Sibley Park

We met Grandpa Kenny & Grandma Emily in Mankato on Saturday.  Madelyn lit up when she saw Grandpa & Grandma!  She was all smiles and couldn't wait to be held by them.  Melts my heart!

We had pizza at Pagliai's which was super yummy!  Madelyn loves pizza so she's always a fan when we choose pizza.  It had been raining earlier in the day but it let up so we decided to head over to Sibley Park.  It turned out to be a great afternoon!  It was overcast and the playground was a little wet but it sure beat walking around in the mall with everyone else.  I'm so glad we have found this meeting spot as it's fun to meet up with Grandpa & Grandma Bormann!

Madelyn's favorite thing to do was ride on the duck.  She even knew she needed to rock back and forth to get it to go.  So amazing and fun watching everything through a 1 year old's eyes.

It takes a lot of work to move this duck!

Smiles with Grandma

They also have a small petting zoo and this time the animals were out.  It was fun to see some of the animals.  There were calves, llamas, goats and horses.  Madelyn didn't know what to think.  At first she was a little scared but then she thought she wanted to go closer but as Grandpa & Grandma brought her closer to the fence she started to cry and held on for dear life.  Everything is so new - she definitely takes it all in.  We hope to get to the Minnesota Zoo this summer so this was a good start!

Looking at the baby horse

The llamas

Grandpa & Madelyn

I love swinging!  It's so fun!

Papa & Great Uncle Bob's 65th Birthday

Last weekend was a fun weekend!  We celebrated with Kaylin & Tyler (Kaylin is one of my cousins through marriage) as they got married in Northfield on Saturday.  It was a beautiful day for two beautiful people.  I love going to weddings as it reminds me of our wedding day!  I love thinking back to all the memories from July 25th, 2009.  It was such a special day and obviously one that I will never forget.  It is amazing to be surrounded by so many people who love & support you.

It was also so fun to see my dad's side of the family.  We always have a great time when we are together.

Kids weren't invited so Madelyn got to hang out with my good friend, Shari, and her son, Max.  Madelyn just adores these two.  She had a blast!  They went to the Maple Grove Community Center and then out to eat at Arby's where she devoured her chicken fingers, curly fries & mozzarella sticks!

Then on Sunday, May 20th, it was my dad & Uncle Bob's 65th birthday.  So fun that everyone was in town for the wedding on Saturday so we could celebrate again on Sunday!  Madelyn loves her Papa and I think she was wondering what was going on since there were 2 people that looked like Papa!  Between Bishop & Madelyn they kept us entertained!  Nora did what she always does - is such a cutie, hardly makes any noise and just hangs out, taking it all in.  She is growing up so fast!  I know we got pictures of Papa with his grandkids but we must not have taken any with our camera.

Happy Birthday Papa!  I love you so much!  I always have so fun with you and love how you make me laugh.  I can't wait to play with you again!  Love, Madelyn :)

Madelyn in Daddy's hat......before we left for the wedding.  All smiles!

Great Grandpa Ray with Nora

The Birthday Boys

 

Madelyn having so much fun with Great Aunt Sandy

1 year pictures

We had Madelyn's 1 year pictures taken by Beth with bcfotos on April 28th.  It was a raining, dreary day but thankfully we had chosen the Mill City/Guthrie as our spot so there were great indoor places.  Beth has also taken her 3 & 6 month pictures.  We love how they have all turned out.  Beth has such a special gift of capturing the special moments.  Here are some of our favorites......as you can tell, we liked a lot of them :)

Ear Update

Madelyn was pretty clingy last weekend and especially on Monday morning.  If Ryan or I even made the motion to put her down, she would scream.  That should have been my clue but instead I assumed she was going through the phase of "just being 1".  She has been crying a lot more when I drop her off at daycare but again, thought it was more of the separation anxiety.

We took her to daycare on Monday but I got a call towards the end of the day saying that Madelyn had a temp.  I had been talking to her surgeon's nurse earlier in the day as she woke up with drainage coming from her right ear.  The drainage was a 'good' thing meaning the tubes were doing their job.  The surgeon prescribed drops but said to follow up with her primary doctor regarding the fever.  If I hadn't been talking to her surgeon's nurse I don't think I would have taken her to the doctor.  I would have assumed that the fever would take care of itself.

Thankfully we went to her doctor because one of her ears was infected and the other tube was plugged.  They said she has a lot of fluid so the tube that wasn't plugged was doing its job, it's just hard to keep up with all the fluid.

We had a follow up with her surgeon yesterday.  Both her ears were clear!  At least we know when she gets infections she recovers quickly.  We have another follow up with her surgeon in 3 weeks to recheck her ears and to retest her hearing.  He didn't want to recheck the hearing since she was still on drops & antibiotics.  It could skew the results.

We are happy that she responded to the meds.  Within a day of being on the drops & antibiotics she was back to her normal self.  I didn't even think of ear pain/issues when she was so clingy & crabby......since she just got her tubes.  At least we know the signs to look for.  I was pretty good at diagnosing ear infections before her tubes - now it's just different signs to look for.

I know many doctors say that teething & ear infections are not related but I would have to disagree.  Every time Madelyn has gotten a tooth, she has gotten an ear infection.  Too coincidental.  She is getting her 1 year molars right now - she has 2 of them so crossing our fingers we can skip an ear infection when the last 2 come in!  Other than her ear infections, Madelyn has been a happy & healthy girl!

Mother's Day Weekend

We had a great Mother's Day weekend!  Madelyn & I went to Owatonna on Saturday to see my mom and dad.  My sister & her kids were there so it was fun to see everyone and hang out for a few hours.

It was a gorgeous day so we played outside and then went to the park.  It's so fun because Madelyn is able to do more & more things at the park and I think she is realizing how much fun it is to go to the park.

My grandparents stopped over and it is always good to see them.  My grandma was so cute with Nora.  She rocked her and sang to her.  She wanted to rock Madelyn & Bishop but they are way too busy to sit still!

I'm so glad it worked to go to Owatonna to see & celebrate with my mom.  She is such a special person!  My sister & I have such a special bond with her and are so lucky to call her mom!!!  She is always there for us, no matter what, and will do anything for us and our families.  I hope that someday I can give to my kids just a fraction of what she gives to us & our entire family.  I love you Mom!

On Sunday it was just Ryan, Madelyn & me and we had a great day!  We went out to breakfast, did some landscaping outside, walked to the park and played with Shari & Max (my good friend & her son).

I feel so blessed to be a mom!  It is better than I could have ever imagined.  There is nothing more amazing than the unconditional love you get from your baby!!!

Papa pushing Madelyn

 I just love this picture!  Bishop absolutely ADORES Papa and it's so fun to watch!

Auntie helped the kids make a card for Nana!  She always so good with these kind of fun ideas.

Madelyn going sliding with Nana

Madelyn swinging with Papa

Isn't Nora just the cutest?!?!  Love her smile & giggles!

Great Grandma rocking & singing to sweet Nora

Madelyn is always so happy with Nana!

This is the best we could do for a picture with the Grandmas and the kiddos!
We tried getting Carla & I in the picture and that was even more chaotic!

At the park on Mother's Day

Sliding with Daddy

Mommy & Madelyn

Watching Max come down the slide

It's so fun when Max comes down the slide!