Slappy Kicks Off the New Season

Maddie headed off to her friend, Lilly's house to watch the Steelers play their 3rd game of the season. She brought with her Mom's football cake - both her and the cake in Steeler's colors.
Yes, the baby's next to cake - can you guess what happened next?Yup - that is frosting on her sock.

Socks that were part of the Go Steelers Power Team.

The afternoon started off carefree enough - light conversation with Aarin, Suzanne, Marissa and Lilly.Game playing on the couch with Holly Rose and Jess (Feldman, that is).
Sam even got some time to discuss marriage with Lilly, who seemed unconcerned that he was already spoken for.But then the atmosphere began to change, Steve becoming a little more serious.The chili was brought out to compliment the beer, and even that could not cut the tension.

With such fine socks, how could we possibly be down? Drew ate more chili in consternation.

Pink bears were anxiously gripped by Alex.

In a last ditch effort - a football princess was brought out. Hollah! But a win was not in the cards. Fear not, though - the Steelers are still up in their season, 2-1.

Slappy Sits in Things

She sat in the grass at the park with Dad, Kille, Mason and Wyatt, while having lunch.

Then upon returning home, covered in suntan lotion and dirt, she sat for the first time in the tub. It was an experience that required intent focus on the crazy chair she was in and on the floating ducks (which, incidentally, are from her now big-girl, 2-year old friend, Lilly's baby shower).

The bath became more fun once freed from her chair, as it also allowed her back full use of her arms for splashing, which as everyone knows, is the best part of a bath.

Slappy Has A New Game

Called the "I Take My Hat Off My Head" Game. Sadly, Auntie Jamie could not join in, as she had arrived at lunch hatless.

Her new game is typically quickly followed with an old favorite - the "I Put It In My Mouth" Game, which can be played separately or in conjunction with game one.

Slappy Has a Posse

Maddie's favorite wall has grown, as her friend base has expanded. It is also important to note that milestones have been passed, in that she now has 3 2-year-old friends, and 1 1-year-old.

Here's the role call for her crew, starting from the upper-left and going clockwise:

- Mateo, her possible betrothed, of Françoise and Eddie
- Emma, of Tak and Val
- Lilly, of Steve and Marissa
- Ellie (NEW), of Drew and Aarin
- Maya, her BFF, of Kearsley and Todd
- Gwen (NEW), her cuz, of Rachel and David
and in the center - Smooth Andre (NEW), of Kerri and Derek

If you click on this pix, you can see them clearly in all their fabulousity.

Jealous?

Slappy Sits at Lunch

For the very first time in her own restaurant high chair, after going to Mommy Movie Monday with Aarin, ELF, and Auntie Jamie. (It was "The Women", the theatre was packed, and it was not nearly as good as the original. Having not actually seen the original, this is purely conjecture backed by the educated opinion of Auntie Jamie).

Slappy Likes Organic

And brunch. Especially when she's joining her friend ELF and ELF's Mom and Dad.

While brunch wasn't organic, the farmer's market produce was. Drew schooled us on the finer qualities of cherry tomatoes.

Not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning, and the peaches were delicious.

Slappy Sleeps with Scotties

Maddie comes from a long line of scottie owners. Her Great Nana had them. Her Great Uncle Chris has them. Her Mimi has and bred them. During her latest nap, Maddie showed she understood just how appealing they can be.

Slappy Is Stratchy

Or rather her voice is.
Way to give Kathleen Turner a run for her money, sick little girl!

Slappy Sits Down for Dinner

After watching Dad assemble her new, sassy-pants high chair, Maddie excitedly prepared for a meal of something other than pirate juice (aka breast milk). This does not discount the many fruits she has sucked on, but really, that was mostly snacking.

"Ummm, Dad, do you really know what you're doing here?"

"My god, this eating thing is much stranger than I ever imagined!"
Who can really blame her? This was a custom mix of 3 tbs. of pirate juice to 1 tbs. of rice cereal, and as Sam said, "Tasted of paper-maiche." (Yeah, that's right, we tried it - it seemed only fair).
And for those of you wondering - the 1/8 of a teaspoon that Maddie actually ingested vs. spread around on anything in sight, did not seem to help her sleep.

Slappy Meets Gwen's Dad

And this is him! Uncle David drove from Austin to Chocorua with only Tulip, their fuzzy family member, for company. While not a great conversationalist, she did stay by his side, even if it meant she smelled like cheap motel rooms by the end of the trip.

Per Aunt Rachel's request, the smell of motel room needed to be removed. Through a crafty game of fetch, Tulip was bathed in Heron Pond, all the while believing she was merely enjoying one of her favorite pasttimes.

While also enjoying the pond, Sam and Grandpa Toby discussed the Coase Theorem and it's flaws. Jess and Maddie looked for sticks for Tulip, an equally mentally demanding activity.

The last night in Chocorua ended with another sink bath; Uncle David stepping in at the end with a warm towel. Maddie then had a 6 hour sleeping stretch, which mistakenly led her mom to believe she was reaching a new stage. (This was proved incorrect the following night where she showed she can still enjoy getting up every 2 hours).

Slappy Parties on the Dock

With the entire Page/Diebold/Bethel clan,

In her cute hat made by her Great Aunt Francie.

Slappy Learns What Happens in Chocorua, Stays in Chocorua

Before heading to Chocoura, Jess and Sam had thought their days of spending weekends in excess in Sin City were over. Then they saw New Hampshire's underbelly.
There was gambling.
(Round upon round of hearts).

Sports.
(Softball with cousins, Tom and Clarice).

Bouncers.
(Great Aunt Christina would remove Maddie from the house every time she would begin to cause a scene).

Showgirls.
(Ok, they matched, and Maddie would occasionally pull her dress up).

Buffets.
(Dinner by Taisie wrapped all of the kitchen counters).
Walks of shame.

(After passing out, only then would their grandparents return them to the house and their parents).

And finally, beds that vibrate.
(Clarice became a magic ball convert).
It was just like being single all over again.

Slappy Likes Great Cousins

The day began auspiciously, with Grandpa Toby explaining the complexities of a bladder-wort to Aunt Rachel and Gwen. Gwen appeared a bit distracted, as she sensed there was something eventful about to happen.

Minutes later, it did - the Wren was plopped in a lake for the first time. This being Maddie's advanced third time in a lake, she proceeded to show her cousin how she could splash maniacally in the water.

Back at the house, Clarice, Maddie's 2nd cousin, had arrived with her Dad and Grammie in tow. Both babies were thrilled to see her, as she seems to have a talent for keeping them in a very pleasant state, even when events dictate otherwise - i.e. the 8pm grumpies.

For some of you who are wondering why Clarice looks so familiar, you may remember her from our wedding, filling the critical role of flower girl.

Clarice even managed to get Maddie smiling with a rousing game of peek-a-boo. Both Sam and Jess were impressed (Dad, Tom, seemed very matter-of-fact).

Slappy Meets A Relative Her Own Size

At long last and late last night (late in baby time, that is - 8:15 to be exact), Aunt Rachel and Maddie's 2-month-old cousin, Gwen Wren arrived in New Hampshire.

The next morning, Maddie began to see what having a cousin was all about.
It is fun to be on the dock with Grandpa Toby.

But it's even more fun when Taisie and your own cousin are there as well.

Splashing in the lake with your feet is even better with an audience, as well as an awareness to the fact that you have feet.

Cousins are also cool because they look like you. Family resemblance, anyone? We're pretty sure we see it.

And although this has nothing to do with cousins, but it does show what happens when beer is left in the freezer too long.

Slappy Does Something Wonderful

She gardened with Taisie, which was delightful, but that wasn't it.

She chatted with Grandpa Toby, which was fascinating, but that wasn't it.

She hiked with Mom, which was tiring, but that wasn't it.

She learned about cairns (the trail marker made from a pile of stones) with Dad, which was educational, but that wasn't it.

So, what did she do that would have her parents so pleased and amazed?
For the first time, Maddie slept not only at the end of her hike, but also through the entire night with only one wake-up. 5 hours and then 4.5 more of uninterrupted sleep never felt so good.