Here Fishy Fishy

OK, so she may not swim like a fishy just yet, but Madeline is a water girl for sure! We started swimming lessons last week and the only time she fusses is when we have to get *out* of the pool. :-) These lessons are supposed to teach her how to kick on her belly and her back (with me holding her, of course), stick her face in the water and blow bubbles, hold on to the side, and basic water safety. We paid $40 for 8 lessons and the first week the instructor didn't even show up, then a new lady "taught" on Thursday and all she did in 30 minutes was lead us in a song and practice kicks twice. Oh well! I'll just chalk it up to money well spent on pool-time fun for Maddie and me!

Yes, Maddie, this is your 1st swimming lesson! :-)

practicing kicking our feet (and apparently flying like an airplane, too!)

Maddie loved twirling in circles and always made a cute "woooooo" sound.

This is so much fun, Mom! Let's do this all the time! :-)
What a cutie pie girl.

What's Old is New Again

Searching for an interesting way to spice up your wardrobe?

Here's one way--

start off about 10 pounds heaver than you'd like, then get pregnant, have a baby, don't completely lose all the weight, get pregnant again 5 months later...oh, and for the last seven or so months of that process, pack up about 90% of your wardrobe in storage boxes and shove them in the basement because you're remodeling your house. (Caution: this process could go on for years!) After all that, get sick of wearing maternity clothes (because you refuse to buy new clothes in a larger size that would actually fit you), and suck it up--go on a diet and start exercising!

Lo and behold, after about a month, dig out those boxes from the basement and *VOILA!* --you'll have a whole new wardrobe and clothes you completely forgot you had! It's like a shopping spree in your own closet!

All that to say...I got out my pre-pregnancy jeans today and they FIT!!! Granted, I still have a LONG way to go, but I was so excited to fit into my old jeans today! Ah, it's the small things in life that can bring such joy. :-)

Grandparents

Keith's parents, Ron and Darlene, were here for a week-long visit recently. They are both laid-back, easy-going types, so they're easy to have around. :-) When I asked what they wanted to do during the week, they said in unison, "Play with Maddie!" Wish granted! Having free babysitting is awesome and a rare luxury! I was able to unpack some boxes, paint Maddie's new bedroom, paint a bookcase and side table for her room...things I got done in a few days that would have taken me weeks worth of precious nap times! Thank goodness for grandparents! :-)

We're back! :-)

Whew, it's been a whole month since I've posted anything on my blog! That's a good indicator of how life's been around here. We finally moved into our house in mid-January and then nine days later Keith's parents came to visit from Ohio! It was a whirlwind time, but lots of fun. Most years we only get to see them once, but this year we'll see them again in June--they have a timeshare in Orlando, so we get to go to Disneyworld! Maddie will go crazy! :-) We're planning to make this a yearly event. Keith's sister and brother-in-law have a son, Dominic, who is two weeks older than Maddie, so they'll have great fun together.

In honor of the vacation, I've decided to start Maddie in swimming lessons next week. She's such a water girl, so I know she'll have a blast. The person it'll be harder on is me...braving a swimsuit in February (or any time of year, for that matter) is quite scary--oh, the sacrifices we make for our children! :-)

Now for a smattering of photos from last month...

Maddie loves reading books in her new "big girl chair".

Helping Mama sweep the floors--she actually does a good job!

"Helping" Daddy install the kitchen cabinets...well, NOT actually so helpful!

About two weeks ago our girl became a full-fledged walker! She's a total pro now. She'd been able to walk since Christmas, but refused to practice...then one day she made up her mind to do it and she's been on the run ever since!

Family portrait when the grandparents were here--Maddie is quite fascinated with the flashing light on the timer.


This is one of my best friends, Christine, who visited us the day after we moved in. She was my roomie in college for 3 years and a matron-of-honor in my wedding. She and her husband Mike just had their first child, cutie pie Jonathan David, in November!


We opened belated Christmas presents and, while I was excited to see the actual gifts, Maddie and Lucy were more entertained by the tissue paper.


I'll add more later...now off to exercise! My goal is to lose 20-25 pounds by the end of May (for our Florida trip), so I'm putting my nose to the grindstone! Wish me luck! :-)