Christmas

We had a great Christmas! It was so fun, especially having little ones around. That also makes it a bit crazier but we all had a blast.

We celebrated with Ryan's family on Friday the 23rd. Everyone was able to make it so that was fun. Madelyn got a ton of things. Ryan and I ended up getting Madelyn a super soft stuffed animal as she didn't have any......well we should have waited until after the Bormann Christmas. She got a dog, a pink giraffe, a Chicago Bear, a pink pillow pet and a dinosaur so she is all set! She got a walk-behind toy which she loves as she is walking all over the place these days.

As tall as all my presents!

Madelyn loves talking dolls!

Madelyn's favorite present - the pig that shakes when you press his nose! She giggles & laughs!

Then we traveled to Owatonna to celebrate with my family. We went to church on Christmas Eve afternoon. Madelyn did pretty well - she entertained everyone sitting behind us. Then she fell asleep on Nana during the Family Blessing. She was in desperate need of some sleep as she didn't nap well on the road (I wasn't surprised).

My grandparents joined us for dinner so we had a nice Christmas Eve meal and then opened gifts. Some families open one gift at a time.....we have never done it that way so everyone is opening gifts at the same time - it was crazy but so fun! Madelyn got a Mickey push toy/walker. It was the same one that Bishop got last year so at first he thought it was his - thankfully there were plenty of walkers for Madelyn and she didn't know the difference.

Madelyn & Bishop have so much fun together. It's awesome to watch as they are so young yet they definitely know who each other is and they both light up when they are together. Bishop is so nice to Madelyn, always giving her kisses and wondering where "baby" is! Precious!

We came back to our house on the afternoon of the 25th. It was such a treat to be at home on Christmas Day and then have the day after Christmas at home too.

My mom's reaction to the iPad we got them for Christmas (from all of us). This was our way of saying thank you for EVERYTHING they do for us. They come up 1x/week and will drop whatever is going on if one of the kids is sick and come up so we can go to work. We are so fortunate!!! Plus now we can FaceTime since we all have Macs/iPhones.

Walking behind her Mickey airplane - she gets better & more balanced every day

Eating Mac & Cheese (my favorite!) for my Christmas meal. Grandma Emily made the bib! She makes one for every holiday. Love them!!

December

We had a good December.  Not sure where the month went?!? but it's always busy between Thanksgiving & Christmas and even busier now that we have a baby.  The days and weeks go by so fast because by the time we pick her up from daycare, get home, have dinner and play for a little bit, then it's time to put her to bed.  She is sleeping better which we are all very excited about.  She goes to bed around 7:00 and usually sleeps until 5, if we are lucky somedays it is closer to 6.  I'll definitely take that!

Madelyn is growing up more & more all the time.  She started army crawling & walking behind things.  She is so proud of herself.

We didn't take her to see Santa this year.  We'll try that next year.  

Here are a few pictures of Madelyn from December......

I match my favorite dolly!

My cousin Bishop & me - the best picture we have gotten so far of the 2 of us

My dada and me, just hanging out

Reading up on golf.  My papa would be proud!

Taking pictures for our Christmas card

I love reading books with my Papa!

My friend Max - we always have a good time together!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend. We celebrated with Ryan's family on Thanksgiving day. This year Ryan's family Thanksgiving was "smaller" because some of his aunts/uncles were not able to come. "Smaller" still meant around 20 people.....which is more people than if everyone on my side gets together and that includes both my mom & dad's side!

Madelyn had a great time and was so happy. We were a little nervous with how she would sleep in the pack and play but she did awesome! Back in October (the last time she slept in the pack & play), she woke up midnight and wouldn't go back to sleep in the pack & play. She slept until 4-4:30 both nights we were in Iowa.....yay!

We left for Owatonna on Friday mid-morning. We stopped by the Algona Hospital (where Grandma Emily works) so her co-workers could meet Madelyn.

Then on Saturday we celebrated Thanksgiving with my side of the family. There were 13 people (plus the 2 kiddos). Both sets of grandparents were able to make it. My grandpa (my mom's dad) was admitted to the hospital earlier in the week as he was having a hard time breathing. He was discharged on Thanksgiving day and he was feeling up to coming on Sat. I feel so blessed to still have both sets of grandparents, who we are able to see often.

We came back home on Saturday night. On Sunday we put up the tree & lights. Now it's onto the Christmas holiday......

The Bormann Family

I think this is the 1st time (since I've been around) that we have gotten a picture with everyone!

Reading with Uncle Chris

Walking.....and so proud of myself!

Playing and laughing with Grandpa! Always such a fun time!

The Bishop Family

Bishop & Madelyn reading with Papa

Making music on my piano

We (Papa, Ryan & I) took Bishop to the park on Friday afternoon. Bishop is so much fun~I just can't get enough of him.....and he is such a cutie! He loved going down the slides, swinging, digging in the sand and chasing Papa all over the park. I am so excited that next year Madelyn will be able to join Bishop in all these activities. Bishop laughed & laughed! There is something so magical about a child's laugh - he truly loves life!!!!

November update

I have no idea where November went?!?! I figured I would post pictures from November since it doesn't seem like I will ever get caught up on blogging......

We went to the Gopher-Bucknell men's basketball game on Friday November 11th. We met up with some family friends that we met while I was playing tennis & basketball in high school. Her brother is the associate head coach for Bucknell. It was so fun to catch up! Bishop & Madelyn both lit up when they saw each other - they truly have a special bond already! Unfortunately Carla wasn't able to join us as she was traveling for work :( Madelyn did great. She was tired by the start of the game but she was a trooper and then slept relatively well that night.

I just love this picture! Bishop having so much fun with Papa!

Madelyn sporting her Bears outfit! She loves standing/walking behind the walker.

Bath time is so fun.....once she get into the water. I'm not sure if she is scared of the yellow duck bath but she always gives Ryan the "death grip" as he lowers into the water but once she is in the water she has a lot of fun.

Having fun with Nana! Nana & Papa are still coming up to watch Madelyn 1x/week. It works out wonderfully for everyone! Such a special time for everyone - not sure who loves it more :)

We went to visit some friends, one of Ryan's co-worker's family. Their son, Elliot, is 2 months old and is such a cutie! Madelyn is just over 7 months in this picture. We had such a great time with them!

A Sunday morning after church. I just love this outfit! My dear friend, Melissa, gave it to her and it is just adorable.

Madelyn's first time riding in the shopping cart without her car seat. She loved being able to look around - she was interested in everything. I love this hat and am so glad we got a picture with it on her head......she rips it off as quickly as we put it on. Don't be fooled, the hat was off within seconds of taking this picture.

Madelyn is a great eater. She is eating 3 meals/day (along with bottles/nursing). She is growing up so fast! I can't believe she'll be 8 months in a little over a week. She is sleeping better ~ usually goes to bed between 7:30-8 and sleeps until 4-4:30. Then it's hit or miss with how much longer she sleeps after 4:30. There is always room for improvement :) She continues to be such a happy baby! She smiles at everyone and never wants to miss out on anything (no idea where she gets that from!). She isn't crawling but rolls all over the place and is "creeping". She can get herself in the crawling position but then just falls back to the ground. She is much more interested in standing and walking. The week before Thanksgiving she said her first word..... "Dada". When we look at our family picture and point to Ryan sometimes she'll even say dada. Of course that melts our hearts!

Playing with her Lampchop puppet. Great Aunt Sandy gave it to her and she loves how soft it is.