Rollin' over

Madelyn,

You are just so dang big. Yesterday you rolled over for the first time. It. Was. Amazing. You and I were practicing (I needed some practice rolling over, too) in your room, and I just knew you were going to do it. You were trying so hard, and it made me so proud of you. I cannot even imagine how proud I am going to be when you take your first steps, say your first words, get back from your first day of school, get into college! AHH It is going to happen so fast. I hate it. And I love it. It is very exciting having you around, little one.

Anyways. So yesterday you were trying so hard to roll over, and I was getting so excited and squeaky (I squeak when I get excited...) and then BAM you rolled over. I was so excited I screamed and cried immediately. I scared you a little when I did that. I'm sure it was terrifying for you. So... sorry about that. I was just so overwhelmed! You did it! All on your own! It was your first official "first." So congrats! I know you have been working hard for these past 4 months.

I am so glad that I was able to be there for your first "firsts." I am very fortunate to be able to stay at home with you right now to take care of you and be there for all your big moments. Your dad works very hard to make that possible. You seem to like the situation, too, because whenever we try to let someone else take care of you for a little bit, you get super angry. You love your mom and dad! It's so cute and a little bit sad when we hand you to someone else, and you don't feel like allowing that to continue. You look around the room for me, and when you find me you give me the biggest pouty face in the world. You're getting better around people, though. It makes sense that you would be a little shy and anti-social. The first 3 months of your life were spent with just your mommy and you in the apartment most of the day, and then daddy when he got home from work. We were all you needed. And we still are.

While you do need to be able to go out on your own, interact with others, and stand strong away from your mommy and daddy, you need to know that we will always ALWAYS be there for you. No matter what. It doesn't matter what you do, what mistakes you make, or what situations you get into. Mommy and Daddy will drop everything to be there for you. You are our everything, and we love it that way.

You are beautiful. Keep doin' what you're doin'. It's working for you.

I love you.


Mommy

Growing- A little lovely poem for my little lovely girl

Everything is growing.

Your hands, your feet, your hair.
Everything is growing,
And now you're everywhere.
You're in air I breathe;
You're in the world I see;
You're in my thoughts while I'm awake,
And always in my dreams.
You are still my little baby,
Only 14 weeks
And yet you're growing so fast;
So fast I fear to blink.
Everything is growing,
Your arms, your legs, your toes.
As soon as I learn a new part of you,
It grows and grows and grows.
Everything is growing,
And this is only the start.
Everything is growing
Most importantly the love in my heart.


I love you. You amaze me.

Even when you poop on me.

I'm a little crazy...

Hey little.

Well you are officially 5 weeks old today. I cannot believe it. You have already grown and changed so much. Life just moves too quickly when you have a baby! I want you to stay little forever, but I also cannot wait to hear what your voice sounds like and watch you grow into a beautiful strong woman. Being a mother is impossible. I want to protect you from everything, but I know that just isn't what is always best. . One day you are probably going to look at me and think, "This woman is so freakin' dumb. She doesn't let me do anything I want, and there is no reason for it! GAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" Or maybe you won't. Maybe you will always think I am the coolest person in the world (which I am.... besides you, of course.) More than likely, though, you will think I'm pretty lame. Just remember that I am just trying to be the best mother for you, and sometimes I will do it wrong. But often, I will know what I am talking about and sometimes the right thing for me to do leads to you not liking me so much.

I just watched this TV show called "16 and Pregnant." I used to loves this show. It's all about these 16 year olds...who are....pregnant. I probably didn't need to explain that. Now that I have a little one, though, this show is so stressful. I hate it. These 16 year olds are so immature and unprepared for a baby. I was 22 when I had you, which is by no means old, but I had at least gone through highschool and college and learned a little somethin' somethin' about life before having you. I knew better what I really believed. I didn't just hold the beliefs and opinions of my parents or my friends. I knew what I loved to do. I know what a bad relationship was like because I had been through a few. So, when you came along, I had some experience that prepared me a little better for motherhood. These 16 year olds, though, stress me out in a major way. They have their stupid boyfriends that start off being so excited about being dads but then turn out to be immature losers when the baby and all the responsibilities come along with it arrive. The young moms are always shocked when their mothers turned out to be right when they were telling their daughters how hard it was going to be, and how you have to sacrifice a lot for a baby. I'm not trying to bash 16 year olds. They serve a purpose in this life, but they are too young for babies. It made me really start to freak out about you being 16! I wanted to give you the "don't have babies" talk today! You don't really understand english, though, so I figured I'd wait a little longer.

I just truly deeply want you to be happy. I know I am rambling in this post. I'm just so good at rambling, though!

I'm going to tell you a little about me today so you can have an idea what a 22 year old (23 in 4 days!) version of your mom is like. Pretty much all I do all day is feed you, change your diaper, change your clothes (you like to pee all over yourself. That's information I could use against you when you're older....), change my clothes (you like to pee all over me, too,) nap when you nap, clean up the house, and sneak in some meals for me in between your meals. Sounds super boring, right? But, nay! Before I got pregnant, if someone told me that is what I would be doing with my life, I would have smacked him or her right in the mouth. Now, though, I love this life. I love watching you grow up. I love spending time with you... even when you are a very cranky, loud little being. I need this time with you. Everyday I love you more, which seems impossible since I loved you so completely from the beginning.

Now that you are here, many of my plans for life are shifting, but many others still remain. I still want to write something someday (very vague... I know). I still want to use my theatre degree in some way. Also vague. These goals used to be much more specific, but since you entered my life those specifics have changed. These changes are not "sacrifices," though. They are just changes. Change is what life is all about, and I am happy that my goals are not what they were. That is the difference between a person that has a baby after going through the whole "being a teenager, making mistakes, trying life out, figure out what your passionate about" phase and a person that hasn't done that yet or is in the middle of it. So... what I'm saying is...don't have a baby at 16! THAT SHOW REALLY FREAKED ME OUT!

This post is too much. I apologize.


I am going to go and take you on a walk in the park.


I love you. And don't you forget it!

-Mom

A lot of love for such a little person

Hello Madelyn!

You are sound asleep right now in your little swing. I thought I would write to you a little bit before I take a nap.

For now, I just want to tell you how much I love having you. Your dad got to stay home for 2 weeks after you were born, which was great. The three of us had the best time. Everyone talks about how stressful and exhausting the first few weeks can be with a newborn, and, yes, there were some very tiring moments, but for the most part they have been the best few weeks of our lives. You are hilarious. I knew you would be, but dang, you make me laugh all the time. You make the most amazing facial expressions I have ever seen on any baby. On any person, for that matter. You are such a great little baby. You sleep plenty. You usually sleep 4 to 5 hours at night, which is amazing for a 3 week old. You really don't cry that much. You are just perfect. Everyone thinks so, too. Your Mimi and Uncle Baxter just left a week or so ago. It was Uncle Baxter's first time meeting you, and he is officially in love. Your Mimi and Papi are equally in love. And this week, your Grammie, Grandaddy and Auntie Em are visiting, and they love you a tremendous amount. So much love for you, little one.  Whenever people see you, they melt. You have no idea how many people's lives you have already touched. Friends of friends of cousins of friends see your picture and just can't believe how beautiful and sweet you look. And anyone that spends time with you thinks you are such an amazing little person. I am lucky. It's just true.

Ok. You are threatening to wake up right now so I am going to take this opportunity to fit a few minutes of sleep into my life. I love you, Butterbean (that's what your daddy and I call you at the moment. I think you're ok with it.)

I'll write more later.

Love forever,
Mommy

You are real!

Well Madelyn... all the rumors were true. The giant belly I grew over the past 9 and a half months was, indeed, full of baby; and that baby was you!

You are beautiful. Really. Not the "you are beautiful because you are my daughter but you are actually kind of ugly" kind-of-way.. I mean.. you are beautiful in the "you are my daughter so it doesn't matter how you look" kind of way, but you are also beautiful in the very superficial unimportant way. Your face just makes me smile. Your eyes are so gorgeous and filled with curiousity. Your little mouth makes the funniest expressions (especially when you poop... I'm just sayin'....)

Even if you were the ugliest little scrawny baby in the world, though, I would love you so deeply. This is a great lesson in life. Looks truly do no matter. I know you will be beautiful your whole life, but I want you to know that even when you feel ugly and gross (because everyone does sometimes), your mother and your father and the rest of your family and the true friends you have made do not even notice or care. It really doesn't make any difference. You will always have love surrounding you.

I have not always felt pretty in my life. I have been very sad and miserable at times because I felt ugly, which led me to feel worthless. This world does that to people, especially women. As I have grown and matured, I have realized how absurd those feelings are, but they would still creep in from time to time. Now, though, I have you, and I realize what is really important: Loving the ones that love you and caring for your family and friends. I knew this before, but never felt it to be so true until I held you for the first time.

You are now in the real world, and I am now really your mother. These two facts blow my mind. These two facts change everything. These two facts now make everything in my life make sense. You have given me purpose, and I will always give you love. We will always have each other. No matter what. Really. No matter what.

Alright baby girl. You are sleeping on daddy's chest right now, but I am sure you will be up soon and wanting your 4th lunch of the day so I'm going to go take care of that.

Welcome home.

Love you more every day,
Mommy

You're strong. I know because when you kick me it hurts.

It has been a while, little girl, since I have written to you. Don't be offended, though. Nothing too exciting has been going on for me to share with you (besides you growing and kicking in my gut, obviously.)

I am 34 weeks prego now. Dang. That's pregnant.

You like to put your feet underneath my ribs. It's fun for you. I used to get a little upset by this seeing how it causes me some considerable discomfort, but I got to thinking about it, and I realized your entire body is crammed inside my belly. You gotta put your feet somewhere.. So.... for now, the ribs will do.

I do have a little news in my life. I started doing stand-up recently. That's right. Stand-up comedy. Your mom is a professional at being funny now.

Actually, I'm nowhere near a "professional." I have just done a couple of open mic nights and make no money doing them, but I perform more for the experience than anything else. I talk about being pregnant mostly. You make me very entertaining. So, thank you for that.

Uh oh... Wait a minute... I think I sense something...

Can you feel a life lesson coming along? I think I can....

In life.... (oh gosh.. yep....another mom advice session) you have to make yourself do things you do not want to do. I'm not saying you should go wrestle a wild and rather irritated tiger because it is something you really do not want to do. I am saying, though, that there are going to be times when there is something that you do not necessarily have to do. You could say no. You could make up some excuse. You could continue your life as it is because that is the life you know and feel okay about, but deep down you will know that you should do whatever this thing is because, if not, you risk always wondering "what if?" If you don't do it, you won't push your own limits and grow as a person. You won't teach yourself how to face challenges. You risk becoming a person that always settles.

I really really really did not want to do stand-up right before I walked up on those stages. Right before it was my turn, I was DREADING going up there. I just knew I was dumb and the most unfunny person that has ever existed and that people were most definitely going to punch me in the face for wasting their time while I rambled on about some pointless thing in my life that I thought was interesting. BUT I went up there anyway because there was a part of me that desperately wanted to and truly needed to. And I am so glad and proud of myself for it. My parents didn't make me do it. No teachers told me I had to. No one said they would be disappointed in me if I didn't try. It was all me. I made myself. And that's how I know that while, yes, I can be weak and lost at times, I am overall a strong woman. And so are you.

Stay strong, Madelyn. And have fun.

Just a little more time left before you leave my belly (and my ribs) and you face the world. It is pretty exciting stuff. So get excited!!!!!!


-Mommy

Our family at 34 weeks

You kick me, but it doesn't offend me.

Madelyn!

How are you? It's me... Mom. I am just sitting in your dad's and my little apartment in Washington right now. Ingrid is sitting on my lap and pretty much on top of you (hope you don't mind,) and I am just happy to have all my girls with me. Your dad is still at work. He has been working so much, and I barely get to see him. We are very excited for you to be born. When that happens we are moving back to Tennessee as soon as Dad is done with the Army, and hopefully he won't have such late nights at work. We cannot wait to raise you around your family and our friends. Both your dad and I were raised in Tennessee, for the most part, and we turned out pretty dang awesome.

I had another doctor's appointment today. You are 23 weeks and about 4 days old right now. Your heartbeat is swell. You are movin' and kickin' all the time, and I love it. You like to wait until I am almost asleep and then BANG you kick one of my organs and things get awkward. I wake up abruptly and worry I may have wet the bed or something (too much information? nah...) You are very very picky when you kick, though. You rarely kick if someone else is feeling all up on my belly trying to get a sneak peek of the the sassy fiery girl that is you. Your dad used to get kind of offended because I'd be feeling you kick the heck out of me, and then as soon as he would put his hand on me, you'd stop. I think it's because you have a sense of humor, and you like to keep people wanting more. Good for you!

You just kicked me. It tickled.


So, for this little post I think I will share a little about me and my life right now. Then I was thinking your dad could share some about himself next time he isn't working. We are very fascinating people so I'm sure you will be thoroughly entertained.


WELL... I just graduated from the University of Tennessee about 7 months ago. I have my degree in theatre, which was by far the best and worst decision of my life. Why best? I LOVED school (once I got settled in, that is. I don't adjust well to new things. I hope you don't get that from me.) I learned so much about life because I was studying my passion and, therefore, I invested all of myself in the art I was helping to create. So gratifying. (I don't care if you become an artist or not, but I hope you will appreciate its value.) Plus, I met some of the weirdest people in the world, and they taught me to be openminded to all lifestyles. Why was a theatre degree the worst decision? Oh.. because a theatre degree does not really leave people begging to hire you when you graduate. And when you got a baby on the way, you need to work! So, now I am a receptionist at a tax firm. Just saying that is absurd to me. This is not at all what I imagined for my life after graduation. I am married. I am having a baby! And I am a receptionist at a tax firm. I'm not going to lie.... I don't know anything about taxes. BUT I can be sort of funny and entertaining so I distract people that ask me questions long enough to find someone that actually knows the answer.

Now don't fret. I may not have imagined myself in the life I am currently in, but it has made me such a strong person. Plus, it has brought your father and I together. Not to mention that it has taught me to enjoy life no matter what your job is or how much money you have. Working at a tax firm sounds heinous, I know. Actually, though, it is hilarious. Tax professionals are insane! And I get to meet some really odd, interesting, and groovy (yes, the word "groovy" is out-dated even as I say it now) people at the front desk and over the phone.

Life is never what you expect, and it's often a struggle. You'll hear cliche things like that a lot in your life so get ready for that fun stuff. Sometimes its hard to really care when people say such things. But listen to your mom. I have no reason to lie to you. It is a good thing to know that life is hard for everyone sometimes, and it's important to understand that you may plan and plan and plan a "perfect" life for yourself, but life doesn't care about those plans. If you believe these things and let them sit in the back of your mind as you grow and learn all of life's lessons for yourself, you will be able to handle anything. You just keep on keepin' on no matter what obstacles you face, and they will eventually stop being obstacles.. and who knows.. they may turn into blessings.


Ok I'm done with the cheesy life advice. You'll get enough of that later. You just keep growing and kicking in my belly, and I'll keep eating a lot and looking weird when I try to bend over to pick things up.


I love you, little girl.


I really do.


I DO!



If when you read this, we are in the middle of a big uber huge nasty Mother/Daughter argument, just take a moment to forget how annoying I am and just think, "Golly gee, my mom is a real person...with hopes and dreams and flaws (not many though). And she loves me. And that's all that matters."

Ok. You don't have to say Golly gee. That is pretty lame. Just say the modern cool version of what I just typed.


Ok. bye.



I love you!



See you in a few months! AHHH! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!



-Mom