Halfway to One

Believe it or not today is Madison's six month old birthday -you have to love the first year of your life because ever month is a birthday, too bad we don't remember them. Let's recap Madison's first six months. First, take Dad out of the first 4 months and insert Grandpa Fortune. This is probably the single most important part of Madison's first six month, and, again, something she will not remember. This is fortunate for Dad, but Mom and Grandpa will always remember the first four months. Since coming into this world, Madison has gone from a funny, alien looking baby to a happy, laughing baby, who, sadly, looks too much like her daddy.

She has finally begun sprouting some hair (strawberry blond), though she is still lacking visible eyebrows. She cut her first tooth, which poked its little razor-edge through sometime yesterday. It is surprising to me how sharp it is, but my mom pointed out, it has to be sharp to break through the gumline but then dulls down after gnawing on everything and anything she can mouth.

She is also talking a ton, it is nearly a running comentary all day. I am ready for her to begin announcing this season's baseball games, but Shelly thinks it is a little much for a six month old. Seriously, she loves babbling through the day, and I swear that she said her first word, "puppy." (Whatever, 6 month olds do not really speak in words and I think he was just trying to get at me that she would even show that kind of affection for the dog to make it her first word, disgusting.)

She will try to mimic facial expressions. So, if you stick your tounge out at her, she sticks hers out at you. As cute and developmentally significant as this may be, I can later see this turning into "how can we annoy daddy?" game. Shelly has also taught her to shake her head. Again, though I am sure she doesn't know what it means, I am not thrilled that she can already communicate to daddy, "NO!" I have been working hard to teach her to nod her head, "yes" but to no avail, and, again, I am convinced it is a conspiracy against dad.

Madison's new best friends are her feet. It is great if you think about it because the toes provide 10 constant playmates. We have also graduated to a big girl stroller, where you sit up and look out versus lay back in the car seat and stare at the sky. As anyone with children knows, as you grow out of the infant car seat and stroller, it is not only a gentle reminder of how fast the time flys, but also smack in the face about how expensive kids are.


Thanks for the stroller Poppi and Nanna!As you can see we chose the orange stroller so that we can gear up for football season.

Our friend Tom was at Costco the other day and called to see if he could get anything for us... "Sure, diapers and formula." He called back 10 minutes later going off about expensive it was. Yep, you know it, 30 bucks a pop.... ouch. Who ever thought this is how any left over cash would be spent!?

Unfortunately, Madison is celebrating her six month birthday with her first case of the crud. There is one word that describes being around a sick baby: MISERABLE. Will and I feel so bad for her, she sounds horrible, but there is really not much you can do. Will keeps wanting me to take her to the doctor (he is concerned it has or will develop into Bronchitis) and I keep telling him it is a cold and what can the doctor do? Watch, we have a six month checkup scheduled for next week and the doc will say she has bronchitis and I will feel like crap for not wanting to be the over concerned parent.... Will will simply say, "I told you so."

Well, that's life in a nutshell. I am studying hard for my Helicopter Aircraft Commander's board, which I should have next month or so; Shelly is still working hard for Suzanne and Tom; and San Diego is still San Diego, though quite-a-bit wetter than usual.

So, watch the blog for details----- We will update you soon.

Wherever you are, hope you are enjoying winter.... I have to say the rain has come and now we are all cowering in doors because we are afraid to melt.

Much Love,
Shelly, Will & Madison