At Long Last

For those of you that don't know, our computer has been in the shop for the last, oh, I don't know, about three years or so (well, in truth it's been kaput since about the last time we posted to this blog). So, I'll just bring you up to speed really quick with a few words and a few pictures.

My folks came over for Christmas for about 2 weeks in December, and we all took a trip to Amsterdam together. Here are some various pictures of us strolling leisurely among the canals. Amsterdam is easily the most breathtaking city I have ever been to, with gorgeous canals and quiet cobblestone streets.

Here's little Mad partaking of some of the local baked goods...

Here we are goofing around in the hotel room...

And here we've returned home for a proper Christmas celebration!!

Festivus

Here's the best of my many attempts to capture little Mad with our decorated Christmas tree (I'm holding her in my arms, which is what makes it so difficult...) We are excited to host my parents (Opa and Nana/Babka) for the holidays this year--I'm sure her first Christmas will be plenty memorable for all of us, even though it probably won't be for her!

Serenaded by Daddy

Daddy took an opportunity the other night to play a song for Madeleine, who used his guitar case for a bassinet! Quite cute. Daddy loves playing songs for her, and she seems to really like it also.


The light coming in the window yesterday was just lovely, and I took the opportunity to take some shots of my new favorite subject--here's one of the best of the bunch.

Happy Birthday!

That's right, our little Madeleine is now officially one month old!

We aren't doing anything to really celebrate, of course; we'll save that for the big 12-month festivities (cake is sort of wasted on her at this point anyway).

Here she is, in all her cutely glory, posing for her one-month portrait!

Ready for an Outing

Here we are getting ready for a quick trip outside. Our neighbor was kind enough to loan us her baby carrier (her 3 kids have just outgrown it), and we used it this morning to take the dogs for a walk. The hat made the trip even more fun!

And here we are engaging in our most typical activity, relaxing! She loves to sleep on our stomachs, with her arms draped over us in an adorable little "hug."

First Thanksgiving

Yesterday was Madeleine's very first thanksgiving, and although her first turkey will have to wait until next year, we were both thankful that she chose to sleep through it this time (this of course meant a warm and uninterupted meal for her weary parents).

We decided to stay home this year and celebrate with just the three of us, since venturing out is still a bit daunting for us... We grilled a turkey breast and made all the fixings; the best part of course was being with each other, something we are thankful for every day (for obvious reasons).

3 Weeks Old

Well actually, she isn't technically 3 weeks old until tomorrow, but since most of you are in the states and won't read this until it's tomorrow here, I figured I could fudge a little.

Madeleine had her first well-baby check-up yesterday, and we were happy to learn that she has already gained 1.75 pounds! She is at exactly the 50th percentile for her age for weight and for length (we unfortunately missed her length because we were changing a diaper when she told us that one). More importantly, this kid has already learned how to relaaaaax (see picture above for more on this :)

Today she sucked her thumb for the first time! Unfortunately, she wouldn't indulge her mother to wait until I dug the camera out, and stopped moments before the flash went off. Instead, here she is as a vision in pink, sleeping in her favorite vibrating chair (thanks again to Uncle Tristan and Aunt Shizuka for the Papasan!)