7 months... on the down hill slide to one

Today marks Madalyn being 7 months old and I have to say I'm a little heartbroken. My little girl is growing up way too fast. While I enjoy watching her become her own person, I really wish she would just stay little for a little while longer.

Madalyn is quite independent. She likes to do things on her own time. This includes everything from eating to pooping to sleeping. She is very spoiled and we are ok with that... we waited a long time for her and she is a very happy baby!

This month Mady had her 6 month check up. She had a rough week after her shots, but she is absolutely perfect!

Here are a few of the highlights from this month:
She can say "mama" and "baba" (although she doesn't know what they mean, but I like to think she does)
She loves loves loves avocado.
She still doesn't like rice or cereal.
She can stand by herself if she has something to lean on.
She is trying so hard to crawl.
When she gets on her back she reminds us of a turtle who is on its shell.
She can hold her own bottle.
She loves to scream!
She still loves Elmo.
She knows Titan and likes to pet him when he lets her.
She recognizes her name.
She is a very ticklish on her tummy and feet!

Overall, Mady is one of the happiest babies I know. Tom and I are so very blessed to have such a beautiful, smart and healthy little girl. I just can't believe that she is already 7 months old. *sigh*

6 months new

Madalyn has been six months new for a couple weeks now and time has eluded me. I have started up school again and while trying to balance our new schedule, Bug has decided to change her schedule once again.

She is growing up way too fast. At her 6 month check up, she weighed 19 pounds 1 ounce (90th percentile) and was 26.5 inches tall (80th percentile). She still fits into some of her 6 month clothes, but we have dug out her 9 month clothes and they fit just right! 

She has also begun eating solid foods. She currently LOVES avocado and sweet potatoes. She is not too fond of the rice/cereal (I think it is a textured thing). She drinks a 7 ounce bottle every 3-4 hours and eats her food 3 times a day.

Mads can sit on her own. She is still working on getting in to the sitting position all by herself but when she gets there she loves it! She can also stand on her own for several seconds when holding on to the table or chair or someone. Her hand/eye coordination is incredible. She is extremely ticklish and loves to laugh.  For Christmas (her very first one), she got a bouner/saucer from her papa and nama. She absolutely loves to bounce in it! She also received new clothes, books and some money to go towards her education.

She has found a love for anything Elmo, especially when he is singing. Tom and I constantly have Elmo's song stuck in our head. 

Mady is the light of my life. She is everything to me. I am so proud of who she is and who she is becoming. She is the best thing I have ever done and I pray I will make her proud.

Dreams do come true

I've been thinking today (and every day) how Bug is my dream come true.

I've reread some of blogs as we dealt with infertility and loss. Where I wrote about our dreams to have a family, to have a baby.

When Tom and I got married we knew we wanted a family right away. We started to try right away. When weeks and months passed and then we had our first miscarriage, I questioned everything good. I questioned God and my marriage, I questioned myself and my past. I went to a very dark place.

After 4 years of trying, 4 years of taking tempatures and charting cycles, 4 years of yearning, heartache, guilt, pain and sadness, I turned my life and this issue (along with a few others) over to God. It was soon after we decided to stop trying, I received conformation from Heavenly Father that I would be a mother. I went with my mother and father in law to hear Elder Russell M. Nelson speak to our stake. It was here where I knew without a doubt I would one day be a mother.

That was in March. At the end of September, I thought I was pregnant. I took a test and I saw what I thought was a faint line. I emailed my doctor and she said to come in and get a blood test. Out of fear, I didn't go in. I thought that getting my hopes only to be let down again would be foolish. On October 24, I went in to get my blood tested. I hadn't had a period in 2 months. I was so nervous...

Tom and I had just finished at his parents' house and were going to Target. As we were pulling in, I received an email stating my results were ready. I told Tom. He gave me a look... the look that said, "Don't get your hopes up..."

As my hands shook, I logged in to Kaiser. I clicked on my test... and in disbelief I saw that I was pregnant!! I called my bestie as we walked through Target. I was ecstatic! Never before had we had a positive blood test... only a positive stick! I knew without a doubt we were having a baby. Tom was a bit more sceptical.

The next day, I scheduled a doctor's appointment. Because of our past, we got in right away. We found out that I was about 4 weeks along and got our first picture of my baby!

Today, I've taken hundreds if not thousands of pictures of our miracle. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me! God knew what He was doing. I may not understand everything, but Mady completes our family. She is exactly what we needed. She is perfect for us.

I wouldn't change all of the waiting we did. I wouldn't give back all the pain, heartache and longing that came with me waiting for my baby. It was worth it all! As I spoke with my mother in law today, I told her I didn't mind being up late, the lack of sleep or rocking her to sleep every night because I waited a long time to do all of those things.

Tonight, I'm reminded that dreams do come true. That God has a plan

and we needed to trust in Him. It'll happen in his time. And His time is perfect. This girl of mine is perfect.

Growing too fast!!

Mady is officially 5 months old!
She is growing up way too fast!!
Here is what Madalyn has been up to this month:

She can sit up on her own for a minute or so.
Her hand eye coordination is amazing!!!
She puts anything and everything into her mouth.
She takes 3 naps a day. 1 three hour nap and 2 one hour naps.
Her favorite toy is Elly the elephant.
She has to be cuddled with a soft blanket to go to sleep.
She rubs her eyes when she is tired.
She says " na na" when she is hungry.
She knows her bottle and can hold it if she wants to.
She loves to talk and move.
She is the happiest baby 95% of the time- but when she isn't you will definitely know.
Celebrated her first thanksgiving at grandma and grandpa Taylor's and tried a small taste of cranberries (she wasn't too sure about them)
&
Bug,
   You are so smart and so beautiful. I love watching you grow but it has gone by so quickly! I love being able to stay at home with you. You make every day so great and fun! Momy and daddy couldn't be more proud of you!!! We love you!

Mommy

4 months of joy

I should be doing dishes or sleeping, but instead I am here, thinking about my sweet baby and how fast these last 4 months have just flown by! It seems like just yesterday, I was meeting my precious little lady for the first time! I am still in awe that Heavenly Father chose me (and Tom) to love, protect and nurture this child of His. I am beyond blessed and I feel so unworthy of this amazing gift!

Madalyn is such an incredible joy to be around! From the moment we wake up, she is all smiles. I often find myself being awoken from her talking and when I glance over at her in her bassinet, her big beautiful eyes meet mine and she smiles the biggest smile! It sure makes getting out of bed a lot easier! She has the best temperament and truly is such a wonderful baby.

She is currently enjoying standing up and looking around at everything! She loves to talk and is checking out her vocal cords now by screeching! She is learning to roll over, and while she has done it a few times, her arm gets in the way a lot and she gets very frustrated. And she will let everyone know she is!! She already sleeps through the night, which is such a blessing in itself! She is happy, loving and bright!! I am so blessed!

Current nicknames:
Doodlebug
Munch
Doodle
Bug
Lovebug
Pumpkin
Mady
Mads
Ginger
Shea
Ginger Baby

Firsts:
First Halloween (she was Tigger)
First trip to the ER (for a cough)
First time rolling over from front to back
First move
First time having water
First professional photo shoot (she is such a good model)


Madalyn,
You are perfect! There is not a thing about you I would change! I love every moment of being your mommy, even the trying ones. You have truly completed our family. You bring your daddy and I so much joy that it is often indescribable. I am so proud of you and all that you are doing! Keep going, bug!! I love you so very much!!

Love you forever,
Mommy

3 months of bliss

It is 2 am and I am just finishing up homework for the night. Mady and Tom are fast asleep. The house is quiet and I am feeling so blessed. On Thursday, Mady will be 3 months old and I am in awe. I am in awe at how fast she has grown and changed. I have loved watching her develop and see her personality shine through. She is such a happy baby and smiles constantly. I rarely ever have to deal with a fussy baby, but when I do, this little lady makes her point. She hates the bottle being taken from her in order to burp her midway through and she will let you know! She has found her feet and loves to stare and grab at them. She is giggling more and more. She is grabbing onto things and loves to play with her rattle. ***DISCLAIMER: I FELL ASLEEP WHILE WRITING THE BLOG SO I AM FINISHING IT NOW*** Mady is now three months- although it has only been a few days. She has been on her first big trip to Denver to meet her Papabear (my dad), Nama (my dad's wife) and the rest of my family. We had a family reunion and it was GREAT to see everyone! How I miss being home!!! Mady is fast asleep in my lap right now, my leg is asleep, but I don't dare move her. Soon she will no longer want to cuddle with me or lay in my lap. Soon she will want to hold her own bottle and do things by herself. I relish in her dependence on me and in holding her every moment I get! Mady- you are the sweetest girl! Waking up to you in a dream, you are all smiles and giggles. I love watching you grow every day! I cannot believe just how big you are getting! You hold your head up and stand assisted. You talk all the time and love to smile. You are getting close to rolling over and I think you are even starting to teethe. Even so, you are such a joy to be around. I am proud to be your mommy! Thank you for the last 3 months... I am looking forward to the rest of your life. Love, Mommy

1-3 months... my little babes is growing up!!!

Reasons I am the best mom in the world...

Ha! Is it allowed for me to toot my own horn? I am going to guess that it is, but only because I have the best baby, which makes it pretty easy to be a good mommy. I really don't mind getting up with her at night and lose sleep. She lets me take a nap during the day. I don't mind that she spits up on me after almost every feeding. It means she is getting enough to eat and I can always wash my clothes. I don't mind when she fusses because the times she smiles at me, melts my heart and makes me forget about all the times she has cried. I don't mind that there are days I don't get to change out of my pajamas or take a shower because it means I get to spend the whole day snuggling up with my baby. And I don't mind when she make messes and I have to give her a bath because she loves the bath so very much and it so cute just laying there. Mads- You truly are the light of my life. Every morning when you smile at me, it fills my heart with an inexplicable amount of joy. Even when you cry, I love that I get to comfort you and hold you. I can't get enough of you, my sweet baby girl. I want to hold you ALL the time, but resist the urge, knowing you need your own time too. But I want you to know, that if you ever need me to hold you, I will be there. I love you doodlebug. I am so proud to be your mommy. XO Mommy