I am going to be in trouble...

...with my husband. I was out shopping today, and I found a Batman suit for DJ for Halloween. Marty will kill me, but I knew it would be hilarious. Take a look... DJ is less than thrilled with his costume.

Things motherhood has taught me

1. Cereal is a bad breakfast choice...you will never eat it before the milk makes it soggy
2. Baby wash is a good substitute for shampoo
3. Lotion is not a good substitute for conditioner
4. The Diaper Champ is worth its weight in gold
5. When changing a diaper, always open a clean one and slide it under the baby before removing the dirty one...backup is a must
6. A trip to the mailbox is now considered an outing
7. Brushing your teeth is a luxury
8. You never feel guilty for hanging up on a telemarketer
9. A baby has more laundry in a day than two adults have in a week
10. Dogs get their feelings hurt
11. Park next to the cart return at the grocery store...you can put the infant carrier in one of the carts outside and save yourself the strain of carrying it inside
12. Sleep is not necessary
13. Pacis are a good thing
14. The excuse "I just had a baby" works for everything
15. You need a lot of batteries
16. I could write a book on what I've learned about poop or the lack there of
17. Baby Einstein is going to help me get some sleep in a month or so
18. The best part of the day is when daddy comes home
19. I love being Maddie's mommy!

Mommy's baby girl

So many babies...

Congratulations to Dwight and Wendy who are expecting baby # 2. It is so exciting to add them to my list of pregnant friends...Anya, Jennifer, Heather C., Anne...am I leaving anyone out? I have 11 friends that had babies in the last year (one being Anya..hehehe) and one that had triplets. So many babies! I think it's great. I have 2 friends that I am hoping will be pregnant soon...hint hint...you told me you would wait 7 years when you got married...it's been 6 and 1/2!

That mean nurse

Maddie received her 1st shots yesterday. She handled it better than I did. She cried for 15 seconds. I cried for 2 minutes. Marty sat on the table with her while I looked away.


She has 3 purple bandaids...look at those legs.



















She is fascinated by her play gym













Playing with daddy

Meet Rocco

For those of you who think DJ is big, I want to introduce you to his brother, Rocco. DJ weighs about 85 pounds. Rocco weighs between 115 and 120. There were 14 puppies in the litter, and I am guessing that Rocco is the largest. He is very sweet and playful like DJ.















Rocco, Sam, Marty, and Maddie

poor DJ doesn't get to go on trips with us anymore because there is no room for him with the car seat









This picture doesn't do him justice

Maddie Grace's Grin

Maddie has had a lot of firsts in the last 2 weeks. She is smiling at us now, and she rolled from her tummy to her back last week. She is fascinated by ceiling fans, which makes changing her diaper go a little smoother. They are a great distraction. I can never get to the camera fast enough to catch her smiling, but here is a pic of a half smile. She is 7 weeks old today!

Meet baby Landon

Our friends Scott and Kim had their baby boy 2 weeks ago. We were able to meet him Sunday. He looks just like his daddy.

Maddie meets Great-grandpa

This was a special trip home because Maddie Grace met her Great-grandfather for the 1st time. He is 94, and he recently started radiation for bladder cancer. He is doing great, and he really enjoyed meeting the newest addition to our family.



















4 Generations































Maddie Grace and Aunt Robin

1st trip to Grandma and Grandpa's House

I know ahead of posting this that I am going to be in a lot of trouble with some of my close, very dear friends. Before you call and tell me off, let me say that our pediatrician made it very clear that she does not want Maddie around school age children until she has her shots at 8 weeks. I made only one exception during our 1st trip home, and that was with my niece Hailey. However, I all but hosed her down with Lysol, and she will verify that. The doctor told us that there is a peak in illness in September/October because school has just started. So to my friends, you know how much I love you and your children. You have done so much for Marty and me in helping us plan for Maddie Grace's arrival. I am planning to come back to home in a few weeks so that Maddie can meet you. Please don't be upset with us! Now on to the pictures...


Maddie Grace and Anya (who is expecting Baby #2 and looks great!)













Gerand and Kenny were Maddie's 1st visitors














Maddie and Howard (Howard's son Daniel scored 22 of the 32 points scored during his basketball game last weekend!)











Maddie and Kelly...hey guys...Kelly is single!

She is growing!

Maddie weighs 9 lbs and 10 ozs now! She is finally filling out the swing.

















Maddie and Christie

Cute pictures

Maddie with Ashley













We were at Jay and Lisa's house, and Maddie found her thumb.

1 month old!

Time is flying by! Maddie Grace is one month old! Sleeping in her favorite spot...on Daddy's chest.


















Maddie, the paci, and the boppy













Marty wanted me to note that we do not let Maddie sleep in our bed or on her stomach. I laid her down just for a minute! But isn't she cute?

Maddie's 1st Vacation

Marty had a business trip to Chattanooga last week. Maddie and I went with him, and my parents came down from Knoxville for a few days. We couldn't get out much, but we had a good time. Maddie has grown so much!










With Mamaw and Papaw













Marty and I before the big banquet

Sleeping Beauty

At least one person is getting sleep at our house...

Bath Time...Take 2

She is still getting used to her bath, but you can see this reaction is much better!












A lot of people have asked how DJ is handling the baby change...
He really is doing well. However, he does sleep with his head under the bed since we get up often.

Sharing kisses with Daddy

Marty is trying not to laugh here...every time he kissed her, Maddie would kiss back.












She is all about Daddy

Maddie Grace's 1st bath...

did not go so well. Maddie Grace wanted no part of it. DJ tried to drink the bath water and get at the floating duck. I wasn't moving fast enough. Marty got it all on video. If any of you would like to give Marty and myself instructions for giving a newborn a bath, we would appreciate it. I think we will continue with the sponge baths for now.
















All snuggled in her bath robe and slippers.

2 weeks old

Daddy giving Maddie her first bottle














Play time makes her sleepy














The first time in her crib (no, she doesn't sleep in her room yet)












Maddie and Brandi














Maddie had her 2 week check-up yesterday. She is up to 8 lbs 4 ozs, which is great! She is growing out of the newborn diapers, but her clothes are still huge on her. That's fine with Marty and me 'cause we want to keep her little as long as possible.

Sunbathing beauty

Maddie had a low level of jaundice after we got home from the hospital. The doctor told us to lay her in front of a sunny window, so we put her in the swing by our front door and she loved it. DJ is keeping an eye on her.










Our friend Kelly brought DJ a new toy when she came to visit. He is doing great with Maddie.












We have multiple ultrasound pictures of Maddie with her hands up by her face. She still sleeps the same way.

Pictures with friends

Maddie with Kim













With Christa and Trent (who got married 3 weeks ago!)












Maddie and Chad

Our first week home

Maddie is a wonderful baby. She sleeps for 3 to 5 hours at a time during the night. Marty and I agree that it hasn't been a big adjustment to have her home. She is beginning to look like him, although she has my lips. On Thursday, I needed to get out of the house and feel normal again after the surgery. We took Maddie on her first outing, and I will post pictures below. She slept through the entire outing. She is going to think Marty and I are crazy when she gets older, but we had fun with her and it was good for me!