Happy Birthday Madilyn!

Yesterday, June 28th, 2009 we officially celebrated Madi's 2nd birthday!

What a fun year it's been! It's crazy what a difference just one year makes. Last year Madi wasn't walking yet, she had just started saying her first words, and had barely any hair! 

Since then Madilyn's become quite the big girl. She's learned to walk, run, jump, climb, dance, read (by memorization), count (to 20), whine, talk in full sentences, sing, use utensils, drink from a sippy, and then a cup (definitely prefers the sippy still), put on her shoes, and climb up and walk down the stairs by herself.

She's also mastered her shapes (including a recent favorite- octagon), colors, animals, and most letters of the alphabet. 

She has about 10-15 songs (mostly primary ones) that she knows ALL the words to and loves singing them for us!

Her favorite activities are still: reading, drawing, coloring, and building.

While she loves her necklaces, baby, and pink "sparkly" shoes, she's also big into cars, trucks, and balls.  

Madilyn is quite a serious little girl. Here's a few pictures from her 2 year photo shoot (BIG thanks to Melissa)! Notice how Madi only cracked a smile in ONE of the pictures!  

Along with her serious side, Madilyn also has her cautious/ sensitive side. She always seems to anticipate things before they happen and begins crying before she needs to.  For example, when the sky is dark and cloudy, Madi immediately begins asking about the rain and thunder. She has this weird love/ hate relationship with thunder. While she seems to be fascinated by it, she hates to be left alone if she thinks it's going to thunder. I can't even walk up the stairs without her or she'll come running, hysterically crying (to the point of shaking), screaming that she hears thunder! But then she's fine when I'm right there with her.

Madilyn has finally grown quite fond of nursery, she is now doing better with strangers, and can happily say goodbye to mommy when I have to leave; but she still does NOT like the doctor. Well, I guess I should say she doesn't like the doctor when the visit is for HER! I took her in for her 2 year check-up today, and WOW- what a nightmare! She walked back all happy and then saw the scale. I spent the next 45 minutes with a clingy, crying child!  ARGH! Luckily she recovers quickly. We got in the car, I gave her a snack and drink, and then she began talking about her trip to the doctor- like it was a great experience or something . . . "I went to the doctor mama. I got an owie on my finger."  Ya, she had her finger pricked and two shots in her left arm, but that was at the very end of the visit. So who knows why she felt like she had to cry through the entire check-up! 

We sure do love our little girl. I look forward to this next year and all the things Madi will continue to learn and do. 

This picture is significant for only one reason: Madi is actually eating!

Happy Birthday dinner!

Blowing out her candles.

Enjoying her second cupcake! Yummmm. . . . 

Thanks Madilyn for another fabulous year!

The Birthday Girl!

Madi turns two on Sunday and in the Jenkins' home, we like to stretch out birthday celebrations all week! So, we made a special effort to fit in all her favorite outings this week, including: trips to the park, the train table at Barnes & Noble, the library, the store, the pool, etc. Ok- these are really just the regular places we go every week, but I really did try extra hard to make the week special! Then, despite my "great-with-child" status, we topped off the week with a party this morning, inviting some of Madi's close friends. Those who know me well know that I am NOT a party planner-I don't enjoy doing it and the whole thing just stresses me out. When I first decided to do a small party I figured no big deal- right?!? Wrong! I stress about the tiniest things, especially when it involves people coming to OUR house! But, after several Target runs, a couple trips to the grocery store, and staying up past midnight, I can say that I was actually excited for Madi's party! 

Along with her party, I was extra excited about the gift we had gotten her. Remember this post? Well, that kitchen that I got for Madi has been hidden up in Spencer's office for the past 2 months! So, after a long day at work on Friday, Spencer hauled it downstairs around 9pm and started the grueling task of putting it together.  

There were seriously a hundred little pieces and lots of tiny screws packed in that box!!-I'm glad Spencer, and not me, is the official "puter-togetherer" in the family! 

Here Spencer is on step 28, trying to interpret the cryptic instruction manual probably sketched by some poor, overworked peasant in rural China. The look on his face is classic: "Maybe this would make more sense if I read the Mongolian version!?"

4 1/2 hours later, around 1:30am, I wake up and find Spencer is still not in bed. So, I go downstairs and find that he is just finishing up and moving the finished product to its place! 

After only 3 1/2 hours of sleep I was awake and ready for the big day! Since it was only 5:30am I hopped on the elliptical and fit in an hour work-out before Madi woke up. As soon as she was awake I bolted in to let the birthday festivities begin (I tell ya, I get really excited)! The birthday thing has been so much more fun this year. Madi understands and gets excited, yelling, "Happy Birthday Madi!" After a quick change into her birthday shirt we headed downstairs for her first birthday present! 

Luckily Spencer got the whole thing on video! Madi's commentary was priceless. She was SO excited- repeating, "WOW! Oh, my goodness- look at this!," over and over as she inspected her new toy! I'd definitely call this a great purchase!

After an hour of playing with her kitchen, we all began the party preparation.

I had planned a pretty simple party. I bought a small pool from Target, threw it outside in the grass, set up some lawn chairs around it, and had a table full of "Madi" foods. "Uncrustables" (PB&J), pasta salad, watermelon and grapes, mini boxes of raisins, fruit snacks, goldfish, animal crackers, and juice boxes (and I even found Elmo and Big Bird ones on sale- to go along with the "theme")! 

Madi was extremely happy with the food. I know, SHOCKING! - Madi never cares about food! I was in awe with how much she ate! After eating half a sandwich, she kept returning to the the table to grab more snacks. Then she'd join different friends to help them eat their lunch! 

While Madi wasn't so into the pool thing, she loved the parachute!

Around 11:30 we busted out dessert- made with love by Melissa! I looked online forever at cute cupcakes to make- I even thought about making Elmo ones. But seriously, who would I be kidding! When Melissa told me her idea, I let her go with it! Aren't these the cutest things ever!

After getting over the initial messiness of the cupcake with ladybugs and gummy worms on it, Madi dug in (but of course only finished half of it before wanting to give the rest to dad).

After cupcakes Madi assumed her spot in the "birthday chair" for gift opening. I felt bad with her opening each present and then having to set it aside while she begged, "I wanna open it right now!" I had to reassure her that she'd have plenty of time to play with her presents after nap time. Thanks Tyler, Kate, Brooklyn, Logan, Bella, and Lexi for the awesome gifts!

After a lot of coercion, we were able to get Madi to give Tyler a half-hug. Sorry Tyler, Madi likes to play hard to get!

By this time Madi was definitely ready for her nap. After thanking all her guests, including giving lots of loves to mom and dad, Madi waved good bye to her friends and went upstairs for a long nap.

The day was topped off with a trip to the park, swimming at the pool, and of course LOTS of play time with her news toys! What a fabulous day and a great way to celebrate turning TWO! And the best thing about it, is that the birthday fun gets to continue on all day tomorrow!  

Chatterbox

Madi's quite the little chatterbox these days. From nonstop singing in the car, to conversations throughout the day, I rarely get a minute without silence anymore (thank goodness for nap time)! Thought I should write a few down- just so I don't forget!

Trying to share an apple with daddy-

M: "Here ya go"

D: "No thank you"

M: Thinking about a better way to say it: "Wanna apple slice daddy?"

D: "No thank you"

M: With a persuasive look: "Soooo Good..."

On the way to the Metro:

"Daddy's going to work. I'm gonna be sad."

The next day- before even getting to the Metro:

"Have a good day at work dad.  I love you!"

Picking Spencer up after work:

"Hi Daddy! I missed you!" or sometimes just a simple "I love you Daddy!"

While trying to comfort baby from the rain and thunderstorm:

"Don't be scared Baby. Be happy!" 

(She'll say this over and over- I'm assuming in attempts to comfort herself as well).

Rounding the corner to the park:

"SWINGS!!" Oh, I'm excited Mommy!"

Most commonly asked question:

"What's that?" . . . over and over and over again!

(Boy can this get exhausting)

A usually annoying request:

"I WANT MY MOMMY!" 

Our least favorite of her common requests: 

"I want it!" 

"That's MINE!" 

My absolute favorites: 

"THANK YOU MOMMY!"

"I LOVE YOU MOMMY!"

Dad's Day

Last year Spencer got to spend Father's Day with his dad and I got to spend it with mine, making this Spencer's first official Father's Day spent with his little girl. And what a great Father's Day it was! With church at 9am, Madi and my plans for a breakfast in bed didn't quite work out so well. Instead she just surprised him with a handmade card (painted hand print, picture and all). 

Then this afternoon we celebrated by Spencer making Hoagie sandwiches and homemade ice cream (ya, I have a pretty amazing husband- to make his own meal on Father's Day:)! Now, don't worry- I made sure to help out with cutting up the watermelon, and washing the dishes afterwards. We also had wonderful company all afternoon. My good friend Emily, from teaching days at Geneva, has been in town this week and was able to get away to spend the entire afternoon with us! We absolutely love her company, so it was nice to relax, get caught up, and visit while enjoying delicious food. 

After Madi woke up we headed off to the temple. Of course Madi was in heaven with getting to spend her afternoon here!  

While stopping by the visitors center, we ran into the Jolley family that we knew from Burbank. They weren't in our ward, but Spencer got to work closely with Bart in young mens. What a small world! 



Now back to my thoughts on Father's Day. . . I always want Madi to remember the relationship that she and her dad share at this stage of her life.  So I thought I'd include just a few reasons why Spencer is such an amazing dad!

1) He takes time to play with Madi every night- her usual requests are cars and blocks.
2) He puts her to bed (which includes reading at least 3 stories and singing a handful of songs) probably 6 of the 7 nights a week.
3) He makes sure to enforce the rules, and is usually stricter than me (which I greatly appreciate).
4) He's always looking for something new to teach Madi! I love how we both excite in all the new things she's always learning.
5) He makes sure they go out on daddy daughter dates at least once a week!

It really is the best thing for me to see how much Spencer adores his little girl and how much Madi loves her daddy!

And of course, I gotta throw a shout out to two other amazing fathers! We feel extremely lucky to have 2 great dads as role models in our life. Spencer obviously learned well from his dad and I think my high expectations came from having a dad who I've always had a close relationship with. We love you both very much! Happy Father's Day!

Diapers GALORE!!

With only one month left to go until due date, Melissa and Candis had the fabulous idea of throwing a baby bash for me and our other friend Becky (who's also having a girl).

Can you tell who's a little further along!?! Ya, no more complaining about how big you are Becky! I swear I'm DOUBLE your size!!

Since Becky and I both already have a girl and it's not typically customary to have another shower, Melissa and Candis had the genius idea of a DIAPER SHOWER! They asked each guest to bring a pack of diapers for each of us (cause what new baby doesn't need lots and LOTS of diapers)! Then to spice it up, they threw out the challenge for the guests to bring the diapers decorated somehow. Now if it was ME given the challenge, I totally would have forgone that idea. The diapers would have stayed neatly in their package- exactly as they are. However, we had a couple of friends who really took the challenge. 

From diaper flowers with cute little washcloth centers. . .   

To a diaper wreath with toys and baby supplies attached, 

we've got some extremely creative friends!

This particular gift I couldn't help but get extra excited about. My friend Shauna makes these adorable hair clips for her daughter, and every Sunday I just stare in envy, wishing I could make clips as cute as hers. Well, now I don't have to wish any longer. Shauna tied her package with 6 of her handmade clips attached, not to mention a headband for the clips to interchange out of, as well as a binky clip (that she made), along with hand crochet booties attached! Then inside of the bag (that YES she made!!) she had wrapped her diapers in a beautiful crochet trimmed blanket for Elle! Thanks Shauna! You never cease to amaze me!

Along with getting us stocked up with diapers, Candis and Melissa came up with the "Guess that POO" game!! Nine different types of candy bars were melted into nine different diapers and we were to open up each diaper, take a peak, and then name that poo!  Ya, pretty disgusting- but quite entertaining!

Along with all the chatting and games, Melissa and Candis had some pretty amazing food prepared. You can always tell a party that Melissa's decorated for. . .

Check out that table! And this wasn't even all the food!

I really think I laughed the majority of the night! It was so great to spend some time with friends- away from the kids!

Thanks ladies for the fabulously entertaining evening, and especially for all the diapers!

A BIG thanks to Candis for hosting the party!

And a HUGE thank you to both Melissa and Candis for planning such an awesome party! I feel so lucky to have such sweet, thoughtful friends!