Madelynn Giggled

This past weekend Madelynn giggled for the first time! It was Saturday morning before we raked and I was playing with her. All of the sudden she giggled. Of course that made me giggle and she did it again. Andy and I were glad we both got to hear her giggle for the first time. So many firsts she still has in front of her. She also saw her first snow fall this Sunday although I don't think she really cared.

Madelynn goofing around

Cute outfit from Auntie Heidi

Me and the Kids

Fun Fall Weekend!

This past weekend Hayden and I raked leaves Saturday morning while Andy and Madelynn ran an errand. We would rake a big pile and then Hayden would jump in it. Then Hayden would help pick up the leaves and we would start over with a new pile. By the afternoon Hayden was tired of raking so he played and Andy helped rake and then cut the grass. On Sunday it was definitely an inside day, so we carved pumpkins and watched it snow. Hayden also painted the two little pumpkins that we got for him and Maddy. It was a fun, fall filled weekend. And in just 4 days it will be Halloween, Hayden is very excited for his party at school and of course trick or treating.

Just some of our trees

Millie and her Tennis ball
Hayden enjoying Fall

Digging out the Pumpkin seeds

Millie and her Stuffed toy

Millie and her Dragon Puff #3

Millie loves stuffed things. She doesn't own many because she chews them to shreds within a day. But for Millie's birthday my mom bought her a dragon we named Puff. It has this special chew guard technology that is supposed to make it impossible for even the toughest chewers to get through. Millie was able to chew through Puff in a few days. But the tag said if your dog chewed through it to send it back, it was guranteed for a lifetime. So I sent it back thinking I would never see the toy again. But low and behold another Puff came in the mail with a letter that said they would like Millie to be a test dog. So we have been through three of these stuffed things, each one lasts a little longer and Millie never seems to chew through the same spot. Number four should be on its way and I know Millie will be so excited when that day comes.

Madelynn and her Dress

Last weekend it was still warm out so Madelynn was in one of her dresses. She doesn't have a lot for fall since they just aren't as practical. Even though they are so stinkin cute. Maddy has discovered her hands about a week ago so she had more fun pulling the dress up. Everytime I tried to capture her in this adorable dress she would grab hold of it, made me laugh. So I got a lot of pictures of her smiling and a lot of her showing off her matching bloomers.

This is fun!

Look at my cute chubby legs.

Kiddie Pool Anyone??

So yesterday Hayden, Madelynn and I were outside in the afternoon enjoying the brisk sunny fall day. It was about 55 degrees. After about 45 minutes of being out there with Maddy I told Hayden, we were going inside but he could stay out if he wanted with Millie. He stayed outside and Maddy and I went in to warm up. After about 5 minutes Hayden knocked on the kitchen sliding door. When I went to see what he wanted he asked if he could go in his pool. As in his kiddie pool. I told him it was too cold out and he didn't seem to like that answer. He said WHY. This was the same kid who was telling me that he was a little cold about 15 minutes before so I got his sweatshirt. He then decided he didn't like Fall. That is until I told him we were going to rake leaves this weekend. Then he was estatic that he would get to jump in the leaves. Needless to say it never ceases to amaze me what comes out of Hayden's mouth.

Hayden loving being outside

Madelynn all bundled up and in her Baby carrier

Hayden and his Dog Millie

Hayden discovered this summer that it is fun to play with his dog Millie. He would always try to play with her before but never seemed to have too much fun. Now Millie and Hayden love to play together. Especially outside. They have a game they play, Hayden gets Millie's beloved tennis ball and then he climbs up his play gym and throws it from the fort. Millie retrieves and then drops the tennis ball underneath the fort in the center of the tire swing. Hayden goes down the slide and gets it and repeats climbing up the play gym to do it all over again. It is the cutest thing to watch. The other day it was a beautiful fall day so we spent most of the afternoon outside and they did this over and over again. Needless to say they were both very tired that night.

Madelynn at 2 months old

Madelynn is 2 months old now. She is an active little girl and loves to watch whatever her big brother is doing. Hayden calls her his baby and always wants her to be looking at him. Which for the most part she does. This morning when we picked Hayden up from preschool he wanted Maddy to look at him and not sleep. I told him she was tired and he said "but I missed her!" Put a smile on my face, how sweet it was to hear that. He really loves having her around. Even just to sit with him, he always wants me to leave her with him wherever he is playing, which I don't do if I am going to a different floor, but its cute that he always says it.

Madelynn's Baptism

Madelynn Renee was baptized on September 27th at 6:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. This is the church that Andy and I were married at and also where big brother Hayden was baptized. Her Godparents are Auntie Heidi and Uncle Jake. Madelynn was lucky enough to wear a gown that was made by her Great Grandma Bousia's mom. All of Great Grandma Bousia's children (aka Andy's dad) wore this gown when they were baptized and I believe most of her grandchildren as well. It is a beautiful lace gown with a silk gown that went underneath. It fit her wonderfully. Thank you Bousia for letting us borrow it.

Before the ceremony we had a gathering with Andy's side of the family at their family restaurant. Both Great Grandparents came as well as some of Maddy and Hayden's Great Aunties and a second cousin. It was so nice of everyone to make the trip as they came from Kenosha WI and IL to meet Madelynn. Maddy wore an adorable pink dress during the day that she had received from her Great Aunt Jan and Uncle Dave when she was born.

Maddy received some lovely gifts from those who came, adorable outfits, socks, shoes, personalized books, quilt, savaings bonds, piggy bank and a letter about her great great grandmother (Andy's mom's side) - she was born the same day as her. Even her big brother Hayden received gifts which he loved, so thoughtful

Our Family the day of the Baptism

Great Grandma Fisher
Great Grandma Banas (aka Bousia)
Bousia with Hayden (her first great grandchild of 4!)
Andy, Heather, Auntie Heidi, Maddy and Uncle Jake

Trip to Wisconsin

At the end of September we went to Wisconsin to visit with family. Andy had to stay behind to work but luckily Nana and Papa met us half way to pick up me and the kiddo's. That way we didn't have to miss hanging out for the week or me attempting to drive by myself with the two kids. I think I could manage a couple hour drive but 6 hours plus stopping to feed Madelynn would have been too much. Thanks Nana and Papa!

We had a beautiful week in WI, couldn't have asked for a nicer September visit. And boy did we keep busy! When we got there on Sunday Papa took Hayden outside and before we knew it they were down by the lake and then on a boat ride all before dinner. Monday, Papa and Hayden went to a park and then went hiking on trails. Meanwhile Nana, myself and Maddy went shopping. Maddy of course got more adorable clothes, just too cute to resist. It is starting already where Nana and I just have to have something for her.

Tuesday Auntie Heidi took Hayden to the Milwaukee zoo with her friend and her little girl that was Hayden's age. Hayden the night before wasn't too sure about hanging out with a girl. When I told him, he said "there aren't going to be any boys? I don't want to hang out with a boring girl." I guess Audry the little girl had the same type of feelings. But the two of them had a blast as we knew they would. What a wonderful Auntie to take Hayden on her day off to the zoo.

Wednesday we went to see Auntie Heidi at her house and then went to lunch. Got some cute pictures of the kiddo's on her front porch. It is a tradition we started with Hayden to take his picture on her porch, so we had to make sure to get one this year. She has the most amazing flowers and garden, I didnt' inherit that gene, she gets it from our mom.

Thursday and Friday were more down key, but we still managed to go get some Frozen custard and play outside. We also visited a Pumpkin farm, another tradition. Andy came on Friday as well, to hang out for the weekend and for Maddy's baptism. I will have to do another post about that. All in all we had a wonderful time, so happy that we got to go. And Nana and Papa were a big help with the kiddos which gave me a nice break.

Papa and Maddy hanging out on the deck a daily occurance.

Hayden on Auntie Heidi's Porch - look at those flowers!

Auntie Heidi at her house with the kiddo's

Pumpkin Farm visit

Madelynn caught on camera Smiling, she's been smiling since 5 weeks old.