Check this milestone off the list

Quite suddenly, in the last week or so, Maddie has developed a severe case of separation anxiety. I don't remember this happening with Jacob until he was a bit older, but it's clearly evident that she hates (hates, HATES) it when I leave the room. She will be completely content playing with a toy and the second I am out of sight, she burst into tears. REAL tears.

I was wondering when the experts say this usually develops, and sure enough, babycenter.com says "At around 7 months your baby will realize that he's independent of you. While this is an exciting cognitive milestone, this new understanding of separateness can make him anxious. He knows that you can leave him, but he doesn't know that you'll always come back, so he's likely to burst into tears when you leave, even for a minute."

Well, if that doesn't hit the nail right smack dab on the head, I don't know what does. At least she's meeting her milestones!

This past weekend, the 4 of us went to Topeka, Kansas to celebrate Caitlin's (our niece's) first communion. Traveling with 2 kids (by air) is never easy, but this trip went remarkably smooth and I am incredibly thankful for that. Seeing Jacob with all of his cousins was priceless and I just wish he had them to play with every single day. Ah, how nice it would be to live around the corner from our families! We had a great time and can't wait to hopefully do it again when Maddie is baptized here in Dallas.

Maddie and Aunt Amy



She loves the exersaucers!



Cutie Carys



Jacob on a scooter for the first time. He got the hang of it fast!



Carys on the riding mower



Jacob and Daddy (Jacob wouldn't get on this by himself. In fact, it took a little convincing to get him to sit on it with Mark. Our boy is so cautious!)



Papa and Carys at the Tulip Festival



I don't know what this game was but Jacob had to wear this vest that made him a human target. Hmmmm...



And Mark was the first to shoot at him...



Aunt Amy and Jacob



Jacob and his cousins, Caroline, Colin and Caitlin at the Tulip Festival



Mark, Eric and Sean



Mark and Carys on the train



Caroline and Jacob -- this was definitely Jacob's favorite part of the trip!



Mark and Maddie. It was surprisingly chilly this past weekend.



Amy and Carys



The cousins taunting Papa to chase after them. And he did.



I don't know why this picture cracks me up. But it does.