It Won't Be Like This For Long

This morning as I was rushing Maddie through her morning bottle I flipped on CMT.  The song "It Wont Be Like This For Long" was playing.  I listened to the words and prayed for the world to slow down just a bit.  I started to think about rushing Maddie.  I have gotten into the habit of rushing her though her feedings, her rockings, and her life!  I looked at her sweet face and almost cried.  I love the stage she is at - even if it means fussiness and tough bedtime routines.  I cannot believe that she will be 4 months old this weekend.  Where has time gone?  I want to slow down.  I want to enjoy every second with her and quit rushing the sweet times.  At night I just want her to go to sleep - I do not enjoy that she wants me to hold her for thirty minutes before she sleeps - WHY DON'T I APPRECIATE THAT?!  I now realize that she will not want that forever.  I need to appreciate that she is not rolling her eyes at me at any sign of affection - or turning her back when I try to talk to her.  She smiles at the sound of my voice and loves being in my arms.  From now on I am going to treasure those moments.  I cannot believe how quickly my baby is growing - these moments are passing ones. 

Its a cruel cruel world

The last week has been one for the books.  As a family, we learned of the deaths of four of our friends parents.  It was a hard pill to swallow.  Two were anticipated, one happened a few years back (I just learned of it) and one was out of the blue.  It really taught us how fragile life is.  I also saw my grandfather, her great-grandfather, go into an assisted living home for Alzheimer's patients.  It was one of the worst things I have seen in quite some time.  I hate him being there, and I hate that Maddie will grow to know him there.  It just proves that sometimes things are out of our control.

Maddie went to her first funeral on Sunday.  She slept through the entire service.  I must say, I held her very close as I listened to the words that the preacher had to say.  I want to protect her from hurt and pain.  It is not possible, and I know that, but she is too sweet to ever feel hurt like I have seen in the last week. 

The preacher talked of the man who passed in a very inspirational way. It made me think of my life and what Maddie's life would become.  I pray that she is involved.  That she is friendly, kind, generous, selfless, and possesses all of the good traits that the preacher mentioned Sunday.  I am eager to teach her manners and to show her how to be thankful for family, friends, and loved ones. 

In this cruel world, I want to keep her innocence as long as possible.

Drama Mama!

Most mornings I lay in the bed and listen to Maddie talking to the butterflies dancing above her head - her mobile.  She will talk happily in her bed for anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes most mornings.  I love listening to her, and it starts my day with a smile.  Well, the other morning as I was listening she began choking and gasping for breath.  That was followed by silence.  I jumped out of bed and made a mad dash to her room.   When I looked over the side of her crib she got a huge grin on her face.  It was like she was saying. "haha - gotcha."  That is her new way of getting my attention.  If I do not rush to her crib when she wakes in the morning, she is going to pretend choke in order to get my attention!  Not only does she pretend choke when she wants out of her crib, she also does it when I try to put the paci in her mouth and she does not want it.  She will act like I am gagging her with a spoon or something. 

Folks, we have quite the drama queen!! 

A New Year

It is about time - I resolved to start adding posts to Maddie's blog as soon as the new year began; So, I'm a little late. 

     The new year brings excitement for our little family.  Today Maddie turns 3 months old.  I cannot believe how time flies.  Everyone told me that she would grow up too fast, and I am now seeing that they were correct.  I tell her every day to slow down; I don't think she is listening. 
     She is an amazing baby.  In the last three months she has changed so much.  She came home from the hospital at 6 pounds and 10 ounces - 19.5 inches long.  She is now close to 12 pounds and 22 inches with chubby legs and a double chin :-)  I cried the first time a newborn outfit did not fit her.  She is eating like she is being starved, and I assure you that she is not! 
     Nights are interesting.  She has been a sleeper since day one - much like her mama and daddy.  At six weeks we put her in her crib for the night.  I slept on the floor next to the crib for the first two nights - not sure why since we have a monitor!  Every night we rock her to sleep.  Most nights I sing "You are My Sunshine" to her.  That song has really taken on new meaning to me.  I had never really known how true the words were until she was born.  I cant imagine her not having her around now!  Once she falls asleep we never know what to expect.  Some nights she sleeps for 7 hours, and other nights she is up every three.  I am not sure why there is a variance, but we have learned to adjust to little sleep.
     Maddie has the sweetest smile I have ever seen!  She smiles when we get her out of her crib every morning. She smiles huge smiles when her Gene-Gene baby talks to her.  Sometimes her daddy will silly dance with her, and she loves to smile then.  She laughs in her sleep.  It is so cute.  I am not sure why she has not done an awake laugh yet, but my ears are wide open. 
     For the last four days we have been stuck in the house because of snow.  She has no idea what is going on, but she loves that her mama and daddy are both home all day.  We are planning to wrap her up and take her out later today for some pictures. 
     Scott and I feel really blessed to have such an amazing little lady in our lives.  She has made every day brighter, and we look forward to seeing her first thing in the morning and kissing her good night at night.  We cannot wait to watch her grow and learn her personality.  I never knew how much I could love someone until October 20, 2010 when my sweet Maddie came in to my life.