Six Weeks with Madeline: Finding Our New Rhythm

It was a bit of a challenge getting back into the groove after our trip last week—it took a moment to fully recover. The first part of this week was all about settling into a routine again. I was back to work, and since it's quarter-close, things were pretty busy. Meanwhile, Alison has been amazing, taking care of Madeline throughout the day, and I help out whenever I can. Honestly, one of my favorite perks of working from home is those sweet moments between meetings when I get to hold my baby girl. It’s a little burst of joy in my day.

During the day, Alison and Madeline have been having plenty of quality time together. They go on walks, play on her activity mat, and enjoy all those little baby milestones. We've slowly gotten used to our "new normal," and it’s starting to feel like we’ve found our rhythm.

Alison loves when Madeline makes this "ooo" face

On Monday night, Amanda texted, asking if she could pop over to snuggle with Madeline. Of course, we were happy to have her! She and Jon ended up staying for dinner, which was a real treat. It’s always nice to catch up with them, and they loved spending time with our little Mads. While they were over, we watched Game 2 of the ALDS. Our little family was all decked out in matching Yankees gear, cheering them on. Unfortunately, the Yankees dropped that game, tying the series 1-1 before heading back to Kansas City. But hey, that’s baseball.

Wednesday was all about capturing a special moment—Madeline's first photos in her blessing dress. We booked a quick 30-minute session at Camera Shy in the mall. Alison was excited but also a little nervous about the possibility of a baby blowout right before the shoot. Luckily, Madeline decided to handle that business on the car ride over—before we dressed her! Alison has never been so relieved about a blowout. The session went smoothly, and Madeline was an absolute angel. She looked stunning in the dress that Kristin and her girls gifted her, and the photos turned out beautifully.

Speaking of blessings, we've been thinking about what kind of ceremony we wanted for Madeline long before she was even born. While we both love the tradition of baby blessings we grew up with, we decided, for many personal reasons, not to have an LDS blessing. After some reflection, we chose to create our own celebration that incorporates the elements we love most about a baby blessing but in a way that feels right for us. We’ll be hosting a birth celebration at our home on Saturday, with some close family and friends.

After the photo session, we grabbed dinner at the mall food court and watched the Yankees game on our phones while we waited for the photos to be ready. They won 3-2, giving them a 2-1 series lead. One more win, and they’ll be moving on to the ALCS. It was a good night all around.

Some of our friends recently gifted us this adorable baby bathrobe. It is too cute!

On Thursday, Bret came into town. He's here for Madeline’s birth celebration and to meet his niece for the first time. We were all so excited! Bret spent the whole day hanging out with Alison and Madeline, which was really special. He even did some food prep for a pasta party he’s hosting for the family tomorrow night. Alison and Mads were more than happy to offer moral support while they all caught up. Madeline absolutely adores her Uncle Bret, and it was lovely seeing them bond.

Later that evening, we met up with Debbie, Aleene, Jake, and Meg for dinner at Cafe Rio. Since Bret is visiting, it was a must-do stop—after all, it’s a Utah classic! Dinner was great, but I couldn’t help keeping an eye on the Yankees game. They had already scored a run by the time we finished eating, but I was on edge. One run didn’t feel like enough to seal the deal.

We came home to watch the rest of the game, and it turned out to be a bit tense. The Yankees extended their lead by three runs, which was comforting, especially with Gerrit Cole pitching. But then there was some drama on the field—after a hard tag at second base, both benches cleared. Thankfully, it wasn’t a full-blown fight, and no one got ejected. Still, it seemed like it rattled Cole, because he gave up a run not long after, and the Royals had a few chances to get back into the game. But the Yankees held on, winning the ALDS 3 games to 1. They’re now headed to the ALCS, where they’ll face either the Tigers or the Guardians next Monday in New York.

All in all, it was a busy week, but it’s only going to get busier with the weekend ahead!