Jenny Wiley State Park

Today we took a family day and headed to Jenny Wiley State Park in Prestonsburg, KY. We went on about a mile hike around the lake. I strapped Madison in the carrier facing outwards and she really seemed to enjoy it! It was nice to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. It was a beautiful day! We then went to eat BBQ at Pig in a Poke! It was good, but I can't wait to get some REAL southern BBQ in South Carolina!!

Hillbilly Days

A couple of weekends ago was Hillbilly Days. It is an annual event that raises money for the Shriner's Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky. Since 1977 Pikeville has been celebrating Hillbilly Days. Over 100,000 people invade Pikeville (which has a population of just over 7,000). It sure gets crazy here for those few days with lots of food, carnival rides, and vendors selling all kinds of stuff. We live right downtown, so we are able to be right in the middle of it all.
We did take Maddie out a few times in her stroller. She loved it at night because of all the lights everywhere. She seemed to enjoy her first and last Hillbilly Days and so did we! Here are a few pictures of the weekend and of the parade (some are from last years event...it looked all the same this year, but last year I was closer and got better pictures!)

Maddie's first ear infection :(

We had a rough few days last week. We went for her 2 month well check and we found out that Maddie had her first ear infection :( We also talked to the doctor about how gassy she has been, so after her recommendation, we switched her onto lactose free formula. So all in one day she was put on antibiotics and new formula...well big mistake! Maddie was a completely different baby for a few days...she screamed, refused to eat, and just was overall very unhappy. We almost thought she was colicky, but after a few days on the sensitive formula and a very constipated baby, we switched her back to her original formula and she is doing great again. I had tasted the lactose free milk and it was disgusting! Poor thing; no wonder she didn't want to eat :( But she is eating again and having regular poops and I couldn't be happier!! The things I get excited about now that I'm a mom.
Here are her stats at 10 weeks:
13 lbs 14 ounces
23 inches long

Maddie and Mommy at her doctor's appointment

Maddie taking her medicine like a big girl!

My little fish!!

Miss Madison LOVES bathtime. I really think it is her happiest time of the day. I can't wait to see her in the pool this summer. I'm so glad she likes the water, because her mommy and daddy sure do! We captured her having fun in the tub just the other night. Enjoy!

Maddie is already 2 months old!

A lot has gone on since the last post. I just got back "home" to Kentucky after spending two fabulous weeks with my Mom! She was on spring break, so it was so much fun to be able to spend time with her. During that week, 3 of my very best friends (Jessica, Michelle, and Eliana) came to visit Maddie. We also were able to celebrate Michelle's 26th birthday by going to eat Mexican food. Maddie was so good while we had a great time celebrating! Maddie also had her first Easter. My mom (we think she is going to be Mimi) bought her a beautiful dress to wear. I also put together a basket for her filled with lots of goodies. I can't wait for next year when she is running around the yard picking up eggs! We had a great time visiting with Mimi, Aunt Nat, and Uncle Ryan. We went shopping, out to eat several times, visited my dad's old office and his coworkers, and this past weekend my Aunt Teresa and cousin, Chad came into town! What a wonderful time we had!! My mom didn't want me to leave-she kept saying "just stay one more day". One more day could turn in to forever...but soon enough we will be back home to South Carolina. Gabe got the official that we are moving back this summer for his 3rd and 4th year rotations. He is doing them at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. What a blessing it will be to be close to family and friends once again!
Maddie has gotten so big. She is now 10 weeks old. I just can't believe it! She is just growing like a weed! We have enjoyed a lot of dressing up; she does pretty good, but I think I enjoy playing dress up with her more than she does!! She is doing a lot new things. She is very alert and enjoys looking around. Her new favorite thing is the ceiling fan...once she notices it, she smiles and talks to it. So much for the expensive bouncer and swing! She imitates us when we talk to her; it is the cutest thing! Maddie is also following people with her eyes across the room. Maddie also LOVES bathtime. She is starting to really kick her feet while in the water; I know she is going to love the pool this summer!

Look who's in her Bumbo!

I'm such a big girl! Look at me in my Bumbo seat at 7 weeks old! I can hold my head up so well. Pretty soon I will do this sitting up thing all by myself!

Look at that face! I really am happy!

Daddy's spring break!

Gabe was on spring break this past week, so we were able to bring Maddie down to South Carolina for the first time! We had a great week and Maddie got to meet so many people! We spent Saturday-Tuesday with Colleen. She was just thrilled to finally meet her granddaughter! On Monday we strolled downtown Charleston-the weather was just beautiful, so it was nice to get outside! While we were there Maddie was also able to meet her cousins (my 1st cousins), Shawn and Lauren, our good friends Brian, Jess, and their little boy Jake, and Gabe's friend Vatsal. What a fun few days we had!













On Wednesday, we headed back to Simpsonville to spend the rest of the week at my mom's house. On Thursday, Omi and Pop-Pop came up and brought my cousins, Daniel and Summer. They just love Maddie and what great cousins they are to her. Daniel loved rubbing Maddie's head and he would just smile and talk to her. He also asked me "Does she have a brain yet??" The funny things kids say!!! Summer was such a big help, she even fed Maddie a bottle on her own. She tested the temperature on her wrist without anyone telling her to. I know she will be a good mommy one day!
On Friday my aunts Teresa and Denise came into town to meet Maddie! They were like little vultures when they came into the door! Maddie is just so lucky to be in such a wonderful family!! Maddie also met my friends, Anna and Jessica! The week went by too fast, but we had a great time and can't wait to move back to South Carolina this summer!!!