A while back Sarah asked me to tell a story about a time Maddie was mischievous. There are definitely plenty of moments like that. Maddie was often testing her boundaries, seeing what she could get away with and stick her hands into.
When we were in Arizona in March, Maddie was OBSESSED with the heating and air conditioning unit that was in the room. She would make a mad crawling dash for it the second Mike or I put her on the ground. She’d pull herself up and start trying to turn the knobs, poking her little fingers through the grate. Mike and I spent more time pulling her off the unit than anything else. Every time we told her no? She’d smile and laugh. So hard to get mad at that.
My parents’ house had two things Maddie was obsessed with. The first was the bass speaker that sat next to their TV. It had a deep indent on the front, and Maddie LOVED to stick her entire arm into it. She’d stop for a minute, then when she thought no one was looking, she’d ever so slowly slide her arm back into the speaker. And when we’d tell her no? She’d smile and laugh.
The other forbidden fruit at my parents’ house was another air conditioning vent. It was at floor level, so it was really easy for her to reach. In this video, my mom and I are playing with Maddie when she suddenly decides the vent is MUCH more appealing to her.
if you can’t see the video above, click here.
After I stopped recording the video? She smiled at me and laughed.
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So sweet. *mwah* right back at you, darling girl.
Always adoreable. That sweetie would have gotten away with murder. Thanks for sharing her with us.(HUGS)
So enjoy these little snipits….I must say again, I can tell your family had bunches of fun with that little beauty.
I mean to say “you and your family”
Gorgeous little mite!
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I’m writing this from the ICU where I have spent the last few horrible days with my dad. It’s the first thing that’s made me smile reading this. Thank you maddie for reminding me we all need to push the boundaries sometimes! Xxx
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bribing mom and gramma with a smile… I guess she knew exactly how far she could go before it got serious. Smart kiddo all the way!
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What a little sweetie. I can only see the first frame and then the video failed
, but I can picture it from your description and that one little frame. Too cute.
aaaww love love love the kisses
Awwwww… my Sophia is also very mischievous. In fact I just finished writing a post about how her favorite thing to do is hear me say ‘Ouch’.
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She’s just so perfect. It will never make sense to me that our babies are not here.
Thanks for continuing to share Maddie so openly with us all.
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i too smiled and laughed my sweet friend… and it felt good. thank you for that.
I love how she pivoted on her bum. So cute!! I really look forward to Maddie Movie Fridays.
Dear sweet Heather,
Watching this video of your mischievous yet o so adorable Maddie has brought a great big smile to my face. I can just imagine the laugh and smile she had for her Mama and Gramma. Although I have never met your precious Maddie I can picture her so clearly through all that you have shared with us. The love within your family is so greatly felt through all of your posts. You are all such inspirations. I think of you all all the time and you especially have made me a better person and a better mother. You are a real inspiration to us all, dear sweet Heather. Your precious World Famous Maddie will always and forever have a very special place in my heart. I thank you again for sharing your memories with us. As always its been a honour to read your post.
Thinking of you today as every day.
With much love
your stranger friend, Erica in Luxembourg
what IS IT with these grates?? Mine always did the same thing, until one of them got their finger caught in it! Funny what captivates them. I want to thank you while I’m here for inspiring me to get a video camera. I realized by coming here how many pictures I take but how I have absolutely no actual video. I’m so glad you have that to share with us!
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Little twerp. lol. What fun, to get to see her. Thank you.
oh she was just so curious and adventurous! Sometimes we want to scold them or punish them – but then they are so dang cute! Maddie = dang cute!
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I love the videos and pictures. Thank you for continuing to share them with us. Please keep them coming, they always bring a smile to my face.
We miss you Maddie.
XOXO
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Good Morning Sweetie,
Last night I stumbled upon some of Maddie’s video. I loved every one of them. How beautiful she is and how so unfair it is God took her this soon. You wrote yesterday if perhaps we Stranger Friends have a hard time believing she is real. Heather, I can tell you WITHOUT a doubt, I KNOW she is real.
In fact, too be completely honest, I struggle with the fact she is no longer with us. She is so lively, so strong, so…THERE in the video’s. Mark my words…that baby is real and she is adored and loved even by those of us who never had the complete priviledge to know her, hold her, love her. We love her now though…and I find with every picture, every video and every story, I fall more in love with her thanks to your generous spirit of sharing her with us.
I love the video today..and actually all the video’s. She is so happy ALL THE TIME! LOL. I’m sure she had her moments of being sad, angry, etc. But the Maddie I will always hold dear and so often picture in my mind is one of the beautiful little toddler with the HUGE grin on her face and the happiness and spirit in her eyes.
Thank you for sharing her with us Heather. To you, your words are healing. To us, your words are a gift and I for one….could not be more thankful.
Thinking of you and yours….
Your Friend,
Jenn
Nothing like a Friday morning Maddie video. She made me smile and giggle. I love the mischievous side of babies and toddlers.
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Oh, I love this girl. No, not YOU, Heather my love, but your sweet baby Maddie.
xoxo
Alex loves her too.
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You can hear the smile in her voice when you are talking to her.
I love/hate when they sabotage our attempts to discipline with The Cuteness.
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Man, what a smile.
Every new video I see of her, I cherish. Beautiful ‘internet’ Angel – so very real to me, and all of us.
Thank you for sharing her!
That made me smile. What a great, happy memory of the Moo.
xo
Seeing, or even sharing in, the forbidden with babies is delicious. I love that you captured this and, if ever you want another writing prompt, I’d love to hear something that surprised her. My four year old was saying goodnight to our car once and I clicked the key fob to lock it, forgetting it would beep. Oh, my but she jumped and it still makes me laugh hysterically, is that awful?
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What a cheeky little mischief maker! You can tell she knows how to press mama and grandma’s buttons and get away with it! Too cute. xoxo
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That is so cute how she swung herself on her bottom around and got stuck once she saw the vent! Great memories, just hold on to the site of her blowing you kisses…what a sweet girl she was!! God Bless.
Courtney in New York.
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She was such a precious, cute baby. I have been following your blog for a while now. Unfortunatley, I found your blog when Maddie was in the hospital; when she recieved her Angel Wings.
I have not posted because… what do you say to someone who is going through such a loss..such heart ache. I am sorry. I pray for you and your family.
Keep posting videos of Maddie. She had a beautiful smile.
I love Her sweet face, all lit up from the inside. I wonder if I can teach my baby to pivot on her bum like that? So cute! Thank you Heather!
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I live for Fridays, when I get to see Maddie in motion.
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you are still my hero in EVERY way imaginable.
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She is wicked cute!
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Robert and I clap at James to get his attention. Robert even makes a clicking noise with his tongue to get James’ attention (like you would with a cat). I think babies are universally attracted to AC vents. Thank you for sharing this with us. ♥
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So stinkin’ cute! Love how she was blowing kisses…mwah!
I live video Friday’s!! Can’t wait to get my Maddie fix
Thanks for sharing her with us!
Much Love, Jenn in CA
My three year old still does that…gets obsessed about something naughty and then laughs and laughs when I catch her moments after turning my back.
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KISSES sweet Maddie….and hugs to you Heather
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Awww… how beautiful and cute and spunky that girl is! I love the videos… but hate them too b/c it just drives home how unfair it all is. I’m always left wondering why? you could tell she was a handful! bless you both.
love and hugs from NJ.
I always turn off the video camera when my kids start to misbehave. I guess I don’t want to here me barking no into the camera. Watching this makes me realize there could be a day that I cherish the mischief. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories with the world. Love to you all.
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What a lucky, well loved child . . . although her life was far too brief, she knew such adoration. That’s what everyone truly deserves, despite the length of years. Thank you for sharing your delicious Maddie.
Oh my! Those adorable kisses! So glad you have them forever captured on tape! She is definitely a child whom (had she been mine) I would have had to discipline with my eyes closed cuz she’s too freakin’ cute! One look & I’d forget why I was trying to discipline her in the first place! Precious girl!
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Her excitement is always like a big burst of sunshine. She always has kisses for you too!
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Thanks for sharing. That is too cute! Precious! You always put a smile on my face when you share Maddie’s videos. XX
Ha! Sneaky Maddie. I must admit that I’ve reprimanded my daughter in the same way I do the dogs as well. : ) Thank you for sharing.
xo from CT,
Amanda
Such awesome memories, she’s so darn cute.
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The video still isn’t playing. Guess my husband is right that my dear beloved laptop is in need of an overhaul. Even though I still haven’t been able to watch this video, I really do have a good idea of it in mind. And it is too cute for words. (((hugs)))
AWESOME! I love how amused she is at what she can get you two to do…
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Ah….I just love her so much! The kisses and mischeviousness is cute but my favorite part was the “spinning, spinning like a top” part. My daughter never did that! How neat!
You can see her focus shift from playing with you to the vent — and then her attempt to fight the temptation. . . and then chucking the fight to go play with her obsession. So cute!
I read your blogs almost daily and can’t wait to see what kind of videos and/or pictures you will have up of your lil Maddie. I know I have said it before, but I’ll say it again. Thank you so much for sharing her with us!
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What was the universe / the powers that be thinking when it / they took that beautiful little girl?!?! I know indignation helps nothing, but I do feel it so strongly for you and your family, Heather. It’s just not right. She should still be here. I see your videos and I can’t believe she isn’t. Wishing you love and peace this weekend.
Heather -
What a great video! She is so adorable.
I’ve had a lousy week,. Nothing, I’m well aware, compared to yours…but a lousy week just the same.
Watching this video made me laugh out loud and smile from ear to ear. Maddie is so beautiful.. Just the sweetest child ever.
In a time when it would be so easy for you to hide away and keep Maddie all to yourself – you share her with the world.
What a gift we have received.
Thank you.
She looks so pretty all dressed up in that video. Granted, she looks pretty in all the pictures and videos.
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Strange, but true. I remember being enthralled with the vents in our old house when I was young. I used to play with them, look in them, etc. pretending there was another world in there.
She’s such a cutie. Love her smile
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My 22-month-old just caught me watching Maddie’s video and then had me play it for her over and over again, saying “‘gain. pease!” and touching her nose when Maddie touched hers and blowing her kisses when Maddie blew kisses. I tried to distract her with a video of herself but she would not be distracted, yelling “baby! ‘gain!” Even the prospect of going to the park with her friends had nothing over Maddie.
Even other kids know how special Maddie is. Can’t wait to see the 78 other videos!
I love it! The video just made me smile from ear to ear. The blowing of kisses, spinning on her rear, then…oh, look! A vent! Your comment about clapping at her was hilarious. Thanks for sharing and making me smile!
~Hugs from TX
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I bet you couldn’t go anywhere without people stopping you to tell you how beautiful your daughter is. I have never seen prettier eyes on a little girl. Thank you for sharing your memories with us.
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What a little imp!!! She is cute beyond measure…Peace.
Oh, my , gosh, what to love and eat up first on that girl. Do you begin with that heartbreaking smile? Or those impossible eyes? Or is it her little cheeks? I would just start at the top, and move all the way down to her little perfect feet.
An absolute angel that fell to earth…
On Saturday was my niece’s first birthday and as we prepared to leave to go to her Grandma’s house, she started spinning in a circle exactly like Maddie did in that video. And her party dress had purple flowers on it.
Thinking of you.
I love the videos and I am sure I don’t have to tell you but she is beautiful. Her eyes and “smiling” face are so awesome! Every time I see a video or picture of her it makes me smile. Hugs to you Heather, I do hope your days get brighter.
What a cute video! I’m so glad you have these videos to share with us. For those of us that never got to meet her, she is so very real to us now.
I thought of you & Maddie a lot this weekend. My 5 wk old nephew, Colin, had emergency surgery yesterday morning to fix the the muscle between his stomach & small intestine. Basically nothing was going through so it all came up. He was losing weight like crazy. Anyway he was in the PICU yesterday & looking at all the wires & tubes & listening to all of those monitors, I just kept thinking of all that little Maddie went through in her short life. God willing Colin gets to come home tomorrow & everything will be fine, but for those little ones whose problems aren’t so simple to fix, my heart breaks for them. And for parents like you who have to watch them go through it. I can’t even imagine what you’ve gone through. I kissed Colin a million times before I left tonight. So very grateful that he’s getting better & at the same time so very sad that little Maddie never got that chance. But because of you & Maddie, I appreciate all five of my nephews & the precious moments I get to spend with them even more now. Thank you & especially to Maddie for giving me that gift.
This. This is how I picture Maddie. Thank you for sharing that… hugs.
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Thanks so much for continuing to share your little Maddie with us. (((HUGS))) to you both.
Connie
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1) Let me say that I LOVE mischievous Maddie. I love that I can see the trouble brewing in her eyes.
2) THANK GOD I’m not the only person who talks to her child like a dog. I constantly find myself saying “Tyler… Tyler… drop it” or “Sit Tyler, sit”. Yeesh.
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Isn’t it funny how toddlers don’t care about being told “NO!” The only thing that gets them to stop screwing around with dangerous objects is pain when the object turns on them.
My brother lost the tip of his index finger when he was two from playing with a big floor-standing cigar cutter at our grandfather’s house. He was told numerous times not to touch it and then… WHAM!
The funny thin is he blamed our mother. You could tell from the dirty looks he gave her.
Kids, they’ll drive you crazy.