Solid Foods - Take 2

Last Saturday, we re-started Maddie on solid foods. We served her rice cereal again since we'd only done one serving last month when we initially started.

Suprisingly, Maddie LOVES rice cereal and ate it every day last week.

Today, we introduced carrots and Maddie really liked them! She gobbled up each spoon-full with a smile.

Hopefully she continues to like all the veggies we introduce.

Rice Cereal:

Carrots:

School

On June 15th, Maddie started daycare, or school as we like to call it, part-time. It's been a really hard transition for me. Really hard. But Miss Maddie has transitioned beautifully.

While Mommy sits at work missing her chubby, dimpled cheeks, Maddie plays with her new friends, "reads" books, practices sitting upright, finger paints, splashes in her high chair during water play, and charms her teachers with her enthusiastic smile.

Although she's only been in school for two weeks, Eric and I have already seen a spike in her development including cooing more and sitting up by herself for several minutes unassisted.

I'm still going to keep Maddie at work with me most afternoons while I adjust a bit more but I'm happy that Maddie has done so well at school thus far. Perhaps no one will notice if I'm still taking my 18-year-old daughter to work with me in the afternoons since I figure that I'll be adjusted to not seeing her all day by the time she's ready to graduate from high school. :-)

Below are a few pics I took of Maddie during her first week of school.

Happy Father's Day!

Today we kicked off Father's Day with breakfast at Trudy's (yes, we frequent the place often) and then spent the rest of the day at home relaxing and playing with Maddie. She's so much fun these days that tickle time and silly dances to Rafi songs occur all day long.

Maddie gave her Daddy a finger-painted pencil holder that she made at school. It's so cute and even has a little picture of her on the front. Eric loved it.

We hope you had a wonderful Father's Day, Eric/Daddy!

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):