Holy Hot Air!

So we were sitting around the house a few days ago and we heard a strange noise outside. It was very loud. At first we thought nothing of it, but then we heard it again. It sounded like this huge rush of air. Andy could no longer contain his curiosity and stood up to look out the window and this is what he saw.

A hot air balloon just cruising down the street barely above the tree tops.

The noise we heard was the operator throwing the torch to keep the balloon high enough. It was very cool.

I also wanted to share some more pictures of Madison. She ate her first real food for the first time this weekend. Carrots that I steamed up for her. She ate them right up with no problems. Even though in this picture she looks less than thrilled . We have a busy month coming up. Andy leaves Friday to visit his friend Matt who just moved to Chicago and he very excited to go to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play. Then next weekend I am in Virgina for my friend Ann's wedding. I am excited, but a little nervous to be gone from Madison for the first time since she was born. Then the following week I am heading to Chicago for conference for work the day I return Andy's parents are coming to visit.

5 months old

Wow, it's been a while since I have had any time to update the blog, my apologies. I have been really busy with my new job, but I am loving it! Madison is really growing like a weed at her 4 month check up she was 13 lb s 5 oz and 24inches long. She is doing so well. She rolled over onto her tummy in her sleep the other night and she can sit up on her own, for about 1 min before she falls. She discovered her feet and loves trying to put them in her mouth. She is starting to teeth, but no pearly whites shining through yet. She also has started eating rice cereal. So many changes in such a short amount of time. Andy and I are just having so much fun with her every day and love to watch her make new discoveries and develop into her cute little personality.

Our weekend in Tampa

Madison took her first plane ride to Florida this weekend to see Grandma and Grandpa. While we were there she also got to meet some of her cousins, Uncle Mark, Aunt Michelle, Aunt Debbie and some of our friends. We had a very nice time. Unfortunately Andy and Madison came home sick. Andy's parents are on their way to visit though so they can be with the sickies. I just hope I don't get it.

Dave and Denise's Visit

Dave and Denise came to visit us at the end of February. They brought their daughter Arianna and dog Baxter along as well. It was great to see them. Here are some pictures from the visit. The girls seemed to get along very well. Ari is already crawling around and pulling up to things so it was a great preview for what we need to adjust in the home when Madison is her age, luckily she didn't get hurt.

3 months

Madison is almost 3 months old and she is so adorable. She LOVES getting her clothes changed. I think it's because she is a little ticklish. We captured this video on our digital camera of her being tickled. It makes me laugh every time. We are looking forward to our friends Dave and Denise coming to visit with their daughter Arianna and a friend of ours in Des Moines has offered to watch Madison so we can go out for Valentine's Day! We are very excited about that. We are also looking forward to going to Florida for a weekend in late February to visit my mom and dad.

Two weeks back to work

Well, I have now completed my first two weeks back to work. I start my new job on Monday. I am very excited. I decided to post some more pictures of Madison. She plays so hard with her toys on her tummy time mat that she just falls asleep. Then she gets a little pouty and a great picture of her smiling.

Madison is 2 months!

Madison turned 2 months old on Monday. It was a big "birthday" for her. She had her shots and went to daycare for the first time. At her doctor's appointment she weighed 10lb 9oz and was 22.2 inches long. She was 50% in height, weight and head circumference. So I guess she really is perfect. She seems to really like her daycare provider and we do too. I went back to work on Monday too and by Friday I have been promoted! It is a very exciting time for us. I am now working with the training department to incorporate video, graphics and animation into their program. So I am back into what I went to school for and I am excited for the new challenge. Andy is still at KCCI and he is liking it there. He is a huge help with Madison and she seems to love her daddy very much. It's very cute when I hold her she will just sit and stare at him and when he talks, moves, or makes any noise she smiles really big or starts laughing. She is definitely daddy's little girl. I will post more pictures of her soon.

Madison Update

Madison went to the doctor because I thought she had what looked like a rash on her face. The doctor said that it's eczema. We are putting some Aquaphor on it three or four times a day and it seems to be clearing up. She now weighs 10lb 1 oz so she is gaining weight nicely. She can also smile, laugh, and even roll from her belly onto her back. She is so adorable and we are so blessed. She has another doctors appointment on Monday for her first shots :( and that is the day I return to work so we are taking her to day care for the first time. I will miss all the fun we had together.

Parent's Visit and Birthday

My parents came to visit from Florida and they came when it's the coldest its been in a year. The highs were in teh single digits and some days below zero for the high. Brr. We got another 5 inches of snow while they were here. We did get a chance to go out to eat for my birthday though. It was such a fun visit and we are so glad they could come, even if they were freezing. Maybe they can come back again soon, when its a little warmer.

Christmas

We took the normally 8.5 hour drive to Michigan this year to visit the family for Christmas the drive ended up being about 10.5 hours with a few extra and longer stops for Madison. But we made it! She was such a good baby in the car and during the visit. We spent Christmas at Michelle's new house, which is gorgeous. We all had such a great time and it was so good to see everyone. Some of Andy's friends from high school even stopped by and it was nice to get to see them and meet some of their children. It was a very Merry Christmas.

Visit from the Texans

Grandma and Grandpa Gray came to visit Madison on the way to and from Texas. She was so happy to see them again. Then on the way to Michigan her Aunt Donna and Uncle Roger and all the Cantu cousins came for a quick visit. It was the first time the Cantu family has seen our house and the first time they got to meet Madison. She was so happy to meet them and we were so glad to have them for a visit.

5 Weeks old and we have a routine

Madison is now 5 weeks old and after much work and struggle she is finally gaining weight like she is supposed to and we have figured out the best way to get her fed. She is 8lbs 14oz today. So finally after going to the doctor at least once a weeks since I was put on rest in July we don't have another doctor's appointment until January! We are looking forward to having some of Andy's family coming to visit this weekend and looking forward to Madison's first Christmas.