Dear Madeleine,

You have had a busy couple of days. On Saturday your Aunties Lauren and Hannah came to visit you. They brought with them your little bouncer seat and I am pretty positive it was the most exciting moment of your little life. We put you in that glorious jungle themed bouncy chair and at first you looked confused, then you started to get it, and then it was ninety minutes of pure glee. You squealed and bounced and drooled and then you literally soiled yourself... well that last part happens pretty often but still, you love your new toy.

You decided you wanted to stay up late with the girls and boy was daddy surprised to see your smiling face when he got home from work at one in the morning. We finally got you to sleep but even that was cut short when, in the morning, your daddy called after he had left the eight o'clock mass to ask if I wanted anything from McDonald's. Once you heard his voice it was all over and you decided your day had begun.

That left me with one tired baby at Life Teen. You screamed almost the whole time Callie was babysitting you while mommy worked. When I finally got you back in my arms after Life Night was over you smiled at me, your little blue eyes filled with tears and relief, and promptly fell asleep. You didn't wake up when I put you in your car seat, when I carried you in your car seat into the house, when I watched Desperate Housewives, when I took a bath, when I carried you still in your car seat into the bed room, and eventually when I moved you from your car seat into your bed. You didn't even eat your normal hefty helping of baby food and momma's milk. You were exhausted.

Today we had a pretty normal day. We played, went to the bank, you took a short nap, and then we played some more. I made funny faces at you, you attempted to remove the hair from my head. Even as you cause me tremendous physical pain I still adore you.

See, sweet love, when I look at you I still cannot believe that you are mine. I always dreamed of having a daughter but I never imagined having a little girl as wonderful and beautiful as you. I never imagined I could love someone with such a ferocity, not because of anything you have done but simply because you exist. And everything you do just makes me love you more, little one.

Tonight your Auntie Hannah got her heart broken by a stupid boy. I dread the day when a boy breaks your heart. I pray that you are able to come to me or your daddy and cry or talk but if you can't, you can always go to your Aunties. They are amazing women and they will be there for you. But if a boy breaks your heart, maybe you shouldn't tell your daddy. He may try to light his house on fire or something. We both love you very, very much.

Right now though you are sleeping sweetly in your crib and those concerns are far away in the future. I want to cherish you right now so you will know just how special you are so when that boy hurts you, you will know that you deserve better.

I love you so much my little sweetheart.

Kisses on your chubby cheeks,

Mommy