Valentine's Day

Madeline's first Valentine's Day! It turned out to be a great day because we all got to spend it at home :-) There was so much snow and ice that work was cancelled - what a perfect time for a snow day! We wanted to go outside and play in all of the new snow, but it was just too cold and windy - we'll make sure we get out there some time soon, before it all melts!

Go Colts!

Well, seeing as how Daddy grew up in Indiana, we've been very excited about the Colts making it to the Superbowl this year! Today was game day so the whole family got dressed up in their Colts gear. Daddy put on his Dwight Freeney jersey and Madeline had on her Colts sleeper with her Colts Bow in her hair :-) Mommy put on her pink Colts hat and joined the fun! Madeline fell alseep before the game was over, but daddy and mommy stayed up to watch the Colts beat the Bears 29 - 17! It was a rainy sloppy game, but the Colts came out on top - how exciting :-)

Grandpa & Grandma Frantz Visit

This Weekend Grandpa & Grandma Frantz Came to visit. We Hadn't seen them in almost a month so they missed us a lot! As you can see Grandpa was very excited to see Madeline and was amazed at how much she had grown! Grandma was also very excited to see our big girl :-) We just hung out all weekend and showed Grandpa & Grandma all of the new things Madeline can do, like sitting up and kicking in her jumper. We also read lots of books and Madeline told all of us stories - mostly consisting of "Ba Ba Baa". A great weekend!

Rubber Ducky

Today at swimming it was dad's turn again! Madeline really got a work out, but her favorite part was playing with her Rubber Ducky :-) She's really liking this swimming thing, we'll have to keep it up! We just can't wait until it gets warm outside so we can set up her own pool in the back yard. We're thinking she'll absolutely love that!

The Big Dunk!

Today at swimming lessons Madeline learned how to go under water!

The instructor taught us that the first thing we need to do is blow in her face - when we do this she kind of gasps and holds her breath. Then the instructor told us she should always go in head first, that way water doesn't go up her nose.

So we gave it a try! She was a little surprised, but when it was all over, there were no tears and she had no problems trying it again! Mom and Dad hope that all of this ensures she not scared of the water when she gets older. Before we know it, we'll probably have a little fish on our hands that just loves the water :-)

Here's a video of Madeline's first experience going under water!

Prunes...

Madeline's probably going to hate us for this posting when she's older, but some things are just too funny not to be said...

Well, since Madeline's started eating solids (rice & oatmeal cereal) she's become a little "irregular". Mom and Dad started to get worried when she didn't "go" for over 3 days. So we listened to the advice we got from everyone and decided to try some prunes. The consensus was that the prunes would definately get her "going" again.

We definately weren't planning on her first experience with fruits to be prunes, but we've learned that sometimes things just don't happen in the order we thought they would!

She didn't look too enthusiastic about trying something new...So, we just gave her a little taste... Maybe it wasn't going to be so bad... But then we got the reaction we were expecting! It took her a while to get used to it, but she eventually ate a teaspoon or two. And we're so glad she did! The prunes definately got things moving, and that made everyone feel better :-)

Fun in the snow

It was another perfect day to get out in the snow and play! Madeline got buried and then her and mommy went for a ride together in the sled. Pull Grandma, Pull! Then Grandma and Madeline went down the hill together. Madeline made her very first snow angel. Brrrr - that was cold! Madeline falls out of the sled just as much as she rides in it, but that OK because she loves putting her nose in the snow :-) Our little snow queen :-) Playtime with Daddy! Madeline's wagon works in the snow too - she won't fall out of this one :-) Madeline really seems to love the snow so we think she's going to do just fine growing up in Minnesota!

Jack is my Friend

Madeline got a Jack-in-the-Box for Christmas. She's always loved listening to the music, but she's recently found a new love for watching Jack pop out of his box :-) She can't quite turn the crank by herself, but she loves to help us. We thought that she might get startled when Jack popped up, but she just giggles. Jack is definately one of her new favorites!

Daddy's Turn!

This week at swimming lessons it was dad's turn to get in the pool. Once again Madeline seemed to have a great time! She got on her belly and daddy tried to teach her how to kick. We don't think she really gets it yet, but she will... eventually :-) We haven't gone all the way under the water just yet, but we got pretty close. The instructor said maybe next week. Regardless of what we do in the pool, she always finds a way to get those fingers in her mounth! She'll have to take the fingers out soon so she can learn how to splash and move her arms through the water.

I wonder if I can get these in my mouth...

She's recently been taking a big interest in her feet... playing with them all the time! Well, tonight she figured out she could actually put them in her mouth :-) I guess her fingers just weren't cutting it any more - time to eat some toes!!!