Madison Meets Uncle Greg & Aunt Carol

We didn't think Aunt Carol was going to let her go ;)

Madison Meets More Crossons

Uncle Greg, Aunt Carol, Grandma Cooley and Grandma Crosson came for a visit today. Madison had a chance to meet her great aunt, uncle and grandmother all at the same time. We took some great photos and had a nice lunch in Mission Valley with Jamie, Kelli, Michelle, Tim and Sarah. Tim and Sarah are still on baby watch and we are as excited as ever to get the call that Sarah is in labor.

Of course, the trip was bitter sweet since Uncle Greg and Aunt Carol took Kelli back to LA after lunch. Madi and I are definitely sad to see Kelli go. We will be on our own next week when Ryan is back at work. But, in two weeks Madison and I will take our first trip to Exeter with Grandma Cooley and Grandma Crosson to visit Uncle Greg and Aunt Carol and give Ryan a break from being a dad for a few days. He needs to catch up on his sleep and really focus on school before the end of the semester is upon us! I'm also looking forward to having a few extra hands around to help with the baby again when we go.

The Bandas

Goal

I love it when Madi sleeps like this. I think it's the cutest thing. I'm

posting this picture to show how much bigger she's gotten since the first one we took of her in her pack and play

Madi bonds with Auntie Kelli

Madi will be so sad when Kelli leaves tomorrow. I think she thinks Kelli is her second mom at this point.

I see you...

Never Say Never

I have to admit, all the things I swore I'd never do as a mom are already catching up with me. The other day I caught myself licking my thumb and using it to wipe something off Madison's face. I stopped mid-lick and remembered how many times I yelled at my mom for doing this to me as a kid. I thought it was disgusting and swore I would NEVER do that to my kids. Funny how it catches up to you. So, did I stop? No way, it's so much easier than juggling the baby to get up and wash her face. Go figure... I am somewhat disgusted with myself though if that counts for anything.

The pacifier was another one. I swore I would never give one to my baby. I was of the belief that babies only cry to tell you they need something. I thought a pacifier would be stifling and it wasn't the right thing to do. I lasted less than three weeks as a mom without caving on that one. Sometimes babies really do just want to suck for no reason and sometimes you'll do whatever it takes to calm them down.

The last one has to do with the fact that I'm writing this from bed at 2:45 this afternoon. I swore I would never spend the day in bed with the baby. I even get cabin fever from being in the house for too long. Today I caved on this one. With all the lack of sleep we've been getting, I decided maybe we needed a day to rest.

Maybe one day Madison will read this and learn to never say never...

Practice for the Daddy-to-Be

Tim and Sarah are right on the verge of having their baby - Madison's cousin! We can't wait to meet the newest addition to the Crosson family and to watch Tim and Sarah become new parents! I am determined to make sure that Madi is as close to her cousins as the Crosson cousins of our generation have always been! Tim helped me carry Madison around in her car seat and held her at dinner. Good practice for the new daddy-to-be. Sarah is great with Madi too - needless to say, we know she's going to be an amazing mother. I really enjoyed being able to go through pregnancy with her and now I can't wait to share the new parenthood experience with both she and Tim.

Natural Parents

Karen and Cam with Madison at dinner. They are naturals for sure!

Our little Genius

Madi and I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends and most of the Crosson cousins. We told the waitress we had a 3 week old baby so she brought us an infant stand that held Madison's car seat and then set a kids place at the table with a menu and crayons. We all got a laugh out of that one. Of course Ryan and I know that Madison is going to be the smartest little girl ever, but even we have to admit she isn't advanced enough to be coloring pictures for us yet.

Beauty Sleep

Madi catches a wink on her daddy's chest before we leave for dinner.

Madi's First Enjoyable Bath

Kelli and I gave Madi a bath in the sink and she didn't seem to mind this one. She did poop inside of Kelli's hand as Kelli carried her to the tub. Otherwise, she was a little angel thanks in part to her pacifier.

Kelli feeds Madi

Kelli helped me out by feeding Madison a bottle and burping her afterward. This was Madi's first experience being fed by someone other than Mom.

My Pimp Hand is Strong...

Kelli, Ryan and I were looking back through the photos of Addie and Madi and discovered why it was that Addie started to cry. Madison was basically beating her. Poor Addie...

Addie and Madi... (and Artie Kevin)

Mel and Addison (Madi's first and best friend) came to visit and we snapped these pictures of the two little ladies. They are 3 and a half weeks apart in age and the differences between them are amazing. Addison is a few pounds bigger than Madison and has much greater muscle control. She also seems to be much more awake and alert and seems to have fewer temper tantrums. I was able to get one photo where it looks like both girls are crying but, in reality, Madison was crying and accidentally hitting Addison while Addison was a perfectly content little angel. The third "baby" in the first photo is Jason's childhood doll, Artie Kevin. Kelli and I thought it was hilarious that he had a cabbage patch kid so his mom loaned it to Kelli to bring on their trip down. We thought, in all fairness, that Jason's baby should be included in the photo with the other babies.

Kevin and Madi Meet At Last...

On Ryan's first day back to the office, he and Kev meet Kelli, Jason, Madi and me for lunch at Lolitas taco shop - our favorite little dive with the best carne asada burritos. Kevin and Madi finally met and we all got to enjoy a nice San Diego day on the restuarant's outdoor patio. Madison slept the entire time, of course...

Ryan Goes Back to Work

Yesterday was Ryan's first day back at work and happened to also be a Tuesday which is the night he has class until 10. Needless to say, it was a long time to be away from the baby. He talked about how much he missed her when we went to lunch and, of course, he even threw in the "oh, and you too, Sarah." I'm getting used to that these days ;) We ate at Lolitas which is this little dive Mexican place with the best carne asada burritos ever. We had to make sure that Kelli and Jason experienced some good Mexican food while they were here! Thank goodness for Kelli and Jason who were able to help me out with Madison during Ryan's first day back!

Ryan Playing House

Madison was being a cranky pants while we ate dinner the other night so, once again, we were on a quest to figure out what would calm her down. Thankfully we have hardwood floors downstairs so Ryan was able to put her in her stroller and "walk" her around the house. Kelli told Ryan it looked like he was playing house by walking a doll around the house so we took this video. Hey, it worked! She went to sleep and we were able to eat dinner together.

Jason and Madison

Kelli's boyfriend Jason has a way with Madison. We think maybe she has a crush on him. She spent over an hour staring at him today and he seemed to be all it took to get her to stop crying.

She is fascinated by him...

Madi meets Auntie Kelli