paci

Pacifier

Pacifier

Pacifier

This is the only thing on my daughter's mind in the middle of the night.  I watch her on the baby monitor, searching, throwing and crying for the next "right" pacifier to fall into her grasp.  The baby rubber pacifiers are not ok and are only used as a throwing or playing device.  The "Good" pacifiers soothe her back to sleep almost instantly.  For this reason we must provide multiple pacifiers in the crib to ensure a restful night for Madison and for Mommy and Daddy.  Here is what the crib looks like.

Right Side

Left Side

See the green one on the right, those are the "baby" pacifiers but the one in front is the "good" pacifier

I know!  It seems crazy but I swear...IT IS THE ONLY WAY!!

She sleeps from 7 pm to 7 am.  We must be doing something right!

Happy Baby = Happy Family

poor circulation

Definition

Poor: Not adequate in quality

Circulation: Movement in a circle or circuit, especially the movement of blood through bodily vessels as a result of the heart's pumping action

My husband believes he has "poor circulation" and has cast this disease on Madison. 

Let me give you a picture of what "poor circulation" means to my husband.

10:00 pm ~  (As he is climbing into the bed) "Oh honey my toes are SOOOOOOOOOO cold.  I must have bad circulation."

10:05 pm ~  "Oh honey, you better let me put my toes on your bare skin so they warm up."

10:06 pm ~ "I'm sorry honey but I have such bad circulation, I better keep my toes under your legs."

10:07 pm ~ (Ben Stewart sound asleep, with warm feet, and a cold wife) *Snore, Snore*

RIDICULOUSNESS!!

Now while we are laying in bed it is the same scenario yet Madison is thrown into the mix.

10:04 pm ~ "I bet Madison has cold toes right now just like her Daddy."

The situation is getting out of control and mommy is definitively getting the short end of the deal! 

denver zoo lights

We had such a great time December 9th when we met Ben's parents at the Denver Zoo Light Show.  The lights were beautiful, draped from tree to tree and moving animal displays everywhere.  The weather held up for the middle of December.  Madison loved seeing the twinkles in the sky and the blinking red/green/blue/pink/purple illumination. 

The falling lights

Grandma and Grandpa keeping little Madison warm

"Mom, can I try the carousel yet?"

All buddled up.  Thanks Great Grandma Benson for the warm snow suit.

There were displays like this everywhere

10 months old

Baby Madison is 10 months old today and I just can't even believe it.  Just thinking about it chokes me up.  Time goes by so fast and our little baby is growing up even faster.  At night there are times I just keep rocking her, long after she falls asleep, remembering the sleepless nights and cuddle times when she was only a few days old.  I am proud to be called mommy (I did hear her say Mama the other day) and over joyed that Ben and I have started a beautiful family.

At 10 months old Madison can:
1. Walk 3 steps (And walk a very long time while holding your finger)
2. Feed herself
3. Say Yaya, Baba, Mama, Dada, wersdcvnoiwetnkb
4. Sleep from 7 pm to 7 am
5. Hold her sippy cup
6. Push her car and any other toy that can be pushed around the house
7. Dance to the snowmen
8. Get into ALOT of trouble (aka trying to pick out of the garbage)
9. Sit and listen to you read books
10. Miss Mommy and Daddy when we are gone

My baby you are so sweet and cute.  God has blessed us in so many ways!

We love you

ten fingers and ten toes

Aren't they so cute though!

perfect christmas card picture

Here were a few of the semi final pictures for the Christmas Card this year.  We had a very cranky girl, lots of bike riders and the wind blowing to contend with but the weather was gorgeous and overall, the pictures turned out great!

3 steps!

On December 12th our little lady took 3 whole steps.  She gracefully sat back down and decided crawling was just as suffucient.  Maybe next time we can capture the moment on camera.

Such proud Mommy and Daddy!!!

mommy's always make it better

Sometimes Madison trips over her own feet, falls into cabinets, bumps her head, and lets out a large wail but when Mommy cuddles her she calms down quickly.  A mother's touch is like no one elses.  Daddy has his special love and Mommy has her's but the combination of both is such a special bond the family has.  I am grateful everyday for what the Lord has blessed us with even during the bumps and bruises.

christmas tree is up

Our little lady is going to have her first Christmas and I could not be more excited.  The preparation for the best and most wonderful Christmas ever has begun! 



My crinkled little nose smile.  I am extra happy when you get this grin!



Spoiled is not going to happen...HAHA!  Who are we kidding with all the grandparents, aunts/uncles and Santas (aka mom and dad).  I AM SO EXCITED!!

itchamybacka

Yes...

Have you heard....

Ben has a very serious condition.....


Itchamybacka

Is he REALLY going to die?  Please Lord let there be a cure?

Rewind approximately 5 years ago:

Ben: Honey, my back is ALWAYS itching.  Especially at night when you need to itch it.  It is so weird it flairs up then? (he is secretly smiling and laughing)

Cassie:  Wow, that is weird.  We better get you to the doctor STAT! (haha)

Approximately 2 weeks ago:

Ben: I figured it out honey.  I have Itchamybacka.  Please, don't cry.  It is going to be a tough road ahead of us.  For the rest of our lives you are going to have to itch my back EVERY night.  I know, I am glad there is a cure as well.

Cassie:  Aaah, What did you say you had?

Ben: Itchamybacka.  Itch - a - my - back - a

Cassie:  (crazy eyes, laughing hysterically, to the point of tears)  Honey, good thing I love you alot because you are so crazy!

a tired little lady

Madison becomes my cuddly queen when she gets really tired at night.  Mommy nor Daddy mind it all.  We take full advantage of it.  Her is a typical "tired time."  She is just so precious!

guess what i am doing?

.........BATH TIME!

table trouble

This little lady's new obsession....Climbing all around underneath the table.  At first we were persistent, there will be no dangerous acrobatics under the table.  Then after the 50th time....We gave in.  And now it is the "toy" of choice.

Parenting 101 ~  Sometimes you just get tired and give in.  And guess what?!  It is OKAY! 

Look at that balancing act!

This reminds me of a story I was telling a close friend about how Madison will not eat her vegetables (She now is in love with peas, green beans, broccoli, corn and carrots).  Just like how she will not listen to Mommy when she says "Please don't crawl under the table."  I was adamant, I am not going to be the mother who allows a picky eater in the house.  I was always so frustrated with dinner time.  My wonderful friend Ali looked at me (we have similar philosophies)  and said "It is the little successes like eating the food that matters.  Their taste buds change and grow.  Her palette will do the same.  So bask in the success of having her eat food and not in the failure of her not eating veggies."  That has so stuck with me and now eating is a joy.  No more frustration!  Thank you Lord for a great friend like Ali!