Madeline Jane Turns One

Madeline is one. I remember driving to the hospital last year - actually in labor, rather than in dreadful anticipation of being induced - and enjoying the drive because it was a stunningly beautiful spring day - dogwoods, azaleas, tulips, and green, green grass. We drove by an Easter egg hunt, all the children in their Southern spring finery. It was a good day to have a baby.

Madeline is a joy. She beams. She radiates. People often ask "is she always that happy?" And she is (except when she's not, but that's rare, and usually earache induced). She's learned about 5 signs that she uses all the time. I was grateful when she started using the sign for 'more' rather than shrieking like a banshee every time she wanted a bite. Last week Great Grandma Poo taught her how to blow a kiss. Like her older sister, she seems to eschew toys in favor of things like cd cases and measuring cups. One exception is seen above - a deck of Spiderman cards that she plays with rather obsessively.

Madeline loved listening to us sing "Happy Birthday" to her - but she really loved watching Meredith and Walt dance as they sang.

You only wish you could have such a performance on your birthday.

It was a great day. We even managed to make homemade cupcakes, chock full of orange zest and cream cheese. I hope Madeline enjoyed them as much as I did.