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"!!

1st Steps with Some Assistance

My sweet angel Madie Cakes took her very first steps this past weekend without the help of mama and papa, but she did have some assistance. Madilyn and I were sitting in her room, she stood up, and she tried to squeeze in between her dresser and her Learning Band Walker. I pulled the walker away from the dresser, she grabbed the handle and away she walked. Scot and I were amazed. We think she'll be walking on her own before we know it.

Thursday evening I was able to record her walking with my camcorder. I hope the video isn't too bad because I'm still learning how to use my camcorder that I received for Christmas. I'm not sure that the picture is so great but it was fun taking the video. Oh and I almost forgot...after I turned off the camcorder she started clapping on her own. I couldn't believe it. Maybe next time I'll catch her clapping. Enjoy!