Sasa is One!

Everyone tells me how I need to hold on to these moments with Madeline because she will be all grown-ded up before I know it. I swear I'm listening...but she is still turning more and more into a little girl every day! Does anyone have a shrinking gun? Or better yet, a freezer gun? I just want to bottle up her innocence and sweetness and save it for the days that I know are to come (teenageship) so I can remember....these precious moments. In the same breath, I am enjoying watching her develop into a little character...even with her naughty moments. The word "NO" is most definitely being used around the Hamann household more than ever before!

We were so blessed to be surrounded by such a supportive group of family and friends for Maddies first birthday party! Both Greg and I were saying that we haven't had that many people together that we love in once place since our wedding day, and we were definitely feeling the LOVE from everyone last Saturday! Thanks you guys! My favorite moment was definitely Madeline eating that first piece of cake...she ate the entire thing, refused for me to take her out of her highchair, and then preceded to LICK off her whole tray. Frosting in the nose, in the eyes, in the hair and cake in the ears. Oh the joy! Enjoy the pics from this wonderful day!

Hiding Behind a Blog

One of my biggest fears with my blogging is that it will turn into some sort of social avenue for me. Not an avenue, I guess, but more like a lifestyle. Or maybe a copout for reality.
I can see where it would be very easy to get carried away with blogs, facebook, and twitter. I feel like I can be lost for an hour or so in this alternate universe of internet and not even realize it. When I start to realize that I'm even remotely sad that I don't have comments on any of my posting God gives me a swift kick in the pants. Am I so prideful that I would actually experience any kind of emotions attached to others reactions to what I write about my life and my child? Wow. Wow. wow. wow. Am I that important? Are my thoughts that provoking?

Have social interactions and community and fellowship been substitutd for a cyber version of reality? Do I make subtle hints at people in my blog but I'm too cowardly to talk about it face to face? Am I keeping up on my internet postings but not pursuing fellowship and accountability in real life? Is my blog just a way for me to show everyone how awesome I am and how perfect my life and my family are? Am I coming to my computer on a daily basis before I am coming to the throne of my God? Am I writing more about God than actively seeking Him? I am embarrassed to say...yes...to some of the questions above...and sometimes to most of the others. And no to the one about God.


Being a mom that stays at home, I fully understand how confining it can be to have a napping child or one that is about to or needs this that and the other thing. And I love being able to catch up with family and friends and to feel like I'm part of the lives of those that live so far away. I am not against blogging or the internet. Clearly. I just really pray that I don't use my blog for anything other than I've intended...to glorify the Lord...to share what He is doing in my heart and my home. And what He is doing it with my heart right now is just breaking it over my sins of selfishness and pride.

The internet is such an opportunity to "so shine our light before men." Not an opportunity to shine myself. Lord I'm sorry that I haven't seen it before...

We're Baaaaaaack!

Mads and Tay-Tay yukking it up in the Dells!
Mommy and Maddie...with sunscreen on her scalp! Yum.

EEthan and Madeline...the pacifier is in there so she doesn't eat him!

Daddy and Maddie...they had SO much fun splashing around together!

Baker Cousins!

It feels good to be back in the blogging world! After three weeks of no internet, Comcast had a deal that we could afford and so here we are again! We have had a lot happen in the past month...from visiting our newest nephew (and first Baker cousin) Ethan to visiting my best friend Nicole in Minnesota with Maddie (first plane trip with her!) and then going to the Dells with Greg's family...which was Madeline's first pool and waterpark experience! We've kept busy for sure!!!! In the meantime, Maddie has started taking some steps on her own (16 steps in the dells!) and is calling me "mama" and Greg "dada"! I cannot believe that she is going to be one next week. Thank you Jesus for allowing us one year with this wonderful blessing.

Hot Date Night and Maddies One Year Pics!

Greg and I had a blast being able to go downtown to the Mat Kearney/Keane concert last saturday. It was so fun to catch dinner and then just be together while watching the talent and phenomenon that is Mr. Mat Kearney! I just love intentional time...actually I loved the drive down there more than anything because lately in the car is where some of our more intentional conversations happen...there's nothing else to distract us! The best part of the night was coming home to Maddie, waking her up and having her snuggle us both in bed while all three of us fell asleep...

The next day we not only attended our nephew JPs dedication service at Harvest, but we also had Madelines 1 year photo shoot. Funny that she's only eleven months (not even...) but Julie Montgomery, photgrapher extrodinaire, was in town from Ohio and we wanted her to do Maddies one year shoot! What amazing photos! Of course we're a little biased about the subject...

Check them out at: http://stinkyfeet.smugmug.com/gallery/8270329_hNjiF#P-9-12

Maddies Little Adventures...

Nakey Baby!
Her new favorite thing...pulling ALL the books off of her shelf...again...and again...

Madeline downtown Chicago...she hates the grass and tries to lift up both feet when sitting!

Gorillas I think?

My sister Adrienne and I took Madeline to the zoo for the first time a couple of weeks ago. She could care less about the animals, but she was really excited to be around all those people! Madeline is becoming more and more a people person where she is just randomly waving at people, the meaning of some cute words...if I or Greg say "kiss" or "dance" or "wave" or a number of other things, she will just do her thing! Love it.

I'm starting to nurse Madeline less and less, which I am really okay with. She eats food like a horse (and is as skinny as a greenbean) and is needing breastmilk less these days. It gives Greg and I the freedom to be out more on our own...we went to a wedding a couple of weeks ago where we were gone for more than ten hours, and she did great with Grandma and Grandpa! Those times with my hubby are so precious to the both of us and we are looking forward to our first night away together...whenever that may be!!!!

Easters & Such...

Bunny froo froo!
Madeline and her bestie Audrey at church!

Little stinker smile!

The Baker Girls

Madelines' First Egg Hunt...and Easter Basket!

What a fun thing having a little dolly (I mean, daughter) to dress up for Easter! Because Madeline clearly does not comprehend the importance of the death and resurrection of our Jesus, I might have gotten a little carried away in the other, not so important stuff. Which is why church is such a blessing. After running around the house and making sure that we matched as a family and we have all the food for our various gatherings as well as this that and the other thing, I found myself with a moment of rest during our church service...and it struck me that Jesus could care less about ham and jello molds. And whether or not Maddie could keep her bow in her hair or not. He had risen indeed...and the realization flooded me with warmth, humility, and peace. Thank you Jesus, that you loved ME and my family enough to do this. May I remember this throughout my lifetime...not just on any given Sunday.

Cleveland Rocks!

Mish and I out...way too late at night!
Jackers! Such a character.

Maddie and Evelyn

We tried to get them to pose...this is the best they could do!

There's something so renewing about being with old friends. Although we get to see our friends fairly often, we don't get to live with them and road trip with them! Greg, Maddie and I went with the Dieringers, Woodards, and Kims to visit our dear friends John & Michelle Swidrak and they're precious daughter Evelyn. It was hectic, with five kids under two (and another one about to enter this world...so is that half?) and two hotel rooms...but it was so worth the chaos. Greg and his monkey boys got to go out for the afternoon and do what they do best...which is...what is it, exactly? Not sure.=) And us mommies hung out with the kiddos until they returned where we hit up the town! I haven't been out that late in a long time!

What a whirlwind of a blessing of a trip that was! Madeline LOVED following the big kids around, since she is the only one crawling she would just chase after Caden, Evelyn, Jackson and Everett! She had a cough and a fever, but still behaved like a champ!