I be a pumpkin

"I be a pumpkin," Liam tells everyone. I then make the costume, after we can't find the right size to buy. I was so proud of myself, I sewed it without a pattern & I don't normally sew.
But no one can get him to wear it, except for the hat. "I have orange shirt, I don't need to wear it", Liam tells the students at school for their parade. The joys of being two.
Bribery failed. He was willing to give up candy and trick-or-treating with Mom & a friend. I just had accept that he was happy with the hat and his shirt.
We had a great time running up and down driveways, knocking on doors, and getting candy in the drizzly cold. Happy Halloween!
Madelynn is becoming a happy baby. She learned to clap taking these pictures.

My cuties

Just thought I'd post some recent pictures.
Madelynn is enjoying sitting up!

Monster Artist

Monsters, monsters and more monsters, that is what Liam thinks about and draws.
Liam recently began drawing monster faces. He draws them everywhere. We believe inspired by the book Grump Groan Growl.
Liam says monsters are "so scary", but he tells everyone,"I'm a little monster".

Cutting is another new skill he is trying to master. Jon is worried we are soon going to find our blinds in pieces when Liam runs out of paper.

No, we didn't show him how to draw the faces. Liam just started drawing a stack of them at school one day. I was impressed.
Side note: Jon started his own blog...its on the sidebar.

Picture Time

I decided it was time for family pictures. Jon dealt with it and Liam loved pushing the remote button--He even took his own picture; look closely for the remote in hand.
Madelynn started her fourth month in the 75 percentile with her 15 lbs and 25", and her head at a tiny 5%. She has a little larger than 1mm cataract in an eye, which shouldn't get bigger or affect her vision, fingers crossed.

Summer Time

Its been a fun and busy summer.
It began with the Madelynn's blessing. Its wondrous how they grow and develop. She loves being held & seeing what is going on around her.

Shortly after, we celebrated Jon's Birthday with a trip to the Zoo. Animal overload for Liam. He was disappointed the Rinos were not out. Riding one on the Merry-Go-Round did make up for it. When Liam saw the Merry-Go-Round, he ran over to a bench, sat down and was transfixed.
Madelynn gave the present of consistently sleeping through the night on Jon's Birthday!

July began with a bang. Everyone loved the fireworks!
I am grateful to celebrate our freedoms. What a great & diverse nation we live in.

July is here and Madelynn is now three months. I can't believe it! All full of smiles and babels.
This summer is full of great little moments!

Sleepy

While I was upstairs getting ready for the day, I realized it was too quiet downstairs where Liam was playing.
This is what I found when I went to see what was up.

Apparently parents aren't the only sleepy ones after a new baby.
I am not sure how he happen to fall asleep like that, but it makes a cute picture.

Unsupervised Handwashing

What do you get with a two year old, a stool and a sink when Mom is feeding a baby?

A flooded bathroom!

Busy April

April kept us in constant motion.
It started with the arrival of madelynn.
I am just beginning to readjust and regain some order to life...I think. My head is in a fuzz. I forgot how much work and how little sleep little babies cause, but she is so CUTE! I have the pictures to prove it! Anyway who needs rest and two free hands? She thinks she need to be held much of the time.
Liam loves his sister and shows it by smothering her in hugs and kisses.

Liam turned two the middle of April. Celebrated with family and sesame street. He couldn't be prouder of his red trike.



The month ended sadly with the passing of Grandma Viola Packer, just shy of her 92nd Birthday. She loved everyone. Despite pain, she stayed positive and happy to the end. We love and miss her, but glad she is with her Bill.

Madelynn

We welcomed Madelynn Marie, Monday morning April 5th, just after 7am. Weighing in at 7 lbs 3.5 oz. and 19.5" long. She is a sweet baby, who loves to be held.

She couldn't wait to get here. I may have been two weeks early but I don't think she realized that. On Thursday, the Doctor did warn me I might be having a baby over the Easter weekend. I woke up at 4am Monday with my water breaking and contractions 2 minutes apart, 1 minute by the time we left the house. I showed up to the hospital at 5am fully ready to have a baby. It was insane. I was told not to wait that long before coming in, which made me laugh, since there wasn't a choice. I felt normal all day and night, even at 2:30am for my bathroom break. I have to hand it to any women who doesn't get medicated. I was willing to hold perfectly still through 3 contractions as I felt like pushing for that epidural. I was able to have a regular delivery and avoid a c-section (VBAC). All went well and we have a healthy baby. Though she had to be a glow worm for a day to clear up her jaundice.

Liam has been a good helper, for an almost two year old. He loves to give her hugs and hold her. Plus he won't be getting a baby sister this weekend for his Birthday.
Madelynn did wait long enough for us to enjoy Easter.