Memorial day weekend is packed with so many traditions.  First off, we decided to celebrate our fourth annual barbecue.  Our very good friends Rae and Tim came to visit.  They just adore our little Maddie and someday she will be able to tell them thank you for loving her unconditionally. 

We had a bonfire complete with perfectly toasted s’mores.  

Maddox did not want to miss a thing.  This is her snuggled up at 10:00 PM listening to the sounds of summer.  We think she is a party animal now at 4 months old, wait until she is 4 years old. 

After the morning nap (in which dad decided to partake in as well) we prepared to head for Maddox’s first dip in the water!  

Riding and arriving!  You can tell in her face she was patiently waiting for this new adventure.
The first dip!  The water was like a bathtub, definitely warmer than the pool.

We laughed together for the first time in a while.

Maddox had a few firsts this weekend too.  Swinging at the park and licking her first ice cream cone.

On the way home from the beach, Maddox counted 4 sheep and then fell fast asleep.

I must say, this weekend, we fell a little more in love.



KERRI
It looks like you all had an amazing time.  I'm sorry I had to miss it :(
MONDAY, MAY 31, 2010 - 06:56 PM

KERRI
...oh, and I love her pretty pink toe nails :P
MONDAY, MAY 31, 2010 - 06:57 PM

SITO
There are rainbows always after the thunderstorm, we may not always see them at first, but we have to search for them. Maybe in the skies and maybe in our hearts. I could hear your laughter seen in your pictures. I Love You.
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010 - 10:23 AM

RAE & TIM
Jamie & Scott thanks so much for letting us be a part of your lives.  You are such amazing friends! Maddie thanks for just being you and taking good care of your mommy like I always ask you to when I have to say good-bye. =)  We Love you ALL!!
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010 - 10:26 PM

My friend and I went out to eat this week.  Maddox was with us and the young boy who delivered his food stopped mid step and says, “Well ain’t she a cute little thing!”  I smiled.  A true genuine first time mommy smile.  

It’s about time.

What high school boy says this?  I hope he goes on to become a pediatrician!

Also this week Maddox almost let out her first giggle.  She would take a deep breath, smile really big, start a laugh but turn the sound into “Ohhhh-ho-ho-uuaaa.”  She is so close.  Stay tuned for a video of her first laugh when it happens.

The last milestone from this week is that Maddox had her first diaper blow out!  By blow out I mean power that dirtied all the to the neck!  I once saw a good friend simply grab the scissors when her daughter had a blow out.  At that time I wondered why you would cut through a perfectly good onsie.  It didn’t take long in the world of mommy-hood to appreciate that shortcut!

Scott left for North Carolina this morning.  Ordinarily I would celebrate my two nights alone by eating my repertoire of favorite bachelorette meals.  They consist of cereal and toast for all breakfasts, peanut butter and jelly with Classic Lays potato chips for all dinners, and of course Oreo’s and milk for ALL desserts!!  

I would also celebrate my resumption of the power of the remote control as well as rule the snooze button on the alarm clock.  

My bachelorette nights used to be so much fun.  “Used to be” is the key phrase here.  

This time my dear husband left me alone with a new baby and a very sick dog.  There is no absolutely no exaggeration in this story, one hundred percent plain truth.  It goes like this.....

I am left to juggle giving Maddox her first solo bath.  I am a bit spoiled because when Scott is home, we have a system.  He sets up, we bathe Maddox together, and he cleans up while I nurse her.  

My job is pretty easy; play, bathe, nurse.  Scott does the dirty work; set up, bathe, clean up.  

I found a spot to lay Maddox while I ransacked the house looking for the towels, washcloths, bathtub, Pj’s, diapers, etc...  While I did this, Maddox yelled her opinion out about not wanting to sit in the vibrating chair, nor the bumbo, nor the boppy, but finally settled in the swing just as her bath was ready. Needless to say after the bath, I was exhausted but this was only beginning the night.

I had a very sick dog to tend to cleaning up spill after spill.  I was unfortunate enough to have the spills coming out of both ends!  Finally, at 11:00 we all piled into bed.  By all, I mean myself, Maddox, Copper, Daisy, and Sinatra too.  Before Scott left, he told me to make sure nobody drooled on his pillow.  I gave his spot to Sinatra because the rest of us are known to drool a little.  

Maddox could not settle so I moved her to the crib and turned on the vibrating baby monitor.

For those who don’t know, I can’t hear anything at night when my hearing aides are out.  So, I decided to clip the vibrating monitor on my pillow case.  One problem solved.  I decided to tie Daisy’s leash to my arm so when she needed to go out, she would jump off the bed and pull my arm to wake me up.  I thought I was being really smart but it turns out I was being only halfway really smart.  

The Daisy leash idea worked well.  She got up two times to be let outside and when she would jump out of bed, she would pull my arm.  The monitor on the other hand picked up every whimper, hiccup, gasp, and cry.  The monitor buzzed all night long and each time I had to open it and look at the video screen to see if Maddox was crying wolf or not.

For the first time ever, I was excited to see the sun rise and start the new day.  Or so I thought.....

About halfway through my workday I received a phone call from the babysitter.  

Daisy is still a walking disaster.    

After work I decided to take Daisy to the vet and hauled Maddox with me.  This meant I had to load Maddox, put a big board in my car, and cover it with a blanket so Daisy’s accidents had a place to land.  

She was sick all the way to the vet and several times in the waiting room.  Maddox was hungry and wouldn’t you know, we used the last bit of formula out of the diaper bag and did not replace it.   Everyone at the vet office was incredible helping me out in every way possible, cleaning my car, holding Maddox, cleaning up after Daisy, cleaning up after Daisy, cleaning up after Daisy, etc...

This trip goes down in history as one of the most stressful adventures so far!

On top of all this, I am officially back to work full time, no breaks.  The meaning of exhausted was just taken to a whole new level for me.  

When Scott returned from his business trip, I hugged him, told him I loved him, and told him it was my turn to run away for two days!

Tonight we decided to have a little fun.  Maddox tried baby cereal for the first time.  She likes it, she likes it.  Her mouth would open when the spoon came towards her and she was able to swallow with her tongue in her mouth.  

I had done lots of oral preparation work for this day to go smoothly.  Our hard work paid off.  Check it out, there is a video posted on the movies page.  

Also, tonight Miss Maddie was able to meet the horses for the first time and feed them apples. The most incredible horses in our back yard was one of the MANY reasons I feel in love with this house.  

Scott made breakfast and let me sleep
in  for Mothers day.  Ohhhh, I wish everyday was Mother’s day!  My husband is so
  sweet.  He was going to buy me flowers but thought that his wanna be techy wife
  would appreciate a new cell phone instead!  Droid world here I come!  For
dinner  Scott made me my favorite meal which included homemade crinkle fries,
  yum!

I could attempt to keep this post all cheery but that’s not the
  intent of my writing.  I must keep it real and share with you the
  bittersweetness of my emotions today.  

I couldn’t help but think of two things.  

Maddox because of her condition will never ever be able to celebrate this day.  

I have waited my whole life and done everything  according to plan so that I could rightfully and confidently celebrate Mother’s  day.  This was supposed to be a day to embrace motherhood.  Unfortunately, I  didn’t feel the joy that I thought I would.  The upside of this, is that I am  sure in one year I will look back on this post and want to delete it!  I think  sometimes this situation becomes difficult because you wan’t to fast forward  life to the good parts because you know they will be there, but at the same time  don’t want to overshadow the sweetness of baby world.

 




JOETTE
"I prefer to call this Downright Silly!"  (quoting you)  You are a beautiful Mother and Maddox is a beautiful baby.  Choose to celebrate and embrace Mother's Day together.   God bless ALL the children who make us Mothers!
I tried to stop myself from posting a comment.  But you nicknamed me "Rudie" for a reason!  So I meant what I said with kindness and  encouragement, but yet in a sort of kick your ass kind of friendship way!  Just  like old times...lol...I love you!
FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010 - 11:34 AM


 JAMIE
Who can argue with my dearest friend Rudie??!!  Gotta  love honesty and thats why I love you!
FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010 - 04:06 PM


POPPOP
Maddie will too enjoy Mother's day. The joy she'll feel when she colors her first picture for you, when she spills the juice she so  carefully tried to bring you on Mother's Day morning, when she hugs you so
hard  you can't catch your breath. Oh... she'll enjoy Mother's Day more than you can  possibly imagine.
FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2010 - 10:10 PM


 ANONYMOUS
all of your friends are right and since I don't know  you like they do I won't "kick you in the butt".  But enjoy and embrace every  Mother's Day you have because even though OUR children have that  "downright  silly disability" they are our children none the less and there are many out  there that don't and can't have any children.  I guarantee you will look back at  that post some day in the very near future and want to delete it.  
 
Stay strong and keep your faith!
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2010 - 01:36 PM