The newest game in our house

The sing and play stage is no longer just for singing and playing. It can also be used as a tool to practice standing up all by one's self.

My weekend

Friday
Meghan came over and stayed with me while Mom and Dad went out. Meghan is my morning instructor at daycare and I really like her. We had lots of fun.

Saturday
I got up extra early at 6:00 am so that I could maximize the weekend with Mom and Dad. We went over to my friend Gray's house. His mom and dad fought over who got to hold me. I like them a lot. They had to go out for an hour so Gray and I read books and played while his parents were gone.

Later, Mom and I went to a ladies' lunch with her friend Brooke. I had only seen her in pictures and heard stories about her. She's really nice in real life and I'm glad I finally got to meet her.

And, because I didn't want to miss out on any of the weekend, I only napped for an hour-and-a-half...all day!

Sunday
We went to the SuperTarget to get our groceries. Guess who we ran into there?! Ethan and his mom and dad. Our moms were both picking out food for us. I got peas and sweet potatoes. He got all sorts of fancy stuff. Some of it included compote but I don't know what that is anyway. I like my vegetables.

Then we were down by Grammy and Grandad's house so we stopped in to visit. I got to say hi to Grandad. My Uncle Lee is going to be on Wheel of Fortune sometime soon, too. I can't wait to see him buy a vowel!

After all that, I'm pooped and headed to bed. Being a six-month old is hard work but it sure is fun.

Boo - Green beans

Day one of green beans was not as successful as Madelyn's other solid food adventures. The face she made was not pleasant and we only got through half of the serving. Hopefully she grows to like them a little more each day as the week progresses.

Perhaps we'll go to a yellow/orange vegetable when she's done with the green beans.

Water baby

As soon as Dr Brandon cleared Madelyn for swimming and sunscreen, it was imperative that we make our first family trek to the swimming pool.

Her buddy, Gray, and his parents were going to the pool, too. So, the six of us headed off together.

Madelyn is living up to Kerkhove and Anderson family traditions of being a good little water baby. She splashed and smiled and laughed and talked and even had half of her lunch bottle at the pool. And, when a little boy jumped into the pool and splashed the three of us, it didn't phase her one bit. She just made a funny face and then kept on enjoying herself.

Now that we're members of the parent club in our neighborhood, I completely get and appreciate all the family friendly touches especially those at the Puddle Jumper pool with all the water features and zero-depth areas. I know Madelyn appreciates them, too.

Hopefully Uncle Jerky won't be too disappointed that she hasn't mastered the cannonball...yet. The summer's not over.

Happy 6-month birthday!

I can...

...sit up by myself.
...eat solid foods (rice cereal and oatmeal).
...recognize Mom and Dad (and Sadie and Felix).
...roll over from back to front and, sometimes, front to back.


I can remember what I was doing six months ago tonight but I can't remember life without you. Happy six-month birthday, Madelyn.

Thank you, Luke's mom

Luke is one of Madelyn's buddies at daycare.

Quick tangent: There are three or four little ones in Madelyn's class all within one month of each other -- Ethan, Luke, Ollie, and Madelyn. Addie used to be Madelyn's best girl friend but her family moved to Boston. Ethan and Ollie are really good on their tummies but hate sitting. Luke and Madelyn are semi-pros at sitting but don't really like being on their tummies.

Back to the main story.

The other morning when I was dropping Madelyn off, Meghan (the morning instructor) and I were discussing the crinkle boxes and how they're so popular. Meghan mentioned that Luke's mom gives him crinkled up wax paper at home and how it's the perfect toy. First and foremost, it crinkles. Secondly, it's non-toxic. And third, the wax keeps it from getting soggy after having been played with (and stuck in one's mouth) after a while.

We don't have wax paper but we do have parchment paper. Tonight, I gave Madelyn a crinkled up piece of parchment paper...and the rest is history.

By the way, she had her Cindy Lou Hoo hairstyle when I picked her up from daycare today. Apparently, she's "our favorite little girl" so I guess that means she gets fancy hair-dos from now on.