Madison's 1st Birthday

I write this post with mixed emotion.....This past year has been the most amazing year of our lives. Joseph and I can't even imagine our life without Madison. She makes our family comlete. She has so fulfilled every dream and desire we had for what our family would look like. She is the perfect fit for us in every way. So, as we celebrate her first year of life, we are so very joyful and grateful. But, even now, one month after her birthday, tears still well up in my eyes as I think about it. I can't believe one whole year has passed. The tiny baby girl I used to hold swaddled in a blanket is now so big! I still creep into her bedroom each night to check on her, kiss her, hold her....will I ever stop doing that? Part of me is so excited for the toddler years to come....part of me is so sad to have already passed through the infant stage of life. But, I know the best is yet to come.....

Celebrating her birthday was so much fun! She began walking just one week before her big day! I was really hoping she would! Of course, she still lacked a lot of confidence, so she didn't show off her new walking skills too much at her party, but did take a few steps. We had a party at my parents' house on April 19th to celebrate with family and friends in Harford County. And, the next day we celebrated at Danna's house with family and friends from Covenant Life. She was really the "princess" of the party - we had a princess theme and she played the part well! One disappointment.....she refused to eat her cake - both times! She still isn't interested in any type of solid food at all, cake included. I guess twenty years from now she'll be wishing she still didn't like cake :-) Here are some of the highlights. Thanks again Peter for taking such beautiful pictures of our baby girl and capturing important moments in our family's life.

(She REALLY didn't want the cake!)