Madeleine's 52-Week Quilt

Well, hello.

I've been off living life and not blogging, but I decided to stop by to document a couple of things. As I recently finished a quilt, I realized that I never shared Madeleine's 52-week quilt, so named because I used fabric from her 52-week photo project. In doing so, I'll share a bit of her new room. Oh yeah, we moved. :-)

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw the process of making half square triangles, working out the design, and eventually only using a small fraction of the pieces I'd originally cut/sewn. In the end, I'm really happy with the quilt, which was my first using half square triangles and my first free motion quilting, done on my domestic machine. I have fallen for free motion quilting in a big way.

The quilt is pretty much reversible because I backed it with this fabric that I picked up ages ago in Kaui. Madeleine calls it the Hawaii side. It was a challenge to get the pattern to match up at the necessary seam, but I love the fabric - so bright and bold. Both sides go with her newly painted walls (Benjamin Moore Antiguan Sky).

As much as this quilt makes me swell with pride, I feel like it wasn't really living up to its potential until I added the bunting to the walls, which was the inspiration for the pattern in the first place.

Sweet Madeleine regularly thanks me for her quilt, so I'm going to call it a big success.

Little Plus Quilt

It's been a while since the 52-week photo/fabric project concluded, and you might be wondering what I'm doing with 52 yards of fabric. Before the project concluded, I cut into the fabric stash to make a little quilt to give Madeleine for her first birthday. The quilt was meant to go with the doll we gave her, Stella.

I wanted to wait until after the birthday to share it, and, in doing so, I've nearly forgotten to share it with you. So, here is Stella's little plus quilt in all its crinkly, busy goodness:

Madeleine loves to lay on it, wrap it around her, and use it to play peek-a-boo. Hopefully she'll use it to keep Stella warm one day down the road.

Madeleine - Week 52

Funny what happens when the stomach flu sweeps through your house beginning a day before three guests arrive. That should give you an idea about why I've been MIA.

Alas, we're all well again, and here we are with the final installment of Miss Madeleine's 52-week photo project. I don't really know how to properly wrap up this series, so I'll just say that Madeleine's posed weekly photos might be done, but I can't wait for the rest of Madeleine to continue into this next year of her life and beyond. The love and joy that she brings to our family and the world around her is simply beyond words. I love you, Sweet Madeleine!

And, with that, our baby girl will turn one tomorrow.

Madeleine - Week 51

I'm not sad that it's the penultimate weekly photo, but I am starting to get a bit weepy about my baby turning one and transitioning out of more and more baby tendencies. How is it even possible? Then again, hasn't she always been part of our family? I digress.

Someone once told me that it takes 13 times to make something a habit. Apparently the number for me is higher than 51 because I nearly forgot today's photo between breakfast, playing, working from home, an excruciatingly difficult circuit training class, working from home, and making the first pie of the season. As a result of my forgetfulness, this week's photo is pajama themed. Even just before bed, our girl is still rolling, crawling, and climbing everywhere. Oh yeah, and moments after this photo was taken, she used her TWO teeth to bite me during a feeding. Ouch.

Madeleine - Week 50

It's been a big week in our house. For starters, I've accepted a part-time contract job, which will allow me to dip my feet back in the law while doing most of my work from home. I love the balance it's bringing to my life and hope that we can make it work well for the whole family. I'm also hoping that it won't interfere too greatly with blogging or crafting, but I already missed my Monday post this week, so we'll see. 

In more exciting news, Madeleine finally sprouted her first tooth. I have yet to see it as she's ferociously protective, but I have most definitely felt the tooth. If the swelling in the gums next to it is any indication, it won't be alone for long. With the first tooth comes tooth brushing; fortunately, she loves it. 

She's continuing to be a pretty good eater and seems to have moved on from the (really aggravating) phase of throwing her food on the floor. I'm in the process of weaning her with the hope of serving my last boob juice shortly after her first birthday. I have mixed feelings and can't believe it's already been nearly a year since I so frequently wondered if I'd make it to one month, let alone one year. 

Miss M continues to be rather vocal, and we're pretty sure she said "banana" and "all done" within this past week. George thinks she's trying to repeat some Spanish words, too, which is pretty neat. She has figured out how to turn on the radio to NPR in her room, which George and I think is pretty amazing and appropriately geeky. 

She's still only standing on her own for a few seconds and sitting pretty much as soon as she realizes what she's doing. No steps yet, either, but Madeleine is a very effective crawler. She has pretty well mastered going up stairs and is getting the hang of going down stairs safely. 

In the play department, Madeleine loves passing a ball ("ba") back and forth. She could do it for about an hour at a time if the adult on the other end could stand it that long. In true Kiwi fashion, she figured out her Buzzy Bee this week, too. 

Our girl is growing up, and it's hard to believe we've gotten to this point so quickly. Oh yeah, and you probably want to see this week's photo, huh? She is sporting some serious squirrel cheeks as she couldn't bear to part with the cucumbers from lunch. 

Madeleine - Week 49

Holy cow - it's Madeleine's birthday month! I can't get over how fast time has passed this last year. Ok, maybe not the first few weeks of the last year but most of the last year.

This week's photo celebrates Madeleine's love for exploring the world around her. (Please forgive her for sitting side on the fleur-de-lis.) She wants to explore, feel, see, taste, climb, smell, and really experience everything around her. It's exciting to watch and exhausting to keep her from hurting herself or completely destroying the house. Mostly, though, I think back to the baby preparation class where I said my biggest hope was for a curious child.

In celebration of Madeleine's curiosity, warm weather making its way to the Pacific Northwest, and the final week before the home stretch into the 50s, I'll share some photos from yesterday's water sensory play.

Madeleine - Week 48

What a difference a week makes! Madeleine is showing some definite attitude and opinion in this last week, including launching food off of her tray at meal times. She has been chatting up a storm, including lots of "dog" and variations on "daddy." I'm pretty sure she thinks my name is "no."

Here's a glimpse into this morning:
   Me: Whose banana am I picking up off the floor?
   Madeleine: Daddy!

Despite Madeleine's new toddler tendencies, things are looking a bit brighter as last night we had our first uninterrupted night of sleep in more than two months. (Knock on wood!)

This week's photo features Madeleine's first official pair of shoes. We decided that it was time to protect her feet so that she can practice cruising (and eventually walking) when we're out and about. Doesn't she look grown up in them?!

Madeleine - Week 47

Madeleine continues to progress a little each day and week. I can't believe she'll be 11 months next Monday!

She's doing more cruising rather than always relying on crawling, and she has a remarkable amount of speed going up stairs. She's still hesitant going down the one stair into our family room, so we haven't encouraged her to try going down the big stairs.  

Madeleine has been signing pretty well the last couple of weeks. Vocally, when we repeat a word to her, she is often imitating the intonation with her response. Yesterday, I would swear that she repeated "dog," but we're having a bit of debate on whether it's her first word. Thankfully, it was caught on video, so we can replay it a million times. I'm sure she'll love that at her 21st birthday.

Madeleine is still a great eater; last night she ate a large quantity of gnocchi and bit of fresh mozzarella. 

I'm really pleased with her social development and was in motherhood heaven yesterday when I watched Madeleine and her friends chase each other through a tunnel during a play date. They were really playing with each other! 

I need to measure our tall girl because several of her pants are suddenly too short. Perhaps growing pains (and never ending teething) could be to blame for much (much, much, much) interruption in the sleep department. Unfortunately, Madeleine still doesn't have any pearly whites poking through. 

Madeleine - Week 46

It's been another rough week in our house as I'm dealing with some surgery complications (allergic reaction and/or skin infection...think lots of itching) and Madeleine is teething up a storm. There are two pronounced bumps in her lower jaw that are showing a bit of white. This, along with lots of unexplained crying, exciting diapers (too much information?), and a baby with her hand constantly in her mouth, tells me that Miss M is not going to be a toothless wonder for too much longer.

Madeleine continues to be a rock star eater. We really only feed her "baby" food when we're having something she absolutely can't have; otherwise, she eats what we eat. She loves roasted red peppers and devoured her spaghetti and lamb bolognese sauce last night. Over the weekend, George introduced her to Vegemite (she liked it), and yesterday I gave her her first bit of chocolate, Whittaker's dark chocolate (she liked it). Any frustration in the messes she leaves behind is far outweighed by the happiness I derive from seeing her enjoy food. And she does enjoy it!

Miss M takes after her father as a climber. Over the weekend, she twice got herself onto the couch by putting her table up to it, climbing onto the table, and then climbing onto the couch. She is standing unassisted for longer and longer, up to about 20 seconds, but she always ends up seated as soon as she realizes what's going on. It's interesting to see how she is fearless in some ways and utterly cautious in others. Madeleine doesn't stay where she doesn't want to be for long because she is a speed crawler and avid puller upper.

Evidently, the language center in her brain is working at top speed because she has returned to signing within the last week or so. I much prefer a sign of "all done" to banging on the highchair tray, so this is very welcome! Madeleine will sometimes imitate things we say, like repeating two syllables of gibberish after "hello" or three after "banana." Again, really neat to see develop!

Enough talk...or did you skip to here? No judgment passed.

Here is this week's photo, showing a girl on the move and chewing on her hands:

I was lucky enough to catch George on his way out the door for photo assistance this morning. I thought you might like to see what it's like as I have the camera ready and George tries to keep Madeleine in one place for more than a second.

Even though I've been slacking in the blogging department, I promise that I've been crafting up a storm, averaging a project a day this week with two more slated for tomorrow. More posts are coming, so check back later this week.

Madeleine - Week 45

Apologies for such a delayed weekly photo. I assure you that the photo was taken on time, and the post has a good excuse for being delayed...but more on that later.

For now, enjoy a picture of our sweet Madeleine in all of her smiley glory.

Madeleine - Week 44

Miss M started her day a bit early today (5:40am rather than her normal 7:30am), so she was a bit tired when I decided to do her weekly photo before breakfast.

An early morning and being a bit tired didn't stop her from exploring.

I must admit that I'm rather looking forward to these weekly photos being over. It is very nearly impossible to get more than two or three photos of her sitting or laying on the fabric, even when I repeatedly place her back on it. Hopefully our subsequent children (fingers crossed and not for a little while) will understand when they only get monthly photos for the first year.  :-)

Madeleine - Week 43

Madeleine continues to be busy and mobile. She has stood up alone a few times but sits down as soon as she realizes what she's doing. She's also become adventurous and today ate her first handful of dirt. May it be her last! I just love watching her explore her world and become more confident in socializing.

As the weather continues to get warmer and sunnier, I'm enjoying the transition into her spring and summer wardrobe. Of course!

Madeleine - Week 42

Madeleine is moving. She crawls when she wants to get somewhere quickly and isn't afraid to pull up on just about anything. Over the last week, I've seen her doing more one-handed holds and getting more curious about moving while standing up. She is also well on her way to mastering walking behind her little walker cart.

Our sweet girl continues to be a good eater. This week, she had her first Chipotle soft taco, enjoyed the taste of lemon on pasta, and seemed to (mostly) enjoy salmon, ground buffalo, roasted red peppers, cannellini beans, and brussels sprouts with dill. 

I thought I heard Madeleine repeat "duck" when she was playing in the bath. There is certainly something clicking in the language center of her brain because this week she both responded appropriately to a question I asked in Spanish and started signing some things we haven't used in weeks. 

Madeleine has made big strides in the social department this week. After a few difficult visits to our gym's childcare, she finally had a tear-free visit yesterday. I noticed a difference in how much she socialized with the other kids in our mom/baby group as well. While I'm glad that she is attached to me, what a relief to see her more comfortable without me!

Finally, despite a day or two of teething, lots of drool, and a runny nose, Miss M is still toothless. I guess I'll just continue to enjoy that sweet toothless grin and appreciate that gnawing on her crib doesn't yet leave a mark. 

Madeleine - Week 41

Here is our busy girl, planning her next adventure:

Madeleine - Week 40

This is a big one. Madeleine was born at exactly 40 weeks, so she has now spent as much time outside as she did inside.

In labor - evening of June 26, 2012

12 hours old - morning of June 28, 2012

George and I are more aware everyday that Madeleine is inching closer to toddlerhood and away from infancy. She crawls proficiently, pulls up at every chance, and occasionally cruises from stationary item to stationary item. She continues to eat virtually anything we give her, including chicken tikka masala this week. And, even though she has hit a rough patch in the sleep department, we think we'll keep her. :-)

This is probably my favorite NZ fabric to date. How many of the birds can you name?

Madeleine - Week 39

Today is Madeleine's 9-month birthday. Unfortunately, our camera (or lens) is rather sick and decided to stop working before I was able to capture as good of shot as I'd like. At any rate, this week's photo shows Madeleine on the move, which is entirely accurate. She is mobile and curious. I love it!

Madeleine - Week 38

Madeleine is growing, changing, and developing every single day. I can't believe how quickly her recent milestones have approached.

Just yesterday, she wasn't all that interested in crawling, but today she is crawling (military style) everywhere...especially when it's into trouble (electric sockets, anyone?). It seems like yesterday when we started going to mom/baby aerobics (mom does aerobics while wearing baby); at our last class she played on the floor with her friend, Jack, instead of being worn. Madeleine is obsessed with standing, though we lowered her crib mattress to its lowest setting after discovering that she could pull herself up on the middle setting. Speaking of obsessions, she has been really interested in pulling her socks off at every opportunity. I have a feeling that the devious look she gives me post sock removal is one I'll frequently see in about 13 years.

For today's photoshoot, we decided to honor the first day of spring...even though it is blustery outside. At least the pouring rain and wind are mixed with a healthy dose of sunshine. Who says it always rains in Seattle?

Madeleine - Week 37

Apologies for the delayed posting. Madeleine and I spent part of this week in Dallas with our friends, Denaye and David (and their adorable Havanese, Lucy), and some technical difficulties prevented me from retrieving the photos from my camera until we returned.

Anyway, it was a HUGE week in Madeleine's life. On Tuesday, she took her first crawl in Denaye and David's backyard. She has also started to regularly demonstrate that she can go from laying to sitting and back again on her own. While Madeleine is still toothless, the swollen bumps on her lower jaw, unusual fussiness, and extra saliva indicate that teeth are not far away (although, haven't I been saying that since last year?!). Miss M continues to enjoy a wide variety of food; she ate pancakes, dill pickle, pulled pork, brisket, and smoked turkey while we were in Texas. Yum!

For me, this week was special because I got to introduce two of the most important ladies in my life to each other.

I'm also rather fond of this week's outfit and Amy Butler fabric, so let's move on to photos - shall we?

And a special thanks to this week's production assistants, Denaye and Lucy:

Madeleine - Week 36

I'm happy to report that our pleasant little girl has returned! Madeleine was diagnosed with an ear infection last Thursday, and she started to return to normal within a few hours of the first dose of antibiotics.

Madeleine continues to work on moving forward, and I really feel that it's going to happen any moment now. She is very interested in moving and has started to put her knees under her bottom more consistently. Meanwhile, she is showing interest in pulling up on things and building leg strength for walking. Yikes!

This has been a very exciting week in the food department. Madeleine has shown a strong and somewhat sudden interest in finger foods. She particularly enjoyed steamed broccoli (that's my girl!) and tortillas. My latest batch of baby muffins (blueberry) was the most well received thus far. Although we're still feeding her some pureed foods, it is really thrilling to make her a version of whatever we're eating for dinner!

Although a bit lot out of focus, here's our girl:

I must also show this week's production assistants:

Grandma Janie & Madeleine

Madeleine & Sophie

Thank you for the adorable dress, Sally!!

Madeleine - Week 35

To fairly document something, you have to show the good, the bad, and the ugly. This week is a combination of the latter two. Today is Miss Madeleine's 8 month birthday, but she is one sick sweet girl. She has been enduring congestion and coughing since the weekend and a fever the last two days. Her doctor wants us to treat it at home until she has three days of fever, so we may be paying one of Madeleine's favorite people a visit tomorrow or Friday if things don't shape up quickly. 

In the development realm, Madeleine made big progress toward crawling on Monday when she figured out how to get her knees properly under her and move them. She is really just a wink away from moving forward! 

Note to mamas, mamas-to-be, and those shopping for the aforementioned people: In addition to the best nose sucker out there (also referenced here), consider treating your wee one to some Hanna Andersson pajamas. Because they're footless, they fit well for a long time. (Looks like they're having a sale at the moment, too!) We're lucky to have an outlet nearby, but (at least here) they are also plentiful on the secondhand market because they hold up really well. In fact, the ones M is wearing in the photo came from a secondhand store, have been worn by her for months, and still look brand new. 

And, no, I was not asked or compensated for my honest opinion about these two great products. :-)