a Superbowl Sunday to remember

Superbowl Sunday was a bit disappointing (since we're Pats fans...), but it was wonderful in that we were able to finally baptize Emilia! St. Paul Lutheran Church, where Meg was baptized thirty years ago, was the venue and it was really special. We are so happy to have this big event completed for our littlest :)

Emi fit into Cora's christening gown, what a special tradition!

trying to join GG and Aunt Laura's conversation

with Pastor Bush

with GG Vera

Some Superbowl shots:

yes, beer bottles are the best teething tools!

Alas, Emi and Cora were quite unimpressed with the Pats... fortunately they also have the Lions and the Falcons to cheer... two teams destined to meet up in next years NFC Championship!

Catching up...

So just in case anyone is still checking this delinquent blog, here's a quick update on what's new in the Madea family.

At the end of January, we packed up and moved out of Connecticut. Greg has finished his active duty service with the Navy and is excited to transition into the corporate world. SO we are currently in transit to our new stomping grounds... MEMPHIS TENNESSEE!

YES she climbed up all by herself...

...but Greg was supervising / enabling (and here's the proof)...

at the Navy Lodge -- Cora and her guard dogs!

Along the way we stopped in Michigan to visit family and friends after a treacherous trip across northern Pennsylvania (we are not fans of flash / lake-effect snowstorms). The drive was "fun" enough caravanning with the dogs and Greg in the truck (sharing the front/bench seat) and the girls and Meg in the Volvo, so we did not see a reason for Mother Nature to spice'n things up any further, however she obviously disagreed. Needlesstosay, we were VERY excited to arrive and are reluctant to ever drive in snow again!

An added little bonus to the trip was that for the first time in many years, Meg was able to celebrate her birthday with the family!

Even the Gilleran's were able to participate!

Colin, Cora and Luke

We were lucky to have Oba and Sofu keep ALL the kids so we could fly down to Memphis and house hunt this week. We found an apartment to rent short-term while we continue to look for our next home. We enjoyed some grown-up time and feel that we got a good feel for the area.

And while we were slaving away trying to find somewhere to settle in Memphis, we found a little time to enjoy a little of the local treats - like staying at the Peabody Hotel! There, for the past 80 years, a gaggle of ducks have "hung out" in the lobby's fountain (a tradition that began after a manager drank a little too much Jack Daniels on a hunting trip and neglected to drop his live decoys off upon returning to the city and instead "hid" them in the lobby). Greg had seen this once about 25 years ago and is now excited more than ever to share the sight with the girls. Dogs are allowed at the Peabody, but the jury is still out on whether Finn and Bonny will ever witness the tradition. It would, after all, be a little awkward if either decided to join the ducks in the fountain...

Meanwhile, "back at the ranch..."

taking some steps

chomping on her sweet potatoes and spoon

carefully carrying Oba's Matryoshka doll down the stairs

Hanging out, looking for anyone to hear her stories of woe...

pretty snow

We got around 8 inches this weekend and it was pretty, though a pain to shovel. Greg's dreaming of owning a snowblower. In the meantime, Cora proved to be a great helper (in her mind)! After 3 hours and sunset, Greg gave up and came inside, two high school boys knocked on the door and offered to shovel/blow our entire driveway and walkway --- oh the irony!

now snow up to her knees

yes, the snow all melted by this morning!

SNOW!!!

it's NOTHING like the massive amount we had last year when we moved in to CT, but it's enough to be FUN.... Cora certainly enjoyed playing today!

My favorite negotiation from her, "mommy, one snowman then nap?"

Too bad it's too powdery to make a snowman.

(I type this as she's reluctantly napping....)

You'd never know these were tropical island dogs!

the snow just covers Cora's boots

weeeeeeeee!

taking a rest on the front porch

just putzing...

Winter's here and we're getting cabin fever. We had some snow this morning, but not feeling 100% we decided to enjoy it from the window.

big girl in her highchair

"Emi as darth vader"

I know this picture is cruel, but we have to document it. Emilia has bronchiolitis and has to do a nebulizer treatment 3 times a day. She's a trooper and seems to be feeling better.

Emi poses for big sissy

fishlips

playing picnic

group nap time on Cora's bed (Greg and I are on the floor)

Happy 7 months, Emilia!

Emi's getting more fun by the day :) She's now sitting without any assistance and is starting to pull herself up. She stands for a few seconds on shaky "sailor legs" that seem to get stronger each day. In addition to "dada," we've heard "mama" a few times!

Check out all that hair!

Somehow, this monthly shot with a label is getting more difficult...

She LOVES her big sister Cora, who gets her to laugh easily.

A new year!

Cora and Caitlin are becoming best of buddies! They seem to have their own language and are in their own world enjoying each other. Poor Emi looks on fondly and hopes to join their fun....

hugging "teddy bear 1" and "teddy bear 2" from Aunt Lynn and Uncle Bob

stopping to enjoy the scenery on a golfcart ride through the neighborhood

practicing the balance beam at the park

Emi enjoying a swing

navigating the grocery cart

Emi teething, yet again...

We are SO blessed! Happy New Year to all!