Bye Bye Crawling, and Lots of Firsts!

Enjoying San Diego
Sedona, Arizona

Finding a beat on Great-Grandpa's Drums

Great-Grandpa Scott

Walking? Nope, She's running!

Well, Madison has been walking for some time now, I'm sorry I haven't kept everyone up to date on each step. On Madison's birthday, she took two steps to her three-year-old cousin, Johnny, without holding on to anything! Then, on January 3rd she took the big plunge and began consistently walking 6-10 steps to people she wanted to go to. She was very selective as to who she would Perform this wonder for, and so we didn't see much for a week. That all changed one morning when I was getting ready for work. I came around the corner and saw Madison cruising from the hallway through the office and into the living room! Was she practicing when we weren't looking? When she reached her shopping cart she turned around and realized I was watching. From this point on, she progressed quickly from pulling herself up on furniture and toddling, to getting up all by herself and almost running! Once she figured out how to get up without the aide of a wall or chair, she gave up crawling completely. In fact, Madison is so in love with her new found freedom, that she rarely even sits. Standing is the preferred resting position now.

In other news, Madison traveled with us to Arizona to meet her Great-Grandpa Scott for the first time. He celebrated his 96th birthday the week before, so it was a nice birthday treat. My childhood memories of Grandpa's house included playing the piano with my grandma. Madison's will be a little different; Today there is a drum set in the spot where grandmother's piano used to be. Madison was in music heaven when she got a hold of the drum sticks. She was also spoiled by having her first taste of ice cream.

On the way back home we took two detours. One was to Tombstone, Arizona, the famous home of Wyatt Earp and the O.K. Corral shoot out. Second, we spent a relaxing Valentine's Day in beautiful San Diego! We met up with my roommate from college Julie and her boyfriend for breakfast, then strolled along the beach for most of the day. This was Madison's first time to the ocean, but I think she noticed the seagulls more than the water or sand. It was a beautiful way to spend a romantic holiday.

So to recap, the last month-and-a-half have been loaded with firsts for our first born...first steps, first trip to a Arizona, first time meeting Grandpa, first taste of ice cream, and first time to the ocean. Our baby is living life fast and full! We love it!