Oh crap, she's standing!!!!!

It's so hard to believe that Madeline has now been with us as long as she was in my tummy! Where has the time gone?!? Madeline is so sweet and special, she laughs and smiles all day long. She has brought so much joy and into our home and we love her dearly.

Madeline has learned so much in the last month and is starting to make the change from baby to toddler. About a month ago she started crawling! Not exactly a hands and knees crawling, more like a hands and one foot and one knee crawl. But she gets around fast nevertheless. Madeline can also clap her hands, wave bye bye, and click her tongue. Weird, I know. She can click her tongue but she can't say mama. Madeline loves to be around people, especially other kids, and we are enjoying our gymboree classes and our "My Mommy Rocks" playgroup.

And this week, Madeline is pulling up. When I saw her pull up the first time, my first thought was "Yay! Madeline did it!! My little girl is growing up!" And my second thought was "Oh, crap!" For those of you who have a toddler, you know exactly what I mean. She is pulling up on EVERYTHING she can reach. And every day she gets better and steadier as she figures out how to cruise around the coffee table, couch, treadmill, suitcase or tv stand. We've already had a couple of wipe outs but no real harm done.

Madeline's 9 month stats:
Height - 28.5 inches 90%
Weight - 20.1 lbs 80%
Head - 17.25 inches 50%
We might end up having a tall, skinny girl. After she looses that baby chub that is :) I seriously love all her rolls!!

Bath time

Father's Day!!

Mads loves her food!

This is her crawling position :)

Standing

Standing in the crib in her new thing

This is Madeline's favorite place to cruise

9 month pic

Who is that girl in the mirror?

I just thought this was too cute! Make note of Madeline's cloth diaper :)

Big D

Madeline and I spend the week in Dallas last week visiting family. We had so much fun and Madeline was so happy to spend time with the Trawnik/Walker/Barton/Garten family. I love living in San Diego but I truly miss my family and I wish that Madeline had more family close by.

We got to spend a whole day with my cousin Carrie and her new baby Zoe. Zoe is so sweet and beautiful. There is nothing better in the world than having a little baby sleeping on your chest. I'm not sure Madeline liked my holding little Zoe though; she stared at me very intently when I was holding Zoe. Don't worry Madeline, Mommy is not bringing another baby home yet :)

Madeline and I also spend a lot of time hanging out in my dad's back yard where he has built this incredible waterfall and koi pond. She really got a kick out of watching the fish swim by. We also started naming all the fish; so far there is Goliath, Bandit, Zorro, Lola (my favorite), Lucky, Gabriel, Lucy, and Obama. There are several other fish to name and lots of other baby fish that will need names in the future. Madeline is going to love hanging out Opa's house!

Thanks so much to Opa, Mama, Mama Billie, Gram, Blake, Carrie, Dan, Taylor, Zoe, and Lulu for having us! We love you!!!

Madeline, Mommy and baby Zoe - How sweet are my babies!

Gabby and Mads

Gram, Mads, and Carrie

Opa and Madeline

8 Months

My big girl

Hanging out with Papa

Madsie and Mommy

Fishy!

It was a dreary day here in SoCal (there is a first time for everything!) so the Kolbery family headed to Scripps Aquarium in La Jolla. I think Madeline really enjoyed looking at all the sea life! But you only say, "Do you see the fishy?" so many times before you start to sounds like a broken record player, even to your daughter :)

Madeline, do you see the fishy? :)

It's May gray

Pointing out the fishy

This is so cool! It's a leafy sea dragon.

Arizona is Hot!!

Erik, Madeline and I just got back from a business meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. While Erik attended classes, Madeline and I relaxed and hung out by the pool. Here are a few pictures...

I'm ready for the pool, Mom.

Madeline's first time swimming.

I think I like the pool.

Woohoo! This is fun!

Hanging out with Daddy.

Happy girl :)

Having fun on a segway

7 Month Update

My little Madeline is 7 months old! Can you believe it? I can't. Seriously, it was just yesterday that she was my tiny little newborn and today she my big 7 month old girl. Madeline's personality has really come alive; she's a super happy and sweet girl. She's always smiling and laughing and loves singing songs, getting kisses from Mommy, and dancing with Daddy. Lately she has really enjoyed being around other babies and kids. Today at my mommy's group Madeline reached out and grabbed Wyatt's (5 month old little boy) hand. It was soo cute!

Madeline has really grown up in the last couple of months. She is sitting up on her own. She reaches and stretches as far as she can to grab something that catches her interest. We have to be very careful with what we leave in her reach because she will grab and knock over everything. Things like cell phones and remote controls are especially coveted. She's not crawling yet it and might still be awhile because she despises being on her tummy. But she's definitely starting to want to move so now she just needs to figure out how.

We started her on solids a couple of weeks ago and she didn't seem to like it very much the first week. I was trying to trick her into opening her mouth so I could shove some food in there. But then something switched and she has taken to solids with gusto. Madeline's favorites are oatmeal, pears, butternut squash and carrots. I've been experimenting with making her purees and its been going pretty well so far. But she's still Mommy's booby girl and she's got the thighs to prove it! I love her big fat baby legs!

Madeline also sprouted a tooth last week! I really thought she was teething and I finally felt that bottom tooth poking through her gums. I think she's working on another one too because she's been pretty cranky the last couple of days.

Madeline has really found her voice. She is ha da da ba ba da ga-ing all the time. She only makes the ma ma sounds when she gets upset even though I'm trying my darndest to get her to say ma ma. And she is getting into the screaming/squealing phase. She can be so loud with her squeals but its really so cute that you can't get too mad.

Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure...

Playing on the floor

Reaching for those toys

Madeline loves to swing

Too cool for school!

Mads and Dad

Madeline loves Mommy's pears.

That's good stuff

7 month picture