Happy Birthday!

Here is the birthday girl, telling you how old she will be on Sunday....ONE!

I cannot believe a year has passed since Madeline Jean was born.  She has blessed us in ways I can't describe.  Every day is a gift with her.  This year has been full of fun, joy, happiness and learning, for all of us. 

Below is a list of things I will never forget:

1.  Having a baby is a lot of work, worthy of a gold medal!

2.  Babies sleep and cry for the first couple months, they are kind of boring.  However, after that, you'll never be bored again.  

3.  You never realized you could love something so much.  

4.  You never realized you would do anything, and I mean anything, for your baby. 

5.  Even if you were Babysitter of the Year growing up, it is completely different to have your own child.  

6.  Sometimes your neighbors are up at 4 a.m. too.  

7.  No matter what, you are the mom, and you know what's best for your baby.  

8.  Babies are more fun than going to the bar!

9.  A sleeping baby is the most peaceful sight, for many reasons.  

10.  You need your baby just as much as your baby needs you.  

Well, enough of this baby business, we're off to toddlerhood!

Please Pray

If you are reading this, please pray for my cousins, the VandenBosch family.  They recently lost their beloved son rather quickly and unexpectedly.  Here is a picture of Jake, my Madeline and Jake's twin sister Maddie, held by my Uncle Jim, taken around Christmas.  Please pray for Jake's mom, dad, sister and immediate family.  

College Game Day

Since today is the opening day for college football, Madeline decided to get geared up and support her team.  Go Big Red!

Officially a...

TALKER!

Well, we're pretty sure anyways.  Madeline loves to look at babies and say "babeeeeeeee."  She has a little friend, Helen, who is only a couple months old, and calls her baby.  She points to her pictures around the house and says baby.  She points to her dolls and says baby.  Yes, occasionally she points to the chair and calls it baby.  But, we're pretty sure it's her first word, so who cares!  

P.S. We are close to walking.  This getting bigger business is exhausting!

Experiment

My Aunt Maria threw a going-away party for her son and daughter-in-law and their twins, Madeline and Jacob that we attended yesterday. The twins are about 18 months and my Madeline was just enamored with them. This is all beside the point, but I thought I would just give a little background. The other Madeline had a baby doll that she brought to the party, which my Madeline promptly picked up, thinking it was hers (of course, because what isn't??). So, we told her that was "baby". She then kissed baby, made me kiss baby and made everyone around her kiss baby. As you can tell, she loves kisses. She then said what sounded like "baby" several times. I think we witnessed a first word! Todd is a little skeptical. So, today we are going to Wal-Mart to get a baby to see if it happens again. I'll keep everyone updated on our experiment! Hopefully it works!

Chicago in the Summertime

Once again, we packed up the car and headed to Chicago.  Last time we were there, all the tulips were out and the city looked beautiful!  This time we were there for a beach soccer tournament.  While we were there, I got to visit with my best friend from college, Erin and rub her preggo belly!  On Saturday night, Erin and her husband, Dave, took us to a concert in the park.  We had a picnic and listened to beautiful music.  It was dreamy!  

Madeline loved her new friend Erin.  She even broke out her cute giggle for Erin's funny faces. 

Below is Madeline cheering on her daddy in the tournament.  Todd's team placed second (should have been first!).  

Why is Todd reading on vacation?  Well, he's started his Masters program and I was collecting evidence to prove he actually did his homework!  Madeline and I are proud of his hard work, even on vacation!

HELLO SUMMERTIME!

Yes, we have been a little tardy in posting recent pictures on our blog, but hey, it's summer time, right? I mean, wouldn't YOU rather be swimming or crawling or eating sand?

Madeline would!

We have been a little busy this summer, although it's been a "good" busy. Lots of people and new places. Below is a picture of us visiting my brother in Petoskey. Todd also played in a soccer tournament there with some old Hope college friends.

It has been a summer of learning to pull ourselves up, pull books off shelves, sprout new teeth, greet new baby friends, learn of new baby friends on the way (hooray Erin!), and enjoy each other. I promise we won't be away for so long next time. But for now, you'll have to excuse us, because we have some swimming to do!