Just Floating!

Meredith really loves to play in the pool with Daddy. The other day, they played out for such a long time. I went out to see what they were doing and Meredith was just floating around the pool. As most of you have noticed, she always swims naked. We have plenty of cute suits for her, but I guess her birthday one is her favorite!

just haning in my float

Meredith and Daddy having fun!

Just Some Extras!

I always have extra pictures that really don't need a whole post of their own. Here are a some of my favorites from August!

Bath Time

Madilyn LOVES taking baths. I prop up her sponge in my utility room sink and she just kicks back and relaxes. Meredith stands on a chair beside me and "helps".

Madilyn loves sleeping on her Daddy!

I left Madilyn in the chair while I was getting her clothes for the day. Meredith decided to jump on in and start cleaning the breakfast off of herself!

Even though Meredith got in the chair with Madilyn, she doesn't want Maddie Kate to touch her. That would be awful!

Maddie hanging out with her lovey and paci! The two best friends a baby girl could have!

Running From Mommy!

In the mornings, actually any time of the day, Meredith hates getting her diaper changed. She runs away every single time. Since Madilyn came home, I have a new diaper changing rule during the week when I am by myself. If one person gets a new diaper, everyone gets a new diaper. Meredith knows that as soon as I sit down with the basket and call her what it means. She runs off and hides.

I better get away before Mommy gets me!

Good, she can't see me behind this bear!

Mere's go to spot is behind the swing.

Okay Mommy, I will come out now!

Mommy's Little Helper

Meredith pretty much destroys the kitchen whenever I am cooking lunch or dinner. I thought that maybe if I put her to work, it would help there to be less of a mess. While that is not exactly the case, she seems to have a lot of fun. She just doesn't understand not to throw the spoon or whisk when she is done "stirring". (I let her stir after I get everything mixed together.)

Stirring up the sauce for my mac and cheese!

I had a very important phone call to take. It is so hard being like Mommy sometimes!

Seeing Cori!

One of my favorite parts of going to Illinois was getting to see my very best friend Cori. We got to spend the whole day together while everyone was at the golf game. Even though we talk almost every day, it is still not the same as getting to see her. I know that we will probably never live in the same town or even state again, but how I wish I could just pop over and spend the day with her whenever I felt like it.

Madilyn does not like this!

Oh, that's better. At least no one is crying!

I am going to kiss you, Brienna!!!!

(there are no pictures of Cori and me because none of the girls could work a camera)

Visiting Nana!

We went to Geneva to visit my mom, Beolan, and Jake. There is a golf tournament that Michael & my mom play in every year. I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to go visit, especially because now that there are two girls, flying will be a little bit harder by myself.

We had so much fun while we were up. In all of the excitement, we didn't take too many pictures. Next time (in October for Cori's wedding), we will be sure to take tons of pics.

Meredith on the plane. We brought a portable DVD player and she watched Elmo's World. It was a lifesaver.

Madilyn and Daddy
(Mad's first plane ride!)

Madilyn laying in my lap. We did a lot of juggling around...

Madilyn talking to her Nana!

Nana, Aunt Caley, Meredith and Madilyn

(Mere's clothes were covered in food as usual...that is why she is naked a lot!)

Being silly with Nana!

Madilyn loves her Uncle Jake!

Uncle Jake loves Madilyn!

Uncle Jake kissing Mere!

(Meredith was being silly and wouldn't take her picture with Jake. This is a picture from last Thanksgiving.)

That Uncle Jake is soooo silly!

Aunt Caley Visits!

Caley came to visit us a few weeks ago. We were planning a trip up to Chicago. Caley had been wanting to come hang out for a little in the summer, but doesn't really like to fly by herself. She came down and stayed a few days with us before we all headed up north.

The girls loved having their Aunt Caley here. Mere especially loved having someone who was willing to do any of her silly games. I loved it because it gave me an extra pair of hands to pass Madilyn along to when she really needed to be walked around. We love Caley to death, but she is not the most maternal. Maybe one day she will be. At least Madilyn taught her a couple of things!

Madilyn left her mark on Caley!!!

Aunt Caley and Madilyn

(she still loves her, even after the spit up)

What a Lucky Wife!

While I was getting my hair cut a few weekends ago, I came home and found that Michael had bought me these beautiful flowers. He even arranged them in the vase. These flowers lasted so long and he has continued to buy them for me. So now, I always have fresh flowers. It is so great!


Michael and Meredith had also made a trip to Sam's and picked up these little condiment cups. I know it may be silly, but I love them. Meredith does too. She loves to put her ketchup, ranch, or any other dipper in them.

17 Months Old!!!

Meredith Grace....you are 17 months old!

What you are up to

*you love to eat - guacamole, chicken nuggets, fries, tater tots, poppy seed chicken, oreos, macaroni & cheese, any kind of chip or cracker, cheese, ketchup, and ranch (that is really about it - I have no idea how you survive!)

*you sleep from 8 - 8 and take a 2-3 hour nap every day

*you have 12 teeth

*you love to brush those teeth

*you especially love toothbrushes

*you love to play in the pool with Daddy

*you love to read books, play puzzles, play with babies, and balls

*you are a super snuggle bug - you give lots of hugs and kisses

*you can say "Mama", "Da" (for Daddy or Rocky), "Hello" (it sounds more like "eh-yo" and you do it every time the phone rings)

*you love to play chase with Mommy, especially when I jump out and scare you

*you have the sweetest laugh Mommy and Daddy have ever heard

*you love Elmo's World

*you can hear airplanes when they fly over and you point up to them

*you love to play outside

*you pretend to be a big girl and drink out of big girl cups when we let you

*you like to get to start the washer/dryer on laundry days

*you love to play in the refrigerator/freezer

*you eat more ice than is humanly possible

*we think that you are the smartest, funniest girl in the world

*you love Madilyn (you look for her every morning)

*Daddy and Mommy love you more than our hearts can hold!

here is what it was like trying to get a picture....she wouldn't be still or hold the month sign up

I am going to climb out of this chair!

I am so embarrassed! If I just hide my face, Mommy won't see me.

I am going to get Mommy and that camera!

Now, I am just going to ignore Mommy!

A Happy Maddie Kate!

Madilyn is not always in the happiest mood. It has taken some time, but we have finally found a few tricks that will calm her down and get her happy again. She is just so sweet when she is in a good mood. She is even sweet when she is not, but those little smiles are just so much sweeter.

I couldn't just pick a few pictures, they were all way too cute.

I am NOT happy!

After Mommy finally took that bow out of my hair and swaddled me tight, I fell asleep. I actually think this makes Mommy happier than me...

I love to be held upright. Daddy has finally perfected this position.

Mommy made me so made when she took my picture!

It's okay, Daddy know just what to do.

Keep going....

Ahhhh, I am happy again!

And A Maddie Kate Post

Since I had a whole post about the funny things Mere does, I thought Miss Madilyn should have her own post. This is about the extent of her activity right now (unless you count the hours and hours of shrieking that have been going on).

Meredith Just Makes Me Laugh

Meredith is becoming quite the funny girl. She has really started to do things that she knows are funny. It is so neat to just be able to watch her personality start coming out. Every day she does something that I think it is just the cutest and funniest. Then, she will outdo that the next day. I wish I could always have a camera ready, but since I don't, here are a few funnies I caught.

The other day, she pulled a basket out of the cabinet and put it on her head.

She loves to load her body down with whatever she can find. If it has a hole, she can use it as a necklace, a bracelet, or a purse.

Today, I was trying to get a jump start on the day and do some laundry. Meredith decided to "help". She was pulling out any of the clothes that she could possible put on her head. Unfortunately, that happens to be some of my personals, but this was just too cute not to share.