Odds and Ends from Mads 7th Week

This week was one for the books! Our little Mads had an exciting time meeting her newest cousin and, perhaps the highlight of the week, she got to take part in the cutest pumpkin photo shoot. She was all snug inside this giant pumpkin, and it was everything we’d hoped for—so much fun!

As I start moving away from weekly blog posts to more event-based updates, I thought it would be nice to capture a few highlights from this week before the transition is complete. While these moments may feel a little scattered, they're all part of the beautiful chaos of life with our baby girl.

Madeline continues to be the sweetest, and every day with her feels like a gift. She’s becoming more playful and is really into her playmat and bouncer. Sometimes, she’d rather hang out there than be held, but don’t worry—there are still plenty of contact naps happening around here. Alison spends her days with Mads, and it’s clear both of them are loving every moment of it. I sneak away from work whenever I can to join in on the fun. There’s just nothing like holding her and soaking up all those precious moments.

In other news, we’ve been all-in on watching the ALCS. The Yankees started strong, winning the first two games at Yankee Stadium. Those games were tight, and, let’s be real, not the prettiest, but we celebrated those W’s. Game three, though? Wow—an instant classic! So many late home runs and edge-of-your-seat moments. Unfortunately, the Yankees lost on a walk-off, which means the series is now 2-1. We’re gearing up for tonight’s game and crossing our fingers for a win. One of the best parts about watching these games is hearing Alison explain everything to Madeline. Our girl is going to know her stuff!

Despite the cooler weather, our daily walks with Mads continue. Sometimes she gets two walks—a morning stroll with me and an afternoon adventure with Alison. This week, though, the rain really came down. Yesterday, I braved the storm with Tex, and we both got drenched (Tex didn’t mind at all), but I skipped taking Mads out. Today, we were a little better prepared, so I threw on the rain cover and bundled her up for a quick walk in the drizzle. We didn’t make it as far as usual because the wind was intense, but it still felt good to get outside.

Tummy time has been a big hit, especially now that I’ve introduced Madeline to her new toy—a crab that scuttles around to loud, obnoxious music (thank you, targeted ads). But here’s the thing: she LOVES it. I propped her up on a pillow, and she started lifting her head, following the crab as it moved. She was smiling and having a blast, and I couldn’t have been more impressed. It’s those little milestones that make it all worth it.

We are absolutely head over heels for our girl. These past seven weeks have been nothing short of amazing. Sure, there are tough moments. She gets fussy, and she needs a lot of attention, but we’re more than happy to give it. Our lives have changed in so many ways, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.