Budding Personality

  It is so much fun watching Madison's personality develop.  I learned right from the beginning that she was going to be an outdoor girl.  Every time she would cry last summer and I couldn't calm her down I would just step outside and she would instantly stop crying.  She still loves to be outside.  She would be outside every waking moment if it was up to her, and we do spend a lot of time outdoors.  I usually get her shoes handed to me before 8 every morning with a look on her face like, "Please Mama, can we go outside now?"  When I say no, because it is still cold, raining or she is still in her pajamas or for what ever reason she gets mad at me and throws her shoes down at me.  I know she shouldn't do it, but it's pretty funny.  She gets mad for a little while and then she'll pick up her shoes and put them in and out of the drawer where I keep the kitchen towels or she'll put them on top of the handle to the stove.  

  When we do go outside she takes out one toy out of the garage at a time.  She'll usually get her pony out first, take it out and push it around for awhile, then get her 4-wheeler out and play with that for a bit, then it is off to get her wagon out.  She plays with all of these toys for awhile, pushing them around and occasionally riding on them with my help, smiling the whole time.  When she needs a change she'll go into the garage and try to get her stroller out of the garage.

  She LOVES to be outside and I can't wait until it gets even nicer out and we can get her swimming pool out.  She really enjoyed going to the swimming pool last summer and I'm excited to see how she does with the wading pool now that she can walk.  I just hope she will wear her life jacket this summer so she can go boating and get out in the river and play on the beach.

  

  It is also so amazing how fast she is picking up on things.  As I mentioned before she has already picked up on the fact that her shoes means she gets to go outside so she goes and gets them about 10 times a day.  She gets excited and starts jumping in my arms as soon as I open the door to the garage.  It almost makes me feel bad when I'm only opening the door to put her in her car seat to leave!  She has also figured out where her milk is and especially where the cheese is kept.  She frequently walks over to the fridge and puts her hand on it and just grunts at me until I get it for her.  

  She still loves to eat too!  I don't know where she puts all the food she eats.  The other night she ate 2 brats and a bowl of peas and carrots!  Where does she put all that!?  She is becoming pickier though.  She is not eating a very good breakfast or lunch but eats a good supper and lots of snacks in between.  I guess I just have to try to keep coming up with new things to feed her and nutritious snacks she'll eat.

  We have decided she definitely takes after me as far as her attitude goes at night when she gets really tired.  She doesn't nap well during the day so by the end of the day she gets really tired and that just fuels her energy!  Both after and before her bath she runs around upstairs carrying around various objects which usually end up being thrown over the gate.  She thinks it is hilarious to streak across the house once that diaper comes off, she does the same thing as soon as she gets out of the bath.  She gets really giggly and laughs hysterically at everything right before bed.  It is so funny to watch her.

  I love seeing her in action running around all over the place now.  It is so much fun seeing her personality start to develop.  Now if she could just avoid all the temper tantrums that I know are going to come with my very stubborn daughter.  I'm sure we all wish we could avoid that step though.  

Mother's Day

  First of all I have to wish all the Mothers out there a Happy Mother's Day.  We all deserve a day to celebrate all we do for our children.  It is the best job out there and I wouldn't give it up for anything.

  I do have to take a moment to reflect where I was at this point last year and I am in amazement at how far I have come.  On Mother's Day last year Madison was just 2 months old and we choice to dedicate her at church and to raising her in a Christian home.  It was a great day, but I was still feeling so incredibly overwhelmed at that point.  I was blessed with a beautiful daughter who I wouldn't trade for anything, but she was definitely not the easiest baby to handle!  She still is difficult, but I have learned to handle her a little better and mostly gained a lot of patience!  Madison was never (and still isn't) a baby who would take naps or who you could put down for a few minutes.  She always had to be held and would only sleep for brief moments in her swing or bouncy seat.  She now will sleep in her crib, but still only takes two 30 minute naps a day, I consider it a huge luxury if she sleeps more than this at any given time     I think when a person has there first child, or at least I did, that they think all the baby is going to do is sleep and eat all day long and it is going to be perfect and wonderful and easy.  I think someone needed to wake me up from my dream world!  I so wasn't prepared for bringing her home the first night and having her scream bloody murder because she suddenly became aware of her surroundings and she didn't like them.  Or for her to constantly be hungry and not get enough milk from me and not like formula, or for her to constantly spit-up for the entire first 13 months of her life.   

  Now Madison has finally grow out of spitting up, well for the most part.  I'll take 1 to 2 times a week over multiple times a day!  She still doesn't sleep and she is the most energetic 14 month old you will ever meet, but I love her energy.  She keeps me on my toes!  I just love to sit back and watch her go.  She will literally run around from room to room carrying a book or toy or paper or anything else and "talk" for a hour at a time.  She absolutely loves being outdoors more than anything else.  She now understands what the word "outside" means and she gets really excited when we say it.  She will now even go get her shoes when you ask her to, or even sometimes when you don't,  so she can go outside.  As soon as we go out she runs over in the garage to decide if she is going to get out her pony or her 4-wheeler or her wagon.  She loves to go for rides in her wagon, often even putting her feet up on the seat across from her so she can sit back and relax on the ride.  I can't complain, at least I'm getting my exercise!  On nice days we spend a good 2-3 hours outdoors.  

  I love the fact that my wonderful husband is making it possible for me to stay home with our daughter.  I don't think that I could be away from my daughter for that long.  I love being able to see all her firsts.  Despite all the obstacles I have overcome this first year of being a mom, I have never regretted our decision to become parents.  I love the fact that I can say I am a mom and especially love that Madison walks around the house saying "mama, mama, mama" over and over again.  Happy Mother's Day everyone!

  

Tulip Time

  It was such a beautiful day yesterday to go to Pella and enjoy all the tulips!  I was so happy that Ben was able to take a few hours off work to come with us.  We were even able to catch the last half of the parade!  Madison really enjoyed being able to run around.  She pretty much loves anything pertaining the the outdoors!  I was hoping to get some really cute pictures of her with the tulips like we did last year, she had other plans though!  She was definitely more interested in running away from us or pushing the stroller around.  It was much easier last year when we could carry her around in the Baby Bjorn!  

  People with children always say that you are going to regret wanting them to walk when they finally do.  I still don't feel that way.  I love the fact that she can walk!  Madison was, still is, such a needy baby and always has to be with me and carried it is so much easier now that she can walk around the house and walk around outside.  Sure, it is harder at the mall and other places when she runs away, but much easier than pushing a stroller and carrying her!

  We had a great time!  We could have done without it pouring down rain and soaking us on our way to the car though!  At least we got some good exercise on our run!  Maybe next year we can get Madison to sit still long enough for a good picture and nice weather.  A girl can dream can't she!