Better Late Than Never

She brought all her blankies (which she has become very attached to as well as her lovie) and made a bed in the kitchen. She then said, "take a picture of me."
Happy 4th of July!
The hat and shaker M made at MDO and then wore in a parade there
On father's day morning at church
Giving daddy his cards and presents on father's day morning. M came in our room that morning at 530am and crawled in bed with us. Needless to say it was not a restful sleep after that. She is a squirmy worm, as we call her. I got up to take a shower and M woke up a few minutes later, she rolled right over and gave Lance a big hug and said "I love you Daddy." Lance said it was all worth it for that and that was the best present he got.
Aunt Diane has the best toys. There is also a big pool behind Lance.

So, better late than never. Happy father's day to the best daddy and husband these Poole girls have. And I hope everyone had a happy 4th. We spent the day at a friend's pool with a bunch of folks from church, then ran down to T-town to have dinner with the fam. No fireworks though. Decided to pass. I asked Madeline if she wanted to go see some and she responded, "No, I'll be scared." Girl knows her mind.

Two things that have seemed to creep up lately-M stating she is afraid of things i.e. loud noises, monsters, (thanks stupid shows on Noggin), etc... and her getting up in the middle of the night or rather early morning 3-5am. I think she is beginning to transition into nighttime potty training. She always has to go potty, but has a difficult time falling back asleep, especially when the sun is already coming up. She has been waking up dry from naps for a month, but of course the 3rd day I let her sleep in panties she had a accident. So for my sake, I've kept her in the pull up. Any advice from others on what to do about nighttime potty are welcome.

Funny things M has said/done lately:
1. M always asked me "did you tape (my show)?" Its just much easier than saying, "did you DVR this or that? A little insight into how her mind processes info...The other day she got the scotch tape out of the drawer and went up to the TV. She began pulling tape out and said "Im taping Super Why."
2. We were at Panera the other day when smoke starting coming out of the vent. It didn't last long and we made our way to a table by the door (just in case). The fire dept showed up to check things out. M loved watching them walk around in their gear. As they were finishing up she held her lovie tightly and said "The fireman's gonna take lovie." We had to convince her this was not the case by reminding her that her uncle Garry is a fireman and that he would not take lovie. This seemed to ease her mind and she went outside and waved goodbye to the truck. All the firefighters waved back of course which was such a sweet sight.
3. Today I was getting lunch ready and M was playing with a canister of crystal light. She was taking the packages out and counting them. For some reason, she cannot always remember 4 and 5. I reminded her again about them and added that she knows this and needs to remember 4 and 5. I wasn't harsh or anything (or at least I didnt think I was). M said she was going to her room. After a few minutes of quiet I walked back there. She was in bed under her covers like she was going to sleep. Our conversation was this:
Me "baby, why are you back here in bed?"
M (long pause) "Im just sad."
Me "why are you sad, baby?"
M "because I can't count."

Both hilarious and heartbreaking. Can my 2 1/2 year old really already take my mild criticism so hard? What is 8 or 12 or 17 going to look like?

The Beach

Taken just before we went out to dinner on our 6th anniversary




This is mostly what pictures consisted of. She never smiled once...lovely.
M loved to "feed the water" as she called it. She would get a scoop of sand and then take it down to the surf and drop it in. She never tired of it, in fact, she wanted to do that instead of take pictures in the above.

Playing at Adventure Island
Going for her first go-cart ride.

Breakfast with cousins Taylor and Reilly
M loved the ocean, which surprised us. She would even laugh when a wave would hit her and water would splash in her face.
Burring cousin Steven and his son Trace
Rub-a-dub-dub three silly kids in a tube. Ridge and Reilly are twins who M absolutely adores
Blue Angels museum with Ridge
Watching the Blue Angels practice with Gigi

We had a great week at the beach. M learned how to swim with her floaties the first day and was able to swim out into the pool and make her way back by herself. We were impressed. She loved the ocean and sand too. The other day she told both Lance and I separately that she loved us, unprompted. It was so sweet. I dont think a day has gone by lately were I have not cracked up at something she has said, of course I cant remember anything specific right now. Too tired. Off to bed. Post more when I remember....

Comparison

First day of MDO in September 08
First day of MDO June 09

Wow! What a difference in 9 months. I cant believe how much more hair she has now. Maybe its just me or the bad lighting but her hair seems darker now. Poor girl, going to be brown before age 5! Hopefully the beach will lighten it up this week!

Good Mornin'

When Madeline wakes up in the morning (or when she gets out of bed when she is not supposed to) this is where she sits. At the door waiting for someone to come get her. She doesn't talk, but I usually know she's up because I can hear her lovie (which has a rattle in it).
random cuteness
First dip in the pool



Well we are sling free. Went to the doc today who said she was healing nicely. He did not recommend getting back in a jumping castle for at least 2 more weeks though-no kidding. Just in time for our beach trip. We leave tomorrow after Lance's exam. Oh yeah, Lance decided to take some more "optional" exams call the CFA. It will give him some more insight into the work he would like to be doing in the future. They are much easier than the actuarial exams, and he's only spent about 2 weeks studying as opposed to the 4 months like before, but still, its time away from us. Still no house to move to. So sad, but I'm hopeful that the Lord will provide soon. Madeline has said many times this week "I'm ready to go to the beach!" So am I baby! See you in a week!

Fractured, Aunt Tonya and Denver

What's up with the "One Armed Wonder" you ask? Madeline fractured her collar bone the day before we left for Denver. She was at a birthday party at a jumping castle place and a little girl jumped on her. I knew something was very wrong because she would not stop crying and we could feel a little lump on her bone. I almost lost it at the party. I felt so helpless to make my baby's pain go away and since it was after 5pm my doctor was closed. Thankfully my wonderful friend Lory helped me out. We have the same pediatrician and she advised going to Children's Hospital would be an all night affair, and had the after hours number in her phone. A trip to Children's South and an x-ray later, M had a mild fracture so she is in a sling. She was wearing it day and night but we went to the orthopedic on Friday after we got back and the crack has already filled in. She is in the sling during the day for 2 more weeks to keep her from reinjury, but all in all it was not terrible. She didn't seem to mind the sling and even asks to wear it now.
Denver Zoo one day with Tonya-Not as good as Cincy, but much better that B'ham
How incredible that he could come right up to the glass!
Don't worry, its just cardboard
Madeline loved Tonya's dogs. Mr. Big Stuff and Jake were the only toys we needed. These are the biggest black labs I've ever seen, but such sweet dogs. Every morning M woke up and said first thing "Where the puppies at?" We all were whipped by their tails which felt like a belt across your legs!
Headed up to the mountains one day. This is in Breckenridge.
M dipping her feet in the icy cold melted snow run off. She loved it
You can read the sign
Up at Loveland Pass

So, my sister is the picture taker and she didn't have time to make me a copy of all the thousands of pictures she took while we were there. Sadly, I have no pics of her boyfriend Shawn or his son Jesse that we had the pleasure of meeting. But know that was a big part of the trip, as its been almost 2 years since they have been together. We had a great time, but are paying the price a little for the fracture. We allowed M to milk her injury a little by sleeping with us. Then when we got to Denver she didn't want to sleep alone there, so to avoid major meltdowns at bedtime, we allowed it. Of course, I didn't sleep because she is a squirmy worm and in a queen size bed, I was kicked and rolled over all night. Now that we are home, she is crying herself to sleep every night.

So Behind on Blogging-Cincinnati

So, I vowed after we drove when M was 5 months old to Cincy, that I would not do it again until she could be entertained by TV (I know, I'm a stellar mom-Don't judge me!). Well that day has arrived (plus she's over two and we would have to pay for another airplane ticket). Lance insisted we pull out at 4:30 AM!!! Which was pretty good, and M slept until 7:20, and was happy for the rest of the trip. We did have to make a couple of extra stops for her to potty, but no accidents in her pull-up either. I was impressed, and we still made it in 7 1/2 hrs. The only plus was since we drove we were able to bring back on dry ice Graeters Ice Cream!

My Favorite! I have a pic of me copying my dad when I was about 3 or 4, too. I'll find it and post it sometime. Its in M's closet and she's sleeping. She was also pretty mad about something in this pic, thus the scow on her face.
At the aquarium with Garry and Sarah (pre-engagement)
We went to the Cincinnati Aquarium and the Zoo while visiting
Polar bears


We fed a lot of animals at each!

Got to go to Cincy in late April for a short visit. Please forgive Cincy friends that I didn't get to call. My time was not my own.

2 Year Old Pictures

Had my friend Hillary (who has started a photography business on the side) take some pictures of M which will serve as her 2 year old pictures, last weekend. There are some pretty classic M faces and poses in here. Here's the link if you would like to see them:

http://jevoisphotography.com/hillary/Mpoole/

No longer home owners-we closed on our condo yesterday!