The Many Hairdo's of Madeline Grace

Madeline's hair is out of control. It's cute, but it definitely has a mind of its own. I am always trying to figure out what to do with it, and lately I've come up with a few new looks.

This one is the "I just woke up and I don't care what my hair looks like" style. It's very easy to achieve. Basically, she wakes up, and we go. I think she pulls it off really well. And I love that it looks like it took us NO time at all. Because it didn't. 
Now this next look is a little more "done." It's basically a really high pony tail using all of the top hair and leaving the bottom hair down. It's great for a day at the park, church, even a casual birthdy party. One of the best parts is the opportunity to use matching bows. This takes an ordinary outfit and gives it a little something extra. As you can see, Madeline is especially proud of this look. 

For this look, we just make high pigtails instead of a ponytail. It is imperative to use two matching bows. This is not an every day do, but can be pulled off once in a while with the right outfit. 

This last hairdo is a new one. It was discovered while shopping at Kohl's yesterday. It's an older style, but pigtail braids are a classic look that will never go out of style. 

Does anyone have any other suggestions that we haven't tried? We are always open to new ideas...

First Bites and Big Decision

   Madeline has just started eating rice cereal. Here are some shots, in NO particular order, of one of her first times tasting anything but milk/formula. I'm still not sure how she feels about it. 

 

In other news, I wrote a few months ago about not wanting to go back to work full time.  As it got closer, I felt more and more strongly about that. We(I) looked things over and realized we can make it work if I just do something part time like tutor or sub once a week. So, I gave my district notice of my leave and it's now official.

I love being a mom, and I am so happy that I can continue to be "home" with Madeline each day. 

I am still adjusting to the new budget. It is a whole new thing for me to look at prices at the grocery store and not just buy whatever looks good! 

Of course, it's totally worth it. I know that I will look back on this time with joy and thankfulness. Because that's what I feel now. 

Not-So-Sincere Gratitude

Dear Purse Thief,

I would like to thank you for stealing my purse off the back of my chair while I was on vacation this past week in Palm Springs. That was very sweet of you and I truly appreciated it. I don't know if  you realized how much you were helping me by doing this, so I wanted to write you this letter to let you know. 

First of all, I bought that purse and wallet at LEAST two weeks ago, so they were really starting to look worn down anyway. I mean, who wants a two week old purse and wallet that match?! Not me! Thank you for taking care of that for me.

Also, thank you for giving me the opportunity to catch up with SO many people who I have not talked to in SO long. When I called the bank and chatted with Barbara about closing my account, ordering new checks, identity theft, etc, I realized I would never have had that conversation if you had not taken my purse. Then there were my friends at Target, Banana Republic, and Chase credit cards. I hadn't realized that it had been years since I had even spoken with them, but thanks to you, we are all caught up now.

Another thing I want to thank you for is giving me the opportunity to visit some places that I have not been in a while, but have really been wanting to go. First, the DMV. I have had my hands full with a new baby, and have not made the time to go there in quite a while. And, if you hadn't stolen my purse, then I wouldn't need a new license, and who knows when I would have made the time to go down there. I had almost forgotten how much fun waiting in line there can be! So, thank you! Another place I have neglected for quite a while is the social security office. Some people say you should not keep your social security card in your wallet, but I'm so glad I didn't listen to them. Thanks to you, I get a new social security card, and I might even get a new number! How exciting! I don't think I had been to the social security office since Jon and I got married and I changed my name..I guess I've just allowed myself to get so busy. Thank you for leading me back...

I can't forget to thank you for remaining anonymous. Life is so boring when you know everything that's going on, like who has your drivers license and keys. I much prefer this mystery. Every day is a surprise, not knowing if someone is applying for a credit card in my name at that very moment...wondering if my car will still be there when I go outside...it's like a fun game that I'm playing with an invisible person. You know who I am, yet I have no idea who you are. You have all of my information, yet I have none of yours. It's so fun and exciting. Thanks for keeping me on my toes!

As you can see, you stealing my purse meant more to me than you could have possibly known. You may have thought it was just a small thing and I didn't even notice, but know that it wasn't small, and I did notice.  Though I don't know who you are, I will never forget you.

Thanks again,

Stephanie