Jayden can do a somersault!

He says "Let me do this somersault" He hasn't quite learned that he can't do it off the couch or onto a pile of toys....But he is able to complete the turn by himself. Yeah Jayden

Also, he can now walk like a crab on his hands and feet with tummy up in the air.

Madelyn is 9 months old

Madelyn went to her nine mth check up last week. The doctor was happy to hear that this round of Prevacid has finally aided in Madelyn's long time battle with reflux. She has improved so much that Josie and I decided to have our carpets professionally cleaned in celebration.
Madelyn is finally exceeding in length versus weight percentages. She is slimming down now that she is moving all the time. She rarely stops. She is now cruising around the ottoman, standing without support for 10-15 seconds at a time. She tries to clap for herself when standing but often this makes her lose her balance. One of her favorite places is standing next to the sliding glass door and banging on the glass with her hands.
Today she fed a puff to herself for the first time getting it into her mouth without any problems. We just started stage 3 foods today and she loved the Chicken Noodle Dinner. Here are some pics of her feeding herself finger food (Puffs).

Christmas with Brenda and Helen (Josie's mother and g'ma)

Here are some pictures from the weekend with Josie's family. Madelyn was trying on a Mickey Mouse hat that her brother loves to wear. Unfortunately, it is a little too big...

Pictures of Thanksgiving with the Daltons

Kristin and Matt came bearing gifts again for the two Wilder children. Jayden recieved a pair of dinosaur PJs, Mickey Mouse singing Santa Clause song, and a Cowboys nerf football and Madelyn opened her first purse with toy keys, lipstick, jewelry and a mirror. They took Jayden to his first show, Disney on Ice. He loved it and had so much fun with his Aunt Karla, Aunt Kristin and Uncle Matt. He jumps for joy at the mentioning of his new baby boy cousin in his Aunt Kristin's tummy.










Thanksgiving with my prego sister Kristin and brother-in-law Matt

Sniffles

We have another round of the sniffles at our house. Today we stayed in and it was a good thing because of the cold rainy dreary day outside.
Last night we celebrated my husbands 31st birthday...Happy Birthday Josie. I made him Stromboli and bought a chocolate cake that is to die for from a local bakery in Greenville, SC. He was surprised by the cake and excited to get a taste of a family tradition for the Martin house (Stromboli).
Madelyn is now cruising around furniture. She pulls up on everything and is starting to attempt to let go for a few seconds to stand before crashing to the ground. It is amazing to see her chase her brother around the house, and to see how much more independent she is then he was at this age. She is able to play by herself in Jayden's room while he finishes with his evening bath. He loves to play in the tub for a good 30 minutes if we have time. Then they play together in his room with the toys and music. They are at the stage where they don't really like to be seperated during play, so when placing Jayden in time out for knocking his sister over with a blow from a pillow, I have to hold Madelyn so that she doesn't join him in time out. Fun times at the Wilders.

PS Congrats to both of my cousins on their new engagements: Dave Showalter and Marissa Dill

Sleeping like a baby......

Today I was able to put Jayden and Madelyn down together again for a nap. I decided to work on painting in my bedroom (floor boards-I'm almost through with this room). As I was listening for Madelyn to fall asleep. I heard a slight bump and a little fuss but no cry. She did not cry at all when going down for this nap (I think swinging outside in the sunshine for 30 minutes with her brother helped to wear her out). After hearing silence for several minutes, I decided to take a peek into her nursery.

I was very fearful to see Madelyn slumped forward into the crib railing in the seated position. As I approached her from her back, she did not not move even with the sound of me entering her room. She was sitting facing the wall with both legs through the railings and her head resting against the railing. I was fearful that her head was stuck in the railings for some reason (even though she couldn't possible fit her head through the railings). When I reached for her she just seemed to lean back into my arms and slightly opened her eyes and then fell fast asleep.

The expression "Sleep like a baby", really fit her perfectly today.

Nap Time

Now, naptime is so much harder. Madelyn has learned how to pull to stand in her crib today. However, I'm not sure she knows how to lower herself from standing to sitting in her crib. So, she stands holding onto to the railing while fussing until I come in to rescue her. I had to lay her down five times in 30 minutes until she finally went to sleep.

....She has me wrapped around her finger.

She has also learned to pull up on the dining room chairs, couches, toy bins, her big brother, steps (we need to close the gates now at the steps), wine rack and walls. She is definately more into climbing than Jayden ever was.

She actually started to cruise a few steps today next to the ottoman. She is everywhere.....Gone are the days where I can leave her in a room and expect her to be there when I get back.