We're back...................

So it's been a while. Madison is already 7 months old and doing great. She is so full of life and just a pure joy. Life is so much easier now than it was even just a month ago. Vance is coming up on his 3rd birthday and is having a ball. We have moved from Vegas to Holbrook and it has been a hard move, but we're doing good. Vance especially loves it here since he has experienced the thrill of the outdoors (at least until the weather permits). Darren is nearing the end of his graduation and is just trying to keep his sanity. He will be done in November - woo hoo! I'm so proud of him and it's gone quite fast. And me, I'm really enjoying having my family so close. My brother and his wife are here with their two boys and new baby girl, which works out so nicely for my kids. And of course my parents are right next door. I know this is going to be a great place to raise my kids. I feel so lucky to have this new life.

Here are some pictures to highlight a few events in the kids lives............

They say not to put Bumbo's on raised surfaces, and I found out why the hard way. Yeah, Madison somehow fell off the counter. I didn't see it happen, I just saw her there then next thing she was on the ground. It was horrible, but she was amazingly okay. She cried, but didn't even have tears. I will never do that again.

See - who needs a public pool?? This is just a small sample of the mischief Vance gets into up here in Holbrook. It truly is a child's playground up here!

Vance discovered mascara and he actually did okay. There was alot on his right lashes. He obviously spends way too much time with his mom!


Poor kid got all scraped up from falling off a table at the park. He has more bumps and bruises than ever from living up here.


He actually looks cute in mommies glasses


Vance with his cousins Brayden and Trevor. If only they were always this still.

Vance's first 3rd birthday party. We did one early since family was in town (he'll have another on his real birthday Sept. 20!!) Courtney, his sister in law had this amazing cake made for him and it was even allergen free just for him. Such a lucky boy.

Just relaxing in my briefs

She LOVES to eat! I have never seen a baby so into food as she is. Every time I eat, she just cries because she wants some. So far no sign of food allergies and I am so happy!

So cute!

Trouble waiting to happen

Madison 5 months old

Madison 6 months old
Madison 7 months old

Madison is 3 months old.............

We have had a busy month! I can't touch on it all, but here is some of what Madison has experienced this month...........................

She had her first Easter, which we celebrated with the Shobe's at our house in Las Vegas
She started standing up on us a lot more

She became a little more aware of her crazy and loving brother. Whenever Vance sits by her like this he says "2 babies!" He is so sweet to her.

She became a little more attached to her mom

She started smiling a lot more

She met her Grandpa Taylor for the first time while we are up in Holbrook for the month. Darren is doing one of his clinical rotations up here.

We had her blessed up in Holbrook and she was the Belle of the Ball. We had almost all of the Shobe's and 2 of my brother's there with their families. It was a special day. We are falling more and more in love with our little Madison every day!

Madison at 2 months

Madison at 3 months (I forgot her little pony this time!)

Madison is 2 months old!

All bundled up and ready to face the wind!

Madison had her first smile this month

She went from 6.5 lbs. to 12 lbs. in just 2 months!

Do we have another Vance in the making??

Sleeping Beauty

Her first dress

There's just something about daddies with their little girls

Madison at 1 month


Madison at 2 months

Is it April already? I thought time went fast before, but with Madison here it is just flying. We had a lot of fun this month. We have our good days and bad days, but they're mostly good. We have been the Hotel del Shobe with visitors coming every week-end, and it's been great. Vance loves all the attention and it's kept me motivated to keep up on the house work too! We've spent alot of time at the Bellagio since it has free entertainment for our guests. Madison usually stays in the stroller but Vance Loves the water show. I can't believe how big Madison has gotten already. I wish I could freeze time for just a bit.

Just Vance.............

Ever since we had Madison, my time with Vance has been at least cut in half. It makes me sad, but he has adjusted very nicely. He can entertain himself almost as much as he entertains me. The other day I was wondering where he was because I hadn't seen him in a while. There he was in the back yard just jabbering away to himself and drawing on his pad. He was out there for probably 10 minutes doing this. I thought it was so cute. Just sitting in nature looking for inspiration for his drawings. I love watching him grow!

Vance still has his food allergies and every time I think he has improved, he'll find a gold fish or lick my milky spoon from cereal and throw up again. It makes me so sad for him to see us eating normal food and know our normal food is his poison. But alas! I went to Whole Foods and found some waffles that Vance can eat. I didn't know if he would like them because 'special food' isn't the best tasting. But I poured on the syrup, and he was in HEAVEN. He ate that thing so fast. I was soo happy for him. Since then, he asks for waffles for every meal. I also found some chocolate chip cookies and pretzels that he can tolerate. Thank goodness for Whole Foods!

This was at the end of the session. It's hard being adorable!

We caught her sleeping with her fingers like this, so sweet!

I had to throw in a pic of Vance!

This is one of my favorites.

Another fave..........

=

And another fave.....okay, I love them all.

My friend came over last week and took these adorable pics. She says she needs more practice, but I think she did so good. I am thrilled to have these. Madison was just out the whole time, so we didn't get any awake pics. But that's okay - babies make funny awake faces. Thing are going good so far. Madison has something going on in her gut to where I can hear her stomach growling all the time. It's really loud and I think it makes her uncomfortable a lot. Every day is different, but today is going great. She's a really good baby except for the hours of 6 - 9 pm which I think must be her witching hours. I forgive her though because she is so dang precious. She could cry all day long if she wanted to.

And Vance is Vance. He has the most fun personality - just happy all the time so I have a hard time finding something to discipline him with. Nothing seems to phase him. And I am amazed and entertained by what comes out of his mouth everyday. He's getting more and more independent which is good and bad. Good because he will play by himself for longer periods of time, and bad because he gets into more mischief. Since we're home so much more now, he gets so excited to just go to Target - poor thing.

Madison is 3 weeks old!

So I know 3 weeks doesn't sound that old, but to me it is already going way too fast. At her 2 week visit, Madison was 8 lbs. and 20.5 inches long. She has already gained 1 lb. and 11 oz. She is still very much a newborn, but I feel like she is changing before my eyes. I am just trying to enjoy all the precious moments I can before she's as big as Vance.