In Bloom

This is my very favorite week of the year. It's the week in late April when, at least in New England, we go from nearly bear-bones desolate to rowdy and explosive with color. It is absolutely beautiful. I try very hard to take in and appreciate as much as a can, for as quickly as the flowers bloom, they're gone. We are lucky to live in an area that looks like a vivid and masterfully created painting. The yellows, greens, pinks, and whites of the forsythia, dogwoods, cherry blossoms, and maples are jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Today the temperature has reached the low 80s, and we spent the better part of our morning outside on a walk to enjoy the spring (summer?) weather and scenery. Of course, this being a blog in which I muse about our family life and our daughter in particular, I would be remiss not to draw the parallel of Maddy's own bloom. At nearly seven months, she is coming more alive and joyful every day. At our doctor's appointment last week, she was called a "live wire" by our pediatrician, who also used words like "perfect" and "beautiful," much to my delight...and relief! Though Maddy remains small, the doctor assured me she is tracking as she should. At 14.5 pounds, she is in the 25th percentile for weight. She also is at the 50th percentile for height and 75th percentile for head circumference. This is how she's been all along; being a little peanut with a big head renders her a bit off-kilter at times, but she is now sitting up without assistance (at least for short bouts of time) and is about to start cruising. We are waiting for her to figure out how to coordinate her body and crawl, which will no doubt be any day. Other developments have been in her vocalizations, which now encompass a range of sounds, including "dada" and, most recently, "mama." Though these sounds have yet to be meaningful expressions...at least in terms of being identifications for her doting mother and father...they are nevertheless thrilling to hear! She also is learning that by raising her arms she can be guaranteed an almost instant pick-up. It is totally adorable to see her look at us and "ask" to be held.






The past few weeks have been exciting for us. I was able to take Maddy up to Toronto to meet my Nanny and Grandpa (her maternal great-grandparents). Though I was nervous about taking Maddy on an airplane, she was a dream. She didn't cry once, and her fussing was limited to the normal crankiness she experiences when needing a nap. It was fun for us to spend the weekend with them and my mother, who joined us for the trip. Thank goodness for Bubbe, who took on a great amount of the responsibility of Maddy's caregiving. This is because my "mommy wrist" was further injured by a swift kick from an energetic Madelyn during her pediatrician's appointment. A trip to the hospital the next day confirmed that I had two choices in treatment: surgery or a cast. I chose the latter, with a shot of cortisone, in the hopes of managing with the least invasive of possibilities. The pain remains, so I am less optimistic that I'll avoid surgery, and the cast has made certain parenting chores difficult or downright impossible. I am anxious to figure out a way to treat the tenosynovitis and move on with life...preferably by summer!




We also are awaiting Maddy's first teeth, which should be making an appearance any day, and are looking forward (sort of) to a return to "normal" life as we ease back into our regular schedules this week after our various vacations. More to follow soon!