Madeline was the most determined little girl I have ever met. Being a determined person myself, I was prepared for this (I think “determined” sounds so much better than “stubborn,” don’t you?).
She needed that determination to get her through her gestation, NICU stay and hospital visits.
She needed that determination to do simple things like breathe with her scarred lungs.
But she also used that spirit for more fun things, like when she was determined to stay awake longer than her mommy.
Or when she decided she wanted something she shouldn’t have – like a phone, remote control, computer, anything with buttons.
When she figured out that she didn’t have to rely on Mike or me to carry her from place to place, there was no stopping her. She started with a funny army crawl – arms pulling her body behind her.
Mike and I always cheered her on, but she didn’t need it – she was determined to get to where she wanted to go.
if you can’t see the video above, click here.
When she set her mind to it, nothing could stop her.
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
Bless her little heart… she wanted the book and went for it!
These movies are so precious… Funny to see her move, pulling herself forward! A true little fighter indeed… My heart aches.
lol Loved that video and how you say “Duck-kay!” lol
We think about you and Mike every day.
.-= InDueTime´s last blog ..Show & Tell: Local Fame =-.
Look at the focus! lol. Goll… what a love.
So gorgeous! I would have gone for the book, too, I always was a bookworm…
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..Formalities =-.
I love your duck voice – especially at the end how proud the duck is.
I can see your love ooze from the screen for Maddie and I think that is a beautiful thing. I miss her too and never met her. Thank you for keeping her alive in our hearts through these little stories that made up her big life!
Go Maddie!
xo from CT,
amanda
.-= amanda´s last blog ..the babies are coming =-.
Isn’t it amazing how someone so little can inspire us so much?
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..O Little Town of Bethlehem =-.
I’ve never even met you, nor did I ever meet Maddie, but I could just scoop her right out of that video, and hold her tightly forever! What an angel,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Thank you for all that you share with us.
O I agree with you, Heather, the appropriate word is certainly determined and not stubborn.
I love reading your special memories of your darling girl and to see the vidoes at the end is always such a bonus. Thank you so much for sharing with your readers. I just love this one of your determined daughter going after what she wants. Its brought a great big smile to my face and brought back my own memories of my little girl’s similar arm crawl and her determination.
I tell my little girl about the amazing Madeline Spohr and her amazing parents all the time. You are all such inspirations to us especially in our own times of stressful doctor appointments and hospital stays (of course nothing compared to what your family went through and is going through). We always thinks of how strong and brave Madeline, Heather and Mike Spohr are.
I hope you have a peaceful week-end. I’m sure that wonderful husband of your’s will be taking very good care of you and the special Binky Bean.
Thinking of you, lovely lady, today like every day.
With love
Erica
I Love it! Proud Duckie!
.-= charlane´s last blog ..A New Christmas Classic =-.
So cute! Thank you for sharing Maddie with us. She is an inspiration.
Maddie still touches us all! She is so beautiful!
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..Sick Kiddo =-.
Oh she is gorgeous, but you crack me up lady. This pulls my heart in so many different directions. At the end of the day, no matter what you were lucky to have Maddie and visa versa.
Much love.
LOL! I love it! The crawl is soooo cute and I love her little legs just kind of hanging out in the back while her arms do most of the work.
(((hugs)))
.-= Deborah´s last blog ..New Drawing =-.
She WAS going for it. You go Maddie.
.-= Jenny @ http://motherlawyercrazywoman.blogspot.com/´s last blog ..Counting Our Blessings =-.
LOL at “duck-kay”! So funny!
Maddie is soooo precious! She makes me want to pick her up and snuggle with her. Thinking of you and Mike (always) but especially during this season.
LOL “don’t get sidetracked by books.”
thinking of you and yours always.
.-= nic @mybottlesup´s last blog ..shit =-.
I love Video Clip Fridays!
I told Maddie’s story last night to a group of friends. The conversation started when my friend Amy told me that her friend lost her daughter early yesterday morning. Seems Kate was also a preemie and, just shy of her 3rd birthday, was taken too soon by a respiratory infection. But thanks to you sharing Maddie with all of us, we are all more aware of the risk for preemies and what they have to endure, and most of all….what the March of Dimes needs so that no one has go through what you and Mike have gone through.
Love from Fort Worth.
p.s. How’s Rigby?
.-= Susan Cornett´s last blog ..Got something on your mind? Say it. No worries. =-.
i love that you have these little moments captured on film to share with the world…your little pumpkin makes me smile always.
xoxo
kristen
I love your videos. They make me sad but they also make me smile. Thank you for sharing. I would say I can’t wait to see videos of Binky but I can…another couple of months.
Oh Miss Maddie, this is how I feel about books. I would also choose the book.
Heather she looks like a Cupie (Kewpie?) Doll. IMPOSSIBLE that her eyes are that big. Good grief what a beautiful little person.
I’ve told you that Mister (3 years on New Year’s Eve) just adores Maddie, yes? He loves her videos best of all but he’ll take pictures. Please keep sharing, I think we all agree with Mister.
.-= chatty cricket´s last blog ..the post that goes all over the map =-.
Loved that video of Maddie. My son has just started that army crawl business. Our nickname for it is “the wounded soldier.” I’m so glad that you have these awesome videos of your daughter and that you continue to share them!
That video is awesome. She looks so adorable doing that army crawl, that’s my favorite baby crawl
Love and hugs.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas =-.
I needed a laugh. Truly determined is right! Go Maddie! Thanks for sharing. xoxo, Kandi
.-= Kandi Ann´s last blog ..Tas13: @moonfrye @EV Please verify Soleil Please. She is the most wonderful interactive and sweet twitter presence. Spend a few hours reading her =-.
I love your voice and your joy when talking to Maddie. Every syllable you said to that girl was full of your love and awe for her.
When I’m a mom someday, you will be the model I try my best to emulate.
i agree. i look at you, heather, and i see effortless motherly love that maddie and binky are so lucky to have.
When I see that I want to scoop her up and squeeze her. She was one of a kind, that’s for sure.
.-= Lindsey´s last blog ..My thoughts were so loud I couldn’t hear my mouth =-.
So sweet…a little reader!
determined like her momma and baby sister.
“Little by little, one walks far!”
My daughter did the same thing. We called it “the commando baby crawl.”
.-= middle-aged-woman´s last blog ..Holiday Home Tour ’09: Such As It Is =-.
SO sweet….
.-= Michele´s last blog ..It Was Only a Matter Of Time… =-.
Heather, I read this blog every single day. I look forward to hearing/reading about Maddie and Binky. You never cease to amaze or inspire me. This video had me giggling…esp the little Ducky’s commentary at the end. Keep on keeping on. I love it.
She wanted that book and she was going to get it, a determined little women!! God Bless.
Love her determination! Soo sweet!
Nice commentary
Jenn
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..Am I crazy?? =-.
I love the videos. Always love the videos. Beautiful girl.
.-= Kellee´s last blog ..2010 Word of the Year: Focus =-.
She was determined! I really enjoy watching videos of Maddie. I was showing a lady at work a video last week. She had a huge impact on me. I think it was that gorgeous face that won me over!
.-= A Jill of All Trades´s last blog ..For those of you who still visit: =-.
What a great video! Your duck voice is great-had me laughing!
.-= Tara.´s last blog ..Elmo and Adam Sandler. =-.
What an adorable video. Thank you for sharing her beautiful face and strong will.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Link =-.
Maddie always was determined. She was a fighter from the start.
And of course, I loved the duckey…
Cute video! Thanks for sharing! My daughter has that determination too…and we say the say them… she’s very determined/ stubborned… she’s very focused
have a great weekend Heather & Mike! XXX
Such a cute video! I think of you and your family so often. Maddie was so lucky to have you and Mike for parents. Not many kids are loved quite so much. Binky will be so lucky as well!
.-= Stacey´s last blog ..4 month visit =-.
You’re right, she defintely gets that determination from her Momma.
.-= Kristine´s last blog ..Cora’s story =-.
Adorable. We should all have such determination. Thinking of you……..
.-= jen´s last blog ..don’t walk. run. seriously. =-.
So sweet. So, so very sweet. I just love her.
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..Family Christmas Photo — 2009 =-.
OH! What a cute little scoot! Such a sweetie. Thanks for sharing the videos. … Hope you guys have a peaceful weekend.
That sort of reminds me of how my son started crawling…..He didn’t start crawling until around 13 months old and he had a big heavy spica cast on…..even after the cast was removed 3 MONTHS later, he still army crawled for about 3 or 4 months.
She’s adorable~
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Addiction =-.
Heather you’re adorable. I love the ducky talk
Maddie was stronger than most and always will be remembered as a determined little solder.
That beautiful little angel was really the sweetest thing to ever grace this earth. Love from AZ, Patty
.-= Patty´s last blog ..I Am =-.
By the way, I loved your for CNN that just got posted! Very eloquent about the online community. You looked great too, today is 32 weeks right? Keep on cooking Binky!!
She’d rather read that play with that duck. Love her.
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..PSF – The Joy of Pancakes =-.
I love Maddie’s determination! It’s so funny when they learn how to combat crawl! ha ha ha
Thanks for sharing this video with us. I know you miss her….we miss her too,
Take Care,
Thinking of you!
Jenn
I saw you on CNN today speaking about how much support your draw from your blog, etc. in support of the poor woman who tweeted about her son in the pool. Thanks for offering support to her in hopes that she will not beat herself up too much.
So determined, and so brave! Maddie’s personality always shines in photos and videos.
xoxo
.-= Alison´s last blog ..It’s the Most Twinful Time of the Year =-.
This truly made my morning a more blessed one…
.-= Maternal Mirth´s last blog ..Coo-Coo for Christmastime: Maternal Mirth’s Christmas Cookies =-.
Thanks for sharing another memory with us!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..It’s the Sh** =-.
Maddie IS your little soldier. <3
Such proud duckies!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..I refuse to be a New Years Resolution’rs =-.
Oh my gosh, how darling, it is like she’s swimming through the carpet!!