1 Year Old and Many Milestones

A few weeks ago I called Madilyn's birth mother. I was torn and wasn't sure if I should call because I thought maybe I might be interrupting her life but I felt like I needed to give her an update. I'm so glad I did because she was having a difficult time and missing Madilyn. She also confessed that she hadn't called at all because she didn't know us that well and she didn't want to upset us. We talked for quite a while and I was able to put her mind at ease. She expressed how thankful she is that we are able to give Madilyn such a wonderful life. Of course I thanked her for bringing Madilyn into this wonderful world. We love her more than we could have imagined and she brings us continuous joy. I can't wait to send her all of my new pictures of Madilyn from her first birthday party.

Speaking of birthday party...this weekend was definitely worth all the wait!! Madilyn had her very first birthday party. She absolutely had a blast. We all had so much fun watching her. The best part was placing the entire smash cake in front of her. She took her little finger and swiped some icing and ate it. Then I took her hand pressed it into the cake and she took it from there. She placed both of her tiny little hands into the cake and massaged it. It was hilarious. She had so much icing and cake on her hands and the she continuously shoved her "sweet" hands into her mouth to eat it. She was so mad when I took it away.


I also finally took Madie for her very first haircut. We just had her bangs cut and then they were blended with the sides. I wasn't ready to cut the rest of her hair.


I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day Weekend. Mine was very enjoyable and memorable. Scot was wonderful and he surprised me with a loving and meaningful gift. He bought me a sterling silver charm bracelet and it's all connected by hearts. My first charm is a little girl and he's going to have it engraved with Madilyn's name, her birthdate and the date we finalized her adoption. It's so wonderful because I can add to it when we adopt again!

Love,
B

11 Months Old

So many people have been asking to see some updated pics of Madilyn. I'm sorry it's taken so long. Scot and I have been super busy. It's just one thing after another. Madilyn will be 11 months on April 7th. I can't believe we'll be celebrating her 1 year birthday in a month. I will of course have pictures of the birthday event.

Just a little update...Scot is doing awesome in his job. In April he will have worked with Dynasplint Systems for 1 year. He absolutely loves it and has been fitting over 30 splints a month. He's been going above and beyond his goals!! In fact in March he found out that he was number 2 out of the entire southwest region for the highest number of splints confirmed. I'm so proud!!!!

As for me, I have been asked to be the ABC Liaison and a board member on the Gladney Family Association in Fort Worth. I accepted and my duties will officially begin in September but I have decided to take over the planning of the ABC playgroup in July 2010. I've been wanting to become more involved in Gladney and this is so exciting to have fallen into my lap. I'll even be attending a Leadership Conference in May for two days where I'll be able to meet people from across the country that have leadership roles within the Gladney organization. Scot and I will also be attending a silent auction and fund raising event in May for Gladney. YEAH!!! :)

Enjoy the pics of Madie. They are 9-11 month old pictures.

2010

The year two-thousand ten or twenty-ten, however, you choose to say it...has arrived. 2010 has started off beautifully! My husband has a job he absolutely loves, our daughter is turning 9 months on February 7, 2010, I had a superb review at work, my friends and family are healthy, and Scot is turning 40.

I'm so excited about Scot turning 40 and there will be more to come about the BIG 4-0!!!

If 2009 is any indication of our future life, then 2010 will be more than we can imagine. It's been almost 8 months since Madilyn came into our lives and life as we knew it has changed forever...THANK GOODNESS. This weekend we received her birth certificate in the mail and I kept looking at that document repeatedly. It's the most amazing document because our names are on there as her parents. She is the most amazing little girl. Everyday we love her more and more. I couldn't love her anymore if I had given birth to her. Scot and I have an unbelievable bond with her. We thank God, her birth mother, and Gladney everyday for the gift they have given us. Some people say that Madilyn is so lucky to have us as parents, but we truly believe we are the lucky ones. Our lives have changed for the better since she was placed with us. She's our reason for getting up in the morning, our reason to be better people, our reason to be better to each other, and to be the best parents. I know 2010 will be great no matter what comes our way because we have Madilyn.

In 2010, Scot and I have decided to be a part of the PAL program with Gladney. We had a wonderful PAL couple that answered all of our questions during our adoption process. We now have the opportunity to return the favor and be there for another couple that has recently been approved and is now waiting to adopt. We are very excited and of course it gives us a chance to share our adoption story.

2010 is a new year and a new chapter in our lives. In 2010 we hope to begin the adoption process again. We are shooting for May but we've learned to take it all in stride. Trust me, that's easier for Scot than me...me and my OCD.

Also in 2010 we plan to visit some of my family in Louisiana and then we hope to head north later this year to visit Scot's parents. After Madie Cakes turns 1 we might even take a family trip together just the three of us. In 2010, there will be many "firsts"!!