Madeleine's first Valentine's Day.  She got a card from Grandpa Paul and Grandma Emily, a gift from Aunt Renate, and a load of stuff from Oma Brigitte.

One of Madeleine's new favorite things is hanging over the changing table.  It is colorful, has things dangling from it, and has a mirror facing down.  Madeleine loves to look at it and smiles and waves at it.  I have no idea what it is called however.

We tried a new burping technique this week, the baby over the knee.  Daddy misunderstood and placed Madeleine along his leg rather than across his knees.  Madeleine didn't seem to mind and gave us a good burp or two.

Madeleine with Mommy on Valentine's day, smiling away!

Madeleine looking up at something on the ceiling, which is shown in a later picture.

For the first time Madeleine got to use the swing that Gene and Daneen Matts gave her.  She was fussing quite a bit Saturday afternoon, so we decided to give it a try.

Less than 20 minutes later, we called the swing a big success.

Felix and Mommy try to entertain Madeleine.  But Madeleine has eyes for something else.

This is what Madeleine is looking at on the ceiling.  Spin the fan and she'll stop crying and stare at it in wonder.  Of course, you can't turn the fan on, because then it spins too fast.  So picture Daddy standing there manually keeping the fan in motion.

Everybody's tired early Sunday afternoon.

Earlier we spent some time trying to get a good picture in Madeleine's new purple outfit.  We have a few things that are not pink!

We had to rest up because Oma and Aunt Renate were coming over to give Madeleine some presents for her first Valentine's day.  Oma complained because Madeleine wasn't wearing pink.

The presents went a bit overboard.

Included with the gifts was a headband that didn't go over as well as planned.

Our neighbors, Erin and Vesna, came over to visit as well and sat for the "new visitors" pictures.  Here is Erin and Madeleine.

And then Vesna, with Madeleine looking quite coy.

This is a better picture of Vesna, but Madeleine looks a bit uncomfortable.