Our Cheerleader!

I have been so bad about taking pictures recently and updating our blog! I finally took some pictures this weekend and posted a picture from our trip to Northern Virginia a couple of weeks ago.

I ran in the Monument Avenue 10K this morning and Bill and Madelyn came out to cheer everyone on. Unfortunately, they didn't see me run by, but Madelyn had a good time listening to the bands and cheering everyone else on. I had a great time running the race. I ran a little slower than usual this year and finished at 1:00:16. Hopefully I'll pick up my pace next year. I had a great time training (mostly socializing) with all of my girlfriends and especially enjoyed all of our post-run Starbucks outings.

This afternoon, I went to a 10K celebration party at a friends house and then we watched the NCAA tournament. Madelyn sported her UConn cheerleading outfit in their win over Missouri. Her great Aunt Amy gave her this outfit for her 1st birthday and she loved wearing it this afternoon. Bill and I need to get her a UR and JMU cheerleading outfit for next year!

Madelyn and AJ Baskette eating their snack together at the picnic table. Do we see a budding long distance relationship? Daddy and Madelyn watching the game together!

Go UConn!

This picture is a little fuzzy because Madelyn never stands still for me to get a good picture!

New shoes and some random pics

Here are some pictures from some of the things we've done in the past week. Last Sunday, we went to Saxon to get some new shoes for the spring/summer. Madelyn purchased her first pair of Keds and absolutely loves walking around in them. We've been calling her "Happy Feet" all week.

Madelyn has also figured out how to take off her shirt. On Wednesday, she took her shirt off non-stop so I had to take some pictures. Bill isn't too happy about me posting these pictures, but I thought they were pretty funny.

We have had some company this weekend. Aunt Amy, Uncle Sam, and Baby Cora are staying with us for a bit while they are renovating their kitchen. Madelyn has had so much fun having a "Baby" in the house. It's been such a treat and she's trying to teach Cora all kinds of new things. Madelyn is also trying to mimic Cora while doing tummy time and laying on her back with the baby.

We are heading up to Northern Virginia tomorrow to visit our friends while the daddies are away on business. We'll post some pictures from our trip later on this week!

Madelyn sporting her new Keds!

Madelyn wouldn't keep her shirt on last week!

Madelyn and her cousin Cora!

They are becoming best buddies!

Snow Day

We were so excited on Sunday when it started to snow and actually stuck to the ground! Since it is the first real snowstorm we've gotten since 2005, we all thought it was a big deal here in Richmond. Madelyn didn't know what to think of the snow when we went out yesterday morning. We stood her in the snow on our driveway, she immediately fell over, and that was the end of our playtime in the snow. I had to hold her the rest of the time as we walked through the neighborhood to visit our friends.

I decided to try out the snow again after nap time since Bill had shovelled the driveway and it wasn't quite as cold and windy. Here is a recap of my conversation with Madelyn:

Me: Madelyn, do you want to play in the snow?
Madelyn: No
Me: Madelyn, Do you want to touch the snow?
Madelyn: No
Me: Madelyn, do you want to hold this snowball?
Madelyn: No

Madelyn, was content walking around the driveway looking at the snow. At the end, I decided to sit her in the snow, but that didn't quite work out either. This was Madelyn's reaction:


Needless to say, we had a good time enjoying the snow, but we are really excited about the 60+ degree weather we are getting by the end of the week. We are ready for spring!

Getting ready to go outside and play in the snow!Madelyn right before she fell in the snow and the show was over!Mommy and Madelyn on our walk in the neighborhood.A very happy Madelyn playing on the clean driveway and sidewalk! Madelyn and her friend Liam getting ready to go outside!

Very tired out after a long snow day!

Valentine's Weekend

We don't do much celebrating on Valentine's Day because Bill thinks it's a useless and pointless Hallmark holiday. However, I did use it as an excuse to give Madelyn a new toy and Bill and I made a delicious steak dinner on Saturday night. Here are some pictures from the past week. The first picture is of Madelyn and Baby Cora. Madelyn loves wearing bows (which I'm sure you can tell from all the pictures) and has started sharing her bows with others. She had a great time last week placing her bow on Cora's head and teaching Cora how to wear a bow. We are looking forward to the day when we can introduce Cora to her first bow:)

On Sunday night, we got together with a bunch of our good friends. It's so crazy how we have grown in size over the last several years. Our dinner consisted of 18 people including the kids. It was a lot of fun but very chaotic at the same time!

Madelyn sharing her bow with Cora!

Reading her Valentine from Daddy!

Madelyn playing with her new tunnel!

Madelyn loves her new shopping cart from Nana and Pop. She's taking after her Mommy with her love for shopping!

Notice that Madelyn is the only girl except for Delia in her carrier to the right!

Madelyn and Judah sitting at the picnic table. She thought she was such a big girl sitting at the table!

Winter to Spring in a week

I wanted to catch you guys up on some of the stuff we've been doing in the last week. We've had some crazy weather with some snow last Monday and 70+ weather this past weekend. For our family in CT, you will laugh because the picture below is the most snow we've gotten all year. It's pretty pathetic!

Last Friday, we had a small baby shower for a family friend. McKinley, Amy, and I grew up together and now we have our own little girls. Madelyn loved playing with Kaley and they held hands and played baby dolls together. Ever since Kaley's visit, Madelyn has been obsessed with her "Baby."

This weekend, we spent almost the entire weekend outside playing on the playground, going on walks, Bill played golf, and we took a trip out to Nana and Pop's house. It was so nice and Madelyn loved spending some quality time with her Daddy home. It's busy season, so it's a treat to have Bill home all weekend!

Please keep Bill's Mom, Michele, in your prayers this week. She starts Chemo for breast cancer on Thursday. Good luck Grandma!

Here are some pictures from the last week:

Madelyn standing next to our "Big" snow for the year. We're hoping for a little more next time!

The first snow we had in our new house.Madelyn and Kaley playing with their dolls!It's crazy how we have all grown up holding our little girls!This is Madelyn's new toy. I'm not sure Fenway is very happy with this situation!Madelyn playing at Nana and Pop's house in the warm weather!

Enjoying the warmer weather

On Friday, Madelyn and I went on a walk and to the playground with some of our good friends. We were really excited because our friends, the Baskette's, were in town from Northern Virginia. It was 60 degrees on Friday so we took advantage of the warmer weather. It was such a tease!

Madelyn has started insisting that she eats with a spoon at all meals. It took me a couple of days to figure out why she resisted and pushed away the spoon when I was feeding her some of her meal. It then dawned on us that she wants to eat by herself. It makes for quite a messy meal, but she loves it and thinks she's such a big girl!

Swinging with Karyn and AJ Baskette!Missy with her sweet little boys!Getting ready to go down the slide!Yeah, I made it!Madelyn eating her dinner like a big girl!

Video of Madelyn talking on the phone

Bill shot this video this weekend and we wanted to share it with everyone!