Madilyn is one year old right as this post goes live. A year ago at 3:08pm, after a couple of days of amazing, drug-free labor, Madilyn was born in Asheville, North Carolina. Still can’t believe it’s been a year already. Can’t wait to see what the next year has in store!
I know February has only begun, but it seems like old man winter is skipping over Asheville this year. It’s all because I went and bought Abigail a full-on snow suit. Just like when you bring an umbrella, it doesn’t rain. Shame on me for being prepared!
I’m only going to detail one notable event and list the rest at the bottom. On January 1, after about six months of research and transition, our family switched to eating a whole-foods, non-processed diet. The results have been incredible (e.g. I’ve lost 12 pounds), and I’ve been blogging about our journey. I’ve had an outpouring of positive feedback on the new blog, so check it out if you get a chance. Be sure to go back to my first post (there are only 6 or 7 so far, so it’s not hard to find the beginning) and get a better idea of why we made the switch.
Abigail Grace
Preschool started back for Abigail after Christmas break and we introduced some new “chores” to teach her responsibility. Aside from the obvious stuff like cleaning up her toys and learning to brush her teeth and wash her hands, she’s now getting out her plate, cup, and silverware for dinner and taking it all to the sink afterward—after saying “I enjoyed it. May I be excused?” Love this!
She’s getting more and more into singing, and it’s a blast to hear her singing along to songs in the car or the music station at home. Her newest additions skidamarinkidinkydink (yeah, however you spell that), this old man, B-I-N-G-O, do you want to jump children? YEAH!
Her interaction with Madilyn is primarily positive, but when she thinks Madilyn is taking something from her or encroaching on her territory, Abigail yells “NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!” and sometimes escalates into hysterical tears. It’s kind of funny to watch the first couple of times, but it gets old fast.
Her imagination is growing more and more all the time. She likes to pretend our hardwood floors are mud and that the rugs are boats, and she enjoys making her stuffed animals talk. She has all sorts of voices for the different animals, and I hope to catch some of that on video soon.
She skipped her afternoon nap on January 25, and I just about lost my mind. She hasn’t skipped it since, and I’m chalking it up to the fact she was sick and out of sorts. Please don’t drop your nap yet!
Newest phrases—”Is that a deal?” and tagging “OK?” to the end of most phrases. For example, “I really want you to read this book to me, OK? I’m ready for lunch now, OK?” It’s cute and makes her seem older.
Madilyn Joy
She’ll be one year old on Saturday. How did that happen?
Her first steps were on January 6 (11 months, 2 days old), and although she’s been taking steps for nearly a month now, she hasn’t gone more than 10 without falling. She is getting more and more confident each day and can stand unassisted for quite some time.
She’s started stacking blocks higher and putting objects back into containers after dumping them out. She’s also started signing—more, milk, water, all done, and eat. She’s waving consistently, blowing kisses and giving high fives.
I started weaning her on January 4, and by last week, I nursed her for the last time. It was bittersweet, of course, but I was ready to close that chapter in my mothering experience.
She dropped her morning nap on January 16 and now takes a 2/2.5 hour afternoon nap around the same time as Abigail. It’s nice to have such a huge chunk of time in the afternoons—most days, anyway.
We’ve pretty much weaned her of her pacifier too, just occasional nap usage, and she’s gotten really attached to a ducky blanket (thanks again, Libby!) that she cuddles with in her crib.
Notable Events
And now, the list of other things that filled our month of January for posterity’s sake: David was off until January 2; got our first exposure to beer at the Thirsty Monk with pals Edwin and Sarah; baby shower for Jordan; lots of time spent with Michelle’s youngest kiddos while Everett got all sorted out; book club for the middle Steig Larsson book; MOPS is back in session; David threw a men’s baby shower for pal Kirby in Greenville (Clemson basketball game and gifts); while our men were away at the game, Sarah came over to hang out with me and the girls; Madilyn’s dedication on Jan 22; David out of town most of the week between Chicago and Virginia while all three of us got sick; Abigail and Madilyn’ s dentist appointments; Western Carolina University campus visit (will find out in a couple of months if I got in); Lydia’s third birthday party; coffee date with Sarah.
.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
Abigail jumping into the foam pit at Hahn’s
.
Abigail in her snowsuit after our only snowfall of the winter
.
Madilyn playing with a tea set
.
Madilyn’s first steps
.
More of Madilyn’s first steps
.
Abigail somersaulting at Hahn’s
.
Sisters playing
.
Madilyn playing with the farm
.
Abigail playing with her lamb. Excuse cranky Madilyn in the background. She was sick, and David was trying to console. Poor baby.
.
Madilyn dancing some more
.
Abigail loves her foam ABC letters for the bath
.
Part of Madilyn’s dedication at church
.
Blast from the past! I found this video randomly. It’s from when Madilyn was less than 2 months old, and our labor and delivery nurse was being given a DAISY award that I nominated her for (excellence in nursing). Feels like an eternity ago!
.
