Madeleine at 10 Months

On Christmas Eve, one day before the official 10 month mark, Madeleine took her first steps while we were at my parents' home. She is so little to be walking, which makes it extra cute when she does. And only in 1-2 step spurts. When she gets bored of this, she likes to just flop right into the waiting receiver's arms. Either way, she loves the applause. She also loves to applaud others, especially if she sees other people applauding. And she often will "lead"music. Really. It is so cute.

Madeleine still has 4 teeth--I thought for sure there would be 5 by now, since you can see another bottom row tooth just beneath the surface, and she seemed to have a lot of pain associated with it.

Madeleine is a pooping machine. For example, today she had 4 such diapers. And that is totally normal for her. Considering how much she can eat, I suppose it makes sense, since I think she often eats at least as much as Avery or Abigail, plus breast milk.

Madeleine loves to bite me. Not so much when she is eating, but when she wants to tell me she loves me, or she is feeling neglected, or wants to be set down. Those 2 daggers on top and 2 on bottom make the most perfectly painful pinch on my thigh, my upper arm, the top of my foot, my chin...Sometimes I wear a jean jacket just because she can't bite me through it.
A few months ago, Andy gave a Family Night lesson about being a good example, what that means and how people learn by watching. As an experiment, he told the kids that if every family prayer we all folded our arms, Mattie would too, and it would be so cute. Well, that day arrived this month and it was SO cute. You can watch the short video below.
It's been a big month for her arms, as she also waves now. Tonight, she just kept waving at Andy across the room while he read to the kids. Very sweet.

Madeleine is very adept at mimicking words and intonation. Once it was "clever", another time it was "fold your arms." She also has done "Madeleine", "Papo", and "Sarah". Her pitch/intonation imitation is very accurate and funny, and when she tried to say the mouthful "Madeleine" I laughed out loud.
She loves to be outside, and can get there very quickly. She loves to swing. She likes cups and trying to drink from them. She even likes other people more than last month; 2 weeks ago she crawled over to my friend Becky and sat on her lap during church. I was stunned.
Madeleine is delightful and an extremely determined child. She is loved by all her siblings, as evidenced that each time she awakes from a nap, Abigail sings, "Hail to our princess!" repeatedly.
We love you Mattie!