Madelyn of the Various and Sundry Nicknames

It occurred to me today that poor little Madelyn might have difficulty when it comes time to go to Kindergarten and learn to spell her name. It's not that "Madelyn" is so hard to spell...it's more that she might not know exactly what her name is because we rarely use it! And to think of all the hours we spent pondering and debating over what to name her :)

The following are a mere sampling:

Maddie
Maddiecakes (thanks to Auntie Kelsie)
Button (also thanks to Auntie Kelsie)
Little Lamb (Gramma O's favorite)
Precious Lamb (frequent derivation of the above)
Juicy Girl
Sweet Girl (Daddy's favorite)
Drooly McDroolerson (becoming entirely too fitting)
Snebly (Grampa B's favorite)
Sweatheart
Bright Eyes (which is, in itself, a nickname of one of my baby nicknames "Bright Eyes the Guinea Pig"...see my father for an explanation!)
Sugar
and, of course, the ever descriptive "Baby"

This topic begs the question: if a nickname is significantly longer than the name itself, is it by definition a nickname?

Discuss.

Much love,
Kimberlee (AKA: Kim, Kimmie, Honey, Sweets, Babe, Love, and Babymama)

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

More photos of Madelyn sleeping... I know, I know! Many of you are probably wondering if she's ever awake. I assure you that she is often awake, and Kurt has lots of video to prove it (coming your way soon, says he). I just love the sleeping photos because I so love sleeping with her. I love feeling her breathing get heavier and her little muscles relax. And I love that she trusts me enough to fall asleep on me. She also makes these great little noises when she sleeps...little squeaks and sighs and sometimes even little giggle precursors. It's the best!

Much love,
Kim

the wonderful life of Maddie... vol. 1

Ok all~

It's been a long while since I've posted. Life for me has been moving at full throttle. I'm so thankful for so many things right now, I won't take the time to list them all.

Some of the highlights?

I'm successful at a job I enjoy in a company I love, we've got a house that keeps us warm and dry, and most of all, I've got an amazing family that has grown since last Thanksgiving.

Our sweet girl has been with us for while now and I'm finally getting to the posting of this video... I guess I had to finish it first. It's the first part of her little adventure. I'll be adding more videos as I get them completed.

Enjoy!

~Kurt

Gift Wrapped Moby Style

Madelyn will be 10 weeks old tomorrow. 10 weeks!! I can hardly believe that she's been with us (this side of the womb, that is) for that long. Let me just say for the official record that knowing her more than makes up for any and all of the discomforts of pregnancy as well as the pain and trauma of birth. She is such a sweet, cuddly, happy little girl... Kurt and I feel increasingly blessed every day. She is so social these days and loves to smile and chatter with anyone who will give her their undivided attention. She's a good eater and is getting so big! She's nearly 12 pounds and is working on establishing her third chin :) Fortunately, she's still small enough to enjoy cuddling with her parents. She loves to snug up against Mommy's chest in our Moby wrap. She falls asleep almost instantly and then burrows her head under the fabric. So precious... Still my favorite time of day!

Much love,
Kim

Birthing Class Reunion!

Last night, Kurt and I hosted a reunion for our birthing class. Amazingly, all seven couples (and our teacher!) showed up with their little ones, so it was quite a houseful! So fun! We all kind of wondered how our babies would do together in such cozy quarters, but they were such troopers and even endured the torture of us parents putting them through a photo shoot. But look how cute they all are! They were all born within six weeks of each other, and Maddie is the second youngest by one hour. She is also the only girl of the bunch, isn't that wild? I made it quite clear to her that this had better be the only time I find her lying on the floor with six boys :)

Beginning with Madelyn (in her rough and tumble overalls with the red cherries on the front) and moving clockwise, the babies are as follows: Kingston, Xander, Austin, Scout, Noah, and Ian.

Enjoy!

Much love,
Kim