Our Baby is 1!!!!

I can't tell you how many times people have told us during this past year, "Cherish the moments, the first year goes by so fast....She's only a baby for a little while." Well I have to say, as I sit here reflecting on the last year of our lives, in some ways it did indeed go by very fast. But in some ways, it was the one year that we slowed down and "stopped to smell the roses" so to speak. Last year, before Madeline was born, there was so much anxiety and worry that she would come too early. Well she certainly did come early, but we feel so blessed and lucky to now have such a vibrant, happy, healthy little girl. And watching her grow this past year has been amazing. She grew fast, the weeks passed quickly, but we've learned to slow down and enjoy the little moments in her life so much. We now stop to look and point at airplanes, listen to the birdies, hear a dog going "woof" in the distance, and just sit at the window and watch Daddy mow the lawn. My favorite time is when all three of us just sit together in the family room and play. My job is all about helping children with disabilities meet their milestones. What has been amazing about watching Maddie develop this past year is that we didn't have to "help" her. Amazingly, all we had to do was keep her fed, clean, rested, love her, and provide the opportunity for her to learn. The rest happened so naturally and I marvel at each new skill she acquires with ease.

This past year has been full of change and don't get me wrong, it has had its challenges. But the joy has far outweighed any of the tough times. And we could not have survived this year without the love and support from each other and from our friends and families. We are so lucky to have both sets of grandparents in Maddie's life and her aunts and uncle close too. Maddie was also able to meet all four of her great-grandparents and many of her great aunts and uncles and older cousins this year. And she also spent time with all of our friends and our friends' kids. Thank you to EVERYONE! What a wonderful first year. As my mom says about Maddie, "She loves life!" And we love our life with her and all of you in it!