Six months ago today we became a family of three

One 1/2 year ago today we held Maddy for the first time. So much has changed in our lives since then, but definitely in a good way. We are amazed & blessed at this wonderful baby that is growing into a toddler and learning so much every day. There are times when I get tears having been entrusted with such a wonderful blessing.

It's been fun to see Maddy pick up on new words. This week is has been 'hi' and we also learned that she waves when we say 'Ni Hao' (hello in Chinese). Daddy has also taught her 'stinky' with the corresponding hand motion by her nose. Too cute!

Here is Maddy 6 months ago:



Here she is reading the Sunday paper yesterday:

The Rocking Chair

I was reading an article recently in Adoptive Families magazine about a rocking chair. It talked about the significance of the chair in this family's nursery to their overall journey & now that their son was 4 & almost too old to be rocked, it brought a little sadness to them. It brought a tear to my eye as we have a chair in the nursery that has been a big part of the journey (even before Maddy's coming) and has played such a huge part in our daily routines. This chair was my dad's chair, it's not much to look at, but it comfortable & holds a lot of memories. There have been many tears shed in that chair before her coming & since Maddy has been home we have spent many hours in that chair rocking, reading, & cuddling.

Here is a picture of Maddy in that chair & also a chair that she got from her Great Grandma Julie (that she used as a little girl):

Happy 75th Birthday to my mom!!!

My mom turns 75 today. Talk about milestones, this is truly something to celebrate. I am so blessed that Maddy has not only my mom & Matt's mom around but she also has 3 great grandmas! We are taking mom out for dinner tomorrow night along with Matt's grandma who shares her birthday. She is 89 today. Thank you so much to everyone who showered my mom with cards, she got lots of them.

I also want to give a birthday shout out to my nephew (April 2) & my sisters-in-law Erica (3/28) & Lydia (4/4). This week is a big birthday week in my family.