Madison's first words

"Hi Daddy".  Yup....those were Madison's first words.  I go away for the weekend and when I come back she's all "daddy" this and "daddy" that! haha!  The babysitter is witness to the first time Madison said "hi daddy" and since then we've heard it a few more times.  Her second word is "da" which we think is "dog".  She will try to copy me if I say a word for her, but these are words she has said on her own, as Grant has come into the kitchen or as she has looked at the dog.  Some days you wonder what is going on in her head....and whether she really understands all that you say to her...so it's pretty cool to all of a sudden start hearing real words from her.

On another note, I went to Vegas this weekend to celebrate my 40th birthday (which comes July 20th).  Grant and Madison had a great time together...going for hikes and bike rides, and just having some quality father/daughter time.

And lastly, we just got home from the hospital where we got an ultra sound to check out baby #2, who appears to be healthy and growing well.  Due the first week of January.  Next year is going to be a busy one!!!!!

Our child thinks she's a dog!

Yes that's right...Madison thinks she's a dog!  We've noticed that she copies sounds....but for the last month and a half she's been growling....it's pretty cute (you can hear it in the video where she's laughing feeding the dog...at the end she growls).  At first I just thought it was a kid thing....a way that babies learn how to use their vocal chords...but none of my other friends have a baby that growls.   The funny thing is that Maya doesn't really growl....but she does make noises when she wants out or wants your attention...we noticed that when she did that....Madison copied her noise by growling.  Then there's the walking thing....Madison has been crawling and furniture surfing for a few months now...she can even let go and stand on her own for 10 seconds at least.....but walking???? She has no intrest!  The dog doesn't walk on two legs....why should she!  Then yesterday she and Maya were out on the deck...Grant went out to check on them only to find Madison crawling around carrying her jacket in her teeth....and Maya walking around carrying a ball in her teeth.  I'm sure Madison would have been carrying a ball instead of her jacket...but she can't get one in her mouth....believe me...she's tried!

Blowing rasberries

It's funny when Madison learns something new..because it's all she will do.  For instance, a few weeks ago she got her top two teeth...and she discovered that she can grind her top and bottom teeth together and they make a noise.  It's the most awful sound....it's like nails down a chalkboard!!!!  The only way I can get her to stop, is to give her a soother, so she has something else to bite down on.
Well, this week, she learned to blow rasberries.....only she spits a lot when she does it.  It's quite funny, but you have to be prepared to get a face full of spit!

A few weeks ago, Torbin came to visit us for the weekend. This is my favorite picture of the two of them.  I just love the look on both their faces.  :)

This morning, this is how she came out of the bathroom.  

....So we went into the bathroom to see what she had done.  This is what happens when I forget to close the bathroom door!!!!