NEW TITLE AND URL

We have changed our title and url to Princess Maddie Anne at blogspot. Although she will always be my baby, Maddie would probably prefer not be princess baby forever. It went so fast!

Thanks!

Princess Maddie & her roses

So we went to see Beauty and the Beast this weekend and of course, bought one of the blinking roses - okay, we bought two. (Hey, it's a good cause - JPAS is great!)

I forgot the camera that night but it's okay - we forgot the roses in the stroller. As soon as Maddie saw them she remembered the little button to turn them on. Her snow princess dress and Belle cape were perfect, but the beret is pretty cute, too.

My Miracle and the doctor who made it happen

We we finally went to visit Dr. Sartor, our fertility doctor. Both Sissy and Oliver (my dad's cancer doctor) will always be near and dear to our hearts. Oliver helped us say good-bye to my dad with dignity and against the odds, Dr. Sissy gave us Maddie. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I will always think of them together, one helped an incredible personality leave the world and another brought this incredible miracle to us. (Kind of a cosmic equalizing!)

My mom, Sissy & I at the Cancer Crusaders luncheon in 2005, before Kevin & I were even married or dreaming of a baby!

Maddie & Sissy Sartor. Maddie really wanted her necklace.

Special mass and Superbowl Sunday

Hooray for today. My mom took Maddie to a mass for special children at St. Francis this afternoon. I hear it was great and I hope to go with them next month. It was fun to watch Maddie drive away, waving at me.

The highlight however - this is the first time Kevin & I have been alone in our house since Maddie was born! Wow!

Tonight was Superbowl Sunday and we spent the evening at the Ritz Carlton - pretty fancy digs for a football party. Aunt Ces and Uncle Joey won a night at an auction. They got the really fancy Ritz Carlton penthouse suite and invited all their friends over (and everyone brought tons of food!). The suite was great - lots of open space and thankfully, no small knickknacks. A surprisingly, easy, wonderfully kid friendly place to watch the game. My social butterfly had a great time pushing her doll stroller all over and hanging out with everyone. She has no doubt that every person she sees will love her shoes, want to hold her, give her grapes (or king cake or junk food), or hold (and save) her half eaten pickle until she reclaims it. Kevin remembered the little camera but the pictures aren't so great. He did, however, get some great video of Maddie pushing her stroller down the hall of the Ritz and dancing to the Boss Bruce at half time. She shaked, bounced and head bopped as the mood and music struck. Her favorite part, however, was under the table peek-a-boo with Daddy. He would squat and then she would squat and see him under the dining room table. It never stopped being funny or surprising to her. Daddy's legs, however, weren't quite so thrilled with the endless game.

Headed home after another late night.

Art and Theater, all in one great day

Today has been fabulous! (Too bad I once again forgot the camera!) We met Mum (my mom) downtown and then walked to the Farmer's market. Maddie drove her car again and, of course, loved it. We found a lady selling baby cakes - individual sized kingcakes. My daughter with the sweet tooth was thrilled. Mum bought some strawberries and shared them with Maddie, who thought four was not enough. She kept handing me the bowl and pointing inside, where she knew there were more!

The day was so pretty we decided to take the street car to the Art Market - all the way at the end of the line, about an hour ride. It was so nice with the windows down and Maddie loved riding on my lap without a car seat.

We had a picnic on the grass in the park and watched kids play ball. Maddie was so excited about lunch she was dancing and wiggling when I put down her plate. The olives, strawberries, blueberries and grapes vanished, along with the pasta. She also attacked my crawfish sausage, and seemed to like it.

Walking around the market was great. There were lots of kids and plenty of dogs (hooray!). We bought some kids French books at the library book stand. Great deal - $1/book! Maddie & Mum tried on feather hats and headbands - and I am so sorry I didn't have the camera.

The craft tent was fabulous. Maddie made a hat, decorated with shiny stars, glitter and confetti. Although I put on the glue and confetti, Maddie quickly figured out how to attach the stars and added a lot - she loved the shiny ones.

I took pictures of Maddie and her art project when we got home:

Showing off her project and her boots.

Love those shiny stars!

Our big outing was yet to come. Maddie & I were going to see Beauty & the Beast. I put her in the bath but first, she found my boots. Apparently, all boots are great and wearing them with clothes is not required.

She loved the show. We actually walked over to East Jefferson (no parking anywhere!). The show was sold out so it was really crowded but Maddie was so sweet. She sat on my lap and was mesmerized by the performance. It started late (8 pm) so she was really tired, but wanted to watch it so badly. I thought we would leave at 9:30 at intermission, but she wanted to go back again. She watched for about another half an hour before getting too fidgety. My incredible husband was sitting outside waiting for us, since he didn't want us to walk home in the dark. (Thank you, Kevin!!) Maddie was totally wiped out - I really blew it since I needed a picture of the snow princess in her "fur" lined dress, awesome black cape (kind of like Belle's) and her flashing roses, sound asleep in her stroller. Maybe she'll let me recreate it!

Maddie's car and more boots

We try to walk to the store every day - it gives us a nice half hour outside, usually right before dinner and we can get anything we need for dinner.

We now take her "car." I use her front trunk for carrying heavy items and she cracks up laughing every time. She loves driving her car and waves to everyone. As we wait at the traffic light at the intersection, she waves to the passing cars. Then, as we cross the street, she waves to the cars sitting at the light. The best response has been a car of teen-age boys - they honked and waved back. She was thrilled but her mother hoped she'd never attract the attention of teenage boys again!

Today, she wanted to wear her boots, even though they are too big. Every time someone talked to her, she showed them her boots. She is trying to lift up both legs to show her boots to the camera.

She loves boots so much that she threw a pair of rain boots in the tub tonight. I let her bathe wearing them and she thought was great! I wanted a picture but decided against leaving the baby in the tub to get the camera. She looked pretty funny, sitting naked in the tub, wearing purple and pink boots!

How fast they grow

Maddie in her boppy one year ago today, January 30, 2008.

Check out those cute feet!

Maddie in her boppy (otherwise known as her recliner) today.

Check out those cute feet - hanging off the end!

(notice the socks, too!)