ON THE MOVE....

I have been practicing for crawling by scooting. I even try to scoot in the tub. Hey, check out my new hat! It looks like a penguin and keeps the water out my eyes while Mom or Dad washes my hair. I might be smiling here, but after about 3 seconds, I really hate the hat and start to cry.

This picture is after my afternoon nap, as you can tell from my wild hair-do. I'm in a daze, eating peaches and probably watching a car drive by. I always wonder why no cars ever stop to take me for a ride...or at least say hi! Finally today a loud white sports car stopped and it was Uncle Jody! I'm now starting to like him, especially when he lets me hold his keys or watch something on his iPod Touch (though he still won't let me play with it!).

Still eating....

Oh, I am really getting around in my walker now! I go around in a big circle in the house and am always drawn to the same "no-no" things: the trash can, any outlet, any drawer knob, and any wire/cord, especially the coffee pot cord! Mom usually takes away all these fun attractions but she did let me carry around this Fatz Cafe bag. It was like a mini trash can and I never let go!

-maddox

HELLO BLUE!

Paint can make a world of difference! Isn't my cowboy vest awesome, by the way? -maddox

BYE BYE ORANGE!

When I look at that orange color on my walls, it reminds me of those Clemson Tigers and I start to feel sick.

Mom and Dad are finally doing the right thing and painting it OUT! Good riddance! Stay tuned for pictures of my room's new look....maybe I will like it so much that I'll decide to actually start sleeping in there at night. -maddox

CURIOUS...

I love this weather. There are flowers to touch and smell. There are birds to listen to and watch. And there is warm sunshine which means I can go without socks!

Mom has been doing this thing called Spring Cleaning. She found me a yellow rattle in the closet from a baby shower and it's my latest favorite toy. I'll sit on the porch a good 30 minutes and shake it at the birds.

I've seen summer, fall, winter and finally, spring! -maddox

READY FOR MY CLOSE-UP

I can win hearts with a simple smile. -maddox

CHOMP!

See how my two teeth have grown?? Last time I showed them off, they were a lot shorter. Looks like all that drooling paid off! -maddox

YARD WORK

Today, I participated in the adult activity known as "yard work."

My job was to supervise Dad as he raked the leaves and to let Mom know when she missed a spot sweeping the porch and sidewalk. As you can see, there was a lot that needed to be done!

It was hard work and before long, I needed a drink!

I also took a break and supervised Dad from the porch.

I got sidetracked and ended up looking at all the cars at the lake.

And somehow I ended up inside playing peek-a-boo with Mom. Maybe next time I can help Dad more! -maddox

A LITTLE HERE AND THERE

The weeks seem to fly by. In the meantime, I keep getting older...and getting more hair. I might even need a haircut before my first birthday if it keeps growing at this rate! Lately I've learned how to really throw a fit. I've also learned how to wave bye-bye (though I don't let just anyone see this new skill) and how to use my walker if I really want to get to something. The vacuum cleaner still terrifies me.

Above, notice the face of exhaustion! It was hard work helping Mom pick out a new recipe to try for dinner.
I love my high chair...but even better, I love throwing all my toys OFF my high chair.

I got this new thing called a "feeder." It looks like a giant paci with little holes that I can suck food through. Here, I'm chomping on a banana.

I make a mess with it. And when I'm all done and Mom takes it away, I practice the skill of throwing a fit. I'm getting good at it.

-maddox

ME AS A PRUNE?

I could sit in my little green tub all day and play, but Mom says then I'd turn into a prune. This is me wondering if I'd make a cute prune (while teething on my washcloth).... -maddox

CAMERA HOG

https://www.collages.net/consumersite/guestlogin.aspx?username=kristentherrell&password=11703

Go here to check out pictures from my first real photo shoot!
-maddox

CAN'T GET ENOUGH

I can't get enough of these warm sunshiny days! I hear it's going to get cold tomorrow, so I made sure to especially enjoy today's walk to the park.

Kisses from Mom are always nice, too.

I found some fishies, but they weren't in the creek. They were in my clothes. I tried to get them out, but no luck.

So, I went back to my default toy. I take this old mason jar ring EVERYWHERE.

It's shiny, easy to hold, it makes noise when I hit it on things, and it's great to cut teeth on. Sometimes, I even hold it while I nap. -maddox

THE BOSS

When it comes to Cousin Abbie, I have a responsibility. That's a big word, but it just means that I have to "show her the ropes."

I told her today that even though the grown-ups are a lot bigger than us, we are really the ones in charge.
She told me I was wrong and that I better get used to the idea that SHE is the boss.

Will girls always boss me around? -maddox

OUTSIDE!

Dad gave me this little piece of heaven after we all took a long walk to the park. My face is still stained orange but I don't care. It tasted SO good!

This is me at the park. I promise I'm not this fat in person.

That string on my hat is a great chew toy.

So are the straps on my stroller.

I looked and looked for some fishies, but the only thing that came near me was a swarm of gnats. They were pretty entertaining, though. -maddox

SUNSHINY DAYS

This weekend was perfect. I got a taste of spring. It doesn't get much better than 80 degree weather in March!

I prefer my bare legs and soft sandals any day over a stuffy jacket.

The sunshine makes me smile...

...but it also makes me very tired!

-maddox

MORNING PLAYTIME

Every morning I sit by the window and wait for the mailman or the trash man. In the meantime, I play with my toys and watch Mom fold clothes. I am always quick to lend a hand. I take a few washcloths, unfold them and gnaw on them. Mom says if it makes me happy, it makes her happy. -maddox

SHOP 'TIL YA DROP

Today, I went shopping with Mom, Grandma, Ninny and Aunt Anne. As a male, I was definitely outnumbered, but I still had a good time. There were so many things to look at and grab! But every now and then, I'd catch a glimpse of this SAME kid following me everywhere! Who is this kid and why does he look so much like me??

For lunch at Panera, I sat in a high chair and threw all my toys and all the napkins on the floor...over and over and over. Finally Mom pulled me in her lap and distracted me with some sweet tea. Boy that stuff is addicting!

At World Market, I made friends with this snake. He only hissed at me a few times. Just kidding. He was a fake. His eyes were fun to poke.

Five minutes later, Mom looked down and I was asleep. I don't know how women can shop all day. It's exhausting!

-maddox

SPLISH SPLASH

I love kicking around in the tub...and peeing in the tub...but getting out the tub? That's no fun. I cry and cry, until Mom wraps me up in my favorite towel. It's really fluffy and the hood of it is a big shark. You can kinda see some of the shark teeth in this picture, right above my head. I know it sounds scary, but he won't bite.

-maddox