Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers

Sunday, August 30, 2009

2 Years

Another anniversary... My whole life I use dates as milemarkers of life.  I don't reflect on New Year's Day what has passed, and what is to come... I reflect at these milemarkers of life.  I tend to get much more reflective around my birthday vs New Year's.

Two years ago today I held a tiny sleeping peanut in my arms for the first time, and as my Mom said to me today 'None of our lives have been the same since'.  That's for sure.  I gave my heart to that baby girl that day, and she still has it.

Two years ago...

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Last year...

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Today... I COULD not get the camera to focus on her & I... I don't know what was going on... so after about 20 times of setting the self-timer running back to the chair, and waiting 12 seconds for the click... I gave up... this was the best we could do.... at least she's smiling this year.

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Saturday, August 29, 2009

Look at this face!!

I've just been scrapbooking from when Madalynn came home, and I came across this picture... just a few days after she came home.... look at that face, and the hair too...  there is a thought behind that face, that I still see manifested today...  it's so weird to think she could barely sit up alone when this picture was taken.

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Friday, August 28, 2009

August...

Where did August go???  I can't believe it.  I'm trying to figure out how, now that I'm working from home I actually blog LESS?  My theory is that, before I was so exhausted from the rush, rush, rush, of pick up Madalynn, get home, sort the mail, figure out dinner, cook dinner, spend some time with Madalynn, bath Madalynn, get her ready for bed, get her milk, read her stories, and put her to bed.  After that I was too tired to do anything else (ie clean, laundry, etc), so it was just easier to sit down in front of the computer.    I think that's what I did before.  That's my theory anyway.

Here are just some random pictures from going out for ice cream with Ga-Ga & Grandpa

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Also, Madalynn has started eating at the table in her booster instead of her high chair (I'm finding this much messier).  As you can see from the photos she's unimpressed.

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Sunday will mark the 2 year anniversary of meeting my daughter face to face.  I hope to do a post about that on Sunday (I'm setting myself a goal to reach).  Anyway, I share that to say I thought we should have a 'Mommy & Me' day so Madalynn & I headed to the zoo.  I must admit I've never understood the appeal of the zoo.  I don't remember going to any growing up (sorry Mom & Dad, you may have taken me I just don't remember), I chaperoned one when I was a nanny, and all I remember was this zoo had a gorilla.  I honestly don't remember seeing any other animals there.  I have been to Disney's Animal Kingdom but it would hardly be fair to hold local, regional zoos to that standard.  I digress. 

This zoo has been advertised a lot lately on TV, and I figured it was a little over an hour from here, so we'd give it a shot.  Madalynn loves animals so I thought she'd enjoy it.  We had a good time.  I won't race back there, but it was something new to do.

As an aside, I'm not a huge radical animal lover, and animal rights activist, however, I do think it's so sad to see these beautiful animals cooped up.  Even in facilities that have nice habitat's for the animals, etc.  They should be out in the wild. (Again, Disney's Animal Kingdom is my exception to those feelings... that place is amazing).

OK... on to pictures. 

Madalynn... mapping out our route, and what highlights we want to hit!!

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Looking at the enormous tortise....

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The elephant show... this elephant is 35 years old, the gentleman at the bottom of this picture (and his wife), have been caring for her since she was 9 months old.  The gentleman on top of her (who reminded me of that guy from LOST the scientist guy from Oxford) is their son.  The MC of the show was the top gentleman's wife.  The four of them... Mom Dad, Son & Son's wife all take care of the elephant... things that make you go hmmmmm.

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That white streak in this picture of Madalynn is the bengal tiger pacing about 4 feet away from her... it was just pacing back & forth at the edge of the fence (doesn't that pacing mean something??).

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Unimpressed by the tiger....

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I'm not sure what she's telling the Chimp in this picture....  I thought she was going to give him a kiss.

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This baby giraffe was my favorite of the day... she was so sweet. 

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Madalynn was more interested in her juice box.

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This is the extent of the reptiles that I saw (that was by design... I'm not a fan of reptiles).

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Then after a few hours of being outdoors, we headed to the outlet mall!!!  The Carter's sales are unbelievable!!!  Madalynn scored, including some adorable clogs I can't EVEN handle, and a winter vest... too cute, bring on the fall!!!!

 

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Baby girls...

These were taken the day after Madalynn's b-day party a couple weeks ago.  She was having a tea party with 'Baby', 'Pooh', and 'Curious George'.  I LOVE being Mommy to a little girl.

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Saturday, August 8, 2009

Referralversary

One of the MANY things I love about adoption is all the special dates involved in the process, that are remembered year after year.  When your on the journey to bring your child home you have steps outlined for you that you know need to happen before he/she can come home (this is based on my knowledge of a Guatemala adoption, others of course may differ).  Anyway you live for that next step to be completed, so once it is the day sticks with you.

Today is one of those days.  Two years ago today I received a call from my caseworker saying "Terri, I have a baby girl I'd like to tell you about".  I'm tearing again just typing that, and remembering all the details of that phone call.  I officially began the paperwork in January 2007, was on the waiting list as of May 2007, and 12 weeks, 5 days later I got 'The Call'.  (If you want a synopsis history of 'the call' see THIS POST).  I'm still amazed that day there was a rainbow... God keeps his promises.  I still think so often of her birthmother, and wonder how often she thinks of Madalynn.  I pray she knows how much she is loved, and I wish I could thank her for this most precious gift.

Referral picture 2007

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2008...She still wears these PJ's...

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2009... we were puppysitting for Ga-Ga & Grandpa & I put the puppy in Madalynn's crib with her... she thought that was pretty awesome.

I know this picture is blurry but it sooooo captures their relationship, they are such great buddies.

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Thursday, August 6, 2009

Check out my new 'Randomn' blog at Ok, here's the thing.

EDIT; Click on the words above 'OK, here's the thing.'

Monday, August 3, 2009

Feeling a little nostalgic as I just changed my blog ticker to countdown to 3 years old!! Eeeekkkk... my brain can't go there yet.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Happy 2nd Birthday Madalynn!!

This is one exhausted Mommy, and I have a tired baby girl sleeping in the other room.  The weather was great today, but HOT.  Towards the end of the day I think I had a touch of heat exhaustion (nausea, shaking, etc).  Thankfully, my brother & sil have a pool & live about 90 seconds away.  So after everything wrapped up here, we headed over there for a swim, and stayed for dinner.  Great way to finish off a great day.  Ok... on to pictures.

Every year I'm going to take Madalynn's picture next to this Pooh bear, a birthday gift from Ga-Ga & Grandpa last year.  Here is a side- by side comparison from last year to this year.  She is getting so big.  Last year she was about the same size as Pooh.

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The goods....surprisingly she was not that interested in opening the presents.  Even after she figured out there were toys inside.  It took a lot of coaxing, and chasing her back to get her to go through them all.  She did only have 1/2 hour nap today so that may have been why.  Mommy can't wait to play with some of them.

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Her first tea set...

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A tricycle from Ga-Ga & Grandpa complete with it's own awning.  My niece asked me if she has a helmet.  She doesn't... does she need one for a trike?

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Elmo cake!!!

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Singing Happy Birthday.... I LUV that face.

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My baby girl, is getting so big.  Saying so many words, and phrases.  2 has always been my favorite age.  You really begin to see how their little minds work, and connections, and associations they make.  She's beginning to express her needs, and wants verbally, and carry on a conversation.  She is my joy.

Happy, happy Birthday baby girl... I hope you had a great day.  Love you.

 

B-Day Bash

Madalynn's 2 year b-day Sesame Street bash is today...

7 kids coming
14 adults
A house that isn't clean (Madalynn has been sick all week, extra clingy, and not sleeping doesn't leave much time for Mommy to clean, not to mention cook).

We have a beautiful non- humid 80 degree day to be outside... AWESOME.

Will post pics if I have time to take any