December

Starting to catch up on our blogging!  December started off with Maddie getting back to eating solid foods.  This has been so, so nice since we don't have to help feed her and worry about the roof of her mouth being damaged by the spoon!  She is able to feed herself again although it is very messy experience.  Maddison really is enjoying food.  It is good to see her feeling so much better.  She, also, is no longer wearing her mittens for sleeping.

We have turned some major corners in regards to Maddie adapting to us.  We no longer have to stay in her room until she is asleep!  Robin started giving her a few books to read during her nap time in the afternoon.  She then leaves the room and does a few things checking back every now and then on Maddie.  She is perfectly happy with this arrangement!  She eventually falls asleep and Robin is able to do other things while this is going on.  We have now implemented this in the evenings for bed time.  We give her a few books to read for about 15 minutes and then come in and say its time for bed.  She gives us her books and goes right to sleep!  It is amazing how well she is adapting to being part of our family.

We were also able to have our first evening out by ourselves!  I had a Christmas party for work and we were able to leave Maddie with Grandpa and Grammie Lockman for a couple of hours.  It was so nice to be able to have a date with my wife!!!!  It was so great that Robin's folks were able to come over and watch Maddie.  They actually took her to view Christmas lights.  All three of them had a great time!

Christmas was really fun this year!  Maddie did very well, but she did seem to have sensory overload!!!  We celebrated Christmas with Robin's folks in the morning/early afternoon and then had my side of the family over in the evening.  We were able to fit in a couple of naps between family visits and she did great with this arrangement.  Maddie was VERY entertaining during the gift unwrapping.  She had to help everyone open their packages!  She was more interested in the wrapping and throwing the paper away than the actual gifts, but she sure had fun!  Sometimes she did not even bother to open the boxes.  It was really all about the paper this year.  She ran in "high" speed during the gift opening and then went into sensory overload toward the end.  By the time we were done with each part of the family, she was ready for a nap or bed!  After opening presents with Robin's folks, she slept for 2.5 hours!!!!  The day after Christmas, Maddie slept to 9:30 AM!  It was sure nice to be able to sleep in!

Here are a few pictures:

Maddison is trying not to touch the piano keys.

"Oh Mama, Grammie needs some help though."

Maddison could not resist.

Gideon Christmas Party

What a great smile!

Grandpa and Maddie playing trains!

Do I have to put up these PUMPKINS!!!  Oh, MOM......

What a cutie!!

Maddison really has enjoyed all the nativities is our house.  She is into having tea parties lately and Baby Jesus has never has so much tea in all these 2000+ years combined. 

No person or animal stayed in the same place two days in a row.

Maddison with her "Mary" look.

"Where did the star go?"

A day of building.

Maddison's favorite place to take a picture is by the Christmas tree.

Thanks Anu!!

Have puppy and picture book, will travel.  Thanks Margie Sue.

Maddison seems to always get the Bow Tie magazine before Robin does.

Helping Mama decorate.

A beautiful handmade gift from our friend Lynne in California.  Thank you for the wonderful Christmas dress!!!

 

"You are our sunshine, our only sunshine, you make us happy......." - Thanks Aunt Dora.

Christmas Eve gift

The wagon was the first toy she discovered on Christmas morning.

A puppy and a pocket book all in one.  Oh wow!!!

The bear is feeling a little cramped at the moment.

Maddison was sleeping when we took these two pictures.  

Kona Coffee.  Need I say more.

Every home needs letters for their fridge.

If you could only see how small the piece of wrapping was that she was throwing away.  

A new piano.  This makes number 4.  Maybe one day I just might get a big one!!!!

Minnie Mouse in her Christmas best.

"Grandpa's glasses again.  How do I look?"

Noah's Ark

The Maddie book Mama made for Grammie and Grandpa.

Jack Monkey in the Box........pretty cool.  "How does this thing work?"

The "M" necklace.

Thanks cousins Dylan, Morgan, & Ryan.

Grandma Laug looking at her Maddie book.

Uncle Jeff, you pull the paper this way......little pieces.

"Little pieces, yea, you got it Dylan."

The shortest and tallest in the whole family.  What a cute pair.

What you can't see is the dog playing with the wrapping paper.  It was amazing Maddie.

Wave Morgan and Grandpa Laug.

Maddie "reading" to Grandpa Laug.

We think this was the biggest piece of wrapping she tore off all day.

                            

"Oh Canada" .....Thanks to my Canadian cousins.

We could not leave out the four legged family members from our Christmas pictures. 
Mandy and Cookie at the beginning of Christmas Morning!

Mandy and Cookie Christmas Evening after a day of chasing Maddie.......

Need we say more................

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!

Farewell 2012...Welcome 2013.