Maddie's final birthday celebration took place on her birthday with just our immediate family. We started the day with waffles with whipped cream and sprinkles. Both Michael and I had to work, so we took cupcakes for her to share with her friend at preschool. Maddie got to choose what we served for dinner and she chose crab and shrimp! We gave her all sorts of options, including kid-favorites like mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, etc… but no, she wanted crab and shrimp! What baby wants, baby gets! We enjoys a feast of crab and shrimp to celebrate our baby girl. Maddie enjoys opening presents from us and Connor. She's getting to be a pro at unwrapping gifts. Connor went shopping at the Dollar Tree and picked out lots of little gifts for his sister and wrapped them up for her. He gets so much joy out of giving to others, and was so excited to have Maddie open his gifts.
It's hard to believe Madeline is 2! It seems like just yesterday she was kicking in my belly and the morning she was born is still so vividly clear in my memory...How quickly she came and how we barely made it to the hospital. She has brought so much spunk and character to our family. She is certainly a girlie girl, liking dolls, Minnie Mouse, dress-up clothes (including being able to walk in heels quite well already!), tea parties, and jewelry. She also loves to dance and listen to music. She's got good moves and rhythm already, and has a beautiful pirouette. She is speaking so much now- we lost count long ago of how many words she uses. She tells long stories and it's so cute how she uses her hands while speaking (such a girl!). She imitates a few songs including Twinkle Twinkle, You Are My Sunshine, and the ABCs. I think it's impressive how she does her ABCs… she skips a few letters but she certainly is getting the idea already! She's a good little counter, and with a little help can count to 14, but after that says, "forty-nine" each time. Too funny! Madeline attends Miss Robyn's Daycare with Connor and loves it there. She always greets Ms. Robyn with a hug and tells us all about her friends at school. Maddie loves to play with big brother Connor and he is so patient with her when she asks him to dress/undress her dollies or play tea party with her. He is so good to her! He often jumps in her crib in the morning and reads her stories before we come to get them both out. She sleeps well at night, usually going to bed at 7:30pm and waking at 6:30am. She probably wakes up once a night on a few occasions each week and just needs us to come in and give her the paci again and tuck her in. Getting rid of the pacifier is going to be challenge. She only uses it for sleep, but she is attached! We said we'd get rid of it by 2, but neither Mike or I want to take the plunge. Sleep is so treasured! Maddie still naps, usually 1-2 hours during the middle of the day. Madeline is a great eater… she eats everything and some of her favorites include crab and shrimp (mentioned above), salad, black olives, pasta, berries, yogurt and fruit snacks. At her 2 year check-up, Maddie checked out perfectly! She weighs 27 pounds and 15 ounces (60th%ile) and is 33.5 inches tall (50th%ile). She has 12 teeth, with the 13th coming in right now. We're so very thankful of our healthy, smart, sweet, cuddly, loving, beautiful girl. She is just the perfect addition to our family. Madeline Emma, we love you more than words can say. You make us proud and make our lives so filled with joy.
