Pool+Playdates=FUN

Natalie and Brynn eating popsicles.

Mmmm. .

 

The Girls. ..

What was life like before: Car Seats? Sleepless Nights?  Strollers? Band Aids? and Bottles?, Diapers?  etc. . For our family it is a distant memory of what life was like with the two of us and Hudson.  However, we are embracing this stage, and trying to soak up every moment. My most memorable moments this week were:

• Madelyn being fussy, and sleeping on my chest for hours two calm her down.
• Brynn jumping in Puddles after the rain came.
• Madelyn smiling and cooing at us after her morning feedings.
• Brynn lining up her letter people in the correct order, and singing the ABC's.
• Brynn sneaking into Madelyn's crib and trying to sleep with her.

Madelyn at 10 weeks

Big Yawn!

SUPRISE!

SUPRISE!! This weekend we had the oppourtunity to spend some time with the extended Clayton family. Both of Matt's parents turn sixty in the next few weeks.(They will love that I told their age.) So, we worked together to suprise them, and bless them with a night with friends and family. The evening was filled with fun, food, and fellowship. The party started around 7:30, and went through the evening. Since we started later, we took Madelyn with us, and let Brynn stay with a friend. Brynn had her first sleep over with the her friend Scott. Her evening was filled with playing, Chick-Fli-A, and sleeping with her buddy. Suprisingly, she did well and slept soundly.  There was not a middle of the night phone call. :) We are thankful for our dear friends the Chesson's. and the evening away they allowed us to have.
e. 

Ending the Party with a Group Gift.

 

Hilton Head

Each year the Clayton Family takes a vacation.  Some years we have had the opportunity to go, and other years we have not.  This year we took advantage of the invite, and packed up the two kids and headed for Hilton Head Island.  I was a little hesitant at first, as Madelyn is very young.  Brynn was very fearful of the ocean last summer.  It is about a five hour drive to Hilton Head, and then add kids.  Both girls traveled excellent. Brynn watched the protable DVD player for hours, and Madelyn slept for hours.  :)

The beach was an amazing break from the normal routine.  Brynn LOVED the ocean this year, and the fears that were once present were gone.  She played, and played in the sand and in the ocean.  One thing Brynn loves is kids, and no matter where we are at she can find a friend.  HH was no different she made friends with two girls, and their sibblings.  All week the girls played and played.  Each morning we went to the beach she would look for Alexis or vica a versa.  The girls would meet up and play for hours.  This was a great friendship for Brynn as Alexis was slightly braver than Brynn.  She would push Brynn to do more and more in the water, and they could create, run, and play all morning.  Matt and I also enjoyed getting to know this family, and developing a relationship with them.   Madelyn's first beach trip was not quite as eventful.  Madelyn spent most of her time under the tent,  or in our arms.  However, she was her normal content self hanging out where ever we ask her to.  We had an excellent week in HH swimming, biking, eating, and hanging out. We are grateful for the invite, and that it worked out for us to go as a family.   

Two Girls

It is hard to believe that Madelyn is almost eight weeks old!! As most people are aware Matt, and I decided early on not to find out the gender of our peanut before we would meet him/her.  We did not find out with Brynn, and enjoyed the suprise.  However, with this one there were moments of temptations.  Moments of hesitation when the ultra sound tech asked "Do you want to find out gender?" and I was at the verge of finding out.  So, we had it put in an enevelope, and envelope we stored in my glove box of the van.  Then there were moments where the doctors office "slipped",and told us what they believed. Those slip ups made us believe we were going to meet a little boy in June instead of our little Madelyn. Finally, we had the opinions of others, that "thought" they knew. So, when Madelyn arrived we were SUPRISED, and had not quite picked a name.  We had the "list", and Brynn had a second list.  Together we narrowed it down to Madelyn Grace.  She goes by Madelyn or Madelyn Grace. (Brynn was disappointed as it was not Ansley)  Brynn has connected Madelyn Grace with the song: Amazing Grace.  She sings it to her over and over, and calls it "Madelyn's Song."   So, we have been given an amazing gift two daughters.  Daughters that we have been entrusted to love, discipline, and raise to be Godly woman. At times it seems overwhelming. It is day by day, week by week, and year by year we pray and work at nurturing and loving these girls in effort to raise them to walk in a wise way one day.  We are  trying to embrace each stage, and notice the unique personality traits each one has.  So, I have taken a few moments to reflect on what makes each one unique and special at this point. 

Brynn
Words that Describe:  Outgoing, Happy, Quick, Intellegent, Sweet, Wide Open, Boundaries (NEEDS)
Hair:  Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Body Type: Long and Lean
Favorite Foods:  Anything Green  (Broccoli, Cucumbers, Green Beans)
Favorite Songs: B-I-B-L-E, Jesus Loves Me, Amazing Grace
Favorite Things to Do: Swim, Play with Kids

Madelyn Grace
Words that Describe:  Laid Back, Easy Going
Hair : Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Favorite Things to Do: Swing, and Walk
Body: Chunky (CUTE rolls)