Reflecting. Happy First Birthday Angel!!!

0 months

The day you arrived!




0 - 1 month

1 - 2 months

2 - 3 months




   3 - 4 months

4 - 5 months








    5 - 6 months






    6 - 7 months

7 - 8 months






  8 - 9 months


   9 - 10 months



   10 - 11 months

   11 - 12 months













   12 Month Birthday pics!!!

Reflecting on our first year with you:

Happy Birthday my little Angel!  One year!!!  I still don’t believe that you are my little one year old.  Maybe it will sink in when you eventually leave our nest and go off to school, or a mission and pursue your dreams.  Believe it or not, I really don’t know what to say. Maybe I will try to do a little brief recap of this year.

You entered into our lives Feb. 24 at 3:44pm.  You weighed 7 lb 2.4 oz and you were 18 ¼ inches long.  The moment you arrived I thought that I was dreaming.  My first thoughts were: “how does she have black hair,” “oh my gosh she looks just like her Dad and nothing like me,” “I love her.”  I don’t know what your Dad’s first thoughts were, I just remember that he said, “babe, she has my bouls,” “her poop is like black tar, no really just like it.”

It is quite breathtaking I must say going from just your Dad and I and then 100% responsibility for the life of another human being.  However now, I could never imagine life without you.  We may have brought you life by bringing you into this world, but you are really the one who brought life into our home.

It was interesting trying to figure out somehow to stay sane, while going on no sleep, never really understanding why you were crying, constantly cleaning up “blow outs,” nursing, and some how trying to bottle up some patience so your Dad and I would not freak out on each other.  You learn quickly that you have to work as a team with your spouse, or it simply will not work.

So, I don’t want to sit here and give a list of all the things that we did.  While the activities were and are important, what truly matters is that this year we got to do all of those activities with you. 

You are an amazing little baby Ms. Madeline Rose.  You have already taught us so much in your short life.  Watching you go through some hard times has introduced me to a whole new side of myself and your father.  I have had to have more faith in our Heavenly Father than I ever had to before.  I can’t say that I’ve minded too much when I have had to put my life into the hands of our Heavenly Father.  Yet, when it has come to you, I must admit that I have been more stubborn.  When you are a parent sometimes you wish you had complete control of what happens and what is to come.  The future excites me and yet it scares me at the same time.  All your accomplishments and the person you will become are things to look forward to.  Yet, we live in a world that is changing every minute and I can’t say I am excited about those changes; in fact many horrify me when it comes to thinking about your future and how those changes will affect you.  Your Father has demonstrated a strength that I guess I always knew he had, but never got to see till you arrived.  He is a strong person that has been an example and incredible guide to this family.  He always tries his best and in the end that is all that matters.

You have brought so much personality into our home.  I thought that I had enough personality to fill a few mansions or so, but next to you I have nothing.  You entertain us, you fascinate us, you challenge us, but most of all you have filled our hearts with a love that we never knew could exist.  Thank you for giving us the gift of your life and this first year with you.  There will be many more years to come and we look forward to the gift of each year we get to spend with you.  What an honor it is for me and your Dad to be your parents. We love you Madeline Rose Deter. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Love always and for all eternity,

Your Mom and Dad