Made for Walkin'!

Here is living proof of Madeline's first steps. She's taking a few "falling" steps but never really kept her balance for any length of time. Only those who know us and Madeline could possibly know the joy these steps brought us. (Thus why you hear me start to get a little crazy at the end of the video.) Sometimes having to wait extra long for something makes it all the more sweet.

All she wanted to do today was walk around which made me SO happy! We're hoping it'll progress quickly from here!

Let those eyes sparkle and shine

I love my daughter with a passion that scares me. Everyone tells you about it when you're pregnant (and even when you're not) that even if you don't like kids, you'll love yours with a fierceness that will startle you.

I remember the first time I had a mother bear instinct. Madeline was about 3 months old and I had stopped the car to put gas in it. I was looking at her through the window as she whimpered. I noticed a man filling his car with gas. He was walking around us. He wasn't doing anything weird or creepy, just walking. All the sudden I felt something rise in me for the first time. I got hot from my feet up. I thought to myself, "If anyone tried to hurt her, I could kill them with my bare hands."

I adore what she has taught me about love and about myself. I am amazed that she, of all the people in my life who have tried, has shown me the joy that children bring. To want to give up that career I had always wanted. To wake up every day, sometimes discouraged, but never defeated. To realize no one's hands or smile could change my day in an instant.

I used to be amazed when I'd read stories about mothers in oppressed countries who would give their children to other families so that they would be safe. Who wouldn't eat for days on end, to make sure their baby had enough. I remember one story about a mother who was told her daughter would never ever walk (I don't remember why). She quit her full time, high paying job and spent every day with her daughter - loving her and making sure she would have every opportunity that other children had. She bought a treadmill and worked with her daughter on it every day. She walked very very late, but she walked. Doctors . . . oh if they knew the power of mother's love. It's crippling and empowering. It's fierce and soft. It's love as God intended it.

If I had to run
If I had to crawl
If I had to swim a thousand rivers
Just to climb a thousand walls
Always know that I would find a way
To get to where you are
There's no place too far

Sicky Pics

Steve's been playing Mommy and Daddy to Madeline since I've been sick. He's done a great job!

Um, Dad - does Mom know you're giving me a shave?

I thought there was supposed to be good security here....

Madeline - with her favourite dog and new favourite toys - "C" Batteries!

Choo Choo

The other night we heard the train as we were coming home from dinner with friends. We were trying to teach Madeline how to say "Choo Choo!"

Sittin'

Gramma Ellie got Madeline this cute new table. She loves sitting at it to eat her "appy" (apple). I can't believe how big my baby is!

T and that Rhymes with P and that stands for Pool!

Wow! Mommy and Daddy bought me a new toy!

8 ball, corner pocket!

Playing pool was tough! I'm going to rest here in the foof chair and try to open this blow pop.

Hopefully Daddy get some use out of his new toy other than letting Madeline play on it!

Baby Einstein

Madeline joined Mommy for a shower today and Mommy had a liiiiiittle too much fun playing with Madeline's hair afterwards.

A picture of pretty Madeline after Mommy finished having fun with her hair. This is one of her Valentines Day outfits!

Bye Bye Paci

We've decided, sort of on a whim, that we're going to start breaking Madeline of her pacifier. She's mostly only wanting them when she sleeps, but she'll pop one in if she comes across one during the day. Now seemed as good a time as ever, so we're officially in the trenches of breaking the paci. Wish me luck!

Yummy!

I let Madeline taste a beater (ok a wisk) this week when I made cupcakes. She didn't know what to do with it at first, but then she got one little taste and the rest came naturally! Mamma's probably created a monster!