Bouncing Baby

     The past few days Madelyn has really taken a liking to her "jumperoo". Her feet barely skim the bottom of the floor, but she's discovered how fun it can be to bounce! Bounce away, baby!

First Taste of rice cereal

     When the doctor first told me at Madelyn's four month appointment that I could begin introducing solid foods - I gasped. I just didn't think my little baby was ready for that next step. (Maybe I just didn't want her to be ready...) But, as the month progressed, I realized she's now scarfing down 7-8 ounces of milk at a time and protests when she watches us eat in front of her. I reluctantly decided we would begin introducing at least rice cereal, and see how she does. My hopes would be that she would be eating 1-2 "meals" per day by 6 months.

  
     Introducing food just seems like such a huge step, and I didn't want to rush into it. I thought for sure Madelyn would hate the experience, but she actually did a lot better than I was expecting. Go figure - the girl likes to eat. I wonder where she got that from - HA!

     After the first taste, Madelyn started going for it. She even tried grabbing that spoon and pulling it towards her mouth. I have a feeling she'll be eating it up in no time, once she gets the hang of swallowing, that is!

     She's growing up too fast, I tell you! :)

5 months!

      Is it true ... is my baby girl really and truly five months old today?!

     Is this the same baby who was a tiny newborn not too long ago? Who ate and slept all day and night - who screamed at the top of her lungs constantly?! Is this the same baby who needed to swaddled, jiggled, rocked, and bounced at all times, who slept right beside us so we could watch her as she slept? 

     It's hard to comprehend how much babies change in their first year. It's a miracle I love witnessing day in and day out. But, it all happens too fast. I feel as if I've turned around, and Madelyn is already growing up to be such a big girl.

At five months, Miss Madelyn continues to change with each passing day. Her looks keep developing (and I keep hoping she's starting to look more and more like me, although she definitely still has her father's features!)  Her sleeping habits have thankfully improved since those early newborn days. She takes two two hour naps in the morning and early afternoon, followed by a late afternoon cat nap before dinner. At night she sleeps unswaddled in her crib for 11-12 hours per night (uninterrupted if we're lucky). She eats 4 times a day, and at night, she scarfs down 8 ounces in no time - letting her father and I know the time is quickly approaching when she should begin solids (a whole other realm I am completely overwhelmed by!) Her personality is shining brighter each day, and her smile lights up our world. 

If we could, we would simply act goofy all day in hopes of seeing that smile light up the room. (Which, in fact, we did - and we have it captured on video below because we are that goofy.)

Everyday she amazes us with the love and joy she brings to our lives. There's nothing better. Five months - and everyday she's changing, she's also changing us. 

You are the closest I will ever come to magic. ― Suzanne Finnamore

A Poem to Madelyn

Good Sunday morning!  I woke up with words running through my head that I wanted to jot down, and ended up with this poem in the time span of a few minutes. It's a rough version and I certainly haven't labored over every line, but it came to me as I sat staring at our beautiful daughter this morning sleeping in her crib. Corny, I know - but I mean every single word. I love that girl! 

The night we discovered we were having you,

Our eyes were filled with tears.

We couldn’t believe our wish was coming true,

The one we’d prayed for through the years.

We anxiously began wondering

if you’d be a boy or girl,

And filled our time with long discussions

About how you would soon change our world.

We picked out nursery colors,

Washed your bottles, sheets, and clothes.

We bought boxes of tiny diapers,

How many? Goodness only knows…

 Each night I'd see you in my dreams

And see your sweet, sweet face.

I couldn't wait for us to meet,

My tiny baby filled with God's grace.

 The moment you were placed in my arms,

I felt my role complete.

God has blessed me with being your mother,

There simply is no greater feat.

More beautiful than in my dreams,

Each day I love you more.

I still can't believe it's true - 

That I am yours, and you are mine,

When I stare into those baby blues.

The ride surely isn’t easy,

But it’s worth it, this I know.

My life was changed when you entered this world,

And there’s no other path I would ever want to go.