Madelynn Brielle

She arrived on April 27, 2010 at 12:29pm measuring 19 inches & weighing in at 7lbs 2 ounces.

She was 1 ounce smaller than Nate & Kassie & 4 ounces bigger than Abbie. She's our only baby born in the pm. She was born with lots of dark hair. She is a mild and content little one, who started smiling from day 1 or so it seems. She lost quite a bit of weight at the beginning, at one point gaining a few ounces then losing almost a whole pound. I've had to make some compromises I'm still not sure I'm ready to make, like having to supplement with formula when I was able to nurse the other 3 for the first year. That may be an entry for another day, maybe....

She's doing well & thriving. We love having her in our family & all the kids love loving on her.

And now for the pictures:
Her first photo

I hate these pictures they are so un-flattering!

Holding onto daddy

Our little mommy

The girls

The best big brother for 3 little sisters that there ever was!

I am so grateful for 4 healthy children who love each other, for the most part get along well with each other, bring me unmeasurable joy & bless my life each & every day!

Baby Shower

Just a quick note - mostly to document my gratitude.

My new visiting teacher (from church) and some friends threw a baby shower for me. I felt a little guilty about it. It was for baby #4 and they had given me one for Kassie less than 2 years ago, but I caved to them and I'm am very glad I did. There wasn't really anything much we needed - things we'd like to have sure, but for need there was only 2 things I felt like were a need.

First - a new diaper bag - it's the only thing I feel like I deserve new with each baby - they get so ratty and worn out & since it goes everywhere the first 18 months - 2 years, it's my one thing I treat myself to each time.

Second - a double stroller.  When Abbie was born I considered getting a double stroller, but then decided against it. I never had any regrets about that choice, but we are much busier now - taking big kids here, there & everywhere & frankly Kassie can be a force of nature all on her own so I felt this time I really needed the double stroller if only for containment. I hope that doesn't sound bad - but really it's all about safety for the little girls and sanity for me.

So the idea of a group gift was presented & after much research I decided on the double stroller I would like to have. I had it narrowed down to 2 strollers a front/back double & a side-by-side. They were both rated about the same on consumer reports and very close to each other in price but the side-by-side won out in the weight department - it was 20 pounds lighter & that was huge for me (c-section recovery and all). Most of the guests at the shower, and several friends who weren't able to attend went in together & purchased the stroller for us - what a huge blessing! I was then able to use the $ I was saving for the stroller to purchase the compatible infant car seat. There were other gifts at the shower, some baby toys, outfits, blankets & such. The next best surprise is I received the new diaper bag I wanted. When the shower was over we were set. It was wonderful & we felt very blessed to have such great people in our lives.

I haven't taken any pictures as of yet of the stroller I'm sure one will show up eventually - after all soccer season is just around the corner, but I can tell you that I absolutely LOVE IT! I would recommend it to anyone - it has been a sanity saver indeed!

Since I love to put pictures in my posts & I didn't take any at the shower - here is a picture of the lovely bouquet that was made/given to me at the shower. Better than no pictures to commemorate the event, rigtht?

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I am grateful for friends who care so much about us to do something so wonderful for us!