What a gift!

I know I've been a total slacker about posting anything on my blog and I'm sorry. I thought i'd just give you a little teaser photo and say "yes, we are still here. We are alive. "
Gordon has been very colicky, but still sweet. Madi is my sweet sweet two year old who talks back, but is still so cute she almost gets away with it sometimes. almost. I love my kiddos! We are here, and I PROMISE whenever i can, I will post a little more. :)

By the way, we had an Excellent trip to Oregon that was 6weeks long, and didn't have our camera the whole time. John had taken it to England. While we were in Oregon he went to England, twice; and in two days he leaves for Ghana Africa. yay. :(

Love you all!

Pictures

I know it's been FOREVER since we've posted anything, especially considering we have two CUTE kids that should be plastered all over our blog. But being away from my own computer and my precious Photoshop has really put a damper on my updating.
For those who don't know, The kids and I have been in Oregon since June 16th. John had a long business trip to England and I didn't want to spend all that time alone. We were supposed to go home July 13th, but on the 12th John was told he was going BACK to England, so we are staying until July 27th. It will be a 6 week trip. Exactly half of Gordon's life will be spent in Oregon. CRAZY!
We don't have our camera with us, so I'm doing my best to get copies of what others take. Here are just a few teasers for know. And know that it's giving me a complex to not touch any of these with a photo editor.

Madi at her cousin Izzy's birthday party.

Grandma with Gordon, and cousin Harley.

Gordon!!

Announcement

I realize it's been 2 1/2 weeks since our little man was born, and that should be ample time to update the blog, but the time really is flying by. I promise more pictures will be coming soon, lots of snapshots and things, but for now - here is Gordon's baby announcement I made. The pictures were taken when he was 4 days old. : ) Isn't he soo handsome?!

We just love this little man so much! He is super cute, and very sleepy. He still kind of has his days and nights mixed up... which is exhausting, of coarse - but we're all adjusting fairly well. Madi had a cold the first week he was born, so she didn't get to be around him too much, but she's better now and just LOVES her baby brother. We haven't really had any jealousy issues yet, but she does tell us " I'm a baby - hold me" a bit more than before.

I've got to admit I didn't understand how I could love someone new as much as I love Madi. I knew someway, it would work out but i honestly thought Madi would always be my favorite... We had two years uninterrupted with her, and she's my perfect little girl. I was nervous about a boy, and just didn't think it'd be the same. But it is... I love this little guy SO much - it's crazy. It actually took me by surprise. :) Madi is my perfect little angel daughter, and Gordon really is my perfect, sweet little man. :)

Pregnancy

This being my last day in this pregnancy, I decided I should finally buckle down and take those maternity pictures I've been wanting to do. Thanks to my sister, Becca We were able to get these fun shots with Madi and her baby brother before he makes his debut tomorrow. :)

This last one is to show our support for "little brother". Becca painted all of our toes blue for his arrival! :) We're having so much fun together!
Thank You Becca!

CARTER'S

I have to share this great clothing with everyone! I've owned and seen a few things from carter's brand, but I'd never been to the real store until today... I'M IN LOVE!!
In an early post i mentioned that it was difficult to find cute boys clothes - well now I HAVE!! I loved everything in their store and just had to share some of the cute little things I've found.
They (of coarse) have LOADS of cute girl stuff too, but I'm trying to stay focused on little boy right now :)
But the first picture, I really do have to show you an adorable little girl set, then I'll do the boys ones, promise. :)

isn't that the cutest strawberry hat you've ever seen?!
Okay, now to cute boy stuff... :)

I'm just happy to find cute boy clothes and now I know there is a store just right up the freeway from us! :) I'm excited about it, but I'm sure John's wallet is already groaning... :)

Birthday Photos!

Snuggling Daddy before her carousal ride

Riding the giraffe with Daddy

Riding the Zebra with Mommy

(Madi's photography)

Taking a look around Build-a-Bear

Snuggling her bear before stuffing it

Helping to stuff her bear

Kissing the heart and making a wish

Getting her Bear dressed

Filling out the birth certificate and picking a name

Taking a peek at her bear

All packed up and ready to take her home with us

Coloring at the restaurant

Daddy playing with her food

laughing with daddy over dessert

It's so fun to sit in a big girl chair!

Opening presents

smiling with her toys

The gifts she got (plus several former toys jumping in the picture)

Happy Birthday Ice Cream!

Cheese!

Digging in before Mama changes her mind

She loves it!

Hope you enjoy the photos! We had a blast on her Birthday and I really think she did too! Sorry the pictures aren't with the original post, but if you need more details, you can go back and read about the day. :)

Happy 2nd Birthday Madi!

(*Disclaimer: I DID take lots of photos of everything i talk about in this post, but I need time to sort through them and pick which ones to put up. I've narrowed my list to 27 pics - so I'm still working on it! THE PHOTOS WILL COME SOON)

We had such a fun time celebrating Madi's Birthday today! John was able to get a half day off work, so he could spend more than just a couple hours with her. We've been trying to explain to Madi's that Birthdays are a special day in anticipation for today.
This morning she got to watch movies of her choice, take an extra long bath (She LOVES baths!), and get whatever snacks she asked for! I didn't explain this so she could take advantage of it, I just said yes - luckily she asked for Cheese, pickles, and crackers. :) The movies she chose were Cinderella and AristoCats :) We didn't actually sit down for them both, because she doesn't have the patience, but she loves when the songs come on. :)
When John got home and we realized she wasn't actually going to take a nap today, we got her up and the fun began.
First, I took her to visit the ladies in our apartment office (they all adore Madi) and they gave her cookies, balloons, stickers, and a coloring book.
Next we went to the mall and let Madi ride the Carousal; twice because she wanted to Ride the Giraffe AND the Zebra. :)
After the ride, we took her to Build-A-Bear, and helped her choose a bear, and go through the process of making and dressing it. It was so fun to watch her!! She even picked a name for her bear - "Chloe Robbin Bear". (Inspired by Grammy Patti's dogs, Chloe and Robbie!)
She picked out a very cute balerina outfit for the bear.
After the bear, we went to Red Robin for dinner and had a great time. This was Madi's first successful time in a booster seat, instead of a highchair (at a restaurant). We had good food and fun times, and it even started SNOWING during dinner! (Explains why the place was so empty.)
At home, she opened presents and had Ice cream for dessert! Then she bounced off the walls for the next hour before bedtime. We had such a good day with her!
I really do Love my sweet Baby girl (not really a baby anymore I guess) and I LOVE that I get to spend everyday with her! Sometimes it is exhausting, but I wouldn't trade our time for anything! She is such a sweet child, and is So smart, and growing up way too fast! But it is pretty fun to watch her learn and grow and turn into this complex little personality.
I LOVE YOU MADISON!