Date Day Adventures

Madi spent the day with Mimi on Saturday while Clayton and I went on a date. We had such a good time! We went on a 10.3 mile bike ride around The Woodlands. We went from Bear Branch Park and went all the way to the Woodlands Waterway, made the loop, and biked back. It had been such a long time since I've biked for that long, I didn't want to stop! I definitely felt it in my legs when we did stop. But we had such a good time.  

Clayton took this at the gas station and told me "don't you dare delete that picture!"

I'm not sure how he took these pictures without falling over.

Took a water/snack break at a park near the water.

We're super photogenic, lol. NOT

    Then we went to the W.G. Jones State Park and hiked for about an hour. We had never been there, and it was about to be dusk so we just looked around. We found walking sticks and just walked around talking and laughing. I love that one on one time where all we have to worry about is what we're going to do next. We trekked 2.5 (ish) miles there and went to go get Madi.  

    In my opinion, it was our best date. It felt amazing outside and we got to do something that we both love, being active. We didnt spend ANY money, at all. It was a completely free and fufilling date. We're planning on renting kayak's on the Waterway in a few weeks for our next date. Active dates = win.  

Changes

Lately things around here have been changing. We're adjusting to the new changes and are welcoming new ones in our life.   I started working at Madi's daycare as an Assistant Teacher. That means that Madi now goes to daycare full-time, instead of just three days per week. That was the hardest part for me, letting go of the days that I did have with her. But it is the best thing for us right now. Madi can see me from her classroom so we can keep an eye on each other throughout the day. I know that she is having fun with her friends and isn't upset, and she can see that I am nearby. Its a good thing for us both. The first few days that she saw me in the other room, she was upset. Her teachers said that she wanted to come in my room with me. But it only took around three days of being upset. Now, she pokes her head around the corner where she can see me and she will play peekaboo with me or stick her tongue out at me and giggle. Then keep playing. That makes me feel SO much better. I get to keep an eye on her and know she is learning and playing, while I get to help provide for our family. I truly enjoy my job and the people that I work with. I'm so glad that life has given us this opportunity and that Madi has adjusted so well.   Being a part-time student, a part-time teacher, and a mommy, I don't have as much time for blogging, which I absolutely love. But I've promised myself that I won't let this fall through the cracks. I do this not only for Madi, but for me also. I will only be posting once per week however. I feel like that is a good compromise. Maybe a couple times per week if time allows.   More changes are to come if things play out the way I want them to. But that is for a different post. :)   I will be posting again soon. Thank you for all of the support we are getting. For now, here are some pictures from this week!  

We saw Brody this weekend. She kept licking his cheek instead of kissing him! Then she'd giggle and say "I wick him!" She's goofy. Then he fell asleep on my chest for about 30 minutes. Swoon.

Getting lunch before going to daycare/work. She was making funny faces at me so that I could take her picture and then show her.

She's holding a picture of her Great Grandmother (Mimma) when she was around 1 or 1 1/2. They look SO much alike. So I took this and framed it for Madi's Mimi and Mimma. :)

Talking and taking pictures before bed. I love that sweet smile!

   

Dear Madi, From Daddy

Dear Madilyn,   I love you. More than anything. Your mother, my lovely wife, asked me to write you a letter. So here goes nothing. You were born August 31st, 2010, the day after Mommy turned 17 and a little over a month after I turned 18. Naturally, being such a young couple, our pregnancy was a little unexpected. We were nervous as could be, but we were also beyond excited. I remember sitting with Mommy wondering what you would look like, who you would take after, and even what your cry would sound like. Well nine months roll by and the day comes that you're about to enter the big scary world. I'm scared. You have no idea how scared I was. To be honest, I had no idea what to expect, but the time was now and you were coming. Ready or not. I've never experienced and will never again experience anything as frightening and beautiful as your birth. You gave us all quite a scare, booger! I remember the doctors rushing you out of the room and the intensity of all these unfamiliar emotions hitting me at once. You  were finally here, you were real. You were beautiful. Beyond perfect.   Our first moment together, I gave you my finger and you immediately grabbed it, held it tightly, and just slightly opened your eyes up at me. "Oh my god" I thought to myself, my eyes starting to tear up. You were looking at me and holding MY finger, as if you knew I was scared. As if you were trying to calm me down and say that everything is ok. In that exact moment, I knew that I became Daddy and you became Baby and that I would do anything for you.  

  I will always love you, always protect you, always care for you, and I will always provide for you. Today is September 26, 2012. It's been over two years since that day and I love you still now. Just like I always will. I love you more and more everyday. You constantly surprise me with how smart you are. You are a gorgeous little girl with pretty eyes and bouncy brown curls. Your favorite word seems to be "no" right now. You love your family and you love your animals, especially puppies. "PupPups." You really love the outdoors and more than anything you love to swing. And I love swinging you. I'll push you really high and hold you there until you giggle and say "Ready, GO!" It worries Mommy, but we don't care. We just laugh and keep swinging. ;) You love to kiss and hug. And as much as I wipe your big wet kisses off, I secretely love them. Shhh. Don't tell Mommy. While Mommy was pregnant I would always ask her "what if she doesn't like me?" to which she would reply, "She'll love you. You're her Daddy." I don't know why I ever worried. Your face lights up as soon as I walk in the door. It melts my heart.   I'm going to wrap this letter up, but I could write for days about you. You're simply amazing. Perfect beyond words and explanations. I love you with all my heart and much much more.   Love, Daddy