Family Day

We had a family celebration today, honoring my cousin Gary who got married. This is what baby-girl wore. I didn't ask anyone for permission to post their pictures so I'll just put pics of Madalynn. Congratulations to Gary & Jamie!!!

I know this picture is out of focus, but I just LOOOVE the expression on her face.

Memorial Day

As is our family tradition we went back to my hometown for their memorial day parade. I think it's such an important day to stop and honor, and remember all of those serving, and have served to protect freedom, and the values of this country. I love that my family is passing this honor and respect on to the next generation.

A member of my family has served in every branch of the military. My Dad was in the marine corp, my brother Rob was in the navy, my grandfather Albert, was a career army man, and my cousin Andy served in the Air Force. The memorial service at the end of the parade is held at the cemetary where my grandfather is buried. I got very emotional going to his grave with Madalynn for the first time. I know he would love to meet her, and watch her grow, along with her cousins.

On to a lighter note, Madalynn was all decked out in red, white & blue right down to her shoes!! You can see them in this stroller picture. Also notice the stars & stripes hair bows.

To anyone serving in the military, or any veteran who served in wartime or peace. Thank you for your service, and sacrifice, and for protecting those of us at home.

<

Re-Decorating

A few months ago I saw the cutest ducky bathroom set at Target, and thought when my parents move out I was going to re-decorate Madalynn's bathroom in a kid type theme. Not ALL ducks everywhere just some duck accessories, and this rug was what really sold me on it... too cute!!

This is the shower curtain (yes Mom I know the shower curtain needs to be ironed), hooks, and towels I got to accessorize. This was going to be the extent of it. I let her pick out the shower curtain hooks... it was all ducks, or a mix of ducks, frogs, and turtles. She immediately went for the ducks. Which was fine with me as I'm not a big fan of reptiles.

So, while Madalynn was taking her nap I went to work, and I couldn't wait to show it to her.

I brought her in to show her, and then popped back in her room for a second, and I heard her start to cry... she's scared of the duck!! Poor thing. I picked her up, and brought her out of the bathroom in case it was something else, but when I tried to bring her back in she CLIMBED me not to go back. So, needless to say the duck rug is going back to Target, and we'll accessorize another way.

Then I also found these Classic Pooh wall decals. It is just the right touch her room needed. Thankfully she's not scared of these.

Just a few more pics from our day today.... the weather was just gorgeous so Mommy had to play with her camera!!

Baby Love

I did it!!! I broke down, and bought my new camera!! I love, love, love it!!! I got it Thursday afternoon, and have already taken over 100 pics of baby girl (don't worry I won't post them all here). Robin & Amy I had no idea what I was missing. So, I am now officially digitial... using all my fun lenses, and trying to figure out all the fun settings on this beast. I'd forgotten how much I love to take pictures. I've really missed it.

In other news, my parents moved into their new place Thursday, and it is just beautiful!! I am so excited for them but sad that it's further away (still under 1/2 an hour I think that's the maximum radius they'll live away from their grandchildren). I hope to take some pics soon & I'll share when I do.

"Ummm....did you say Ga-Ga & Grandpa are staying here & not coming home with us??"

Madalynn definitely misses them. Our first morning to wake up with out them I brought her out into the living room, and she was looking around like 'Hey... where's my greeting committee?' I'm sure it will be an adjustment for her to go from having 3 adults giving her undivided attention to one adult who is also trying to run the household. She also started saying Grandpa when we went to their house yesterday. It came out like 'Bo-Ba'. She'll be getting that pony now.

She is now standing up in her crib too, what a big shot!!

I love flowers. the colors, the scents, the blossoms, everything!! However, anyone who knows me well knows I do not like to garden (it goes back to that looking at nature vs. participating in nature thing). I think it also has to do with my meticulous nature. I'm a very precise person, and gardening is not precise. I need specific directions. With gardening it's very vague, and a lot of it you just have to 'know'. The watering thing alone stresses me out... how much water, how often, what if it just rained? Oyyyy.

This is my second spring in this house/condo, and last year I did a couple container plantings. They did ok... not great (especially the daisies... sorry guys you're such a friendly flower too). So, I'm trying again this year, and got a little bit more ambitious adding 3 large containers along my front walk. I've taken their pictures, and will keep my blog updated as things progress. Maybe we could start a pool to find out how long before I kill them??

Double impatiens on the front porch.

One of the 3 new containers on my front walk. I couldn't do the other 2 b/c I didn't have enough potting soil.

More impatients on the back deck.

10 Months Old!!!

My baby girl is now 10 months old!! I can't believe it, and I can't believe how much she has changed, and grown in the 2 months since she's been home!!

Her newest thing is pulling herself up, standing, and as of today cruising!!! I think she'll be an early walker. Ga-Ga is saying don't encourage her, as Ga-Ga will have to do most of the chasing while I'm at work... sorry Ga-Ga.

It started innocently enough last week with crawling over the entertainment center...(of course Mommy encouraged a little bit by putting her favorite ball just out of reach on the shelf)...

I get up on one knee to get started...

Then I get both feet up a little wobbly

I think I can reach it...

Okay... Mommy... enough with the camera I get it!!

That was all last week... now... she makes a bee line for the entertainment center, and pulls herself up. My theory is she wants to see how many times Mommy has to say 'Madalynn, No!' before Mommy comes over, and picks her up. Also, you can see in these pictures she's watching 'The Heffalump Movie' (BTW, I highly recommend this movie... it is just the sweetest). You can make out Roo in the pics. So, she has now also decided this is the best vantage point for watching 'Heffalump'.

So if there were audio on this blog, when you see this picture you would insert the sound of my voice saying 'Madalynn... No!', and if there were video you would see her give me this look, and then immediately turn back to what I told her not to do.

Mommy also bought a fun beach chair for baby girl, and she just LOOOVES it. The only drawback is there is no foot rest, and Madalynn loves to prop her feet up... but her hand works well too.

This week also brings big changes at our house as Grandma & Grandpa will be moving out & into their new house. They've been here the whole time Madalynn has been home, and I think she is going to be bored with just Mommy. As Ga-Ga has said it's bittersweet leaving as they're so excited to get into their own new home, and yet enjoy getting to experience every moment of Madalynn's life. Grandpa (who is an early riser) has told me how much he loves sitting his chair around 5:00am as she's begginning to stir, and just listen to her little chatter.

Amazing Woman...

I just saw this headline on Yahoo for this 98 year old woman who died today, and she is credited with smuggling 2500 Jewish children out of Nazi Ghettos... It is only a little blurb about her story. I would love to know more, and tried to find a biography on her, but to no avail... just thought I'd share. Plus, how cute is she??

I'm a firm believer in the fact that everyone has a story, and I always love it when I find another amazing story. These stories amaze, inspire, and humble me.

And the winner is.....

...PINK!!!!

Okay... there were 0 votes for the pink dress, but Ga-Ga wanted her to wear it, and since it was her Mother's Day too... she outvoted everyone else!!

It was such a wonderful day. I just loved every moment of enjoying my daughter (I love saying my daughter).

We had a picture perfect day in New England beautiful blue skies, and sunny weather in the 60's. Madalynn & I went to church with Ga- Ga & Grandpa, and then Aunty, Uncle, and the cousins came over for a little visit, and then we went to our favorite restaurant The Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton. Then we all came home for naps. It was a little too bright so the lighting in these pics is tough... another reason Mommy needs a new camera...oyyy.

It was such a wonderful day, and just the perfect way to spend my first Mother's Day.

This was the view from our table on the back deck.

This is Madalynn after I took her plate away so she didn't throw it on the floor...so tragic isn't it??

A happy girl, now that she has a waffle... who needs a plate??

Trying to get some cute pics...

Time for 'Mom' reflection...

It's Mother's Day weekend, and I keep telling my Mom that I already have all I want for mother's day. I don't need anything else. My heart still bursts with love for this precious baby girl.

Today, May 10th is Mother's day in Guatemala, and my heart is so heavy for Madalynn's birth mother. I've been trying to come up with a tradition Madalynn & I can do together to honor her birth mother every year on this day. I liked the idea of writing something, tying it to a balloon, and releasing it. Although, I don't know if I'd want some stranger getting it, and knowing my & someday Madalynn's thoughts & feelings. I would like to plant a tree, and then every year plant some flowers around the trunk... living in a condo that isn't an option. I think for now I'm going to write her birthmom a letter, and put it away somewhere, and then as Madalynn gets older let her write one too.

So often I'll be playing with Madalynn, or doing something for her, and think that her birth mother is missing this. I can't help but be sad that she doesn't get to see the delightful, happy girl that I know, and love as my daughter, and yet be so grateful for this indescribable gift she has given me. A woman I will probably never meet. There are so many things I want to share with her about Madalynn. All the new things she's learning. It would melt her heart to see Madalynn give Pooh bear a hug. Madalynn's goofy side that makes us all laugh, and her determined spirit that I'm sure will try my patience in the coming years, and reminds Ga-Ga of another determined girl she raised.

My heart is heavy for all the Mom's in process waiting for their babies to come home. I know that longing, and time just stretching out before you with no finite point to look toward as your finish line. I'm praying for all of you that this Mother's Day would bring peace, and that you would hold your precious babies in your arms forever in the not too distant future.

I also want to acknowledge all the 'Mom's at heart' out there who for whatever reason aren't Mom's yet, but so long to be. Whether it's years of struggling with infertility, or singleness, or whatever other reason. I know that pain very well, as I spent many a Mother's Day having a bittersweet day. Wanting to honor my own mother, and yet feeling the sting of my own empty arms. God has already given you a Mom's heart even if the fullfillment of that is yet unseen. God is working out His plan perfectly for you, and I pray the fullfillment of that desire comes to be very soon.

Tomorrow I will celebrate my first Mother's Day with my daughter, and I'm already crying... I'd suggest buying stock in Kleenex... it's going to be a 10 hanky day.


Happy Mother's Day everyone.




BTW, I've narrowed her dress selection down to 3... anyone care to vote?? See the poll at the top of the page...


Pretty In Pink





Cream Dream



Polka Dot Fun