Happy 1st Fathers Day Papa! 

Fathers Day Matt spent the day doing what he does best, working at the firehouse running calls all day/night long. Maddie and I went over to my parents house in the morning and spent some time with her poppy and grammy, then went to the firehouse for some quality daddy time. During dinner though a house fire broke out so the guys left in a hurry! Maddie I can't believe tomorrow your 5 months old.. where did our little newborn go?? We love you baby girl and every day you brighten my day with the simple new things that you discover. Tomorrow morning I will weigh you and will update about all your new tricks! 

Love you!

Xo, Matt & Ashlie 

Madeline's Baptism 5.27.12

 Matt, Madeline & I 

 Pastor Chris, Matt, Madeline & I 

All the sweets! 

"When you called me be to a mama you didn't ask for perfection but with every breathe that I'd point them to you" Matthew 6:33 

This past weekend Madeline got baptized at our local methodist church, and it was a beautiful day. She was such a good girl, even though the ceremony was in the middle of her nap time, she didn't start to break down until the very end. We were surrounded by family and friends and matt's grandma made a ton of food! We also got some great photos as a family! I love you Maddie Grace and God Bless you sweet girl! 

xo, Daddy and Mommy 

 Happy 4 Months Maddie Grace! 

 1st time eating rice cereal 5.19.12 

 1st time in the pool in Lancaster Penn. 

Daddy & Maddie at her 1st Minor League Game. Lancaster Barnstormers 

Dear Maddie Grace, 

It has been a month of many many firsts! You went to your 4 month appointment with Dr. Bill on friday and you are 16lbs and 5oz and your 25 inches tall! Which lands you a spot in the 95 percentile. The Dr said you probably won't roll over for a while because your a big baby but we will keep practicing! He also said that we need to make sure that you sitting up most of the day so that the back of your little head (17 inches that is) doesn't become flat. Only issue is that your chunky little legs are getting to big for your bumbo seat so we will see what toy we can find to prop you up. Yesterday was your first time eating rice cereal and you loved it!! Opened your mouth right away and starting eating, We are so proud of you Maddie Grace! We also took you on your first road trip to celebrate Reagan Bischoff's 3rd Birthday in Lancaster PA. You went the in the pool for the 1st time which you loved and then went to your first minor league baseball game! You were such a good girl considering it was a 3 hour drive up and back and it was over 75 degrees outside. We love you baby and your growing up so fast! 

Xo, Daddy & Mommy 

 Maddie Grace with 2 teeth! 

 Our 1st Mothers Day at the Farmers Market

Maddie with the Rabbits 

Dear Madeline Grace, 

Yesterday was our 1st mothers day together and I can't wait for the years to come and watching you grow! Daddy finally built me the picnic table I have been asking for over 3 years and I can't wait to start having dinner outside and feeding you solids this summer. We went to a farmers market, and I only wish that organic local food wasn't so expensive. I promise I will try my hardest to make all your baby food from local and organic fruits and veggies but baby if we are going to be able to buy you toys, it won't always be possible. The fresh watermelons were over 8 dollars, and at the grocery store they are only 5. We then spent time with both sides of your families and you saw both your grammies! I'm so glad that you get to see them every week, I know they love you very much! I just wish that your great grammy in Seattle lived closer because I know she loves and misses you! Friday is your 4 month appointment and I will updated everyone on how well you are doing! 

I love you baby! 

xo, Daddy & Mommy 

1st Tooth, 1st play date & Sleeping in Crib!

 First Play Date with Sean (He's 3 weeks older) 

 Her 1st Tooth! 4.20.12 when I first noticed it 

 Sleeping so sweetly 

Slept through the night in her crib! 5.3.12 

Dear Madeline, 

Only 4 days into the month of may and you have experienced so many firsts! On sunday you got your first tooth and its growing so fast, its almost all the way through. People always talk about how horrible teething is but baby girl you have been great. The only thing that has changed is that you don't want to eat as much as normal but you have been in a great mood and sleeping really well so I will take it. You also had your very first play date with baby sean. Although you guys just laid there and stared at each other it was still very cute! I'm so glad that we have numerous babies that are your age for you to play and grow up with! Last night you fell asleep at 11pm and I decided to put you in your crib for the first time, and you didn't great! Didn't wake up until I had to go to work at 7:00am! I'm so proud of you little girl, your doing great! I love you baby! 

XO, Daddy & Mommy! 

Counting our Blessings

With March for Babies Walk only a week away, I have been counting our blessing and how bringing Madeline into this world was fairly easy. I was watching Giuliana & Bill a show on TV and their journey of going through several treatments of IVF, fighting breast cancer and now finally they will become parents through Gestational Surrogacy. I have to say I didn't know the difference between what Surrogacy and Gestational Surrogacy was until now. Gestational Surrogacy is an arrangement between the intended parents of the child and the woman who agrees to carry the embryo(s) made from the egg(s)  and sperm of the intended parents. The surrogate carries the child to term and is the host but is not related to child in any way. Before becoming pregnant myself or before I even thought about the process of becoming a mother I always thought it would be easy, that it would be no problem for myself to get pregnant and to carry a picture perfect baby to full term. Our dear friends the Bischoff's have opened my eyes to the struggle that many families go through to not only get pregnant in the first place but to carry the baby to full term with no issues. With both her children having special needs and having lost one of their daughters at 27 weeks I will continue to count the blessings that I have. Their 2 children are fighters and are doing so amazing, but thats not without weekly therapy and doctor appointments and countless surgeries.  

Remember to not take for granted what you have, because someone out there is struggling with something you consider easy. Here is a link to our March of Dimes Facebook Page, Please Donate if you can. 

http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?seid=1775905

Xo, Matt, Ashlie & Madeline 

Growing up

                                                        You discovered your hands!!

                                                                  You love your Mr. Whozit!

Tummy Time! You actually lasted for about 10 mins! 

Baby girl,

 Although I just wrote you a couple day go about the changes that you have had in the last 3 months, I decided to write you again. You have now put your self on a schedule! This is how our day goes 730 you wake up & if there is time you lay in bed with mommy while you eat your bottle 930 you eat your bottle (5oz) & then we play for a little! You love your play mat and your mr who's it! 1100 you eat another 5oz then you sleep for 3 hours! 2pm you wake up and we play some more an eat another bottle 4pm you have your 5oz then take your afternoon nap till about 6 7pm you eat dinner with mommy & daddy then you play with your tummy time mat 9-11 you eat again & then your out for the night! Today your constipated so I have to get you some prune juice, poor baby girl.. But I did find out that nordstroms is giving us your Marc Jacobs changing pad we never got with our bag so that will be nice! I will post all your pictures tonight, right now your dreaming! Love you baby girl!


 xo Daddy & Mommy