First Tooth!

On our way home from Grandne' and Grampa's house last weekend, I was keeping Maddie occupied in her carseat and felt her first tooth coming in! It's her lower, left tooth and can be felt when she sucks on our fingers. Once it's more visible, we'll take a picture to post.

Such an exciting development! More signs of how fast our little babe is growing up!

Visit to Grandne' and Grampa's House

Last weekend, we drove to Laredo to visit Grandne' and Grampa Ramirez. We had such a great time. We ate delicious home-cooked food, played Mexican train, and just relaxed. My Dad took Eric to the ranch and my Mom, Maddie and I went to Target to get Maddie some new outfits for "school". (I'll write up a post about starting school soon).

Maddie had so much fun spending time with Grandne' and Grampa and got lovingly spoiled with attention. Thanks for making our visit so enjoyable Mom and Dad!

Sunday at the Park

This morning, Eric, Maddie and I met our friends, the Arvesen's, at Zilker Park for a picnic. The Arvesen's have a 4-month old daughter so Maddie got some playtime with another baby. The weather was a beautiful 70 degrees this morning which is a nice way to ease into a hot Summer day. We took a walk, played frisbee golf, relaxed on a blanket and enjoyed a delicious lunch. What a perfect Sunday morning!

Family Photo - Maddie loves to play with/eat Daddy's hair:


Erica and Maddie stare at each other:


Maddie likes the butterfly on Erica's cute outfit:


Mommy and Maddie:

The "Menacing" Big Bird

In addition to celebrating Maddie's 5-month birthday on June 4th, we also experienced her first big accident.

While playing under her Sesame Street hanging toys, she batted at Big Bird and he batted back. The plastic Big Bird toy hit Maddie in her right eye and forehead. At first I thought she only hurt her head until I noticed a scratch on her actual eye. I immediately called her pediatrician and took her in for an exam. The pediatrician could also see a scratch on her cornea so Eric and I had to take her to a pediatric eye doctor. At the eye doctor, we could see two scratches on her cornea but were told that this type of accident is very common, could be treated with eyedrops and would heal within just one day.

Sure enough, on our follow-up appointment the next day, Maddie's eye scratches were completely healed and her vision was not damaged. Mommy and Daddy were very happy and relieved.

Big Bird is officially on my "not nice" list.

Five Months Old

Today, Maddie turns 5 months old. On a daily basis, Eric and I are amazed by how much she's grown and continues to grow physically and developmentally. Maddie is so much fun to be around, and can make your day with her joyful smiles. We're so lucky to have such a happy baby, who loves life as much as she does.

Some things we want to remember about Maddie at 5 months old:

• She loves to touch our faces, especially when being held.


• She enjoys playing with her feet and batting at toys with her feet.


• She loves to sit-up and stand-up with assistance. Being upright is the best!


• She wathces us eat intently. Watch out solid foods, Maddie's coming very soon!


• Just recently, she's started to reach out and grab for just about everything. If it's in her reach, she wants it.


• While being held, she loves to stare into your eyes and study you.


• She's really good at holding her head and shoulders up while lying down. She looks like she's doing crunches or pilates.


• The exersaucer is her favorite toy, although her burp cloth is a close second.


• She loves to stick out her tongue and be silly.


• She still loves people and smiles at anyone who will look at her.

The Many Faces of Our Sweet Madelyn (click picture for larger photos):

Fun at Work

As Maddie gets older, she needs to have lots of activities at work to keep her happy. She plays on her mat, sits in her bouncy chair, jumps in her jumpster and plays in her bumbo on my desk. Whew! As you can see, Maddie is quite "productive" at work.

In her Bumbo on my desk:


In her Jumpster:


Tummy time on her playmat:

First Taste of Solid Foods

On Wednesday night (5/20/09), we fed Maddie some rice cereal for the first time. After discussing all the details with our pediatrician, we decided she may be ready since she can hold her head up, can sit up well with assistance and shows interest in food when Eric and I eat.

Overall, she did really well. She made a few faces of uncertainty at the start but ate several spoon-fulls and seemed to like it. I think her tummy will take a while to get used to solid foods so we'll take things nice and slow. Thankfully, she hasn't shown any signs of food allergies thus far. But Mommy and Daddy don't want to rush into the solid food arena just yet. Our babe is growing up so quickly - it's hard to believe she's already 4 1/2 months old!

Eric's Birthday Weekend

This weekend, we celebrated Eric's upcoming 40th birthday (May 21st) with family and friends. We had a fun party on Saturday night with lots of yummy BBQ, cake, and other goodies. Best of all, our sweet Maddie did very well around everyone in spite of being a bit tired. She's quite the social butterfly.

Here's a family photo from party day. Happy birthday, Eric (Daddy)!

Mother's Day

Today was my very first Mother's Day and I feel so lucky to have spent it with Eric and Maddie. The day included breakfast at Trudy's, a home-cooked fajita dinner (thanks, babe!) and finally blackberry dessert wine and pastries, once Maddie went to sleep.

Maddie was a bit grouchy today so we couldn't get her to smile for the camera much, but she's still as cute as a button.

4 Months Old

On Monday, May 4th, our little Maddie turned four months old. It's amazing how big, smart, beautiful and curious she is these days.

Today we took Madelyn to the pediatrician for her 4-month well-check appointment and it went very well. She's very healthy and growing each day. She's also on track or ahead with milestones for her age such as rolling over, laughing, and grasping toys by herself.

Stats:
Weight - 14 lbs, 9 oz (75%)
Height - 24.5 in (50%) [Eric thinks her head was turned a bit and is closer to 25 in)
Head - 41.3 cm (upper 50%)

We're pretty surprised that Maddie is now in the 75% for her weight since she's been so skinny and long but I guess her baby chunk has finally arrived. Mommy loves it!

Things We Want to Remember About Maddie at 4 Months Old:

• She loves people and will give a big smile and excitedly bob her head at just about anyone she sees.


• She loves to stand up with our assistance


• She has a soft but joyful laugh


• Her burp cloth is her favorite "toy"


• She's curious about every noise and activity and will practically do a backbend or turn herself around in my arns to see something.


• She has a bit of stranger anxiety when someone else holds her, even though she will smile first and then cry.


• She rolls over and over all the time now and Mom and Dad have to watch her more closely or she'll roll alway!