Sitting Pretty

Hey everyone,

Madison is 8 months old today and I thought I would share her newest accomplishment. I can sit her up and she doesn't lose her balance immediately! She can sit up but not put her self in a sitting position without assistance. I never thought kids/babies were that impressive; but when you see your own child growing and learning right before your eyes it's quite amazing. I also never thought my house would turn into "Romper Room" but what EV! Raising babies has changed my outlook on success; a great day for me is one that Madison stays happy, takes her naps and the Tooth Fairy doesn't cause her too much pain. So far so good on her Teething, she has one the bottom and two on the top, not fully in yet. She is getting two more on the top next to the one's in the middle, they haven't poked through the gums yet but I can feel them and see their outline. Poor little baby, ouch! Tylenol helps with most of it; but we use everything we can, Hyland's teething tablets, baby orajel, motrin etc. . . .She is learning to use those teeth already; she bit Tony the other day when she demanded 2 more oz of milk after finishing 8 oz. She was hungry! She won't let me see her teeth either; little Stinker! Baby food is going better as well; still having issues with orange flavors and strangely enough she loves Squash. . . . I don't know who she gets that one from? So she is just growing like a weed. We haven't tried to crawl so far but I am counting my blessings on that one; then I will really be in trouble!






Love you all and miss you, hope to hear from you soon!

Erin Davis and Madison the Magnificent Baby

Happy Valentine's Day and a Davis Family Update

I wanted to do a cute little Valentine's Day Post but during that time we had wind storms and our internet was down for a few days. I am finally getting a chance to play catch up! Our little Princess is getting her two front teeth; so that will make three total. She has one on the bottom already. There is not a lot of new things going on except we found out Tony is going to MC3 which is not in Monterrey, CA. He decided that he wanted to stay in Tanks for his Company Command and then apply for Post Naval Graduate School (in Monterrey, CA). I am not disappointed because I think we need a break from this state. We will be in KY for 5 months. I am also not sure when this move will take place; except to say, it will be in Summer 2008. Lately we have been busy with keeping the house cleaned for possible showings, so that is a little nerve racking. I hope to have a showing tomorrow in the early afternoon. We are also going to have a Caravan of Realtors in the next few weeks. Twentynine Palms is getting it's very own Casino so that will help the market in our area see a little boom. I am preparing mentally for the future. I know Tony will be with us for at least another year, but he will return to the fleet after MC3 and from there he can (and probably will) deploy again. So we will see what will happen after this election year; that could make a difference. Tony is busy with Mojave Vipers and I am busy with all things domestic. My part is becoming increasingly overwhelming. I am doing alright though; I have a positive attitude and change is good! I appreciate everyone's love, support, and prayers. Enjoy the pictures of MsD; she is growing up too fast for me! She now says, "mama" and "dada"; and yesterday I think she said, "bye bye!" She said mama first and then this weekend we all went hiking and she said dada for the first time. I can't make her stop LOL! She really is amazing. I hope we make it back East before her First Birthday in July 08; wherever we are it will be a special day!

Worth the Wait!

I finally put together Miss Madison's Birth Announcement; at least she isn't a year old yet! I'm sorry I didn't mail them out to eveyone but I hope this will suffice for now. She was worth the wait and we are so thankful for the staff at our hospital. So far she is doing excellent and we are feeling pretty certain that God put us in the right place at the right time. At 6mos, she weighs 16 lb 7.1 oz, and is 25.6" tall. She is rolling over, eating babyfood and some table foods, smiling, laughing, chattering, sleeping all night long, learning baby sign language, and stealing our hearts more each day. We continue to be blessed and amazed by our sweet baby girl. As always, we love and miss everyone and pray for you everyday.

Much Love from the Desert

January 2008 Update and 6 mos pics

I realized yesterday I haven' t taken any pics this year!! Can you believe it? Well, the last thing I photographed was a friends new baby. Welcome to the world Vanessa. . . So, then we all got a stomach virus and I just have had a hard time recovering. I also have started to workout regularly so with my goals changing I have neglected my gorgeous baby's photos sessions. We did get some of her at the park last weekend and I did a little photo shoot yesterday but she was sleepy and she was difficult. My friend is trying to convince me to send her close up to Gerber just to see what will happen. Who knows they may want a "serious" baby for something=) Just kidding! She is starting to smile more now, but as soon as she sees the camera it's, "no smiles for you"! Behaving like a true Diva, ya know. Anyway, we are all better and awaiting our news from the school Tony applied for. We may be moving to Monterrey, CA and we find out in Feb. if he got in. Otherwise, he is saying he will get out by the Fall. I have learned to not say much and not to get my hopes up either way. You never know with the Marine Corps and Tony is really no different. So until I am able to update again I leave you with the pics I have taken recently!

Enjoy and keep in touch.

Mom got her haircut, we went to the park, and I was caught messing with my swing!

Mom tried to take my picture but it was too close to my nap time. She got some cute ones though it just took awhile.

So mom also wanted to get some pictures of me in this adorable dress before it was too late! It finally fits me but it's too cold to wear it outside. Mom still thinks it's adorable though. . . . .looks like I am mad in some of them but I was just excited!

Help! I am being abused by my 6 month old. . . .

Yes, I know you're thinking, "this girl is crazy." But no, I have realized yesterday morning that Madison, in her cute baby way, has become abusive toward me. Then it got me thinking about every mother (and the fathers) and this world wide tragedy. Let me explain the moment that I had my epiphany. I was awakened by my little angel around 5am; not unusual but not her normal habit either. She normally wakes around 7am, has a bottle, and goes back to sleep until 9am. But anyway, we have our bottle 2 hours early. I put her the bed with me and settle in to get my 3 hours of extra sleep. Which I need because I have a sinus infection on the right side of my head. Yes, I know it's strange but I have a headache and swollen nasal passages on the right side only! I haven't been getting much rest due to being half sick. So we are back in the bed and she is playing and getting very upset that I am not up and playing with her at 5am! Not to mention Tony is trying to get that last 15 minutes of sleep before a PFT at 6am that very morning. He finally gets up and she is now in full force talking and flailing around. I reach over and try to calm her a little and the next thing I know there are 3 little knives (her fingers) poking my eye out. I bolt up right in the bed, hot pain searing through my left eye, I'm crying "Huh, Huh"! She is now quiet wondering where I went probably. My eye starts to tear but now my tears are burning my eye which I can't even open. I stumble to the bathroom and tear it up trying to find eye drops. I find them, and try to insert the moist cool liquid in my flaming eye. I can't do it; I can't open my eye. So just as Tony (he is oblivious to any of this) is walking out the door I get to him and he does it for me. NO RELIEF! It doesn't help one bit. So I remember my good doctor telling me the day before to put a warm compress over my right eye to help relieve the pressure. I gently scoop the baby up and put her in the crib and she starts crying and fussing. But now I can't see she has blinded me! I put the moist, warm wash cloth over my eye and it helps. It takes about 30 minutes for my eye and Miss Madison to both calm down. As it becomes quiet again and I start to get drowsy (by now it's 6am), I notice that my Darling Husband has left his back up alarm clock on the night stand. He uses it in case the power goes out and the digital one stops working. Good plan, but it makes this annoying TIC TOC, TIC TOC, TIC TOC. In my mind I am screaming put me out of my misery! You see I am stuck if I make any noise at all Madison will wake up and I won't get my precious sleep that I so desperately want. I can't get to the clock because it's on the other side of the room. So while I am laying there I start fantasizing about being an abused mommy. Mommy just wants a little sleep, what's wrong with that? Then I started thinking I know I am not the only one with this story and there are millions of these kinds of stories, billions. As I lay there, a victim of circumstance, I am reminded of the time when she slapped me across the face at 3 months old, and I think about when I was pregnant with her and I know my abuse started as early as the 6th week. I think of the future and I know this is not over. My beatings have only just begun. Through it all I never once had the idea or inkling to harm by little Angel. I simply moved her away because I needed to attend to my vision problems. She's good too; she knew my right eye was already maimed so she dug deep and got my good eye. So this epidemic of parent abuse is a world wide cause. We have no documentations or police reports to back up anything. The police are no help because they show up and try to handcuff your baby but there little wrists just slip right out. The statics aren't even worth mentioning because this topic is too broad. It's you verses them and they usually win. Tonight Tony and I were tortured by her crying for 2 hours and I knew she was tired. We did everything we could think of, even playing with her just made her mad. I rocked her and she cried, we laid her down and she screamed. This is verbal abuse, I tell you! But in the end we have peace and quiet again. And the best part of all this is we have the most perfect baby in the whole world. All the good times out weigh the tough times. The tough times aren't so bad either. I love being Madison's mom and I can't believe that some mother's (B.S.) don't know how precious there babies are. I don't really consider myself a victim of abuse, but maybe a glutton for punishment! I love my life and I wouldn't trade places with anyone. This story is meant to be funny and light hearted. Please don't misconstrue my rants as crazy talk or that I don't love my baby. Because in the end, "I pity the fool that comes between me and my baby!"

Christmas Presents All for Madison!

As you can see we had a very fun Christmas! Madison joining our family was a really special event for 2007. It was so exciting to see her delighted face for her presents. I know that this will only get richer with joy as she grows and gets wild for Santa Claus coming to see her! Thanks to everyone that sent cards, money, and presents, even though she didn't understand what Christmas was about, your generosity helped, Tony and I, to spoil her for her First Christmas!

God Bless; Best Wishes for 2008 and enjoy the slide show.

**If you scroll over the other slides with music you can turn them off by clicking on the speaker on left corner of the slide.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

My favorite picture, I love the red highlights!

These are the Holiday Pictures from Sears! Madison is not a big grinner yet, she just kept looking at us like okay when ever you do something funny I'll smile. So here we are, 3 adults, making a fool of themselves and this baby looking at us like "what are you doing?, If you were funny I would smile." It was funny! She was so serious but what a sweet face in the photos anyway. I of course know she can't take a bad picture, as any mother would think. I will post pictures of her opening her gifts after the holiday so check back in a few days. . . .

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Happy Festivus from The Davis' and the restivus!

December 23 is officially Happy Festivus! A day for the airing of grievances to anyone you have a grievance with. . . . .

So for me it must be to all of you without kids that give those with kids dirty looks when I'm just trying to take mine out in public and feel normal for a bit. Kids make noise, and remember you were a kid once yourself!

Gear for kids is out of control it takes like 2 hours to prepare for a trip to the grocery store! By the time I get ready it's time to feed her again--Jeez!

Lastly, GAS PRICES!!! Need I say more?



Now for the FEATS OF STRENGTH; Remember Festivus doesn't end until someone is pinned. . . . .

Send your own Festivus Card to air your Greivances go to the link below



http://www.tbs.com/stories/story/0,,38884,00.html


This was just for fun and I haven't blogged in a while so

HAPPY FESTIVUS FROM ERIN DAVIS AND THE RESTIVUS!

My first food

Happy Halloween and My 3 Month Pictures

I'm 3 mos old!

BETTER LATE THAN NOT AT ALL!!! Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

Finally Blogging Again

Hi Everyone, I know it's been about a month since I last blogged. Sorry for the delay. We have been very busy with projects and growing babies and trips over the last few weeks. Baby Madison rolled over for the first time September 30th but the little stinker hasn't done it since. I know she can do it though because I saw her myself. I wanted to video tape it but I haven't gotten her to do it again. I think she is starting to cut teeth. Lots of drool and moments of sheer fussiness for no other apparent reason. She is going to be adorable with little teeth! Baby Madison is super smart, alert and so curious; she loves it when Mommy reads her mind. Her face lights up like the 4th of July as if she is saying, "she does understand me." She will be 4 mos old on November 6th. We have her check up scheduled and I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't get to start with rice cereal. She is actually grabbing onto her little feet since Friday this week. She is definately a mover and a shaker. She is getting too big too fast. Guessing I would say she weighs about 14lbs. now. She is starting to get the chubs on her legs and her wrist and ankles look like someone tied them off with a rubber band. I love waking up to her in the mornings she is full of smiles and sweet noises. I just want to eat her up she is so yummy. We visited an apple farm at the end of September. We picked apples and fed the goats. I love the picture of her holding the basket but you can't see her face-she was looking down or daddy wasn't paying attention.

Tony ended up playing football for the base this year. His team was the Headquarters BN Bulldogs. I think the playoffs should be soon but he isn't going to make it due to work schedules. I took the baby and the dog to one of the games. The dog wore her Bulldogs jersey and the baby her Red Onsie. We had to support our daddy. He is number 45 in the pictures.

Well as I said we were very busy last week, she got to meet some of her relatives for the first time. Like her Grandpa, and Great Grandmother, Great Uncles and Aunts as well as her Uncles and Aunts on both sides of the family tree. I have to say for all the excitement she experienced; I couldn't have asked for a better baby. She saw new people and visited new places everyday, all day and handled it perfectly. She was absolutely perfect on her first plane rides there and back. On the day we were leaving she suddenly found her voice just before we boarded the plane. I think her new cutie pie friend, Lindley Warren (10 mos old), taught her that her voice could go louder. It was so cute but we were worried she would have the other travelers mad at us; we left at 7pm so it was quiet time for most them. She instinctively took her bottle and went to sleep after we took off. She's just an amazing little person. She can now check the box on airplane rides and helicopters! We all had a wonderful time on our whirlwind of a vacation. We got to see some relatives and friends that we hadn't seen in about 5 years. It was awesome to reminisce and catch up with everyone.

Many of you may not know but Tony is working towards resigning from the Marine Corps and he was able to get some networking in on this trip as well. We will most likely be returning to our beloved home state of GA but we do have to consider the pay. We are not opposed to relocating to another state if the money is right. Our dear friend Callie is already prospecting homes for us--she is a doll of person. Now we have the task of making the timing of this situation workout for us. I can't wait to make the 3 day trip with Baby Madison, Rosie and Lizzy the cats, and Bailey the dog. I am either totally crazy or a glutton for punishment but I happily look forward to the challenge. I guess anything to get of CA.

I have posted lots of pictures so feel free to browse. If there is a picture of you that you want removed just let me know and I apologize for any discomfort I may have caused you. Please keep in touch with me and pray for our family knowing ya'll are in our prayers here.



Love
All the Davis girls and the only Man that will have us!

9 weeks old Today

It's official I am a stay-at-home Mommy! I am so happy to be able to give Madison the love and attention she needs and deserves. We our starting to get into a great routine but we do enjoy the days when we have some errands to run. I can not believe Madison is 9 weeks old. It seems like we just brought her home with us a few weeks ago! She is becoming much more aware of her surroundings and making the sweetest cooing sounds, she smiles at everything. She is so curious, gonna be really smart! Lately she has decided that tummy time is the worst. Although she loves being held against our chests and she pushes up off of us. She is getting strong enough to hold her head up for a few minutes now too! I read her a story every night and she is asleep almost the minute I start. Madison has discovered her hands too. She looks at them up close and then watches them open and close. It's truly amazing to watch her learn a new activity. She is starting to understand that her actions cause a reaction; so cool. We are all having a blast with the joys only a family can bring.
Even the pets are getting in on the action. Friday was bath day for everyone; Mommy bathed Madison, Bailey, Rosie and Lizzy. I came out clean as a whistle (no scratches). I saved Lizzy for last; fearing that I would be scratched to pieces, however, she was only vocal with her displeasure. Bailey loves getting in the shower, every time one of us heads off to take one, she is ready to jump in. We have to tell her no sometimes just to take a shower for ourselves! Rosie was not very happy about getting a bath either but what cat is? She wasn't as upset about it as Lizzy was. I took all the 4 legged babies to the vet last week too, and Bailey weighed 46 lbs, Rosie was 10lbs, Lizzy was 9. I was quite surprised with the cat's weights, I knew Rosie was heavier than ever but I thought Lizzy would be much less than Rosie. Oh well you never can tell with cats!?.
Tony and I have enjoyed the past two months being parents and look forward to each new achievement as they develop. We are very much in love with our daughter; afterall, what's not to love about her? Enjoy the pictures we sure have fun taking them.

Leave us a message if you feel like it, just click on the comments tab and type away. The birthday girl is waking up again so I better go.

Love and miss ya'll,
Erin Davis

Madi Pics upto 7weeks old now!

This was 3 days ago, I could not catch her smiling on camera but then. . . . .





I got her! The one above I got when she first woke up; but now she is smiling all the time, my cutie patootie!

I am a happy baby!

Thank You from the Bottom to the Top of our Hearts!

Hey there Everyone,

Just wanted to post some cute pictures of the baby for ya'll. We are kind of tied up with family visits for the next few weeks. Mommy and Daddy are getting a little bit of a break to rest. Madison is getting to know her grandparents and she is loving every minute of it (and so are they)!
I wanted to take this opportunity to say Thank You to everyone for praying for her and our family these past few weeks. The flowers, cards, gifts and offers to help have been so kind. Even though we are several hundred miles away from most of you it really helped to know you cared. The advice and warm wishes have helped Tony and I be able to take each day in stride. Our daughter is so lucky to be so loved by people she doesn't even know; I regret I can't give each of you a great big hug. Know that we are all so appreciative.
Enjoy the pictures, if I can I will try add some video. Although, you may get a little motion sickness, I am not so steady with the video camera. . .

Love
The Davis Family