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)

look at this cute face

custer state park weekend

Ben is adamant, we are never to miss the Custer State Park Free Weekend.  The park has activities and events all weekend, including fishing derby's, ice cream socials, airplane shows, hay rides, cookouts and so much more.  Last year at this time I was pretending I was pregnant with a big blanket underneath my shirt and this year I have a little one to tow around.  Oh, have times changed...And in such an amazing way.  We had fun with both the families and my Grandma Benson was able to come out from MN and meet her first Great Grandchild.  Here are a few snip its from a very busy and exciting weekend (never mind that it was cold and rainy, we made the best of it).

Waiting for the airplane show to start

Resting very comfortably with Grandma

4 Generations!

Grandma and Grandpa loving on baby

Great Grandma enjoying some time withe her first Great Grand Child

All our beautiful nephews.  We love you so much little boys

Keeping warm in the dreary weather

First and Second place finishers in the fishing derby (with no help from us.. ;)

All the little ones wrapped up and ready for the drizzle

aunt keila

From Madison:

Thank you Aunt Keila for always being there for me.  You take such wonderful care of me and love me unconditionally (even during the times I am yelling at mommy and daddy or fussing because I am too tired).  I love our special time during the day when we get to say our ABC's or 1,2,3's.  You help me learn and grow. :)  I love you Aunt Keila!

my first mother's day

As a little girl I have always dreamed,
Of one day being grown;
Of having a home and family,
And a child of my own.

As a little girl I played the games,
With dollies cuddled near;
Of being a grown up Mommy,
And now that day is here.

For cuddled sweetly in my arms,
Of the little girl now grown;
Is the sweetest dream I ever dreamed,
A baby of my own.

In all the years of growing up,
In the games that little girls play;
None will ever be so sweet,
As my very first Mother's Day

~ Mommy of the sweetest baby.  My little Madison Taylore.

The dream was only a dream and now it has come true.  The greatest blessing God has ever given to me was my beautiful daughter.  I look at her and am filled with such an unbelievable amount of love.  Being "Mommy" means so much to me.  Having my first Mother's Day makes my heart melt.  

Baby Madison Mommy loves you :)

We spent the day picnicking at one of the Reservoirs on Pikes Peak.  We grilled some yummy hot dogs, enjoyed the beautiful 70 degree weather and just walked around with our little girl.  The day could not have been more perfect!

anniversary ~ 5 years

Our first night out was our 5 year anniversary.  Keila was nice enough to babysit Madison as we enjoyed dinner and a movie.  I am still on my non dairy and non soy diet so it took some investigating to see which restaurant was able to accommodate.  Ruby Tuesdays was the winner.  They had an entire book on soy and milk allergy foods.  Steamed broccoli, grilled asparagus and delicious grilled salmon was the winning dinner.  Ben and I talked for a couple of hours over dinner.  We really haven't had time to actually sit, talk, no interruptions.  The evening was absolutely perfect and just what our relationship needed, a little bit of us time.

mom and dad, i am still a bit small for this

Ben decided we needed to put together our jumper toy we received from Great Grandma Benson.  With limited head control from the baby and a nice wide seat from the toy, it was an iffy combination.  We supported her with an extra blanket but the enjoyment is just not quite there.  Hopefully in a few months...At least we are ready :)

my many cute looks

Our little Madison is growing up so quickly.  Each picture captures a moment and memory that I hope to never forget.  Love Bug, Bunny, Boo Bear, Peanut, Roo, Sweetie, Cutie, Sugar Bean have slowly become her "other" nick names.  

Every morning mommy walks in to her room and says "Good Morning Madison" and without fail, a great big smile and even a few coos will melt my heart in a second.  We thank the Lord for a beautiful, healthy baby.  Here are a few cute snapshots of the recent weeks.

national flannel day

Ben's co worker, Brian, wears alot (I mean basically everyday) of flannel.  Everyone gives him a hard time in the office so on his 40th Birthday we deemed it necessary to assign a National Flannel Day.  The certification was made (actually everyone just texted everyone letting them know to wear flannel) to assign such a dignified day.  We all took this day (joke) with extreme seriousness (laughter).  Even Madison got in on the fun (Daddy quickly sewed her up a flannel dress. P.S. forget the pants she originally had a very cute light blue dress on).  

Uncle Pete holding a very tired Madison

Brian is the one not wearing flannel (He was taking a stand.)

The family got all our flannel from the Walmart clearance rack!!

We had lots of food.  DELICIOUS!

The flannel family!  Such a funny picture.

enjoying spring

Ben and Keila enjoyed a nice ride in the dune buggy last weekend.  The weather has been super nice (other than the wind that just about blows you over), in the high 60's to low 70's.  Here is their adventure :)  

P.S. Ben says, "Madison will be fine in the back seat.  We will lay her flat even."  haha.  Do you see a car seat base because I surely do not.  Isn't he just a funny guy!