We had a great time back in the Sault visiting my family. Madeleine just adores my parents...everything was 'Grandpa, wait', 'Grandpa is?', 'Grandpa, close the door'. The weather didn't really cooperate, snow/wind/rain, but oh well! On Tuesday we drove down to Detroit for a flight on Wednesday; both Madeleine and Stella were good on the 6 hour drive {even though Madeleine didn't sleep}. When we arrived, we saw my cousin Holly and her oh so cute little boy, Dane. He had so much fun showing Mads all of his fun toys and the super cool park by their house! That night Madeleine had a sleepover in my parents hotel room, which she LoVeD!

Grandpa and Stella

Aunt Beth and Clare who came up from Grand Rapids!!!

Blocks from when I was a kid!

Swimming...no fear on Madeleine's part;)

The girls

Sideways...

Smile!

Stella is smiling and 'talking' a ton now. This just started in the the middle of April.

This was one of Stella's first smiles...at home in Michigan.

These are her smiles now!

Can't forget about Mads and Momma!

Up North

We made it to Michigan around 9pm on Tuesday, 4/12. Both girls did a great job on the flights, I had Stella in the Moby wrap and Madeleine locked down in her car seat for both flights. Luckily Mads decided to wait until Grandma and Grandpa's before she started to get bratty. During our layover in Detroit, she enjoyed the water fountain and the tunnel with lights which connected terminals A and B/C. We even took the tram so she could ride on the train!

We had a pretty busy weekend, between seeing my parents friends at a couple different restaurants, me going to lunch and for drinks with an old friend, then seeing all of our family for lunch yesterday. Today, Monday, we woke up to about 6 inches of snow on the deck.

My parents live on the water so Madeleine loves seeing the Big Boats! We don't see these in Utah!

As I write this, she is currently opening and closing the bedroom door during nap-time. Awesome.

A boat behind us
A 'Big Boat'

It's kinda sloppy out

The red wagon Peter and I used to play in
The girls in hats made by grandma!

Happy Birthday, Stella!

We miss you, Dadda!

call me crazy

I'm taking both kids...by myself...to da Soo. Two flights and a three hour layover later, we'll be there...taking off Tuesday.

the map we drew


blurry phone pics


Mads giving Elmo the pacifier


Stella in the super cute outfit from Cousin Shirley

Seven weeks old this past Friday. We had a pretty relaxing week, but Monday went by well! On Friday we all went up to SLC looking for more houses which are closer to both of our jobs; Madeleine wasn't too happy with us. For the past three or four days we've woken up to snow (in April). I guess April snow showers bring May flowers?

Stella is (was) 6 weeks old this past Friday, how time flies! She isn't really doing too much, as Mark says, this is her boring stage. She eats, sleeps and uses up all our energy. Last night she slept for about 6 hours straight which was nice. She still likes to be held so I wear her a lot in one of my wraps which I made. As for eating, she's still nursing really well and when she does have a bottle (once or twice a day with Mark) she'll eat apx. 3 1/2 oz. I think I caught a smile today as well... She has gone on a few field trips with Madeleine and I over the past weeks...

A few weeks ago we went to the Bean Museum at BYU (Mads thought it was an indoor zoo because of the all the animals/fish/insects).

The next week we met some of my old work friends at the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point. She loved all the dinosaurs...just so happened that 2 of the TV shows she watched earlier in the morning involved dinosaurs as well...coincidence? There were two different sand pits where she could 'dig' for fossils; needless to say, she was sad when we left. Now when ever we drive past Thanksgiving Point, she says 'MamaMamaMamaMoreDinosaurs' while doing the sign for 'more'.

Then, this past Friday we all went to the Hogle Zoo! All week long, I was telling Madeline if it was nice, then we'd take her to the zoo. Well, it turned out to be in the low 70's so a zooing we went. The whole morning I heard 'Zoo? No, I wait' or 'Zoo? I take a bite' (she had to eat first) or 'Baby byebye too?' One of the great things about Marks new job are the hours, in addition to being home by 6 every night, he typically can leave early on Friday's as well...so, he could join us!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure I have pictures of the past events, if i find them, I'll load them later.

Out of Mads' mouth lately...
Airplane! Go bye bye airplane!
Mark to Madeline: where's Dada's hair
Madeleine: All gone!
Kitty...NO (i think we say that too much)
Baby-bonk! (while hitting their heads together)
Snow Snow, burr (because when it's 70 one day, we receive 3 inches of snow the next)
Backpack Backpack (continues to sing the entire song from Dora) BTW, if my name was Dora, she would listen to EVERYTHING I say...cause she listens to Dora everyday doing what she asks
MamaMamaMamaMoreJuice (or Dora or GoGo or anything else she wants)
Mama, play more friends. (this one makes me feel bad)

1 Month

It's hard to believe that a month has already flown by. I was really afraid I wouldn't be able to handle two kids...I can barely take care of Mads without going nuts! But, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think two kids is easier that one. Now, don't get me wrong...I'm crazy busy, but the time goes by SO MUCH FASTER than with just one.

Stella had her 2 week appointment on 3/7...here are her stats:
Weight: 8lbs 1oz (48%)
Height: 20 inches (25%)
Head: 35 cm (25%)

She's pretty good about 'sleeping though the night'. Doctors say 5 hours is considered sleeping, although I consider 8 hours. She will get up at 2am to eat and again around 6 or so. Since about her 3rd or 4th day home, she's had no formula, so I'm pretty happy about that. Just the other day she started making cooing noises; either that or little screams, I prefer to think it's the former.
Here's the Big Sister...being goofy as always.

...Don't let the innocent face fool you...

The Taub Girls

Madeleine has been really good with Stella, which I'm very surprised/happy about! She even tries to blow the baby's nose with a burp rag...then we have to remind her that we don't sufficate the baby:-)