A downward spiral...

After a wonderful and eventful friday, our weekend took a downward turn for the worse. It was very uneventful, and somewhat boring. We didn't do much of anything, as the sky looked menacing all day Saturday and we were scared when the rain would hit. Then it finally did, and we were glad we were home and safe, cuz it was a bad one. Sunday came and went, and all we really accomplished was going to church. Sundays especially, i don't know where the time goes so fast! Before i know it, it's already 3pm, and all we've done was eat breakfast, go to church, come home, and change. Weird. But you all know what spending time, bored, at home means, don't you?! Pictures!!

This is her new thing...the "i don't know" hand. I said to her, "What are you doing, silly"...and she proceeded to give me the hand, lol

She really loved helping with the laundry...or should i say, playing in the laundry basket

Mady's 9 month birthday

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Floating...

Yesterday, we spent the day on the boat. It didn't seem that warm when we were getting ready to leave, but we went anyway, determined to have a good time. When we got there, it was actually pretty warm...mid 80s. So we set off on the boat, bound for fun. We drove around for a while, then we anchored and got in the water. And it wasn't freezing like i thought it would be, it was actually pretty nice. So the 3 of us floated around for a few hours, then we drove some more, then we came home. It was actually a really nice day out.

Mady wanted to drive the boat...she took the keys and wouldn't give them back

Mady was off balance and top heavy, thanks to the lifevest, so she fell over and laughed.

Mady and Frank, hanging out

Swimming with mommy

A tribute...

Today, i watched the Michael Jackson memorial on the internet. It might have been on tv, but i don't know for sure because Frank refused to watch it, no matter what. So to the internet i went. I think whether you liked him or not, watching it was like watching history. Everyone will be able to connect on some level, regardless of how you feel about him. It was very moving, listening to the wonderful things that everyone had to say about him, the wonderful memories that everyone had of him, and the great performances. I was especially moved when his 11 year old daughter Paris spoke at the end. She called him "the best daddy ever". I bawled my eyes out. I don't know if it was the mother in me or what, but it was so touching. No matter what you think of him, what he did or did not do, what he looked like, or how he acted, we should all take a moment to reflect on life. On our own lives and that of those we love. Life is too short.

Our weekend in review...

This past weekend turned out to be a really nice one. Mady saw her first fireworks on friday night, which went over really well. I thought for sure she'd be upset, cry, cover her ears, something...but no, she was great! She layed on my lap and stared into the sky at the exploding colors over her head. After a while she got bored, but once they started the grand finale, she was good to go again.

Saturday we went to Frank's mom's for a picinic and more fireworks. Mady had a great time there as well. All the cousins and kids were there, so she had little ones her own age to play with, which was great for her.

And the new phrase in our house: "Mady, don't play with the dog food!"

Another holiday...

You guessed it, another holiday is coming up. And what does that mean at the Stiffie household?! More pictures of Mady that she will hate me for in the future! It's ok though, because i love them now, and i can't get enough. She's probably going to hate me in the future anyways, so at least i'll be having my fun now and i'll have something to look back on.
Now, for all you EXTREME Americans out there, you may not want to look at these pictures. I'm not doing anything wrong though, i read it in the little booklet that came with my flag. It says i can do this and not have to burn my flag afterwards. I'm not 100% sure it said i could let Mady chew on the flag during the photoshoot, but that just seemed to happen anyway. So if you're going to get mad, just don't look. Otherwise, feel free to enjoy the show! I present, my patriotic baby!

Playdates...

So yesterday, i went to Knoebels with my friend Maria and her daughter Octavia (Tavy). We also met our friends Mary, Megan and Megan's son Keegan there. It was such a nice day out, even though it sprinkled a few times. There wasn't a lot of people (thanks to the rain), and i couldn't ask for better company. The kids had a blast together. Don't ask me how, i know they're only young yet and don't understand the concept of playdates, but i know they had fun.

And the cutest little thing, which i swear, made Frank happier than anything when i told him about it...Mady and Keegan were together on the gazeebo (we were holding them, of course), and Keegan is a month older and understands the concept of a kiss (sort of). Well, we were saying "Give Mady a kiss", and he would lean in to kiss her...and she would put her hand on his chest and push him away! It was too funny! Daddy would be so proud of his little girl, lol. Here are Mady and Tavy together

Here are Mady in Tavy again