I am nearly a full month late with this post (and a bunch of other posts from the summer). Madelynn Amber Hurst, our modern day miracle, turned five on September 21st.
A huge accomplishment for our child this year was potty training. Madelynn has Sensory Dysfunction Disorder, which means she cannot feel thing the way 'normal' individuals do. It takes a lot for her to feel pain, and feeling pressure in her bladder or bowel was not taking place. We had been working on increasing her sensory diet, essentially overstimulating her. While daycare was on vacation for a week, her brain and senses connected the pressure with the need to use to restroom and she hasn't looked back. It was truly amazing.
On September 27th friends and family gathered to celebrate Madelynn's birthday. Poppa Dave and Angie were gracious enough to allow us to use their home as all the guests were from Utah County. The grandparents Jones, Darren, Elly, Matthew and Bella rounded out the family members in attendance. My friend Erin, her husband Mike and their boys Brent, Draegan & Xander came out for the fun. Angie's sister, Stephanie, her husband Mark and their two boys Joseph and Benjamin made the party complete. While most of her friends n attendance were boys, they made sure Madelynn had a perfect princess birthday. We are truly lucky to have the individuals in our life that we do.
The decorations.
The presents
All Madelynn wanted was a purple bike. The look on her face when I brought it out is what makes this whole parent thing worth while.
Even though it was pouring rain the kids bounced to their hearts' content in the Princess Bounce House. It was so much fun watching these kids.
A family gather post isn't complete without a Bella Collage! (Added 10.15.14)
There are several things I need/want to post about, but I only have a moment.
Madelynn, like most of the country, loves the song "Chandelier" by Sia. Obviously she doesn't understand the lyrics, she just likes the emotion behind it. Madelynn will often sing it in the car when we're running errands.
I showed Madelynn the video one night. I find the talent of the dancer, Maddie Ziegler, incredible. So did Madelynn. She watched it through once, and had me replay it so she could dance like the girl in the video.
While I still have March to blog about, but since I am on here now I'll blog about Easter so as not to get further behind.
This is our first Easter back in Utah, which was bittersweet for me. I miss Washington terrible, and Easter brought egg hunts with Andrew and ham dinners with the maternal side of the family. Days like these just make me homesick. On the positive side we were able to spend the day with my father, Angela, my mother, John, and Darren's family. Dad and Angie, as usual, provided an amazing BBQ complete with a home made carrot cake that Matthew couldn't wait to devour. We decorated eggs with the nuggets, and hid the plastic ones for them to find. Large Easter baskets were also hidden as a bonus. It was a beautiful day outside, and a pleasant day seemed to be had by all.
On March 26, 2014 at 3:17 PM PST Jeremy's baby sister, Amanda, and her husband, Eric, welcomed their first child to this crazy world. Miss Annabelle Kay Brambila weighed in at 6 lbs 15 ounces, and 20 inches long. Congratulations and all our love to the new parents! We can't wait to meet her
In January we received a phone call from Jeremy's mom saying she and her fiancee, Suzanne, had picked a wedding date of February 1, 2014. We love Suzanne, and in my opinion, she is one of the best things to ever happen to the family. Suzanne is always positive, and has a kind word for every one. In the six years I've known Tammy, I have never seen her as happy as she is with Suzanne.
Jeremy and I were able to get the time off from work to head west for the wedding. Per usual Madelynn and Kimber were well behaved.
Madelynn got to play with her California cousins, Landon and Devry, or as Madelynn would say Landry.
I think everyone had a good time. There was little fighting, and everyone seemed to get along.
The Wedding
They had their friend Selena officiate.
Landon handed over the rings.
Married!
Madelynn eating breakfast the morning of, and then being goofy at the reception dinner.
