We did it.... we finally got Maddy "singing" on camera. She can sing/speak a lot of songs, but the funniest is one called ABCD Medley. It's just a medley of kid songs and in between each song is a "chorus" of "ba ba da daaa, ba ba da daaaa." So one day during a spaghetti dinner she broke out in song. We we laughing during the first take and messed her up... but luckily she did it again...




She didn't do the whole song this time, I just have to keep my camera handy!

It's turning out to be quite and Iowa summer. The days are either hot and humid or rainy. Maddy finding herself bored on a rainy day decided to cuddle up on the couch with my iphone and play. She can't use the potty, but she can navigate my phone to play her favorite songs, videos, and games. Hmmmmm....



Recently we also celebrated Kylea's birthday. Hooray! We were going to go to the water park, but since the stupid weather man said it was supposed to thunderstorm, we went to the Aquarium instead. It turned out to be a sunny hot day... Thanks a lot weather guy!

Anyway, we picnicked out side along the Mississipi River and strolled through the exhibits. Maddy loved it, she'd put her face right up to the glass. She got really excited about seeing a shark... she said, "Look at the shark... There it is... Big shark." Too cute.


Besides the aquariums we took Maddy to her first 3D movie. She really liked it until she got sick of sitting and wearing the glasses. She'd laugh and tried to reach out and grab the 3D fish. At one point she reached out so far she fell out of her chair!!! So hilarious! They also had a kids water exhibit which Maddy practically tried to climb into and a learning touch pond where Maddy touched a cray fish.


In the lizard room Maddy saw a Gila Monster and loved it. She'd gasp and say, "Look at the big lizard." When Eth took her in a observation dome to see other lizards she freaked. Maddy's not a fan of small spaces. But the highlight of the lizard room was the lizard cut outs. We all took turns taking pictures and Maddy would just laugh and run sticking her face in and out of the hole.


By the end, Maddy started to get a little nutty, mostly due to lack of nap. So thanks to Kylea (and Mike and Karen) for a crazy, fun trip to the aquarium.


As mentioned on FB and I think the previous blog, Maddy took 3 weeks of "swim lessons." AKA blowing bubbles, jumping into the water and trying to float. She loved them when daddy was in the water with her, but every time I took her to swim lessons she cried and screamed. I tried not to take it personal. She took the class with her neighbor friend Charlie. Here they are high five-ing on graduation day. Too cute. She had so much fun the last day she ran back into the pool after she was all dry, Eth had to run and retrieve her!


So birthdays and baby gifts have come early this year. My parents got us this totally awesome stroller. It's practically a Transformer! I really like it because the back seat can be removed and turned into a jump seat or platform for Maddy to stand on. Totally awesome!


For a while Eth and I have said someday we'll put cabinets in our laundry room. So for my birthday I mentioned that we talked to our parents about putting them in. Then as luck would have it... not only did my sister Dianna put some up, but Eth's Dad Mike did too. So since Mike was in the handyman groove... he went ahead and put them up. They are great and already full! All that's left is picking hardware and putting a hanger bar between the cabinets. Maybe this will help me get the ironing done. :) Thanks to all for my early, awesome birthday gift!!!


Well Ethan was the absolute best husband ever and we had an actual date night!!! Eth's parents took Maddy over night (THANK YOU!!!) and we ate at my favorite restaurant. It was soooo good. I called it the perfect pregnancy dinner... big burger with cheese and bacon and loaded waffle fries. Eth had to take a pic...

We then watched Bounty Hunter, the movie not the show :) and enjoyed a Maddy free evening. Hallelujah we even slept in the next morning, meaning I woke up at 8 and I woke up Eth at 10:00 so we could get ready and get Maddy. That was a much needed date.

We've made it to the last trimester and all is well. I'm feeling great... as in feeling good and feeling huge with child! Here's documentation of my greatness...


On funny yet sad note, I was at the mall returning a few things and the man helping me at the counter asked if Maddy was an only child. I then informed him that in a couple months she'd have a little brother. He then said in a surprised tone "Oh, well that's great. Congratulations." Really... you couldn't tell that I'm over 7 months pregnant!? Ugh, way to boost the self esteem. Thanks Dillards guy. When I told Eth he laughed and just said... Well, Iowans are fat, better not assume and be safe. Hooray for fat Iowans!