Mover and a Shaker

Miss Maddie is a girl on the go! It seems like just yesterday that I was 'wishing' the she would crawl. Now we can't get get to slow down. She loves her walker as you can tell. She pushed this thing for a good 15-20 minutes the other night. I think she was a little wired because Grandma and Grandpa Porretta were here.....but I also think she just liked showing off.

Spring Fun

We have had a fun few weeks. Maddie is growing every day and it is amazing what she can do now. The little lady definitely takes after her Momma. She is a woman on the go and loves to be the center of attention. When ever we are out and about she is always waving to anyone who will look at her and tells them 'hi...hi'. That beautiful smile and bright blue eyes just sparkle when ever she meets a new friend.

Here is a glimpse of that lovely smile. This is by the pond out in front of our house. Maddie loves walking around the rock and patting on it. I think she thinks its her own bass drum. She will just pound away and sing and she scoots her way around.

We have found the one thing that will keep her in one place.......grass. She is not to sure of what to think of it yet, as you can tell from her expression here. She will sit in it, but gets a funny look on her face. She won't move in it that's for sure. She will just kind of whine for a bit until someone comes and rescues her. However, it has allowed for Mike and I to get some yard work done because we can put her on a big blanket while we are outside and not have to worry about her wandering off.

We went and watched Mike in his first softball game this week. Maddie had a great time playing with my hat and loved to watch the ball whenever it was hit and everyone made a lot of noise. However, the games start between 6-8 which is prime bedtime time.....so we'll have to see how many games we get to. The little lady did fine at the game tonight, but come 7:30 she was ready to be home and in her PJs.
Playing with Daddy in between innings at his game is too fun!

We are lucky that on most days Mike gets done with school a little early and can pick Maddie up from the sitter early as well. I am thankful that they get to have some 'Daddy' time during the day. It makes me feel not so bad about keeping her all to myself when I get home from work. Mike and Maddie love to sit and read...however the sitting still part usually doesn't last very long. (Remember, I said she is definitely MY child) She has grown up so quickly that I know she will be reading to us in no time flat!

Easter Reflections

This Easter we reflected on how truly blessed we are. We have a wonderful, beautiful, happy daughter, a nice home, jobs that provide us with enough income to have all that we need and friends and family to share it all with. There are often times with life can get you down and you feel like everything is working against you. You feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and you just can't get out. However this Easter I am reminded that I don't have to go through these struggles alone. Jesus died on the cross for my sins and if I put my faith and trust in him I can get through anything.

I don't know if having Madison has brought about a stronger faith in me, but it has allowed me to see life in a different way. I look into her eyes and see the enjoyment and excitement that she has in the smallest of things....the remote control, her stuffed bear that sings the ABC's and her reflection in the mirror. Her smile can light up a room and in turn lights up my world. Often times when I find my self overwhelmed with work or school or life in general I will take a minute to stop and think of the world through her eyes. A world full of opportunities and new adventures. Places to go, things to explore and excitement to be had. My world is a happier place when I have her in my arms. Madison reminds me of the miracle of life and I am so thankful each and every day that God chose me to be her Mommy. I only hope that as she grows I can give her all the love and encouragement my mom gave me and provide her with an example of what a Christian woman should be. I know that I am not perfect and that I have my flaws. There will be times that I will mess up being a mom, but I also know that I will never be able to stop loving her and I pray that she will feel the same way someday.

Happy 1st Easter Madison.......Love, Mommy.

My new goal

Well I have officially signed up for my first 1/2 marathon. I don't know if I am crazy or just very ambitious. I have been looking for something to help me get this final few pounds of baby weight off and realized that if I didn't have a goal that I was accountable for I was never going to do it. So thanks to the beautiful weather the past few weeks.....and some free time over spring break last week....I have dusted off my running shoes and have signed up for a race here in Columbus on May 1st.

Yes, that's right. May first. I don't know if I am going to be ready for it.....but I am going to try. I looked up some training programs and most are 10 weeks. Well I have about 3 1/2 now. I am up to running 9 miles on my 'long' day now and think that if I can add one more mile per week I will be at 12 the week and of the race. I hope that adrenaline will get me the last 1.2 on race day. It has been hard training with the little one. Mike has been great, letting me have some time in the evening or early morning to run around the neighborhood or go to the gym late. I think that I can do this.....but say a prayer for me for strength and determination in the next few weeks. I'll keep you all posted on how things are going.

New Friends

Maddie and I have had a lot of fun this past week. We had some fun 'girl days' while Mike was still at work. Monday we met up for lunch with Great Grandma Jane for lunch who is in town for the entire month of March. We had a nice lunch at Scrambler Maries and Maddie was a hit with all the diners as well as the wait staff. Tuesday was a fun day as we visited Daddy at school and then later on went to the mall for dinner and pictures with the Easter Bunny. Maddie LOVED him and just smiled and smiled for the camera. Thursday it was off to Coshocton to visit our new cousin Madi MacDonald then off to see Nana Faith at her school. We planned on visiting Papaw Joe that evening....but Maddie had other plans. She was a bit of a cranky girl and Mommy just needed her to go home. Hopefully we can visit again soon though.

Last weekend while Mike was at Brass Band rehearsal I got to watch Adien (who's Mommy and Daddy were also at Brass Band). This was Maddie's first official play date. The two had a great time and so did Mommy! I have to admit I was a little nervous about having the two of them and how they would play together, but they did great. It gave me a little more confidence in knowing that things will be just fine when I take the year off next year and have Miss Marley along with Miss Maddie.

Maddie's new friend the Easter Bunny!
Maddie and Aiden.....two future percussionist for the Central Ohio Brass Band.

The two kiddos sharing toys....and germs! ;)