Maddie is one month old!

Madeline Jane...

You've been with us for one whole month already!

The cliche is true - time is flying by. I feel like it was yesterday that the doctor was breaking my water, and that we were meeting you for the first time!

You are beautiful and healthy, sweet and cuddly, and even more of a blessing than we could have dreamed you'd be. You are a little hybrid of your brother and sister in your appearance, reminding us of Robbie in your coloring and your eyes, and reflecting Ellie with your button nose and finger-toes. But you are also your own little person with that strawberry hair (!), slender fingers and nearly invisible eyebrows and lashes.

In your first month, you've proven to be a very easy baby. You're a champion nurser, you withstand a LOT of love from your older siblings, and a drive in the car in your car seat or being tucked into the sling for a walk with mommy puts you right to sleep.

You were born at 6 lbs 9 oz, and are already just over 8 lbs. You are still in newborn size diapers, and newborn size clothing finally fits you well (until about a week or two ago it was still too big for your little frame! The waist is still loose on those newborn pants.). Only one of your headbands is small enough to stay in place on your head, and I am dying to accessorize your sweet face with some pretty flowers and bows nestled against that beautiful hair.

You are still sleeping at night with me in bed, and lately you are having a hard time sleeping anywhere but in my arms whether day or night. This is challenging... given that you are the third and not the first child in our family! I could really use an extra set or two of arms right about now. You haven't left my side since you were born, and until you decide to nurse a little less frequently I don't see this changing (today you nursed every 1-2 hours! I suspect a little growth spurt.).

{edible baby toes}

You have angel kisses or stork's bites all over the back of your head and neck, although they are hard to see because they are under your hair. You also have one above your left eye.

You were put on acid reflux medicine at 3 weeks, and it seems to work well for you.

You make a pretty cute sour face each time I have to give you a dose!

{my size 4 engagement ring looks big on your toes! what tiny feet...}

You are really waking up, and spend bits of time throughout the day with your eyes wide open, taking in your surroundings. You fix your gaze on me when I move my face close to yours and talk softly to you. Twice now you have given me a big, open mouthed smile, but they were a few days apart and I can't be certain that it was intentional or in response to anything I did. So I continue to patiently wait for you to respond to us with that sweet smile that shows off the single dimple in your right cheek and claim it as my own.

We are so thankful for you, Madeline Jane. To me, you fit your name perfectly. You fit into our family perfectly. And you are a constant reminder to me that the Lord knows exactly what we need, and when we need it.

My pregnancy with you was more of a struggle than I anticipated, but your birth and this first month have been an absolute gift and blessing beyond what I had the courage to ask God for. I thought by now I would be hobbling along as a mother, crippled with fear, postpartum depression and inability. Instead you have helped me see that with God, I am able to find the strength I need to manage these days and even enjoy them.

{waving hello?}

It's not always pretty and I certainly lack the grace I wish I had each day, but we are all growing together in this family, and you are one of the reasons why. You remind me that in my own strength, I will not accomplish anything. But with God, all things are possible.

It's good to be kept humble.

{adorable baby sneeze}

Maddie, our prayer is that you always know how loved you are - by your Heavenly Father and by us, your earthly family. We hope that your growing knowledge of Him develops into a firm and unshakable belief that changes lives and inspires others to love Him, too. We love that God has given us His Word, so that we can know for sure that He has created each of us with a purpose. Did you know that all of the days of your life were ordained by God before you were even created? Psalm 139 taught me that. How special you must be to Him. How dearly He must love you. Even more than we do - we can't begin to understand this but we will teach it to you!

Every downy, strawberry hair on your sweet little head is known to Him. I have already tried to memorize your sweet expressions and quirks and subtle physical traits that no one but a mother notices (like the way your right ear is a little pointier at the top than your left), but He knows you thoroughly - inside and out. Better than anyone else ever will. I'm so thankful for that, because He is a good God, and He will be faithful to you.

Happy one month birthday, sweet girl. We love you and enjoy you so much.