Change

As the season turns from Summer to Fall and the leaves begin to change, I can't help but think about how much my life has changed in such a short time. Before Madden arrived I thought that I had accomplished some pretty great things thus far: Softball awards and championships, Scholarships, an assistanship and graduations from two of the greatest universites in the North East, building a house and helping students experience success in math. As wonderful as all these things have made me feel, not one of them can compare to life with Madden. You wouldn't believe the exhilaration I felt when I would FINALLY get a burp out of Madden (she is a stubborn burper). I would catch myself telling her "Good girl," or "Great job!" I was absolutely ecstatic the first time I clipped her nails. (Which wasn't until she was at least a month old, she wore mittens a lot!) I kept putting it off because I was so afraid I was going to cut her. When I finally got the nerve I did it in less than 3 minutes and didn't even wake her up! I was also scared of using the nasal aspirator (we call it the bugger sucker in our house, if I call it the bulb suringe Matt says "What?") Now it's second nature to put it up her nose and suck out all her boggies. (I never thought I wouldn't mind touching someone else's buggers).



On the subject of change, I can't help but discuss the current presidential election. It is going to be a monumental election no matter which party wins. We could have the first African American President, or first female Vice President in our nation's history. I look at Sarah Palin and I cheer for her as a woman, but I question her as a mom. I think about how awful I felt about going back to work in September and this woman wants to run the country? She is a mother to 5 children, one of which is a 6 month old special needs baby, and I can't help but wonder, "Who's going to raise him?" Sure, it's a once in a life time opportunity to be the republican vice presidential candidate, but this baby will only be a baby once. I'm not trying to sound judge mental and I'm not saying this makes her a bad mommy, it's just not something I could ever do. I applaud her husband, for if the Republicans win the election, his job the next four years may just be harder than hers.



Ok, back to Madden:
She is getting so big already. I can't believe it. While I miss her being small, she is getting to be so much fun. It is fun watching her personality develop and listening to her "talk." I love seeing her face when she first sees me after school and I know that she recognizes me and missed me, too. She has mastered rolling from her belly to her back, but we haven't gone from our back to our belly. She hates being in her stomach, so when this finally does happen, I figure it will be a mistake.


On a silly note, Hadley got sprayed by a skunk this week. It was awful. I went to school smelling like skunk and both Hadley and the house STILL stink. Poor Matt has had to bath her and poor Hadley has been shunned. She thinks she has been naughty but she was just being curious and trying to defend her house. The stupid skunk was right off the porch steps. Matt caught the end of the assult and thought she was chasing a yellow lab puppy. It wasn't long before he realized the animals true identity.

Here are some pics and video's of Madden.







Believe it or not, this is Madden's only Giants apparel.




















What is this face? I think she looks like her daddy here!