Madeline's Grand Experiment

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

When Olivia was a baby, she looked at us with absolute certainty that we had no idea what we were doing.

When Zachary was a baby, he was happy and enjoyed eating and sleeping.

Now we have Madeline. She looks at us as if she isn't sure that she should be here, that there has been some mistake.


Zach has really turned into a little boy the past few months. He has grown much taller and his face has lost the baby in it. His fat legs turned to long muscular pistons good for running. He is almost as big as Olivia but her incredible balance lets her win all pushing contests. He tries to keep up with her but she is a much better climber and he gets himself stuck.

Thursday, November 23, 2006


Maddie at 2 1/2 weeks


Overworked and underpaid

Zach in his snowsuit. He hates his gloves.


Olivia running with a big big stick. Speckles on the prowl.
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Friday, November 17, 2006

Maddie has been eating and sleeping. She'll look around a bit when eating but that is about it. She has some very cross words for me when I change her with my cold hands.

Our family went together to the hospital for our flu shots and for a two week appointment for Maddie. I went first with the shot. Olivia saw it and was very worried. She was next. I held her on my lap and the nurse stuck her thigh. She screamed and fought hard. I stood her up and she was whimpering. Zach's turn next. Olivia sees that needle come out and she jumps in very close. As Zach is getting his shot and gets upset, Olivia screams loudest yet. In her way she tells the nurse that she is very very mad. Zach cried for a few seconds and after that he was fine. Olivia was worked up. Only she can give her little brother owwies.

We had a really fun day today. The older kids and I played and played in the toy room and outside. We are swinging fools. That is about all I can get the kids to do. We go outside. We swing. There is no other first option. I was able to get them to walk around a little bit on some smaller trails. We adventured and yelled to everyone all the footprints we saw. We saw deer, turkey, rabbit, mouse, little bird, Daddy, Zachy and Olivia footprints.

After supper, we had a really good time running around in circles in the toy room. The kids were in famous moods. We ran and ran. Olivia had a bad habit of overrunning Zach. He would fall and let out some cries. Then he'd get right back up, laugh and keep on running. They shrieked like banshees and ran hard into the futon. I had to call for breaks so they could calm down a bit before they destroyed each other. Olivia will be able to get away with bullying him only so much longer. Over the past couple of weeks, Zach has really turned from a baby to a little boy. He has filled out in his legs and his face has really grown up. She only out-weighs him by about 5 pounds and has about 4 inches on him.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006




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Monday, November 13, 2006

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Saturday, November 11, 2006

 
 
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Sunday, November 05, 2006

During bath time, Olivia has always had the upper hand in size, strength and ingenuity over Zach. One thing she likes to do is take a big cup of water and dump it on his head whether he likes it or not. Today bathing together, she was sitting in the tub and Zach saw his opportunity. He stood and picked up the cup and dumped it square on her head.

Olivia was to have the last laugh though. I took Zach out of the tub and was getting him ready for the day. Olivia was still in the tub and I had just gotten Zach fully dressed and was fixing him some breakfast. The lure of the tub was too much for him so he went into the bathroom to see what Olivia was doing.

I hear a splash and rush in. There is Zach standing there soaking wet, the big blue pouring cup on the floor and Olivia sitting in the tub with a golden halo over her head. Apparently she decided that she needed to remind him who was boss.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006





She was born today at 11 am screaming and had done a good job eating so far. She weighed in at 5lbs 8 oz and was 18 1/4" long. She and Elena are doing well in the hospital. Olivia is very excited to see Baby Maddie tomorrow.

We're off to the hospital in about 15 minutes. We're excited and nervous but it seems like the doctors have their ducks in a row this time. Hopefully.

Grandma Nadine is coming over to watch the kids then I'll come home later today to bring people back to the hospital.