The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Now that Madeleine is a little over 4 months old we think that she may be starting her first of many teething stages! Eek. We're trying a few different things with her at this point including ice cubes in a little mesh holder and this teething ring. She's also taken to the pacifier again which she had given them up for about 2 months. I guess this is a perfect example of .. once you get use to something or think you have some sort of routine down.. it all changes! Madeleine is really growing and it feels like she is changing or picking up on something new every day! Today she discovered my nose and likes to grab it now. She's still giving us kisses with her mouth open but we're working on that. This picture was taken after spending some time with Grandma Sue and Grandpa Mike. She was all tuckered out.

On Wednesday the 13th, Madeleine had her 4 month well-baby check up! She got 2 different shots and took them like a champ. Her face did turn bright red after the second one but she calmed down pretty quickly. I find that it really helps to nurse her after the shots to calm her down. She now weighs 16 pounds, 8 ounces (95th percentile) and she is 25 inches long (90th percentile). I didn't have much to talk to the doctor about since everything is great. She's sleeping really well and we're having fun with her. I did talk to the doctor about breastfeeding her until at least 6 months and asked when we should introduce solids. He said that we could breastfeed exclusively until a year with some vitamin supplements. We're going to continue breastfeeding her until 6 months and take it from there. All in all, Madeleine is happy and healthy!

Madeleine and Nick after bath time!

Bedtime already?!?

A wonderful visit from Grandma Ronnie and Grandpa Bruce! Sue (Nicks' mom) had foot surgery this last week so Bruce and Ronnie babysat her on Friday! It was a wonderful visit.

Oh yes. She's managed to fit her whole fist into her mouth recently. She's constantly putting her hands in her mouth or anything else she can get her little hands on.

I LOVE this picture.

Aunt Julia made this hat for her and YES, it's Husky colors!!

Thanks Aunt Julia. It's perfect.

Julia's Madmad about to give her kisses!

Going for Aunt Julia's nose.

I spy Chester.

So... I also have some big news to share. I'm no longer a manger at Chase Bank! It all happened very fast and 3 weeks ago I wasn't even looking for a different job. I'm now a manager for BECU!!! The location of my new branch is perfect! It's about 15 minutes away from our camping lot that we spend most of our weekends at during the summer. I had been with Washington Mutual / Chase Bank for 13 years and it was very hard to say good bye to the branch and staff that I care a lot about. Like I've always said.. there's been blood, sweat and tears at that branch since I took it on as manager 3 years ago. Here's to changes and something new! I'm very excited about my new job and the challenges that are going to come my way.

Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

It's been a pretty crazy 3 weeks or so since I last posted. Having a little one really changes everything! I have very little spare time to do things that in the past I didn't think twice about; such as checking my personal email, folding laundry or even making my bed. My older sister told me that once I became a mom I would learn to let go of the little things in life that don't really matter. Boy was she right!! I have found myself letting go of the small things just to be able to spend an extra 15 minutes with Madeleine or Nick. Before we had Madeleine, Nick and I had all the time in the world together.. now we're lucky to have an hour of alone time before I pass out. Earlier this week I stayed up until 10 pm and that was a mistake! I paid for it the next day at work. Speaking of sleep, Madeleine is now sleeping from 8:30ish at night until 5 or 5:30 am! It's wonderful that she's sleeping so well and for so long but I've found that I still need to get up and pump at least once during the night (around 1 am) and then a couple of times to use the restroom because I'm drinking a ton of water these days. I'm not complaining!!! It's great that she's sleeping through the night and then some... now I just need to get on that same schedule. My weightloss continues... I'm now down 51 pounds from last year at this time when I found out I was pregnant! I still enjoy a cupcake every now and then. ;-) Since I last posted Madeleine has made so many accomplishments! She can now rollover from her tummy to her back a couple of times in a row and then she gets tired. She discovered her feet weeks ago and this last week learned that she can put her toes in her mouth! When she wakes up in the morning that's one of the first things she wants to do and has started making noises when she's frustrated when she can reach or do something she wants. She's babbling, drooling and smiling all of the time. No teeth yet but we have a feeling that it's right around the corner. We have her 4 month check-up next Wednesday! More shots for her but I'm sure she'll take it like a champ. I have found that I keep having to remind myself that she was born just 4 months ago. I remember shortly after she was born I couldn't wait for her to be this age because everyone said "it gets better". Time really does fly by and I'm enjoying every minute with my little munchkin. That's all the time I have for this post. I'll try to post a picture or two of her every week but my posts my be short. Enjoy!!

Taken with my macro lens.

Her eyes are still blue but could change.

Bedtime!

The Big Hungry Bear book. One of her favorites.

Quality time with Chester!! He's been very good about letting Madeleine reach out and pet him.

We just had to...

Madeleine is still working on giving kisses with her mouth closed.

We usually get her wide-open mouth drug across our face leaving a trail of drool!

Good morning!

She's trying to sing the UW fight song.

Tummy time!!

Couldn't get enough duck lovin' during bath time!

All dressed up to go meet Grandma Ronnie for lunch. A friend of hers made the sweater and hat for Madeleine!

Mommy and Madeleine out for a Sunday morning walk!

We just had to... she's now grown out of the hat.

15 seconds later the paper was in her mouth.

LOVIN' her toes.