Slappy Has Another Awesome Day

And not just kind of awesome. Totally awesome.

After a Mimi waffle breakfast (waffles are fun to squish in between your fingers), we all headed over to Mateo's, Maddie's possible betrothed's, house. Mateo was wary of all of the adoration and sharing at first.But he has everything Maddie likes in a man, animal or toy - he is fast, and he is small. And after her time with Smooth Andre, the girl has no shame - she smiled, laughed and grabbed regularly in his direction.It was exhausting - a nap and a cuddle from Mommy and Papi, aka Tanti and Eddie, were needed.Then the awesomeness continued with a first meeting between Auntie MelB and Adam. Auntie MelB spent many, many hours with Maddie when she was still inside - singing Charlie Wilson, Michael McDonald and Eninem loudly with Mom to teach her rhythm, and maybe some for our own enjoyment.

Then Auntie MelB moved across the country to win awards, and they had never met face-to-face. They both agreed that they were even cuter in person than all the pictures they had been shown.

Slappy Gets An Extra Special Present

Maddie got to celebrate Christmas again with the Kender half of her family in Jersey.

And in true Christmas tradition, after opening presents and a delicious breakfast by Mimi, the family headed out for a Chinese lunch.Now Chinese is awesome, but Maddie had much more to be celebrating.Uncle Ant's gift from Tio Greg says it all - Johnny Walker Black, migraine relief, ear plugs, condoms and sleep aid.
Uncle Ant and Aunt Tara are expecting their first baby on July 15th. YAY!!!!!! Cousins are awesome!!! We are so excited!!!

Slappy Watches Romeo's Downfall

The day began with blocks, a Slinky, Uncle Ant, Uncle Wills, and Great Aunt Carole. Aunt Tara supervised from the couch.

She got a visit from her cousins, Mitchell and Mary. Then some time was taken to watch the Cleveland Browns play the Pittsburgh Steelers - the tension was thick in the air.

She got a parade upon their victory (of course, we mean the Steelers) - everywhere that she decided to lead Dad, Mary would follow behind. Repeating the same route did not deter either one. Begin in back room, look out window - head to dining room, smile at Great Grandma - head to living room, step on Uncle Ant, and finish with the big finale - head to staircase, play with doorstop. Riveting!

Maddie then rounded out her night by taking an audience with Aunt Carole and Uncle Rick at dinner.

But the ending of the night was the sweetest of all, some cuddle time with Great Grandma.

Slappy Arrives in Cleveland

Where, sadly, she just missed the Bob Kenders, but heard tales of little Bobby's (yeah - we know he's 6'-4"ish) beard and new romances. Thankfully, Maddie's grandparents planned wisely to distract her with more gifts.

Yeah, I got presents. Yeah, just me. Jealous?

Her uncles got down to her level to inspect her new blocks.

And another Kender Christmas meal was enjoyed at Great Grandma's table.

Mom went to bed early. Her uncles promised she would never find out.

Slappy Has A Merry First Christmas

This morning Maddie awoke to a warm fireplace, a tree full of lights and presents underneath, and the warm smell of french toast.

Best of all there was packaging as far as her eye could see, and all of the packaging had the added bonus of tags. Oh, the glory of it all!Later, there was time for a walk with Taisie and Tulip - always funny, and some musical electronic stylings.Merry Christmas To All!! And To All A Good Night (even if you're teething)!

Slappy Learns Italian Tradition

At the Feast of the 7 Fishes - held on Christmas Eve, hosted by the Ullucci/Michaels.Smooth Andre was on top of his game again - holding court through course after course. Stuffed quahogs, baccala salad, cioppino and foccacia, sea scallops over white beans, green beans, and panna cotta.

At first he played it cool, engaging in some light babble, sharing some toys.

As the night went on, 7:15 upon us, he made his move. Maddie was surprised but impressed by his forward-ness.

The excitement of the evening was only tempered by the fact that her top 4 front teeth are coming in, making her somewhat of miserable and maybe even slightly unpleasant dinner guest.

Kerri and Derek did not seem to mind too much. Merry Christmas Eve!

Slappy Celebrates Dad's Birthday

Sam turned 32 today. Happy Birthday!!

And we celebrated in Page/Kender fashion, through feasting with friends - the Baileys, the Michaels, and a Ullucci.

Yeah, it was awesome. Even Smooth Andre celebrated the french toast, fruit salad, and heuvos rancheros, I mean Sam.

Uncle Wills impressed all with his dual-baby sitting skills. There were comments about how others could get one just like him, but it was decided that you needed to raise one for about 18 years.

Slappy Has Her Inside-Out Day

Hizzah! She has now had more days on the outside than the in. For such a momentous occasion, a sink bath was in order. Particularly when one is covered in banana.

And what is better, than a bath with an audience.Followed by a run outside with Uncle Wills in a new snowsuit.Sam had apparently forgotten we had left LA, and spent time taking pictures outside like this.

Jess remembered.

Maddie's thoughts on the snow. Standing in/ Licking: Neutral. Dad's snowman/ Tulip, the dog, chasing sticks through the snow: Hilarious. Her snowsuit: Despicable - which resulted in us enjoying an adorable Michelin man, who shrieked in frustration at the lack of limb control.

Thankfully, she was freed from the odious, but warm, suit in order to assist Taisie with making Dad's birthday cake for tomorrow. It was a full inside-out day.

Slappy Meets Snow

After an exciting plane ride - delays due to holiday and snow, and a wait for our gate to get de-iced, we arrived in Rhode Island, the tiniest state of them. There was snow everywhere, but even better, when we woke up to Grandpa Toby's warm apple pancake, we could watch more big, thick flakes fall through the kitchen windows. Maddie made her way outside to see what it was all about.

And to see what Dad was doing - shoveling and building a snowman - that's him in the way back.

Being the social butterfly that she is, Maddie had invited people over for a meet and greet.

Where we ate and ate, and sat by the fire.

Mimi and Uncle Wills even came up for the day.

Of course, there were some early Xmas presents to be destroyed (in packaging - awesome).

Slappy Gets Extra Credit

Maddie went to the doctor for her 9 month check-up.
Not only did she get her stats, but the doctor checked in to make sure she was hitting all of her milestones, babbling, standing, etc. Jess has been trying for weeks to catch her babbling milestone on camera. Clearly, she knows, for this is all that can be captured. Let it also be known, Maddie first learned this skill in the middle of a large, quiet conference.

Here's where she stands now:
Weight: 17lbs. 14 oz. (25th percentile)
Height: 29 inches (90th percentile - this is where she got extra credit - although to the doc, that meant the nurse erred on the high side when measuring her, but we did not double-check)
Head Circumference: 17 1/2 inches (50th percentile)

Slappy Begins Christmas Early

Maddie has been enjoying her first Christmas - the lights everywhere, parties, singing, and best of all, packaging. She received a Xmas gift from her Tanti, Françoise, and immediately began to enjoy the paper and box for about an hour. Mom thought it was a brilliant gift. Before that, she had opened another gift from Ellie, and while she looks forward to coordinating with Ellie in their hot pink, skull, ruffle-butt onesies, the wrapping had, again, been the huge hit.

Then came another amazing package from Great Aunt Renée and Great Uncle Chris.

Pee-Wee Herman straight into the mouth hole.