5 Months Old

Madelyn, my love, you are 5 months old! 

Life has been super busy so I missed blogging about your 4th month (but I did get the pictures) so here is your collage so far. You are growing too fast on me Big Girl. 

And because I missed your 4th month blog all of the pictures are from the past two months. 

You have really blossomed into your personality. 

You are in a size 2 diaper these days. We just moved you up but I am contemplating putting your tush back in size 1s. Not that you would fit in them better but because I can't stand that you are growing this fast. You are wearing size 3-6 month clothes. Your tiny feet can barely keep any shoes on. 

You are such a pleasant baby to be around. You giggle and coo at whoever will talk to you. Your giggle is my favorite! You have this wheeze to it when you get really tickled. 

Camden is your biggest fan and you are his. On the day of these pictures, you were sitting up by yourself pretty well for the first time, so I put a toy in front of you. Camden loved it. It was the first time that you two were on the same level. He talked and talked to you and you babbled back. He even shared his blue binky with you. Thats how you know you are loved! The relationship that you two have makes my heart swell. He is so protective already. And you are smitten with him. 

Speaking of sitting up, you are there sister. You aren't all that steady without the Boppi behind you but when you have it you play and play in your new position. When you get tired of that you slide yourself down and roll over. Once you are on your belly you scoot yourself backwards to get where you want to go. I just don't think that I am ready for two mobile babies so slow down for me please. 

You have started eating baby food! You love food like your daddy and mama do. You can eat almost 2 containers in one sitting if you are focused. When your brother is in the room and is acting silly then you stop eating because you would rather watch him. You hate peas and love squash. I haven't found a fruit that you refuse to eat but you prefer to not eat peaches. You get that from your daddy. 

You also have been sitting in the high chair this month. We are transitioning your brother to a booster chair at the table and that means you get the big girl seat!

I think you are about to cut some major teeth because you have been one pile of snot, drool, and cranky! The other night I made a pallet in your room and slept there with you because you just wanted to be close. I am ready to see those pearly whites so that you will get some relief.  

These past two months have been my favorite by far. I love seeing you discover something new everyday. Right now, its blowing bubbles that you are hooked on! You silly thing. Thank you so being everything that you are. Mama needed a passive child and you are that. You are the yin to your brother's yang. You two make me the happiest mama in this world. 

Madelyn: 3 months

 Madelyn, sweet baby you are 3 months old. 

3 whole months. 

I can't believe the difference that just a few months makes in your little life. 

You are finally discovering your personality and its so fun to watch. Whenever someone speaks to you, you dish out the smiles in hopes that they don't stop paying you attention. You know how to work it sister. 

You are still in a size one diaper and size 0-3 months clothes. You can even fit into some of your newborn dresses still. That makes this mama's heart happy. You seem to be growing so fast. I 

just want to hang onto your newborn-ness just a little longer. 

Speaking of growing so fast, your daycare teacher says there is one word that describes you: "grown." You are already rolling over from your back to your belly. The last time I checked, that wasn't supposed to be happening at 3 months. I am quite fearful for what that means for our future. 

You are a mama's girl to the core. You like your daddy, but there is something about our time together that I think we both love the most. Maybe its because you are nursing and we spend so much time together. Whatever the reason, I am loving the special attention you give me. 

This month has been a big one for our family. We bought a house and will be moving next week. Also, your mama quit her job and will be staying home with you and your sweet brother next year. This was a big and hard decision to make little girl. I hope I can show you with my life that when the Lord puts something on your heart and then is gracious enough to provide the strength and peace needed to make that decision, you trust Him and obey. 

I am not sure if we will have any teeth soon, but you chew on your hands all the time. And you are the slobber queen. If there was a market for spit, we would be millionaires. 

You absolutely hate riding in the car. The moment you hear that carseat snap into the base you start to whine. And when the car starts rolling, well honey you let us all know how you feel about that! This mama has taken a permanent residence in the middle seat to entertain you for as long as you can stand. 

You and your brother are total opposites, but gosh I can already tell how much you two love each other. He has started dancing (this ridiculous white boy dance) and you watch intently with a smile on your face. I cannot wait until you can interact a little more. He loves to entertain you and you love to watch. Its a win win. 

Sissy Bear, we are still in awe of what you have added to this family. You are such a happy baby. You remind me of the Lord's faithfulness to His people when I see your face. I still can't believe that when I prayed for redemption from a dark place in my life, His answer was you. You! Baby Girl, I love you more that I could ever put into words. Thank you for being mine. 

2 Months Old

My sweet girl, you are 2 months old. 

Time is flying by. I pray daily that I 

am spending enough time with you to make you feel special. Your brother is very needy right now and while you have your own needs, I am trying hard to balance it all. 

You are growing big girl! You weigh about 12 pounds and are in a size 1 diaper. You wear 0-3 month clothes and size one shoes. 

I am loving having a girl and you are so sweet to let me dress you in the frilliest things I can find. 

You dare not leave the house without a bow on your head. I only dream of the hair that you will have one day!

Smiling is what you do best these days. You have even figured out to use it to your advantage. 

The other night I swaddled you and put you to bed. About 10 minutes later I heard you rustling 

so I peeked in to check on you. You had your arms over your head and had the 

biggest smile on your face. I dare say its the sweetest thing that I have ever seen. 

Speaking of swaddling, you hated it when you were a newborn but the tables have turned and now you sleep best when your arms are tucked by your side. You are a great sleeper (knock on wood). I put you down about 9 and you usually only wake up once to nurse. I am in a fog in those wee hours of 

the morning, but I love that time with you. The house is dark and its just me, you, and my prayers. 

Your two biggest fans are your brother and cousin, Lydia. When I lay you on the floor for tummy time Camden will run over, lay beside you and will talk talk talk. You gaze up at him and smile back. It melts my heart. 

You don't cry much but when you do-woah. You have the pout perfected. You can already get your 

Daddy to get anything you need. But thats what princesses do right?! 

Your daddy got a new job and we will be moving soon. This means that you will be leaving Ms. Wilma and Ms. Jasmine, your wonderful teachers. Mama is praying that the perfect person to keep you is out there. Only the best for my sweet girl! 

My love, you are such an awesome blessing and addition to our family. While your appearance has made more chaos that I ever thought I could handle, I wouldn't trade it for the world. Our relationship is different that mine and your brothers and I like it like that. I am best friends with my mama. I hope one day we can be best friends too. 

I love you Sissy Bear. 

Easter 2013

This Easter we celebrated the resurrection of our Lord as a family of four. 

How precious are the people. 

And how precious is His blood. 

Handyman

We have a handyman on our hands. 

He is taking service orders now! 

Madelyn: 1 Month

Madelyn, You are one month old! 

It is so crazy to me that just a month ago we were rushing to the hospital to have you. You came into the world quickly but quietly and that is how you have remained. 

You are the calmest baby I have ever seen. You love to be held by anyone and everyone and the moment your princess tush hits a swing or a pallet, well hello lungs. You let everyone know that you deserve better than that. 

You are in a size one diaper and are wearing size 0/3 month clothes. Socks never stay on your feet because they are so little. You are nursing like a champ. I am anxious for your doctors appointment next week to see how much you weight. {Not looking forward to those shots.}

I think its a little early to be purposeful but I have seen a few smiles come from you little lady. They make me so anxious to see what your personality will be like when you really understand what a smile is. When you sleep you smile. A lot. I hope that means we make you happy. Because you make us happy. 

You are the gassiest baby I know. You toot all day long. And you can blow out your britches with the best of em. The other day you pooped on your daddy! You go girl! 

You are starting daycare next week and there you will meet Ms. Wilma. She is so sweet-you will love her. She will probably make you lay in the bouncer more than you would prefer but a little spoiling detox is on the menu! 

You have met all of your living great-grandparents. They ate you to pieces. Your MawMaw, Gigi, and Granny took all the kisses you had to offer. 

You have the two main men in your life wrapped around your little finger. You Daddy loves to stop by you where ever you are and talk to you. You stare into his eyes and I melt. I love the relationship that you two have already. Your brother is mad about you. He wants to be where ever you are. If you start to cry, Camden will go find your Binky and bring it to you. I have had to stop him a few times from poking it in your eye. He also likes to hold you. He isn't the most gentle {you have no choice but to be tough, girl} but he love you, Sister. 

Speaking of love, my heart is full of it for you. You have changed me. The Lord has you and your story to make my heart new. I have a new lease on life through the mercy and grace the Lord showed our family by giving us you. I love to sit you on my knees, look you in your eyes, and tell you how special you are. I plan to do that for as long as the Lord allows. 

 Baby Girl, happy 1 month. 

I love you more than words can say! 

Little Sister, Big Brother

 Big Brother and Little Sister. 

I hope these two treasure each other and their special relationship forever.

Because I treasure them more than they will ever know. 

Madelyn's Birth Story

I'm telling this because I want to remember all the details.

All the sweet precious, but hard details of Madelyn's birth. What a sweet day it was.

It started on Saturday night. We were having dinner with a friend at our house and while I was cooking I began to feel some pains that were a little harder than the Braxton Hicks contractions that I was used to. Contractions that I could walk through but would make me take a step back and breathe. At dinner, I felt another and then another. I tried to discretely whisper to Nathan that I though this was the real deal (I was having some other signs of labor also) but who am I kidding. Me? Whisper? Yea right. Our friend heard me and the look on his face was priceless. We reassured him that labor could last a while and we would't be giving birth anytime soon.

After dinner was wrapped up and cleaned up, I went to shower. I wanted to have shaved legs if this was the real deal! Contractions continued but only every 30 minutes or so. At about 10:00 we called it a night and went to bed. I couldn't get comfortable there so to the couch I went. And I actually slept.

Sunday morning at 5:50 I woke up to the hardest contraction I had had. It was so strong that I went to wake Nathan up. I crawled into bed and we began timing them. 18 minutes apart. 15 minutes apart. 10 minutes apart. We both got up to get things ready we knew that this was it. We were going to have a baby today! It took me much longer than usual to get myself presentable-hair pulled back, teeth brushed, shoes on. By this time contractions were every 2-3 minutes.

We called my mom to come up and keep Camden so we could leave. By the time she got to out house, I wasn't able to talk through the contractions. Exciting yet exhausting. Camden woke up right before we left at about 7:30ish.

Just in case you ever wondered what a woman in labor looks like! 

We said goodbye to our family of 3. I had a moment and then composed myself enough to go have a baby! 

We loaded up in the car and headed off. Contractions in the car were unbearable. You can't exactly position yourself to handle them in such a small space. I cried most of the way. 

Once at the hospital we did the routine paperwork and I was checked in and in a room in no time. Once I was in a gown I was checked and this baby was closer than I thought! The nurse asked me if I wanted an epidural and I declined. (What was I thinking, right?!) So Nathan and I walked the room. I cried with the really bad contractions and he encouraged me to breathe. Eventually I was checked again. I was 1 centimeter from pushing! In just a matter of time, I would meet the precious child the Lord had so generously given to our family. 

Natural labor causes you to forget a lot of things when it is happening (Praise the Lord!) so I can't tell you all the details here (not that you want to know anyways). I can tell you that I begged to push and the Doc was brought in. I don't remember these things but I was quoted saying, "I'm on fire!" and "Get this baby out of me!" Laugh now. 

At 10:35, just 4.5 hours after active labor started, we welcomed our precious baby girl! 

 This 7lb. 5 oz. bundle of joy has my heart. 

We invited everyone in to come see her.

These pictures are so candid and so precious to me. 

After about an hour, I was moved to a room and thats where we spent the next 24 hours. 

We settled in and loved on our sweet girl. We passed her and passed her. She is such a doll and mild mannered. 

And while grandparents loved on Sister, 

I got to spend some quality time with my boy. 

The very next day we were headed home. Thats right people, within 26 hours of giving birth this mama was on her way home with two kids. Two! We packed our bags and poor Nathan made about 10 trips to the car and back. He was our resident pack mule. Once we were all ready I buzzed the nurses. One for me and one for the baby. I got my prescriptions and discharge orders and she got her security bracelet cut off. She could officially leave the hospital without setting off alarms! 

The kiddos were all dressed up in their first matching outfits and we were out the door! 

This family that the Lord has given to me has made me a better woman. The most amazing husband and sweetest kids. I am blessed. 

And this birth story ended as we drove away from the place that both of my kids were been born. It was also the place where Camden was brought when he was in the accident. The Lord redeemed what could have been a dreaded place to go. But instead we buckled in two precious gifts and drove off to begin our new life.