Hollywood Halloween

It was a Hollywood style Halloween for Madeleine as we all discovered how much more seriously this holiday is taken on the west coast. Much more elaborate costumes and houses decorated completely over-the-top.

Madeleine had two parties to attend and a joint trick or treating expedition with 4 other neighborhood babies.

First, here are the Mommy, Daddy and Baby pumpkins that Madeleine helped to carve.


Madeleine strode confidently out of her baby car and onto the red carpet for her first Hollywood Halloween party, dressed in respendent Disney Tinkerbell couture.


All the other baby stars were gathered for the festivities.


The baby paprazzi were out in force too.



Our little starlet was happy to be seated next to another baby celebrity that the tabloids have linked her with - Connor!


Her little wings made her look like she could just fly away.


Madeleine was practically lunging for the candy as we made our first trick or treating stop.


It was a great day of fun, and as we read our Halloween book before bedtime, it was hard to say goodnight after such a great time.


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Celebrating Fall

Here's Madeleine celebrating fall at our local church festival......


And here's mommy and daddy celebrating a fall of a different sort (along with Rustin and Paola). Mommy looks very excited for the fall!


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The 4 R's

Madeleine's been spending a lot of time this week on the 4 R's - readin', ritin', revelin' and reunitin'

Grandma Mary and Grandpa Steve sent daddy home from his business trip to Orlando with a new book about trains, which has quickly become her favorite book by far. When you have to read the book 6 consecutive times before she'll let you stop, you know she likes it.


Ok, so she isn't exactly writing yet, but she literally knows her ABCs from playing with the letters in the tub. That is, when she doesn't become our little letterhead by putting the letters on top of her head.


Madeleine's weekly revelry was another trip to Disneyland, but this trip was extra special because w spent the night and took her "boyfriend" Connor and his parents. Even just watching him eat makes her swoon.


The Disneyland railroad was unfortunately out of commission despite Madeleine's repeated pleas, but she made up for with with a special ride in the very front of the monorail. She even got to beep the horn!


And then, her reunion. A special package arrived while we were at Disneyland. A few weeks ago, Madeleine lost her favorite stuffed animal friend - DogDog. It's a beige cocker spaniel looking plush dog head attached to a small blanket.

Before becoming a daddy, Daddy couldn't understand the appeal of these toys. I mean, a disembodied animal head blanket - what kid would want that? Well, she loves it - and starting about two months ago, she became completely inseparable from DogDog.

Unfortunately, Madeleine lost DogDog at the farmers market a few weeks ago and for 3 straight days kept calling to it, saying "Ruff, ruff!" rather plaintively while rummaging around her crib and room looking for DogDog. We tried substituting several other dog stuffed animals but none of them matched up.

So, after a grueling search, we finally found a "new" DogDog - I mean, DogDog finally found his way home! It's been about an hour since she was reunited, and she's been steadily carrying him around every second since then. In an abundance of caution we've ordered a second one just in case.......





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Costume Season

It's the season for wearing costumes and Madeleine is joining in the fun.


First Madeleine did some hands on research on her Halloween costume, meeting Tinkerbell to figure out the best way to wear a green leotard and wings.


Then it was time to wear her Sunday best for church, with a quick stop by the trash chute first (her favorite "chore")


Then it was time for the casual look as she performed her welcome wagon duties - quite literally - greeting a little boy who was riding down the street in his wagon with the traditional fall gift of rocks.......





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Jazz Lovin' Girl

Madeleine went to see the jazz quartet play at our corner coffee shop tonight. Lots of smiles and claps and she was even rocking back and forth to the music.





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Disneyland - Two Weeks in a Row

We're finally putting our annual pass to Disneyland to use - two weeks back to back and three of the last four weekends.

After an active morning, the girl took mommy and daddy to her favorite spot in downtown Disney.


She drove a car for the first time in Toontown.


She rode the Teacups ride with no stomach problems unlike mommy.


And last weekend she and her doggy rode the carousel.


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Quality Time with KayKay

While Mommy is away for her alumni board meeting - her first real separation from the little one - Madeleine is enjoying some quality time with Grandma Kay. So far, despite concerns about separation anxiety, all is going great.

Madeleine's really enjoying the time with Grandma, who she's started calling "Kay Kay" - and she's also asking about "Bob Bob" even though grandpa isn't here. Much to our relief, she isn't crying for "Mamama" or "Dadada" at all. So some day, maybe Mommy and Daddy will be able to do a little getaway together.





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