Ahh...

Post-bath lounging feels good.

Welcome, New Cousin Camden!

Camden Michael Kerkhove arrived at 0917 on May 20 at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California.

We're so happy you're here! We've been talking about you and anticipating your arrival for so long. Madelyn, Uncle Griff, and Aunt Mollie can't wait to give you a big hug and kiss. Welcome to the world!

Memories of Memorial Day weekend

Two of my favorite memories of our Memorial Day weekend trip to Grand Lake. Other notable memories include:

• Madelyn playing tirelessly with her crinkle-book in the backseat on the way to Grand Lake
• Pulling into a parking lot to turn around because we were lost only to realize the parking lot we were in was that of our destination
• Accidentally deflating 2 of 3 stroller tires but then triumphantly filling them up at the gas station in town after summoning the owner lady for help
• Enjoying grizzly-burgers at The Bear Den
• Watching with Madelyn as the horses from Sombrero Stables walk up the road past our house
• Griff and my nice afternoon walk being cut short by a torrential downpour of rain and small hail
• Spending the weekend in a rental house with Madelyn's Grammy and Grandad and half of her aunts and uncles

I made this for you.

Madelyn's class made flowers for the mothers yesterday. The teacher put paint on each baby's hands and gave them a paper coffee filter to crinkle (and color). When I picked her up yesterday, Ann handed me Madelyn's flower and said, "We made this for you for Mother's Day."

My flower is definitely going in the keepsake box once I'm done enjoying it.

Tummy time

Little Miss Muffet is no fan of tummy time. Fortunately, and unfortunately, one of her day care instructors, Ann, is a strong believer in tummy time and doesn't take no, or Madelyn's protests, for an answer. Our daily discussions involve tummy time.

On Tuesday, when I arrived to pick her up, I was told she was mad at Ann for all the tummy time. To be fair, I don't honestly envision her being forced to lay screaming on her stomach all day long. I know they stop when she's truly had enough. But, I do know that when we used to practice at home, she would only last 5-10 seconds. However, that was when she was younger and not as strong as she is now. (Now she can stand, bearing some weight on her legs if we hold her!)

At any rate. each day they tell us how she's doing so much better at tummy time. We even practice at home now, too, and she is getting better. The expression on her face while she lays there with her head up, looking around, is just the cutest. I'm told she'll be rolling over in no time...just hopefully not off the changing pad so Mom and Dad won't have to learn that one the hard way!