Slappy Has The Best Mom Ever

Jess left her camera cord in NJ, and it is heading cross country with various other Christmas goodies. So, instead of Maddie's usual goings-ons, and they are good - here is a little blast from the past, and a tale from yesterday. Maddie was about 1 month old in this photo.

Yesterday, out of desperation, Jess gave Maddie an old pizza box to play with while she tried to get dinner together. Soon, she realized that Maddie had grown rather quiet, and appeared to be munching on things. Those things turned out to be the old, dried leftovers from the inside of the box - think onions, green peppers, maybe a little bit of cheese. Jess cleared up all the major chunks - from the box and Maddie's mouth, but since the pizza box was proving to be such a good distraction, she left it with her and began to work on dinner again. After a bit, she began to hear some squeaking. She looked down to see Maddie running her entire hand along the floor, gathering up all of the pizza box crumbs, bringing her entire hand to her mouth, and licking it. Excellent.

Slappy Knows Some Jet-Setters

On a very blustery day, Maddie and Mom got a visit from two of their favorite people.

We got to enjoy hearing about the preparations for Diane's upcoming nuptials on the beach in Carmel - think white sand, turquoise ocean, Cypress trees, and buttercream. Congratulations!

We chatted about Kathleen's upcoming trip to London - think no sand, tidal river, Kensington gardens, and fish and chips.

We discussed Mom's travels from Hollywood to Whittier to Burbank.

Maddie was terribly sad to see them go.

Slappy Frolics at the Beach

with Taisie, Mom, and Dad.

And by frolic, we, of course, mean sleep.

We then ate lunch at the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, where cousin Spencer (again, not Rachel's baby - Maddie's 1st cousin once removed) will be celebrating the night before his wedding.

The gorgeous beachside dining.

We look forward to next time when the entire Smyth/Kelly clan is here.

Slappy Debuts Her Business/Casual Line

A more refined and subtle onesie, including the "Mac Pointer." All styles produced by Liza Mae Chadwick and designed by Arthur Chadwick.

Slappy Goes Strolling

Burbank is having a heat wave - the temperature hitting 97 degrees at it's high point of the day. Maddie and Mom decided to try something new for their daily walk. Instead of the baby sling, which would be very hot and provides little shade, Dad put together the stroller for it's first ride. Jess was pretty excited, as she heard babies found stroller rides very calming and would often fall asleep during them.

Hmmm - that's odd. Maddie seems to be a little upset. I bet once she has this pacifier and we start moving, things will settle down.

Ok - heading out. Can't turn around - got to get this strolling so Maddie will start to enjoy the ride.

There is a picture missing out of this series, which is the one of Jess and Maddie returning home. Allow me to paint that picture. Jess pushes the stroller with one hand, back onto the lawn of 2101 N. Rose, approximately 45 minutes later. Maddie is asleep on Jess' other shoulder, exhausted from screaming in the stroller, with a light blanket thrown over her entire body, that covers Jess from shoulder to knee. Both are hot and sweaty. The stroller is put back into the garage until Maddie is old enough to sit upright in it (hey - we've heard kids love them when they can sit up in them....).

Slappy Makes Daddy Proud

For 20 minutes, Maddie laid underneath her play gym, happily, not looking at the stuffed animals dangling above her, but rather at the television, watching hockey. Some may say it is because of the high contrast of the white ice and the darker players, but we know it's because it's playoff hockey, and the Pittsburgh Penguins are up 3 games to 0 against the Philadelphia Flyers (3 to 1 after today's game).

Slappy Has Hands

Over the past 2 days, Maddie has just begun to realize that she has hands, and has slowly been bringing them to her mouth to munch on. This evening, Drew taught her how to hold onto a balloon, which she jerked up and down. The jerking was an unintentional, but the grabbing was on purpose, sort of.Aarin came to watch the neurons fire, but then Maddie began to sense something lurking below her.And she was right - there is definitely a Young Findley kicking around in there. (Aarin is 31 weeks pregnant).

Slappy Learns about College

from her Great Uncle Chris and cousin, Sebastian (1st cousin, once removed that is - Rachel's baby did not age that quickly), who has just finished his first year at USC for Computer Science - Games.
"Let me get this straight - Sebastian is required to take a Videogames Lab and a Game Design Workshop, in order to graduate?"
"Yes, young cuz - why do you think I look so happy?"

"Oh, little Maddie - you have so much yet to learn. And so many Sebastian-designed games to play."

Slappy Has a Happy Mother's Day

with her BFF Maya.

And in accordance with Mother's Day ritual, they both wore their crazy monkey hats. Their moms approved.

Slappy Meets Her BFF

Kearsley, Todd and 10-month old Maya came down from San Francisco for a long weekend visit. Todd uses his finger gun to point out Maddie to Maya.

The two girls get ready for their first meeting. Maddie heads for Maya's lap. Maya wonders if she will have the strength and fortitude to hold her.

Maddie is incredulous that Maya has the ability to support the 8 1/2 lbs. (yeah, that's right) of her beefcake, and the pressure proves to be too much for Maya.

Thank goodness for a walk in the park.

All the pain of the past is forgotten once a swing is brought into the picture.

And by the time they got home, they were Best Friends Forever.

Slappy Takes A Break

In Daddy's outfit.

Slappy Had Help

Daddy dressed me.

Slappy Wears Her Own Line

Maddie believes that custom onesies are the only way to be seen in LA. The Robot by Erin Hearne.

The Rockstar by Drew Findley.The Sweetheart by Anonymous.

The Zen Master by Eric Allan.

She will be coming out soon with her business/casual line.

Slappy Goes Wild II

Maddie already has a penchant for fast cars (there is crying until the car hits 30mph), and now this. She has obviously been influenced by one John Williams, the designer of this hot outfit.

Slappy Knows Quality

Maddie's favorite place to spend time is her changing table, where she will lie happily cooing, while looking up at her pictures of her friends.

Slappy Exercises

Tricep presses for the new parent.

Feel the burn.Only 10 reps left.

Maddie shows her approval with some cooing - something she has been learning to do over the past 2 weeks.

You're so cool, Dad.

Slappy Spends Quality Time

On her cousin.

Cousin-belly is comfy.

2 1/2 months is too long to wait to meet her!! I wish it was now.

Slappy Enjoys In-N-Out

Maddie shared in an LA "picnic" lunch with her family. Oscar also enjoyed the picnic (please note the sauce on his head).

In-N-Out Animal Fries Rock!

It's what all the cool kids eat.

Lunch was such a success that Grandpa Toby in China was Skyped and told all about it.