Maddie Welcomes Another Friend

At 1:09pm, Elizabeth Rose Leonhardt joined our group of girls on the west coast. She weighed in at 9lb. 2 oz. - a number that impresses even a Kender, and has a head of fuzzy, dark hair. Mom, Marissa, is doing well, managing both the exuberance of big sister, Lilly, and the newborn needs of little sister, Elizabeth - all from her hospital bed.

Dad, Steve, has the rocking chair down, and already has the ability to keep a newborn happy and asleep in his arms.
Welcome, little girl! We're thrilled you're here!

Slappy Is Not A Twin

And that's not her Dad. That's baby Edith with Dad, Tim, but that didn't stop everyone from assuming otherwise. It took Jess awhile to figure out why everyone thought Maddie and Edith were related - after all, when Maddie, Ellie and Lilly go out - the question is never asked. Apparently lunch out with a mom and baby seems like friends, but lunch out with a dad and baby seems like family. And the matching stroller models didn't help either.

Slappy Goes To The Golden Gate

Park, that is - for a Mother's Day Picnic. This is the second Mother's Day for Jess, and the second Mother's Day that Maddie has gotten to spend with her BFF, Maya.

It was a gorgeous, sunny day - perfect for ball playing and cookie eating.We sat by the duck pond, which really was more of a seagull pond with turtles.
(Jess is 29 weeks pregnant).

Dad and Maddie enjoyed some air time.We all enjoyed the quality time.
And just for those of you reminiscing with us - this was the girls, one year ago in their crazy, monkey pants. Maddie was about 6 weeks old, and Maya, 10 months.

And our gorgeous two, today.

Slappy Heads to San Fran

In the Burbank Airport, she showed off her fine walking skills, which really made all of our time in the airport much more pleasant. Having a kid who can entertain themselves by running up and down the concourse is suprisingly easier than having one who is immobile, but still bored.
Once in San Fran, we headed to Kears, Todd and Maya's house, where Todd kept both Maddie and his own daughter entertained.
Now that's a talented Dad.And that's a hot car.

Slappy Has A Pool

In her backyard. The reviews were mixed. She enjoyed standing and kicking in it, after she getting over her initial fear of it, but did not like sitting down in it at all. To be accurate, however, this is not her first backyard pool. Last year, Jess arrived home one hot afternoon to find that Sam had made her, her first kiddie pool in the family beer cooler.

Slappy Has Some Jersey In And About Her

Maddie got to enjoy one of Jess' favorite foods, courtesy of Dedo and flown in Mimi's suitcase (checked by TSA) all the way from the Garden State - a White Manna burger.

Yes, those are fried onions dripping from her mouth, and yes, they are delicious and she did finish them all and many more.To make the day even better, a trip to the park was in order, where Mimi got right in the mix of things.

And then invented the best game ever - "Walk Up The Slide" - which had Maddie squeaking and laughing for minutes on end.

Slappy Has A Special Sunday

While she enjoyed the LA Times, it does come every Sunday.

Watching chickens at the Farmer's Market (the chickens are for petting, not eating) was exciting, but she had seen them before.

Being at the Farmer's Market with her Mimi - now that makes a Sunday very special.

And after the Market things got even better. Jess, Maddie and Mimi headed to a Mexican lunch, where Maddie got the thrill of sharing her meal with her obliging Mimi. That's love - sharing food from grubby, sticky, little fingers in exchange for a big smile.