3rd Night's a Charm!!

As I blogged a couple of days ago, Madison's first night in her "big girl bed/room" didn't go so well.  We counted, and ended up putting her back to bed FIFTY TIMES!!  Well, the next night, Sunday, she stayed at her Oma & Opa's house, but Monday night we were back to the transition of changing rooms, and it only took 7 times of putting her back to bed.  Tonight is night 3 and. . .she went down easily!!! Ironically, she was a terror today for me (I'm on Christmas break) and I just about lost my mind having her all day, but when I went to blow off some steam at the gym, she went to bed without struggle for George.  I'm just happy she's asleep in her new room!!  Jayden is sleeping in the crib for the 3rd night in a row, so we officially have our room back!

BTW, Madison is now saying 4 word sentences!!!  She communicates so well, it amazes us everyday.  She loves to say, "turn the lights on?" when we pull in the garage because she wants to turn the Christmas lights on and, "Mommy/Daddy where are you?" when she's looking for one of us!!  Sadly, she started calling me "Mom" today, instead of her usual "Mommy".  I like being Mommy!

Maddie moves to "Big Girl Room". . . long night

George and I decided tonight was the night to move Madison into her "pink room" to sleep in her twin bed so that we can move Jayden into the nursery with the crib because he's quickly out growing his bassinet.  Well, I thought everything was going well at first: drank milk, took a bath, brushed teeth, read books, and then layed her down for night night.  Two hours later. . . she was finally asleep.  BUT, one hour after that, she was up crying and coughing.  George is up with her now (it's 12:30am), and she's still crying and coughing.  We have a humidifier in her room,  and she hasn't coughed all day (although she was coughing this morning), so I'm not sure what's going on with her.  I wish this didn't have to be so hard.  Transitioning is so tough on little ones.  Why can't she just go to sleep in her new bed???  This was why we decided to try it on a Saturday, so that neither one of us has to work tomorrow. 
Wish us luck!

Madison's 1st Haircut

On Tuesday, December 22nd, we took Madison for her first haircut.  Part of me had a hard time having her haircut because she has so little hair to begin with, but the mullet look HAD to go, so off it went.  She started out seeming all excited, but quickly switched to her nervous face when she got into the chair.  The, the tears started falling and didn't stop the WHOLE time!!!  The poor hairdresser tried many things to calm her and finally got her to giggle and relax by allowing her to spray a mirror with water over and over.  Now Maddie's hair doesn't look very different from the front, but the back is cut like a bob and looks good!

Before haircut

After haircut - NO mullet!

Looking nervous right after she sat down.

Then the tears started flowing.

December Update

Jayden was 4 months on November 30th, but we didn't get in to his doctor's appointment until midway through December, so his stats may be a bit off.  He is 17lbs 11oz (almost 90th percentile!) and 25.5 inches (50th percentile).  He is holding is head up very well, and although he doesn't really enjoy tummy time, he is getting better at staying on his tummy for longer increments.  He also rolled over for the first time the other day, so he is definitely getting interested in moving around on his own!

Madison hasn't had a doctor's visit in awhile, but I did let her step on the scale at one of my Weight Watchers meetings a couple of weeks ago and she's 27 pounds!  She talks constantly (can't imagine who she gets that from :-p ) and is an interesting mixture of being a daredevil, yet cautious.  She is such a big helper around the house and with Jayden and absolutely LOVES Elmo!

We have had some trying times this month:  George's car broke down, we had a toilet overflow upstairs and leak through the downstairs ceiling, and then my car window was bashed in at work (luckily nothing was taken and no one was hurt).  Through all of these hurdles, we are reminded how lucky we are in life and how family is more important than stuff.

Here's a picture of their visit to Santa Claus.  Their Oma, Nana, Grammie, Great Aunt Annette, and cousin Peter took them while George and I worked because it was the best time to do it without much of a crowd.  We were bummed not to be there, but appreciate our family taking them and getting such a great picture!

Going for my Master's Degree

Well, it's official. . . I'm applying to Graduate School!  I'm so excited and nervous at the same time.  My application process is not complete however, just the actual application is turned in and I'm in the process of collecting/producing all of the required paperwork (recommendations, transcripts, personal statement, etc).  I'm applying for a Master's of Education in Curriculum & Technology: Integrated Teaching Through the Arts.  it sounds like such a great program for me and it is SO convenient, only meeting one weekend a month.  So, wish me luck all.  I plan to get all of the paperwork in by next week and will hopefully hear from them soon!

George saved Madison's Life!

Today, for the 2nd time in the last month or so, George basically saved Madison's life by pounding on her back to get her to cough up food stuck in her throat!!!  So scary!!!  I was at the gym BOTH times it happened, and am so grateful that George is fast on his feet!  Life is so precious.

Snowfall in Auburn!

December 6th brought SNOW to much of northern California, especially in the foothills, so I HAD to take the kids up to my parent's home in Auburn to play.  Madison seemed to enjoy playing in the snow and making a snowman with her Papa.  She talked about her snowman all the way home!  It was such a beautiful sight to see Auburn covered in snow!
Also, we took the kids to Auburn's Festival of Lights on December 5th.  It was cold, but we were bundled pretty well and enjoyed the small town tradition.

Our beautiful family- Madison 20mo & Jayden 4mo

Happy Thanksgiving!

     There are so many wonderful things to be thankful for this year.  November 24th marked one year from when I found out that I was, shockingly, pregnant with Jayden.  It was such a scary time for me, but it has turned out to be such a wonderful blessing!!  George and I are SO happy to have him in our lives and complete our happy family.  I'm also so thankful for my beautiful daughter.  Madison is pure entertainment these days, constantly copying words we say, laughing, and dancing around. 
     I am also thankful for extended family.  We spent the holiday at George's parents' house in Roseville, and my parents and grandmother came too.  All of our family holidays are spent together like that.  To us, it's normal but I know that most people don't have this luxery and I'm thankful for it.  Unfortunately, this year my brother and his girlfriends weren't able to make it due to illness and we missed them terribly!  Additionally, I am so thankful for all of my friends.  A sentence I'm sure you've heard many times, but I TRULY mean it.  I just wish I was able to see them more.  Thank goodness for social websites like Facebook because they allow me to keep in touch.
    Especially at this point in our nation's history, I am thankful that George and I both have jobs, and ones we love.  

Last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for my amazing husband, George.  Without him, my life would seem empty.  He is everything all of those romantic comedies portray the lead male character to be. . . he truly does complete me.  I love you babe!

Family Portraits 2009

 

 

 

On Monday, November 23rd, we took family portraits fr the fall and our Christmas pictures.  Our good friend Julio Rodriguez does photography on the side through his own company JR-Imaging www.jr-imaging.com.  For those of you that have attempted family portraits with little ones, you can appreciate how exhausted we were after only a 1-hr session.  Not to mention the fact that the kids took turns crying and having meltdowns.  In the end, we got some great photos that will add to our memories.

Halloween 2009

If you know the Delzer family, you know that we LOVE Halloween! this year, Madison had TWO costumes, a fairy and a ladybug, as well as Jayden, a pumpkin and a giraffe. We enjoyed several events: George's work's fall event, my school's fall festival, Apple Hill, and a special Halloween photo shoot with baby friends Trip (Wayne) and Elle (Eleanor). Madison attempted Trick-or-Treating, but wanted to go home after the first house. Oh well, we'll see what she thinks next year. She did, however, enjoy passing out candy! Jayden was 3 months on 10/30 and Madison was 19 months on 10/31.

Maddie's first pony ride (at Apple Hill):


Madison is SO strong!


My adorable ladybug!!!!


A cute fairy with Mommy at my work's Fall Festival:


Spooky Halloween photo shoot with Julio Rodriguez:

Doctor's Visit

Today Madison had her 18-month doctor's visit at the same time as Jayden's 2-month visit and here are the stats:

Madison: 27lbs and 33 in (She has grown 3 inches in only 3 months!)

Jayden: 13lb 11oz and 23 in (birth was 7lb 10oz and 19in)

Madison is such a chatterbox and it's so adorable!
In the last three nights, Jayden slept for 9, 10, and 10 hours straight!!!!!

Photos of Madison at 17 months

Here are some updated photos of Madison at 17 months - September 2009

Excited for her first potty:


At a local fair:


With our family's favorite character:


Playing with her favorite thing, sand:


Mmmm, ice cream:


Working on her Top Model pose with mommy:


Her current favorite food - pizza!:


Her first flu sickness, poor girl:


"Cheese!":

Jayden is growing!

Here are some pictures of Jayden during his 2nd month, September 2009:

Daddy found a new way to put him to sleep:


Our little muscle man at the Gold Country Fair:


Showing off his new smile!!!:


Gatta love these looks:

Tube-N-Que with Nathan

On Sunday, September 6th, I took the kids to their Uncle Nate's event called Tube-N-Que at Lotus Park. He started the company TubeNation with some friends, designing and creating canvas covers for tubes used in the river. We had a great time seeing what kind of work he does, eating good food, and enjoying the river. Here are some pictures:

Nathan showing our parents a thing or two about life jackets:


Madison enjoying one of the tubes:


Posing for the camera at the river:


Our 2 darlings in matching outfits:

First Bath Together

On August 18th, our two kiddos took their first bath together. They are so cute!! Jayden seems to really enjoy the water, although he gets fussy afterwards because then he gets cold. We were impressed how well Madison and Jayden did bathing together and are looking forward to baths together for years to come. Here are some pics:




Poor baby:

First Sink Bath At Home

On Jayden's 5th day of life, we finally got around to giving him his first sink bath. He seemed to really enjoy the warm water, but didn't like feeling cold afterward. Madison seems to really enjoy being a big sister and loves to give "JJ" (her nickname) kisses. Life is good as a family of four, especially since George is home from work. Once he goes back on Thursday, however, I'm a little nervous about giving both kiddos enough attention.

Madison loves her little brother!:


"I'm so cold!" says Jayden:


Daddy's turn:


Mommy's turn:

Comparing Our Two Kiddos

THIS IS FUN! Below are photos of Madison and Jayden during their first few days of life. I think that they sometimes look different and sometimes look so similar! Jayden is the top photo each time.


Jayden:

Madison:

Jayden @ first doc visit:

Madison @ first doc visit:

Jayden at the hospital with Papa's bib:

Madison at hospital with Papa's bib:



Video of how Madison loves to give "JJ" kisses:

Jayden Allen Joseph is born!

We are proud to announce the arrival of Jayden Allen Joseph on July 30, 2009 at 9:05am. He was a healthy 7lbs 10oz and 19 inches long. The same length as Madison and exactly one pound heavier. My labor was very hard (what labor isn't), but the delivery was smooth because he decided to come out in ONE PUSH! It happened SO fast that unfortunately Penny (Oma) didn't get to the hospital on time to witness the birth. We came home on Saturday and are getting used to having two children one day at a time.

Family Portrait:


1 day old


Proud Daddy:


Right after birth: