happy birthday day, madison grace

we loved you before we knew you

for nine months we
prayed for you
dreamt about you
couldn’t wait for your arrival

your daddy
whispered your name against mommy’s tummy
laughed when he felt your strong feet kick

your mommy
sang lullabies, hoping you could hear
draped her hand across her belly, longing to hold you

and our love for you grew

april 23rd came and went
you waited
we waited
finally you came

may 4
on that day
our lily bloomed
daddy helped mommy stay calm
family and friends arrived
mommy cried
daddy cried
we cradled you in our arms
and looked into your eyes
and saw your little chest move to the rhythm that had greeted us at every weekly appointment
we thanked God for each tiny toe
and each tiny finger

on that day
God let us experience a miracle and our love for you grew

we buckled you in and brought you home

beautiful
delicate
you

we learned
to interpret cries
to swaddle
to rock
to feed
to stay awake
to stroke your forehead to put you to sleep
that you weren’t so fragile after all
and our love for you grew

days passed quickly
but slowly at the same time

in your first month you

celebrated
vacationed

were bathed

met new family and friends
picnicked
went to the doctor
cruised for dolphins
cheered for pirate baseball
rode a trolley
roadtripped
snuggled

and our love for you grew

summer days passed
into month two
did you know that you went to a summer soiree?

and that you shagged at a beach music concert with daddy?
and that you snored when you slept?
and that your smile made your sweet face even sweeter?

and our love for you grew

sparkles in the sky to celebrate month three

you always observed
noticed
paid close attention
to the green grass in front of the washington monument
to the sea of orange in the orioles stands
to the blue elephant on your bouncy seat
to your black dog and brown dog outside your window
to the dainty china cups at the o’henry tea time

the view was good
but you sensed there was more
so tired of staying put
in one place
so the rolling began
you rolled
and rolled
and rolled

and our love for you grew

salt water and sand
tickled toes and fingers
in your fourth month

naps on the beach
dips in the pool
walks during sunset

this is the life

your little round mouth
gave giggles and coos
music to our ears

in your round little mouth
we discovered 2 teeth
those sneaky little things
came in fast

and our love for you grew

month five brought many new things

new friends born and adopted
grayson and brent and conner
soon after came brooke and mac and mary elizabeth

new foods tasted
rice cereal and sweet potatoes and pears (to name a few)

new sounds made
“aaarrrggghhh” was a favorite (especially during football season)

new places visited
the fair and rockbridge

new daytime routine
aunt neen neen came to keep you

(another) new view
you sat up all by yourself

what a big girl
or big...chicken

and our love for you grew

the sixth month

you were young
you were restless
you took off
crawling
is
the coolest
you were
unstoppable
but

weren’t you just
a swaddled
cuddly
baby yesterday?

and our love for you grew

faster
and
faster
you crawled into month seven

your sweet and funny personality shined
through your expressions and your laugh
nothing sweeter
than the sound of your
giggle
and our love for you grew

more celebrations in month eight
Jesus’ birthday
and daddy’s birthday
colored lights and carols
christmas trees and wrapping paper
your big dark eyes took everything in

reaching for tree branches
reaching for the top of the crib (you pulled yourself up!)
reaching for your first baby doll
reaching up to be held by mommy or daddy

soon you will be
reaching for the stars

and our love for you grew

nine months of life
eight little teeth
seven cheerios on your tray
six books before bedtime (you love to read!)
five big gulps from your sippee cup that you held by yourself
four little friends on our small group weekend in the mountains
three yucky ear infections
two fun snow days
one favorite game…peek-a-boo

and our love for you grew

clapping
and
squealing
all the time

happy girl
bouncing girl
dancing girl

ten months passed
surprisingly quickly
then you surprised us
with a first step on your own
mostly, though, you hold finger tips
and cruise everywhere

and our love for you grew

eleven months already
your first birthday
right around the corner

and around the corner
you chase mommy and daddy
and we chase you
and you laugh
and laugh

now shy at first
you smile bashfully
and fold your little hands
a big grin follows
and sticks around

you were really sick
we were really sad
it broke our hearts to see
your pain

your pain
we pray
will always be comforted by God
you can trust in Him
and not be afraid
he has a plan for your life
a good plan
he loves you so much
and we do too

and our love for you grew

twelve months of life
joyful life
abundant life

life with you
is never dull

life with you
makes us thankful

life with you
reminds us to slow down
and notice the small things
along the way

you love people well
and you are well loved

shades of pink on a Sunday
pastel bonnet and dress
rosy cheeks
cotton candy lips
family and friends and church promised
to raise you in Christ we hear you say
bye
bah
wuh (wuff)
rah

we begin to count
you raise your arms to cheer
we raise our arms to cheer
repeat
and repeat
and repeat

our beautiful birthday girl
one year old today
we blinked
and twelve months passed
we thank God for you today
and every day

you
are
a
gift

with you
life is different
harder
better
you fit our family
perfectly
only you
fill that maddie-shaped hole
in our lives
in our hearts

and our love for you grows