Update

The weeks are flying by with 2 little ones at home. And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't offer prayers of gratitude. Some days it's because I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and other days its because I'm just plain overwhelmed and need to remind myself to be grateful. Madelynn is 7 weeks today. She is a typical baby. She cries, eats, poops and sleeps. She doesn't smile yet. We went to the dr and got her on medicine for silent reflux, that helps a little and we are grateful for it. When people see her they always comment on how alert she is. She is awake most of the day and has been sleeping pretty well at night.
Elijah is 16.5 months and quite fun. He's a bit fussy do to cutting his molars. He has become such a joy it's a lot harder, though not impossible, to remember how fussy he use to be. Current things about Elijah to be noted:
He is a very helpful big brother. If Maddie starts crying he will run to her aid. It usually makes the situation worse but it's pretty cute. He loves to burp her, I wonder if he just likes hitting her and we are okay if it's on the back. He can actually get a burp when we can't. And if she does tummy time, he gets down with her.
We can't say the word GO if he is around. He will immediately run to the door. He loves to get out of the house.
He has the cutest cheesy smile ever. If you say cheese, he gives you the face in the last picture. Melt me.
If Brent and I are sitting on the couch holding hands, and Elijah sees it, he will either come put his hand in the mix or break are hands s part so we cant hold hands.
He is really good at mimicking actions. If I pat his daddy's leg, Elijah will pat it too. We have to be careful these as to what he sees.
He thinks "see" food is funny. He will be mid chew and open his mouth so we can see the content. Then he'll bust out laughing and usually drop the food from his mouth from laughing so hard.
Bath time is his favorite time. I'm pretty sure he gets at least 2 baths a day. He is the cleanest boy around. It is one of his favorite words.
He tries to buy extra time at bedtime by cuddling. And I must admit he is usually successful. I love his cuddles.
He also has this over the should naughty smile. If he knows he's doing something he shouldn't, he'll see if your looking, do his over the shoulder smile and proceed with his naughtiness.
Both of my kids are such cuties and bring this momma lots of joy. It'll be a few years but I look forward to one day having more.
Brent finishes school this May! Can you believe it. I met him the summer of his first year and he's almost done now. The time really has flown by. I'm excited to see where life takes us. And when I say excited I mean nervous and apprehensive. I guess as long as I have Brent and the kids, not much else matters.
While he looks for a job we plan to fly to California and spend 4-5 weeks. I'm especially looking forward to Elijah getting to know his Adamson grandparents better. I know he will melt them the way he melts us daily.

Daddy's letter to Madelynn

To: Madelynn Rochelle Adamson

February 27, 2013, the day you were born, was a cold dark day. Dark, in that, your mom and I had to get up at 4:30 in the morning to go to the hospital in preparation for your arrival. We arrived there at 5:30, both of us very tired from not getting much sleep the night before. We were very excited to see you and maybe just a little nervous, as you will find out when you become a mother yourself. Every child is a joy to have, but if you are anything like me, you worry just a little bit for each of your children. But that’s normal, I think. Anyways, we checked into the hospital and got our room, I finally met the doctor for the first time, who was very good. Finally, they took your mom away to prep her for surgery, which left me alone in the room to wait and wait and wait. Luckily, I wasn’t as nervous this time waiting – maybe it was cause I went through this already with your brother, but mostly, I believe, it was cause Heavenly Father blessed me to be calm. I knew everything was going to be all right.

Finally, they came and got me and mom smiled at me when I came in. They were working on getting you out and I sat with mommy and held her hand. After just a little while, we heard you…and boy did we hear you! You came out screaming like non other. Even the doctor and nurses were impressed. I don’t think they have heard a more “healthy pair of lungs” as you had. You did not want to leave mommy, that was for sure. You also hated them cleaning you up and weighing you.

You were born at 8:03am and were 8 pounds 7 ounces and were 20.5 inches long. You looked a lot like your brother did when he was a newborn, but don’t worry, all newborns look similar and I know you won’t look like a boy the rest of your life. I was proud to call you my daughter and I hope you will be proud to call me dad. I got to spend about an hour just holding you while they finished cleaning up your mom. It was the highlight of my day that day.

So that is my memory of the day you were born. You were perfect and will always be so in my eyes, no matter what you do. And I promise you, as long as I live, I will always take care of you. I hope to give you as many opportunities as possible to help you grow physically and spiritually and to help you develop skills and talents that will benefit you and others throughout your life. I hope that you will pursue an education and get a college degree. I hope for you that you will find a man that will treat you as the princess and daughter of God that you are. I hope you take the time to be a mother, for there is no greater thing in this life than to create a life and influence him/her for good. But what I hope for you the most is that you will always remember that I love you and your Father-in-Heaven loves you always and no matter what and that you can always turn to both of us for help.

Take care, my beautiful daughter

Love, your Daddy

Madelynn Rochelle

Madelynn Rochelle Adamson, 8 pounds 7 ounces, 20.5 inches.

Melanie and Sharon- day nurses

Ashley-night nurse

"On the night you were born,

the moon smiled with such wonder

that the stars peeked in to see you 

and the night wind whispered.

“Life will never be the same.”

On the night you were born, the whole world came alive with thanksgiving. The moon stayed up till morning. The geese flew home to celebrate. Polar bears danced.

On the night you were born you brought wonder and magic to the world."- Nancy Tillman

Oh daughter (who I have been lovingly referring to as he/him/son and even once, Elijah Reed), we are so happy to welcome you into our world and our lives. Your birth story is like most others with a scheduled cesarean. I, your mommy, desperately wanted to have a VBAC to welcome you into the world but when the time came, you were to comfy to leave on your own and you had to come out for both of our health. 

We had to be at the hospital February 27 at 5:30am and I was scheduled to have the surgery at 7:30. I wasn't really nervous but I was extremely anxious about everything. When I met your nurses I felt a little more comfort. Melanie, One of the nurses,  had been in an Anatomy and Physiology class with me in 2010. She was my study/lab partner and we both wanted to go back to school for nursing. I got married instead, she is now a nurse. Anyways, I was wheeled away from your dad to go into the Operating Room. At this point I have so many emotions, oh my goodness I'm about to have my second baby. I have a daughter almost here. I hope the surgery goes well. I can't wait for Brent to get in here with me. Lots of thoughts as I sat sideways on the operating table waiting for my spinal. The nurse anesthetist gets that in place and they bring your daddy in. I love your daddy and was instantly grateful it was him there beside me. I hope one day you find someone like that. When daddy comes in I'm already extremely nauseous and holding a bowl just in case. Daddy later said every time I said I was nauseous it was my blood pressure bottoming out. The nurse anesthetist would quickly inject medicine into my IV for it. I feel the surgery start and feel as if I'm feeling way too much. I smell something burning. I say that I do. I ask what it is and daddy informs me that it is me. I'm in a lot of pain at this point. It is all hurting too bad. I'm trying to stay focused and positive.....baby girl, baby girl, my Madelynn is being born. But I'm in so much pain! Then I hear, there's a head. Oh my gosh, this is happening, you are almost here. Then I hear screaming, lots and lots of screaming. They hold you up over the barrier so I can see you. You are here and you are mine. You won't stop screaming and I can't stop crying. I'm still unsure if I was crying from joy or the sheer terror of you being a naughty baby. Daddy is standing beside me and I know for the 2nd time he's gonna be the best dad ever and how lucky you kids are to have him. Daddy goes to take pictures and I lay there. Still in so much pain. I'm now crying from the pain. When I had Elijah it didn't hurt so bad. I later find out it is because of the scar tissue from having Elijah. At one point I tell them how much it's hurting and ask what they are doing. I'm told they are putting everything back inside. I feel my stomach muscles contracting, they are shaking almost violently.  My whole body is shaking violently. Your dad keeps apologizing and I can see he hates to see me in pain. On the way to the hospital that morning I told him I dread the shaking and now it was here. 

They let you and daddy leave the room and I'm left alone and they continue to piece me back together. Then the nurse anesthetist gives me a nerve block for my incision which I later realize was such a good decision. I'm still anxious because I haven't really gotten to see you yet. I want to hold my little girl. I'm finally wheeled back to our room. Poppa Eaton has been waiting so we let him in. He says you're beautiful! Nana Eaton is on her way. I get a bit stressed over this because she has your brother and I'm in so much pain that I don't need to see him. It'll break my heart if he wanted me to hold him and I couldn't. Dad, nana, and poppa take turns waiting with Elijah in the waiting room. It makes me sad not to see him but I just don't think I could manage at that point. 

Everyone except your dad leaves and here we are, with our daughter. I try the entire first day to breastfeed but you are too hungry of a girl. You exhibit this with your lungs, perfect healthy lungs. 

Not long after, Aunt Amy, Aunt Kara, Sydney, Chloe, jack, Claire, and Annie show up for a visit. They bring McDonalds and I am caught by the nurse eating it. I'm only suppose to eat clear liquids but I was hungry. Luckily things turn out just fine and I survived :). They stay for a short visit and you are extremely loved! You have lots of awesome family. Then Aunt Renee, Ginny, Aubree, Will and Christopher come visit. This is the best behaved I had ever saw Renee's kids. The girls give you lots of loves and aunt Nae adores you too. Aunt Becky comes by to see you and give you loves. She says you are perfect. Nana brings Elijah so he can see you. He does t know what to think. After looking at you for a bit he decides to welcome you by hitting you! Lucky for all of us it was in the leg. After everyone leaves we Skype with your Grammy and Grandpa Adamson. I get really sad thinking they haven't met you yet! It's a short Skype session, they could tell we were exhausted and the connection was kinda bad anyways. 

Dad and I had decided before that he would go home and sleep. So daddy left and day one ended. Our night nurse was Ashley who we really really liked. 

Day two began early and for the first time I held you and enjoyed it. I was too tired the day before but today I was gonna cuddle my little girl. You are perfect to me! Daddy dropped Elijah off at nana's and comes by to see his little girl before he goes to work. He hold you and adores you and promises to buy you things that mommy says absolutely not to. 

Mom's friend, Beth, comes for a visit and brings a dozen donuts! Oh my, I definitely don't need a dozen donuts. I still look 7 months pregnant. We visit for a while. She is pregnant with Noah who will be here in a few short weeks. I assume y'all will one day be friends. When she leaves it is me and you again until lunch when poppa comes to see you again and daddy does too. You are a very loved little lady! After lunch moms friends, Kristin and Chrystal come to see you. It's fun for me to show you off and visit with my friends. Nana gets here with your brother. We try to let him hold you and he pushes you away. Oh dear, I think, it's gonna be a long few years. But he finally warmed up to you and even gave you kisses. It melted me, I am smitten with my 2 babies! They stay and visit for a while but nana knows Elijah will only be good for so long.  Your dad comes back right after work. You were being so super fussy. I thought there was no way you could be hungry! You ate good not long before. We finally caved and gave you a bottle, guess you were hungry! You have a BIG appetite. After dinner mom's friends Stacey and Gabe come to see you. It's nice to have so many visitors and friends. Everyone leaves and we get more mommy daughter time. The nurses take you for a while and when Ashley, our nurse, brings you back she says her and the other nurses think it's fun you already have a big personality. They said you talked a lot and gave them plenty of facial expressions. Oh dear, I have a feeling you will keep me busy! 

Today is day 3. It's just me and you waiting for daddy to get here. Dr Williams, Mommy's dr, says how cute you are. I say no baby is cute and the nurse says that they don't tell people their babies are cute unless they are. They'll use other words, precious, healthy, etc. I laugh and say they are flattering us but I know it's true. You are pretty dang cute. 

We are excited and nervous to take you home today. I'm hoping you are mellow and kind. I hope Elijah adores you and isn't too jealous. I hope I can be a good mother to both of you. I understand that it is a great responsibility to raise children. I guess we'll see what the future holds for us all. For now, I'll just feel blessed to know who is a part of my future, your daddy, your brother, and of course you!

Madelynn Rochelle

Dear Madelynn,

I'd like to say your dad and I are all ready for your arrival. We aren't. You terrify us a little bit. We are so scared you're gonna be naughty like your brother was. Maybe you'll surprise us and be a really good baby. 

I thought I should tell you how you got your name, Madelynn Rochelle. We wanted to use a family name for you. Madelynn is not a family name but Lynn is. So we searched for names that ended in Lynn. There were a few we liked but we feel in love with Madelynn. Your Grammy and both your aunt Julie and your aunt Melissa share the name Lynn. Then for your middle name, Rochelle. This is a very special name! Growing up we lived next door to one of the best men I have ever known. He was like a grandfather to me and I love him dearly. A few years ago, he adopted your papa. We all realize that this may be weird to be adopted in your 50's but pops (Mr. John Rochelle) was family and they made it official. I told him a few years ago that when I had a daughter I'd give her the name Rochelle. Rochelle is now your papa's last name. Pops, was a great man who lived a spectacular life. He fought in world war 2! But that is the only time he ever left the farm. He never saw the point of it. He was born on the land and he just recently died on the land. 

Both names are names to be very proud of. They are after people you could strive to be like. Your Grammy Adamson, your Papa Eaton/Rochelle, Pops/Mr. John, your aunt Julie and your aunt Melissa. 

It won't be too much longer before you make your appearance. You'll be here and our lives will be forever changed again. We love you and can't wait to meet you.

2012 in review

Well the world didn't end and our family survived another year. Really our first year as a family of 3. It was busy and we learned a lot. Well, Brent and I learned a lot about parenting and Elijah learned all the normal baby stuff, plus some other stuff. He is very advanced :). We had a lot of fun this past year and I thought I'd highlight some of it in no particular order. 

- We started 2012 off in California visiting family and introducing our newest addition to them. 

- Brent started his last year of optometry school and we begin to see a small light at the end of the tunnel. 

- James and Kara invited us to go to East Tennessee for a short vacation. Brent couldn't go but Elijah and I went and we had lots of fun. Well except for the part where Elijah didn't sleep. 

- Not too much later we took a trip to East Tennessee and stayed at my favorite hotel, The Inn at Christmas Place. My mom came with us and I do believe we all had a fantastic time. 

-And just so I don't forget later in the year Rebekah and I took Seth, Sydney, Elle, and Elijah back to East Tennessee for some more fun times. Elijah went a total of 3 times in one year.  And each time we went we went to the Dixie stampede. Lucky little boy. 

- Elijah's Aunt Julie came for a visit and we decided to head down to gulf shores for some fun beach time. Yay for aunt Julie visits. She is such a good aunt. 

- I almost forgot, Elijah Reed was blessed in February and the entire Adamson Family made their way over to Tennessee. We only wish that they lived closer so we could play more often. Melissa stayed a few extra days and we were able to take a quick day trip to Nashville. 

-Elijah and I started missing our California family so we decided we better make our way back there In July. I had a lot of morning sickness but was able to by pass telling people because everyone expected me to be so tired. 

-Oh yea, we are expecting baby number 2 in march. On July 2nd we found out we were expecting another baby. Even more exciting on October 15th we found out it was a girl! We are ecstatic. 

- In August we had 2 weddings to attend. My best friend Candice was married in the Memphis Tennessee temple to Darren Nielson. She was gorgeous and I was so incredibly happy for her. Then we went back to California for Melissa's wedding. We were able to spend a day in Yosemite with the exception of mom A, she had to work. That day is noted as a miserable day. Windy roads=extreme nausea and vomiting. But it was really pretty! Melissa was married on the 30th and made a beautiful bride. The night of the wedding the family was all able to sit on the patio and it is by far one of my favorite Adamson memories. 

-We moved to Jackson TN so Brent could do his last 2 externs here. We moved into mom and dad's old trailer and they live across the street. This has less advantages than I would have thought but it's still nice. 

-Pops moved in with mom and dad and it's been a joy seeing him and Elijah together. That crazy boy is obsessed with pops. 

-We have been blessed to live close to lots of cousins and he loves playing with them every chance he gets. 

- Brent passed 2 of his 3 boards. He takes the last ones in February 2013. I have such a smart husband. 

-We ended the year the same way it began, in California with our family there. Elijah was absolutely spoiled rotten. This kid didn't know what to do with all the love and attention. 

We feel incredibly blessed to have had all the experiences and blessings of this year. We look forward to 2013!