Madi at 23 Months

Well we are officially counting down to the big second birthday for our Madison Marie. It is hard to believe that our baby will be two in a few short weeks.

Madi is a very active little girl. She is running everywhere and climbing everything. She loves to play and is very good at playing with her cousin and sister. She is learning how to share, usually this entails bringing her sister or cousin another toy to replace the one they are playing with. She loves to read and do puzzles, play with her doll house, cars, and golf clubs.

This is one of Madi's favorite toys. Aiden and Madison got these cars from Santa for Christmas, and they are definitely the toy of choice for all three kids. They have so much fun climbing in an out, honking the horn (which plays songs) and putting things in the "trunk". They do a pretty good job of sharing even though Madi is usually playing in the green car while Aiden gets the pink one.

Madison loves to go places. She is always pointing to her shoes, hat or coat and waving "bye-bye". She loves to go visit the horses, Grammy and Grandpa Hitt, or go into town. I have a feeling that once warmer weather hits, it will be hard to keep this little one indoors.

Madison is still not talking very much. We have heard her say dozens of words....once. Then we never hear them again. We have been working on getting her to use more words and we are seeing slow progress. We have a running joke that Emma will be talking before Madi does. We took her to a developmental screening, and she was at or above age level for every thing else other than expressive language.

Madison is growing into such a big helper. She wants to help me to do my chores around the house. She steals my broom, dust cloth, etc and "helps" me clean. She is really getting good at picking up her toys (when she is in the right mood of course) and helps me put dirty clothes in the laundry room and trash in the kitchen. She is always trying to take care of her sister and cousin. She brings them cups, bottles, snacks, and toys. I love my little helper.

I just love the picture above. It really looks like I have a little girl instead of a baby...I guess it is time to admit that I do...haha

We are busy getting ready for Madison's birthday party. Brandon and I received a birthday party planning catalog in the mail and each picked out a theme for Madison. I choose this cute barnyard theme, with cows and horses and chickens...it was adorable with phrases like "Cock-a-doodle-two". Brandon chose a pink John Deere theme, which I do have to admit is cute, but I am not nearly as into John Deere as Brandon is. So we let Madison decide...I asked here three separate times which one she liked better...and every time she picked the John Deere theme. So I guess I got outvoted, and John Deere it is...Daddy and Grandpa Hitt are quite pleased with their girl.

Madison has already had her first haircut. She has beautiful curls in the back, but the top layer isn't quite as curly. So I got brave one afternoon and decided to give her some layers to help her hair curl. I didn't do to bad of a job, and I love the way her curls...I am almost jealous as I have always loved curly hair.

Madi is working on becoming a big girl now that she is almost two. She has given up (not by choice) her binki during the day and only gets her pacifier at bed time and nap time. She is starting to show interest in the potty, and loves playing with the potty she got for Christmas from Uncle Brad and Aunty Amber. She hasn't quite figured out the timing, but knows how to take her pants and diaper off, sit on the toilet and wipe....which she would do for hours if we let her...sit down, stand up, wipe, repeat.

Coloring is quickly becoming another one of Madison's favorite activities. She has crayons and markers (the wonderful color wonder ones that only write on the special paper) and several coloring books. She asks to color nearly every afternoon when we get home from Grammy Cone's. We are pretty sure that we have a left handed girl...her great-grandma Hitt would have been proud to have another lefty in the family.

Madison's favorite people in the world are her grandparents. She loves getting to see them everyday, and usually asks to see YaYa (Brandon's grandmother) first thing when she wakes up. She gets to spend so much of her time with her grandparents, and I am so excited for the close relationships she has with them. She spends all day during the week with Brandon's parents and grandma, and then on the weekend she usually gets to spend a night with my parents. We are so grateful to have all of the help we have and know that we are very lucky to have these 5 grandparents in town. Thank you to all of you for your help!

I sure hope that I will be better about posting now that our camera is fixed. Brandon also ordered a new lens for the camera since that is what I asked for this year for my birthday. So please check back for more pictures.