Chistmas Week 2009

We were in Buffalo (WNY) for the 25-27th. During which time I was sicker than I've ever been in years, but the kids had a great time. I actually started to feel better on the 29th, and today I feel about 95%... which is the highest level I can run at, the other 5% is lost on a daily basis to lack of sleep, trying to concentrate, and frequent tv dinners.

Maddie and Chelsea played the whole time they were together... even though they only get to see each other a couple times a year -- they really seem to click. There was the occasional ownership squabble over toys that were unearthed after months of laying at rest, other than that -- their bond was a tough one to break.

We also made it to C's igloo on the 26th to celebrate AJ's first... unfortunately, we didn't snap any pics... I was still recovering from my serious (cold and sinus) ailments and left my wife with the majority of the kid watching duties. We had a good time, and also got a glimpse of how the older sister (Cailee) and younger one-year old brother (AJ) negotiate with their possessions... we took notes.

After two hours of ignoring each other, Maddie and Cailee really started to enjoy each others company.

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Here's the first pic on record of all the cousins. How old will they be the next time this rare event occurs?

Avery and Dylan having a good time. Avery was excited to see another boy in the family.

Dress-up time! There were quite a few costume changes in a relatively short period of time...

Maddie dressed up on Christmas day.

Enjoying a candy cane. We bend the rules with her sweets during the holidays.

Christmas Morning

Dylan was still snoozin' when Maddie ventured into the living room full of gifts. Our princess may have been spoiled a bit this Christmas, but so far -- the winner is.... drum roll please: The stocking!

Maddie's First Hot Cocoa

On a chilly December evening (last weekend), we decided to have some hot chocolate with our princess. For the vast majority of the time, I remember thinking - don't take your eyes off her, make sure she doesn't spill....

Cathy and I quickly forgot, and left her to fend for herself at the table. Within minutes, we heard hot chocolate spilling on the floor.... and her classic line: "I didn't spill anything...".

After Mom cleaned up mess, we took this video.

5 minutes after this video was recorded, a 2nd cup of hot cocoa decorated our floor... then it was Dad's turn for the cleanup session.

Dylan - Rolling Over Once Again

After a three month hiatus (link), Dylan has once again mastered the art of rolling. Over the last couple months, the added pounds hindered his ability to roll over from tummy to back... but now that he has some arm and neck strength - - it's no challenge. When he chooses to do so, he can accomplish this feat in a matter of seconds.

Visitor from Afar

Talk about traveling for the holidays - - Ukraine, to MA, to MI, to MA, then back to Ukraine.

It's never too far to travel to see Madison and Dylan.

Uncle Tim came to town for a couple days to see his niece and nephew. After 24 hours, Maddie warmed up and started to play... and as you can see from the pics below - - Dylan and Uncle Tim got along from the get-go.

Tea Party

Maddie set this tea party up all by herself. We left her alone for a few minutes, and next thing we knew -- there was a huge gathering in her room, sans parents! We eventually received an invite and attended her exclusive party.

Maddie - Notables 2

I was tending to Dylan in the living room while Maddie was playing at her table in the kitchen. A few (silent) minutes went by and I figured it was time to question her unsupervised activity:

Dad: Maddie! What are you doing?

Maddie: Coloring!

Dad: Oh yeah, what are you coloring?

Maddie: The chair!

Yup, that's right... and not only was she coloring the chair, but she was using a marker! Lucky for me, she only colored on the wood (not the fabric). I was able to wipe away the artwork in no time, with no evidence of my parental mishap.

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Mom recently taught Maddie where to find Dad's loose change (coins) in the night stand... from there she learned how to transfer this newly discovered wealth to her very own signature piggy bank.

One morning Cathy and I were in the living room, granting free reign of the house to our daughter. I decided to sneak a peak in Maddie's room since there was a long (mischievous)silence. Just as I was rounding the corner, I see Madison trying to wedge a $20 bill into her piggy bank!! Unfortunately for me, I also keep my wallet next to my loose change... apparently the nickels and dimes weren't cutting it!

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We've been (patiently) teaching Madison how to trace letters of the alphabet. We usually get through 5-6 letters per night before her mind wanders a bit, and some letters she can do better than others. It really depends on her motivation on the particular day. The pic below is from the first four letters she ever traced.

Cupcakes and Caroling

Mom and Maddie made some cupcakes tonight. Madison fully participated in the entire cooking experience -- prepping the batter, putting the frosting on, dusting the cakes with sprinkles, and then (of course) - enjoying her dessert.

She wasn't shy in front of the camera either. We took a lot of video, but this one was the most blog-worthy. At the end of the clip she sings Jingle Bells -- with some fresh lyrics in the last verse.

.... I don't know where she picked that up.

Dylan Pics and Update

There's one hour of the day (from 8:30PM-9:30PM) where the house is as peaceful as this picture indicates. Maddie goes to bed at 8:30, and Dylan snoozes until 9:30... it's during this time that we finally get to sit back and relax.


Dylan giggled out loud for the first time today... and is growing stronger by the day, lifting his head up while he's on his belly.

Avery and Chelsea Update

Uncle Jeremy recently sent some pics my way:

I'm thinking Avery hit Santa up for a nice monorail set for Christmas...

Chelsea pondered what to make of the jolly old saint nick.

Chelsea being a big girl and putting rollers in her hair after bath time.

Chelsea and Grandma before Chelsea went to see The Nutcracker. Chelsea loved the ballerinas and the Sugar Plum Fairy -- and has been dressing up like a ballerina ever since.

Exterior Illumination - Update

Well, I've completed the front... another 16 strands of lights, plus two lighted tree assemblies... for a grand total of 4600 dazzling lights around our house! I'll take some pics tonight. Only one spousal grievance on the project: very minor issue, you cannot use the microwave (or hair dryer, etc...) while the lights are illuminated-- or you blow a fuse. No biggie right?

My proposal -- don't use the microwave from 5:00-11:30pm.

Long story short on that one, I'm going to be making some modifications to the electrical routing next week... I chose to concede on the issue.




While I was finishing up the exterior - Mom, Dylan, and Maddie were fixin' up the interior. Maddie provided a helping hand while Dylan watched from the ground level.

Maddie - Recent Notable Highlights

While we were at our favorite coffee house one morning, in walks a "Stone Cold" look-a-like with a large tattoo on his neck:

Maddie (yelling out loud, while pointing directly at the man): Mom! Look at that, look at that picture there on that guy's neck!

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Sleigh Ride was playing on the radio in the car: Giddy yup, giddy yup, giddy yup let's go. Let's look at the show...

At the same time, Maddie was singing her version: "Kiddy cup, kiddy cup, kiddy cup let's go.... this is the kiddy cup song!"


Mom decoded these lyrics, I had no idea what our princess was belting out at the time.
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Techno-Savvy....

Maddie has learned to conquer the Animal Matching game on the iPhone all by herself.




...she also has been playing on the laptop more. We'll sit down together and pull up Google Images, and after we type in her request for an animal, favorite toy, or any other random item she's thinking of - - Maddie will then move the mouse over the image, click the button, and expand the picture all by herself.

Exterior Illumination

Immediately after Thanksgiving -- every year -- I watch Christmas Vacation... a minimum of five times leading up to the 25th. This is probably a decade long tradition at this point. I haven't watched it yet this year, but got a little ahead of myself over the last weekend. I've been waiting years to show off my exterior illumination skills to my kids... I couldn't wait. With one side complete -- 15 strands of 2000+ lights now compliment our house.... and that was just the side. Over the long weekend, I plan on knocking down the front.

Maddie came out to sneak a peak.

More Pics of Little D

Just relaxin' in the tub

This one reminds me of his Uncle.

Relaxing weekend

A pretty quiet weekend for the most part... Isabella (2+ years) and Alexandra (~8 months) stopped by to play yesterday. Maddie and Isabella had a good time as usual -- chasing each other around the house and playing with the ever-growing collection of dolls.

As for the latest Dylan update: he weighed in at 12lbs. 4 oz. just over a week ago. He's starting to sleep in 4-6 hour blocks at night, and the little guy still has blue eyes.

Big Girl Bed

Maddie made the leap to her big girl bed this weekend, she was probably ready for it months ago... but we weren't ready for it yet. Thanks to her cautious behavior, there were never any attempts to climb out of the crib... why make the switch right?

So yesterday I fixed up the crib with the new rail and we prepped Maddie for her first nap in the big girl bed. Our only instructions for her prior to the nap - - do not climb out of the bed. 2PM rolled around and we put her down just like we always do.... not a peep (or sounds of rummaging) for 2 hours. I went in around 4PM and she was in a daze laying in her bed... still half asleep, but awake and ready to get out. There appeared to be quite a few dolls and toys in the bed with her too.

It takes our princess a good 15 minutes to defrost after a nap, she usually sits on one of our laps and enjoys some quiet time... she does not like to be disturbed. About 5 minutes into her quiet time on my lap:


Maddie (in a whisper): Daddy, I have to tell you something.

Dad: Really, what is it Maddie?

Maddie (again in a whisper): I got out and got my babies and got back in.



She fessed up! Our little girl couldn't keep the secret... the baby dolls on the floor were too tempting, they had to join her in the new bed. But I must say, the transition was seamless. The first night was equally successful as well. When we went in to get her this morning, the first thing she said: "I stayed in my crib, I didn't get out". A big milestone, what a big girl!

More Halloween Pics - MI Installment

We managed to get a rare family photo along with a ton of other pics. Maddie dressed up as Cinderella and Dylan was sporting a black Halloween onesie for the big day. A fun time was had by all.

Our Princess.




Maddie and her friend Ethan walking to the next house for another treat.




This was from last weekend at Blake's cider mill. We took a quick trip out there for some warm donuts and refreshments.

Halloween in WNY

I came across these photos on a social networking site (posted by a Jeremy F), and thought they should be showcased here. I'm assuming this was a pre-school festivity for Chelsea, the princess costume is a popular one... Chelsea's cousin chose a princess costume as well.



Update from Halloween night. Avery looks like he could be a real fire-fighter, cool costume!

Flying Solo

Mom and Dylan went to MA this past weekend, while Maddie and I spent some quality time together in MI. I know, the picture quality stinks... I forgot the camera and had to resort to the phone.

We made her favorite rounds -- Starbucks, followed by pb kids, she absolutely loves that store. Madison could spend the entire day there, moving the dolls from one stroller to the next -- I think we logged in a solid hour on this particular trip.

Bus ride

Maddie loves riding these mini-trucks, we cannot pass one by without a request for a ride. She has a fascination with school buses in particular, anytime we pass one by in our car -- she'll call it out, and then ask to see another. Whenever we spot a school bus, we all yell it out as if it's the first school bus we have ever seen.

I've found myself wanting to yell School Bus when no one else is in the car but me...

Afternoon snooze

Mom snuck in these pics in the afternoon. The spike hairdo is no coincidence either - - everyday Mom styles his hair just so. He's been sleeping in good intervals, eating well, and keeping his sister entertained.

During tummy time yesterday - - the little guy rolled over again! I like to test him and see if he can still pull off the tummy-to-back rollover maneuver.

More pics of the new guy

Well, he's over a month old now -- we transitioned him to the crib last weekend, so far he seems to be satisfied with the new arrangement.

Nothing really to update... just wanted to get some newer pics posted.

Maddie's Masterpiece

Maddie assembled this tower with only a little bit of outside assistance from her mother -- note the color coordinated levels.... a fine piece of architecture if I do say so myself.

Dance Class

Today was Maddie's first day of dance class, she had tons of fun!

Getting warmed up...

Maddie did very well taking instructions from her dance teacher.

Maddie and her friend Brianna G dancing together.