My Darling Madeline

I'm very surprised at how easily I transitioned into being Jack's mother. I am completely and totally obsessed. It's like when you are in love and the rest of the world doesn't even exist. So much so, that I have to remind myself every day to pay attention to my Maddie too. I just sort of forget sometimes. So I took Maddie out to dinner and be bought matching, ridiculously fuzzy bathrobes. She looks so much like I did when I was eight years old in this picture. 

But I assure you, I was never this fashionable or adorable when I was eight.

I found this self-portrait of Maddie on her camera. It makes me want to put my arms around her and protect her from the world. I hope that she still feels adored by her mother even when I am feeding and holding and changing and bathing the baby for hours every day. 

Although she complains that Jack gets to "stay up later than her" even though "she is older", she still likes to sing to him at bedtime. Every single time she sings to him, Jack becomes very peaceful and alert. I know that he already adores his big sister.

She also likes to "play Barbies" with him. I think she is just so happy to finally have a playmate.

In other news, this Saturday is a very special day for our family. Our Madeline will be baptized and our Jack will be blessed. It makes me tear up just thinking about how blessed we are to have these two little miracles in our home.

Grandma Linda went to Maddie's school's Grandparent Day. By all accounts, it was a fabulous time.

Maddie still loves performing. She loves acting and singing and being on stage. So.....I'm just going to go with it. She takes voice lessons, performs in a children's chorus, and here she is in her theater dance class. I will NOT be shocked when she is performing on Broadway someday. I couldn't be more proud of my daughter.

Jack's First Haircut. (And his possible thoughts.)

"I can't believe my mommy is making me do this. It is so demeaning."

"I guess this isn't so bad...."

"No! Not my rat tail!!"

"Get me out of here! Save me!"

Some Cute Pictures of Jack (and his possible thoughts)

"We represent the lollipop kids...."

"Don't hit me! These aren't boxing gloves, they're socks!"

"I'm dreaming of a happy world full of pacifiers and blankies and mommy."

"I seriously have to do this 12 times?" (1 month picture)

"These are supposed to be fun toys?"

"Don't mess with crazy crab!!"

"Mommy takes too long. I'll just drink this bottle and hold it myself."

"I am a very important person, thank you very much." (thought in a snooty tone of voice)

"I farted. It was me."

"Pooping on mom's lap takes serious concentration."

"Yes. I know I'm adorable."

Pictures I Forgot

I think I tried to hurry and keep updated on my blog, so I forgot a few choice pictures. Here are some pictures from Josh and Maddie's Birthday Day at Disneyland. They got to eat in the exclusive, semi-secret Disneyland Club 33 Restaurant. Don't know what I'm talking about? Exactly. They felt very VIP.

While they were at Disneyland, I took Jack on his first trip to Jack's Surfboards and bought him some cool threads with his name on them.

While we were in California, it was our 11th Anniversary. How did we spend it (you might ask)? Just like this. It was awesome.

I also forgot to post this adorable picture of my family carving a pumpkin.

And of our Halloween costumes. Maddie is a fuzzy, fancy, one-eyed monster. I don't know exactly what it is or why she chose it, but she does look adorable.

Jack was, of course, a JACK-o-lantern. And the cutest, littlest pumpkin.

Once again, I made Josh dress up as one of my fantasies. He is a very sexy Maverick (in my opinion).

Seeing as how Halloween was one month after I gave birth, my Halloween costumes seemed limited. So I work black (black is slimming) and put on my spider necklace and bracelet and earrings. Maddie was very unhappy with that costume. First of all, I already wore it last year. And second of all, she says it isn't a real costume. She insists that I never wear it again.

Eight is Great

The Madster turned eight this past weekend. We surprised her with a trip to Build a Bear because that is all she wants in this lifetime. I was once again suckered in to getting her a stroller and bear underwear (even though nobody sees the underwear!). That store knows how to hustle.

Then we had a lovely pajama party at our house. Yup, you heard me right. At our house. I tried desperately to convince her to have it at any of those places where you pay a young, energetic teenager to do all the work. But she really wanted to do it at our house. So I put on my jammies and became "energetic" just for her. We made jewelry and hair accessories, and autographed pillowcases....

Did pedicures and watched a movie....

Ate pizza, Cheetos, and cheesecake...

And opened lots of presents!

I "hired" some energetic helpers to come help with the crafts. It's amazing what you can get my family to do by paying them with a slice of cheesecake.

And this sweet and smart and beautiful and confident and helpful girl turned 8! What a blessing she is in our family!

Happy Days are Here Again

Jack fits into our family so nicely. It's like he was always supposed to be with us. For example, Maddie welcomed her new "student" into her "classroom" with open arms. He is a very well behaved student so far.

He also likes to take naps on Sunday afternoons.

He likes to watch cartoons with Maddie.

And he is just completely pooped after a long day at the office.

Jack is also being trained to be a Rebel fan. It's mandatory for people who are raised in Vegas.

In other news, Maddie made a house for her newest pets. Her Mexican jumping beans love their new home.

Maddie suddenly loves practicing the piano now that we have a real piano. She and Josh were serenading me with a duet.

My sister-in-law needed skirts sewn for her children's choir and "hired" my mom and I to be her seamstresses. It's amazing what you can get me to do by paying me with a salad from Panera Bread.

 Josh got to sneak off with his cousin buddies to a Chargers football game in Florida. Lucky man!