Who's in Preschool?!!

Last Tuesday, April 2, I took Maddy to daycare and as we were walking into the toddler room, staff let me know that Maddy? She's in preschool now, in the big kid room.

Blink.

BLINK.

Sometimes Maddy doesn't deal with unexpected change well. She likes to KNOW something is coming, then deny it will happen, grump... then accept. And this was a surprise to us all.

I knelt down, and let Maddy know that she has been moved to the big kid room, and her cubby would be there. And the reaction?

JOY!

She ran into the room, was shown her cubby and she stood there in front of it, guarding it. Then she looked around the room, HER NEW ROOM, and immediately was ready to play! I tried for some pictures, while a few tears filled my eyes. But she was having none of it. She raced to the puzzles, grabbed one, and was putting it together (and ignoring me) within seconds.

Blink. *tear* Blink.

I spoke to the staff about the change. She would be sent to the other room if there were any issues. She's be napping in the toddler room too. They would work with her to make the transition easier, but they expected it to be smooth.

And almost a week later? It's been amazing. Maddy is so proud of the her cubby in the big kid room. So proud of the arts and crafts she's doing. So HAPPY to be in preschool! And her language is blossoming. Her ideas and imagination are growing. But her poor little head is FULL. She's so much sleepier right now, needing full 2 hour naps plus early bedtimes. But, really, there is so much more to digest for her. So much more her brain needs to understand and sort and compartmentalize.

On Saturday we tried to wake her early from a nap to go do errands. She sat up in bed and looked still spent. We got her dressed and were talking and trying to wake her. She asked for a glass of water, then laid down again. I handed her the water and was giving her instructions to sit up when she threw half the glass of water on her face. Well, that should wake her! Nope. She drank the other half, laid down, sucked her thumb and closed her eyes. I headed off to do errands alone and one hour later she woke happy and ready to rumble again.

On top of loving preschool, Maddy is also apparently interested in writing letters. As in, I mean SHE WROTE REAL ACTUAL LEGIBLE LETTERS.

Wait. WHAT THE WHAT!?

I still have such a hard time believing it was her. She has weaker fine motor skills and never draws anything more than random squiggles. But the staff swear she did these herself.

Blink. Blink.

The "A" and "L" are most legible. The other blue ones are a "V" and and "S" and the one right by the "A" is a "U". Um...

So there is our week in a nutshell.

Blink.

Holidays 2011/12

Pictures to come, but we did it! We made it through Christmas morning 2011 with nary a tear or paper cut. My parents came over and we exchanged gifts, watched Maddy open everything (so so much everything!) and we all got spoiled ourselves. Then mom and I made brunch and we ate hootenanny (so much fun to say) and bacon and fresh lemon curd and fruit. And then we listened to an overtired (and over excited and over sugared and overwhelmed) Maddy sing in her crib (instead of nap). She sang for nearly 2 HOURS after being put to be there. Then napped a bit and then woke in an off mood. This was a sign... Ooh! My first foreshadowing!

The night we went to my aunt and uncles and ate and ate and chased Maddy and ate. And we barely made it out before Maddy's bedtime (to a chorus of "Stay just a few more minutes! We need to ____" *insert things family here*). Maddy was great there, except for the wee meltdown at being forced to leave the fun new place.

December 26th brought us to some friends' place and more eating and visiting and chasing Maddy, this time with new and interesting people to meet. And a family friendly/kids welcome environment. Once more, Maddy did well except for the meltdown (again) as we were leaving. She started and the hostess asked "Whose children are crying?" Neil answered - "Mine." She started to look to see what other kids were crying - was it her daughter? And no. It was just Maddy, wailing at the decibel of a group of toddlers.

Between Christmas and New Years there was some illness, some cleaning/re-organizing and much staying home. And many delayed naps and crib-singing. However, the monumentous event was the delivery of Maddy's very first no-rails TODDLER BED. There was an aborted attempt to assemble it on Thursday December 29th but instead it was assembled on December 31st, while baba and dido took a kiddo out. And that night, with the crib shoved in the corner of her room, Maddy was ushered into her bed. A bed she was able to usher herself out of.

I think the outing/running around at the rec centre exhausted Maddy enough that she was pretty much out. That left baba & dido and Neil & I to sit around and polish off a bottle of non-alcoholic wine, eat too many chips coated in Helluva Good Dip and play cards. At about 10pm I had to check on Maddy. Had to see where she ended up. I have heard stories of kids falling asleep against the door of their room or in the closet or in the corner... I tiptoed in and found that stuffies had taken over her bed, namely a HUGE pink bear (about her size now) plus his friends. And I could not see Maddy. My heart jumped into my throat and I was about to start searching when I looked closer and saw... Maddy? Under the bears? I pulled off big pink bear and there she was, nestled under the toys (and not under her quilt). Teddies removed, blanket placed over her and she was out until 730am the next day! Night 1 of toddler bed was a complete success!

January 1st, nap one of the toddler bed. Naps that have been starting with up to HOURS of singing/playing. And? She did awesome. I asked her if she wanted a nap and she grabbed Odg and was crawling into bed. And hour later she awoke and we scored another victory! That night it was, again, easy to get her in. And Neil and I settled onto our respective couches and nosed around on our computers. And at about 10pm we heard "THUNK" and silence. We looked at each other and RAN to Maddy's room just as the cries started. The three of us sat on the floor, holding each other and trying to calm a crying Maddy. She just kept saying "Fall DOWN. Fall DOWN". Neil asked where it hurt and she pointed to her bed. And then crawled off our laps and into her bed, grabbed Odg and snuggled in. And fell back asleep. She was over it. We were still shell-shocked.

But another good night and we're on January 2nd 2012. After a relaxing morning we asked Maddy if she wanted her nap. She said "NYO!". We still ushered her in bed and Neil went to his computer and I went to our bed to finish my book (the Hunger Games trilogy? Amazing! Could not put it down.) Neil came upstaris and was talking on the phone as I read and listened to Maddy on the baby monitor. I listened to her talk and play. And... walk? And... a click? Click?! The door. I ran downstairs and found a smiling Maddy walking out of her room. Any attempts to restart her nap was answered with a firm "NYO!" So? We skipped her nap.

Skipped her NAP.

I was expecting a wailing melt-down of a child when we did a few errands. Nope. She was great. At dinner? She was happy. After dinner...? Just fine. A bath and bed a bit early and she was immediately asleep. I asked the all-knowing Facebook and my friends responded that some kids are ready to miss some (maybe not all) naps by age 2-ish. Maddy's age. Oy.

This holiday break was filled with fun and family and food. And a Maddy that is no longer my swaddled infant but a little girl in her toddler bed who many not need naps and is pretending as she plays and talking up a storm. My beautiful girl, baby no more.

Month Nineteen Letter

Hello my Maddy-licious,

Happy birth... er... annivers... month? Happy month day, Maddy! Today you nineteen months old. Careening towards two years at break-neck speed.

Today is a very special day, other than the same day as your birth. Today, my girl, you PEED IN THE POTTY. This morning your diaper was totally dry when I went to get you so I thought why not try the potty... I sat you down and we pulled up the IKEA catalogue and starting naming things. And then? And THEN? I heard the sound of pee hitting the pink plastic bowl. I CHEERED. I mean loud, excited, bouncing, screaming cheering. The dogs cowered in fear, but you loved it. You announced to me "Pee. Pot-tee." And then you flushed. And I danced and sang and praised you like mad. Then we put on your diaper and pants. And then I may have taken a picture of the potty *blush* because... well... it seemed like the right thing to do, to record a milestone. Then, since it's the potty on the floor, I had to dump and clean out the potty (which is gonna be horrible when we start #2... *shudder*). I am so so so proud of you, Maddy. I know you had no control over the decision to let the pee go. But I think you know, now, that peeing in the potty is a good thing to do. And maybe we'll start small - a pee in the morning. And then maybe a pee before bed? Oh argh... I have no clue what to do next.... Time to research.

Otherwise you are awesome. Awesome! So verbal and so independent and so funny and so adorable. You are my awesome toddler girl. Yesterday you went for your second hair cut (mostly a bang trim) so you're looking quite dapper. Daycare has been closed for the last 2 weeks, so you and baba have been hanging out together and having so much fun doing errands and playing. On Wednesday you even came in to my work, to meet the people here and so I could show you off. Mostly, it was so I could see you for a bit during the day. To watch you run with abandon through the halls and look into offices and name those things you could name.

There was a time when you were grumpy if you had to be home all day but now we just have to take you upstairs to the boxes of books and you are so happy! You still love books so much. You love to look at the pictures and hear the sounds of the words and point out and name everything that you can. Both you dad and I love books too, so I think this fascination is genetic. But it makes me so happy to see your face light up at any "book-a book-a book-a".

Tomorrow we're trying something new. We're going to take you to a friend's place and the babysitter will put you down, in the pack and play. And then we're going out with adults. To be couples and friends and not-parents. Once the adulting is over, then we'll take you home and hopefully you'll transition well with that sleep disruption. If not? It's dad's morning to wake up with you *grin*. But I am still going to be a crazy woman and write out detailed instructions about what we do to lay you down (down to naming "tree" as we brush your teeth and you look out the window) and bring your sleep sack and Odg and pjs and milk and other toys... we'll have it all. Don't tell your dad that I wrote this all down in detail, he'll mock me, but I have been so protective with your sleep schedule, after all the hassle we went through the first 6 months. This is a test... this is only a test. We'll see how it goes.

Happy nineteen months, my girl. My life is now divided into LBM (life before maddy) and LAM (life after maddy). There was over 35 years of LBM and only 19 months of LAM. But these 19 months have been the most amazing and fun and meaningful months of my world. LAM is when it all really started for me, when those blurry ideas of what my life is meant to be came clear. I was meant to be your mom, and see the world again with you, through your eyes. It's made me see myself more clearly, it's made me more complete.

I love you so much Maddy. Happy 19th month-day, my girl.

Love always and forever,

Mommy

Dr. Google made his first diagnosis in our house

Maddy has been ill the last few days. A fever and listlessness, no appetite and so sleepy. The fever broke yesterday but I noticed a very mild rash on her upper back. Today she was still sleepy and fragile and the rash was still there. So, for the first time, I asked Dr. Google what was wrong. I actually typed in "child illness rash". And it spit back... something reasonable.

There was a reasonably written, coherent, non-panicky post about rashes and what it could mean. And I think what Maddy has is something called Roseola. It fits, the fever, mild upper respiratory illness, the rash (Maddy's is very light). No panic, no frantic doctor's office calls, no worry. Maddy is being a child and developing an immunity to a common illness. And she'll be fine and I'll be fine and we're all just fine.

My girl slept in until 730am, had a 2 hour nap and woke from it still tired, and went down early without a peep. She'll stay home from daycare one more day, just so she can get all the rest she needs. Plus, she's a little clingy and whiny which won't be easy for the daycare staff. And? Baba loves the time with her girl. But tomorrow it'll be back to daycare and there will likely be another transition period.

But, we made it most of the way through our first virus/real illness. WOO HOOOOOO!

And Maddy continues to grow and develop and amaze us. She pointed to juice boxes that I buy and said "app joo", she took a kleenex from the box and wiped her nose (not well, but wiped), she stacked blocks one on top of the other, she can name "e-mo" and "doo-ah". She sees a "bup" (pup aka a dog) or "ki-ee" (kitty) or "tuh-tuh" (turtle) on TV or a book or poster and names it, she's stringing some words together like "hai bup!".  She's just wonderful and amazing and awesome and my Maddy-girl.

Our first bottle-free day

Yesterday morning I gave Maddy her last bottle. We were down to the one. And now we're down to none... She doesn't need formula and I don't want to get into the giving her milk in her bottle. Plus the docs are very anti-bottle come a year old. I have replaced her bottles with glasses of milk. Not as filling and she needed breakfast much earlier than usual. But no more bottles...

No more bottles.

She's also loving the walking thang. She lifts her knees and walks with her feet out to the side. And it's the most adorable thing I have possibly ever seen! She's falling a lot too, but quickly picks herself up and keeps on trucking. I think she's about 80% bipedal now.

She's becoming such a big girl now. And it's not going to slow down, it's not going to move at a leisurely pace. NOW I understand the need for a second child, it's to hold onto that fleeting babyhood. And, no, there are no plans for another! I just understand why others do it... not US :)

Walking...? Ish?

Well, I think Maddy is walking. She walks but is she walkING? I dunno... Everyday, more and more, she's bipedal. She stands in the centre of the room and takes as many as 7 steps. Or to and from furniture. But still much of her locomotion is on her hands and knees. It's such a gradual process, when do we call it there? I arbitrarily call it... TODAY! Maddy is walking.

And today I also cut her hair. Her bangs were tickling her nose and we spent so much time brushing them to the side. And the barrettes? They were, more and more, becoming a snack. So today after errands, when Neil was downstairs, I grabbed the kitchen shears and snipped. They are uneven but so much better than what was before. Today? Maddy had her first haircut.

February 12th is a day to remember.

The time to capture the last time...

Every day we're taking steps further and further from baby-hood. We've eliminated the afternoon bottle and tonight I gave Maddy what we're intending on being her last night bottle. I had Neil take pictures of the last night bottle. And the pictures? Are HIDEOUS. I mean, Maddy is awesome cute. I am the hideous one. I was going to share... and now nope. Anyway, the only bottle left is her morning one... Bottles (and formula) will soon be left behind. And with that being one of the only times we can snuggle with Maddy? It saddens me. But for everything we leave behind, there are 5 new things to celebrate.

Maddy is still not walking independently - although tonight she was almost running laps around the coffee table. She's not talking in "real" words but is often chattering away in her own little language. Tonight she was in an awesome mood - she has been fragile of late, with teething and immunization and a little cold - and we had a blast laughing and tickling and reading books. When we sing "Head and Shoulders" she starts acting out by grabbing her head and then watches intently as I finish the actions. She claps her hands at Pat-a-Cake. She knows what her tongue is and will stick it out when we talk about it. And her little, tiny, 1 year old tongue? Adorable! She's getting good about identifying "duck" and will ask for mum, dad and baba. She's awesome! Being her mom is an honour and I can't imagine loving anything more than her.

But I am starting to do something I said I wouldn't. I am comparing... Other kids are walking already, talking more, signing more, turning on complicated TV sets... and then I wonder if I am doing something wrong in that Maddy isn't. Should I be doing more? Reading more? Videos? Flash cards? Should I spend more time teaching her and less time rolling on the floor nibbling her belly until she collapses in fits of laughter? And when I think that... when I think Maddy isn't doing enough... I feel guilty, I feel sad... that already looking to find her lacking. And I do not want to do that or be that. But I have to be honest, as I chronicle her childhood, that I could become that person if I forget to enjoy the now. And the now really is so wonderful! Maddy is exactly where she should be. Please don't let me forget that...

And to celebrate blogging twice in a week - woot! - a few pics this time!

Maddy's signs of sleepy - thumb sucking and holding onto Roger, her teddy. Oh Roger... never leave us! You have become an important part of our little family. 

Maddy in her birthday outfit (the same christmas tutu and a Boston Terrier tee) with some of the decorations - a clothesline with Maddy's little outfits from the first few months and photographic evidence that she really was that small! 

Singing happy birthday to Maddy! The skirt and tights have been removed and a blanket laid down to protect us all from the mess (that never occurred). Maddy was MUCH more interested in the plastic milk bottle toys than us singing or the cupcake. 

No interest in the food. But for some reason as she sat there and ate/played her little leg kept lifting up. My girl? She does it her way! 

Still in the air... What? 

Toothing update

Maddy had 4 teeth and was showing all the signs of teething. Her 5th has broken gum (her upper right) and the other side is days from breaking too. Six teeth! And while the bottom 2 are close together the top ones (all four) are not. But it's adorable!

More from me! Another first!!

I am a posting whore today... But there is more news to share!

I was sitting with Madds on my lap. I tilted her back and started blowing raspberries on her adorable little belly. She threw her head back and laughed and laughed! With her head back, I was able to see her top gums. And I saw TEETH! It's hard to see her top gums, but I am nearly 100% positive that there are 2 little nubs of teeth emerging.

More teeth, more standing, attempts at stair climbing... it's been a crazy day!

She stood! She stood!

I am exhausted. No clue why I am sleepy today but I can barely keep my eyes open. I grabbed a pillow and blanket and laid on the floor of the living room to rest. Maddy was crawling around me and pulled herself onto her knees using my hips, while watching TV (of course). As she stared at Voyager she straightened her legs and stood, while leaning on my hips! I am not sure she realized what she was doing... she fell to her knees and then stood again! Even in the end, as I cheered, I am not sure she got it - what she was doing. But I saw it and I am looking forward to seeing it again.

Reliably sitting up

Awhile ago Madds sat up by herself for the first time. But once she did it, she didn't seem to continue the trend. Today? Today is non-stop sitting, then crawling, then sitting, then crawling. Just because she can now. And she is SO proud! But the way she does it is quite awkward, she gets on her hands and knees kicks one leg forward, while the other is still bent behind her and then plops her butt down. The she sits up and brings her bent leg forward. and it's adorable! But it really is obvious that kids her age have rubber bands for muscles. She's so flexible, my knees ache just watching.

She's also crawling so much more! She's reliably taking up to 5 steps on her hands and knees before collapsing to her belly. Although yesterday she crawled about 5 steps to the item she wanted and then stopped, without ending using her belly crawl. And she just did it again! Crawled forward to grab at the laptop cord (I think it has to be something motivating to get her to crawl). I sit back and watch her concentrate on getting one hand forward, then the other. And the babbling (not screeching) is starting too. Not too much, but it's definitely more words than noise. I can't wait to hear her little voice - I have an idea now what it will sound like.

And in scary news... Neil was supposed to go to San Fran. Leaving Thursday, back Friday. I could handle that! But today he founf out after San Fran he has to go to Indiana until next Wednesday. 7 days of just me and Nunu.  No baba for breaks. No dada for breaks. No breaks... I am a little panicked at the thought. I have been feeling meh of late and then add no breaks? But I know we will be ok. However, if anyone is in the neighbourhood (especially if they have wine) PLEASE stop by. Give me an adult to talk to!

Lastly, here is a pic of Maddy teeth! They are really coming in, on the bottom. And I have seen hints of upper teeth coming in too.

Month eight letter

Dear Maddy,

Today, my girl, you are 8 months old. And these have been the hardest, yet most amazing, 8 months of my life.

This month you have learned to (belly) crawl, sprouted 2 teeth, fell in love with feeding yourself (and the mess that ensues) and every day show us something new. A new sound, a new smile, a new activity. Everything changes daily. Yet you are still enamoured with singing, even mine, and still find tongues sticking out funny, and love to be bounced, and love to go out and see new things and meet new people. You are starting to look more like me but still look so much like your dada. It's fun to see you take something from each of us and turn it into a whole new fabulous person.

You are fearless, as only an 8 month old can be. You will touch and taste anything that you can. Dirty or clean, edible or decidedly not, bolted down or free - it is in your hands and seconds later in your mouth. We have the house pretty child proofed. You can't quite open cabinets or the kitchen drawers, but you are days from doing it. So I better get those locks on before... Same as the dropping of the crib mattress. You are not standing (yet) but you will be. And to prevent you from tumbling headfirst over the railing, your mattress has been dropped. Harder on my back, easier on my mental state.

You are selfish in the same way you are fearless. You can't understand the world apart from you (and your needs) in that world. This is the one time in your life where you are allowed to completely selfish, so enjoy every second of it my girl. There is no "later", no "in 5 minutes" in your world now. It really is a joy to try to guess your needs and provide what you want, when you want it. No, it's really more an honour. And, no, that wasn't sarcasm, my Nunu. It really is an honour to be your mom.

Today your dada and I were talking about love. Dada and I love each other very much. We are best friends and committed to spending the rest of our days together. But the love we have for you is so different. We love you for who you are, the characteristics you have shown us to date. You have the sweetest and most charming personality. And you are so free with your smiles and giggles! You are an explorer and a thinker. You are independent. But you are still pretty easy-going and will let us cart you around anywhere and will happily visit with almost everyone. But beyond that, the love we feel is not a choice, it's biological. It's primal love. We created you and we made a vow to care for you forever. We love you with every cell in our bodies.

As I was typing this out you crawled on your hands and knees for the first time! You were grumping as you did it, but you crawled! Oh Nunu, it's happening so fast. And we're loving every speeding second of it!

I am loving every moment with you and also can't wait to see what is around the corner. Happy 8 months, my girl, my Madds, my Nunu, my perfect Maddy.

Love,

Mom

Tooth number two!!

Maddy now has 2 teeth! One is all out and about a millimeter high. The second is JUST peeking out of her gum. Both are in the center, bottom gums. As soon as there is something to actually see, pics will be coming. Although I am going to do my best to get a pic of Madds with her little tongue stuck out as she plays with her new teeth.

She's also trying her HARDEST to crawl on her hands and knees. In the past she'd move a hand or a knee (a millimeter or two) and then drop to her belly and go. Now Madds weebles and wobbles on her hands and knees, trying her best to coordinate them to go in the direction she wants. She can move on hand appreciably forward and one knee and then it's too much and she's back on the belly. She's just days from full out crawling! And everything is now in her little tiny, yet frighteningly strong, hands.

With this tooth out and once she crawls the way she wants I am hoping her fragile and grumpy mood stops. Because she's been QUITE the bear the last few days!

She's a follower!

Today I was hanging with the Nunu. We were in the living room and I needed to go to the kitchen to make a bottle. While in there, I was talking to Maddy. She saw me in the kitchen and started her belly-crawl towards me. In the past she'd just crawl to the edge of the rug and hang out there. Today? Today she ventured off the rug and through the hall and all the way to the kitchen!

Before she reached me, though, she passed the dogs' bowls. And tried to practice feeding herself by grabbing a handful of kibble. I was watching and cleared the kibble out before she tried to swallow them. Then put the bowl on the counter, only to be taken down during naps and after bedtimes. She also made a bee-line to the stairs leading to the back door. So now that door is perpetually shut. Life is compartmentalized now!

But she's now leaving rooms and entering new ones. She's also into EVERYTHING, refusing to nap any length of time and refusing purees she used to love. So, it's all good but grumpy. So good and so very grumpy...

It's been quite the week!

Last night, as I was making her bottle, I put Maddy on the floor of the kitchen. I placed her as I always do, on her hands and knees. She still has issues with staying seated and when she wants to stop sitting she THROWS herself headfirst onto the floor. And on lino that results in major grumping.

I finished up making her bottle and turned around to pick her up. And she was SITTING. I did not put her down sitting yet there she was... It hasn't happened since but yay Madds! Another first, sitting herself up!

She did it again!

Another first. Tonight, Maddy at dinner was playing with her food. We're trying to get her to practice her pincher grasp and give her puffs or nutrios. Tonight I mixed it up a little and gave her a mum-mum. She was holding it in her right hand. And then? Then she passed it over to her left hand...

I remember the nurse in mom's group talking about this milestone, being able to control her hands enough to consciously pass something from one hand to another. To be able to coordinate letting go. And it's happening now. Damn! This is crazy fast!!

Really, so many many firsts this week...

We had our first tooth this week. A tooth! And it's still working it's way out. You can't SEE much but you can feel it.

We had our first runny nose. Scary but thankfully it was just a wee little cold and she's back to normal.

We had our first hands and knees crawl. Only a few steps, then it's back to belly crawling. But it's the start of something rapid and scary and mobile.

We had our first bits of cheese. I smooshed it between my fingers until it was mushy and then broke it into little, little pieces and Madds happily opened her mouth for the snack. Her look was a little confused at first but in the end it was a success!

We had our first big girl bath. Well, not totally big girl. But instead of in the reclined baby tub she's in the small tub, sitting up and splashing. Well, splashing and losing her balance and falling over and going boom! It was ok in  the end and she was just fine, I promise. But pics were taken and Madds is happily chewing on various bath toys. And mama MAY have shed a tear at how big her girl is. Maybe. Shaddup. I am hormonal...

We also used our first big girl towel after her bath! Up until now I have been using a baby towel. On a child the size of a 1 year old. Yes, I am grasping at anything to make me feel like I still have a baby. But too quickly she's moving beyond so many baby things.

This has been a crazy week and it's only Wednesday... let's hope this is enough in the firsts department, for now. I need to get used to this all!

Our first brush with illness

We have illness in the house. Neil has a cold. And while he tried to stay away from her, Madds now has a bit of a runny nose. I THINK we've managed to nip Maddy's cold in the bud (her nose stopped running this morning) but it was close. And it was scary. I didn't know how sick she'd get, how she'd react, how it would disrupt her patterns.

She had a runny and stuffy nose, but not a bad one. There was a flash of a fever yesterday but some advil took care of that. Her naps have been shorter than usual and she's wanted to sleep earlier than usual. Right now I threw her down for an extra afternoon nap, just because she was a little fragile after her really short 1pm nap. She has been a little flat in affect, not her normal bubbly self, and a little more whiny that usual. But we're so lucky it wasn't worse. So lucky!

Although we're still going to stay home for at least one more day. And I have to say, mama is going just a LITTLE stir-crazy, being stuck in the house. But Friday we'll get out a visit (as long as no one gets more ill). Yay!

She has a TOOTH!

We have seen something hovering under her bottom left (looking at her) gum for a few days. But every time I touched it it was pretty gummy feeling. This morning after her nap I felt once more. And? WE HAVE AN EMERGING TOOTH!! I felt it's freakishly sharp edge on my finger tip. Aack!

And it starts!

Maddy is officially belly crawling, much to the dogs' chagrin. She's pulling herself forward now, especially to get whatever toys the dogs are chewing on. And electrical cords and corners and under things and pretty much any place she could bump her head/hurt herself on...