Adventures of Babysitting

We did a little babysitting last week for two of our nephews and one niece. We watched Mat's brother Bob's kids because they went to Hawaii. Sydney is 7 (not in any pictures though because she was at school during the day), Will is 3 almost 4, and Drew is 1 and then of course we had Madison to take care of too. We watched them from Sunday night until Tuesday night which means I watched them because Mat was at work all day and would get home at 7:00 at night and the kids all went to bed at 8:00. Needlessly to say I survived. For the most part everything went smoothly. There were a couple of moments when I thought that 1 kid is definitely enough for me, but that only lasted for a very short time and then everything was great. The kids were really good and Madison did pretty well since she had to share Mom's attention which is something new for her. Sydney was at school both days which made it so I really only had to watch the two boys and Madison. Here are a few moments that I captured from the adventures of babysitting.

Will, Madison, and Drew posing for the camera.

Drew is a mild baby and happy most of the time. Look at his face.

Will loves playing with cars and trains. Will kept wanting me to take lot's of pictures of his Thomas train from different angles. He is all boy. I gave him some stickers and card stock one day and it kept him entertained for 1 1/2 hours. He loved it and was like, "I didn't know you had these stickers. I love these stickers."

Madison looking cute sitting on the couch. Madison is starting to suck on her hands a bunch.

Monday morning I ventured out before it rained and pushed two strollers while Will tagged along. We took a short walk and we stopped for a few minutes so that Will could play at the park.

Drew with his favorite toy Goofy hanging out in the stroller.

Will and Drew having fun smiling for the camera.

Will spending some time with Madison.

Babysitting was good, but next time I want to be the one in Hawaii.

3 Months Pictures, a little late.

So here are some pictures of Madison after two months up till 3 months old. I finally got around to posting her 3 month pictures a week before she is four months. At least I am getting around to it though. Madison has had a major growth spurt in the last 3 weeks. It seems like overnight she grows so much. Madison has lost tons of hair and it has really lightened up. Just after Madison turned 2 months and before she turned 3 months she started sleeping around 9 hours at night (she sleeps even more now which is great). Madison has started smiling more and more. Madison still takes many naps during the day. Madison is getting a lot stronger and as you can see in the picture below is doing well in her bumbo. Madison is definitely recognizing us more and more. Madison enjoys when we sing to her and also enjoys being held face out. Madison still loves her binki. Madison is still being swaddled at night. Madison is our little angel. Next week we have a doctors appointment and hopefully I can post her 4 months stuff soon. Enjoy some random pictures of the adorable M baby.

Madison wearing pink, imagine that.

One morning all ready to go off to church.

Madison with her Grandma and Grandpa Val. (Mat's Mom and Step-dad)

I love this face. This yellow dress is actually a dress that I wore when I was a baby. I think my Grandma crocheted it for me.

We had a visit from our Birth Mom Erin a few weeks ago. She came and spent some time with us in our home. We are so very very grateful to her and words cannot express what Madison has meant to us in our life. Madison is the best.

Madison with her Birth Mom.

Erin also came up with us to a family party at my Uncle's Cabin. We also invited Mat's Dad and Step-Mom to join us. Here is Erin, Madison, and Grandma Tami (Mat's Step-Mom). Madison has meant the world to us and we love Erin so much for bringing her int our life.

These next pictures are Madison's 3 month pictures. Madison on her tummy.

Madison's beautiful smile.

Madison wondering what her parents are trying to do to her.

Madison compared to Mat's hand at 3 months. You will have to look back at older posts to see the other month comparisons. Madison really has gotten so big.

Madison at 3 months compared to her teddy bear.I remember when Madison use to fit in my arm.

Another adorable 3 month picture. I love the hand behind her head. She is already learning to pose.

So cute!

And this one too.

I think the hand on the knee is so adorable.

Madison is not a fan of having hats on her, but I think she just needs to get use to it or maybe she is just rebelling because she had to have a hat on her head 24/7 for the first 3 or so weeks.

Look at that face!

 Madison has a good set of lungs no doubt about that.

Such a sweet picture and look at those eyes.

Well as you can see Madison is our world and we love her so very very much. We are so glad she is part of our family and know that it was meant to be. Madison is the best and most beautiful baby. I am not prejudice or anything.

Happy Day

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday. Madison and I went over to my Mom's during the day to spend some time with her. We had a nice time together. My Mom is so wonderful and makes so many sacrifices for us and we really appreciate all that she does. I have learned a great deal from her and hope I can use what I have learned from her to be a better person. She is an amazing Mom and Grandma. We love you and hope you had a great birthday.

Madison and her Grandma Tine.

That night I had the family over for dinner to celebrate my Mom's birthday. Everyone was able to make it except my brother Eric and his fiancee Ruth because of work and obviously my sister who is on a mission. Here is my mom with Ellie and Ben at my house before dinner.

Here is my Mom and Step-Dad with the Grandkids except Madison who was sleeping.

We had some good food. I had  marinated some chicken and we BBQ it on the grill. My 2nd oldest brother Craig was nice and cooked the chicken for me because Mat was still at work. In the picture is my sister-in-law Lani who is married to my brother Craig, my little brother Steven in the back, and then Craig on our deck in the back.

My other sister-in-law Lindsey made some delicious twice baked potatoes. They were so good! We also had some salad, rolls, and chicken. Everything turned out great.

Of course you can't forget the cake. The birthday girl and some of the kids blowing out the candles. We had Oreo cake, brownies, and ice cream for dessert.

Madison decided to finally wake up just right before everyone left. Madison was not happy in this picture, but oh well. We wanted to compare the two cousins like we did when Madison was like a week old. Madison has grown a lot and is starting to catch up to Emma.

I thought I would post again the picture comparing the two of them when Madison was like a week old. Boy Madison has grown SO much since then. I mean look at her skin rolls and now she has some fat on her legs.

Here is a picture of the fam that was there last night in our backyard except for sweet Madison who was sleeping at the time. We sure do have a gorgeous view from our house

We all had a great evening celebrating my Mom's birthday.

The Great Outdoors

We went on our first and last camping trip of the summer about 3 weeks ago. We took Madison with us and we had a great time. We camped by Strawberry Resevoir with some family. It was so good to get out and spend some time outdoors. Here are a few pics from our adventure:

We are on our way to go camping. Madison and her Uncle Stevie. I went up earlier with my mom, step-dad, and little brother. Mat came up later as well as my oldest brother and his family.

Madison in her little hat hanging outside the trailer with me.

Stevie making a fire. We ate some hotdogs for lunch.

Playing Sorry in the trailer. The weather was rainy at times, but we had an enjoyable time anyway.

Roasting marshmallows and starburst after dinner and before the huge rainstorm that we had.

Madison in her jammies.

Madison really all snuggled up. She is such a doll.

We had our tent all set up and the play pen all set up, but we had been playing games in the trailer in the evening during a huge rainstorm. We decided we did not want to take Madison out of the trailer into the rain to get to our tent so we ended up sleeping in the trailer. Mat ended up holding Madison most of the night in the bed with us and that is why he looks so tired. This is us in the morning along with cute Ellie who wanted to hold little Madison.

My brother Ryan, cute Emma, and my little bro Steve in the morning.

My mom in the morning, but she did not want me to take a picture of her.

During the next day we went on a little walk/hike. It was beautiful. Steve, Mat, and Madison in her little backpack carrier.

Here is the gang that went on the walk except Steve who is taking the picture.

Our little family.