Yes, We are Celebrating Another Birthday

I can not even believe this is my first born, my baby, my Madeline. To think that I have had this angel in my life for eleven years is crazy to me! Not to mention, she DOES NOT LOOK ELEVEN. Warning to all boys: Stay away, I am an uncanny good shot with a gun.
As you can tell, she already has her first crush... Edward the Vampire. Well, who doesn't haven't have a crush on him? (Oh, Katie doesn't - she "Runs with Were Wolves")
I'm just not sure I am ready for all this. We just had orientation night for middle school, she uses big words and does math I don't understand and she is blossoming, yes, you know what I mean, into a beautiful young woman. We share clothes, she wears a size 9 women's shoe, I am only two inches taller than her, and I am pretty sure she could beat me up - even with my big guns.
(That would be "Lightning" and "Thunder" to those of you who haven't arm wrestled me)

Maddy and and all her birthday pals.
All my babies... sniff, sniff - excuse me while I get a tissue...

Who knew Pat and I could make something so cute - well, I really would like to all the credit, and I will.

Ok, eleven years ago I was fatter than anyone should be, pregnant or not, and in labor for DAYS. Ok, only one day, but it sure seems endless when the nurse turns off the epidural so I can feel the urge to push. Maddy was a gargantuan baby with a big, beautiful head that got stuck, literally, in the birth canal (Sorry, I know this is WAAAY too much info, but it is a great story) - Anyway, after hours of pushing and praying to die, the doc's (notice I didn't say doc., I needed more than one to get this baby out), they decide to try to push her back into the womb and start over. You heard me correctly. There is a reason they put bars on the windows of the maternity ward. Finally, after asking everyone who came in the room if they were the "Medicine Man" and tearing my hubby's shirt, my doctors decided I had lost my mind and took Madeline out by way of cesarean. Poor Pat thought I was going to die, really, so I shouldn't joke about this - it still hurts his heart. I did all the hard work and everyone got to see my baby before me because I went off to Never-Never Land. Not fair. Of course, they thought she was the most beautiful thing ever. The first grand baby on Pat's side in 10 years and the first baby girl on my side in 8. She was worth every pound gained, every stretch mark, hips that never went back into place, tons of extra skin and a long day of labor. I would do it again in a minute. Love you, Maddy. This story is for you because you love to hear it all the time, especially the part where you scratched your feet like a little monkey in the nursery...

She totally looks like me.

How cute is that??

Maddy and her BFF, Rylie, who knows her so well that she even bought Maddy her own bag of frozen french fries.

Maddy's favorite thing to do is eat at Red Robin, so I pack all the kids (Katie and Bella included - even though Maddy wanted Katie to sit at her own table. To diffuse this situation, I asked a friend to come with Katie so, hopefully, we wouldn't have any fights at this party)

Katie insisted on ordering off the adult menu and PROMISED me she could eat every last bite.

This is what was left, the little turkey.

Maddy loves to be the center of attention - wonder where she gets that from? What Me??

I know I get a little crazy with all my picture taking, but I have my girls trained so well at posing, I just can't stop. This is Bella's "Sad That I Have To Wear A Krispy Kreme Hat Pose"

After Red Robin, we went to Claire's to get some girly gear (no picture taking there, too crazy!). Then we had dessert at Krispy Kreme. This was one of the funnest birthday parties I have done and I kept making the girls tell me how awesome I was.

So, Happy Birthday, my dear Maddy. I love you like a monkey and I dreamed of you long before you were born. Thank you for allowing me the honor of being your mama.

XOXO