Easy Being Green

Tomboy and Girly Girl at the same time.

2010-03-08T23:01:00.001-08:00

I love my little girl. One minute she is a tomboy and fierce Angels fan...

who loves chocolate.

the next minute she is in heels.

I love it.

Happy Birthday Madeleine!

2009-12-11T23:31:00.000-08:00

Today is my daughter Madeleine's 2nd Birthday. The time does go by quickly, just like every parent has said to me in the past. I look at the pictures we've taken of her in her two short years of life and it is amazing to see how much she has changed and how much her dad and I have stayed the same.

She is truly the biggest joy in Jason and my life and we love being part of her discovery of life and the world around her.

Happy Birthday, Maddie!

Something I've never heard before came up today that I really appreciated. My own mother called today to wish her granddaughter a happy birthday and said to me "Happy Birthing Day". I never thought about that before, but it made me realize that a child's birthday is also an anniversary of a very significant day in my own life - one of the most important days but also physically challenging days I've ever experienced. My life was forever changed that day - I would never not be a parent ever again. Of course, it was my own mom who let me in on that profound piece of life. Thanks Mom, as always.

I also wanted to post Maddie's Christmas portraits. These came out so cute this year. I love getting to have Maddie's Christmas and birthday portraits done together each year. We get to change outfits and have a sort of "model photo shoot". It's a lot of fun.

Other Summer Activities

2009-11-17T23:01:00.000-08:00

Our summer was filled with activities. Here is a summary of such activities.

Disneyland with my sister Sarah

Goofy's Kitchen

Disneyland the next day

Madeleine tripped on a crack in the sidewalk and got a trip to the First Aid Station for a bloody, fat lip. Dr. Mickey's prescription: Popsicle

Tea Party at the Fairy Tea Cottage in Seal Beach

Disneyland Zoo Crew Reunion 2009 at Hart Park

Knott's Berry Farm

Maddie with her boyfriend Jackson

Dinner at the Chicken House

Sea World with my cousin Brittny, Brian, and little Lexi and my Aunt Jan with my Mom and Dad

Angel Game with Madeleine

Swimming in the Backyard Pool

Wardlow Labor Day Luau 2009

Madeleine loves to dance!

Our friends Geoffrey and Bonnie

Wardlows dancing to "We are Family"

Cousin Alyssa, Rachel, Maddie, and Bonnie

Beach time with my sister, Auntie Sarah

More Disneyland

Can you see why I didn't have time to blog?

I'm Back!!!

2009-11-17T22:05:00.000-08:00

It's been 7 months since I've blogged, and I'm back! Life has been so hectic that blogging has seemed a luxury I couldn't afford. But Maddie is healthy, I'm working for myself, my master's recital has been sung, and my thesis paper written, and so I think I have to time to catch up.

So much has happened in the last 7 months, I can't even go through it all. When last I blogged it was tax day, April 15. Shortly thereafter I interviewed and started working at the Curtain Call Performing Arts Academy of Corona. I worked there from May 1 through August. I met so many wonderful people during my stay there, so many talented young performers and their wonderful parents. I realized during that experience this summer, that it works best for us if I continue to work from home. It ended up being too hard for Madeleine and for me to work outside the home as many hours as I did. Fortunately, I have been able to maintain many relationships I created there.

One terrible experience our family had this summer was that Madeleine got very ill in July and was in the hospital for 36 hours. She had been suffering with a sinus infection for a week, and I had difficulty getting her to take her antibiotic medicine. She then developed pink eye. Poor thing.

Madeleine with her sinus infection

Madeleine with Pink Eye at the beach

We celebrated Independence Day and we thought she was getting better. Then Sunday night, July 5th, while I was at rehearsal for a fundraiser show for Costa Mesa Playhouse, Maddie came down with a high fever. Jason and I were concerned. It was difficult because the next day, July 6, was the first day of Theater Camp at Laguna Playhouse and I was the music teacher! I went to camp and my mom watched Maddie. Her fever spiked several times during the day. By evening she was so ill that Jason took her to urgent care. Later that evening while I was at rehearsal, I got a call from Jason in hysterics telling me that Madeleine had had a seizure and the ambulance was coming for her! It was the worst night of our lives.
Maddie had a febrile seizure when her temperature spiked from 99 degrees to 104.7 in about 30 minutes. She was transferred to CHOC in the middle of the night and was released late the next day. She remained sick for a few more days. It was a wake up call for Jason and I that Maddie has a tendency for seizures and that we need to remain more diligent about her health.

4th of July

Get well present from Jason's company

During the month of June, Jason got to play Lt. Brannigan in "Guys and Dolls" for Performance Riverside. It was his fourth time being in this show, and has played 4 different parts: Harry the Horse, Nathan Detroit, Big Jule, and now Lieutenant Brannigan. He had a really great time.

Even though Maddie was so sick, I was lucky enough to still perform in "Les Ensembles", the fundraiser show at Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse. I had great fun singing the best ensemble numbers from musical theater, including "Sunday", "Cell Block Tango", "One Day More", and "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat".

This fall, I resigned from my position and Curtain Call Academy and focused my attention on finishing my master's degree. I spent all of September writing my thesis paper, and all of October preparing for my master's recital. It has been an immense amount of work, but totally worth it. My recital was on November 7th, and I was blessed to have about 70 of my closest friends and family with me. I sang 22 songs in 4 different languages. I sang pieces from Purcell, Mozart, Bellini, Strauss, Debussy, Poulenc, and Richard Rodgers. It was a wonderful experience and a real confidence builder. I really felt like a diva (in a good way).

I felt like I had momentum after my recital, and on Monday, November 9th, I auditioned for "Sweeney Todd" at Musical Theatre West. I haven't worked with that theater group for 18 years, since they were called Whittier-La Mirada Light Opera. I was cast in the ensemble! I am very excited being part of a professional cast for a professional theater.

Life has been crazy these last 7 months, but Jason and I can't complain that life is boring!!

Our little Maddie will be 2 years old in a couple of weeks. We can't believe it. Cute birthday pictures to come.

Tax Day TEA Party

2009-04-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Today, April 15th, is Tax Day, and everybody around the country are dreading paying their taxes. But the taxes are getting worse all the time. How much more is the government take from us next year, and the next and the next. If you live in California, like I do, state taxes, including income tax, sales tax, and car taxes, have skyrocketed so much that we have to work even harder to pay for those who don't contribute at all. Enough is enough!!!!

There are TEA parties organized around the country (a la the Boston Tea Party of 1773 as a protest against taxes). If you get a chance and believe in keeping your own hard-earned money and fulfilling your own potential, not the government's idea of your potential, then attend a TEA Party.

TEA - Taxed Enough Already

Happy Anniversary to Us!

2009-03-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

Jason and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary yesterday, March 25th. I feel so blessed to be married to such an amazing man. He and I have been through a lot together in our 3 years of marriage and almost 5 years of being together. But despite lots of stressful life events, I am also so grateful for all of the wonderful things. We have been sealed for time and all eternity to each other, we have shared the stage together, we have our beautiful daughter Madeleine, we've bought our first house, Jason has started a new career and is moving up the corporate ladder quickly, I have almost completed my master's degree, and we are just genuinely happy together.

This year, we were able to have a wonderful romantic dinner at the Summit House in Fullerton. For those who have not been there, I highly recommend it. The restaurant sits atop a hill overlooking Fullerton and Brea. The food is amazing! It is famous for its prime rib. We not only had prime rib, but its famous creamed corn, creamed spinach, and Yorkshire pudding. The best surprise was the baked brie we had for an appetizer! My goodness...cheese baked in a pastry, my favorite! And lo-cal too! We had a wonderful time together.

I wish everyone love the way I both give and receive it in my marriage.

March 25, 2006

March 25, 2009

The Feast

My flowers from my hubby

My Evil Nemesis

2009-03-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

For those of you who may not know, we moved in October to Corona. We moved to an unincorporated part of Corona near Chino Hills. The land we live on used to be all dairy farms, but suburban sprawl has entered to create a nice suburb. However, some of the land's previous life remains, including lots of wildlife and jurassic-park size insects.

When we moved in, we hired Orkin to come and take care of all the insects and spiders that had inhabited our home that had been sitting foreclosed for close to a year. At least two spider hatchings had occurred there. After Orkin had worked their magic, we have had very little insect problems. A couple of spiders here or there, some large grasshoppers (but grasshoppers eat bugs, right). All seemed well.

Monday morning before Madeleine woke up, Jason and I were up and getting ready for our week. Jason left early for his weekly Monday morning sales meeting, and I was left in a quiet house. I thought I would shower early before Maddie woke up. I took a nice long hot shower and began to dry off when I look down at my bathroom tile and saw....the largest, most evil-looking SPIDER I had ever seen outside of an aquarium glass at the zoo! I screamed bloody murder and ran into my bedroom. When the adrenaline subsided, I creeped back into the bathroom to examine the intruder. As I examined it, I believed it was probably a tarantula and perhaps even poisonous. What was I going to do? My first thought was to do what my arachnophobe sister would do...grab the baby and drive away, never to return. We would simply have to move.

But then I realized how much money and time we've spent on this house and realized moving wasn't an option. I have 2 cats. I thought I could let them loose at the spider and see if they could kill it. But what if it was poisonous? They are small enough that they could be killed. Or they could just maim it enough for it to escape but not die. Then I would have a pissed tarantula in my house. I couldn't just ignore it, I have a 15 month old toddler who could be bitten by it. I had to kill it myself!! I am the mother lion of course. I must protect my lair.

Still naked, I put on my big hiking boots, ready to squish it. I could just use a paper towel...what if it jumped on me or spat on me or hissed at me? On the count of three, I stomped on it as hard as I could. This is the gross part. Massive amounts of liquid squirted out the sides of my shoes!! AHHH!!! Was it just spider guts or was it the venom? I concluded that now I had venom all over my tile floor! After flushing the contents of the bottom of my shoe down the toilet (including the two crab-like legs that had been severed) I had to wash and sanitize my floor. I had to do this all before Madeleine woke up. It was a harrowing experience.

As you can see, the spider has a glowing evil eye staring into the camera. He (or she) also has a hair or phalange sticking out of its face (another evil feature). It is either for smelling or trapping its prey. I think it looked like those curled-ended mustaches that evil henchman always have.

Maddie's First Shamrock Shake

2009-03-26T15:54:00.001-07:00

Jason and I have been on Weight Watchers since December. We both have been successful, both of us losing close to 20 pounds. So for St. Patrick's Day we decided to have a treat. I made corned beef and cabbage for the first time for Jason. His grandma made it for him every year, and he has missed it for a few years, so I gave it a try. Thank goodness for my new kitchen

I wanted a treat for myself, so I went to McDonalds (which I never go to) and got the traditional Shamrock Shake. It was pretty yummy. When we got home, I saw that Madeleine was watching me drink it, so I thought I would give her a treat as well. She loved it a little too much. She was gulping it down. When I took it away, she proceeded to have a big tantrum. She then was hyper (like I thought she would be) for several hours after.

She also had green-filled diapers for two days.

Jason in Sweet Charity

2009-03-21T23:08:00.000-07:00

I will have pictures of Jason as Big Daddy on stage soon, but I did tell you I would have pictures of him to follow. Isn't he adorable?
This part is perfect for him and he's doing an awesome job. The ovations have been wonderful for him. Seeing him in action just makes me love him more.

For the faint-hearted...don't worry. He is not really advocating smoking either of tobacco or of the "evil marijuana weed commonly known as pot." (a line from the show). This is all pretend.

The show runs until March 29th if you get a chance to see it. It's a really good show and Jason is in his element. It's a lot of fun.

Sweet Charity

2009-02-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

Jason is going to be performing in the musical "Sweet Charity" at the Curtis Theatre in Brea March 13-29. The shows run Friday through Sunday, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

Jason is playing the role of Daddy Brubeck, a 60's jazz musician turned cult leader. He sings the showstopper song "The Rhythm of Life". Trust me, the number is unforgettable. It's going to be classic Jason! Please come to see him if you can.

For those of you who may not know, "Sweet Charity" is a classic Broadway musical choreographed by Bob Fosse and music written by Cy Coleman. A movie was made starring Shirley McClaine as Charity. Big Daddy Brubeck was played by Sammy Davis, Jr. (don't worry...Jason won't try to dance like Sammy). It's a fun show with such hits as "Big Spender", "I'm A Brass Band" and "If They Could See Me Now".

(Pictures of Jason as Big Daddy to follow).

Maddie in Pigtails

2009-02-26T13:51:00.000-08:00

Tuesday was the first day I was able to put Madeleine's hair in pigtails. She really liked them. She was pretty still when I put the rubber bands in, but she did take them out after about an hour.

"I am Pippi Longstocking, if you say it fast it's funny..."

False Alarm

2009-02-11T23:25:00.000-08:00

Madeleine does not have bronchitis again, just a head cold with lots of post nasal drip.

Thank goodness. No breathing treatments!

Will it be curtains for Broadway?

2009-02-10T13:03:00.001-08:00

This sketch from SNL is quite funny, but also true. Broadway is hurting just like many industries around the country. Entertainment is the first thing people cut out of their lives when pocketbooks are thin. However, this downturn has a real effect on part of my family's livelihood, specifically my sister Sarah, a professional actor. Go see theater if you can.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Maddie has Bronchitis Again!

2009-02-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

I feel terrible that my little girl is so sick again. She is going to the doctor tomorrow. My guess is that the nebulizer is back.
Will this vicious cycle ever end?
It's a cruel, cruel, cold and flu season!!!

Chocolate Ice Cream

2009-02-07T21:18:00.001-08:00

Jason and I are probably the worst parents. But she loved it!

January - A month of illness

2009-02-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, so blogging in January was kind of a bust. The truth is that nothing really happened except that we were all sick for the whole month. Actually, it started at the end of December, and frankly, it hasn't let up yet. I kinda wish we could have a do-over for 2009.

It all started on Christmas Eve-Eve (what I call December 23rd). I had finished my last caroling gig for the season the night before at McCormick & Schmick'a Restaurant (a total bust. but the way, the place was empty - no tips). I woke up Christmas Eve -Eve with a scratchy throat. I always know that is trouble, but was trying to wish it away. By Christmas Eve it was a full-blown sore throat. And of course, I was constantly surrounded by my entire family, including my relatives from Colorado and their 8-month-old. My sister wasn't there, yet still managed to get sick anyway.
By the day after Christmas, my dad was starting to feel it. We went to Disneyland that day and he mentioned his throat didn't feel right. Madeleine was the next victim, then Jason, then my mom and then my brother Jared. By New Year's Eve we were all miserable, but holding on to the fact that it was just a really bad cold. (Yeah, right). We had plans to go to visit Jason's dad on New Year's Day, then have a family weekend in San Diego and take Maddie to the zoo. We were determined to keep our plans. We called Jason's dad, Wes, and he said we could still come because he and Chris were sick too! Unbelievable! So we went. Madeleine and I were the sickest. But we pressed on. Of course, it was also cold and rainy, but were still determined to go to the zoo. And so we did. We had a good time, but I think it would have been better if we were healthier and it was a little warmer.

Maddie and me sick on Jan. 2, 2009

Sick in San Diego

Pics at the San Diego Zoo, Jan. 3, 2009

We came home from San Diego on Sunday exhausted and not rested and leery of working the next day. We all had a terrible cough, especially Madeleine. I decided it was time for her to visit the doctor.
The next day, I canceled my work day and took her in. I wasn't that surprised when the doctor said she had bronchitis (which means Jason and I had it too). She did say she was going to have to have a nebulizer to inhale some medicine to break up the congestion, otherwise they would have to hospitalize her. So we got the nebulizer. She hated it. I had to give it to her 3 times a day. She cried and cried, but it got the medicine into her lungs. I decided to take a few hits of her medicine too. Why not, I had bronchitis too. Jason saw his doctor and he got an inhaler and some cough medicine. Jason took the next two days off of work. We were just a mess. Come to find out, the rest of my family was equally as miserable, and of course, we all had many obligations we had to fulfill using our voices. Then I found out my family in Denver also got sick, including my cousin 8-month -old Lexi. It was bad. It didn't go away for about 2 weeks.

Then I got a sinus infection. GREAT! New sore throat, new symptoms, new congestion. I was sick of being sick! Jason was out of town in Orlando, FL on business and I had to suffer alone. Luckily, Maddie didn't get this one; she just had a little residual congestion from the earlier infection. However, my parents were not better. It was bad. That weekend (Jan. 24 -one month since beginning of sickness) I was feeling really run down, but I still had to teach my Saturday morning class. When I picked Maddie up from Jason's mom's house that afternoon, I was feeling really exhausted. My stomach was not right either. I ate a Subway sandwich to try to appease my nausea, but it started getting worse. I was also feeling achy. By the time we got home, I had a fever and was miserable. Since Jason was gone and I had no help with Madeleine, I called my mom and asked if Maddie could stay with her and my Dad so I could rest and so that she wouldn't catch what I had. I mustered my remaining strength and got Maddie to my parents. I drove back home and crashed. By 5 am the next morning I was throwing up and basically couldn't stop. I couldn't hold down any fluids at all. Jason was still gone! That afternoon, my dad picked me (still sick from the first infection) and took me to the emergency room. They gave me an IV of fluids and determined I had food poisoning! I still felt awful. I went back home to my parent's house until Jason finally picked me up after coming home from Florida. Madeleine stayed another night with my parents so I could sleep in. It took me another 3 days or so to feel better. (Sorry, no pictures of food poisoned, green Rachel Green)

Ok, so it seems like January ends and the sickness is over. Feb. 1 was SuperBowl Sunday. We had a nice relaxing day and were all ready for Monday. Monday, Feb. 2nd- Jason wakes up with a sore throat!!!!!!!!!! AAAARRRRGGGGHHH! He has had a cold all week and yesterday, who gets a runny nose and cough but Madeleine. Here we go all over again. Please God, let cold and flu season end soon!

Wait a Minute!

2009-01-29T22:33:00.000-08:00

I thought I wouldn't have to deal with this until the teenage years!

Happy New Year 2009

2009-01-01T08:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone I know and everyone I don't know.
May 2009 bring you peace and happiness in your life and in the life of others.

Disneyland Trip on December 26

2008-12-31T23:02:00.000-08:00

The day after Christmas the Pfeifer clan went to Disneyland. It was very cold. It had been raining all week, but it did not rain that day. It was sunny and crisp and probably in th 50's during the day. I have to say I feel we have spoiled Madeleine a bit because she is a year old and has probably been to the park about 10 times. However, this was the first time she got to go with her grandparents and Uncle Jared and her extended family from Colorado.

Because it was so cold, Maddie had to wear her parka most of the day. Jason found her a great red beanie with Mickey ears. I really didn't think she would keep it on her head, but she did. I'm so glad because it kept her warm and she sure looked cute.

Needless to say the park was very crowded that day. I believe it is one of the busiest days of the year. We rented a wheelchair for my mom because of her knee (she needs knee replacement surgery so can't walk for long periods). The first half of the day was a bit slow because of the crowds. I took Maddie along with my mom and dad on the Winnie the Pooh ride while the others went on Splash Mountain (way too cold for that ride in my opinion). Then we waited for Space Mountain while we had FastPasses for Indiana Jones. Mom stayed with the babies while we waited 90 minutes for Space Mountain. If my cousins weren't here, I definitely wouldn't have waited that long. Madeleine actually slept better at Disneyland than on Christmas and often at home - two 90 minute naps, one right after Space Mountain and during Indiana Jones. By the time we were done with that, it was 6:00 and my relatives decided they wanted to leave! I felt like we were just getting started.

Jared and Brian on Splash Mountain

Jared, Me, Aunt Jan, Brian, Dad, and Brittny in line for Space Mountain

Me and my cousin Brittny

After dinner, we felt the day really got started. We took advantage of the wheelchair and was able to expedite our waiting time in line. We were able to take Madeleine on several rides in Fantasyland, including Snow White, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Then we went on Pirates and the Haunted Mansion, Madeleine loving every minute of it.
Four times throughout the day, we tried to get on It's a Small World and failed. The ride had been closed all year for renovations so we have never been able to take Maddie on it. This ride was the only one Jason cared about for that day - he wanted to take Maddie on it. But because of the crowds, we had to eat on the other side of the park, then got stuck on the wrong side of the parade, then it closed for the fireworks. On the fourth try, we were waiting in the handicapped line and the ride attendant was not the brightest bulb. We waited over a half an hour while she let others in line behind us go on first. Meanwhile it was in the 40's and 10:45pm. Madeleine was falling asleep. At last we got on the ride and it was really great. Madeleine woke up and just loved it. Then she was done. She soon fell asleep. At 12 months old, she closed down Disneyland.

Maddie's Second Christmas

2008-12-31T21:58:00.000-08:00

This year we celebrated a wonderful Christmas. It was Madeleine's second Christmas. Last year, however, she was only 2 weeks old and didn't do a whole lot but sleep and lay in her swing. So this year in a way was her first Christmas.

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

My cousin Brittny and her husband Brian came from Akron, CO with their 8 month old daughter Lexi as well as my Aunt Jan. We got to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with them. It was really fun having two babies around at Christmas.

Maddie loved opening presents. I have to say that her favorite gift was the Fisher Price Grand Piano that Mommy and Daddy got her. I couldn't resist and had to have her open it up on Christmas Eve. She loved to play it with her Uncle Jared. In fact, she loved doing everything with her Uncle Jared. The two of them were quite a pair.

Maddie "feeling the music"

Madeleine and Uncle Jared

Santa Claus definitely came down our chimney of our new house this year. Madeleine must have been a very good girl. She got lots of new toys, "toddler toys". She sure is growing up so fast.
She also got a Radio Flyer red wagon from Grandma and Grandpa Pfeifer, lots of cute clothes from Uncle Jared, a rocking horse from Auntie Sarah, toys and books from Granny Michelle and Auntie Katharina, and puzzles and books from Mommy and Daddy.

Jason and I were very blessed this year as well. Yes, we did get some nice gifts, but we feel blessed that we have a happy marriage, a beautiful, healthy daughter, a new house, Jason's good job, our family near to us, and all of our many friends. Life is good. Merry Christmas.

Maddie Meets Santa Claus

2008-12-29T22:32:00.000-08:00

On December 13th, I got hired with the Christmas Belles Carolers to sing at the Woodbury Christmas event in Irvine. Since we miss living in Irvine so much, we decided to bring Madeleine to my gig with me to meet Santa. She had a lot of fun watching Mommy sing with Tara and Marti and then meeting the big guy himself...Santa.

Madeleine was not scared of Santa at all. In fact, she was studying him quite intently. You can see she is thinking on her face.

After meeting Santa, Maddie got to sit in the driver's seat of a fire truck. She loved it. You can see she already wants to drive. She also got to meet the fire rescue dog, a black lab named Jerry. Maddie and Jerry became instant friends.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2008-12-29T22:12:00.000-08:00

It's been two weeks since Maddie's birthday, but since we've had a little something called Christmas, I give myself some slack for getting these pictures up a little late.

Madeleine had a great birthday party. It was just her mom and dad, Grandma and Grandpa Pfeifer, Granny Schnepel, Grandpa Green and Grandma Chris. We had appetizers, presents, and then the big moment...the cake.

I made her a vanilla birthday cake that I was very proud of. It was my first attempt at birthday cake. Even though I frosted it 24 hours after baking, the frosting started melting down the cake. By the time the party started it was completely melted off. We were all perplexed. It must have been melty frosting. Luckily, Jason ran out and got her a new cake. It was still delicious. Next year, Mommy is going to make her own frosting.

First cake

Second cake

Let's just say, Madeleine loves cake. You could see the wheels turning in her head. She started oh so dainty, dipping her finger in the frosting and licking it like a lady. Within moments, she had the cake in both hands. It took her 2 days to recover, but it was worth it.

Happy Birthday Madeleine!

2008-12-11T14:44:00.000-08:00

Happy First Birthday to our little December baby, Madeleine Elizabeth

Family Portrait

2008-12-08T07:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, so we've officially done what every young famiy has to do...go to Sears Portrait Studio for a family portrait. Of course we decided to do Christmas pictures. We also took some birthday portraits for Madeleine.

I have to say the experience was a little uncomfortable. The workers were very disorganized and the whole process took 2 1/2 hours! I have been taking Maddie to Kiddie Kandids all year for her pictures and that process takes about 45 minutes. They have it down to a science, especially with babies. They just can't last 2 1/2 hours, and neither could ours. Even though we made an appointment, we had to wait 30 minutes before we started the photo shoot, and by then Madeleine was already wiggly. By the time we changed her clothes for her birthday shots, she was already melted down. The pictures are cute, but her hair is a mess and and we didn't get the poses I hoped for. But because she is so cute, the pictures still look fabulous.

I have a beautiful family.

Madeleine's First Song

2008-11-30T22:24:00.000-08:00

I don't know why it surprises me, but Madeleine is already singing. Jason and I caught her singing in the car on the way to church last Sunday. Here is the back story.

When I first became pregnant with Madeleine, I was performing in a production of Sondheim's "A Little Night Music". This was May 2007. I had some morning sickness during the run of the show, and often had a hard time performing. Jason was helping with sound in the booth. One night after a show, we stopped at CVS for something and saw a display of singing stuffed animals. We were tired and silly and so we started testing out each doll to see what it would sing. Most were "Happy Birthday" and "You are My Sunshine", songs like that. We came across a white bear dressed in an old granny dress and wide brimmed hat and pearls. When we pressed the button, it sang a loud flat version of "Sunrise, Sunset". It was not good, but we were so tired we thought it was hilarious and we had to buy it, so we did.

Fast forward to September 2008. Maddie was crying one day, so I pulled out the flat-singing doll and played it for her. She immediately stopped crying and actually started laughing. She really loved that doll. Now it is one of her favorites. Who knew? I ad mit I have been nervous that if she listens to it long enough, she would learn to sing flat. We started putting the doll in the car when she cries in her car seat to help soothe her.

Last week she was listening to it on the way to church when all of a sudden we hear her holding a sustained note along with the doll. She was matching both the pitch and the duration of the note. She did this several times throughout the song. We turned the doll on a second time and Madeleine did it again. We laughed for quite a while. Her first song was not "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "Little Bunny Foo-Foo", but Fiddler's "Sunrise Sunset". She sings with it all the time now.

We're going to have to get a new doll soon so we can listen to a different song.

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-30T21:43:00.000-08:00

This year we had a great Thanksgiving. It was Madeleine's very first Thanksgiving, and I think she had a really great time. We started our morning with cinnamon rolls and eggs (Maddie had some eggs) as we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Since this was our first major holiday in our new house, we really enjoyed the three of us being at home in our pajamas following Thanksgiving traditions. After putting Madeleine down for a late morning nap, I made my first pumpkin pie (which ended up being a big hit), as well as the sweet potatoes we were bringing to the big Wardlow feast later that afternoon. Jason made creamy horseradish sauce for the party, since the feast was going to feature not only turkey, but ham and prime rib too.

At 2:00 we went to Jason's cousin Keith Wardlow's house (which used to be Jason's great-aunt Evelyn's house), where we had a major feast with over 30 other people, many from Jason's mother's side of the family, the Wardlow's. Madeleine got to play with Jason's second cousin Tanya's 2 year old daughter Lily, as well as Buddy's granddaughters. She had a great time playing with the older girls and they took good care of her. Then it was time for the major feast, with all the meat, as well as potatoes insane, 3 kinds of stuffing, corn chowder, and all the typical Thanksgiving fixings. There were even banana leaf wrapped tamales. Needless to say, we were stuffed! We barely had enough room for Mulberry cheesecake and pumpkin pie. But it's Thanksgiving...you find room.

Madeleine playing with the girls Miley and Tito

Madeleine and Lily

Madeleine was hungry and wanted appetizers, so she got her puffs out of her bag, removed the lid, and started chowing down.

Time with Granny

The Wardlow house

The Feast

Jason and I were tired, yet Madeleine was full of energy and wanted to play some more. She loved spending time with her Granny and Auntie Katharina, as well as her other relatives. She finally pooped out at about 7:30. What a great day.

11 months old

2008-11-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

My baby is 11 months old today. She is growing so fast! Just one month until the big day...her first birthday!

Halloween

2008-11-04T18:05:00.000-08:00

Madeleine had a great Halloween. She decided to dress up as Daisy Duck. She loves to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the Disney Channel and do the Hot Dog Dance as Daisy, so we found her the costume, and she looked just Ducky!

Can't wait until next year!
She went trick-or-treating in her grandparent's neighborhood. She went with her Mom, Dad and Grandpa. She only went to 5 houses because the duck bill was getting a little annoying and she wanted to take it off her head.

We all came back to Grandma and Grandpa's house for more pictures.
Madeleine and Jason (dressed as Ricky Bobby)

Madeleine and Grandpa (dressed as the devil). Madeleine wasn't too keen about the costume. It freaked her out a little.

Then it was time for a lasagna dinner and yummy pumpkin pie!

Maddie at the Pumpkin Patch

2008-11-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

I have looked at a lot of my friend's blogs and their adventures at the Pumpkin Patch, and I see very similar pictures to ours. I think we all went to the same pumpkin patch. But since a lot of us live in Irvine, that seems to make sense. We actually moved to Corona, but drove 45 minutes to the Irvine pumpkin patch because it was such a cool one.

They had a pumpkin graveyard and haunted house that Madeleine and I went into. In fact, Jason took a picture of us that looks like we are "walking into the light". It is quite amusing.

These are some really great pictures of Madeleine waiting for the Great Pumpkin. I hope he rises out of the pumpkin patch for her because honestly, this pumpkin patch was definitely the most sincere.

The best part of the trip was the donkey riding. Well, pony riding. But if anyone knows Madeleine, they would know that her most favorite song in the whole world is a British sailing song called "Donkey Riding". It is often the only song that will get her to calm down and sleep at night. So when we saw pony rides at the pumpkin patch, we told her she would get to go donkey riding for the very first time! I don't think she quite knew the difference. Nevertheless, she was the hit of the donkey/pony riding tent.

She loved the donkey riding so much, she decided she wanted to ride something bigger and did some elephant riding. I don't think she realized that the elephant was not real. She'll have to do real elephant riding when she's a little bigger.

Lights on Broadway 2008

2008-11-04T16:41:00.000-08:00

So I know it was two weeks ago, but we have been a little busy moving into our new house and all, but Jason and I were involved in our stake production of a musical revue called "Lights on Broadway". Most people would think a church production would be amateurish at best, but not in Irvine! We had quite a professional production. I was fortunate enough to be the assistant musical director for the production and appear in 7 musical numbers! It was nice to perform again since I have not done a whole lot since having Madeleine. I got to sing a great solo "Everybody Says Don't" - a Sondheim favorite. I also got to sing with 6 other amazing women the Bernstein tune "I Can Cook Too" - and awesome 40's/50's swing number. The highlight was Jason and I on stage opposite each other in as Gaston and Belle in "Me" from "Beauty and the Beast". We have not played opposite each other in over 3 years. Although it was only a 3 minute song, we had a blast. I loved it especially because I got to do something I would never ordinarily do - play Belle. That role is my sister's department.

The show is not going to Broadway, but there is something special about performing with your fellow brothers and sisters in the church. It brings you so much closer together in such a fun activity. I will miss the Irvine Stake because of this. But I have been assured that Jason and I are invited as Irvine Stake alumni artists in the next Lights on Broadway production. I can't wait!

Picture from the OC Register of me and Leilani Sofuia and Bridgette Briggs singing "I Can Cook Too"

Jason and I posing for "Me" from Beauty and the Beast

Me singing "Everybody Says Don't" from the backstage viewpoint.

Backstage pictures of our Irvine Stake peeps

Miller family - Amber, Marin, Nicole, and Ben

Katie Luther and Bridgette Briggs

Music Man Barbershop Quartet - Ben Morgen, Bruce Loosli, Mark Mortensen, Glenn Patchell

"I Can Cook Too" Girls - Bridgette, Leilani, Jen, Heidi, and Jolie

The men singing "Into the Fire" as pirates (for you musical theater geeks...I know there shouldn't be pirates, but pirate costumes are cheaper than 18th century ones.)

Sandi Burgess and Lesley Stout

The Dancing Queens? - Nicole Miller, Jen Izu and Luci Ainsworth

Dreamgirls Kari Goodman and Andrea Robertson

Angela and Eddie Villa, our "go to Mimi's Cafe after the show friends"

Our fearless leaders Linda Simmons and Sandi Burgess

We have so many more friends not pictured here. Just know that we love you and had a fabulous time performing with you!

Look who's got teeth!

2008-10-21T17:55:00.000-07:00

Madeleine now has 6 teeth...and she knows how to use them!

My sister is awesome!

2008-10-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

I just want to declare to the world that my sister Sarah is awesome! She ran the Toronto Marathon on Sunday, October 19th. This was her first marathon. I can't believe it, but she ran it in under 4 hours, something like 3:45. Amazing! On top of that, she had bronchitis at the time. And, on top of that, she placed 20th in her class! I am so proud of her. I wish I had some pictures of her, but I'm sure I will get some soon.

Congratulations Sarah! You rock!

We Bought a House!

2008-10-15T23:43:00.000-07:00

Today we closed escrow on our new house we bought! We are just thrilled. It has been an enormously stressful process, but it is all worth it. We are sad that we will be leaving Irvine. We absolutely love it here. However, we knew that the window of opportunity for us to buy a home was now, and so we jumped at it. We are moving to a community in Corona called Eastvale. Our home is a one-story, three bedroom plus an office house with real hardwood floors and great upgrades. We are so excited to move in. However, we now have a lot more work to do getting our house ready to move in and of course packing up our things. We will be completely in our new house by Halloween!

Madeleine just loves her new house. So much more room to spread out and explore!

Madeleine's First Trip to the Beach

2008-10-01T23:31:00.001-07:00

On August 22, we went to our church ward's corn roast bonfire at Corona Del Mar beach. This was Madeleine's first trip to the beach and she had a great time. She just loves the water.

After munching on some watermelon, the three of us took a trip down to the water so Madeleine could get her feet wet. We weren't sure how she would react because the ocean water is so much colder than her bath water and even the water in the pool. Well, I think the pictures say it all.

Just as the sun set and darkness fell, Madeleine got sleepy and fell asleep peacefully in the sand near the warmth of the bonfire, even with all the hubbub of the others at the party. She is just so cute!

Trip to June Lake

2008-09-16T18:09:00.000-07:00

The Green family has been very busy the last few weeks. I will try to catch us up.

We took a trip to June Lake in the Sierra Nevadas the last week of August and Labor Day Weekend. We went with my parents. This was Madeleine's first vacation with Grandma and Grandpa Pfeifer and her first long road trip. She did really great! She slept quite a bit.

She also ate and pooped and cried...all the things babies do. But we did get to see some really fabulous scenery.

This is June Lake seen from the car.

While we were there, we stayed in a 3 bedroom condo that would seem so comfy and cozy...in the winter. We happened to arrive during the hottest week of the year. The temperature lingered around 85-90 degrees...and we were at about 7500 feet elevation! No buildings in June Lake had air conditioning, so we were all a little uncomfortable. None of the restaurants had air conditioning either. The heat during the day and the lingering heat at night was the most difficult part of the trip.

The view from our sweltering condo.

We still had fun. Jason caught his first fish. Madeleine got to go fishing too. Jason and I took a trip to Yosemite. We all got to eat at a gourmet restaurant inside a Mobil station. Jason saw a bear. We went to a film museum. All in all, it was a great time.

Us at the Mobil Station gourmet restaurant. We ate lobster taquitos with a spring greens salad with raspberry vinaigrette and barbeque chicken pizza. Yes, I'm serious. Maddie also met Squiggy the Raccoon, her new friend she took home with her.

Us in Yosemite and Madeleine goin' fishin'

Madeleine on a horse at the film museum for the Eastern Sierras.

More Les Mis

2008-08-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

More videos of Les Mis

You can see me in this one. I am directly behind the conductor (Kevin Stites') right shoulder

Les Miserables at the Hollywood Bowl

2008-08-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

Jason and I were privileged to perform in the Mitch Hanlon Singers in a spectacular performance of Les Miserables at the Hollywood Bowl August 8, 9, and 10. The show was quite spectacular. I must admit I did not really care for the show before. It always seemed to be overestimated as the best musical ever written. I always thought the solos/arias were quite simplistic and often sung dreadfully. But as I studied, learned, listened and performed the music over the last 2 weeks, I really learned to appreciate, even love it. I still believe the arias to be simply constructed, but the emotion and passion in the music really is what makes it beautiful. I also really got to hear all the recitatives and other incidental music in the show which one does not often hear. I thought that music is the most amazing. My favorite sequence of the show is called "Confrontation" between Jean ValJean and Javert, a fantastic recitative duet. Here is a clip from our production.

Brian Stokes Mitchell as Javert and J. Mark McVey as Jean ValJean. Simply amazing!

I have been performing with the Mitch Hanlon Singers at the Hollywood Bowl since 1999, performing in such shows as South Pacific, Carousel, The Music Man, Mame, Camelot, The Sound of Music, South Pacific (again), and now Les Mis. I also had a solo in a special concert featuring the music of Woody Allen movies. I've worked with such performers as Marilyn Horne, Jeremy Irons, James Barbour, Susan Egan, Tom Bosley, Michele Lee, Christine Ebersole, Fred Willard, Eric McCormick, Kristen Chenoweth, John Scheider, Jeffrey Tambour, Michael McKean, Brian Stokes Mitchell (Stokes), and Reba McEntire, I really feel lucky to have been part of so many amazing experiences.
This production had the best singing of all of them.

This is me sitting on the stage of the Disney Concert Hall during the orchestra rehearsal on Tuesday, August 5.

Jason and I at the Bowl on opening night

The view of the audience from the roof of the Hollywood Bowl

Jason and Michael McCormick (Thenardier)

Rachel and Jason with Tom Lowe (Enjolras) hubba, hubba...

Kevin Stites was our musical director and he was really wonderful. He was very nice and treated us with a great deal of respect. And he definitely knew his stuff. I loved watching him teach music as well as conduct the orchestra.
Here is the Mitch Hanlon Singers (with Mitch in the blue in the front row with Kevin Stites sitting to his left.

Why Being Mom is Worth It

2008-08-14T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today I had the most rewarding moment as a mom. Madeleine had a pretty good day - she played a lot, she got herself in the crawling position, and she took 2 naps (that right there is a good moment). However, she also didn't want to eat dinner (for the second night in a row), she made herself gag when she didn't like her turkey baby food, and she peed on the floor when I was getting her ready for her bath.

I got her ready for bed and she was fussy as usual, not really wanting to go to bed. She started crying in her crib, so I picked her up and rocked her in the chair in her room. She finally began to calm down. Just as she was drifting off to dreamland, she lifted her head from my shoulder, looked at me directly in the eye, moved in to my face, and deliberately gave me a wet kiss. She then put her head back on my shoulder and went right to sleep.

That is what makes poopy diapers, peeing on the floor, and temper tantrums in the grocery store all worthwhile.

Les Mis Video Clip

2008-08-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneak peek video of this weekend's Les Miserables at the Hollywood Bowl. If you look closely behind the conductor's right shoulder, you can see Jason and I singing in the chorus. The show is going to be AWESOME!!

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=30854

Les Miserables at the Hollywood Bowl

2008-08-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

Jason and I will be performing a concert version of Les Miserables this weekend, August 8, 9, 10 at the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Mitch Hanlon Singers. The production is shaping up to be phenomenal!!! The principal cast is outstanding, including J. Mark McVey as Jean Valjean, Brian Stokes Mitchell as Javert, Melora Hardin (Jan from The Office) as Fantine, Lea Michele as Eponine, just to name a few. They are all amazing singers and performers and I feel honored to work with them.

How We Began

2008-08-06T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is how the Green family began. Jason and I met playing as husband and wife in the Sondheim musical Company in the fall of 2004. We played the married couple Harry and Sarah who love each other dearly, but argue constantly and often throw punches. We enjoyed it so much we thought we wanted to be husband and wife for real!

Jason and I did lots of theater shows together before we got married, including Guys and Dolls (as Nathan and Miss Adelaide), Camelot (with Jeremy Irons), and Sweeney Todd.

Then in March 2006 we got married in the Newport Beach Temple, a glorious day!

We moved to Irvine, CA and then did some more theater together, including How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, 1776, and The Sound of Music. I performed in A Little Night Music and Jason did South Pacific.

Then on December 11, 2007 we had our best production. Madeleine Elizabeth Green was born at 8:04pm, weighing 6 lbs 15 oz, and was 19.5 inches. She is the best thing that has ever happened to us. This blog will be mostly about her, our little superstar.

Starting this blog

2008-08-06T09:05:00.000-07:00

After seeing how many of our friends are blogging as a way to document moments in their lives, I finally gave in and started a blog for our family. We often get caught up in the day to day grind of work, laundry, diapers, and church responsibilities and forget to take some time for ourselves. So here I am. I will make a concerted effort to keep up this blog up-to-date as best I can.