Little Red Riding Hood

We took Madison to see my brother (Uncle Paul), in College of Charleston’s childrens opera "The Little Red Riding Hoods Most Unusual Day”, at the library. My brother played Duddley, the forest ranger, and he was amazing. He was so funny!! The ranger was the first character to come out and Madison was loving it UNTIL the big bad wolf came out. Once she saw the wolf, she clung onto Craig and wouldn't let go.  She wouldn’t even look at the play anymore. Craig ended up having to leave the room with her. All in all Madison had a great time and Paul was awesome (even if he was in his underpants for part of the performance).  After, we went to get lunch and I think she was back to her normal self again!

   Uncle Paul A.K.A The Forest Ranger

When the big bad wolf came out

After the show—still looking around for the wolf.

At lunch—one happy girl!!

Memorial Day 2012

We had a low key Memorial Day this year. We had our good friends The Coleman’s over, in the morning, for a play date with Madison and Jack. Then, we went out to Craig’s parents, in the afternoon, for lunch and boating. It was a nice and relaxing day!

 

4 weeks

I can’t believe it has been 4 weeks since we held our sweet boy. I am not sure where all this time goes, but he is truly missed.

Sweet Bennett,

I just remember those hours we had where we held you and wouldn’t put you down. We kissed and loved on you as much as we could. We miss you so much and wish you were here with us. Your big sister has asked about you and wonders into your room often. She loves the teddy bear you gave her and plays with it everyday.  She loves you so much!! I still think and long for all those kicks and twirls in my tummy. We know you are watching over us and will guide us in whatever our path may be. Please know we love and miss you so much sweet boy!!

These are my footprints,
so perfect and so small.
These tiny footprints
never touched the ground at all.
Not one tiny footprint,
for now I have wings.
These tiny footprints were meant
for other things.
You will hear my tiny footprints,
in the patter of the rain.
Gentle drops like angel's tears,
of joy and not from pain.
You will see my tiny footprints,
in each butterflies' lazy dance.
I'll let you know I'm with you,
if you just give me the chance.
You will see my tiny footprints,
in the rustle of the leaves.
I will whisper names into the wind,
and call each one that grieves.
Most of all, these tiny footprints,
are found on Mommy and Daddy's hearts.
'Cause even though I'm gone now,
We'll never truly part."

And quote that i really like...

“They say that time in heaven is compared to 'the blink of an eye' for us on this earth. Sometimes it helps me to think of my child running ahead of me through a beautiful field of wildflowers and butterflies; so happy and completely caught up in what he is doing that when he looks behind him, I'll already be there."

Beach Day

Madison and I have been to the beach the past 2 days. Friday, we went to the beach with Kristin and her precious boys Avery and Hutson.  We had a great time. Madison loved running down the hill into the gully. They all splashed and played together so well.   Saturday—Craig and I took Madison to the beach. She loved playing with her daddy in the water.  She got so excited when she would run down into the water, which was so darn cute. She would look at us and say “Madison runnin’” !! We love to see her having such a good time!!

 

   

Last day of MMO

I left the task of taking the picture of Madison on her last day of MMO up to Craig. I think you know where this is going….So when I went to pick one out of the 20 he took-- there was only 1 that would even come close to working for what I wanted. I wanted to get a photo that I can compare to her first day of school picture, but instead these are some of the photos I got.

 

 

Here is the only one that might work.

I can’t believe how much she has grown and changed in a matter of 9 months. We love you so much sweet girl!!

                   

   September 2011- First day of MMO                                                          May 2012- Last day of MMO

BIG new friend

Our sweet neighbors Mike and Christine brought Madison a BIG surprise last night. This is what was waiting for her in the playroom when she woke up. She loved the BIG bear!! She couldn’t stop kissing and hugging it. Thank you Mike and Christine!!

Fun Friday

Madison had such a fun Friday. She got to play with so many of her friends. Kristin brought over her sweet twin boys Hudson and Avery. They had so much fun watching Yo Gabba Gabba and playing with the strollers and shopping carts. Madison can’t wait to play with them again soon. She also brought some yummy desserts and a precious t-shirt she made for Madison to wear in Disney World. After they left, Madison played with her good buddies Mack and Mackenna. Somehow, they all ended up with brooms and sweeping the driveway. So darn cute!! They have so much fun playing outside together. She really loves them so much.

 

 

Bennett Craig Condon

It has taken me awhile to get the strength to post about our sweet baby boy. I am not sure it will ever get any easier to talk about, so I figured I would try it now. On April 30 at 1 am, I was feeling some pressure, so I decided to go to the hospital. I drove myself as Craig needed to stay here with Madison. When I arrived at the hospital I was 10 cm. They tried slowing the contractions down, so that they would be able to transfer me to MUSC, since I was only 31 weeks and 6 days. That did not happen, so they gave me the steroid shot to help strengthen his lungs. My water finally broke a good while later and I started pushing. His heartbeat was so strong and he seemed to be doing so well inside me. He was finally born at 1:15 pm ,weighing close to 5 pounds and 18 inches long , with a very weak heartbeat that would not stabilize on it own or with any drugs. Soon after that our sweet baby boy was in heaven. I sit here in tears and shaking as I write this because not in a million years would I ever think I would be writing about this. His life was so short, but we know he is our little angel. I would give anything to feel those kicks again inside me. The nurses cleaned him up and brought him in for us to hold and love on. He was so cute and looks so much like his big sister Madison. We told him to please watch over our family and take good care of his big sister Madison.  We wrapped his sweet fingers around ours and just kissed him. It was hard to put him down. While Craig was holding him, all I could think about was watching them play ball in the backyard. These were moments I know Craig was looking forward too. This just breaks me heart. Seeing Craig look at him and talk to him makes me love this man so much more. He is the best father and husband. Our minister came by and baptized him, which was so special to us. We still have no answers, except for the fact that he was so early, as all the blood work has come back normal so far, which doesn’t make it any easier. It is still hard for me to understand as there are many babies born these days that are younger and smaller than him. I know God has a plan for our family and our precious Bennett. Having to watch them burry my son was the hardest thing I have ever done.  It was a very special service. We had our immediate family there and my brother Paul played the guitar and  sang a beautiful song. This meant a lot to us. People seem to say time will help ease the pain, but I am not sure it does. It doesn’t seem to be getting any easier knowing all the love and affection he is missing out on. However, I know my MEME is up in heaven loving on my sweet boy. I can see her rocking him as I write this. One day we will be together again. It is still hard for me to not feel like I let him down. There are all these what ifs that are just killing me.  I hope he knows that we love him so much and miss him beyond words. He will always be our son and a part of our family. Please keep praying for our family and my angel.

   

Disney World

We booked our trip to Disney World. We will be going June 27- July 1 and we will be staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Madison is going to LOVE all the animals. We are all so excited to see Miss Madison face!! I have booked 4 character meals, so we will see how she does with them since she was not a fan of Santa or the Easter Bunny up close. However, from a distance she loved them.  We have a few books on Disney World that Madison has been looking through and pointing out all the characters. We found her reading one of the Disney books to her baby doll this morning. She is getting so excited-- I could just eat this girl up!!

 

(Thank You Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill—She loves her baby doll!!)

Pacifiers

Madison has found her new favorite toy---- PACIFIERS!! She came across her old ones and now loves to give them to her baby dolls. She carries around all of them at the same time—everywhere she goes. She is such a ray of sunshine!! Boy, do we love this girl to the moon and back!! (Notice more of her silly faces)

 

                          

Crazy Twos!!

It seems that Madison is in the CRAZY 2’s!! She seems to have gotten so silly lately. She loves to make all these silly faces. I tried to catch some of them. I hope it stays crazy and doesn't turn to terrible!!

                                 

Happy Mother’s Day

Today was definitely not the easiest day for me, but Craig and Madison made it so special. I am still not able to say to much as my heart is still broken. I will share more information as to what I am talking about in other post when I feel the time is right.  We started the day with a delicious Peach French Toast (you can find it on my pinterest page) breakfast courtesy of The Jones’ and The Kinard’s. Then, we headed out to the grave site to spend sometime with my sweet and precious Bennett. This was hard for me, but it was the most important thing for me to do today. We then headed over to Craig’s parents house where we had a nice lunch and relaxed for awhile. We ended the day with our dear friends The Theling’s. It was so fun to see Grady and Madison play together. I hope we can get them together again soon!! Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful MOMS I know!!

SHOES

I know I have mentioned before how much Madison LOVES her SHOES, so I thought I would share this. How cute are those chunky thighs?? I could just eat them up.