December Fun

Madeline, Andrew, & I had a great Christmas...lots of fun times with each other, family, and friends. And many yummy foods. It is a great blessing to have Madeline in our lives & we look forward to a second blessing with Simeon within the next year. Thanks for all your encouragement, excitment, and support for us as we go through the process of adoption. As we enter the New Year, Madeline & I are relaxing at home, Andrew is overseas, and we are looking ahead to many new things next year & seeing how God works in and through our family.

Merry Christmas

Hello everyone! Andrew, Madeline, & I have some fun news to share-we are adopting! We have officially begun the process of adopting a little boy from Ethiopia and we couldn't be more excited! For years we've prayed about this and now God has blessed us with this opportunity and we are joyful to welcome this little gift by Christmas next year. We are adopting through Gladney & I've included a link if you're curious. We are so grateful for our sweet Madeline & looking forward to watching her be a big sister in the months to come. And by the way, his name is Simeon. Merry Christmas!

www.adoptionsbygladney.com

Halloween Cuteness

Madeline was a kitten for Halloween & we went to the Fayetteville Square where businesses had set up booths outside and were giving out candy. It was so much fun seeing all the little kiddos dressed up but Madeline was truly the cutest! And, we have backup for that-afterwards, we went to Chick-fil-a and they were taking pictures of all the kids and having a contest. Well, a couple days ago I got a phone call saying that Madeline had won in the under 5 year old group! We knew she was so cute, and now she has a title to prove it! She won a fun little baby stroller that she likes to push around the house. So fun!

Oops!

Okay, I know I'm in trouble for not having posted in way too long so I won't even try to make any excuses. All I can say is, I hope these pictures of our precious little Madeline put a smile on your face big enough to forget you're mad at me!

More Beach Fun

We are spending a week in Gulf Shores with some friends and loving it! Madeline likes the ocean more each day. She has been sitting in the water & letting the waves come up her legs. It is very cute.

Nine Months Old

Here are Madeline's 9 month pics. Isn't she precious? She is almost crawling and working on 4 new teeth! Look at that mohawk!

Aunts, Uncles, & Cousins!

Andrew, Madeline & I spent a few days after our beach trip with Christian, Seuli, Asha, & Elizabeth. We spent most of our time talking, holding babies, taking pictures, eating good food, & generally enjoying our time together. It was so much fun to meet Asha for the first time and have the cousins "play" together! Madeline was thrilled to meet someone smaller than her & wanted to hold onto her. They were fun to watch! Also, we got Madeline a toothbrush for infants & brushed her two little teeth-she loved it!

Beachin' It

We have been in NC at the Outer Banks for about a week now & are having a great time. MGB wasn't a big fan of the ocean or waves but likes the sand & the pool. She doesn't try to eat the sand but she drops her toys & then puts them in her mouth all sandy! Oh well! She has been super cute & we've had so much fun with her here. And all our family has as well.

8 months old

Lots of big changes for Madeline recently! First, I left her for two nights for our anniversary trip-it was hard but we all had a good time. Second, we've moved in with some friends to see what "communal" living is like. We just moved in yesterday and so far everything is going smoothly. Madeline turned 8 months today & is doing great. She sits, has 2 teeth, laughs a lot, & is generally tons of fun!

Bath Fun

Madeline loves taking her baths! Andrew gives her a bath most nights and he sings to her and she laughs & does a lot of splashing. She also likes to see herself in the mirror-as you can tell.

7 months old

Another month has passed & Madeline continues to grow & change so much. She has two teeth, is rolling over regularly, & is making lots of new noises. She posed well for these pics! The last one is her reaching for the camera.

New Pool

I got inspired by a friend to get this pool for Madeline & she loves it! It is like a big bathtub. Since she still can't fully sit on her own, I just sit in it with her and I think she could play in it for hours!

Sunday Mornings Smiles

Sunday before church Madeline was super happy. She was just playing on the floor, smiling, and being her cute little self!

Park Day

Andrew & I found the Farmington City Park yesterday and took Madeline. It was a great park-swings, toys, a 1/2 mile path around it, and lots of open space. We had a great time & it is so close to our house. Madeline isn't sure what she thinks of the swings yet but I think she will grow to enjoy them!

Rice Cereal

Madeline had her first taste of rice cereal this week! It was harder for me than her and she did a great job. She made great funny faces & spit out probably 80% of it but it will be a work in progress.

First Razorback Game

Andrew & I took Madeline to her first Razorback baseball game. We lathered her up with sunscreen, put on her hat, and called the HOGS! Thanks to Gram for her Razorback onsie. We met Nana & Podge there & had a great time. Wooooo PIG Sooiee!

6 months old

I can't believe it has been 6 months! Madeline is such an amazing little girl. We have so much fun with her everyday. She is doing so much-playing with toys, starting to laugh, blowing bubbles...She really enjoys going outside. We like to swing in our hammock and go for walks every day. She is a big blessing in our lives!

Playing with Gram

Every Tuesday Madeline goes to Gram & Grandpa's house while I go to work. Everyone loves it!

Playing

April has been a slower month for us-we've enjoyed spending time at home and doing lots of playing! Madeline is growing so much-she is playing with toys, practicing sitting up, and babbling a lot. She is such a joy every day!