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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

 

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.

Her first tea set...

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?

 

Elmo cake!!!

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

 

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

I'm still here....

Wow, it's been awhile since my last post.  Things have been busy... hold on... lots of pics.

Last week we went to Cape Cod for our annual family vacation.  I was so excited this year for Madalynn to see the ocean, spend time with her cousins, aunty & uncle, etc.  Well from the first day I was feeling pretty lousy, and went downhill from there (some sort of upper respiratory virus, I won't get into the graphic details).  So, Madalynn & I headed home 3 days early.  She was so good too while I was sick.

Of course, the biggest thing that happened over vacation was Madalynn turned 2!!  She is soooo 2.  Not just in the terrible 2 sort of way (although she's got that down pat).  But, in the wonderful cute... I can't believe what comes out of her mouth, and things that she thinks to do.  She is always making me laugh with her goofy spirit.

We had a small family birthday breakfast the day of her birthday (we're having her party next weekend), and some presents.  Of course my thoughts always go to her birth mother too.  I wonder what her thoughts are on this day, and I just pray in God's Holy Spirit power that He will reveal to her heart & mind a peace that assures her that Madalynn is healthy, thriving, and above all loved.  She is certainly the joy of my heart.

I had to take a picture of her suitcase... all her little outfits packed up made me smile.... I just LOVED packing her clothes.

Trying to get a shot before we left... Madalynn is not cooperating as usual.  I don't know what it is but the second my camera comes out her entire mood changes. I had to put the bow in her hair b/c when I put on the blue t-shirt with the denim shorts she looked like a boy to me (although people have told me she's one of those kids that will always look like a girl).

Ready to go in the sunglasses I think make her look like Elton John.

Now, she's had enough with the camera... let's get this show on the road.

Every year I fill beach buckets for my nieces & nephew with little vacation goodies... there favorite thing is always the disposable camera of which they usually use up in the first day.

There is no place like Cape Cod for hydrangeas...

The morning of her birthday breakfast... we made blueberry pancakes.

Opening some presents on her 2nd birthday morning.

 

At the candy store, and yes I was a mean Mommy & didn't get her anything.

That night for dinner we went to one of favorite restaurants where they throw the pizza dough in the air.  This year they gave the kids some dough to try it themselves.

We also went to a county fair... Madalynn DID not enjoy the carousel (this picture was before it even started... my poor Dad, handed her over the fence back to me).

Back at the house.... "Madalynn... don't pick the flower's"

Ahhhh... the listening skills of a 2 year old.

 

We did make it to the beach one day.  Madalynn was terrified of the water, and just clung to me.  So, we stayed in our beach chairs with snacks.  Here she is enjoying a Twinkie.

 

Of course... Pooh came to the beach with us too...

She had so much fun with her cousins, and 'Gungle' (Uncle), and 'Dadee' (Aunty), not to mention Ga-Ga & Grandpa.  She did miss the 'Pawwwpy' (Puppy), and was very excited to see her when my parents came home on Friday.  "GaaaDay" (that is how she says thank you) Ga-Ga & Grandpa for another fun vacation.

 

Happy 4th!!!

We had a great weekend, enjoying celebrating our countries birthday!!  I LOOOVE this holiday, and always love it when I have plans.  Last year was a bust due to rain, and the place we've gone the last 3 years trying to make it a tradition, this year didn't do fireworks due to the economy... bummer.

We found an alternative place to see fireworks though at Fruitlands museum in Harvard, MA (not the university).  It is an idyllic setting.  My poor family arrived earlier than I did (sitting there for 4 hours w/ a 2 year old didn't interest me), and they got caught in a downpour, so everything (including them were soaked).  It was still raining when I arrived with Madalynn but not as much, we were able to stay dry, and then it cleared.

There was a slight rainbow as the skies cleared.

Borrowing an idea from my Amy friend I'm going to chronicle Pooh's adventures too (this is not THE Pooh the one Madalynn can't possibly go to sleep without Pooh, Mommy has decided he can't leave the house anymore), so this Pooh is filling in.

Pooh getting ready for the fireworks with his glo-stick

Pooh chillin' at the pool at my brother's house...

Getting ready for some food....

 

... stay tuned for more Pooh adventures...

The cookout at my brother's yesterday was for the 4th, but also to say good-bye to my aunt & uncle who are moving to be closer to their children & grandchildren.  We are all so happy that they will be closer to family, but so sad they won't be close to us anymore...