"Don't worry Lamby, I'm coming to save you!"

As many of you know, Madeline has a favorite stuffed animal, a lamb, that is named Lamby. This little lamb has gone everywhere with her and has certainly become a security blanket for the little princess. This, of course, has advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:
1. She always has a piece of home with her wherever we go, how far we travel, or where we may spend the night.
2. It really helps with her bedtime routine. She gets Lamby, I read her a few books in bed, I leave...but she still has Lamby and feels safe :)
3. It's cute!
4. Teaches her responsibility.

Disadvantages:
1. It could get lost!!!!

Anyway, earlier today we decided to take a trip to the mall and then to Sams Club. Madeline brought Lamby in the car with her which these days is not something she always does. She's OK with leaving her home, but I think she knew she was a little sleepy and Lamby would help her take a nap in the car. We're at the point now, though, that Lamby never leaves the car, except to go back in the house. Apparently, Doug and I were so busy chatting while we were going into the mall, that we didn't pay attention to the fact that Madeline was bringing Lamby with her. After we left the mall, we went to Sams, then drove home. On the way home Madeline asked where Lamby was. Doug and I looked at each other with a panicked look. When we got home we looked all over the car...then got on the phone. The second store, Children's Place, we called had it!! As Madeline and I were walking to the front door to leave to get Lamby, Madeline shouted, "Don't worry Lamby, I'm coming to save you!!" Well, that had Doug and I hysterical.

Here is a picture of the princess on the way back to the mall to save Lamby:

I thought it would be cute to get a picture of her getting her Lamby back from the clerk, but when we walked up to the counter and she saw Lamby sitting on the shelf behind the registers, she started crying...and not just a little cry, she was really upset! Like my mom said, I guess it was like a mother who finds her lost kid...just overwhelmed with emotions. I did eventually snap a couple pictures of her with her Lamby:

This was after I got her to stop crying. Poor thing :(

We walked around the store for a bit and she helped me pick out a bathing suit for Ethan for next summer (it was only 4 bucks!!). Here is a picture of her talking to the young lady working there. The ladies there loved Madeline and felt terrible when she started crying. They were very happy to see Madeline recover and chit-chat with them.

On the way home we had to run into the grocery store. As I was getting Madeline out she asked if Lamby could come in with her. I told her yes because I felt like she was still recovering from the whole situation...I just didn't have the heart to say no. Madeline started to get out of the car with Lamby, then stopped and I could tell she was thinking really hard. She said, "No! Lamby stay right here in the car seat." Well, I guess she learned a little about responsibility today.

Luke's Rehearsal Dinner 6/12/09

The day before Luke's wedding, we were invited to attend the rehearsal dinner. After a quick swim at the pool we got dressed and ready to head out.
Here is Madeline hanging out with my brother, Joe, and Lamby before we went to the dinner. Seriously, Joe always takes his best pictures with Madeline. I think it's because he knows how much she loves him and that just makes him glow ;)
Don't you love the matching dresses that my mom got!
At the dinner, we had plenty of helping hands with the kids! Here is my cousin, Emily, taking her turn with Ethan :) Thanks Emily!

Madeline feeding Lamby a chip:Luke and Lizzy:

My cousin Mary getting her turn. The other kids had to fight Mary a lot for a turn :) Thanks Mary for your help!!

It was a very, nice relaxing dinner. Thanks Uncle Joe and Aunti Kris for inviting us!

Easter 2009

I know I'm a little late, but I'm just now getting around to posting about our Easter this year. Doug's parents and sister had been visiting for the previous several days and were to be leaving after Easter Mass.
The morning started off with seeing what the Easter Bunny had left. Madeline was very excited about this, but was patient enough to let me get her in her dress that Marmie sent first. The two of them looked so cute! Ethan was wearing and outfit that his Mom-Mom brought.
Ethan loved his new toy. Madeline saw this when I was at Walmart one day and she was completely in love with it. It was at the end of the isle where the baby food was and she just parked herself on the ground in front of it and played with it the entire time I stocked up on Ethan food. It's really not a very exciting toy when it's still in the box, but I figured if it could entertain her for as long as it did, it would probably be great for Ethan! So I told her we would get it for him for Easter. She thought that was a great idea! (even though she didn't really understand what I was telling her).

The Easter Bunny brought Madeline and Aunt Mary recorders. Actually, the Easter Bunny had sent me a special note that said Madeline could have hers early because she's been such a great big sister, so Madeline had had some practice for a few days before Mary received hers. they played a few songs together before Mary had to head back to MD.

Madeline made sure everyone got plenty of hugs and kisses! I was surprised at how well she handled them leaving. She never got upset. I thought that maybe she just thought they were going to the store and she'd get upset later, but it never happens. I guess she knows she'll see them again soon enough. She did, however, look for Aunt Mary each morning for the next few days.

I asked Madeline if I could take a picture of her in her Easter dress. She's not crazy about getting her picture taken (probably because I overwhelm her with it!), but she said, "with Penny?" I agreed, and this is the best I got.

After Mom-Mom, Poppy, and Aunt Mary left, we opened the boxes from my mom and dad (Marmie and Pop). Madeline LOVED the bunny ears and tail she got!! She wore them the rest of the day!

She even wanted to keep the tail on when we went to the park.

Lamby doesn't normally go to the park with us, but since it was Easter we thought the whole family should go.

Everyone was tuckered out after a long morning and quick trip to the park.