Busy, Busy, Busy...

It is crazy to think that Maddie is "officially" over a year old!  I don't think it has sank in yet how fast time has flown by.  The other day while I was at the mall, I was in the elevator and I heard someone behind me say how precious the little baby was.  Of course, I thought they were referring to Maddie, so I turned around to thank them only to recognize another precious little baby sleeping in an adjacent stroller.  That 'baby' was only 3 weeks old.  It was then I realized that to most people, Maddie isn't a "baby" anymore...It made me very sad! 

The past few weeks have been CRAZY BUSY!  It seems like summer just began and it is over half over!  We have been doing so much and enjoying the time, weather, and activities.  Devin & Jacob are rounding up the baseball season.  Tomorrow night is Devin's last game, and last Friday was Jacob's last one.  They did so well and Jeff & I are so very proud of them.  

We enjoyed going to Festa Italiana this year as a family.  It is pretty much a tradition for our family (we are Italian) and we skipped last year as Maddie was quite small.  Maddie is so observant and loved watching everything going on around her.  She loves listening to music and, to my surprise, liked the fireworks!  

Enjoying the Music w/ Mommy & Nana

 Dancing with Daddy at Festa!

We also enjoyed a Milwaukee Zoo trip with our friends and their sister's family.  We had lots of kids and they had a lot of fun!  It is great to see all the kids enjoying each other so much!

Best Brothers!

The whole Gang of Kids!  Count them...

Let's see what else...we've enjoyed celebrating a birthday for the kids cousin, a graduation for my cousin, spending time with family in from out of town, a family reunion, some dinners with friends, bonfires, and just hanging out.  We've been going and going for sure!  

Thankfully, and thanking God each and every day, Maddie is doing very well.  She is developing quite the little personality and I love EACH moment of it!  She's really starting to wave bye-bye now, says "DADA" all the time (I think maybe she thinks I am DADA???), BABA, NANA, VAVA, and is experimenting with lots of other new sounds.  She isn't walking yet, but will in her time!  She enjoys walking around on the furniture and getting into everything.  Above all that smile of hers just continues to melt the hearts of all those she comes in contact with, especially Mommy's, Daddy's, and her big brothers.  I KNOW how very lucky we are!  

Maddie rolling around in the grass...

There are a few events coming up.  We are looking forward to the Herma Heart Center Picnic in August.  We hope to meet many of the heart families that we follow but have never had the opportunity to meet in person.  The Brigg's Al Run & Walk which benefits Children's Hospital is also coming up...September 20th!  We will be forming a team for Maddie and participating as a family in the walk.  Details for the event will come soon, but please think about supporting Maddie's team for this.  Children's Hospital is the reason Maddie is with us today.  There is nothing that can be said to thank the doctors, nurses, staff, and facility enough for that.  Please email me if you are interested in running / walking with your family or yourself and I can provide you details.  I hope to have her team set up this week and I will post more details then.

Please continue to keep all those who are in need of prayers in your thoughts.  There are always too many, but I try to keep reminding myself that God makes no mistakes and He has a Great Plan.  

Love,

The Watson's

"Live. Laugh. Love."

Enjoy some photos!!!

Kisses for Mommy

Fishing w/ Our Papa

Devin and His Cousin, "Mr. Jeff" from South Dakota...Wish you lived closer!

  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS!!!

Little Miss Maddie!

MADDIE IS ONE!!!!  

Her party on Saturday was a blast. Over 100 people came to celebrate this ever so special day with us (115 to be exact...but who's counting). The overwhelming turnout was amazing and just another sign to us of how fortunate we are. Thank you to you all!!! It meant the world to us to have you share in our special day, and it is certainly one that will be forever remembered.  Thank you to all of you who helped make this day possible...You know who you are!!  A extra special thank you to our parents.  You amaze us every day!  We Love you! 

We couldn't have asked for anything more. Maddie and our family were surrounded by family & friends that I truly feel in my heart were just as happy for Maddie as we are.

The day started out storming and I clearly remember asking God to shed some sunshine upon us for the day. The very next time I looked outside the sun was shining. He is present...always.

Maddie enjoyed her day...smiling at familiar faces & not so familiar ones. And yes...for those of you who are wondering, I did allow her to have her own little birthday cake! She devowered it, I think had a few tastes, but mainly played in it. 

We had an awesome cake decorator who did the cakes exactly the way we wanted...

It is hard to believe Maddie is one year old already. Time flies, and I know it will continue to do so. So...we are living up every moment, taking in every second of every day, and enjoying life as best we know how.

We put a video together for Maddie for her birthday. Please feel free to watch it if you have a chance. The link is at the top of the blog.

We'd also like to share our birthday wish that we read for her...

A Birthday Wish to our Daughter, Our Sister,

Dear Maddie,

We Wish You Many Year of Laughter, Joy, & Fun

We Wish You Happiness, Love, & Harmony that can Never Be Undone.

We Wish You Many Years of Cheerful Hugs & Kisses

We Wish You Many Years of Great News from All Your Doctor Visits.

We Wish that God's Hand Continues to Guide You as Your Life Begins to Start

We Wish You Wellness, Strength, & Healing With Matters of Your Heart.

We Wish You No Scrapes As You Learn to Walk Your Long First Mile

But Most of All that You Always Remember to show Your Incredibly Beautiful Smile.

We Hope You Feel Deep In Your Heart As Birthdays Come & Go

How Very Much You Mean to Us...Much More than You'll Ever Know!

And Finally Maddie...If there is something Mommy & Daddy can teach you to live by, the way you have taught us to Live. Laugh. Love....It is to HOPE, DREAM, WISH = Infinite Possibility!!!!

We Love You Maddie!

Happy Birthday Priness...Yes...she is our "Princess"

Mommy & Daddy,

Devin & Jacob

"Live. Laugh. Love."

Watson/Warren Brookfield Zoo Get Away

This past weekend was the first of hopefully many Watson / Warren Family Get-Aways.  This past weekend my cousin's family and ours took a little trip to the Chicago area and spent a night in a hotel and then visited the Brookfield Zoo.  It was a wonderful weekend.  

There are a lot of "firsts" for our family to report.  First, it was our first little get-away with Maddison where I can honestly say NOBODY would have ever guessed or known what that little girl of ours has been through.  And, I think it was the first time that both Jeff & I did not feel compelled to have to share a little bit of her history.  We can't figure out why, but for some reason everytime we go somewhere or start talking to people, her heart somehow comes up.  Part of it I think is the motherly / fatherly instinct of protecting her kicking in, as it always makes people take a little step back, hence, the germ thing is much more controlled, and another part of me thinks we are just so appreciative of all God has provided us and all the miracles He has worked, and we want to share that with others.  Anyways, this weekend we were a "normal" family, on a family outing to the Zoo, and to the eyes of all those around us, it was nothing more, nothing less.  

To us however it was amazement.  It was yet another one of those moments that most people don't think twice about (not for any other reason than they just don't have to) and here we were taking in every little moment.  

Saturday evening Maddie WENT SWIMMING!!!!  At first, she wasn't so sure, but when she got into Mommy's arms (just as she finally warmed up) she began to really like it.  She was all smiles!  Devin especially was so proud of her.  He is such a wonderful big brother to her.  I know as she gets older she will certainly be protected by him. 

Maddie w/ David Swimming Chillin on the Side of the Pool

The Whole Gang in the Pool, Less Daddy, the Photographer

Devin w/ Cousin David, Getting His Hair Pulled.  He never minds!

Our Jacob...Being Jacob!

Sunday we visited the Brookfield Zoo.  It was nice to visit a different zoo.  They had some great exhibit buildings and we saw a Dolphin Show that Maddie was very inthralled with.  

The Kids!

Can You Envision this Weekend Yet??

Daddy w/ His Boys!  

Nicole & Cousin Michael w/ the Kiddies!

Maddie also got to go on her first CAROUSAL RIDE!  She wasn't hesitant at all, and was smiles again from ear to ear.  If you haven't picked up on this yet, Maddie ALWAYS seems to be smiles!!  

Mommy & Maddie 

Loving the Carousal 

Jacob & Nina (the kids' cousin) had a blast together and got into more trouble than you can ever think possible!  Just full of mischief for sure, probably a payback from my childhood I guess. But wow...they sure keep Mommies & Daddies on our toes!!  

We are truly fortunate to have such wonderful family to share times and make memories with!  

Enjoy the photos!  

Best Brothers!!!

Live. Laugh. Love....ALWAYS!!!

Love,

The Watson's

Jeff, Nicole, Devin, Jacob, & Maddie

Go Brewers Go!

July 16th, 2008...Maddie's first baseball game at Miller Park.  She was so observant of everything going on, and enjoyed, as she always does, the company of her two big brothers, Devin & Jacob!  

Maddie just couldn't get enough of everything going on.  

Devin is really exploring sports now, and is really into them.  He loved being at the game, and talking to all the fans around him about stats, players, etc.  He puts me to shame for sure!

Jacob got lucky once again and got to take home a baseball from the game!  I think he's off to a pretty good collection!!

Not directly related to the game last night, but still baseball related, are my boys who are off to a great season of Little League.  Look at this catcher!  Any recruits looking???  

And then we have Jacob...batting average over 500 I think!  The offers I'm sure will be storming in!

Both of those photos are courtesy of my father-in-law and his clever camera skills.  Thanks.

Here's to some wonderful summer days ahead!!

Love,

The Watson Family

"Living. Loving. Laughing."

Mischief Maddie!

Well, today is a good day to share a little bit of my little girl and the mischief she manages to get herself in to!!!  Now, don't get me wrong.  This was just another "incident" that made me laugh and yet another happening that brought the biggest smile to my face in appreciation of being her and how far she has come in life already!  Another thing to sit back and just enjoy our children!  

Okay...ready...

Yup...this sure looked fun for her.  POWDERED SUGAR!!!  

NOW, I REALLY WAS THE ONE WHO LEFT THE CABINET OPEN, SO I GUESS I AM THE ONE TO BLAME FOR THE FUN SHE GOT HERSELF IN TO!

IT REALLY WAS ALL TOO CUTE THOUGH, AND SO WORTH THE MESS!!!

Soon after she enjoyed indulging into the powdered sugar, she helped me by rearranging my tupperware drawer.  Thanks Maddie!!!  The smile, or rather, expression, says it all!

Everything else has been great.  Devin had his first baseball game last week.  Check out my little stud!

Devin had a great first game and did really well.  We are so very proud of him.  To support him, brother Jacob & little sister Maddie were there to cheer him on!!

That's it at the Watson's Household.  Maddie continues to do well and we continue to be thankful each and every day for the countless blessings God has granted us with our three amazing children!!

Don't forget to Live. Laugh. Love....each & every day!!

The Watson Family

The Scoop Since Easter...

Well Okay...So it's been a VERY long time since I've posted on this blog.  So very much has been going on, so I'll try to bring everyone up to speed on "life in the Watson household".  

Maddie is doing so well!  We praise and thank God each and every day for the Good He has done in her life.  Her cardiology appointment (a month ago) already went well.  Her heart is functioning well, and although there are a couple areas a little "less than perfect" in the docs eyes, they are keeping a close eye on everything.  We pray that she continues to be so strong, and show that her heart CAN & WILL heal!  

She has gotten quite mobile these days as well.  She is crawling much faster and manages to pull herself up to anything and everything these days (unfortunately, the toilet is her favorite...YUCK!)  So...I am always after her.  She totally knows when she can take off and head right for it.  

She cut her two bottom teach about a month ago, and two weeks ago cut her first top tooth, and a week ago her second top one came in.  So...she currently has almost four teeth.  I say almost as they aren't quite all the way in yet...but there is a lot of WHITE!

She's quite the stinker when it comes to eating.  She LOVES those fruits, but has decided recently that veggies are not her favorite.  We'll keep working on them.

And my biggest news...this past Friday she started saying "DA" & "GA"!  I even get a "MA" once in awhile.  This was just an overwhelmingly amazing feeling for us.  It is crazy how much you seem to take for granted on your "healthy" children, and how much you analyze your "heart" baby.  I'm not saying one way is better or worse, just different!  

Maddie is just such a spunkie little thing!  We love her more & more each day, and each day brings a new surprise.  She melts our hearts, and surely the hearts of her big brothers too!  

This past Friday Jacob graduated from K-4!!!  He was smiles from ear to ear and we are just so proud of him.  He has really grown so much this past year.  The staff at his wonderful school of Jubilee get so much credit for his achievements.  They are just so wonderful to him & everyone.  Check out this cheese smile on Jake as he received his "diploma" with his ever so patient teacher!  

Devin has a few weeks left, and I know he is looking forward to summer.  We all are.  Devin & Jacob will go to camp together this summer.  They are excited...mommy & daddy can't believe how much they have grown!  

This past week we visited the Milwaukee Public Museum to see the Human Bodies exhibit.  For those of you who don't know, it is an exhibit of real human bodies, from those who dedicated themselves to science, on display showing muscles, organs, etc.  It was amazing to see and hard to believe it was real.  The most intriguing, yet hardest part, for me was to see the human heart.  I can't explain why it was hard to see...I think just looking at it, how small it is and what they did to Maddie's heart, and the specific areas that were wrong, just really hit home.  They even had a heart on display showing valves, left ventricle, right ventricle, left atrium, right atrium, aorta...you name the part, they showed / labeled it.  Like I said, it was incredibly intriguing but hit so very close to home.  In a movie we saw...the Human Body, they made a statement while they showed a heart beating that on average this amazing muscle does not stop beating for an average of 70 some years.  Most people would just brush over that statement but for me, all I could think of was babies who have had to have surgery, their hearts, stopped, for God to work through surgeons hands to mend their hearts.  Wow...just got to me.  Still miraculous in so many ways, and just another thing that makes you even more grateful for what you have and what has been done in your life!

The kids also enjoyed the butterfly exhibit, and all three kids got to touch a butterfly!  How lucky!  

Well...that pretty much brings everyone up to date.  

We want to thank everyone again for reading up on us, and ask for your continued prayers for Maddie, our boys, our family, and for all those out there in need of God's healing hands!  

Much Love,

The Watson's

"Live. Laugh. Love."

Wonderful Easter 2008!!

Easter was wonderful in the Watson household.  Despite the foot and a half of snow we received just a day prior, the Easter bunny still managed  to make his way to our home, bringing the kids wonderfully filled baskets of goodies!  

God has most certainly blessed us with amazing children, family & friends!  We are so grateful.  Enjoy the new photos from Easter.  My boys looked so handsome and Maddie looked like the princess she is to us!  :)

Love,

Nicole

Live. Laugh. Love.