so I could eat, get a diaper change and fill the car with gas. It was a busy trip so I'll try to highlight the "big" moments.

We first went to Iowa State University. Mom said it was important for Dad and I to see the school and meet CY, the mascot. We got to meet lots of Mom's old co-workers and hang out for a day. It was lots of fun and actually rather funny......mom said I shouldn't tell anyone but I watched her eat an entire buttermilk pancake.....it was the first time she accomplished this and said it took 10 years of training. Dad was impressed and I just watched in disbelief. As a reward, she earned a t-shirt. To say Mom's a good-eater is an understatement.

When we were at Iowa State we got to meet a really cool girl named Kristin who has Microtia too. She was really nice and very informative. Heck, I liked her so much I didn't cry once when she held me.

Then we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Kiefer's house. It was nice to get out of the car and stretch. We got a there a few days before everyone else because I was getting baptized on Sunday, Nov. 22. The night before the baptism mom and dad learned that there was a family baptism gown which she and all her brothers were baptized in.....so instead of wearing my new dress, I got to wear the gown. Grandma and Grandpa Gacnik and Mckenzie came to my baptism as well. Uncle Tom and Aunt Mary are my Godparents so they were there too. Mom says I was a good girl for my baptism. Amazingly I was awake the entire time and didn't cry once. What a trooper! The baptism was okay.....it was a like a mini-bath where they only watch my hair and then put some smelly oil on my head. I was hoping for a dunk-tank but mom and dad chickened out. If you want to know more about that, just ask mom or dad for the details.

Uncle Matt and Dan and their families all came in town Monday night. It was the first time in 5 or 6 years that all of the kids had been together for a holiday. A rare occasion and I like to think it's because of me.....they probably wanted to meet me and see if I was going to be heart-breaker like dad says.

We had a fun week. The big kids worked in Grandpa's Workshop using their imaginations and building a boat. The dad's got to split wood for Grandpa. It was rather entertaining. I, however, focused on diaper blowouts and extreme spit-ups. I thought that was more fun. Mom and Dad took me to the John Deere Tractor Museun and I got to sit on my first lawn mower with dad. Then mom said I had to learn how to milk a cow.....I didn't have the heart to tell her it was a fake cow.

The trip back to Colorado went well too. We visited some relatives, Leon and Heather and their kids and had lunch with them. Then it was on the road again. I traveled well but was happy to get home. So happy, I stayed up until 3 AM. Mom and Dad said that was "alot of fun" but I sensed some sarcasm in their voice.

This week I'm headed to the head surgeon for some more info on my hearing and I get my BAHA hearing device on Friday. I guess I'm excited for that.

This weekend is when the real fun begins.....I'm getting my first Christmas tree. I hope mom and dad let me put it in my bedroom....that would be cool.

Until next time -

Maddie Rose

(our attempt at a cousins photo....Caleb didn't want to do it)