Over the following week, I looked around on the internet to see if I could find the costume for less and I also wanted to make sure she didn't change her mind... again. We took her to Party City one night and had her look at the giant board with all the costumes on it. She could have picked out any costume she wanted. She picked Dorothy... again. We said she could try it on but that she could also pick another costume to try on as well. Nope, she didn't want to try on anything else. She wanted to be Dorothy. So we tried it on and she loved it. And, I had a coupon! Yippee! And, this Dorothy costume was very sparkly. Super cute and totally her. Complete with two braids in her hair and ruby red sparkly shoes from Target which she now wears everywhere. Great choice Maddie!

My dad had bought Maddie a princess fishing pole for her birthday in June. It is all pink (her favorite color) and girly. We were all together tonight and talking about taking her fishing for the first time. Maddie randomly says that she wants a Darth Vader fishing pole even though she has been so excited about her princess pole up until tonight. And today her favorite color is black... like Darth Vader. She is so wacky.

And speaking of wacky, when she woke up from her nap today she did not want to go to the bathroom. She started a huge crying (whining) fit about how she didn't want to go. When we asked her why, her reason was because she didn't like the floor in the bathroom. I was trying so hard not to laugh because she was clearly upset. The floor? The floor hasn't changed in her three years of existence! She cracks me up!

First it was Alice (from Alice in Wonderland). I almost looked for a costume on ebay but decided to wait just in case she changed her mind.
Then came Dinah (Alice's cat). Then she wanted to be the Cheshire Cat.
Then it was a pirate with a hook, but she was very specific that she did not want to wear hat or bandanna. This one came on very randomly one day. She was in the middle of a sentence and switched her thought part way through to tell me she wanted to be a pirate for Halloween. This was back in May. There were no pirates around anywhere. She is so funny... and random.
Then I believe it was a tulip fairy, which she was for her second Halloween at 1.5 years old.
And the latest desire for a costume..... a band-aid. Yes, a band-aid. But she wants to be a band-aid with characters on it.

I am sure there will be a new desire for a costume next week. Stay tuned.

Maddie had her 3yr wellness checkup today. She was very excited to go and was telling me all morning that she wanted to get a band aid while she was there. I am sure that could be arranged!

So it came time to go to the doctors and she was so excited that she tripped and fell about 3 inches from the front door to the office. There we were outside, she was crying, her knee was bleeding, and I was trying not to laugh. I felt bad for her and wiped up the little speck of blood that was there. It was very ironic. She recovers and we go inside and she is immediately distracted with toys.

Then we go back and start with the eye exam. They do this at every wellness checkup until they are 4. They put three sticker probes on their head and a patch over their eye and make them watch a TV screen. It checks for lazy eye. Maddie didn't pass which was strange since she has passed all the other times. We did notice that she kept looking away during part of the test... maybe she was too bored with it because it wasn't a Dora cartoon... it is more like watching the static snow on a TV screen only it changes a little bit here and there.

Then we went to get weighed and measured and have our blood pressure taken. So far, she has barely made a peep. She just keeps asking, "What are we going to do next?" She came in at 28 pounds (12%) and 35.25 inches (13%). Still a little peanut, but on the charts! When the nurse put the blood pressure cuff on her arm, she told Maddie that it would give her a little hug. Maddie thought that was pretty funny.

We went back to the exam room and the nurse came into see us. She wanted a urine sample! Are you kidding me? She said it is routine once they are potty trained. This aught to be interesting. So we go in the bathroom and fortunately they post instructions on how to do this. I know how to do my own, just not anybody else's! Maddie was really excited over the idea of peeing in a cup! I sit her on the toilet backwards (so she is facing the tank and spread eagle) then ask her to start peeing a bit. Then I make her stop (which she did) so I can stick the cup in the stream. She starts peeing again but it was coming out so fast I had to say, "Stop stop stop!" because the cup was about to overflow! Then I take the cup away and she finishes up! Holy smokes! This girl can hold her pee in like there is no tomorrow. She is obviously really good at stopping midway through. I had to dump some of the pee out because there was just so much in there. She was so excited!

Then we went back into the room to wait a bit. Oh... and she had gotten some stickers from doing the eye exam and proceeded to put them on her body. Mind you she is just in her undies at this point (which is her favorite way to be). That is how she was walking around the doctors since they do the weight and height in another room. So cute.

So then the doc comes in and tells me she is perplexed that Maddie didn't pass the eye exam. She was going to refer me to an eye doctor but decided to have her repeat the eye test just to make sure since Maddie was looking away at times during the test.

The doc proceeds with the routine exam (not the eye exam since that is done in a different room) and everything comes out fine. I asked about the scabby stuff on her knees and elbows and she thinks it is a mild form of eczema and recommended hydrocortisone cream. She said it is going to take a long time for the discoloration to go away. She asked if psoriasis runs in the family which I didn't think it did. I forgot to ask how often to put the cream on, but I will just do it a few times a day at this point. And she said to keep sunscreen on those parts too... I am guessing so it doesn't scar. Great... it probably already has!

Then we go back to do the eye test again. Maddie was excited because it meant she got to watch the cartoon again. Really... it is like watching snow on TV with a quick flash of an animal at times. This time she got to wear a pirate patch over one eye instead of just a cotton patch. Arg! How exciting since this week she wants to be a pirate for Halloween... with a hook hand... and no hat on her head. And, she passed the test this time. Yeah!

Back to the room we go waiting for our shot! Yippee! Maddie held my hand while the nurse gave her a shot in the leg. She cried at first but then stopped when she saw the pink snoopy band aid go on! She couldn't give Maddie a shot in her right leg because there was a giant sticker there! Then the nurse walked out of the room and Maddie broke down. There were huge crocodile tears streaming down her face. I couldn't understand a word she was saying. Then she took a breath and said, "It hurts! It hurts!" I asked her what hurt, and she pointed to her knee... the one that had the speck of blood on it from falling outside the doctor's office. I almost started laughing again. She told me she wanted a band aid for her knee, but the nurse had already left the room. She was so sad that the nurse put the band aid where she got the shot and not on her knee. She started to take the band aid off and I asked her if she wanted me to put it on her knee. Then she saw the blood under the band aid (from where she got the shot) and didn't know what to do. So we put the band aid back over her shot and I told her that if we saw the nurse again she could ask her for another band aid. It took about 5 minutes to calm her down. I didn't realize she had her heart set on getting a band aid for her knee. I just thought she wanted one in general... which she got... for her shot! She even had little circle princess stickers (from the second eye exam) and I asked her if we should put that on her knee. Nope. Oh well.

At this point it was about 2:00 and she normally goes down for her nap around 1:30. So we go to the car and her thumb went in her mouth and she clutched her blanket.

Oh... and the most traumatic part (for me and soon to be for her) is the doctor could tell she is a thumb sucker. We have a dentist appointment next week and the doc is guessing that the dentist will try to have us wean her from her thumb. She is growing up. But it was so cute to see her in the car with her thumb in her mouth and holding her blanket. So cute... I don't want to give that up. But her teeth are a bit crooked from where they rub her thumb, so I am sure it is time. Did I mention I am sad! I mentioned something to her in the car (while she was sucking her thumb) that we won't be able to suck our thumb for very much longer because it is hurting our teeth. She took her thumb out of her mouth and started crying again. I told her she could suck her thumb now, but not very much longer. The crying immediately stopped and the thumb went back in. It will be a sad day for both of us when we start that weening.

And now she is sleeping.

Whether Maddie is awake when I get up her in the morning or if I have to wake her up in the morning, the first words out of her mouth are, "We going today mommy?" This translates into, "Where are we going today, Mommy?" Not a "hello mommy... so nice to see you.... I love you..." None of that. She just wants to know where we are going. She even asks this question when she wakes up from her afternoon nap at 5pm when it is completely dark outside. She sometimes asks on her way to bed! When we do get to the place where we are going (it doesn't really matter where it is... it could be store, someone's house, gym class) she wants to know if we are going to another store. Some of her favorite stores are Michael's, Target, Petsmart, and Party City... and of course any toy store she happens to see along the way. Her favorite department in ANY store is jewelry. She even knows where the jewelry departments are in the stores. I didn't teach her that one.

The other day I was shopping at the Forum in Encinitas with my mom and Maddie. We had done a few errands first (Michael's, Target, Sports Authority) and then it was time for lunch. Maddie told us, "I want a quesadilla from Webios", otherwise known as Rubios. She was so persistant about going to Rubios. I didn't want to go there and it was in the opposite direction from where we needed to go (the Forum). My choice was Panera, which Maddie knows as the bread restaurant. She didn't want to go there. But then I told her that we get to go to another store after we have lunch at Panera. Boy, her tune changed so fast I had to turn away so she wouldn't see me laughing. She was now SO excited to have lunch at Panera so that we could go to more stores afterwards.

Oh, and before we left the house, Maddie was playing with her jewelry. She picked out a big red and blue beaded necklace and matching bracelet to wear. She asked me if she could wear them for the day and I agreed. She wore them the ENTIRE day. She loves jewelry. And in the car she always asks for her sunglasses. This girl can accessorize!

After lunch we headed over to Bed Bath and Beyond, and while we where there my mom picked up this little clear bag that was filled with kids cooking items. In there was a smaller version of all the usual things... a wire whisk, a wooden spoon, muffin tin, apron, had, oven mitt, measuring spoons, etc. My mom bought it for the playhouse they have at their house. (My dad built this playhouse and it is amazing!). Well, Maddie held the bag the entire time in the store, and as soon as my mom purhcased it, it HAD to be opened. Maddie wanted to hold the wooden spoon. She held it then rest of the time walking around the Forum. You have to picture her. She has her hair pulled back in a pony tail with little curls coming out, she is wearing a chocolate brown blazer type jacket, has a beaded necklace and matching bracelet, and is carrying a wooden kitchen spoon. It was such a hilarious sight. She makes me smile every day.

Then, we were all done shopping and it was time to go home and take a nap. Maddie kept asking, "Another store?". That is her way of asking if we are going to another store because she really wants to go. I kept telling her that we were all done shopping and that it was time go home. Then she said, "Maybe just one more store?" Oh my gosh! She really knows how to put her words together. I am not making this stufff up. I couldn't hold it in any longer and just burst out laughing. I am so in trouble. She is quite the shopper. She kept saying that over and over until she realized she had lost the battle and we were, in fact, going home. Keep in mind that she has this cute, little girl, super squeaky voice and when she asks questions, her voice gets higher and higher. It is just so cute.

On a different shopping trip, the three of us (James, Maddie and myself) had gone to Target. We were looking at some of their Christmas decorations. Maddie touched about every single one. We kept telling her not to touch things, but she would touch an object while asking if she could touch it. If we said "no", she would take her finger off the object, put it on a different object, and ask the same question. Does she realize she is already touching it by the time she asks us? Picture a child skipping merrily down an ornament aisle with both arms straight out touching the ornaments on both sides of the aisle, ornaments tinkling, a huge smile on her face, and a song in her heart. It wasn't quite like that of course, but that is how I now picture it in my mind.

PS-Maddie's favorite restaurant for dinner is Slooptation (Souplantation).

You would think that being married to James, I would be a wiz at getting pictures from the camera to the computer. Not the case. My own father is better at this than I am! I can take the card out of the camera, but beyond that I am worthless! I don't even know how to format pictures for sending out once they are on the computer. This is one area that I am hoping to learn about during this "free time" of mine. If I can figure it all out, it will mean that pictures will get posted more often! And by me "figuring it out", that means James gives me a lesson and hopefully it will all sink in.

Just to make my husband happy (wink wink), I have to make one little note here. My mother is an avid party planner and is known in the family as one who never does it the simple way. If we have dinner at their house (my brother and his wife included), we will eat in the dining room at a table all set with centerpieces, candles, charger plates, and good napkins. It always looks pretty and we love it, but is something we tease her about.

The joke for the past 5 years has been regarding charger plates. For those geeky friends of ours who are not up on the art of entertaining, charger plates are plates that go under the dinner plate. They are for decor purposes only and can not be eaten off of themselves. My sister-in-law and I love them and want them, but our husbands think they are the most worthless things on the planet. Well, they were on sale for ridiculously cheap at Target this week, so I just had to pick some up! I am sure my husband is secretly excited and can't wait to have a bit of gold sparkle at his dinner setting!

And about my wonderful daughter, she amazes me every day. We recently went to Bates Nut Farm with the family to get some pumpkins and enjoy "fall" in San Diego. Last year Maddie was terrified of the petting zoo and thought the baby goats were out to get her. This year she wanted to touch them all, pet them, feed them, and cover them with straw. She also wanted to go on the pony ride. It was her first time on a pony. She was so cute and smiled the entire time. I am sure there will be pictures posted eventually! And for Halloween she was the cutest little ladybug. She picked out the costume herself! She originally wanted to be a big, red gooey fish (ask me about that later), and I promised she could be one if she could find the costume. Then she wanted to be the fairy godmother from Cinderella. Then it was Pete from Mickey Mouse. Then she finally picked something we could get a costume for! Great choice Maddie!

For those who know me well, I love everything about Christmas. I am one of those corny ones who like to decorate the tree together while the fire is going, listen the Christmas music, drink hot cocoa, wear snuggly PJs, put Christmas sheets on the bed, etc. I love the day after Thanksgiving sales with all the decorations, Christmas music playing, crowds, and the sales of course. Anyway, Maddie saw a Christmas CD out and wanted to know what it was. I told her it was Christmas music. Well, she insisted that we listed to it! A daughter after my own heart. We listened to it twice. I am sure the Christmas cartoons will be coming out in a few days.

"Stop now or no more Cinderella."

Mom and I visited with grandpa this morning and he seems to be doing alright... acknowledging that it may hit him harder later today or sometime in the next couple days. There were married for 61 years, 11 months.

I have lots of fond memories of grandma... this will serve as a standing thread where I can collect some of these in writing...

• Grandma Judy (as I called her) was the default babysitter for me growing up. I was probably over there at least a couple times a week (mom may correct me on this). But it was always a fun time and she spoiled me silly.
• We always spent Christmas Eve at grandma's while I was growing up. I always looked forward to this (as most kids do) not just because of the presents, but because of the excellent meals grandma made... especially the mashed potatoes.

Maddie turned 1 on June 29th. She had a birthday party and was very cute in her little birthday dress. She loved the cake. Now I just have to get James to post the pictures!

She has 6 teeth now... 4 on the top and 2 on the bottom. She loves to smile and it is very cute to see her huge grin with her 6 little teeth!

Maddie is now walking! She started walking about a week ago. She can take about 20 steps at a time now. Sometimes she gets to where she wants to go and just stands there for a little while. Other times she is stumbling the whole way off balance and falls at her destination.

She is an absolute kick to be around. She is extemely playful and loves to giggle and laugh. She loves to be roughed up a bit sometimes and she is ticklish!. She shares toys with you to make sure you are interacting with her. She loves to sit on your lap (only for a little bit before she is on to the next thing). She loves to mimick what you are doing and she loves to get a reaction out of people. What a ham.

So tonights funny story. You have to picture our family room. It is an open family room... a great room style. We have a sectional "L" shaped sofa, and two gates that connect from our sofa to the wall. It basically makes one huge play room for Maddie. She can't get out of the family room area unless we take her out. (And our gates aren't really attached to the sofa... they are held there by our kitchen chairs... it is pretty ghetto). So anyway, if James or I are not in the family room with her, she loves to drop her toys over the gate and onto the tile to get our attention. Sometimes she does this while we are in there, but 99% of the time we are not. Sometimes there will be piles of toys outside the gate.

So tonight, James went to his show and Maddie and I had a little dinner together at the house. She was wearing a diaper and a T-shirt. I put her in the family room to play with her toys while I finished my dinner and cleaned up. I can see her if I look over (unless the sofa is blocking her) and of course I can hear everything. I took my time finishing my dinner then started to clean up. Maddie does really well playing by herself. I was about to walk in to the family room when I saw her at the gate ready to drop another toy over.... except it wasn't a toy... it was her diaper! What the heck? How did she sneak that one off! What a little stinker! There are times that the diaper does come lose when she is crawling around and doesn't have shorts or pants on to hold the diaper in place. Apparently it had come lose and Maddie didn't want it in there anymore. There she was... only wearing a little T-shirt, no bottoms, and holding a diaper over the edge of the gate about to drop it with a huge grin on her face! Fortunately it was just pee in the diaper and it had all been absorbed. I have no idea how long she had been without a diaper. It could have been about 10-15 minutes! She was just smiling and laughing of course. I am sure she knew what she was doing! I checked the room for any signs of pee and didn't find a thing! Maddie was quickly wisked upstairs to get a fresh diaper, a little cleaning, and some shorts to make sure that the new one stayed on! She just cracks me up!