Starting Up and Summertime at last!

First, let me start by saying that I never intended to start a blog since I never thought my life was all too interesting, but since having a baby I've realized that we do have a lot going on. Maybe no one will be interested in reading about our baby filled lives, but some of you may at least want to see pictures of our little darling. So here we are...also I want to mention that I was slightly peer pressured into doing this from Lindsey. She told me "all the other moms are doing it", and so are some people without kids.

We've officially been on summer break for a week now and its been busy. We've been trying to get some projects around the house done that we couldn't get to during the school year as well as some things to spruce up a bit before Madeline's baptism party next week.

We started the summer with Madeline's first trip to the Market at the Square farmer's market in Urbana. Its something Jared and I love to do on Saturday mornings and we hoped it would be fun for Madeline too. There weren't many products yet, but we went out to breakfast and strolled around the market. We all had a nice morning.

Mom and Madeline at the farmer's market.

Madeline has also been to 2 parties this week. We attended a celebration for our friend Carissa finishing her master's degree and a margarita party at the home of Ashley's mom and stepdad. Madeline was of course quite a hit and everyone remarked how cute she was and what a good baby she was both nights. Here are some pictures of her at the parties. At Carissa's Party.

At the margarita party...no margaritas for Madeline!

We are thinking that our pediatrician may have us start giving Madeline some cereal after her next appointment, so we are getting prepared by taking out the high chair seat and letting her play with some baby spoons. She sits in her "big girl" chair at the table with us while we are eating right now so that she can feel like a part of the family. And we want her to get used to sitting in the chair. Its also nice to have her in there while one of us is cooking in the kitchen. She gets to see more of what we are doing and the toys on her chair really seem to keep her entertained. Its fun to see her grow, but we are trying not to let it go by too fast. Everyone we meet in public tells us to cherish every minute with her because they grow so quickly.

Big girl in her high chair!

All in all the start to the summer has been busy. Next week Mom starts work at the University and Dad starts his class and we will be getting ready for Madeline's baptism and party afterwards.