At the zoo...again...

Saturday we went to the zoo.  The weather was warmer and we are all itching for spring so we decided to go walk around and see the animals.  Madi LOVES the carousel.  You wouldn't guess by looking at her face in this picture but it was nap time. 

Madi has become very confident in her walking and no longer wants to be held, in the stroller or the basket.  She only wants to walk.  She was thrilled when we let her walk around at the zoo.  She led the way!

 I love the Asian Highlands exhibit.  I love to watch all the cats and they seem to be out a little more in the winter instead of hiding in the shade.  They have a little one room house that is supposed to be like a home in India.  There is a window that divides it from one of the exhibits.  They lynx used to be in there but this time the snow leopard was in the cage and he was right next to the window.  Madi was thrilled!  She kept saying "cat". 

I LOVE this picture of my sweet baby!!!

 Madi liked the cat exhibit too.  She especially liked the bronze tigers. 

Is there anything sweeter than a daddy and his girl???  I love to watch Derrick with Madi.  She absolutely adores him and he is so sweet with her.  I am so blessed to be married to such an incredible man.  Our kids our so lucky to have a daddy like him.  He knows when to rough house and when to cuddle.  Madi can't get enough of him.  The first thing she says in the morning is "Where's dada?" and about the time he should be coming home she likes to stand and look out the window for him.  She wants to be with him the rest of the night.  She is totally a daddy's girl and I LOVE it! 

 We had originally talked about going to the park but since they have a playground at the zoo we decided we would head there instead.  Madi is in love with slides.  She giggles as she slides down and can't wait to go again.  

We had a wonderful day at the zoo and as a family.  I always enjoy the time I have with Derrick and Madi.

[This picture is supposed to up with the "cat" comment but blogger is being difficult tonight so I will just have to deal with it out of order.  Grrr!]

Mommy's Helper...

Miss Madi has entered the stage of loving to help mommy.  She helps me do the laundry, pick up her toys, do the dishes (sometimes she is TOO helpful with this) and cleaning the floors.  I took two of the segments out of our Swiffer and it makes it the perfect size for her.  She hasn't put it down for days! 

 I love that she is such a good helper and wish it would last forever.  I'm sure it won't but a mom can dream, right?

Pudding anyone???

Madi has become REALLY picky!  One day she will eat something like it is her favorite thing ever and the next she won't even taste.  So, as long as she is eating something we are happy.  Sunday she wanted pudding.  She won't let you help her either.  She wants to be totally independent. 

Crafts...

Last week I worked on a lot of different crafts.  I did Easton's letters (below) and about 11 of my 14 ornaments for my shelf.  I only have pictures of two but I will get the rest posted soon.

 I tried to do as many as I could doublr sided to add a little variety.

Easton Letters...

Bad Hair Day???

Super cute, baby girl!

Mama's girl...

When I was little my mom made me this coat from a velvet skirt she had got from the DI.  We put it on Madi Sunday and it fit her perfect!  She is so stinkin' cute, I just can't get over it!

"Thanks for the coat Grandma!" Love ~ Madi

Addicted???

This little lady is in love with anything that is carbonated!  There is no hiding it from her either.  Saturday night we stopped and rented a movie and got some drinks for our date night.  We weren't even out of the parking lot before Madi started begging for a taste! 

 Sneaking another sip...

 Daddy caught her!  The drink was then put on a high shelf and out of sight.  "Sorry Mads!  No more pop for you!" 

Madi...

Madi loves to look at pictures, especially ones of her.  She looks at her scrapbook several times a week.  It is fun to watch her.  She never gets tired of it.

 She is so excited in this one because she sees her daddy.  She is totally a daddy's girl.  It is so sweet!

 Not sure if she wants to watch Einsteins or come play with mom...

 Mom won!  Peek-a-boo!!!

 I love that little grin!

 She is starting to look more and more like a little girl and not my baby anymore.  I love that she is starting to talk more too!  If only I knew what "THAT" was.  It is her favorite word and she "wants dat" all day! :D

 I love you Madi!  Thank you for being my sweet baby girl!  You are so precious to me and I love being your mommy!

Craftin...

This week  I have spent a lot of time craftin'.  I LOVE to craft.  It relieves stress and is so relaxing for me.

 Hard to see in the picture above but the black has glitter...

 ...and I found some chunky glitter I love for the red!

Easton...

We had the privilege of seeing baby Easton this week.  Look how cute he is!  I get more excited every day!

 Hand

 It's a BOY!!!

 Foot

 Hand

Madi has started saying Easton and Brother this week.  It is so cute.  She is going to be an awesome big sister!

Thank you Mindy for letting us go with you to the ultrasound.  It means so much to us!

So cute...

Last night we had chocolate fondue for dessert.  Madi just kept saying "mmmmm...yum" over and over as she licked the chocolate of the bananas and marshmallows.  She put the whole pretzel in her mouth and sucked of the chocolate and then took out the pretzel and said "kuhka".  She normally likes pretzels. :D

All geared up...

Madi LOVES to be outside and asks me EVERY day if she can go outside.  She will even bring me her coat.  So, the other day I bought a sled at Wal-Mart and thought I would let her try it out.  I got her all dressed up in her hot pink boots and her snow bibs.  She looked so cute in them.

Add gloves, coat and a hat and we are ready to go!

 She was heading for the door as soon as I said we were ready.  She couldn't wait to get out there!

 Not so sure about the sled though.  We have a retention pond next to our house so we took the sled over there to go down the little hills.  She was NOT a fan of the sled.  I think it scared her. 

So, we came back home and just let her play in the snow while Jaxon drug the sled around the front yard.  She likes being out there and doesn't seem to mind the cold of the snow at all.  I have to pick her up and bring her inside because she refuses to go on her own.  I am really looking forward to the spring and summer this year.  I am pretty sure we will be living outside! :D

 Madi will say "brrr".  It is so stinkin' cute!  I love it!

I think with the next big storm we will be making a snowman.  I am excited to do that with Madi. 

Sickies...

My poor baby has a double ear infection.  Doc said that the tube may not be in correctly or that it could just be because they are plugged and she should stop getting them as she grows.  It makes me so sad for her though.  Derrick is sick too.  He has his annual bronchitis.  The doc said it could be triggered by some sort of allergy and told him to take Claritin next December and see if it helps.  I am glad I made him go to the doctor before it turned into pneumonia.  Why are guys so stubborn about going to the doctors???

2011 Goals...

Every year we make goals or resolutions and we rarely make it to the end of January before we stop doing whatever it is we have committed to.  So, I thought that if I write them down I might be better at actually following through!

1. Create and stick to a healthy menu.  The most frustrating part about dinner is deciding what to make.  So, I thought if I have some sort of menu or meal plan it will help me.  It will also help to ensure that my family and I are getting the right balance in our diets.
2. Create and stick to an excercise plan.  I normally say 'lose weight' but this year I am setting goals on how I am going to lose weight.  Since Madi was born I have lost 30 pounds.  I would ultimately like to get back down to what I was when I met Derrick but it will take some time.
3. Read the New Testament.  This is the book we are studying this year in Sunday School and since I am in Primary I want to read it on my own.
4. Stay up to date on my blog.  I have not been as good about posting and then it takes me a long time to get caught up each time.  So, I am going to try to do better at this.
5. Be a better house keeper.  I am going make a plan of what days to do what so I can stay more organized and on top of things. 
6. Go to the temple once a month with Derrick.  We used to go often before Madi was born.  It has been much harder because we have to find a babysitter and because I miss her like CRAZY when I am gone that long.  I miss going to the temple too though so we are committed to do this.  Any volunteers to babysit? :D

That is it for now but I am sure I will be adding to this list.  I hope every one had a great year and is planning on an even better 2011!  Happy New Year!

Madi has this little pink square that we call her 'lovey'.  She is getting pretty attached to it and gets so excited when she has it.

 Being mommy to her baby...

She LOVES babies!  I love to watch her play with them.  She feeds them and rocks them.  It is so sweet to watch her.

 She is walking really good now and only crawls when she is tired.  It is fun to see her grow and see each new stage.  I love it!