Update on what Maddie is doing these days.

Maddie has been learning and doing so much more! she is pulling to stand ALL the time and also cruising around furniture. Her new word is "uh oh" and sometimes she "Moos" when you point to a cow. If you say "thank you" she says "nah nah" She can give a high five, and she waves "hello" and "goodbye" Here are some pictures of what she has been up to:o)

Doing a puzzle and learning her shapes
Playing with her kitchen:o) A present from Gammy.Here is a video of Maddie pulling to stand.
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I thought I was going to be the one teaching her things, but she is actually the one teaching me. I am continually amazed by what she is doing and her determination. We have decided to forego the prosthetic for now. I don't believe it does anything to benefit her. She does everything without it. She is such a strong little girl!!!!

Marco Island, Florida FUN!

We had a great time in Marco Island this past week! Maddie loved swimming in the pool and going to the beach. We met lots of great people while we were there, and Maddie made lots of new friends too:o) It was a great time together as a family, and I hope you enjoy the pictures! I think I took 100 pics, but here are a few of them.
Maddie is wondering why she is awake at 4:30am. little does she know she is going to Florida:o)
At the airport on the Harley.

Maddie's Homecoming- 1 yr ago today!

One year ago today Maddie came home from the NICU. One of the best days of my entire life!!! So today we celebrated her Homecoming. Just a simple little celebration. Maddie and I went to the grocery store and she picked out a balloon, and then I got a few things to make a small cake. Here are some pictures:o)

Family pic the day she came home.

We are so thankful to have her in our lives and love her very much. She constantly amazes us with her determination. So thankful God gave her to us just the way she is. Truly an incredible child who is teaching us so much. So thankful and feel very blessed.

Easter Weekend

Out to dinner on friday night.
Love her expression.
Maddie with Gammy and Gampy at our house.
Maddie and Uncle Dan.
Maddie hanging out in her Easter wear.
Maddie with her uncles.
The Fam.
She climbs up the entire flight of stairs when I am holding her under her arms. Very determined:o)I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! We enjoyed spending time with family. Family is the best! We went met the rest of the fam for brunch in Oakbrook and then headed back to our place for dessert. My grandma so kindly made all the pies and angel food cake.

On a side note, last year at this time Maddie came home from the NICU. April 8th to be exact. One of the best days of my life!!!!! So this week I am going to make a small cake to celebrate her homecoming. It mean a lot to me and I am so thankful this year for how the Lord has protected her. We are heading to Marco Island, Florida on Saturday, so a perfect place to celebrate Maddie and our Wedding Anniversary which is on the 14th. Lots to be thankful for. I'll post more picture when we get back! No computer is coming with me, Just going to enjoy the time with Bob and Maddie. Have a good couple of weeks everyone!!!

A Cute Story

So as you know we have a lot of kids in our neighborhood:o) Maddie I enjoy playing with them, so this afternoon we went next door to hang out with these three adorable 8 year old girls. One of the girls name is Maddie too, and shel is so sweet to our Maddie. The 3 girls were all playing a game and one of the girls said, "Did Maddie lose her arm?" So I told her that was the way she was born. So then they all 3 came and sat on the grass and Gabby was asking some other questions like, "Do you think it will grow back so she can have an arm?" I told her that It wouldn't grow back, but that she will be able to do all the things you guys can do. They were so sweet to Maddie and all saying, "I think she will be a runner, or a singer, or a ballerina, etc. They kept on saying I bet she will be so good at something and people will think she is super cool. The words of 8 year olds:o) So cute.

Another Milestone!!!

Ever since we moved to this house Maddie has been trying to pull herself up on everything! I have been working with her day in a day out and trying to do everything the physical therapist has told me to do. So around 5:30pm this evening I was in the kitchen making the rest of our dinner and putting a few things in the oven. In the meantime, Maddie was in the family room scooting around. The kitchen and family room are one big room, so I can see her while I am making dinner. So I am going about my business, and I happen to look over and she has pulled herself up onto her feet standing against the leather chair playing with my laptop. Perfectly balanced I might add. I couldn't believe my eyes! Was she really standing?! Yes, she was! So I ran right over to her, swept her in my arms and told her how happy I was and how proud I was of her. Then I wanted to see how she actually did it, so I put her back on the ground, and she pulled herself to stand 3 MORE TIMES! Her determination is incredible! It was quite amazing to watch her use one arm with all her might to get her little body off the ground. I am continually amazed at how she figures things out. WAY TO GO MADDIE!!! Here is a picture of her that I snapped after she pulled herself up-My favorite line someone once told me-"Two arms are over rated."

First Week in Elmhurst!!!

We are really enjoying living in a new town. Elmhurst has so much to offer and we are really thankful to live here. We are in walking distance to the Library, which is super nice and Maddie really enjoyed our visit last week. I also signed Maddie up from swim lessons which will begin in July. There are a TON of classes offered through the park district so I am going to look into signing her up for a bunch more! Possibly a music class since she loves music!!! The park district is also offering an Easter Egg Hunt next saturday, which we are going to take Maddie too! Elmhurst is such a creative town and they think of everything! And I just bought Maddie a cute basket today so we can fill it up on our hunt!!!

Last week one of my friends who lives close by came over for dinner. A few days later some family members stopped by which was really nice. Later in the week one of my really good friends from Chicago came to visit last week with her baby Shelly. We enjoyed exploring the town of Elmhurst and also trying to convince her to move here:o) She is one person I know will visit, and we really enjoy our time with them.

This morning we tried out Christ Church of Oakbrook. In the parking lot we met this really nice couple who then after the service told us about all the things to get involved in. One of them being MOPS, which meets every other Wednesday. I am excited to start new and meet other Moms with kids Maddie's age. Today was also the first time we put Maddie in the nursery. She did GREAT! Bob and I kept checking our pager through the whole service thinking that it might buzz, but it never did. When we came to pick her up she was perfectly happy playing with the other kids and eating cherrios. We then ventured to fellowship hall where we met some more people. We are excited to see what God might have for us at this church, and hope to be used for his purposes.

My mom is coming tomorrow to visit, and then we have 3 more visitors this week! Looking forward to rekindeling old friendships this week! One of them being my roomate from college who has a daughter Madeline's age. Excited to spend time with friends and their babies! Have a great week everyone!