Look, pa: No Cast!

Two weeks after Maddie's arm went into a splint, we heard the news we were hoping for -- she wouldn't need to have a plaster cast. Phew! Here's a pose showing off her healthy arm:



She's back to her little monkey ways: climbing, running, tickling and giggling all day long.

Trick or Treat!

Maddie had a fantastic Halloween! As I type this, she's walking around saying "tick-uh-teet". We'd hoped that she would love her Pebbles costume as much as us, but she didn't want anything to do with either a bone in her hair or carrying a bone. So, she ended up as a hybrid Pebbles-Punker. She quickly learned what it was all about though, and had a unique way of getting candy: After receiving her first piece, she'd just stand there waiting for more. ..and more. ..and more.

An unfortuntate and not-so-great look.

This past Monday Maddie fell down and bit through her upper lip. ..all the way through the skin below the outer portion. The lip started to look better on Thursday.

Then while running from one end of the couch to the other, she tripped, fell to the floor, and did this:


We're headed back to the Doctor first thing on Monday to see if we go to a permanent cast or if she can stay in this temporary splint for a shorter time. Keep your fingers crossed.

She's got the look..

We REALLY like to see Maddie all dressed up in her different outfits. ..and thanks to her cousin's hand-me-downs and a recent visit from Nana and Papa, Maddie's turning into a bit of a clotheshorse. We thought we'd capture some of her "looks":

Pretty in pink:

"The Sophisticate" (probably ordering one of us around):

Ready to go see her favorite band:

Ready to tour with her favorite band:

Sweet in purple and white:

Gettin' urban in her puffy coat and pink boots:

"The roughneck" -- wanna knuckle sandwich?

Gettin' her geek on:

A bit dressy for picking her ultimate pumpkin:

Totally 80's:


Summery in the park:

More to come..

Camping @ Sparge!

Some quick pics from our camping trip this past weekend, which will surely be an annual event (as it has been for Maddie's daddy Randall for the past 10 years..) You may notice Maddie's really (REALLY) into making funny faces these days.

With My Dad Vinnie

In the tent!

Another tent pic (with a favorite silly face)

Crazy about this tiny camping chair!

Trying to get in on some gaming

Relaxing in the river

Finally a few warm days.

This has been an extraordinarily chilly summer here in Santa Cruz, with temperatures barely hitting the 70's for the bulk of the past three months. Until this week.

Maddie decided to don her sunglasses, hat, and swimsuit, and get outside. Here are a few pics:

At the beach watching the waves:

On top of the slide!

On the jetty at the S.C. harbor:

Pointing out a favorite flower while cruising through a friends garden:

Swing!

We're learning the need to get Maddie active EVERY DAY. She's got a lot of energy to burn, and it's hard to keep up!

No more high chair?

This morning we sat Maddie in her booster chair. What happened? She ate her breakfast like a champ, using a fork, grown-up plate, and no bib.




..is it time to get rid of the high chair?

Summertime!

Another lengthy delay between posts because we've been busy running around enjoying summertime! Some shots of our activities:

With my dad at the park:

With my favorite Giraffe!

Shoes! I. Love. Shoes.

In my kiddie pool:

With dad at a concert in the park:

More to come later..

Higher Ground

Maddie's not content to only add walking to her list of accomplishments this week, and decided to tackle climbing, which she mastered this morning. She's very proud of herself, as seen in the final "victory" shot below:





Nothing's safe now!

And she's off. (Walking, that is)

Today Maddie made her usual trip to Tuesday morning Sing-a-long class. As her dad took her out of the stroller she simply stood up and walked away. She walked right passed the sitting area, made a lap of the room, and then walked right out the door.

She walked back at home, to see several different neighbors, and again on cue for this video.

Who flipped the switch?

Maddie's First Birthday

It seems impossible, but here we are at Maddie's first birthday. To mark this milestone, and celebrate what has to be the best year of our lives, we planned a little garden party. Following several weeks of cloudy skies the sun came out and we spent the afternoon outside eating, visiting and singing happy birthday to our little girl. For her part, Maddie was smiling, laughing, and throughout the day remained as cute as ever.

Here's Maddie with a very special cake baked by a very special friend:

Maddie with special guests Papa and Nana and her dads:

..and another special guest, Maddie's cousin Zach:

Beautiful flowers by our great friend Maggie:

TONS of food and even more flowers!

With Nana, Papa, Auntie Lori and cousin Zach:


With the the Schwartz family:



Friends!

More friends!

Of course, a little tackling and playing around (some of the boys were actually *in* the fireplace!) in what has become known as "the playroom" .

A very special birthday card from cousin Megan.

Finally, Maddie in a quiet moment, reflecting on the day and thankful for so much happiness.

Thanks to all who helped to make this year and this day so amazing.