In many ways I can't believe Madison is a year old already. It seems like yesterday when we first heard her cries and saw her adorable face. I remember everyone from the doctors to the nurses telling me how absolutely perfect looking she was - like a doll. To this day, she is perfect in every way. She is happy and laid back and just everything any mom or dad or brother could want in a baby. Maybe that is why while it seems like just yesterday when she was born, it also seems like she has been a part of our family forever. Life without her old man laugh or her giant smile or her amazing appetite is unfathomable. After losing Madeleine and feeling robbed of parenthood, Shane came into our lives and let us be his parents - parents! It was an amazing feeling. The birth of Madison allowed us to be parents again to a daughter this time - an amazing blessing. Happy Birthday, Maddie!!!! We love you!!!!!
Here she is a year ago today:
And this morning:
Before I update you on her birthday celebrations - we have to get caught up!
We have had a busy August - we celebrated my mom's 70th on August 19th. We were at a City of Hope Fundraiser at Arlington Park. Maddie enjoyed her lunch - as usual!
Shane & Aunt Joan 7 Uncle Cy!
Shane & Jorie & Jason
After the races, we were off to Carson's Ribs for a birthday dinner.
Then it was time for cake - thank you Bertha & Lynn!
And then presents!
Poor Jason had to stack all of the presents up in front of him so he would not block our camera shots!
I LOVE this picture of Maddie & Papa Carolyn!
Yum - CAKE!!!!
Papa Judy's present from Shane & Maddie!
The happy couple!
Maddie's tonsils!
The next week, my dear friend Debbie took me and Dan's mom plus the kiddos out for my birthday! It was such a fun afternoon!
Later that week, Dan came home with a new kite for Shane! Shane loved learning to fly it! If you click on the picture, you can enlarge it and see the pure joy in Shane's face! I love the little man so much!
We had to pose Maddie for her 12 month picture a little early so we would have it for her party. It is amazing how much she has grown!
Madison's birthday party was a bumble bee theme. Here are her invites.
Her party was so much fun to plan! I made bumble bee antennas for the kids to wear and bumble bee picture frames and bumble bee themed goody bags! We decorated the house and rented tables and chairs for the outside as well as a canopy and a jumpy!
I was determined to make Madison a beautiful cake for her birthday & I was really proud of how this turned out! The bees are made of fondant, which I never worked with before. Everything on the cake is edible. The flowers lining the hive are chocolate lollipops I made for the party.
Our dear friend John came early and helped us set up, but had to leave early. Here he is with the birthday girl!
Shane & his cousin Maggie. Notice the antennas!
Susan & Asher!
Jorie!
Melissa & Shauna!
Love this one of the Newman's!
Julia going for a drive through the party zone!
Dave & Carly (she will be one later in September)
Carly's older brother & Shane's buddy - Auggie!
Lilli looking adorable!
Geri & Charlotte!
The birthday girl!
Isabelle & Madelynn - their birthdays are this upcoming weekend! Isabelle will be 3 & Madelynn 1!
Rob hanging out!
Mike & Chris!
Dawn & Hannah1
Shane jumping!
Hannah!
Anna & Carly!
Aunt Joan & Uncle Cy!
Jerry Boy & Gerry Girl!
Cathy & Bill!
Papa Judy & Jason!
Bertha & Ken!
John & Rob!
Dave!
Tom & Madelynn!
Papa Irwin!
Sandi, Jay & Bob!
Julia!
Jami, Daniel & Jorie!
Lynn, Jami & Daniel!
Connor! I love this picture!
Kristine!
The birthday brother!
Sample goody bag!
Sample Frame!
Papa Carolyn!
Singing happy birthday!
The bee hive came off her cake and became the smash cake - which she loved!
Present time!
The loot - this does not include any of the ADORABLE clothes she got & she will be very well dressed!
Her balloons!
Dan made these candy dishes for each table!
Bee accessories!
Her signed birthday dog! I could not find a bee!
Her monthly pictures hanging!
The only thing we did not get a picture of was the birthday banner hanging in the front of the house.
Madison & Shane enjoying the jumpy before it was picked up the next day! Yes, it was drizzling and I had to keep wiping it down, but I needed some pictures of them in there together.
Trying on her birthday hat!
My birthday was the 27th! It was my best ever! I have these two amazing kids and a terrific husband!
Loving my handmade plate with the kids handprints!
We took Maddie & Shane for Madison's 1 year pictures. Here are some of my favorites!
And finally pictures from today's mini birthday celebration for Maddie. She wore her other birthday outfit. We went to the library for lapsit and everyone sang to her. Then Shane & I made her jumbo cupcakes and we had more happy birthday singing, cake, & presents after dinner.
Shane wanted to get snuggles from his sister! He loves her so much and she loves him as much! He went and got his camera to take pictures of the birthday girl!
We initially had the cupcake - before the candle was lit - on Maddie's tray. We did not think she could reach it. We were wrong. She got some frosting and was so focused on eating it that she did not pay any attention to our happy birthday singing. Notice her fingers in her mouth!
Mmmmmmm Cake!!!!
I love this one!
Present time! Shane could not wait for Maddie to open the present he picked out for her - an outfit he thought she could "dance in." He really wanted her to see it so we did presents on the love seat to try and keep Maddie still and focused. See how well that worked? Ha!
She did love Shane's outfit choice!
Now on to her present from Mommy & Daddy!
Her own Cookie Monster who counts cookies as he eats them! Shane also loves this present!
OK, here are Maddie's monthly pictures!
Month 1:
Month 2:
Month 3:
Month 4:
Month 5:
Month 6:
Month 7:
Month 8:
Month 9:
Month 10:
Month 11:
Month 12:
Thank you to everyone who helped make her big celebration magnificent!
