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! ;)

Some fun times and one BIG girl

We can't believe how fast our little one is growing up. It seems like she is doing everything in just the last week. Maddie is now a woman on the go. She is a great crawler. We have to always have our eye on her to make sure she isn't getting into anything. She is eating 'big girl' food now and has her favorties. She loves her cereal and sweet potatoes, yet wants nothing to do with vegetables. Just last night she started to drink out of her sippy cup....but would still rather us hold it for her.

Hollywood's newest star!

Bathtime is so much fun. She loves to kick and splash in the water.

A woman on the go.....especially when she sees something that she wants. (Like the remote)

Jumping Bean

Miss Maddie loves her jumper and we enjoy watching her jump. With the little one crawling now it also give Mike and I a minute or two to just sit and catch our breath. We have both been very busy and it looks like the month ahead is only busier. I'll try to post more pictures of all of our fun adventures lately. However this sleep deprived Momma is often choosing naps over pictures.

Too Long

Month 6....Where has the time gone? Everyone says that they grow up so quickly.....now I understand what the mean. Since I have been back at work I have gotten away from posting come pictures and keeping everyone up to date. The truth is that at the end of the day when it comes down to it, I'd rather be 'playing' with Madison then being on the computer. But here and there I find some down time and I'll try to keep this blog update a little more. Here are some our new 'firsts'

First time eating pizza......or at least chewing on Dad's crust. SO much better then canned baby food.

Our little musician. Playing on Mommy's recorder. She actually made some sounds on it. Now, if only I could get all my 4th graders at school to do that!

Sitting at her big girl chair and LOVING to play with Cheerios. She hasn't quite figured out how to eat them....but is really good at throwing them all over the floor for us to pick up.

LOVED her first time in the shopping cart....minus the car seat. Now that she is sitting we use the Floppy Seat so much more. Madison loves to be up and looking around at everyone and everything as we go shopping. I have to say she is quite a flirt already...smiling and grinning at everyone she sees. I can see many more shopping trips with Mommy in the coming years!

Maddie and Daddy

This Thanksgiving I am reminded how blessed I am to have such an amazing family. I have always appreciated my immediate and extended family, but having a new little one of my own has changed my outlook so much. Having a daugther brings such joy to my life in a way that I never could have imagined. How is it possible to think that your life is complete then this new little person comes into your world and you can't imagine how you ever functioned without her?

I know much of that joy wouldn't be there without my wonderful husband by my side. As I told him the other day, I can not remember a time when I was ever happier. Don't get me wrong, life is not easy right now....sleepless nights, juggling schedules, going back to work, dealing with stresses of job and family. But I am happy....or better said content. As I said Mike is a big part of this. It is amazing how good he is with Maddie. He has the patience of a saint, walking her and rocking her to sleep at night. He will wak up early on the weekends to take care of her so I can get a few extra minutes of sleep in.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Maddie and Daddy time over the past 3 months.

Story time in the mornings on the weekends are a favorite time for both Maddie and Daddy.