Exploring...

Madi has been moving around for awhile now. She lays on her back and scoots herself with her legs. Earlier this week I was checking my email and Taylor said "Madi's under the bed and she won't come out!" She had got under the chair and then under the bed. It is AMAZING that she hasn't bonked her head a million times!

Daddy time...

Winter...

Derrick got me WINTER for Christmas. I finally got them finished and will get to enjoy them for a month or two before I bust out my SPRING and EASTER letters.

Another first...

My poor Madi has her first ear infection. She has been really great except when she gets tired and then Tylonol is the only thing that will calm her down. Hopefully the antibiotics will work quick! All the nurses at the doctors office just love when we come. They gather round and talk and play with Madi. They can't believe how big she is getting and how much she has changed since she was born. Madi LOVES the attention and totally eats it up!

Frustrated, irratated, mad and other stuff like that...

We found out today that we are not going to be able to finalize on the 4th of Feb. which means that we can't be sealed or bless Madi. We have to wait until we are finalized before we can do that. There is a hold up in some of the legal work that has to be worked out first. We thought it had already been taken care of but apparently not. It is so frustrating because there is nothing we can do about it and we just want to take Madi to the temple and KNOW that she is ours forever!!! As soon as we have a finalization date we will let you know.

Chompers...

My mom gave Madi a gift card to Wal-Mart for Christmas. We took her down the toy aisle and let her pick a couple toys. She picked a sea horse that has a glowing tummy and plays music and a baby doll. She LOVES them both! She will stare at her baby's face and gets so excited when we bring it out.

Giving baby kisses Madi has been wanting to sit up or stand. She does not enjoy laying on her back like she used to. I try to have her sit every day and she is getting pretty good. She will sit a few minutes before she gradually goes closer and closer to the floor, folding herself in half. :) I tried to get Madi to show me her teeth for the camera but her tongue was in the way in most of them. You can kind of see them in this one.
Madi's teeth... with a little help from mom. :)Madi is doing new things every day. It is fun to start feeding her new things. She HATES peas. She LOVES sweet potatoes. She thinks pears, apples and peaches are SOUR and makes the cutest faces when we feed her these. She isn't so sure about the chicken and vegitable dinner and doesn't seem to mind carrots. She likes to chew on frozen fruit. She has tried mangoes and peaches and I think she likes the mango best.

Since she has got her teeth she has started to chew her fingers on the side of her mouth. On occasion she bites them or her tongue and I have to remind her that it hurts when we bite. The poor kid. All these new things to learn and remember. :)

Always changing...

I wanted to let everyone know that we have decided to change Madi's blessing to Saturday night after the sealing. We thought a lot about it and didn't want everyone to have to drive up twice so we feel like this is the best solution. We are waiting for the final okay but as of right now we have scheduled our old church building in Bountiful. As soon as we know for sure we will get the invites out!

Looking...

Derrick and I have felt pretty safe since the recession started as far as his job goes. Turns out that when people are having a hard time, beer sales go up. We did not expect however, for Miller and Coors to merge. Because of the merger, the Miller distributor in Salt Lake is buying M&M Distributing. From the sounds of it they intend to move everything over to M&M Distributing and sell their warehouse. Since they already have a staff, they don't need the employees that are currently working for M&M. That means if the sale goes through (VERY likely at this point) then Derrick won't have a job come the end of February/beginning of March. So, we are officially looking for jobs.

Number two...

Madi's second tooth broke through today. She has had a miserable couple of days. The poor thing. One thing that I have to say though is that I LOVE how cuddly she has been. She has just wanted me to hold her and lay on my shoulder. She usually wants to be playing and moving all around, not cuddling. She is such a good little one. Even though she is not feeling great, she still gets the sweetest smile when we talk to her. She is our little angel!

mmm...chocolate...

My sister brought our Christmas presents back from Texas from my mom and I got them on Tuesday. She put Dove Chocolates in our stockings. I decided that since grandma had sent it to Madi that I would let her have a taste. I was originally going to just let her lick it a few times but she wanted the WHOLE thing! Since she is just so cute I let her. She was elated! All done!!! Needless to say, bathtime followed... :)

bUsy, BusY, buSy....

We had a BUSY day yesterday! It started at the doctors for Madi's 6 month/adoption finalization appointment. She weighs 16 lbs putting her in the 75% and is 25 inches long putting her in the 60% for her height. While we were there she was chewing on my fingers and she bit me with her first tooth!!! One finally broke through and the other one is so close you can see it. I will post a picture as soon as she will move her tongue without the help of my fingers. :)

Since Derrick is sick we brought him along with is. He has bronchitis. He just finished his medicine for pneumonia a week and a half ago! The poor guy. I dropped him off at his parents so he could rest and so I didn't have to take him back home and headed down to Lehi for a much needed hair cut.

Bekka, my sister, is going to cosmetology school so I went to be her model for the day. She did an AWESOME job and I would recommend her to anyone! I will post pics of the cut soon. Since Taylor was there with me and she was so good and has been wonderful at keeping her panties dry (yep, she's potty training) she got her nails painted and even got little flowers on them.

After we were done there and grabbing a quick bite to eat we went to my brothers to play. My niece Caitlin is only a month younger than Taylor. While they played I thought I would play with my cute little nephew Brenton. He is ten days younger than Madi. I picked him up only to have him totally FREAK OUT on me. I seem to remember Whitney and Caitlin both doing this as well and I would just have to hold them until they liked me, sometimes it took a while. :D Brenton was completely inconsolable in my arms and his crying started Madi crying. After a few minutes, his daddy, Nicholas, rescued him from me and was able to calm him back down. I really wish I lived closer or they lived closer or something so that they would know me and not get so upset when I pick them up. Seriously, the girls both love me now that they remember me. :D

We headed to Target to fill Derrick's prescription and by that time it was time to head back to Bountiful to drop Taylor off to her mom. I went and picked up Derrick and then stopped at Costco to pick up Madi's announcement which I have to say turned out so good. She FINALLY gave me her beautiful smile while I had my camera out. What a sweetheart!

We stopped at the distribution center for a few things before going to LDS Family Services for our FINAL supervisory visit with Lisa, our caseworker. We were there until 7:30 and then were finally able to go home from our LONG day and curl up on the couch with Simon, Randy, Kara and Victoria. It was a great day and we got lots done but I am looking forward to a slower day, with less driving, at home. :D

Seriously... so cute...

I have to start by saying that I have the CUTEST daughter ever!!! She is such an angel and I am so lucky to have her. Even though she is really somber in this picture I LOVE it!!! It is one of Derrick's faves too!Last night while we were reading scriptures Madi started to pull her blanket over her head and then would pull it down and giggle before repeating it. She can play peek-a-boo!!! :DWhat a cute smile!!! She did the funniest thing on Saturday. I wiped her nose and set her on the floor to go get her bottle. She was SCREAMIN' MAD because she hates to get her nose wiped. So, Derrick went and picked her up while I finished the bottle. When I went to get her she turned her head the other way. Derrick turned her toward me and again, she turned her head. I took her and she got upset again and wouldn't eat. I told Derrick to come see if it was just because she was too mad at me. IT WAS! Since Derrick is sick I told him to go to bed and I would take care of it. I put my arms out to Madi and she went off, jabber at me and telling me how it was between sobs. I said I was sorry and she came right to me. It was so funny and so cute. What a sweetheart!

Splish Splash...

We took Madi swimming yesterday for the first time. It was so much fun! I think she really enjoyed it. I am so Excited to take her to the splash park this summer and see her be more active. She really liked floating with us in the lazy river! What a cutie!!!

Growing so fast...

Madi is growing up so fast! She is five months and a week. She is eating solids, has figured out that if she sucks then her sippy works, she has rolled from her tummy to her back and her back to her tummy, she had her first high fever (102 degrees) and her first antibiotic. We are hoping, for her sake, that she will be getting her first tooth any day. In less than a month she will be legal ours and in a little over a month she will be eternally ours!!! (side note: If you are coming to the sealing, we had to change it 5:00 pm). I am loving every minute of being her mom. I love the kisses she gives and how excited she gets to see me. She is such an angel and I am so blessed to be her mom.

This is Madi's Christmas dress. We are trying to get the perfect picture to send as her announcement (we decided to send them for our sealing instead of her birth) and while she looks stinkin' cute, I am just not feelin' it. I think it's the bow.

Merry Christmas...

We had an almost PERFECT Christmas! Derrick and Madi were both sick but other than that it was perfect!After Madi had eaten and we had read from Luke 2 daddy brought out Madi for her first Christmas. She was a little out of it since she usually goes back to bed after her first feeding of the day and a lor overwhelmed by mom and dad and all the excitement. :DI made BIG pillows for each of us to go down in the theater. Madi and Derrick both got matching flannel rag blankets. Madi's pillow is bigger than her!Santa brought Madi a jumparoo. She LOVES it! She kept trying to pull the flowers to her mouth and got a little frusterated when they didn't come. It was so cute to watch!Madi got her jumparoo, a pillow and blanket, three books, a crawl toy and a shirt.Derrick got a pillow and blanket, stuff for his planner, a couple shirts, socks and a shoe polish kit.I got a pillow, a book, Up, "WINTER" letters, frames and a couple shirts.After the presents were opened and we set Madi by hers for some pictures this is what we got...The poor girl was COMPLETELY worn out! We straightened her out and gave her her binki and within seconds she was out cold.

It was a wonderful first Christmas for our little family and we can't wait until next year when Madi will be a little older!!!

Christmas Eve...

After a yummy turkey dinner we all opened our new jammies. Madi was still not feeling great but here are a few pictures of our cutie.

Addicted...

My goal was for Madi to not watch TV until she was two, but Taylor (the girl I watch) falls asleep best to a movie so after lunch we put on a Disney movie. Now, Madi is addicted!!! :D

Left to right: Madi, Darby and Taylor (Darby is Taylor's sister. She's out for Christmas break.)She's so cute!!!

On Christmas she watched basketball with her dad and I noticed that she was glued to the TV so I started talking to her and trying to get her attention. After three or four minutes Derrick blocked the TV and she cried! She really doesn't get to watch it very much but I am shocked at how fast she gets mesmorized by it!

An update on our week...

Since I still wasn't getting better, I went to the doctor Monday. They did some blood tests and sent me on my way with a perscription for an eye infection. Thursday they called and said my white cells were high which indicates a bacterial infection so they called in an antibiotic and they told me I have epstien bar virus. Since it is a virus the only thing to do is get plenty of rest and drink fluids. At least I know why I'm not getting better. Hopefully it will go quickly.

Madi tried rice cereal this week. She is not a fan. She is getting so close to rolling from her back to her tummy. She is still droolin' away but no teeth. I love the drool picture of her because it is exactly how she is! She is getting chunky EVERYWHERE! I love it! She is such a sweetheart!

Derrick has been busy workin' and do stuff with Elder's Quorum. He enjoys his calling and the guys he works with. He is such a great husband and a wonderful dad. Madi adores him.

A sneak peek...

My family has a Christmas party every year and Santa comes and brings a present for each kid. Since we have been sick, we stayed home. We did let Madi open her present though. As you can see, Christmas is going to be much more exciting for Derrick and I than Madi. Next year will be so much funner!!! :D

Our chatter box...

Madi has started talking so much! It is fun to hear all the sounds that she makes. I love it!!!

Solids...

Madi had her first taste of rice cereal and she did NOT like it. The next day we added a little banana to it and she did better but was still not to excited. We have decided we are going to wait another month or two and try again.

Our Christmas Card...

Because there are so many we love and it just isn't possible for us to send this to everyone, we are including it on our blog. Daddy

Enjoys fantasy sports

Really loves being a daddy

Ready for spring

Is willing to serve

Counselor in the elders quorum

Kind to all

Mommy

Enjoys being a mom

Loves her hubby and little girl

Is glad the Primary Program is done for the year

Second counselor in the Primary

Stay at home mom

Always sick (at least it seems that way :D)

Miracle

Adorable

Daddy's girl

Incredibly beautiful

Spoiled (and rightfully so :D)

Our precious gift

Needs her diaper changed so gotta go...

Merry Christmas!!! We love you all!!!

Derrick, Melissa and Madi

Congrats!!!

Congratulations to my little brother Joshua! His football team made it to the state finals! That is HUGE in Texas. Good luck at state Jay! You can check out his picture at http://wyliesports.com/. He is #64! Go bulldogs!!!

Ward Christmas Party...

We had our ward Christmas party last Friday. We only stayed for dinner since Madi was sick, but the food was SOOO good! They had chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, green beans and chicken nuggets and mac and cheese for the kids. Everyone brought desserts and we had a great time! We had so many comments on how cute Madi's hat is. We love it too! Mommy and Madi
Daddy and Madi Daddy, Madi and Mommy

Little Miss Sunshine...

I saw these glasses in the dollar bin at Target and had to get them. They are a little too big right now but hopefully by the summer they will be perfect. She loves them and I think she looks ADORABLE! Madi had her four month checkup yesterday and other than having a herendous cold/cough, they said she is perfect!

Weight: 13 lbs 4.5 oz ~ 50th percentile

Length: 22 1/4" ~ 25th percentile

Her doctor said it is likely that she will have a cold all winter but this one is really bad. She gave it too me and I have felt awful for three days! I've had body aches, chills, and a really bad sore throat. I would LOVE to go a whole month and have Derrick, Madi and I all be healthy. I can wish can't I. :)

Still no teeth but she continues to drool a ton! She is more and more chatty every day. We are going to start her on rice cereal this week. We will see how that goes.