Little Miss Maddie came alive this week...talking, cooing and smiling. She's getting into quite a rhythm that is predictable and I LOVE IT! Most nights asleep by 11 and up at 9 with one feeding at 6. Heavenly. Of course who knows how long this will last but I'm grateful for it right now.

We got to spend the week in Paso Robles with my folks and it was so much fun to be away from my messy house, not have to cook, clean or be alone with the kids. My Christmas gift this year was just being away with my family and resting.

Brayden has fallen in love with airplanes of any kind but mostly F-14 Super Hornets or F-16 Tomcats so we took him to an airplane museum. Super fun! He got to sit in a flight simulator and sit inside a military helicopter. He's flying his own little F-16 in his hand in this picture, I am flying him like an airplane and we are standing between the two engines of the F-14 at the museum.

Grandma Jo and Grandpa Bob sent Brady some much needed tools so he could help his dad fix the leaking pipe at the house we were renting in Paso.

Goggles - check! Superman shirt - check! Pink cuddly socks....check?

Proof of the smiles!

She's already working on her Scrabble game. She has to get practicing so she can beat Papa some day.

Lots of cuddles with Grandma.

More cuddles.

She smiled!!!

Redeeming moments in motherhood...when Brady crawls up next to his sister and says "It's okay Baby Maddie" when she's crying, a baby laying peacefully staring at you grinning, a little boy that likes to give momma kisses on the nose.

These moments are needed after a hard hard week! Thank you Jesus!

On another note, we were driving down the freeway yesterday and Brayden saw a huge blow up Santa Claus. He says, "Mommy, is that Noah?" After a long silence because I was giggling and thinking of how to answer that question...he says, "Yeah, I think that's Noah."

This is Maddie's friend Stella Lawler...they will be friends! :)
Sydney let me braid her hair and the next day it was all curly.

Cutie.

Silly nut.

He loves boots!

Our peanut is 10 pounds! Time flies... Madison is growing so fast. Most of the time she seems to be adjusting to life but she definitely has her moments that are challenging for us.

Grandma and Papa came to meet her this last week. So fun! Sad to see them go but thankfully they are coming back in 3 weeks for Christmas

Our little Maddie Kate is already 5 weeks old today. Goes so fast. She is starting to spend more time awake, checking things out and being smothered with love by her brother.

On another note, we've been missing daddy. Eric is on day 3 of the Tea Fire. He is joined by hundreds of brave brave men that choose to go out and risk their lives. He was interviewed by CNN yesterday and shook Governor Arnold's hand today. Matt would have been so proud!

Brayden is still totally in love with his little sister.

Here's our little train conductor!

After Maddies first bath today, her hair got a little wild...looks a little more red and slightly curly.

Dads are best at playtime...and today was no different. Maddie looked uncomfortable like her stomach hurt and Eric unswaddled her, put her on the floor and let her stretch out. Her demeanor changed instantly.
Today was a day of first for Maddie. We went for a walk in our new double jogger and she had a bath because she blew out of her outfit.
Brady just keeps growing. He seems so big. His favorite pair of shoes are what he calls his "Gossie Boots". Aunt Tiffany bought us a book when he was born called Gossie and I think we've read it 100 times. It's about Gossie who loses his favorite pair of red boots. If he has a choice in the matter, he always chooses his bright red Gossie boots. And if he is riding his scooter, he ask for his helmet. Safety first!

Somebody asked me if my family felt complete with the addition of Madison. I still don't know the answer to that question but I know she has filled a place in our hearts we didn't know

existed.