Valentine’s Day is a big day around the Spohr Haus. Five years ago, Mike told me to get in the car because we had to pick up my Valentine’s Day gift. We drove 45 minutes north, and when we pulled up in front of a nice ranch house I was thoroughly confused. Mike laughed at me and said, “We have to go in and pick out your present!” And my present? Was Rigby!
I didn’t think Mike would ever top that, but then the next year? He proposed (finally).
A couple years later, Madeline had just come home from the NICU. We dressed her in a cute little Valentine outfit and enjoyed our baby girl.
The next year, Maddie was enthralled with her new Valentine – her reflection!
This year, we have our Valentine baby. We put her in a familiar outfit (and got some serious attitude), and gave her so many kisses and hugs.
It was a hard day without Madeline, but whenever we didn’t know how we would get through it, Annabel cheered us with her funny faces.
We have so many wonderful memories of Valentine’s Days past. We’ll carry them with us always and hope that the future is just as kind.
{ 92 comments… read them below or add one }
As always, Annie doesn’t fail to deliver the cuteness!
I’m sorry that parts of today were hard without Maddie. ): But now you’ll have Annabel to cheer you up when you’re down, and that’s what counts.
Oh, and the ‘tude face was by far my favorite. Almost peed laughing, so thank you for that! What a little newborn-teenager you have there, Spohrs.
Awww. Sooo Sweet!
How beautiful… Thank you for sharing!
So sweet!
i wish your other Valentine was with you all, too. xo
.-= InDueTime´s last blog ..The Amazing Race =-.
Oh, that tongue face! OH my. And I like the leggings! I’m starting to see how she looks like you, although I still think she favors MIke’s looks for now.
Also, I’m totally diggin how Maddie appears to be doing the whole body grunt-twist to see you! <3
Love you guys.
Heather – she is simply an angel – what beautiful pictures (love the faces!). Happy Valentine’s day to your and your sweet family!
.-= Danielle@ExtraordinaryMommy´s last blog ..Valentine’s Day Hershey’s Chocolate Giveaway =-.
So beautiful!!! I am so happy that you have this sweet angel in your life!!! Love from AZ, @1mcmommy
.-= Patty´s last blog ..Happy Vanentines Day! =-.
I love this posting, thank you for taking us through your journey of LOVE!
I loved it too
Valentines obviously a very special day for you both!
Awww….
So sweet:)
Happy Valentine’s Day, Spohr Family
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..Rainy Day & Laundry =-.
Such darling, darling girls. I love Annie’s hair-ribbon! And happy “birthday” Rigby!
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..Meanwhile, Fainjin and Babess danced to tunes from the recorder and ukelele teachers =-.
It looks like it is happening already, today… Bless her little baby heart!
.-= catherine lucas´s last blog ..Wind beneath my wings =-.
Oh my …. Annie is changing every day. She really is breathtaking.
I thought of Madeline a lot, this past weekend, and wondered how you are all doing. There must be so many emotions.
Love to you.
XOX
.-= edenland´s last blog ..Not Fair. =-.
Good things sure do happen on Valentine’s Day: Rigby, engagement, Maddie, and now Annie!
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Getting it on… =-.
Thanks for making my Valentine’s Day a little sweeter with this post
Happy Valentine’s Day to all of the Spohrs!
xo from CT,
Amanda
She is so beautiful!
.-= Twenty Four At Heart´s last blog ..Valentine’s Day 2010 =-.
What a sweet little Valentine! Happy Valentine’s Day to you all as well! XOXO
.-= AmazingGreis´s last blog ..Top Ten {Tuesday} – Television =-.
I’m glad that Annie helped you guys through the rough spots of yesterday, Heather. Maddie is truly beautiful in her pics, and her little sister is gorgeous, as well!
Getting Rigby for Valentine’s Day,,,,5 years ago, was one great gift!
Such a precious sweetie pie!!!!!!!!! SOooooo cute!
Thanks for sharing. I’ve never seen a baby Rigby picture before.
So cute.
HAppy Valentine’s! Could Annie be any cuter with her little leggins and bow! Red suits her nicely!
.-= charlane´s last blog ..My Happy Cake =-.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. Rigby as a puppy; too cute! I’m glad Annie was able to help you through the hard times.
And can I just say to Mike, wow, you are tall!
Thinking of you all.
Well, in my book…any man who choses to give you an adorable Rigby is worth keeping around. Glad he finally got up the nerve… Happy Valentines Day belated, and I’ll say it again.. what a beautiful baby girl.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Don’t Take Me For Granite… =-.
thank you for sharing. i’m sorry that you are missing Maddie but happy that you have Annie to make you smile.
I know the pain you feel Heather. A part of you will always ache for Maddie, especially on special days. I hope you had a peaceful Valentine’s Day.
Great pictures! Adorable puppy, amazingly sweet Maddie and a precious Annie.
.-= Anjie´s last blog ..Devil’s Advocate =-.
The striped leggings are pretty darn cute.
I hope Annie’s first Valentine’s Day was a good one! It’s so good to see all the love between the members of your family.
Annie makes the BEST faces! Happy (belated) Valentine’s Day!
.-= Jen L.´s last blog ..My heart… =-.
Happy, happy (late) Valentine’s Day to the entire Spohr family. That picture of little bitty Rigby is ADORABLE. Yum. I’m so glad you had Annie around to celebrate the day with you.
(((hugs)))
.-= Deborah´s last blog ..I’m BACK, Baby! =-.
A happy late Valentine’s Day to all of you!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Up in Flames =-.
You already know I think your daughters are breathtaking, and I already said Happy Valentine’s Day. So I will use today’s comment to say OH MY GOD, Rigby is the most adorable puppy in the history of puppies. What breed? I have to go get one!!!!
Wonderful! That outfit looks adorable on Annie- I dig the leggings!
(((Hugs))) from here!
.-= jen´s last blog ..on the menu Monday =-.
So very very precious!! I love the outfit.
Madeline was, and continues to be, such a blessing to all of us. Those of us who have followed her story and now lovely Annie are inspired by her and inspired by your and Mike’s courage to go forward with your lives. Hugs to you and thanks for sharing all of your Valentine’s blessings.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Chocolate Dinner Party =-.
Those are some pretty great Valentine’s Day memories.
The stripey leggings are awesome. And I must confess, I’m developing a little bit of an obsession with your kid’s toes. Want to nibble!
.-= cindy w´s last blog ..4 days =-.
I hope the Spohr Valentines Day was filled with love and beauty and happiness! (Looks like it was based on the beautiful pics of Annie)
XOXO from GA,
Nikki
She is sooo cute!! Happy Belated Valentine’s Day!
Those are some wonderful Valentine’s memories to help carry you through the rough moments. Love the little “tude photo of Annie.
Love and hugs to all of you.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Hair Affair =-.
Your future’s so bright, you better wear shades! You guys make a beautiful couple & beautiful babies, are you going to go for a boy? And Rigby is a cutie too!
Fantastic ‘tude– already! Why am I not the least bit surprised?
.-= J´s last blog ..Weekend =-.
Annabel, lovely as ever!
And that pic of Rigby? OMG. I don’t even like dogs, but that is a damn cute dog!
.-= Kittay Skeezah´s last blog ..Fonsetta and More Questions =-.
Hi Guys,
I love the pictures of Annie! She is such a sweetie pie!!! I’m sorry your day was difficult but, it was good to know Annie cheered you up!
I thought of you yesterday as I thought of the card your parents sent Maddie last year and seeing how much she liked it. It really is soo sad she isn’t here this year but, I know she is always watching you.
Take Care and please never forget how many people (including us “Stranger Friends”) who care about You, Mike, Maddie & Annie so much and we wish you love, healing support and unconditional friendship!
Sent with Friendship from Canada,
Jenn
P.S. Heather…. I was also engaged on Valentines Day!
A beautiful post about your beautiful family and Valentine’s past, present and the hopeful future.
De-lurking to say how precious and cute your daughters are! Happy Valentine’s day to you and yours….
.-= Jen the Catalyst´s last blog ..First New Monday =-.
Rigby was such a cute puppy! Maddie and Annie both look so cute in that adorable outfit! you are truly blessed!!
It’s amazing how much Maddie and Annie look. The beauty in both your girls is just awesome.
(((HUGS))) from Florida
Even with attitude she’s adorable and that picture of Rigby made my heart melt – soooo cute! Wow you are blessed what a great guy, great dog, and great kids!
Happy Valentine’s Day! You guys have some serious cute going on in that house.
.-= Andria´s last blog ..A Major Setback in Therapy =-.
Love the outfit! It’s nice to hold onto old memories and also be able to create new ones with Annie.
.-= Keyona´s last blog ..I Live With Peter Pan =-.
Love the pics!!!!
What wonderful Valentines Day memories. Love the pictures.
Happy Valentines Day, Spohrs. May your house be filled with love this year, and may the love you have for Maddie and Annie fill your hearts with joy.
Jenny
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Not Quite Ready for Roller Derby =-.
She is just the cutest thing, it must be extremely difficult with each new holiday without beautiful Madeline, my prayers are always with you. God Bless.
Rigby was so tiny! How cute!! You have the most adorable little family, filled with lots and lots of love!
.-= Michelle Pixie´s last blog ..Love Is In The Air =-.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful girls with all of us. Their pictures always make me smile. You make darling babies!
OMG!! The cutest!!
One of my favorite poems by my favorite poet… Your post made me think of it and you:
i carry your heart with me
User Rating:
9.5 /10
(785 votes)
– vote – 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Print friendly version
E-mail this poem to e friend
Send this poem as eCard
Add this poem to MyPoemList
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
ee cummings
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..43/365 — 02.13.10 =-.
I’m so happy that Annabel helps you through the rough spots. She’s beautiful and she definitely puts a smile on my face. Thanks for sharing the pictures. She’s getting so big. Enjoy every minute of every day. Love the picture of Annabel’s attitude!
Smiling for the camera already? I just can’t figure out how you can put her down long enough to take her picture. She’s a snuggle bunny!
.-= Patti McKenna´s last blog ..Children Should Come With Warning Labels Review =-.
That little person has some serious power. To wonder and newness.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..She would have loved it. =-.
Annie is such a sweetie! The first photo of her frowning is so freakin’ cute – and I love that only moments later she is making silly faces!
Soooo darling. I’m glad that Valentine’s Day doesn’t suck for y’all. It SHOULD be a sweet day, and clearly, in the Spohr household it is. XOXO
.-= Cheryl´s last blog ..Captcha This =-.
Love is all around.
Your baby is so adorable it makes my heart hurt!
Annie just has so much personality. I adore seeing pictures of her. I also love that one of you and Maddie. So beautiful.
Oh my, tiny Rigby, I just want to smush him.
How incredibly sweet!!! She is just adorable!
.-= Upstatemomof3´s last blog ..Tamales =-.
What an awesome little Valentine she is!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Happy Valentines Day Everyone! =-.
What a beautiful post and photos. The one of you and Maddie, it just melts my heart. And could Rigby have been any cuter? Annabel is so gorgeous! And it’s really amazing how she and Maddie look so much alike and yet so much different at the same time. (((Hugs))) to all of you.
What a tiny puppy. How sweet. Loved the last photo of Annie. She’s so stinkin’ cute!
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Pondering Things =-.
Awwwww.
So sorry Maddie is not here with you this Valentine’s Day. So glad that Annie is able to be.
If you’d made it that far in your pregnancy with Annie, wonder how big your belly would have been!
Happy Day of Love to you all.
Oh my goodness how cute was baby Rigby! =)
Great memories! And I adore her faces!!
.-= Teri´s last blog ..Bloggography: shutter speed =-.
Sorry that Maddie couldn’t be there with you guys.
Funny thing about that onesie! Jackson had the same one.
I know it’s overly girly, but he was just an infant them and I thought…who’s gonna argue.
.-= Haley´s last blog ..My Heart is full =-.
Rigby was such a cute puppy! She’s cute anyways but as a puppy, awww makes me want one even more!
Annie is adorable, makes me want one too! Lol. I like her attitude though, letting you know she’s going to have the world wrapped around her little pinky.
your girls are both SO beautiful…..
happy heart day!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING THE BEAUTIFUL PICTURES.
ANNIE IS SO BEAUTIFUL.
I WILL ALWAYS KEEP PRECIOUS MADDIE IN MY HEART.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YIUR BEAUTIFUL GIRLS.
MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE!!!!1
Look at that! Not even a month old & she’s already getting into her big sister’s clothes!
Annie is so beautiful & her sweet lil cheeks remind me of Maddie’s!!! She is a lovely blend of all three of your looks…fortunately I don’t see much of Rigby in her looks…hmmm well, maybe the sheer amount of hair on her head!
While it’s hard, I also find it sweet that you were able to reminisce about the past enjoying the present & hoping in the future.
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Perspective Check =-.
You are a gorgeous couple
Mike obviously quite the romantic guy too!
Seems so unfair such a great couple should have to live through such pain…
I am very happy though that you have beautiful little Annie with you this Valentines Day, quite the gift indeed.
Oh course the girls are too cute, but baby Rigby OMG! Priceless pics!
Awww! Rigby as a cute puppy!
It’s so sweet to see Annie in the same shirt Maddie wore. So special.
Happy valentines and Chinese new year to you all =)
your princess is just delightful!
Love and hugs to all
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Chinese New Year =-.
I followed that link to your previous post about your due date… just wanted to put it out there that my name is Annabelle, I go by Anney AND my birthday is the day you found out you were pregnant with her! How weird is that…
Such wonderful memories!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..For the Love of Friendship =-.
Hey you and your husband both of you are looking great.
.-= chandan´s last blog ..New program at google work at home affiliate network-February 10, 2010 =-.
That last photo is just awesome. And awww: already sharing clothes with her little sister Annie, that’s sweet of Maddie from up above. I love Annie’s Valentine’s Day ensemble of those cute pink and red stripped leggings with the red hearts on the bottom. TOO CUTE! And that onesie is so precious because of how truly SPECIAL & MEANINGFUL it is. I am glad you have another little one to smother with kisses and give lots of hugs to. You and Mike SO deserve it!! =D
That girl, she is such a doll!
Faith….Hope….Love….Peace.
.-= mythoughtsonthat´s last blog ..The Birds Know =-.
She is just so darling! She looks so much like Maddie – but with more of her daddy’s coloring. Such a sweetie! You will have many more Valentine’s Days that will be full of love and joy!
Happy Valentine’s Day a bit late Spohr family! I have been busy!
I wish all of you continued peace, joy and happiness.
She is adorable.
Somebody looks like “mommy”
(5th pic down)
but has daddy’s hair coloring.
So sweet!
this little baby looks so much like her dad!
Awww, beautiful Valentine post
{ 1 trackback }