6 Months Old

Madeline,
You are officially six months old. You went to see Dr. Natalie yesterday for your check-up. You weigh 15 pounds 8 oz., and you are 26 1/4 inches long. You are right in on track for your age with everything. "Progressing very well." You were a little show-off on the table. You had to sit up and then roll over, and then get up on your hands and knees like you're going to crawl. You loved the paper on the table and tried to eat it. You were so smiley and happy with the nurses, and then they had to come in and give you three shots. :( You cried really hard, but you were pretty good the rest of the day. Slept a lot. I held you as much as I could, because I just wanted you to know I was there to take care of you. You ate your food as usual, and we played off and on between your naps. It was a nice day.

Mommy is changing jobs in the next few weeks, and we'll get to spend 2 whole weeks together! I'm so excited, and we'll do all kinds of fun things!

Love you,
Mama

5 Months Old

Madeline,
You are 5 1/2 months old already! I just can't believe it. In a few weeks, you hit that 6 month milestone! Wow. I've already been doing some heavy-duty shopping for the ever-important picture outfits. You are on the verge of so many things... sitting up, crawling, your first tooth. It's all coming so fast. You've developed a real attachment to your mommy. You really won't let anyone else put you to sleep, and you watch me like a hawk all the time to make sure I'm still close by. You are now in your routine at Grandma Donna's house. I think you like it. You are very aware of Jenna now, and you really try to play with her. It's so cute! You are routinely eating baby food now. You like it. You want "real people" food now. Whenever we're eating anything, you want it. You want our silverware, plates, glasses and everything. It's funny. You absolutely love the dog. Mugsy entertains you all the time - you watch him constantly, make faces at him, laugh at him. He tries to play with you, but you just can't do it yet. He brings you his toys and gives you kisses. Now, if we could just get him to stop peeing under your swing when he wants our attention, we'd be in great shape!

Anyhow, you are amazing. I watch your every little move, every smile and just sit in awe that you are a part of me, of us. You have the best little personality, and are a great baby. We are truly blessed.

Love,
Mom

Religion

Madeline,
Jenna's christening was yesterday. You were such a good little baby all day! I was very proud of you.

I wanted to quickly write to tell you that your father and I are not having you baptised in the Catholic church like Jenna was, and that means you also won't have the big First Communion party and the Confirmation and all of that down the road. I wanted to explain why...

Your dad and I want you to grow up with God in your heart. We want you to love Him, not fear Him, and we want you to know that you can always turn to Him with your problems, needs, fears, gratitude, love, and whatever is on your mind and in your heart.

To us, this means going to a different kind of church than Jenna and Aunt Wendy and Uncle Jay go to. Both churches are good, but there are very different.

You will be baptised, but in a different way. Instead of memorizing the prayers that Jenna will, you'll be listening to band play their guitars and belt out some great religious songs. Our church is a lot more upbeat and alive, and it's not as "serious" and "solemn." You'll see a big difference.

When you are old enough to decide what you believe in, you can choose whatever religion and church you like. Your father and I will support whatever choice you make, and promise not to try to persuade you to adopt our beliefs. You are your own person, and God will be there for you no matter what.

But here's how we feel now - Jesus Christ died for our sins, and as long as you believe that, you will be forgiven and go to Heaven. You can pray to Him anytime you need to, and He is someone to celebrate.

Maddy, we're taking you to our church because that is what we think is best for you now. I hope you will be happy with our decision down the road, and I hope that our church will make you feel happy and loved.

I know you'll be sad and jealous when Jenna has her First Communion party, and all of that, but please understand that the party is not what church and religion are all about. If you know God and love Him, you will never need that party to know how special you are to Him.

Love,
Mommy

Completely Spoiled Rotten...

You spent the night with grandma c. on friday, and when we came to pick you up on sat. she had bought you a new exersaucer to keep at her house, new Dora shoes, two new bibs, new pacifiers and a new outfit. They just had a blast with you though - you were a little angel. You slept in their big bed and snuggled up with grandpa (he didn't want to get up for work on sat. b/c he didn't want to disturb you). Daddy and I went to the movies and out to eat. It was a much-needed adult date night. Don't get me wrong - we love going out and showing you off too, but sometimes we just need some alone time.

We took you out to dinner on Wednesday night - we went to Chili's and you were so good. All smiley and babbling. Those big blue eyes.

You are just so pretty! Yesterday, I put you in little khakis and a onesie and your new Dora shoes and your pink Nike baseball hat. Everywhere you went, you got your picture taken :)

Sleepover Friday

Madeline,
You are going to sleep over at grandma c's house on Friday. I hope that is ok with you. I know that she will spoil you rotten while you are there, and mommy and daddy will get to spend some quality time together in your absence. I feel a little guilty leaving you, but we'll have all night tonight and the rest of the week PLUS all day on Saturday and Sunday. I don't even think we have softball on Sunday. Woo hoo!

Anyhow, I'm sure you will have a great time and you will be a good girl.

I love you,
Mommy

4 Month Check-Up

You went to see Dr. Natalie on Thursday. You weighed in at 13 pounds, 11.4 ounces and are 25 inches long! You are developing perfectly. You have "excellent head control" and are doing all the things a 4 month old should be doing. You got 4 shots. You screamed bloody murder and then slept for the rest of the day.

We went to meet Aunt Becky's twins on Saturday. You looked like a giant monster next to those tiny little girls, but you were so funny. You just stared at them. We took a pic of you in the middle of them, but all you wanted to do was roll over and smash them.

Then we went to the mall. You seriously love shopping. Your face just lit up as soon as we set foot in the mall, and of course, mommy bought you a few new things :) This is probably the biggest reason I could never be a stay at home mom - we both like to shop WAY too much!!

Juicey Juice

Well, Maddy, you have entered the world of non-milk drinking. You had pear juice last night. It was so funny. When I first gave it to you, you just sipped it a little bit and really weren't interested. You fell asleep on me for about 1/2 an hour. When you woke up, I gave it back to you, and you sucked it right down. You were a thirsty little booger.

After your juice, you ate some cereal and applesauce. Then, you got a bath and had a bottle and fell asleep around 9:30. You didn't wake up until 8:00 a.m. Your daddy was a happy guy. I think I'll give you some juice again tonight - probably apple. We're having dinner at Grandma D's house, but I want to get you home early tonight to eat and get a bath. You have your 4 month check-up tomorrow and will get shots. The tears are already building up. I don't know if I can go through that again :( I'll let you know how you do.