first fathers day

When we married, I saw you as perfect,
The ideal husband and more;
I thought I knew all about you,
All the things to love and adore.  But when you became a father,
I saw new qualities to treasure.
You enrich all our lives in fresh ways;
As a dad, you bring so much pleasure.  Our child is forever blessed
To have a father like you,
And I love you more than ever,
You’re the best man I ever knew.  By Joanna Fuchs You are absolutely thee most amazing father to our beautiful baby girl.  She lights up whenever she sees you.  The smiles and laughter you bring to our whole family is the number one reason I fall more in love with you every day.  Life is more fun, more entertaining, more crazy with you in it.  Madison is going to grow up knowing her father completely loves her, no strings attached and that she is the light of his life.  You have made that evident from the first day she was born.   Thank you Ben for being first a wonderful husband and friend and second a terrific father We spent our day at Pueblo Reservoir.  Madison picked out Daddy a new fishing reel that he HAD to go try.  We enjoyed the sun (well Mommy and Madison were under the shade tent the whole time but still in the sun vicinity).  The temperature was about 95 degrees out but the nice breeze helped us not become overly hot.  Ben caught a walleye and was so excited.  Like a little giddy kid excited!  He measured it at 20 in.  Not bad.  We may have kept it but didn't bring anything to take it home in.  Here are a few moments captured during our day:

Madison screamed the first time we put her feet in but then we tried again and she really loved it.

She even sat in it.  All serious faces but I think she realized how could it felt.

my favorite toys

Here are a few of my favorite things:

warbirds over the rockies 2011

Denver hosts the Warbirds Over the Rockies each year at the beginning of June.  Last year the weather was very dreary, rainy and chilly but this year it was HOT.  I wasn't complaining.  The planes were great and the jets were even more fun.  Here are a few pictures from our fun day.

Mommy and Madison getting some shade

Touring all the planes with Daddy

renaissance festival

You don't choose your family.  They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  ~Desmond Tutu

The Renaissance Festival is this crazy circus in the middle of nowhere Colorado where people dress up like it is Halloween every weekend.  I took a few pictures of just what the feel of the festival was:

And this man was NOT apart of the show...He was a visitor!!

These people weren't apart of the show either.  Do you get the feel of Halloween?!?!  I do!

The guy in the black was nicely yelling at Keila to get off the phone.  In front of a huge crowd even.  I was laughing so so hard!

Now that you can understand and appreciate what the festival was all about here are a few pictures of the family

This is screaming HALLOWEEN!! haha.  He was a little creepy!

100 proof SPF...CHECK!

Elephant ride anyone?!?!

Mom's FIRST funnel cake.  I know, right?!?!

So happy with Grandma

Grandpa always seemed to "walk" the baby asleep. (Really! I think dad must have walked Madison 29 miles by the time he went back home.  We had to inform Madison that this was her being spoiled and Mommy nor Daddy would be able to handle such a thing)

After a long and very stimulating day!

 

not the baby

I am sure you can't tell that my life is consumed with Madison.  Every post for the last four months likely has a picture of Madison in it or at minimum has her name in it.  I am a proud momma and it is hard not to share every exciting moment.  I have so many other roles in this life and motherhood has been the most challenging, exciting, worrisome role yet.  This is beyond cliche but truly every moment that goes by I am wondering what she is doing, how much she is eating, is she having a talkative day or a cranky day.  Motherhood has been the best and most stressful joy in my life.

Obviously each role takes up apart of your life.  As my dad said, sometimes one is more important than the other but re balancing is the key to making it all work.  Each one of my roles makes me happy, all in different ways.  I appreciate and embrace each one.

Being a Wife

Being a Sister

Being a Daughter

Being an Aunt

Being a Friend

 

Being a Nurse (Yep, that is me :)

And most of all just being me

bumbo

My wonderful friend, Erica House, got me this Bumbo seat.  Can you say AMAZING!!!  I believe I may love it more than Madison.  She sits in there on the counter while I am cooking or cleaning.  Yesterday she sat on the washer while I was getting clothes out of the dryer.  Madison loves being apart of the action but Mommy can't hold her everywhere I go..aka the washer room.  So this little gadget lets her sit and enjoy.  Here is our first day using it.  Just kicking and smiling :)

family reunion in MN and baby shower

We had a zero party / family reunion in MN a couple of weekends ago.  Basically everyone that was turning 30, 40, 50 or 80 got in on this bash.  Grandpa was turning 80 so he was the star of the party for obvious reasons (I mean come on, that is pretty old)....haha Grandpa you know I love you!  Spending time with family we haven't seen in almost 15 years was great.  Our Uncle Duane was a baby hog (but Madison just ate it up) and hanging out with the cousins seemed natural even after so long.  I know my grandparents enjoyed the party and get together as much as we did. 

Just waiting at the airport with ALOT of carry ons

Uncle Duane enjoying some cuddle time

Four Generations

Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and an excited Madison

Cousin Melissa

All the cousins

All the brothers and sisters (minus one) with the parents

My aunts wanted to throw a baby shower for me while I was in MN.  We celebrated with my cousins family and baby, Donijah.  The party was great.  Madison came out like bandit, with some super cute outfits and new books to add to the collection.

We played baby pictionary :)

All the sisters and their mom (aka Grandma to me)