While Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie Hart were able to come to Austin soon after Madeline was born, there are a number of the Northern lot who, up to now, have only met Madeline in photos.

On Saturday, Madeline got to meet:

• Her Great-Uncle Bobby and his wife Kay (Bernie’s brother)
  • Their daughter Karley, who is Maddie’s First Cousin, once removed
• Her Great-Aunt Shirley and her husband Bun (Bernie’s sister)
  • Her First Cousin, once removed Barbie and her husband Jamie (Shirley’s daughter)
    • Their daughters Jacie, Kelcie, and Allie (who are Maddie’s 2nd cousins)
  • Her First Cousin, once removed Chris and his wife Theresa (Shirley’s son)
    • Their daughter Abby (who is Maddie’s 2nd cousin)

Got that? Good. There will be a quiz at the end of this post.

It was a big, big day with lots of conversations and easily more than 250,000 net carbohydrates on the table and counter. Wow! So much food, so much excitement. As is her style, Maddie didn’t miss a beat and had a great time with everyone.

Madeline meets Aunt Shirley for the first time. Shirley was so excited to meet Maddie that she abandoned her own child and grandchildren at her house since they weren’t getting ready fast enough. She figured that they could get to Basset in their own car… she had a baby to meet!

Oh Hai!

Maddie with Barbie (Jen’s cousin)

Madeline with her cousin Karly

Madeline with Jacie

Madeline with Allie

Madeline with Abby

Madeline with Abby and Allie

Madeline with Barbie and Allie

If you’re reading this post in your email, click “Christmas with the Hart clan” above to view this video in your browser.

Video of Madeline – Paper is as much fun as the gift sometimes!

If you enjoy these posts, you can subscribe to this blog to receive updates instantly, daily, or weekly. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.

Want to see more pictures or get a print? Here’s the galleries: http://davidcox.smugmug.com/Family

After a day and a half of traveling, two cancelled flights, taking naps on coats in 2 airports, an impromptu overnight stay at the Hilton in Omaha (thank you very much Grandpa Cox), and a long drive on (mostly) clear roads, Maddie got to Grandma’s house and got to see the snow! Amazingly, Madeline took all of this in without batting an eye — she really is a wonderfully chill baby. It probably didn’t hurt that the kind folks at United upgraded her to first class for her first ever plane ride (don’t get used to it sweetness)!

To say that Grandma & Grandpa Hart and Aunt Taylor had been waiting in eager anticipation doesn’t quite tell the tale. Pictures will do better:

Grandma Hart taking a photo of Maddie with Aunt Taylor

Madeline with Grandma Hart

Madeline with Grandpa Hart

Madeline with Aunt Taylor

If you’re reading this post in your email, click “Christmas in Nebraska with Grandma, Grandpa & Auntie Hart” above to view this video in your browser.

Video of Grandma Hart with Baby Madeline

If you’re reading this post in your email, click “Christmas in Nebraska with Grandma, Grandpa & Auntie Hart” above to view this video in your browser.

Video of Madeline opening a present with Auntie Taylor

If you’re reading this post in your email, click “Christmas in Nebraska with Grandma, Grandpa & Auntie Hart” above to view this video in your browser.

Video of Madeline opening a present with Aunt Taylor as exhaustion begins to set in — always easily cured with a nice cardboard box!

If you enjoy these posts, you can subscribe to this blog to receive updates instantly, daily, or weekly. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.

Want to see more pictures or get a print? Here’s the galleries: http://davidcox.smugmug.com/Family

Madeline got to celebrate Christmas in Austin with mom & dad and Grandma & Grandpa Cox. Its a toss-up whether she enjoyed the wrapping paper, the gifts, or the boxes the most. Regardless, its clear that we overspent and she would have been completely happy with some recycled corrugated cardboard!

Madeline says Merry Christmas!

Click “Christmas in Austin” above to view this video in your browser

Video of Madeline and the wonders of wrapping paper.

During the afternoon on Christmas day, our friends Jen & Kevin and their daughters Ari, Taya & Taryn came over to visit.

Madeline with Auntie Jen

Madeline with Ari

Madeline with Taya

Madeline with Kevin

If you enjoy these posts, you can subscribe to this blog to receive updates instantly, daily, or weekly. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.

Want to see more pictures or get a print? Here’s the galleries: http://davidcox.smugmug.com/Family

Going to the cold Nebraska north to see grandma & grandpa Hart and Aunt Taylor. 5 hours of delays in Austin and we’re about to take off. Maddie’s being a trooper!

My mother took a photo of me every year with a little Santa Claus doll. We took one yesterday with Maddie to keep the tradition alive.

Baby David (10 days old) with Santa

David & Baby Madeline (6 months old) with Santa

If you enjoy these posts, you can subscribe to this blog to receive updates instantly, daily, or weekly. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.

Want to see more pictures or get a print? Here’s the galleries: http://davidcox.smugmug.com/Family

Baby Madeline was 6 months old yesterday.

Madeline with Grandma Cox

Here’s a few new videos (those of you reading this via email will need to click “6 months old” above to view the videos)

Oatmeal time is messy Time

Oatmeal time is messy Time Part 2

Hangin with Grandma Cox

A little privacy please, I’m taking a bath.

Leg Lifts & Crunches make my Core so buff

I want to crawl so badly, but all I can do is walk with my butt.

Madeline says Merry Christmas everyone!

If you enjoy these posts, you can subscribe to this blog to receive updates instantly, daily, or weekly. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.

Want to see more pictures or get a print? Here’s the galleries: http://davidcox.smugmug.com/Family

Christmas is such a fun time because we see lots of our favorite out of town guests.

Auntie Heather (Jen’s Maid of Honor who lives in New York) came through Austin on Friday.

Uncle Joe (Dave’s best man who lives in Houston by way of Seattle) was in Austin for Dave’s birthday.

If you enjoy these posts, you can subscribe to this blog to receive updates instantly, daily, or weekly. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.

Want to see more pictures or get a print? Here’s the galleries: http://davidcox.smugmug.com/Family

Yeah, the post title could use a little work, but I think you understand my jist – Maddie is getting her first tooth! It’s been quite the process.

Here is our dear, sweet, laid back baby girl just a couple of weeks ago:

Adorable, right? Right.

Sure, there had been plenty of drooling and chewing on things, but that really ramped up over the past week or so. Rattles and fingers – her own or others’ – are the preferred chew toys.

So, chewing and drooling everywhere is a tolerable side effect of the teething process. Enjoyable, even, in comparison to the occasional fits of screaming – even while we’re doing one of her favorite things – eating:

All part of the process…I know, I know. And honestly, she’s been her same, happy, chilled out self for the most part. She can be in the midst of screaming and crying and still muster a smile in spite of it all.

To end this on a happy note, here is a cute video of Madeline going to TOWN on a cold teething ring.

Those of you reading via email will need to click “Thar’s a tooth…” above to view the video in your browser.

If you enjoy these posts, you can subscribe to this blog to receive updates instantly, daily, or weekly. Scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.

Want to see more pictures or get a print? Here’s the galleries: http://davidcox.smugmug.com/Family

‘Tis the season and all, so here is a quick snap of Madeline helping daddy trim the Christmas tree. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!

“Daddy, I think the lights look a little thin in this spot.”