Currently.

Watching: Her forever favorites are Dora The Explorer and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She's also sort of discovered Doc McStuffins but hasn't really made up her mind whether or not she likes it. She really likes watching Fox & The Hound II and Despicable Me. She giggles for days at both of them.   Reading: We made a Barnes & Noble run a few days ago and got some new books. She loves to read and has a full shelf of books. But a girl can never have too many books, right? So we picked up Octopus Alone, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and Corduroy. I can remember reading the last two as a kid, and she enjoys them both so much. Octopus Alone drew her attention just by the cover art and she loves the pictures in it. She points at the seahorses, and counts the jellyfish. I'm still not sure though if the Corduroy book we bought beats the lift-the-flap Corduroy's Birthday book she's been obsessed with for months though. Time will tell.

Loving: We went to Splashtown today with Clayton, Sherry, and Brody. I kind of thought that she would be scared of a lot of the stuff and we'd spend a couple hours there and call it a day. Boy did she surprise me. Like always. We spent very close to SIX hours there. We pretty much had to drag her out of the waterpark. She played in the kids area, the wave pool, we floated the lazy river, had snacks, then did it all over again. She was having such a good time. She's really getting the hang of the swimming thing too. We got her some good floaties and she got it down quick. Watching her dance and swim in the water was the cutest thing. I'm so glad we went. She'll definitely be talking about it for awhile. :)

Listening to: Well, we listen to a LOT of Kenny Chesney. If you know me, that doesn't come as a shock. But this little girl loves all music. We were in the wave pool today and all kinds of music was playing (Pit Bull, Jake Owen, Switchfoot, etc) and she was rocking out. When a song would end, she would say, "Make them play another one!" She's got rhythm too!

Making her happy: This is a long list... swimming, playing in the dirt outside, letting Mommy spray me with the waterhose, feeding PupPup sticks (lol), throwing rocks in the pond, picking Granny and Pawpaw flowers, babysitting Brody, going to Splashtown, hanging out with Izzy and Holly, going on dates with Mommy, eating dessert before dinner, Dora gummies, new babies from Nonna & Papaw, getting my nails painted, sharing homemade smoothies with Mommy, pet rocks, building "castles" out of blocks, singing songs before bedtime, cuddling in bed after waking up, going to the toy store, singing the "happy birthday" song, playing outside in the sun all day long.     As always, this post was inspired by the lovely Dani Hampton over at Sometimes Sweet. (Madi and Me is now featured on TopMommyBlogs.com! If you like reading this blog, vote for us. Just click the link, or the icon on the right side bar.)

Currently.

It's been awhile since I did a "Currently" post about me, and with so much going on (always), I figured it would be a good time to let you all in on what I'm up to.  

  Loving: I've discovered this new found love for running. I sort of got in a running rut lately. I've always loved it, but lately it's been more of a chore than anything. I started speed training and seeing a longer distance associated with a shorter time is exhilarating. I've never ran for time, it's always been to just run farther. But Saturday I ran 5k in 35 minutes and walked out of the gym feeling like I had just conquered the world. I've certainly ran farther than 5k, but running it that quickly was an awesome feeling. It definitely renewed my appreciation for the sport.   Reading: Silver Linings Playbook. I'm so excited to read something that I want to read. I have three textbooks that I pretty much read all the time for school and that definitely gets old. Over the summer I read constantly, so it's nice to crack open a book that I've picked out myself. I've heard lots of good things about this book so I'm hoping that I like it as much as everyone else did. Also, I'm starting a book after this one that is in preparation for the Whole 30 challenge I'm doing. Fingers crossed that I can read both in one week ;)   Thinking about: So so many things. I've been wanting to spice up Madi's room for awhile, and those projects are on my Spring Break To-Do List. I've been wanting a desk for my room, and to hang some things on the wall. Just little things here and there to add some homey-ness. Every once in awhile I get sort of ancy and have to redecorate or rearrange everything. That's how I've been feeling lately.   Anticipating: Hmm... Taking Madi somewhere fun on Wednesday with Clayton, and also going to the Houston Children's Museum on Thursday. Izzy and Holly are coming with us. The last time we went was last summer and they were only really old enough for the toddler play area. Hopefully they will enjoy the actual museum more this time around. If not, we know exactly where to take them :) I'm still thinking about where to take her Wednesday...   Making me happy: Looking at my calendar and seeing "first day of spring" coming up soon, planning fun things for Madi and I to do, project time while Madi naps, starting a new book, having a week off of school, loaded Starbucks gift cards, ice cream with my brother-in-law, celebrating Mimma's birthday, hearing Madi say things like "It's not MY fault!" (so cute!), days where the wind never stops blowing, spending hours with my neice and Madi, planning special surprises, hanging up pictures on the wall, watching Madi fall asleep each night.   Once again, thanks to Dani Hampton over at Sometimes Sweet for the inspiration for this post.   (Madi and Me is now featured on TopMommyBlogs.com! If you like reading this blog, vote for us.Just click the link, or the icon on the right side bar. All it takes is 2 clicks.)

Currently, All About Madi

This post is a little bit late. I've been spending my days consumed with school and doing things with Madi. I spent all day today at a junior high school observing for my Education class so I'm looking forward to Spring Break and for things to *hopefully* slow down a little bit. I also have some projects planned for that week, so I'm looking forward to doing (and sharing) those. For now, I'm going to let you in on Madi's favorite things as of now.  

  Watching: This girl loves Caillou. But she's also discovered a few others that she requests sometimes. Like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Kippur, and Rugrats. It's funny to turn on Rugrats for her because I remember watching the same shows when I was a kid. I try not to let her watch TV all the time, but since we're out and about so much, I don't dwell on it.   Loving: The library. We went for a playdate with Izzy the other day and it was insane. They were more excited to be in a new place together than to actually read. But when we go there together, her eyes are wide with amazement at everything. She wants to get every book off of the shelf and take it home. It's also right next to the Waterway, which means I can let her run around after she had to be quiet and still in the library. We definitely utilized that during our playdate Thursday.   Listening to: The Tarzan soundtrack. I dug it out of an old CD case from years back. I remember listening to it as a child. But it has strong baselines and drums that she LOVES to dance around to. Her and her Daddy were dancing together to it the other day when I walked in the room. So sweet. When I have to take a shower real quick or something, I turn on her stereo and she dances and plays while I get something done.   Going: There are several places that she asks to go on a daily basis. Pretty much every morning when she wakes up she asks to go to the park. That's her absolute favorite place to be. She also wants to go to Granny & Pawpaw's house about 4 times per day. We're lucky that they're next door :) She asks to see Mimi and Booboo, and go have lunch with Nonna at her office. This girl is like her Daddy, always wanting to go, go, go!   Making her happy: The left over candy from Valentine's day, helping me with my garden outside, stomping in puddles after it rains, throwing rocks in the pond and watching it splash, giving PupPup kisses, looking out of the window as Nonna or Papaw get home, helping me sweep the floor, sliding down the BIG slide at the park, playing with Kylie, dancing and running 24/7, and seeing her Izzy every week.  

   Inspired by Danielle at Sometimes Sweet.   (Madi and Me is now featured on TopMommyBlogs.com! If you like reading this blog, vote for us. Just click the link, or the icon on the right side bar. All it takes is 2 clicks.)    

Currently.

Watching: Madi grow. In every way it seems, she's growing and growing. Her speech is improving by the day. She now uses "him" and "her" in the correct context now. Also, she's been eating like crazy the past couple of days and it's definitely a welcome sight. She has always been a picky eater. I love to sit and eat with her and her ask for seconds, which never happens. Growth spurt, maybe?

Listening to: I just got a new iPad so I'm adding songs to it left and right. Ed Sheeran, The Fray, Josh Abbott Band, Eli Young Band, The Dean's List, Chevelle, and many more albums. I like a little of everything.

Planning: A weekend trip to Frisco, TX to watch the SHSU playoff game (my Dad is an alumni there and I'll be attending in the fall). We're staying for two nights and are going with my parents, my brother and sister in law, and my neice. It'll be nice to be away for a little while and explore with Madi in a new area. Other stuff that's been on my mind: spring time! I hate the cold weather and can't wait for the warmer temperatures to return! I'm looking forward to biking and running with Madi again when our face won't go numb within a few minutes.

Thinking about: "Be as you wish to seem." -Socrates. It's simple, yet I'm constantly reminding myself that little phrase.

Reading: Ahh... 50 shades of Grey. I'm a little late to jump on the bandwagon because when the books became big, the only book I had time to read was my 1000 page anatomy textbook. But now that I have some time, I thought I'd read them and I'm now on the third book and can't wait to see how it ends. I think I'll read something a little lighter for my next book though. I find myself exhausted when I'm done reading, lol. So much drama! Do you have any suggestions on what to read next?

Making me happy: this blog, Madi saying "I love you, mommy" when I tell her I love her, starbucks in the cold weather, making lists of new years resolutions, greek gods yogurt with dark choco chips, being able to spend the weekend with family, football, sweet potatoes, Cassie Bjork's blog, seeing Madi's face light up when she discovers something new, hot epsom salt baths, sleeping in late on cold mornings, and hopefully slowly easing into the warmer months. (winter go away!)  

(Go Texans!)

  This post was inspired by Dani Hampton at Sometimes Sweet. Post your link below if you do a "currently" post also!      

Life, as of now

I like to write posts sometimes just to document the NOW, and not necessarily have any main focus. After all, one reason I do this is to journal our life. So, these pictures document our life, well, as of now :)

Clayton and I bought Madi a train set for her birthday and she LOVES it. She wakes up in the morning saying, "I pay wiff tains!"

This has been constant in her life, but I had to include the picture. She loves her Papaw :)

This girl is sneaky. I find little surprises all the time like this. 

Brody is Madi's new baby cousin and we are both in awe over him! He's almost 2 months old and is so sweet! She always says "I kiss bow-dee!"

We pretty much spend all of our free time at parks. We have a few favorites but every time we get in the car, she says "go pahk?"

This is Clayton's best friend AJ who lives in Virginia. He met her for the first time when she was about 9 months old. The other day, we were looking through old pictures together to admire "baby Madi" and we came across this picture. Madi said "who's dat?" and I told her is was Daddy's friend AJ. She said, "AJ cuuute!" and giggled. I just thought it was the cutest thing.

Daddy bought her a Texans jersey to match his t-shirt. It swallows her but they look so cute together :)

Always mommy's co-pilot!

She had her 2 year check-up at the doctor the other day, which included a couple of shots. To cheer her up, I took her to play with a 7 week old yorkie. (it worked) Also, she was in the 99% for height and 50% for weight!

While getting ready for bed, I asked Madi, "are you mommy's girl or daddy's girl?" To which she replied, "daddy's girl!" I made a fake sad face and she said, "AND mommy's girl!"

Another "baby bow-dee" picture ;) (look at those rolls!)

I love bedtime with this girl. We sit in bed and talk about our day, read books, and snuggle. (we also take a few pictures) ;)

Also to note, right now, Madi has boycotted all food, except waffles. (lol)