Life Here

Maddie is 5 months!

Still hard to believe that this sweet little girl is ours. Maddie is getting more like her momma every day-she's talkative & sociable & likes her voice to be heard. Sometimes she has a happy song, sometimes it's downright grumpy. But I guess that means she is normal!

I have been without a camera for the past couple months so pictures have been a bit sparse, although my mother-in-law, brother & sister have generously let me borrow theirs to catch a few special moment. This week though, I get to pick out a new one, so I'll have no excuse for not having pictures to post.

Life has been busy with a lot of changes the past few months. First, my Grandma Madelyn Vanderbosch (Madeline's namesake) past away Memorial Day weekend. I am so thankful that Grandma was able to meet Maddie-that was an answer to prayer for me. The thing that hit the hardest about loosing Grandma is knowing there will be no more going to grandma's house for the holidays or just for a visit. I'll cherish so many memories of both grandpa & grandma. My favorite memory of grandma is how after every visit or phone call she'd follow up her good bye with "Love Ya's!" Here's a photo of Maddie meeting grandma.

Two weeks later my Grandma Graham was hospitalized with pneumonia & heart failure. She is still recovering from that & has been in Rehab. for a while now, with plans to go home soon. She's still in delicate health, so we've been treasuring our time. Maddie & I try to visit twice a week along with my ma & younger siblings. This picture was taken 2 days before Grandma got sick.

My parents are moving back to my childhood home here in NY, from Lancaster county, PA. They moved down 8 years ago to be near their church & school, but are moving back home because the job market has been slim pickings for Pa. Their farm here is paid for & will be nice for Pa to get back into some farming on his own. Plus, there are only 4 children left at home, so homeschooling will be easier now for Ma (the youngest, Laura, is 8 already!) Here's a picture of my family taken at my brother Asa's graduation in May.

It's been very dry here, but we did get some rain today. Hopefully the corn will perk up soon. Will try to post again soon.

Madeline Catherine Slayton

Many of you already know about our little girl because she's 11 weeks old already! Maddie was born on Feb. 28th. I had a c-section that went very well, and Maddie is absolutely perfect. Kelvin went in the OR with me so we got to meet our girly right away. Words can't explain our joy. God is so good!

Right from the start Madeline has been fun to watch with her different postures. In some photos she's holding her ear & sucking fingers, another she's got her arm over her eyes like "whew, what a day!"

We had a dedication service at our church and this is the beautiful dress that was made special for Maddie by a good friend. It'll be a family treasure!

Two of my favorite photos. Thoughtful and peaceful.

Maddie all dressed up for church. I made the dress at Christmas, I guess I was hoping against hope that we'd have a girl. The sweater and the bonnet were a gift-Maddie wears it all the time.

I know this post is long past due, & pretty short, but better than nothing ;) Maddie's finally big enough to nurse one-handed if I'm sitting down & stable, so I can type & feed-maybe I'll keep up with posting a little better!