Discovering the backyard....Finally!!

Now that I am finally walking and have kicked the whole idea of crawling to the curb, mom and dad let me have an adventure day out in the backyard. My Uncle Jeff and Aunt Barb brought their new pups over for a playdate with Max and we all enjoyed a beautiful and cool August day in the backyard.

Here I am trying to make it back up the slight hill in the yard. Aunt Barb had to help a little.

I starting to get the hang of it though...

So this was supposed to be a puppy play date but Uncle Jeff decided it would be a great day to start working on a stone wall in the yard. I had fun playing with this stone and watching them work.

This is so much fun. Dirt, sticks, grass... what more could you ask for!

Dad and Uncle Jeff found me some worms to play with. Now I have something else in common with my cousin, Ainsley, we both like finding creatures in the yard!!



Here I am discovering the wall and all the progress they made while I was napping.
This is the stone I was playing with earlier. Dad and Uncle Jeff strategically placed it so that I would be able to play on it. They like to call it "Maddy's rock." I definitely think it is a good posing rock!!

Dad let me help put the kindling wood in the fire pit. Don't worry, I was fast asleep before they lit the fire.

After all that hard work, it's was definitely time for a drink!!

Walking!!!!

So I have officially started really walking in the past few days and my video taped it. I started taking small steps a few weeks ago but I am feeling more confident now and have really started to take off. If I have a wall to hold on to, I can go really fast. Otherwise, I am more tenative and slow, to be expected.

Aunt Lynn bought me this walker for my birthday and I have started having more fun with it now that I can walk.

Random times

I discovered that playing in boxes is fun!!

Dad and I have really had fun this summer. He was home with me since he has summers off from work. I really enjoyed the time with him.

Julia and I have really grown up this summer. We are both standing and taking steps...we have come a long way from playing in our bouncy seats together!!

My Aunt Dianna and Uncle Seth got a dog this summer and she loves to play with little kids.

I am trying to teach her who's really in charge!!

I went to my cousin, Joey's baseball game the other day. They lost, but it was still fun to watch. I got a little cranky towards the end because it was HOT!

Snack time!! Don't I look cool in my shades. They didn't stay on long.

I thought Uncle Jeff's shades were better than mine...

...as he thought mine were cooler than his!

Since it was so hot, we went to the pool after the game. I finally got the go swimming with Uncle Jeff.

Trip to Bloomington

My parents took me to Bloomington, Indiana for the 4th of July to visit some of their friends. I ended up finding some new buddies and had a wonderful time. We were stuck inside on the actual 4th of July because it rained ALL day long!!

Here I am with my new friend Nicholas. He is a little younger than me but he was really good at sharing his jumperoo with me.
I had to show him who's boss...or bossy!!

We had fun in the swing together...mom found out what all 4 holes are used for...2 kids at the same time works out very well!!

Even though the pool in their backyard was really cold after all the rain, I was still willing to go swimming with dad.

On the way home eating my snack...am I a lady or what!!

My first birthday!!

On my real birthday, mom and dad treated me to my first bowl of ice cream-Neapolitan. I started off the treat with my fingers....

not bad so far...

...but my fingers started to get a little cold and I whined at dad!

So mom ran and got me a spoon. I actually did a really good job with it (even though I was using the wrong end).

Then I figured out that it was much easier just to stick my face in the bowl! Yum!!

I had my birthday party over the weekend and I was so excited to see everyone that showed up to help me celebrate. I am sure that everyone came only to watch me shove cake in my face and I sure gave them a show!

My cousin, Ainsley, and friend, Matthew, are experts at the whole present-opening thing. They showed me the ropes and helped me out!

Pause for a photo op!

I loved the huge stuffed elephant.

Granny B made me this adorable lady bug birthday cake!! Isn't it just so cute!

Happy birthday to me!

I started off by eating the junior mints Granny B used for the spots and I wouldn't stop. They had to remove the rest of them so that I would move on to trying the icing...those mints were really good, though!

The icing is yummy too. Here I go...

This is fun!!

What a mess!!! It was totally worth it!

Thanks to eveyone that made my birthday so much fun!! Let's do it again same time next year!!

First pool time of the summer!

We had our first pool time of the year and I had a great time. Mom my eased me into the water slowly and by the time the day was over, I was really enjoying the water and didn't want to get out. I think I spent an hour swimming and playing. I can't wait to go back!
My mom started out with me on her lap and we played with the small fountain in the shallow end.
I got confident enough that I would let my parents catch me off the sides and off the ladders.

Swimming!!

I had a great time in the little shallow area cruising around the edge and playing with my toys. It really helped boost my confidence!

Goodbye Sadie

Our family had to say goodbye to Sadie this week. I got to enjoy her for the first year of my life and she was so good with me. I wish that I had gotten more time with her but it was time for her to go to heaven!

Here we are about 3 weeks ago. I would love to come over to her while she was on her spot on the couch and check her out.
This picture was taken during our last week together. She was checking me out on my new car.

Dad took this picture of us before we had to say goodbye. I got to hang out with her for a little while as she just relaxed on her bed.

Sadie, life in the house will not be the same without you!!

Aunt Lynn came to town

My Aunt Lynn came in from California and it was great to see her. I hadn't seen her since right after I was born but it took me no time to warm up to her. I was even asleep in her arms within the hour!! Very comfy!
She took me to toys-r-us to pick out a birthday present and this stuffed bear hit the spot...she also got me a cool push and ride toy that she picked out!

Papa and his girls!