It's funny how having a baby changes things....MANY things.....but most recently, it has changed our mealtime routine. We used to eat out A LOT. As Madden is approaching age 2, we are learning that eating out is more of a challenge than it is worth. So, I am learning to plan weekly meals, cook every. single. night, etc.....and we all enjoy mealtime a lot more!

Here are some recent pictures I took. Madden usually does well feeding himself, but sometimes it gets a little messy!

He thought this was hiliarious.....and it reminded me of a post my friend Jordan wrote describing a fun activity to do with pudding and paint brushes. That activity may be in our future!

.....and another night we introduced him to the American classic - corn on the cob! He loved it!

Bon Appetite!

Bubbles!!

First, here is a little memory I thought I should record about this outing.....not my finest moment, but a memory nonetheless!

In preparation for Madden's first birthday party to attend, we had to go to Target a get a gift....so after dinner we ventured out. Upon arriving at Target, Marc realized he left his wallet at home, so he went back to get it and Madden and I started shopping. I tried to put him in the cart, but NO WAY was he interested in that. I carried him as long as I could (he's 30 lbs!) and then let him run once we reached the toy aisle. He played with the balls in the big bin and searched for a gift. As Madden chased the balls, he ended up in various aisles, so I spent a lot of time running around. Then, I spotted some Easter stuff 75% off - it grabbed by attention....I looked at it for a split second....and Madden was gone. Oops! Those aisles are REALLY tall and my heart was racing as I frantically searched for him. He was "missing" for probably 3 seconds, but it seemed like 3 minutes and a million things raced through my head. He was in the next aisle back playing with the balls. About this time, Marc showed up. Whew!

We decided on a bubble machine for the birthday party.....and what the heck, let's get one for us too! Isn't that how it works? One for me, one for you?! Ha!

After all, this was about all the excitement we had planned for our Friday evening.....and excitement it was!

.....and on Sunday, it broke. So, I took the sticky, bubble caked machine to Target in a plastic sack and traded it for a new one. So far, so good! Our summer is sure to be filled with LOTS of fun bubble filled nights!

Dallas Children's Museum

Last weekend, Madden attended his first official birthday party. He got an invite in the mail and everything! Let the birthday parties begin! :)

I don't think he had a clue about the excitement it meant to be invited to one's birthday party.....but I am sure we will have MANY years to come for that!

The party was at the Dallas Children's Museum.....and I am SO glad to know about that place! It was a BLAST and will be a perfect place to visit this summer when it is 105 degrees outside. They have a small area for young children Madden's age - with different themed rooms.

Here are some pictures of our fun.....


In the "Farm Room" - Madden & Daddy milking the cow. He thought this was HILARIOUS! I thought it looked rather disgusting.... :)


Riding a tractor....


This was in the "Bug Room" - they had this huge spider web made out of stretchy bands. He thought it was so fun to jump on this.

Check out that grin! :)

The huge Sand Table....

The Water Table...

Playing on the Firetruck!

And of course, no birthday party is complete without ice cream and cake! Madden had a spoon for each hand!

Happy Birthday, Claire! Thanks for inviting us to the party - what a FUN day!

Playing on the fireplace hearth.....

Madden is obsessed with climbing....on most anything....but especially the hearth of a fireplace. Quit a dangerous place for a young toddler to be. Anywhere we go, if there is a fireplace hearth and place to climb, he finds it!

I usually have enough knick knacks on the hearth to keep him from getting on ours. However, he has recently discovered a few spots where he can slip into.

The other night (it was almost bedtime) and he was playing and climbing on the hearth. He was acting SO cute and I went to grab my camera. Of course, the cuteness started to go away.....and soon enough he was throwing a fit! But, I had my camera anyway, so I snapped away!

Friday Afternoon Treat

As I mentioned, Madden has recently discovered Sonic. Marc usually picks up Madden at the sitters house on Fridays and then they head to Sonic. Last Friday was beautiful and he enjoyed taking a stroll in his car while slurping his slush from Sonic. The Sonic cup broke because the styrofoam is not strong enough to handle the grip of my 20 month old.....hence the plastic cup! I usually ask for 2 cups to double it up!

Easter Sunday - This Year

Happy Easter!





Our Easter morning started out bright and early! We had to pick up 27 dozen 'bunny' donuts and get them to church by 9 for a reception.....and we made it! Marc dropped me and the donuts off at the front door and parked the car. A few minutes later, Madden and Marc came in and Madden had a HUGE bump on his forehead.....darn new sandals! He tripped on those sandals no less than 15 times and I finally took them off. Not sure what the deal was.....but I am going to try another size.








My cute boy in his Easter outfit.





Here's the background on the outfit. I LOVE IT....Marc HATES it. This is usually what we run into. So, I bought 2 Easter outfits and told Marc there is 1 I really want him to wear and 1 I am willing to compromise on. After an impromptu fashion show Saturday night and a few 'discussions', I ended up dressing him in the one I loved. He got LOTS of compliments on it at church and I think it is the perfect Easter outfit for our little guy! He's only little for a short time and I want to cherish these days.....and dress him like a toddler.....not like a 15 year old in a coat and tie!






Playing on the indoor playground at church......








We didn't make it too long during church before Madden was going up and down the aisle.....and he screams in the nursery.....so it was time to GO!





We headed home to rest before lunch and Madden got to see what the Easter Bunny brought.




A chirping chick!

.....and some magnets! I have noticed he loves to play with magnets on the fridge and it keeps him occupied for oh, maybe 5 minutes.....SO, I thought he needed some magnets of his own!

Eating candy and being silly...

After a short nap, we headed to Honey's house for lunch with Marc's family. Each seat had a beautiful place setting and a fun gift. She got Madden these cute bunny ears! Love them! We ate and ate.....fried chicken, mashed potatoes, beans, salad, rolls, banana pie, cookies and more.....and then headed home for a long nap!

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Here's an *easter bunny* memory:

On Saturday, Marc and I were working in the yard – cleaning out bushes, cutting trees, etc. I was working on an area of the yard that doesn’t get much attention and came across a tiny, baby bunny! Oh my! I screamed and the bunny just sat there glaring at me. How ironic to find a bunny the day before Easter… J We decided to leave the bunny in its place and not disturb it any further. Maybe there was a mom somewhere or other bunnies?
Later that evening, the bunny was still there…..hadn’t moved, but eyes still glaring up at me.
That night, I was awakened at about 1:00am by a horrific cry. I immediately sat up and looked at the monitor…..thinking it was Madden. He was sound asleep. Then, my mind immediately went to that bunny. The next morning, I went to check on him and he was gone. I think something got him….and it just makes me SICK to think about.

Easter Sunday - Last Year

It's crazy to look back a pictures from the last year. Here is Madden at 8 months old celebrating his 1st Easter. My how time flies....WAY. TOO. FAST!

Hunting for Easter Eggs

We missed our church Easter Picnic since we were in San Antonio, but enjoyed hunting eggs with my MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) group this past Wednesday. I joined the group in January in hopes of connecting with other moms in our area.....and it has been great so far! I am still meeting people and getting connected, but I enjoy having the time on Wednesdays to go be around other moms who are in the same stage of life as me!

This past Wednesday was BEAUTIFUL! 85 degrees! I dressed Madden in his cute shirt from The Monogram Monkey (seriously, he has one for every holiday - I just love them!), we packed a picnic lunch, grabbed his basket and headed out. Here are a few pictures from our day....


Getting ready.....



Found one, Mom! I had to show him how to pick them up and then he wanted to give them to me.....so I kept putting them in his basket....and he would take them out and hand them to me. Eventually, he got the hang of it and started to fill the basket himself.

Hunting for more eggs......not too sure what this is all about..... :)

" think I will take a break from the egg hunt and play on the slide!"

Look at those curls - love them!

Once we collected the eggs, I opened one up and gave him a piece of a Starburst.....and then he was excited! It all started to make sense to him....

Madden is in mid-sign - signing "more"....as in "more starburst, please!"

Love this sweet boy!