Home Sweet Home

We got back from visiting Grandaddy this morning and we were beat! We both took a nap and when she woke up Mike got up with Landry while I slept a while longer. Landry slept the entire flight there but she stayed awake the entire time on the way home. She wore me out because she really wanted out of that seat. How do people travel across the world with a small child? I don't know how you keep them happy for 25 hours! She charmed everyone in the airport and was so funny. I am afraid for the men that come in to her life one day(in, you know, 30 years or so). They don't stand a chance against her charm.

We didn't do anything while we were there and that was just fine with me. I have learned to appreciate the quietness and tranquility of sitting in a room next to my Daddy and not even having to speak. I love the fact that I can be there just to watch him love on Landry and even better...for her to love on him. The first day, he cut an apple for a snack and she zeroed in on it. She hadn't quite warmed up to him completely yet but as soon as he started sharing his fruit she was all his. She gave him kisses, blew him kisses and actually sat in his lap for a while. She never sits in my lap these days because she has more important things to be doing so I was kind of shocked that she did. I wasn't fast enough to get my camera out for the apples but when I ordered Giovanni's pizza(the best on the planet by the way) she was a girl on a mission. She made no less than 7 trips to get a little piece of pizza from her Grandaddy. I think they were both in heaven. He was quite impressed with his littlest grand baby. She did all of her tricks and showed off her vocabulary and signs for him. One of the funniest moments of the trip was when Landry pee-peed on the potty and we all did the happy song and dance for her. She asked for her 'TWEET' and she looked to him for it. Thinking about him so excited for her makes my heart smile. Ann, my aunt has been staying with them while she has been going through chemo treatment for cancer. It is in her throat and she has had quite a time with it. Between that and Daddy's really bad back it has been kind of crazy around there. My stepmother has been such a rock for both of them. She was out of town this week which was one of the reasons I went. She is a hard worker and I really admire her for all of her strength and devotion to my Daddy. They truly truly love each other and it is comforting knowing that he is loved so much. Although his back is a mess his mind is sharp as a tack. He has been spending a great deal of time working on some pretty stellar projects in his church. He has spent months working on some new programs and proposals for them and I think that they are really going to benefit from his experience and knowledge. I am so happy that he has found a great use of his time and talent. I know he enjoys sharing his gifts with God and everyone benefits when you do that. I am so thankful for our time together and that Landry is getting to build a relationship with someone I love so very much.

Hands to Heaven
One of my all time favorite photos is the one of Sophie holding my thumb. It was on her announcement and I had it printed and framed for my office. I love that picture because when I was in the middle of those days that I couldn't look at her face without crying, I could always look at that picture and feel good about it. The other day a friend of mine called me to tell me that someone pretty special was going to be admitted to Hospice. She has been battling cancer for quite some time and finally decided that she wasn't going to continue treatment late last year. In December she took a cruise with some dear friends and from what I understand, had very good time. Yesterday, she was admitted to her home before her final home. The night I found out that was where she was going, I woke up several times thinking about her. I kept wondering if there was something I could do to help her in her short time left here on earth. I also kept thinking of all the people that she will leave behind. The song Hands to Heaven by Breathe kept playing in my head. The words HANDS TO HEAVEN kept coming back to me and so did the picture of Sophie's hands in mine. When I thought I might start a photography business I knew that some part of it had to give back and it had to be in God's glory. I didn't know what it was until last night. I called Martha's best friend and told her that I would be glad to come shoot some photos of her bible study group(who are also good friends of mine) and Martha. I told her that I would like to shoot all of their hands together and that if Martha wanted me to, I would shoot any other pictures she wanted me to. When you get to the point where you are admitted to hospice, you may not be looking your best and might not want to be remembered that way so I was trying to be respectful. Well, little Miss Sassypants Martha got her makeup on and posed for the camera like a pro and she was absolutely beautiful! At first it was very sad because when I got there she was telling her son goodbye. He had to fly back home to Phoenix and the emotion in his face was gut wrenching. After he left, she ate and got her makeup on and I had the privilege of shooting one of the bravest women I know. I was so blessed to be a part of this journey and more importantly, I am so humbled just being able to give this gift to some women I care so deeply for. At some point, I want to start an organization called Hands to Heaven. It will be a ministry of photographers and it will ask that they be willing to give a few sessions a month to someone that may be in hospice or to someone they know who is terminally ill free of charge. I had to leave so I could catch a flight to see my Daddy. In this picture Martha was telling me that she would be rocking Sophie soon and that she will take good care of her. I asked her to tell her that I love her and miss her. How could I get better than a messenger straight to my baby? It was an emotional moment for all of us and one I won't soon forget.

Uno
I have been asked quite a bit lately on when were were having another baby. It seems like it is coming up more and more since Landry turned 1. Mike and I have differing views about this subject so we are just tabling it for now. I would like to have another child. Mainly it's so that Landry won't be alone. I think I could be happy with just Landry but the thought of her not having a sibling to share her life with makes me sad. There were 6 kids plus 2 step brothers in my family. We weren't all in the same house for very long but having grown up with so many I have always thought I wanted at least two children. At one time I was sure I wanted 4 but I'll leave that to the pros like my sister Rhonda! I certainly never thought of having an only child but it looks like we might be heading in that direction. The funny thing is is that Mike doesn't want me pregnant more than he doesn't want any more children! What does that say about me!! I have already admitted many...many times that I am a horrible pregnant woman but it's temporary right? Anyway, I respect his thoughts on it but I don't necessarily agree with it. For right now, we'll just have to wait and see.

Change
Today we swore in a new president. I didn't vote for him but I do wish him well. I pray that he does a good job and that his intentions are pure. I hope that he remains true to his convictions and that he will always keep the people he governs over in the best interest of our country. I am afraid of the times we live in and I really would like to think that he will do great things to turn this economy around. He is our President and we need to stand behind him and pray for the best. He has a long, hard road ahead of him and I for one wouldn't want that job for anything in the world! Best Wishes Mr. President and God Speed.

Bawk Bawk!
Well, I haven't posted in a few days because Little Miss Landry woke up with a rash last week and we weren't sure what it was. It got better then it got worse so we took her to the doctor and since she was symptomatic of several things but it was determined that she might have a mild case of the chicken pox. (bawk bawk!) It was never really bad at all and they never blistered or anything so we still aren't sure. I kept her home from church today and she and Daddy played hard for several hours after he got home from service. I took off for a few hours and enjoyed a little 'me' time. It was a nice break although I didn't do much more than a couple of errands. She has been learning several new words every day. I think she is up to about 50...not bad for 13 months old! Since she already knows all of her main body parts I have started introducing the smaller ones. She learned bum(behind), cheeks, hair and toes. She is adding signs everyday too. I really couldn't be any more proud of her. She seems to delight in learning and I hope and pray that she continues to have a passion for knowledge and uses it to the best of her ability as
she grows up.

Ear!Do I need a Haircut or what?!

Ubuntu

I am because we are. This is the short definition of Ubuntu. It is a simple word that I know would change the world if people had more of it. I like to think that much of my happiness lies in other peoples happiness and that is really the core of ubuntu. I googled it and this is what I came up with.

An attempt at a longer definition has been made by Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1999):

"A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed."

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to attend a Q&A forum at my church. We hosted the presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church(like the Pope but for Episcopalians). Her name/title is the Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori. Her resume is long and very impressive. She presides over 2.4 million people in 16 countries. I was incredibly impressed with her answers. More importantly her ability to answer the tough questions without backing down and giving complete and insightful thought to each one of them. There was a lot of 'passion' in the room as the questions were flying and I don't know that I have ever seen anyone be able to remain so composed, be thoughtful, authoritative (without condescending), funny and genuine in her answers. She never skipped a beat and never gave anyone a chance to not feel heard. I was blown away and I have to admit, I wasn't expecting the time to be so well spent. The church has been in a state of divide over many issues for several years now. In my opinion, she is a huge step in the right direction and I am thrilled that she is at the helm of our church. During her talk she spoke of the word ubuntu and it really stuck with me. I want to be the person that people view as having ubuntu. Equally important to me is surrounding myself with people who have ubuntu and ensuring that I incorporate that way of life and thought in my teachings and love to Landry. I have certainly found that the greatest gifts in life are usually given and not received.

Sponge
I am having a hard time keeping up with all of the new things that Landry is learning these days. It just doesn't seem like that little face should be speaking so many words and with such clarity. I am amazed at the things she almost begs to learn. Her vocabulary has just skyrocketed. Here is a short list of some of them:

Daddy(her favorite)
Mama
Bella(her second favorite)
please
thank-you
diaper
milk
juice
cheese(her favorite too)
fruit
more
potty
treat
foot
head
ear
eye
Tide(as in Roll Tide)
mmmm-uah(blowing kisses)
Kelley
Bailey(Susu's cat)
trash(she puts her diaper in the trash)
bye-bye
dog
Elly(her new elephant given to her by Kelley)
baby
door(her Daddy taught her that one tonight)
sock
shoe

I know there are others but these are the only ones that are coming to mind.

This is a list of her sign language signs:
diaper
more
bath
tooth brush
eat/hungry
up
down
potty
night night

I bought a course in sign language that starts this month at a charity auction but I'm afraid she might already know most of the beginning signs! Teaching her signs has been so good for her and I highly recommend it. She rarely ever gets frustrated especially when it comes to something that she can communicate to me. I hope this catches on to other parents because it really has been good for Landry and I believe it has helped her speech progress too.

****POTTY UPDATE****
Avert your eyes if you don't want the details.
This was the 8th day in a row that Landry has pee-peed and/or pooped on the potty! woo hoo!!
Today she did it twice and I was over the moon! She certainly knows what a potty treat(miniature marshmallow) is and she looks for them if she's done something big. I got her another potty for the half bath but she prefers the other one because it has a padded seat! The new one does, however, have a sensor in the bottom of it and plays a song as soon as she does her business. It surprised her the first time it happened and her face was priceless. I am laughing now just thinking about it. She has really made remarkable progress and I am hoping that she continues to strive for the 'potty treat'.

Frequent Flyer
Landry and I are headed to see Granddaddy in a few weeks! His back is giving him some big trouble again and my stepmothers sister is going through radiation treatment from cancer so all of their plates are full. I want to go down and help out where I can and hopefully Landry will breathe a little life into the craziness that they are having to live through right now. After I get back I head to Las Vegas for the WPPI convention. It is where the countries photographers convene together to see the latest and greatest photography gadgets and gizmos and hear the industries best in a classroom setting. I have been asked to assist with Joe Photos platform class and I am very excited to help him. He is such an incredibly talented photographer and any time I can learn from someone of that caliber I jump at the chance. I have no idea what I will be doing but I will be happy to help where ever I can. After that, a trip to New Orleans in March and *hopefully* a trip to The Masters in April and then to Florida again in May! Followed by that craziness is my high school class reunion in June. WHEW! I need to take some photos and pay for some of this jet setting I'm doing. Landry isn't going on every trip but she will make most of them. She is quite the little traveler. It's always so nice to have something to look forward to. For now, I can't wait to see my Daddy. He sent me note to discuss my plans and he ended the email with this line:

Let me know what will work for you and let us get it done so I can see my babies.

Love you,

Dad

How much better does it get than that? Being loved and wanted is the best gift you can give anyone at any age. Landry can't wait to see you too, Daddy!

Brushy Brushy
Landry LOVES to brush her teeth. Before she even gets out of the tub she's giving me the sign language sign for tooth brush. She is really good to let me get the dab of tooth paste on there and lets me thoroughly brush her teeth. It plays the Bare Necessities song from the Jungle Book so I let her push the button and away we go! Here is a cute pic I took with my Iphone. Don't you just love that towel that Aunt Rhonda gave her?! UPDATE...she's pottied and/or pooped at least once a day for 5 days in a row and the volume is increasing exponentially! Soooo proud!

Potty all the time!
I promise I won't make this blog all about potty time but Landry did the deed 'For REAL' in her potty today! I was so proud of her. She knew she had done something BIG when I started dancing around and acting all crazy. She just laughed at her Mama. I am trying to get her familiar with it right now and not put any pressure on her. She knows exactly what it is though because when I ask her if she want to get on her potty, she heads toward it and starts tugging on her diaper. She's so smart!

Happy New Year!
It's hard to believe that the first full year of Landry's life has come and gone. 2008 proved to be a trying time for most. Financially it was devastating for many people and with the economic uncertainty it was hard to know which direction we were going in. Despite a huge layoff at GSK, Mike reatained his position and so did most everyone on his team. Many prayers and thanksgiving were said for that. Landry flourished beyond our wildest imagination and gave us the happiest year of our lives. All in all, it was a great year for the Maders and I was so happy to share it with my friends and family through this blog. I hope you all have a wonderful year and that your goals and dreams are all met beyond your expectations. Much love, r