Look what I can do!

Madelyn has discovered the joys of rolling from her back to her belly! (sidenote- she has also forgotten how to get from her belly to her back, resulting in a very frustrated little baby!)

Sprinkler Fun

Cooling off during this September heat wave!

Thanks Grandma!

Thank you, Grandma, for a wonderful visit! We love you!!

Rice Cereal

I think Madelyn's facial expressions pretty much tell you how she felt about her first tasting of rice cereal. Clearly she is not impressed! :)

4 months old

Happy 4 months, Madelyn!

You weigh 15 lb. and 13 oz and are 25" long- 90th percentile!!

Here's what you are doing now:

* smiling and laughing

*talking and singing

* grasping at toys, hair, clothes, and fingers

* sucking on your hands
* responding to familiar voices, especially Mommy's

* watching your big sister play

* eating twice a night

* wearing mostly 6 month clothes

* loving storytime

* rolling from belly to back

* enjoying toys, especially your pink ball and crunchy block

* drooling a lot

* growing too fast!

LA County Fair

Today we visited the LA County Fair with Grandma and it was fantastic!! Here are some of the fun things we did:

* watched pigs race

* saw a sheep get sheared

* fed tons of goats, sheep, and a llama

* ate ice cream

* rode carnival rides

* pet some reptiles

* rode an elephant

* walked through a dinosaur exhibit (Zoe's personal favorite)

* saw Clydesdale horses

*enjoyed being together

My Girls

Posing for a picture to send Daddy on the boat.

Things I miss since having a baby...

* sleeping through the night

* showering whenever I please

* leaving the house without a giant bag stashed with diapers, wipes, and bottles

* exercising

* enjoying an entire church service without having to leave the sanctuary

* sleeping through the night

* reading for pleasure

Things I LOVE about having a baby...

* the way her tiny fingers wrap around mine

* a chubby belly, thighs, and cheeks (the baby's, not mine)

* having a helpless little person who's every need I can satisfy

* the way she looks up at me like I am the greatest person on Earth

* the baby smiles, coos, and laughs

* the way I will act like a complete goofball to make her smile

* knowing that she is one half me and one half the man I love

Does this count as a roll?

First Day

Dear Zoe,

Today, sweet girl, we took you to your first day of 4 year old preschool. And, as expected, it was a little emotional for me, your mom. You have been going to "school" since you were 2 1/2, so dropping you off for a few hours is not something new to me. But as we stood there and waited for Miss Brenda to open the door of Room 1, I felt the familiar lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. Maybe it's because it seems like you are entering another stage of your life. Maybe it's because you looked like such a big kid in your watermelon outfit and brand new sneakers. Maybe it's because in one short year we will be dropping you off at full day kindergarten and your days spent at home with me will be over. Maybe it's because I live with constant guilt that I don't spend enough quality time with you or give you enough patience. Maybe it's because my little girl, my first baby, is growing up too fast. I hope that your new teacher and new friends will see in you what Daddy and I love most- how smart you are, how funny you are, and what a sweet little girl you have become. We are so proud of you, Zoe, and wish you a wonderful preschool year!