Randomness

Madelynn in her 1st birthday crown. I couldn't get her to wear it on her birthday, of course.

Our first big "boo-boo". She fell on Bruce's belt buckle that was on the floor. It looks worse here than it actuall was, but it bled like crazy. She was a tough cookie.

Looking so cute in her blue and yellow. I love this picture. She cracks me up and has such personality!

Sportin's the glasses...that she only had on for at 5 seconds. We try to get her to wear them but they never last. She won't keep socks, shoes, hair bows, hats or glasses on. I guess we are lucky she keeps her clothes on, at least she does for now.

Ummm, let me think about that....She was helping me make cookies for my friend Denise. I love this look that she does. It is so funny. She looks just like Curious George in the book of my dad's that we found. She is actually a lot like him if I really think about. Our very own Curious Madelynn...

Using her middle finger

Mackenzie (4): "Look, I know how to use my middle finger. It's easy. You just put in your thumb, pinky, pointer, and ring finger and hold your middle one up"

Meghan: "Who taught you how to use your middle finger?"

Mackenzie: "I taught myself, and, look, I just taught you"

Out of the mouth of babes...

So Meghan calls me and says, "At what point do I tell my child it is inappropriate to use your middle finger?"

1 year...

As I sit waiting for the birthday cupcakes to bake at 12 o'clock at night, I find myself thinking back to what I was doing a year ago tonight. I had gone on a walk with the dog, felt very crampy when I got home, relaxed and watched some TV, then went to bed for some well-needed rest only to awake at 11pm needing the bathroom. Got up to go and realized I was wetting my pants. I ran to the bathroom and I was still having this problem I thought I had taken care of as a toddler. It was 2 weeks until my due date so I thought no way was my water breaking, but as I was cleaning up the floor I thought, just maybe. Called Whitney and told her what was happening and she said, "your water broke, dork. Why are you calling me? Call the hospital."

So, as God's timing would have it, it was perfect. Meghan and the girls had just gotten to ABQ a few hours earlier, her in-laws were there, they stayed with the kids and Mom, Whit, and Meg made a road trip at 2am for baby Madelynn's arrival.

As we drove to the hospital I couldn't help but think, "This is the last time we will be just the two of us" that, and "I should have painted my toes."

Then, by 11:00 that day our lives were turned on end as Madelynn Ruth arrived happy and healthy. What a day!

And here we are a year later. She is such an amazing little girl who walk and talks (her own language), gets into everything, blows kisses, and cuddles with the dog. Everyday is something new and exciting. There is never a dull moment in our lives with her. She is so active and energetic. She make life happy and complete and I smile each morning as I go into her room to get her.

Her birthday was so amazing and such an example of all the love and support she has in her life. There are so many people around her who just adore her and I know that she will always have an extended family where ever she goes. What a year! I can't wait to see what next year brings.

Milestones galore

Wow, it seems like every time I turn my back Madelynn can do something new. I was even in the living room with her and I had looked down for a moment and she was standing on the rocking chair. She was actually standing on it with no hands clapping, but by the time I got the camera she was getting down. This is my little chair from when I was a baby.

Then a little while later this was her new trick. She almost made it onto the couch, but then she got high centered. It was so funny.



We have had quite the week. Madelynn is now a walker. She took 5 steps the other day when Bruce was with her (we got it on video on his phone, but don't know how to get it off). Now she takes 5-8 steps constantly. Her biggest problem is she tries to walk with her blanket...very funny. And, as if that wasn't enough, she cut her 3rd tooth (the 4th one is not far behind). So she has had a busy week becoming a big girl.

Then later in the week we worked on the big girl attitude. This is the look of, "Seriously mom, another picture? I am in my bath robe!" And that was followed by white-trash baby. Robe's falling off, diaper's showing...quite a look for her I would say.

Wow, I can't believe that our next milestone will be her birthday. Amazing!

Special Cousins

COUSINS!!! What a wild and crazy group. They are going to have so much fun growing up together. Shelby (2), Cassidy (5), Reina - our newest addition (3 months), Grady (6), Madelynn (10 months), Mackenzie (4). Wow, what a crew. We are so blessed as a family and have such a wonderful time together.

Here's a close-up of Miss Reina Marie. She is so tiny and cute. I think her cousin Madelynn was a little crazy for her. Madelynn is not used to being bigger that anyone. It was quite funny to watch to two of them together.

Wonder 1st Mother's Day

This time last year I was quite pregnant and we were at the zoo for Mother's Day/Cassidy's Birthday. I just can't believe that this is where we are one year later.
Miss MaddieRu is always busy and NEVER sits still. She is always into something. I just can't believe how blessed I am. I have always love kids. I love to spoil my nieces and nephew more than anything. I just couldn't imagine how much more exciting and wonderful it would be to have my own little one. She makes life so complete and happy. I love that she looks just like Bruce, only pretty, I always say. When I went to get her up yesterday she said, "Hi, mama!" It melted my heart. It is amazing to see everything that she can do. I just can't imagine how much better it will be by this time next year, but I know it will because she is amazing.

Becoming a mom, making all my dreams come true. God is so good.

Such an honor

These are two of my soccer girls, Jordyn on the left and Elex on the right, and I have been their coach or teacher since the 7th grade. They have grown so much over the years and I am so proud of them. They have also taught me a lot about being a coach and teacher. Let me tell you, it has not always been easy!!!

We sure have had fun over the years and have some great memories. We learned life lessons from each other, had some tears, laughed so hard we cried, and are still having fun. It has been such and experience watching them grow into the wonderful people they are today. I was sad to miss their senior year of soccer, but we have still had some good times.
I know they will succeed in whatever they put their mind to.
Elex invited both Bruce and I (she was supposed to invite one influential coach or teacher, but I guess she thought since we had the same last name we counted as one) to share how we have supported her and inspired her over the years. I was her science teacher, track coach and soccer coach and Bruce was her track coach and guidance counselor. It was such an honor to know that what we actually do matters to some kids. It made me realize that I do this for a reason and it's kids like this that make me love it. Being honored like this made all the late night games and bus rides, dealing with irate parents, dealing with crying girls, and endless hours of planning all worth it. We sure have come a long way in the last 6 years and I was thankful to be on the ride.