9-month check up

We just got back from Madeline's pediatrician. She had her 9-month check up, and the 2nd of her flu shots series. Ready for the stats on her weight & height?? Ready for it? Yes, shockingly enough she registered in the 90th percentile for height (29.5 inches). Hmmmm...wonder who she gets that from???
Anyway, she weighed in at 19.5 pounds. That's about the 50th percentile. A clean bill of health from Dr. Allen...says she's healthy, and just where she should be at this age. Yay! She did encourage us to start giving her soft table foods. Of course, Madeline's mom (that would be me!) has an unnatural fear of her choking. So basically Brandon is having to slip her solid foods when I'm not looking!

After the doctor's visit we walked over to Trader Joe's and introduced a few soft solids to her (and to get me more comfortable with it!). Turns out she loves some monterey jack cheese and organic pumpkin pancakes. So we loaded our cart with butternut squash, fingerling potatoes, cheese tortellini, applesauce and other great solid foods for Mads. Thank goodness we moved where there's a Trader Joe's nearby!

We are off to N. Georgia this weekend...more to come!

More Destin videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DaLoGRmvIc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RiF1IKo5tE

Destin

We arrived at 10am in Destin today...thank you Madeline for our early morning wake up so that we could get on the road! Spent last night in Tallahassee with our friends Kay & Rocky. We got together with several of our other Tally friends, and they finally got to meet Madeline. And yes, I forgot to take my camera out the entire time!! Let's see, how often do I get to see all my friends in Tally...um, like once a year if that! And when we all finally get together and they get to meet Madeline I don't get the camera out of my bag. Ugh!

So back to the present. We are here in Destin. Weather cooperated for us. A few rain showers while Mads took her early afternoon nap, but before and after that rain (and nap) we got to get out. Went down to the pool (see video link below) and the beach. Have some great pics to share (yes I remembered to get the camera out!), but will have to wait until we get back to Atlanta because we forgot our cord to download the pics. In the meantime, check out the 2 videos below. In the pool video, give it a few seconds and it will get clearer...had some fog issues on the lens at the start.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g912bIxsp0c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrNbJcv-edE

Weekend with Nana & Papa Tom

We had a great visit from Bradon's parents...Nana & Papa Tom. Two highlights were apple picking and the purchase of Madeline's first tutu!

Saturday we drove up to Blue Ridge, GA to Mercier Farms to go apple picking...I believe this is becoming a tradition since this is our 4th annual trip. As you can see from the picture, Brandon wore Madeline while I picked the low-hanging apples. We also had help from Nana & Papa Tom. As we taste tested each type of apple we picked, Brandon decided to give Madeline a taste...she couldn't get enough of it! She had pieces of apple all over her face and juice dripping from her chin. She loves fresh picked apples! It was a hot day, but we had a great time!

As mentioned earlier, the other highlight of the trip was a trip to the store to purchase her first tutu! The picture of her to the right was about a month or so ago when she first tried it on. But because it was just so cute on her, Nana wanted to get it for her. She did great with having the puffy skirt on her...it didn't slow her down one bit! However, watching her crawl around with the tutu on was pretty entertaining for the adults. For pictures, check out our album online (direct link located under right column, labeled "Madeline's Online Photo Journal").

Today we purchased a guard for the rail of her crib where she keeps teething. The dark wood is now light in spots where her teeth have gone through all the paint. So wish us luck that this guard will work!

Oh, and one more video I almost forgot about! This is the baby gate we have up in between our den and study area. She has so much fun playing with it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMK00rP7jng

So many videos...

...so little time! 2 more videos shot today. One shot at 6am...yes, she was up, singing and giggling at 5:45am. Bright and early! She obviously does not take after her mom. The second video shot just a few minutes ago...around 2pm. She's one happy, exploring baby. I think maybe we should have named her Dora the Explorer!! Enjoy the videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOtSJDDJ8A8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJFgLKnpSxE

First post ever!

So instead of creating newsletters, how about a blog? This way Brandon and I can keep you all informed of Madeline's updates a bit more regularly.

Update of the day: She woke us up at 5:45am this morning. Yes, still teething on her crib. The teething marks in the wood are really attractive!

She is constantly crawling & pulling herself up on anything that's somewhat stable...furniture, her Exersaucer, mom's legs, etc. We have officially finished babyproofing our house. I'm sure there will be more to babyproof as she develops. Is there any possible way to contain a walking toddler? Yeah, I didn't think so.

In the meantime, Beau is inching closer and closer to her. I think he is starting to really like her...especially now that she no longer tries to pull on his hair. It is obvious of her love for Beau...everytime he gets close to her she gasps in excitement, huge smile on her face and starts bouncing up and down.

Nana & Papa Tom are on their way to Atlanta today to spend the weekend with us. More people around to spoil Madeline...she can't wait!

Oh, and the count of teeth to date is 4. Two on bottom and now two on top (well, one on top is still fighting it's way through, but there's a definite tooth there!).