ABCs

Here's a conversation we had today.
Madeline standing with her feet apart on the floor: "I do an x!"
Me: "Wow, did you do a 'T'?"
Madeline: "Yes!"
Me: "Did you do an 'L'? [yes] An 'O'? [yes] Did you do a 'P'?"
Madeline: Quiet, thinking...very seriously says, "No Mommy, I NOT do a pee on the floor."

Flutter by Butterfly

Today we went to a butterfly exhibit and an indoor garden. It was so neat! I've never been to a place like that. The actual room with the butterflies was pretty small, but had high ceilings. I was able to get butterflies on my fingers a couple of times, but I spent most of my time chasing Madeline, so it was hard to sit still enough for the butterflies. They were friendly though, I was surprised how close we could get. The one I got a picture of on my hand was actually beautiful bright blue on the inside, I wish I had captured that! A few times people told me I had butterflies on my hat or backpack, but either I couldn't see or it didn't last long. We finally found a really tame one (or one that was probably injured or dying, to be honest) that we got on Madeline's hand. She did NOT appreciate it! She was all about holding butterflies until she felt those prickly little legs. So, I have one blurry picture of her cringing and trying to escape. It really is my favorite!

Madeline FORTified

I have to get my corniness out in the titles of my blogs, because if I do it in real life I won't have any friends. Madeline's new pasttime is making forts. This is another case of me trying to come up with a distraction that turns into an obsession (just like picking dandelions/clover). Maybe I need to start keeping my great ideas to myself. Madeline loves to make "houses" but she has to add every blanket, washcloth, or towel that she can find. Actually, she gives them to me to layer (each one in the exact same place) and she is really offended if I tell her she has enough. It was hard getting pictures of the first fort with her inside, because she didn't like the front flipped up so we could see her. She is very serious about her buildings!





These last two are pictures of the bed that Madeline constructed from two steps and two blankets. She still sleeps with a pacifier, so of course she had to find a pretend "pluggie" to complete the scene. It is the top of a toy ice cream cone, it must have been really uncomfortable, but she really wanted it in her mouth so she could "sleep".

Reflections of myself

It is enlightening, and sometimes quite interesting to see the world through Madeline's eyes. Especially her view of me. Today Madeline lay down on the couch, closed her eyes,and with a very sad face said "I have a headache. I need a medicine. Don't wake up Mannin." Poor girl! I guess she sees me do that a lot!

Jesslyn visits and later Madeline's first haircut

Madeline's new hobby: collecting dandelions and clover flowers. I taught her how to pick flowers (only those two varieties, and she seriously sticks to it) one day to try to distract her when she was upset. It is kinda cute and funny, now she has to pick any clovers or dandelions she sees. Especially dandelions. My mom used to pay me 1 cent per dandelion (or per 2!) that I'd pick. I think I should set Madeline loose in Colorado and cash in!

We took Jesslyn to the "Taste of Cincinnati" festival downtown when she was here. Poor Madeline was wilted, so we let her loose at the fountains and she tried to get in. She LOVES water!



These first few pics were our first trip to Indiana (another state marked off the list). This little town is by the border and is only about half an hour from where we live. Sorry the picture of Jess is fuzzy, it looks like the lense was wet! We had fun having Jesslyn here!



The last 3 pics are of Madeline's first hair trim! It has been longer on the left side for a really long time! I think she used to lay and sleep more on the right side, so the left side hair still just hasn't caught up. I turned on Little Einsteins (her new favorite show, and I'm not opposed, she learns stuff and I can get some stuff done). She was pretty still, but she really didn't like when I trimmed the front. It was stressful for me, but not too bad for her. It is more even now though, and we probably won't need to trim it for another year or two (at the rate it has been growing!).

Columbus

Today we went to Columbus. Raymey had to do an interview as part of the process of taking the bar. He should have been able to do the interview here, but his change of address request got lost in the mail, so he got sent to Columbus (1.5 hours away). The interview itself was short (it was a character interview, and I guess he looked pretty solid!). Madeline and I tagged along for the trip. Raymey and I left Madeline with a friend of a friend and went to the temple. It was a busy day with no down time, but we're glad we got things done that we'd been needing and wanting to do. Oh yeah, we also had Steak 'n Shake for lunch(I haven't seen them before Ohio--are they other places?). Mmmmmm you can't beat a triple patty steakburger with a bunch of fries for $3.99. I think I'm in love.

Scaring and swallowing

I love when it is really quiet to suddenly let out a big roar to see if I can surprise Madeline. I can't help myself because I really like the results. Either she jumps and then starts giggling with me, or she jumps, whines, and comes and hugs me because she's startled. I really should stop, but it is so fun. Part of the reason we have Madeline is so that we can play lovely tricks on her. (Really there are a million other reasons too, I just like that one!)
Also, last night I had a dream about my throat burning in my chest. I woke up and had the same pain. I think I'd swallowed a pill and it got stuck and started dissolving in my esophogus. It was so painful! So I got up and ate a bunch of applesauce and tortilla chips (we didn't have bread or anything) for about an hour and then it finally died down to a dull pain. It was miserable to be awake for 2 hours and not get anything done. Still this morning I feel like I'm swallowing a bubble all of the time. At least it doesn't hurt! Aren't you glad I blogged today?