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| Gamecock baby (USC v. UF) |
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| Hiking |
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| Madison's silly face |
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| Giraffe Halloween Costume |
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| Pumpkin patch |
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Some pictures
November already
WoW! Time is flying! We can't believe Thanksgiving is next week.
The last month just flew by for us. We did a LOT of traveling (especially Patrick), and we are ready for the small break for Thanksgiving. We have conflicting emotions about being here for Thanksgiving. We are happy to have a break and not to travel, but we will also dearly miss the sweet time of fellowship with family. We thankfully do have plans for Thanksgiving with our church family and adopted family (the Woods). This will be the Wood's second year hosting Thanksgiving for students and other people in the church who will be in the area for the holiday. Last year it was a lot of fun and honestly we were just thankful for SOMEWHERE to go and eat delicious food. This year we will know more people which makes it that much more exciting. I think it is really great how they set it up because they provide the turkey and then tell everyone to bring their favorite Thanksgiving dish(es). So, we of course bring mashed potatoes and gravy and then pumpkin pie and whipping cream :)
So, Patrick maybe spend 1 whole week at home in the month of October. He was gone A LOT! At the end of October he went to Taiwan (15 hour time difference) for 5 days and he had a good time. He was very busy most of the time, but got a day or two to explore. While he was in Taiwan I went to Atlanta to spend the week with my parents. It was a great decision considering Madison and I were sick part of the time (so thankful not to be home alone). Other than the sickness it was a great time with family. Seth and Carrie even got to come visit!
In the last week Madison took a huge leap forward - she has seemed to figure everything out. She went from pulling up and cruising some and sitting (if I sat her somewhere) and army crawling to a real crawl, pulling up on everything, cruising everywhere (no limits), learned how to sit herself up, sit on her knees, stand without holding on and she started using a spoon correctly (majority of the time). WHOA! It has been SHOCKING for me to watch! It doesn't even bother me (that much) that she is into everything because I am still so amazed. However, we are working on baby proofing but also trying to teach her what is off limits. She really does get more fun every day! At night when Patrick gets home I have to force them to stop playing so she can go to bed. It is the CUTEST!!! She has started drinking from a sippy cup for 2 meals of the day and I think she LOVES the independence (so do I).
As for Patrick and I, he is so busy with work because there are only 3 full weeks(ish) until they close for Christmas break. Which I of course think is awesome (count down), but everyone at his work is scrambling to wrap things up. Poor guy needs a nice long break! We cannot WAIT to get to Columbia and see all the new babies and also can't wait to get to Atlanta so Madison can FINALLY meet the rest of the family. As for my daily life, I am starting to really enjoy staying home with Madison. We have started attending more "baby classes". We went to a music class last week (yes, for babies) and she LOVED it. She was laughing and playing the whole 45 minutes - she didn't try to crawl in my lap once. We have since been trying to attend more story times and things like that where she has more interaction with other babies closer to her age. I am getting very crafty - sewing, crocheting, painting, jewelry making etc. I just can't wait until Madison stops growing so rapidly so I can make her clothes!! I think we are only a couple months from that (1 year in Jan).
I am trying to restrain myself from listening to Christmas music until next Friday, but it is getting really hard. Jingle Bells keeps popping into my head. I can't help it.
I think that is about all for now. Miss and love everyone!
The last month just flew by for us. We did a LOT of traveling (especially Patrick), and we are ready for the small break for Thanksgiving. We have conflicting emotions about being here for Thanksgiving. We are happy to have a break and not to travel, but we will also dearly miss the sweet time of fellowship with family. We thankfully do have plans for Thanksgiving with our church family and adopted family (the Woods). This will be the Wood's second year hosting Thanksgiving for students and other people in the church who will be in the area for the holiday. Last year it was a lot of fun and honestly we were just thankful for SOMEWHERE to go and eat delicious food. This year we will know more people which makes it that much more exciting. I think it is really great how they set it up because they provide the turkey and then tell everyone to bring their favorite Thanksgiving dish(es). So, we of course bring mashed potatoes and gravy and then pumpkin pie and whipping cream :)
So, Patrick maybe spend 1 whole week at home in the month of October. He was gone A LOT! At the end of October he went to Taiwan (15 hour time difference) for 5 days and he had a good time. He was very busy most of the time, but got a day or two to explore. While he was in Taiwan I went to Atlanta to spend the week with my parents. It was a great decision considering Madison and I were sick part of the time (so thankful not to be home alone). Other than the sickness it was a great time with family. Seth and Carrie even got to come visit!
In the last week Madison took a huge leap forward - she has seemed to figure everything out. She went from pulling up and cruising some and sitting (if I sat her somewhere) and army crawling to a real crawl, pulling up on everything, cruising everywhere (no limits), learned how to sit herself up, sit on her knees, stand without holding on and she started using a spoon correctly (majority of the time). WHOA! It has been SHOCKING for me to watch! It doesn't even bother me (that much) that she is into everything because I am still so amazed. However, we are working on baby proofing but also trying to teach her what is off limits. She really does get more fun every day! At night when Patrick gets home I have to force them to stop playing so she can go to bed. It is the CUTEST!!! She has started drinking from a sippy cup for 2 meals of the day and I think she LOVES the independence (so do I).
As for Patrick and I, he is so busy with work because there are only 3 full weeks(ish) until they close for Christmas break. Which I of course think is awesome (count down), but everyone at his work is scrambling to wrap things up. Poor guy needs a nice long break! We cannot WAIT to get to Columbia and see all the new babies and also can't wait to get to Atlanta so Madison can FINALLY meet the rest of the family. As for my daily life, I am starting to really enjoy staying home with Madison. We have started attending more "baby classes". We went to a music class last week (yes, for babies) and she LOVED it. She was laughing and playing the whole 45 minutes - she didn't try to crawl in my lap once. We have since been trying to attend more story times and things like that where she has more interaction with other babies closer to her age. I am getting very crafty - sewing, crocheting, painting, jewelry making etc. I just can't wait until Madison stops growing so rapidly so I can make her clothes!! I think we are only a couple months from that (1 year in Jan).
I am trying to restrain myself from listening to Christmas music until next Friday, but it is getting really hard. Jingle Bells keeps popping into my head. I can't help it.
I think that is about all for now. Miss and love everyone!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Fall in Cali
Doesn't really exist! We are still in our summer wear. We have had one or two rainy days where we had to bundle (put on pants), but other than that it is beautiful everyday. There are some trees that have leaves changing, but it just isn't the same. I kinda miss the seasons, but it is hard to be sad when the weather is so pretty all the time. I love being able to get outside everyday and go walking or picnic in the park, etc.
We HAVE however already seen snow this year! We were in Denver a few weeks ago for work and family and it snowed one of the days. We didn't really get out in it and it was mostly just on the cars, but it was still really fun. Madison seems to love the cold weather! She giggled every time the cold wind blew in her face. So cute! She got to see the whole Pollock family while we were there and meet all the extended family. It was a great trip and I am so glad Maddie and I were able to go.
This month has been a busy one and Patrick has had to do a lot of traveling for work. He left the week before we went to CO for 5 days and then got back in time to re-pack for CO. We were there for 7 days and then got back. We are both about to leave again at the end of the month for 6 days. He is going to Taiwan for work and I am going to Atlanta to spend time with my family. I am so happy to not be alone for another 6 days this month!
Madison update: she is 9.5 months now and it really just starting to get into everything and realize that she can leave her "toy area". It is funny! She pulled herself up for the first time in Denver and then figured out how to pull up in her crib this week (nap times have not been fun). She is cruising around furniture, still army crawling, babbling a lot, eating everything, and putting everything she find in her mouth. She also loves to pull all of the shoes out of the shoe basket or basically pull anything apart or out and spread it all around. It is kinda cute now, but I know soon it wont be.
As for me.... I spend my days with mom friends and TCB (taking care of business). Ha! But seriously, house business. So, I try to use nap times to do chores so when Madison is awake we can go to the park and meet other moms (new and old). It has been so great living here because just going to the park is a ministry. It is so easy to meet other mom, especially when you have a kid. ha! I have met a few moms outside of the church with babies about her age and it has been fun to start hanging out with them. It seems all new moms are in the same boat, the boat of needing friends. I am so thankful for the built in community of moms I have living all around me. Seriously, there are 4 families from church that are within a mile of us and we spend a LOT of time together - with kids and without :)
We are finally feeling settled and in a routine. We feel like we have some great friends, a great church, great small group, great apartment, neighborhood, etc. We are getting to know our neighbors and starting to get out and explore the area a little more too. We try to go hiking on the weekends when we can/ when USC isn't playing. We are just loving it out here! We are trying to embrace the fact that we haven't really found any babysitters yet (except friends) and trying to just enjoy this stage in life as a family, but I am actively being creepy and trying to work up the courage to talk to the high schooler I see in downtown Menlo Park. HA! But seriously... girls here don't really babysit. Don't worry though, Patrick and I get out on dates! I promise! We have some sweet friends at church that will come over and let us get out, but nothing on a weekly basis or anything. One Day!!!
Well I think this is about it for now... we are healthy, happy and enjoying watching Maddie grow!
We HAVE however already seen snow this year! We were in Denver a few weeks ago for work and family and it snowed one of the days. We didn't really get out in it and it was mostly just on the cars, but it was still really fun. Madison seems to love the cold weather! She giggled every time the cold wind blew in her face. So cute! She got to see the whole Pollock family while we were there and meet all the extended family. It was a great trip and I am so glad Maddie and I were able to go.
This month has been a busy one and Patrick has had to do a lot of traveling for work. He left the week before we went to CO for 5 days and then got back in time to re-pack for CO. We were there for 7 days and then got back. We are both about to leave again at the end of the month for 6 days. He is going to Taiwan for work and I am going to Atlanta to spend time with my family. I am so happy to not be alone for another 6 days this month!
Madison update: she is 9.5 months now and it really just starting to get into everything and realize that she can leave her "toy area". It is funny! She pulled herself up for the first time in Denver and then figured out how to pull up in her crib this week (nap times have not been fun). She is cruising around furniture, still army crawling, babbling a lot, eating everything, and putting everything she find in her mouth. She also loves to pull all of the shoes out of the shoe basket or basically pull anything apart or out and spread it all around. It is kinda cute now, but I know soon it wont be.
As for me.... I spend my days with mom friends and TCB (taking care of business). Ha! But seriously, house business. So, I try to use nap times to do chores so when Madison is awake we can go to the park and meet other moms (new and old). It has been so great living here because just going to the park is a ministry. It is so easy to meet other mom, especially when you have a kid. ha! I have met a few moms outside of the church with babies about her age and it has been fun to start hanging out with them. It seems all new moms are in the same boat, the boat of needing friends. I am so thankful for the built in community of moms I have living all around me. Seriously, there are 4 families from church that are within a mile of us and we spend a LOT of time together - with kids and without :)
We are finally feeling settled and in a routine. We feel like we have some great friends, a great church, great small group, great apartment, neighborhood, etc. We are getting to know our neighbors and starting to get out and explore the area a little more too. We try to go hiking on the weekends when we can/ when USC isn't playing. We are just loving it out here! We are trying to embrace the fact that we haven't really found any babysitters yet (except friends) and trying to just enjoy this stage in life as a family, but I am actively being creepy and trying to work up the courage to talk to the high schooler I see in downtown Menlo Park. HA! But seriously... girls here don't really babysit. Don't worry though, Patrick and I get out on dates! I promise! We have some sweet friends at church that will come over and let us get out, but nothing on a weekly basis or anything. One Day!!!
Well I think this is about it for now... we are healthy, happy and enjoying watching Maddie grow!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Time is flying (8.5 months already)
I feel like time is flying! Madison is growing so fast.... too fast. I feel like people always say enjoy it they grow to fast, and I thought that was something I wouldn't realize until she was going off to college, but we are already realizing it. I feel like she hasn't completed learning one skill before she is moving on to learning another. For example... she learned how to stand and now she is trying to move. So standing holding on the coffee table and then turning to hold on to the couch. Next is probably walking, but she still hasn't mastered the crawl. Maybe she gets the impatience from me :)
She is eating all kinds of food now. I finally gave in to the finger foods and it has been great. It is so nice because I roll her highchair in the kitchen and she eats while I cook or clean. It has been so nice because I feel like that whole last month of her life I spent half of my days feeding her.... I mean it was an hour long process, and when she only stays up for 2.5 hours-ish at a time - you do the math. Anyways, things are going great. The questions in my mind are.... 1) Will she ever do the real crawl (belly off the floor); 2) When is she going to pull up; 3) When will she walk; 4) When can she sit up on her own; 5) etc. My mom swears all of the kids in my family walked by the time we were 10 months, but I am not sure about Patrick's family. I think they were all closer to 1 year (which is normal). It is a harder season for sure though because she gets so frustrated and fussy and then I get frustrated. She is also working on her 3rd tooth. All 3 on the bottom. Poor thing! |
| You can see her 1st tooth coming in |
We are really excited for Denver because we will get to see Patrick's extended family and KAYLEIGH!!! Traveling with Mads will be a bigger adventure this time for sure because she is wanting to be more mobile, but we will see. At LEAST I will have Patrick there to help and the flight isn't through the night, and only one time zone. Woot!
That is it for now! We miss everyone a lot!!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Is it August already...
WOW!!! Time is flying. I cannot believe this little girl is almost 8 months old and we are coming up on our 1 year anniversary of the move.
Since my last post we have been to Columbia and Atlanta to visit friends and family. We had a great time, but it was a busy trip. Luckily, at Christmas we will have more time and hopefully manage it a little better. It was great to see everyone and get to spend a lot of time with family. Madison LOVED meeting everyone and handled the trip like a trooper. She got dragged around and passed around more than she ever has been before, and I think she loved it! She did not love all the driving in the car however. I can't believe she will almost be a year old when we go back at Christmas.
This month (7) Madison has cut her first tooth and I believe she is working on #2 this week. She has been handling it like a champ though. A little fussy, but for the most part you wouldn't know anything was wrong with her. She has also started crawling... it is still more like and army crawl, but she can get around pretty fast if she wants. Lucky for me she is not leaving her little play area where all her toys are... not yet at least. We put her on a swing at the park for the first time last week and she LOVED it. She is eating lots of solid foods and already wanting to feed herself (I am not quite ready for that though). We have been "teaching her to swim" which she seems to enjoy. We will put her under water and then have her float on her back - it so cute!
Lets see... as for Patrick and I we are doing well. He is busy at work as always - getting ready for a trip to Taiwan at the end of October (anyone want to come stay with Madison and me?). Generally I think the company gets busy at the end of the year, but I feel like he has never NOT been busy. That is a good thing though, I guess. He is still enjoying the work and continues to get more work passed his way. He is still playing lots of ping-pong and working on building relationships with his co-workers.
As for me, I am loving this age and stage (I have probably said that every month so far). Madison and I have so much fun during the days - we laugh and sing and play. My favorite has been her "play dates" with her friends Berkley and Alex (photo). She is the oldest of the 3, but not by much (less than 2 months). I think they think of each other as toys, because they are always grabbing at each other. It is so cute to watch them all play together. She is also still extremely popular among the 2 year olds in her life. It is the best when we get some where and they run up to her/me and scream "BABY MAD-SIN". It is the cutest! And then they pet her - very gently. HA! Anyways, we are doing really well! 2 naps a day is the best - a lot more freedom.
I think that is about it for now... we will be back on the East Coast mid-December through Christmas! Can't wait to see everyone again - and meet all the new babies!!!
Since my last post we have been to Columbia and Atlanta to visit friends and family. We had a great time, but it was a busy trip. Luckily, at Christmas we will have more time and hopefully manage it a little better. It was great to see everyone and get to spend a lot of time with family. Madison LOVED meeting everyone and handled the trip like a trooper. She got dragged around and passed around more than she ever has been before, and I think she loved it! She did not love all the driving in the car however. I can't believe she will almost be a year old when we go back at Christmas.
This month (7) Madison has cut her first tooth and I believe she is working on #2 this week. She has been handling it like a champ though. A little fussy, but for the most part you wouldn't know anything was wrong with her. She has also started crawling... it is still more like and army crawl, but she can get around pretty fast if she wants. Lucky for me she is not leaving her little play area where all her toys are... not yet at least. We put her on a swing at the park for the first time last week and she LOVED it. She is eating lots of solid foods and already wanting to feed herself (I am not quite ready for that though). We have been "teaching her to swim" which she seems to enjoy. We will put her under water and then have her float on her back - it so cute!
Lets see... as for Patrick and I we are doing well. He is busy at work as always - getting ready for a trip to Taiwan at the end of October (anyone want to come stay with Madison and me?). Generally I think the company gets busy at the end of the year, but I feel like he has never NOT been busy. That is a good thing though, I guess. He is still enjoying the work and continues to get more work passed his way. He is still playing lots of ping-pong and working on building relationships with his co-workers.
As for me, I am loving this age and stage (I have probably said that every month so far). Madison and I have so much fun during the days - we laugh and sing and play. My favorite has been her "play dates" with her friends Berkley and Alex (photo). She is the oldest of the 3, but not by much (less than 2 months). I think they think of each other as toys, because they are always grabbing at each other. It is so cute to watch them all play together. She is also still extremely popular among the 2 year olds in her life. It is the best when we get some where and they run up to her/me and scream "BABY MAD-SIN". It is the cutest! And then they pet her - very gently. HA! Anyways, we are doing really well! 2 naps a day is the best - a lot more freedom.I think that is about it for now... we will be back on the East Coast mid-December through Christmas! Can't wait to see everyone again - and meet all the new babies!!!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Growing like a weed
Side note - I thought I had published the last post forever ago.... Oops!
Madison is growing like a weed! She is changing so fast - developing mentally and physically. I feel like it was just yesterday that she couldn't hold up her own head and now she is rolling around, smiling, laughing, grabbing everything to put in her mouth, wanting to stand all the time, trying to talk, cutting teeth, finding her fingers and toes, etc. It is crazy! I feel like each week she is learning something new. This week she has really stared rolling around, especially when she wants something. I keep trying to work on sitting, but she would rather stand. She is so funny! She will straighten her whole body while I try to sit her down and almost refuse to bend at the waist.
I have decided that these are the glory days!! She is just so much fun to be around and play with. She is so interactive and expressive - she will look and laugh and even make some silly faces back at you.
She went swimming the first time right around the time she turned 5 months - she loved it!! Luckily the pool wasn't cold so it kinda felt like a bath, and she loves bath time :)
She turned 5 months old last Saturday (June 2) and we celebrated by going to our first Giants game with some friends. We had a great time! Both teams wore throw back jerseys and to make it better the Giants won! It was also Madison's first time on a train - she loved it!
As for Patrick and me.... Patrick's work is going well. He is really busy, but he is still enjoying it. I am adjusting to being home, having a baby, etc. Last week was a really great week - the first balanced week I feel like I have had (now if I can some how repeat that). We are so thankful for all the friends we have made and continue trying to grow in those relationships.
We have bought our tickets for the summer and Christmas now!! We are so excited to see everyone and I cannot wait to get my hands on some Chick-fil-A! But seriously, I am so excited for everyone to meet Madison and introduce her to humidity and the South. WOOT!
Madison is growing like a weed! She is changing so fast - developing mentally and physically. I feel like it was just yesterday that she couldn't hold up her own head and now she is rolling around, smiling, laughing, grabbing everything to put in her mouth, wanting to stand all the time, trying to talk, cutting teeth, finding her fingers and toes, etc. It is crazy! I feel like each week she is learning something new. This week she has really stared rolling around, especially when she wants something. I keep trying to work on sitting, but she would rather stand. She is so funny! She will straighten her whole body while I try to sit her down and almost refuse to bend at the waist.
I have decided that these are the glory days!! She is just so much fun to be around and play with. She is so interactive and expressive - she will look and laugh and even make some silly faces back at you.
She went swimming the first time right around the time she turned 5 months - she loved it!! Luckily the pool wasn't cold so it kinda felt like a bath, and she loves bath time :) |
| Outside the Giants stadium |
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| On the train to the game |
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| Patrick sitting with some friends |
She turned 5 months old last Saturday (June 2) and we celebrated by going to our first Giants game with some friends. We had a great time! Both teams wore throw back jerseys and to make it better the Giants won! It was also Madison's first time on a train - she loved it!
As for Patrick and me.... Patrick's work is going well. He is really busy, but he is still enjoying it. I am adjusting to being home, having a baby, etc. Last week was a really great week - the first balanced week I feel like I have had (now if I can some how repeat that). We are so thankful for all the friends we have made and continue trying to grow in those relationships.
We have bought our tickets for the summer and Christmas now!! We are so excited to see everyone and I cannot wait to get my hands on some Chick-fil-A! But seriously, I am so excited for everyone to meet Madison and introduce her to humidity and the South. WOOT!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Mad-Ness
A little bit about our sweet little Madison...
Madison is quite the celebrity out here around our friends children (2 year olds). They all love having a real live baby around. They call her "baby Madison" or sometimes her name has been mistaken for "Mad-ness". It is so cute... every time the kids see me they just start saying Madison... Madison. They will help rock her in her car seat and help shush her when she is crying. They all love her! Most of them have no clue what my name is but they sure know her name.
Madison is AWESOME!!! Just to mention a few milestones... She is rolling from her tummy to her back (we are still working on back to tummy... she just can't seem to get over her arm); she is holding her head up really well; standing (with help of course); sleeping 9-10 hours at night; she can sit up in her Bumbo chair; she drools like crazy (pre-teething); she is now grabbing at things and can hold them (all she is trying to do is get them so she can put them in her mouth); she is trying to talk which is the cutest thing. Now a days she will stick out her tongue and blow - it's too cute! Her most recent milestone is a giggle. We got the first giggle on Mother's Day. It was the best Mother's Day present I could have asked for. Below is a video of her rolling and holding up her head and another one of her talking. Enjoy!!
As for Patrick and I, we are doing well. We are making friends and working on being intentional and pursing friendships. We have been convicted about getting to know our neighbors better - so we are going to really focus on that this summer. We talk to them whenever we see them, but would like to start spending more time with them.
Patrick is enjoying his job, and it seems that they really like him. We think this is a great thing - the only downfall is the amount of trips they want to send him on - BECAUSE he is awesome. But the bright side of him going on the trips is that he is making a lot of good contacts for the future.
We are attending the "Intro to Grace" class this weekend to become members of our church. We LOVE our church! It has great teaching and great community. The biggest downside is lack of older people. We are thankful for a body of believers who have embraced us and come along side of us.
Madison is quite the celebrity out here around our friends children (2 year olds). They all love having a real live baby around. They call her "baby Madison" or sometimes her name has been mistaken for "Mad-ness". It is so cute... every time the kids see me they just start saying Madison... Madison. They will help rock her in her car seat and help shush her when she is crying. They all love her! Most of them have no clue what my name is but they sure know her name.
Madison is AWESOME!!! Just to mention a few milestones... She is rolling from her tummy to her back (we are still working on back to tummy... she just can't seem to get over her arm); she is holding her head up really well; standing (with help of course); sleeping 9-10 hours at night; she can sit up in her Bumbo chair; she drools like crazy (pre-teething); she is now grabbing at things and can hold them (all she is trying to do is get them so she can put them in her mouth); she is trying to talk which is the cutest thing. Now a days she will stick out her tongue and blow - it's too cute! Her most recent milestone is a giggle. We got the first giggle on Mother's Day. It was the best Mother's Day present I could have asked for. Below is a video of her rolling and holding up her head and another one of her talking. Enjoy!!
As for Patrick and I, we are doing well. We are making friends and working on being intentional and pursing friendships. We have been convicted about getting to know our neighbors better - so we are going to really focus on that this summer. We talk to them whenever we see them, but would like to start spending more time with them.
We are attending the "Intro to Grace" class this weekend to become members of our church. We LOVE our church! It has great teaching and great community. The biggest downside is lack of older people. We are thankful for a body of believers who have embraced us and come along side of us.
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