12 months

We did our last "monthly" photo shoot yesterday. Madeline is getting tougher to capture as she is not one to sit still!

So happy and silly!

The Year in Review

When the doctor pulled Madeline out of me, he said to Clay "well Dad, tell what it is!" (We don't find out.) And Clay said "It's a girl- I think?!?!" I, from the behind the curtain, was so confused. "What do you mean, you think???" I said, still not really even believing that I had a daughter. Clay was just a little in shock and Madeline was still covered in "stuff" but sure enough, she was a girl!! To this day, I still stare at her in disbelief. A girl, a daughter, a precious gift. Sure, I immediately thought of the clothes, the shopping, the room that would HAVE to painted pink but I also thought of the precious relationship that a mother and daughter have. I love my mom so much and I was in awe that I was about to be given the chance to start that bond with my own daughter. I also adore my dad and couldn't wait to see the daddy/daughter relationship that would develop between Clay and Madeline. Fathers are so important to their daughter's self-esteem, confidence and how they value themselves. I know that Clay will instill in Madeline how beautiful, smart and talented she is just like my dad did and hopefully Madeline will know she can take on the world because her Daddy said she could (just like my dad told me!).

I wrote this http://thecouncills.blogspot.com/2007/11/one-year.html when Jack turned one. It was such a year of change, of learning, of failing and getting back up again. Our world was turned upside down by this little person. We could never be selfish again. When the second child comes, you are better prepared. It isn't that you don't miss the sleep or don't mind the crying but this time around you know "this too shall pass." You are used to being covered in snot or food or dirt and have already sold all your "dry clean only" clothes at the consignment store. With Madeline, I have enjoyed more and worried less. She slept in her swing for the first four months b/c she slept 12 hours a night. Was it hard to transition to the crib? Sure, but having four whole months of good sleep was awesome! She only ate baby food for 2 weeks b/c she wanted to feed herself (like Jack) so we went straight to table food. Does she get all her fruits/veggies, etc? Probably not but she is healthy and happy. I breastfed her for the first year b/c she loved it and it was easy and I didn't have to be at work, looking for a time and place to pump. It was a luxury and created a bond between that I am having a hard time breaking - we are on day 4 now. Madeline, like Jack, is a happy child. We have been blessed with two children who have spirited personalities and are already so social. Madeline and Jack have formed a bond and we love watching them interact. They are going to be quite the tag team when he isn't locking her out of his room and she isn't trying to date his friends. Those days seem so far off but I know they aren't. I am reminded to enjoy the giggles, the smeared goldfish on my shirt and the hundreds of tiny socks all over the house. We are excited to see what Year 2 will bring for our Madgirl- here is hoping that it includes more hair!