Busy, Busy, Busy

I swear...sometimes it feels like we just can't catch a break. After the craziness of everything in our lives, the "good" news just keeps on coming. Again, Matt and I have each dealt with our own issues...fortunately, we're actually doing something, being proactive, changing the way we've been operating. Finally. Then, a couple weeks ago, we discovered that our home is going into foreclosure. We've been paying rent to our landlord, who in turn has not been paying his mortgage. It's a good and bad thing for our family; Matt and I were planning to move to Wickenburg, but we wanted to wait a bit. Obviously, that's not an option anymore, and we've found the house in Wickenburg we're going to move to. Ideally, we want to buy, but we just can't make it happen right now. So, we're moving on March 14...which just happens to be the same day that Maddie and I are headed up to Oregon. That's going to be one VERY long day.

In the meantime, Maddie and I have been dealing with medical issues. Last week, we were at the doctor 4 out of 5 weekdays. Maddie, with her UTI, needs to have some more tests done, so on Friday, I have to take my sweet baby to the Phoenix Children's Hospital. I'm sure everything will be fine, but knowing that there may be something wrong with my baby is terrifying. As for myself, I'm having some abdominal issues. So, last week I had to get my own series of tests done, blood drawn, etc. Tomorrow, I'm seeing a specialist to try and diagnose what exactly is going on with me. Hopefully nothing, but with my family history of some scary diseases...we'll just have to see.

Maddie has been as wonderful as ever lately. She can just look through me. When she looks at me with the eyes full of love, innocence and wonder, I can't imagine anything being wrong with the world. Maddie has been saying "Mama" a lot still, especially when she's upset or wants attention. She'll sort of just chant, "Mamamamamama", and then she'll pause, make sure I'm paying attention, then do it again. She already knows just how to get my attention.

Maddie's still working on crawling. She's up on her hands and knees ALL the time, and she's figured out how to move an arm, or a leg, but still no actual CRAWLING...sooooo close though. Her frustration sometimes gets the best of her, and I admit...it's really cute. Maddie and I are both perfectionists, and we want so badly to just get it. Sitting is still on the back burner, as sitting still is not Maddie's thing. She can sit on her own for short periods of time, but she generally gives up pretty quickly to pop back on her hands and knees. When she's on the ground or in her chair, Maddie's started to reach her arms up to me when she wants to be picked up...it's amazing to get the feedback that she actually wants me to hold her. Finally, I think my little darlin is finally teething. Who knows though. I'm living with a drool monster who literally puts EVERYTHING in her mouth: the floor, blankets, her clothes, obviously her toys, electrical cords, furniture, the cats if she can, my face...the list goes on. It's hilarious. If she doesn't sprout some teeth soon, I think I might need to start feeding her more than I am so she doesn't turn into a vampire!

Maddie's On the Move!!

The last week has been much more dramatic than I care for. I don't want to go there again. Maddie was sick with the bladder infection, of course, which was more than enough to wreak havoc on my emotions. While she was on her antibiotics, Maddie developed a cold. So during the week, I forced antibiotics down her throat, sucked boogies out of her nose, dealt with my own ickiness, and struggled with my husband through some difficulties of his own. Today, life is finally calming down.

Maddie never ceases to amaze me. Yesterday, she got up on her hands and knees for the first time!! She also moved her knee forward and crawled her first crawl. Stretching it, I know, but still amazing to her mama. Today, Maddie spent a lot of time on her tummy, working to get on her hands and knees again. She's already getting more steady. She stayed up for a few seconds today, several times. Matt and I have decided it's time to start baby proofing the house!! I didn't think we'd have to worry about baby proofing until she was older. Who baby proofs their house when their child is four months old? I mean, come on!

Maddie has learned how to open up the diaper wipes and stick them in her mouth, get kleenex out of the box and stick them in her mouth, find receipts in my bag and stick them in her mouth...Let the baby proofing begin!

Another Good Day

I'll start with yesterday...darn it Cardinals! Maddie, Matt and I went to a Superbowl party with some friends up in Wickenburg. We had a great time, and Maddie was the hit of the evening...especially since our beloved Cards lost. Maddie did great and there was no sign of a fever all day. We haven't had to resort to Tylenol for a couple days. It's strange how relieving it is for Maddie to be better after being sick. I follow a couple stories of children who have been hospitalized for their entire lives, and I imagine how relieved THEY'D be if their child had only gone through what Maddie did. Experiences like this make me even more grateful for Madelyn's health, strength and disposition.

Today was, like the title said, another good day. Maddie is getting so strong. She can scoot like a champ now, and she's really getting the hang of pushing off with her legs. Once Maddie figures out how to push up with her arms and legs at the same time, I fear she'll be off. Matt and I are talking seriously about baby proofing our home. I can't believe it's already come to that. Yikes!

I have to brag on Maddie for just one second...while we were at the doctor and the hospital, Maddie kept saying, "Mama". People kept asking me how old she was. It took her saying it several times for people to actually believe their ears. I just smiled through the tears and told them she'd been saying it for a couple weeks. And yes, she is just four months old. I've included a picture of my little sweetie making a face like her mommy.