Decisions...decisions...

Why are the big ones never easy? I am terrible about making decisions!
 Ryan can vouch for that seeing that we now have THREE paint swabs on our walls because I cannot choose a color. Or the fact that we just put up curtains downstairs after being in our house for over two years because I can't make a choice.
The current dilemma is childcare for Maddie come mid August.  Our wonderful, fantastic, sweet babysitter - Miss Beth is leaving us for school.  So the question becomes, do we hire a new nanny or start daycare?  I can name 1000 pros and cons for both options. I am constantly stressed with work and the daycare would give me more flexibility. Plus, Madison is in need of socialization... desperately.  But it seems like such a big change.. maybe I'm the one who's just not ready...and is that so bad?

Luckily for Madison - her biggest decision is just if these glasses are too small for her face?

Thoughts/opinions on the daycare front?

Beach Babe

Ryan & I were invited to our friend's (Jason & Ivy) wedding at the beach in Southport.  We saw this as a perfect excuse to make a beach weekend.  With very little begging, we were able to talk our best friends from college into joining us over Memorial Day Weekend.  We ended up renting a house in Oak Island/Caswell Beach that was just perfect.  The house had an open floor plan, plenty of bedrooms, was very clean, and best of all, right on the beach!  We were nervous to see how Madison would handle to sand (would she eat it? be scared of the texture?) and the water.  She handled both like a champ and had a blast.  Proof below!

Maddie and her bff, Lily, playing the first day.

Not a bad view from the back of our beach house.

Too cute - I can't wait to show this to them when they are graduating from high school.

Seriously? I love this kid!

Ready for dinner!

This is one of those "not-so-perfect" family pictures, but I'm glad we have it.

At the wedding - it was a gorgeous backdrop!

We took the ferry over from Southport to Fort Fischer to take Madison to the aquarium.  She enjoyed the fist and it was a great first trip!

I am so bummed that we didn't get a group shot of our friends at the beach house.  We've all promised to do it again next year.  But, we are thinking to celebrate the big 3-0 we will the leave the kids behind and travel some place tropical!  Thanks so much to you all for watching Madison so we could enjoy a grown-up night out!

Summertime Fun

We have been having such a blast this summer with Madison.  She is very much her "own" person with a grown-up personality!  Luckily, Madison seems to enjoy the important parts of summertime just like her Mom & Dad (froyo, pool time and outdoor bbqs).  Aside from some yucky bug-bites that prompted not one, but two, trips to the doctor - it's been mostly smiles and sunshine!

Chasing the beach ball - best $0.97 I've ever spent!  Madison has a super-ball radar and spots them everywhere we go.  In fact, we consider "ball" to be her first word!

Madison loves to "hula-hoop."  Unfortunately,  neither of us are able to do a good job demonstrating for her so she just carries it around.

 Her very own back porch chair.  She just figured out how to climb in all by herself- makes this PT mama proud!

Water table fun!

Hope you all are enjoying your summer! We are just trying to stay cool in our 100+ temps here in North Carolina.

Happy Easter 2012

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

We had a low-key Easter holiday, after a very busy 1st Birthday weekend. Madison's Nana, Florence, was able to join us for the weekend. We enjoyed a weekend with mild weather, attended a community Easter event and had a nice Sunday celebration. Madison did excellent during the morning mass and enjoyed hunting for eggs in the afternoon. What a difference from last year, when tiny Madison was not even 1 month old!

I wanted to dye eggs with Maddie so bad - but forgot that the eggs need to be hard-boiled. Opps!

Hunting for eggs with Daddy and Dawson

Our pretty Easter table - thank you Pinterest for the yummy dessert idea!

Dawson wanted to get in on all the Easter fun!

Maddie with her Easter Basket - don't mind that the "pom poms" from her birthday are still up - I can't bring myself to take them down!

I LOVE this picture with Maddie & Nana! Too cute!

Thanks for checking in on us!

Madison's 1st Birthday

Happy Birthday to Madison!

We had such a wonderful weekend celebrating her first year. Lainy and Papa came in from Missouri and Aunt Kate came from North Dakota for her actual 1st Birthday - the 30th. We spent the afternoon at Pullen Park. This amazing park filled with train rides, carousel rides and people watching! We topped the day off with yummy frozen custard!

On Madison's actual birthday the Castile family (Nana Florence, Aunt Michelle and "uncle Jimi," Aunt Christy and Uncle Brad) joined us in Cary. The house filled with all of Madison's (and Mommy & Daddy's) closet friends. It was such an amazing day!

Here's some 1st Birthday Stats -

Weight: 20lbs 2 oz, 28 inches long (40% for both)

Eating: After a month long hiatus from eating, Madison is back to eating almost anything we put in front of her! She loves fruit and waffles. Veggies continue to be a struggle, but she'll tolerate them. She drinks Vit D milk from a sippy cup (15-20oz a day).

Sleeping: Madison sleeps 7-730ish each night. She naps at 10 and 2 for anywhere from 45 min to an 1hour and half. We read a book or 2 and always "Good Night Pookie." She lays down awake and falls asleep quickly. She needs a few minutes on her own to wake up. If we go to get her too quickly, she's very crabby!

Development: Madison babbles lots! She tries to imitate our words, but only "b" words. She is walking independently for short distances (3-20 steps). She loves to walk outside on the grass with her hands held. She flies around the house with the push toy, but prefers help to steer. Madison turns book pages and loves to put things in containers.

Favorites: Madison loves to be read to! She likes Sesame Street - for about 3 minutes. She continues to be most fussy from 5-6pm, but is easily distracted. Madison loves to be outside swinging or going for a run!

She is tons of fun, delightful and always and adventure. What a great first year!

Happy 2012

Just stopping in to wish you all a very happy 2012.

2011 was such a great year for our family and we are excited to see what 2012 brings!

Madison's Merry Christmas

Madison's first Christmas was a huge success!! Here's a taste of the holiday. Ryan's family joined us for a Christmas Eve lunch, followed by family presents and off to St. Michael's for Christmas Eve Mass.

On Christmas Day, we enjoyed a quiet lazy day with Nana, Aunt Michelle and Jimi. Madison enjoyed playing with her new toys and recovering!

Our Christmas Eve table, inspiration from pinterest! If you aren't on - join. now. it is magical!

Christmas Eve Family Photo 2011

Castile Family on Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve bedtime with Daddy!

Ryan & Jess' ornament exchange 2011

Michelle helped me stage a photo session with Madison! She might not love it later in life - but she's cute now.

Thanks for checking in on us! We hope to be more active in 2012!