So much to say...

Well, it has been SUCH a long time since I sat down to write about my sweet girly! So much has happened these last couple of months! She has changed so much and has learned new things everyday! Let's go back to Easter and start from there...

Easter was very interesting - for any baby's first Easter, you expect that it will be all fun, but for us it was quite different. Madison got very sick the night before Easter. We had gone out to dinner with my family and while at the restaurant, she started vomiting. She continued to throw up multiple times that night. For the first time since she was born, I was up with her most of the night. Poor little angel....she was in so much pain. Her body must've been aching badly because you could tell she just couldn't get comfortable and lie still. But, as any mother would attest, I didn't mind holding her tightly and soothing her through the night. When your baby is sick, all else stops....On Easter Sunday, she seemed a little better, but wouldn't eat or drink anything. Needless to say, we ended up having to take her to the hospital that night because of dehydration. Luckily, they were able to give her medicine to settle her stomach and then she was able to take in some fluids. The week following Easter was more cuddling, holding, soothing....she just wasn't her lively self.

She did, however, pick up a few Easter eggs during her first "Easter egg hunt" outside my parents' house :-)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Well, the next big event was going to Stride Rite for the very first time! I think I have looked forward to this particular "first" in her life for a very long time! I just couldn't wait to take her to get her foot measured and get her first pair of walking shoes. Madison's great-grandma wanted to bless her by buying her 2 pairs of shoes for her birthday. So, off we went - Mommy, Madison, Grandmom, and Great-Grandmom.

Once again, Madison surprised me. For some reason, she did NOT like getting her foot measured! She sobbed every time we put her foot on the metal measuring tool. But, we were able to get her the cutest little pair of white and pink sneakers and a pretty pair of white sandals to wear with all of her dresses this summer.

After trying on shoes, she got to ride in the cars outside the store. While getting new shoes would be the best part of any girl's day, that was probably not the highlight for her! She loved riding in the car! She refused to sit down - she HAD to stand up to enjoy the ride (and believe me, when she gets an idea in her head, you can't change her mind :-)

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Throughout this entire year, my family has so sacrificially served me in so many ways. Many times a month, my mom and grandmother (sometimes bringing along my Aunt Pam) have come for the day to babysit Madison so that I can substitute. They never complain about how early they have to get up or how much traffic they encounter coming and going. They joyfully come and spend quality time with their favorite little girly. This has been such a blessing to Joseph and I, as it has allowed me to make a little extra money each month while not having to worry about the care Madison is receiving. Believe me, she gets spoiled :-)

Thanks Mom, Grandmom, and Aunt Pam! Madison adores you all!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------So, from about 10-12 months, Madison "discovered" many new favorite things....

KEYS - she LOVES them! And, she knows the difference between real ones and play ones.

OPENING CABINETS & DRAWERS - there is a particular fascination with opening the ones she shouldn't get into - cabinet locks are on their way....

READING BOOKS - she could literally do this for hours - she especially loves turning the pages. The cutest thing is when she walks over to you with a book, points to your lap, then flops down, like she's saying "please read this to me mommy." Then, when she's done reading the book and turns the last page, she signs "all done, " gets up, finds another book, and starts the process over again. It is so cute. Her favorite books are board books (because the pages are easily turnable), books with flaps, and books with surpises hidden behind things. She knows exactly where to look and exactly where to pull the flaps.

SWINGING - we were out walking recently and discovered the "tot lot" by our house for the first time. Words can't really describe the joy she experienced on her first ride in the baby swing. Each time the swing went back, she would throw her head back and scream in excitement. She just giggled and giggled and wanted to keep going and going and going and going.....It was hard to get her out of the swing! She really loves being outside so we both can't wait for summer!

PRETENDING TO BE LIKE MOMMY - she mimics many things that she has seen me do. For example, she picks up her telephone and puts it up to her ear (backwards) and says "ha" which means "hi" in her cutest little voice.

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I must throw in just a few random pictures that truly capture her sweet spirit. Whenever I am tempted to get frustrated with her or frazzled by a crazy day, I can always look at these pictures and remember what a gift she is. Precious girl....

All day long, she wanders over to the glass door and looks outside. She waves at passing kids, dogs, pretty much anything. But, her favorite time to be by the door is when daddy is leaving for work. She stands there waving and blowing kisses until his car is long gone. It is just so sweet.