Breakfast with Santa & Polar Express

Madelyn was a little leery of Santa this year. She was okay watching him from a far and liked reading books about him but was not interested in sitting on his lap. She didn't like that you couldn't see his mouth.  We had two opportunities to see Santa this year.  First we went to Breakfast with Santa at my sister's school.

Connor and Madelyn enjoying messy donuts!

Waiting very patiently for Santa to call her name.

She wanted her present but didn't want to sit on Santa's lap.

She loved her stand mixer and candy cane from Santa!

On December 14 after some really cold days, it warmed up just in time to visited the North Pole.  We took a trolly there and read the Polar Express.  At the North Pole, we saw two reindeer, ate cookies and hot cocoa and got a bell from Santa.  This year we got to go with Connor and Juliana as well as Madelyn's friend Eliza.

A little scared of the reindeer

Eliza did a great job sitting on Santa's lap. Madelyn was scared.

Eliza was so sweet and handed Madelyn a bell from Santa so Madelyn didn't have to go near Santa.

Warming up near the fire.

We were delayed leaving the North Pole when two medical emergencies happened.  

On the trolly on the way home singing "Jingle Bells" with Madelyn's new silver bell from Santa.

Thanksgiving Weekend

For Thanksgiving, we had a nice dinner at my parents' house.  The kids played so nicely and loved taking turns pulling each other in the doll size wagon.  We also managed to get our Christmas card photo taken.

The day after Thanksgiving, we checked out a new play place called the Ball Factory. Madelyn LOVED going down the big slide with Daddy. She probably did it 20 times. 

She liked jumping off the step into the balls

All smiles!

I love her expression here!

 

Swimming!

Madelyn loves swimming and we love taking her to the pool. We try to go every week.  The pool we go to is far away (20 minute drive) but they have family swim in their warm therapy pool on Sunday afternoons. Don't miss the videos at the end.

This photo reminds me of a photo of me when I was little.

Showing off her kicking!

Pretending to be alligators on our way out.

Some videos to enjoy.

Juliana's Big Girl Party

Juliana had her first birthday party with school friends and Madelyn was lucky enough to be invited. It was so cute watching Madelyn with the big 5 & 6 year olds. She had a blast as she always does at her cousin's birthday parties.  This year's theme was Fairies!

Looking for the Fairies!

Following the big girls around looking for Fairies!

Getting in on the action of making Evil Jack Frost be Gone!

Madelyn was happy when Connor showed up with Pizza!

Playing with Grace and Juliana

Two cute Fairies: Madelyn & Connor

Happy 6th Birthday, Juliana!

Gymnastic Videos

Here are two cute videos of Madelyn doing somersaults and jumping with "two feet" on the air track.

Gymnastics!

Madelyn loved her gymnastics class this fall. I am so glad that it actually ran because the first session of the fall got canceled.  She loved having Connor and Juliana (a friend from Goddard) also in her class.  We signed her up for the next session so hopefully she continues to like it.

Trying out the beam

Jumping with Daddy!

Jumping over the "french fries"

Swinging on the bar--she has good upper arm strength!

Jumping off the spring into the circle

Loving the tunnel

Jumping on the airtrack

Her favorite thing to do!

Baby #2 Update

Madelyn seems excited about the baby but I am still not sure if she really knows what's coming.  She knows that only girls can have babies grow in their tummies not boys.  The other day she told me her tummy was getting big and then said that she had a baby growing in it. Too cute!

As for me, I am starting to get uncomfortable but both baby and mom are healthy so I can't complain too much. I've been meeting with the doctor for a few weeks now and so far things are going well. I am measuring just right so we'll see how everything works out.  She doesn't want me to go too much past my due date so hopefully the baby makes an appearance early so we can try for a VBAC.

The bad news is the blood bank tested my blood and it was Rh- so even though the two previous tests said it was Rh+, I will still get rhogam shots this pregnancy since it's better to error on the side of caution.

Madelyn takes great care of all her dolls!

Big Sister!

Madelyn wanted a baby in her tummy too so we put baby Hope in her shirt!

Madelyn and Mommy with babies in their tummies

Madelyn's belly shot :)