Baby Sled Ride Video

Madeleine took her first sled ride in Massachusetts last week - but Mommy stole the show.

Family Time and Additional Trip Photos

Madeleine has been catching up with family lately. Grandpa Tom and Grandma Molly came in to celebrate her first birthday and ring in the New Year. They also delivered the presents that Santa sent to Cincinnati!

Of course, when the grandparents visit, they always offer to help us out with storytime.....

Catching up on other photos - this one's not particularly noteworthy except that Daddy had to document Madeleine's first birthday with a photo in our hotel room in New York.

While in New England, Madeleine loved going out in the snow in her latest bunny bear outfit.

She really enjoyed storytime in Grandpa's old leather chair.

And no one gives a bear hug like a teddy bear!

Birthday Pix

More birthday pix courtesy of Grandma Kay.

Madeleine wore her birthday princess hat and Grandma Kay made her some extra special cupcakes.

She loved her first taste of icing.

Madeleine's birthday princess hat was a big hit with everyone.

She also climbed her first stair at Grandma and Grandpa's house (Mommy and Daddy's condo doesn't have any stairs).

After a great week, it was time to pack up our things and hit the road for home. Only two of the items in this overstuffed vehicle belong to Mommy and Daddy - guess who all the other stuff belongs to.


Madeleine was so sad to leave Grandma and Grandpa that she even shed a little tear.....

Happy First Birthday, Madeleine!

Wow - hard to believe it's been a year since Madeleine was born. In some ways, it feels like just yesterday. In other ways, it feels like dog years. Multiple dog years.

Today was a dog year day. We stopped in New York on our way back from Christmas in Massachusetts because Daddy had a couple of meetings there. Madeleine played in Central Park yesterday, and she awoke to the sound of Daddy singing "Happy Birthday" to her this morning (thankfully, this triggered a smile and not a crying fit). While Daddy was off at his meetings, Mommy took Madeleine to FAO Schwartz and did some window shopping on Fifth Avenue before returning to the hotel to meet up with Daddy. While at FAO Schwartz, Madeleine got to play on the famous walking piano from the movie Big.

That's where the day went downhill. Daddy's meeting went longer than expected and his cab back to the hotel got caught in traffic (shocker). It took us 45 minutes to get out of Manhattan. And, the Jersey Turnpike was great for the first 30 miles and basically bumper to bumper for the rest of the way.

So, rather than the 4 and a half hours it normally takes to get back from New York, it took us closer to 7 hours. Which meant that we had to make multiple feeding and diaper changing stops to keep the girl from going postal.

All in all, a thrill that our girl is officially 1 year old - but hopefully her 2nd birthday will be more enjoyable for all parties involved. Will post birthday pix tomorrow.

Merry Christmas!

Madeleine is enjoying all of the sights, sounds, and smells of her first Christmas - and she's even getting a classic New England white Christmas to boot!

Madeleine loves watching the birds outside the French doors in the family room and looking out onto the snow. There's even more to see now that she can stand up on her own.

Madeleine really got into the holiday spirit with her festive winter sweater and reindeer antlers.

She loves having Grandpa read her bedtime stories while she's wearing her warm new moo cow pajamas.

Madeleine loves to clap when things are going her way.

Madeleine made her debut on the local holiday scene. Although she's not old enough yet to partake in all of the local traditions such as the Butterball and the Dark and Stormy, she still had a grand time. Mom and Dad even let her stay up a bit past her bedtime so she could socialize, which enabled her to meet a famous author named Lila Stewart.



Madeleine loved playing with the balloon Mommy got her as part of an early birthday celebration - and woe be unto those who attempt to take the balloon before she wants to give it up.

Madeleine had an extra special surprise on Christmas morning - her presents were delivered in person by Santa, who announced his presence with much bell ringing and ho-ho-ho-ing.


We were a little suspicious of Santa but we liked it when he gave us our presents, which we promptly opened. Madeleine loves ripping open wrapping paper (and newspapers, and magazines, and paper bags.....)


Then it was time for pictures in front of the Christmas tree with Grandma and Grandpa - followed by a nice nap after a very busy morning.


Merry Christmas to all!

Madeleine Meets Santa

Madeleine didn't want Santa to hold her (had a meltdown when we tried), so Mommy had to hold her, but we did get our first pictures of baby and Santa today. Daddy was a little suspicious of Santa's proposal that Mommy sit on his lap to keep the baby calm, but it did have the desired effect.

Our Busy Little Girl

Our girl is very busy and active. It must be exhausting being a baby these days with so much to explore and do.

When the grandparents were in town, she showed Grandpa Bob how to she likes to play with her building blocks.

She enjoyed playing tug of war with a ribbon.

She loves playing with her little football (hope springs eternal in Daddy's world).

She even likes doing grown-up things like reading the newspaper first thing in the morning.

Standing up like a big girl.

And talking on the phone.

But one of the things she's doing most these days is trying to pull herself up and walk.