walkin' tall

madelyn is enjoying spending the last few warm days of summer outside. she likes to walk around the whole house and check everything out. we spend time finding all the buds on some of the plants in the front, picking tomatoes and playing with the dogs in the back, and sitting on the front porch waiting for daddy to come home from work in the afternoon. people were actually out in sweaters and jackets this evening when we went to the park!

today we had music class and then went to the zoo with maddie's friend jack. i have been working with madelyn on staying with me while walking and she did really great today! she would even hold my hand while moving from one exhibit to the next. matt and i made a major breakthrough in the handholding this weekend. madelyn used to to fight having her hand held and then insist on being carried if she couldn't roam freely. we taught her that she could have fun by holding both of our hands at the same time and she has willingly held my hand ever since.

madelyn also walked all the way to the park this evening! this was a big accomplishment because it is uphill and she has never walked that far on her own with a destination in mind. we took the stroller with us so that we could walk around the neighborhood for a while after the park, but we didn't have to use it (except for a quick in and out climb). it will be nice to not have to bring it to the park next year.

another new 'thing' is that she lays down after her nap and is slower to get going. here she is drinking her milk laying down. the nice part of this is that she will lay down with me and snuggle for a while - matt doesn't believe me because it is so out of her character so i am hoping she keeps it up, at least until the weekend.

love.