A day at the Cannery

Last summer my parents made an appointment to go to the cannery to can some food storage. On Monday the day finally arrived, they were booked that far in advance. Alan and I have really been trying to focus on getting our food storage up. With all the uncertainty in the world right now we just feel that it is really important.

We canned 72 cans altogher for Alan and I, Beth and Jeff, my parents, and Alan's parents. We actually had a really good time and it only took us like an hour to do it. That's my dad and Alan's dad in the background.

Here is Me, Beth, and Madison. Madison did really well the whole time. She just sat there and watched. I think that because there was so much going on she didn't get bored.

So I said that once I got my hair colored I would put a picture of me on here. I love my hair! Alison did such a good job with the cut and color. It's definitely different than I have ever had it, but I think it's perfect. Thanks so much Ali!!!

On Monday my mom had to take my grandpa to the hospital. I guess he was having a hard time breathing and she had thought for a while that he had pneumonia, but he is so stubborn he wouldn't go to the hospital. Finally she forced him to go and it was a good thing. Apparently they think he had a pretty minor heart attack and they are having to give him blood transfusions. It was a good thing she went when she did though. We went and visited him tonight and he seems to be doing well, but he for sure doesn't want to be there. The doctor wants him to stay for rehab, but he said he's leaving before that, he just has to find a way out. That's what he said tonight, he is so funny. Anyway, just keep him in your prayers.

Madison's Blessing

Hey all,

Just FYI, we are planning to bless Madison on January 4th. Our church is at 1:00 and it is the chapel on Bluff street just after the Stadium 8 theaters on the way out to Winchester Hills. Let me know if you need better directions. Hope to see you there!

Some Random Stuff

I have to start off with my beautiful baby girl. She is finally starting to fit into some of her clothes!!! I love that. When we went to the doctor for her 2 week appointment she weighed 6 lb. 1 oz. So she has grown a little bit, which is very reassuring. She stays awake more during the day which is fun, even though she still just lays there, it's fun to feel like she is looking back at me at least.

We went to Denny's with my family last week sometime and I just had to put this picture of Garrett on here. Garrett loves to dip food in anything. It doesn't really matter what it is, if it dips he likes it. The best was bananas in marinara sauce. He finally decided that just dipping his fingers and licking it off was the best way. He got a little messy, but isn't he just adorable?

I know what you're thinking...where the heck did she buy that amazing blanket? Wrong! I made it. I have to toot my own horn a little bit here. I decided when I first got pregnant that I wanted to make a blanket for Madison. I finished it honestly the weekend before she was born. Beth helped me. I would not have been able to do it without her. She's an amazing seamstress. But I think it turned out so well, so I had to put it on here.

And last, but not least, here is Madison and Daddy. Madison pretty much was our present this Christmas (as you can see, her onesie has a ribbon on it.) We went over to my parents at 8:30 on Christmas morning so Alan was quite tired that day.

I haven't taken a picture of it yet, but I also got Alison to cut my hair last night and it turned out so stinking cute. I love it!! Thanks Ali. We are coloring it on Tuesday, I can't wait. So I will take a picture when I get it colored and put it on here.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone! I just wanted to let everyone know how grateful I am for all of the many blessings that we have in our lives especially at this time of year. I can't believe how lucky we are to have a happy healthy baby in our home. We are blessed with great family and friends all around, and what more could you ask for. Things are scary in the world these days, but it is reassuring to know that we have the Church and our families in these scary times. We may not be able to do and buy all the expensive things this year for Christmas, but hopefully that just makes us all realize the true meaning of Christmas. I hope everyone can feel the true meaning of the season tomorrow, Merry Christmas, and we love you all!

More Madison Pictures

Here are some more pictures of Madison. We are doing great. She is doing way better at night, which is really nice. Last night I only had to get up once to feed her. And I'm finally able to sleep on my stomach again so I sleep so much better than I have for the past nine months!

We went to Alan's parents house for dinner last night and it was so good. We had steak and potatos and played Rummikub. Beth and Jeff got us hooked on that game, which reminds me, we need a rematch at Rummikub sometime with you two. Anyway, thanks so much for dinner!!

I am enjoying taking pictures of Madison. I call them her photo shoots, she doesn't always enjoy them so much. Alan says that she is going to learn to hate the camera, but I just love her cute little outfits and bows. The onesies that we had fit her okay, but as you can see she doesn't fit any pants at all. Even the footie pajamas are huge on her. Her bows are so cute though, all the ones she has worn so far are ones that Crystal Schmutz made for me. They are so fun, thanks Crystal!

When I was born my parents took a picture of me surrounded by a bunch of stuffed animals like this. It is funny to look at those stuffed animals today and it's crazy that I was smaller than those animals because they are way little. I thought I would try the same thing with Madison, but she didn't like that idea too much.

We are still doing good and are having fun. We went to the doctor Friday for a checkup. Her billyribbon test for Jaundice (is that how you spell it?) came back a little bit low in the hospital so the doctor wanted to do another test. It came back low to intermediate risk again, so we are going back for another test Monday. If it comes back low again I think he is going to want to put her under lights. I don't think she looks yellow and her eyes aren't yellow, but I guess the doctor knows more than I do about that. Anyway, I can't believe it, but she will be one week old tomorrow. It actually feels like she has been around a whole lot longer than that, but it's great!

Beautiful Girl

Well we are home, safe and sound. We are having so much fun with Madison. Look how tiny she is in her carseat.

Alan with Madison and his parents after she was born.

My proud mom with her first grandaughter. She has been so nice to be around and help. She sat with Madison today so that I could get a much appreciated nap. Madison unfortunately thinks that the days are nights and the nights are days. She sleeps all day and has a great time keeping mommy and daddy up all night. It's really great!


This is my beautiful little girl, I am already loving the bows and headbands. I just wish that some of her clothes actually fit her. We are having to put her in premie stuff because she is so small.

We are having so much fun so far and I just can't wait for more to come. I'm loving this mom stuff!

Madison Joy Paxton

She's here! Madison Joy Paxton was born Monday December 8 at 7:48 PM. She weighed 5'11 and was 18.5 inches long. She is just a tiny petite little thing, but she is so beautiful. Everyone here calls her a little peanut. She is doing great and we couldn't have asked for a smoother delivery. We are truly blessed.

The nurses at the hospital are so fun. I love that they put little bows in her hair (even though they don't last very long.) Isn't she just perfect?

I'm feeling good, just a bit sore, but that has to be expected right. I am just so excited to finally have her here to play with, hold, and look at. She is so perfect. I can't wait to get her home tomorrow and finally start our fun times together. Expect a whole lot of pictures in her cute outfits and bows! I can't wait!!!
Alan is so cute with Madison, if he is here at the hospital he has to be holding her, he is really getting confident with her and it is so fun. He was so excited to help my mom change her diaper, it was his very first time and he did so great. I'm so grateful for him and how willing he is to help. It was definitely love at first sight for these two. Look how tiny her head is compared to Alan.

I will post some more pictures when we get home tomorrow hopefully. I don't quite have the nursery done, but i'll take some pictures of that too and put them on here.