cincinnati

We spent two fantastic weeks in Cincinnati visiting family and friends. Even with two weeks, we didn't have enough time to see everyone we would've liked to see. If we missed you I'm sorry :-( Madelyn and I spent the first week staying at my dad and Linda's house while Andy was in Hawaii. We were so relaxed and felt very comfortable. It was a busy week though. We visited with people and saw a lot of things. We spent one day going down to Mainstrasse and having lunch. This was a tradition for my dad and I and we decided to introduce it to Madelyn. We always have a nice outdoor lunch and then shop at the teacher store.

Here is Madelyn wondering why my lunch isn't going in her mouth

She LOVES water and the fountain caught her eye, paw paw let her play in it and she was so excited!

"This looks fun paw paw, let me get in!!!"

Hanging out at maw maw and paw paws was lots of fun. He made cinnamon pancakes in the mornings and we had lots of fun playing together. Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Steve came over most nights to visit with us. We also had Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Durkin over one night and Aunt Lisa and Aunt Kailyn over one night. Madelyn got a lot of new toys and scattered them all over maw maw and paw paws house, making herself right at home.

We spent one day at the zoo with Madelyn's cousin Dylan as our tour guide. It was a lot of fun. Madelyn was slightly more interested in watching the people than the animals, but some of them caught her eye.

Loving her cousin Dylan!

"Mom, this doggy doesn't feel like the one we have at home."

I tried so hard to get her to look at the giraffes. She loves stuffed giraffes, plastic giraffes, her Sophie, but apparently the real thing is just not as appealing. I want to take her back when she is big enough to feed them and then they may interest her more.

Madelyn, maw maw, Dylan, and Mommy stopping for a break.

One very important part of our trip back to Cincinnati was Madelyn meeting family. We have not taken her back since she was born. There were a lot of people anxious to meet her, but most importantly were all her great grandparents.

Madelyn meeting Great Grandpa Copeland

Playing on the floor with Great Grandma Durkin when her and Great Grandpa Durkin came over for dinner

Madelyn meeting Great Grandma Stykes

Out to dinner at Larosas with the Lohaus family. Grandma and grandpa Lohaus, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Lohaus snuck together for a picture. Madelyn also met Andy's Aunt Mariane and Uncle Mike and his cousin Kristin. They gave us a check to get her the huge Nemo from the Disney store. I can't wait to get it for her!

Madelyn and I also visited with my babysitter who watched me from when I was six months to school age. I have kept in touch with her my whole life and she was like a grandma to me. So it was awesome for her to meet and hold Madelyn. We also had lunch with my best friend Amanda and her daughter Morgan. I miss her a lot and it was refreshing to see her and remember what an awesome friend I have, even if she is 500 miles away. She is 28 weeks pregnant with another daughter and I probably won't see her again before the baby is born so I'm glad we could make time on this trip.

The second week in Cincinnati Andy was with us and we moved to stay with his mom and Joe. Madelyn got lots of play time with her uncle Adam, and she adores him. She also got to see Aunt Christy a few times and play with her.

Some other things we did for fun were go to the park and visit lots of local restaurants. We had to introduce Madelyn to all of Cincinnati, not just the people :-)

Playing at the park with Mommy and Daddy.

First trip to Skyline

Watching them make pizza at Dewey's Pizza

On our last day Andy's mom and Joe had an open house for family to stop by. Andy's cousin Charlie and his wife Missy stopped by with their 6 month old, Lily. It was so cute to watch them interact.

Madelyn and Lily playing on the floor

Baby pool time! Hard to believe that Lily is actually 2 months younger than Madelyn.

It was a fun 2 weeks, but jam packed full of activities. For being in a new place and off schedule I think Madelyn did a fabulous job. I am glad we finally got to Cincinnati with her, but it felt so good to get home. I know she was glad to be home too, with her things and her own room. She is already back on her schedule and looking forward to the rest of summer at home with her parents!