Meeting the Greats!

A few weeks back, I took Madison to meet her Great Grandparents in Taylorsville. It was our first long-ish drive, and she did mostly well, considering we were coming off of her crying every time we were in the car.

This was a different day, but the first time Ru got to hold Madison! (He was sick around when she was born!)

Great Grandma Marshall giving Maddie snuggles!

Nanny got some big smiles from Maddie!

I love how she is checking out Paw... "Who are you??"

Gigi didn't miss a chance to snuggle with her girls! Though Anna wouldn't sit still and smile normally for a photo with Gigi and Maddie.

Of course, Anna Kate was not about to miss an opportunity to swim!

Two noodles! And no one to have to share with! (Noodles are a hot commodity among the preschool population)

If Daddy had been here, they would have been practicing on that kick board!

Grumpy (Hungry) Flamingo!

Leave me alone. :)

Lately

So, I also wanted to share some of the cell phone pictures I have taken over the past month plus with Madison. It is obviously more common that I have my cell phone along with me than the big camera, so these are more of the everyday moments that I capture.

Checking on sister after her first doctors appointment. Anna Kate gladly took Maddie's lollipop for her.

Everybody snuggling with a sleepy Daddy!

Here you are seeing Anna Kate and Daddy playing Mommy and baby. Mark is the baby, and he is swaddled and Anna is cooking him dinner. Yes, he is really asleep. And this is how I found them after I put Maddie down.

Daddy took over after Maddie wouldn't get back to sleep. This is how I found them in the morning!

"Holding hands" with sister in the double stroller.

So sweet in their coordinating outfits looking at each other....

Until Anna insisted Maddie hold all of the bananas...

Itty bitty baby smirk.

First time "sleeping" in the crib.

So little!

Sister may have woken her up. Wonder how that happened.

Big sisters Rock! Little sisters Roll!

Her first big smiles went to the towels hanging on the wall next to her...

Walking our babies... Anna Kate was walking Sven and Elmo, with her phone, water, and diaper bag. Monkey see, Monkey do!

Rough life at Nana and Grandpa's. You can see Mark and Anna Kate in the back on the paddle board!

Ready for our one month appointment!

First Month with Baby

Overall, our first month with Madison has gone as expected, if not a little smoother than expected. There have been babies crying, preschoolers throwing tantrums, messes and lessons learned, but overall we have been pleasantly surprised with how we have adjusted. Anna Kate is, as I have mentioned many times, is just as in love with Maddie as Mommy and Daddy. She is thrilled when Madison is awake and most always wants to "play" with her and holds her at least once a day, by request. She is getting very excited about Madison's smiles, and is getting used to the time required for Mommy to care for her.

Here are some moments I have captured on the "real" camera during our first month together..

Daily holding ritual. AK climbs into the recliner, gets the boppy pillow and asks for her sister.

Happy baby in baby leg warmers!

Eating apples and lounging, two of our favorite activities!

I agree, Maddie... Daddy's work is very boring.

She was stretching, all cute and such. I got the camera. This is what I got.

Anna Kate was throwing a ball and trying to hit it with a stick in the backyard, so Mark improvised a tee ball stand and gave her a racquetball racket. They both thought it was pretty awesome!

So did Emma!

Reading a story to her baby sister.

Daddy's home! Daddy's home! Yay!

I so wish this was in focus. Maddie was over the group snuggles. Anna Kate was wild!

Anna Kate making homemade pizza with Daddy! Just like Alinos! (except we don't have to hold a baby while we eat- Maddie won't really sleep in the carseat so far...)

Baby's First Bath

I am so so far behind on posting things, but here are some photos of baby Madison's first bath at about one week! Unlike our experience with Anna, Maddie settled right into her bath and enjoyed the warm water. Then she pooped. Because babies love to make things interesting! Anna Kate is sitting with me, and all she can remember about this experience was that Maddie pooped in the tub. Poor girl will be hearing that story the rest of her life, I'm afraid.

She so far has enjoyed all but one of the baths we have given her (she was already a little grumpy for the one she didn't like) and has continued to be laid back about most experiences. You'll see in a few posts from now that Maddie has already experienced bath time with Anna Kate... in the same bath!

Setting her in the water for the first time... we thought she was going to get really upset.

While Anna was obviously more excited, Maddie quickly began to enjoy her bath time.

Oooh, I can handle this!

To say Anna Kate loves her sister is an understatement.

SISTER BEAR!

Following morning tummy time sisters.