Bye Bye Swensons :(

cone heads!


silly Dave!


Dave, Joshua, and Tina Swenson

2 1/2 year ago when Zachary was just 4 months old, Dave and I went for a walk in our neighborhood. With Zachary in the baby bjourn, we stopped at the park to see if he would enjoy the baby swing. Out from behind the jungle gym, came a little boy with the most beautiful eyes and his mommy with the most beautiful smile. We all introduced ourselves and she invited me to come with her to a playgroup that had formed in our neighborhood. I would have never guessed that after one meeting, we would become fast friends with an incredible amount in common and that our boys would become the best of friends.

But a funny thing happens when you become friends with a military family. 2 1/2 years into a fabulous friendship, your friends get stationed in California :(. But, instead of sitting around being sad, (there is time for that when they actually leave next Wednesday) we decided to throw a party! Yep, a celebration of the wonderful friendships that have been cultivated between both adults and children in our neighborhood! The party was a hit and everyone had a great time!!!

We love you Swensons and are going to miss you terribly!!!!!!

haircut

Shaggy Zachary vs Cleancut Zachary

BOTH ADORABLE!!!!!

Well, shaggy Zachary is a thing of the past (for now at least). Mommy and Daddy stopped being wimps and took him to Hair Cuttery to get that shaggy mane trimmed up!!!! He hated every second of it but did a little better than usual and the results are visually pleasing! :)

"hey there, friends"

Madeline has been enjoying some awake time in her crib with her new butterfly friends. They are so colorful and sing to her and everything!!! Mommy thinks it is very very cute!

The Fair

It's that time of year again... St. Mary's County Fair time that is! Granddaddy came all the way from the mountains to come with us to enjoy time at a Southern Maryland tradition. We enjoyed watching the jousting competition and riding some rides. Zachary wasn't too sure about the "live stock" areas but enjoyed the horses from a far. Madeline slept most of the time but we got some pictures to prove she was there!!! :)

British Family

Our very good friends Mike and Steve were here on business and came over for a little peek at baby Maddie! Now all she needs is to meet her Uncle Paul and her British family introductions will be complete!

Sweet Baby

enough said....

Cone Island

We went over to Solomons for some good ole soft serve ice cream at cone island. It was a little colder than expected but well worth it! Zachary loved taking in the view (as always) and tried to get Madeline in on it as well :).

1 month checkup

Can you belive Baby Madeline is already 4 weeks old??? 1 month today!!! This time sure has flown by as we've been adjusting to life as a family of 4. Everyone is doing well! Maddie had her checkup yesterday. She is weighing in at 8 pounds 12 ounces (she gained exactly 2 pounds!) and she is 21 inches long (up an inch and a half). She is now officially ready for the Baby Bjourn (woo hoo..although we have used in a few times in a pinch). Her Dr. says she is doing great and is very pleased with Maddie's progress.

New Ride

Well, Mommy is flying solo, much sooner than expected, while Daddy is in Conn. on a business trip. With news of this trip, we decided a double stroller was in order so that Mommy wasn't climbing the walls by the time Daddy got home! We set out for the traditional double stroller and came home with this very cool new ride for the kids! Zachary loves it and Madeline has enjoyed our long walks!

First Bath

Well after 3 1/2 weeks, Madeline's umbilical cord finally fell off and she was in the clear for her first real bath. Zachary absolutely hated his first bath so we were a little nervous about this time around. But, in true little girl fashion, Madeline loved being pampered and enjoyed every last minute of the bath!!!

All in good time....

"ok, i'll sit by you, but I won't look at you"


"alright, i'll sit a little closer"


And finally, he shares his most beloved blanket! We think he's getting there....


Zachary is still getting used to his little sister and definately enjoys her more when mommy and daddy aren't around....

First Day of School!!

Today was Zachary's first day of school! We signed him up for a 2 day a week program for 2 year olds. There are 4 other kids in his class and they do a whole lot of fun stuff like music, art, and outside play. He was very excited to go and was very happy to have me leave!!!

Labor Day

Steph, Damian and Aidan came for a visit yesterday! After some fun pool time, they cooked dinner for us and enjoyed some baby Madeline time!

Adventures as a family of 4!

Well, after almost 2 weeks of recovery and climbing the walls, we ventured out last night for a walk over in Solomons. Zachary has been a little clingy to his stroller (not that he wants to ride in it but he certainly doesn't want Madeline riding in it!) so we loaded it up for him and put Maddie in the bjourn. It was a nice outing! So weird to have 2 kids in the backseat!! When we got home, Madeline actually began her nights rest in the swing while Dave and I watched a Tivo'd program from before she was born!