The TV is on all the time at our house since someone is always awake to hold, feed, change, or cuddle Annabel. TV in the middle of the night is super boring. Normally, this is where our DVR would come in handy, but for the last week and a half, we’ve had the Winter Olympics on almost non-stop.
Two years ago we watched the Summer Olympics non-stop, but with Madeline. When Mike and I would cheer and clap, she would clap along with us.
Maddie was a little sprite, tiny and powerful, so Mike and I imagined she’d grow up to be a gymnast. He even wrote about it on his blog:
Maddie has suddenly turned into a gymnast in her crib, something which I attribute to the fact that Heather and I have made her watch the Olympics ad nauseum. Maddie clearly wants to be the next Shawn Johnson, because whenever I put her down lately she flops about her crib like she’s going about her own little floor exercise. Unfortunately, at this point she is not exactly sticking her landings.
Check out the following positions I recently found her in:
Ouch. I don’t even want to know what score the Russian judge gave her for those.
She may not be an expert yet, but Maddie is nonetheless very proud of her gymnastic skills:
We can’t help but think she would have loved the Winter Olympics. Maybe she’d have been a little snowboard shredder, or a downhill demon, or a curling star. We know for sure that she would have looked cute in the cold-weather gear:
{ 96 comments… read them below or add one }
I love seeing her beautiful smile. She will never be forgotten.
So True !!!!!
These pictures are so beautiful and I’m sure she would have loved the Winter Olympics, sending good vibes yalls way.
So precious!! Thanks for retelling these stories of your sweet angel Maddie!! Love from AZ, @1mcmommy
Oh those cheeky grins! Had to laugh at the feet sticking out of the crib – all my kids have done that, and all got “stuck” and needed help… Love to you!
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..Entertaining herself =-.
My little guy does that every few days! His little chunky feet are just the right size to get wedged in there, but if I leave the bumper in the crib, he uses it as a step to try to escape! Little stinker!
Maddie’s smile is so precious! And those eyes! You can see her special soul through them. She will be missed always.
Love and Hugs to all of you Spohrs!
I was reading this post and Max came up behind me and said “We’re a friend of Maddie, aren’t we mum.”
We sure are.
I have been thinking of you and Mike so very much lately. You must be feeling so much, all at once. Love to you mate XOX
Love, LOVE the picture of her upside-down, smiling in her crib. Just makes my chest ache. I miss her and think of her daily. Lots of love to you.
Ahhh…you tell her story so beautifully. x
Gorgeous Maddie, I still can’t get over those eyes and that smile. She’s one of a kind, that’s for sure.
I’m stating the obvious, but Maddie and Annie are lucky, lucky girls to have you both as parents. Parents who love them so much and are so proud of them.
exactly.
)
I love this little red outfit… The hat completely finishes it off. With her will power and her lust for life, it would not have shocked me if she would one day have been on an olympic nr one spot!!!!
Maybe Annabel could become the couch potatoe of the family… ;o))))
.-= catherine lucas´s last blog ..St. John’s Indian School, Arizona =-.
Sweet Maddie! I love the photo of her legs sticking out of the crib.
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Music =-.
She looks delicious in that winter outfit!
xo from CT,
Amanda
Her smile…incredible.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Real Home =-.
Those eyes and smile get me every time.. <333
.-= jen´s last blog ..one more? =-.
Sweet baby in her little red sweater and her winter gear. What a doll!
.-= charlane´s last blog ..My Happy Cake =-.
So cute! I love the picture of her in her winter gear. Thanks for sharing such a cute story
I am so glad to see a “Maddie” Post. I loved it the first time, but this time with the new info on how she would be reacting et gave me new visions of your moo. Your an amazing Mama. I really don’t know how you do it. You make posts with them both intertwined, Annie and Mad, and you give them each their own space. And I am so proud of your commenters, they also are keeping a beautiful balance of not forgetting Maddie (No one could if they tried, that girl has charisma in her new role as her baby sister’s kissing angel!!) and we’re adoring Annie for the little sweetie pie she is. Also, You are STILL GLOWING. You look so totally content any beautifully happy. I am sorry you had to suffer the loss of the worlds smiley child and I am so proud of you for knowing the time you had with her was priceless and I will stop, I am getting all emotional. xoxo, Kandi Ann
She is a doll! I can imagaine between the Olympics and being a big sister Maddie would have been a very busy liitle girl!!
She will always be missed xxx
Those photos and words make me smile. She’s left a legacy of smiles, both her own magnificent Maddie smiles and the ones she’s always brought to the faces of others.
That photo of her practically upside down with her feet walking up the side of the crib made me laugh, too. Just gorgeous.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Well, that was scary. =-.
10 10 10 10 10 ………. perfect score
A beautiful post about a beautiful angel. Thank you so much for sharing your daughter with us.
.-= Anjie´s last blog ..Good food, Good times =-.
What beautiful photos of Maddie, and we all love seeing them so much. She just melts one’s heart! Please, please, don’t ever stop including Maddie in all of the wonderful posts,,I know you won’t!!! She is loved so very, very, much,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
She is magically delicious.
I have been thinking of you all a lot lately…I love seeing pictures of both of your girls!
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..Not Complaining…Just Commenting =-.
OOHhh Beautiful, beautiful Maddie. I never get tired of seeing her face. Thank you for sharing her. Being on the other side of a Blog is indeed an interesting place to be. Never in my life have I ever fallen in love with someone just by looking at their pictures, watching their video’s and hearing stories about them.
Never in my life…..until of course….I “met” Maddie!!!!
Cute as a button…love those baby toes and the sparkling eyes
Gosh I love her so much.
.-= maya´s last blog ..What I Love About Blogging =-.
What a little ham! Thinking about you all today.
(((hugs)))
So glad to see another post full of Maddie’s incredible smile. I love how she smiled with her whole face. Ditto what Jenn said. I never fell in love through the computer….until I “met” Maddie. Thank you for continuing to share both your girls with us.
She’s such a sweetie
xoxo
Thanks for sharing those beautiful pics of Maddie! Love that big smile and those adorable cheeks!
I remember those middle of the night feedings and oddly miss them some days. There was this goofy world news show on NBC that aired at 3:30am. You may want to try that one when the Olympics are over. I’ll have to look up a link to it for you.
.-= Anne DiNapoli´s last blog ..Dad’s Girl =-.
Beautiful post. I remember reading that one on Mike’s blog back when he originally posted it. I’m sure she would have loved the Winter Olympics. That last pic in all the winter get up has always been one of my favs, she’s just so beautiful in it.
Love and hugs to you all.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Singing and Dancing =-.
I always love stories about Maddie… she feels so alive! I guess, in so many ways, she IS still alive. Not only in your hearts and minds, but in the lives of all of us who read your blog.
Thank you for continuing to share Maddie with us, Annie is always going to know her Maddie and how much love there is for her and vice versa. The snow bunny picture is one of my favorite pictures of Maddie. Man, she was so amazing and had the best smile & eyes EVER!!! So glad to see how amazing Annie is as well!! You two make beautiful kids!!!
Yay Maddie! Even if the judges wouldn’t give her a very good score for that landing, the crowd loves her and that’s all that matters!
(((Hugs))) from here!
.-= jen´s last blog ..Ah, Thursday =-.
Such a little cutie!!! Sending love and {{hugs}} to all of you!
XOXO from GA,
Nikki
It looks like she would have most definitely loved the Winter Olympics, too. I only know her from your words and photos, but I can totally picture her being a snow boarder. I haven’t seen the winter olympics in a long time, but hockey was my favorite. She’d have made a stunning hockey player.
I love all the photos and the last one I remember from a previous post. She is indescribably beautiful.
This brought tears to my eyes as I miss her big smile and those big blue eyes. She is so missed.
Hugs,
Adorable. The picture of her legs coming through the crib slats makes me smile and smile.
.-= J´s last blog ..20 weeks =-.
I love to get my Maddie fix. Was there ever a child with more expressions?? Knowing that you will miss her forever…hugs, Rachel
Oh, little snow Maddie. Unbelievably adorable.
Aw, hi Maddie! I love that gorgeous smile!
Yay, Maddie stories! She is such a cutie!
I just love the magic in Maddie’s eyes! In every picture she is lit up with adoration for you both.
(((HUGS))) from Florida
Thanks for sharing! Beautiful!! The twinkle in her eyes! That smile. Those chubby cheeks! Sending you hugs xxx
Too cute. I was babysitting Saturday night for a 6 and 1 year old. The 1 year old was sitting in my lap eating cheerios and we were watching the women’s Super-G. The poor Canadian girl went down and the crowd went “OOOH!” and little Elise went “OOOH! OH NO!” right along with them.
I absolutely adore babies at that age. So wide eyed and innocent. I can’t wait to see what little Annie will get into. Maybe she’ll be a world class surfer. Or beat out Michael Phelps for the most Gold metals in swimming!
love those pics, especially the one with her legs stickin out between the crib rails. Oh sweet Madeline, you bring a smile to my face whenever I see your little smile=)
For a California girl, she sure could rock a ski hat and mittens! Thanks for sharing a little Maddie to help start my day off on the right foot…
If you can look at those photos of Maddie and not feel all warm and fuzzy inside, then you have a lump of coal where your heart is supposed to be.
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..My Family =-.
So stinking cute. And, the pictures made Libby laugh!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Wow =-.
So, so cute! Everything about Maddie is beautiful, but I get hooked on looking at her cute little toes. I notice them whenever they are in a picture and they are always doing something cute! Adorable toes!
Those photos made me smile
I love the one with her little legs sticking out of the side of the crib!
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..Valentine’s Day =-.
Oh my goodness. That picture with that grin of hers, and the arms up in the air! As Maddie would have said, “WOOOOOOOOOOOW!!”. That honestly could not be a cuter photo! It’s like she knew just how adorable and precious she looked, and was sayiong “Look at me!!!”. That little tongue poking out of her mouth is just the icing on the cake. Such a beautiful girl, on the inside and out.
I wish more than anything that you had both of your girls with you right now. It is just not fair.
((Love and Hugs))
Sweet precious Maddie. The picture of her with her little snow hat on is one of my favorite pics of her. I know her little spirit is always right with you and she is snuggling in your arms right along with little Annie. I remember seeing in card that read…’just because you can not see me does not mean I am gone. I am here living in your heart forever. ‘ How did your daughters get so lucky to have you and Mike and their parents. Only in a perfect world could it be that way for most children You are lovely people and you make this world a better place.for so many.
She was just so precious. Her smile and beauty will live on in your memories forever.
.-= Sarah R´s last blog ..I’m still here! =-.
She would have rocked that outdoor gear!!
((HUGS))
What a joy.
Steph
.-= Adventures In Babywearing´s last blog ..In Real Life =-.
These photos are great. I’m sure Maddie would have loved the winter Olympics and seeing all the snow.
She really is the most beautiful little girl…right alongside Annie of course.
.-= Haley´s last blog ..Mom 2.0: Defining A Movement =-.
She is a perfect snow bunny in that hat. And her eyes!
Adorable Maddie.
Wow! I’m sure you hear this all the time, but she is such a beauty! Truly, all babies are precious and gorgeous, but Maddie just beams! Her eyes are just captivating. I found your blog a few weeks ago and I’ve loved following your story. Annie certainly takes after her big sis in the looks department. ♥
.-= Mandy´s last blog ..GO BID! =-.
Maddie’s eyes twinkled with her zest for life. A champion, for sure.
And she’s ROCKING that ear flap hat!!
.-= Ruth´s last blog ..In need of a time turner =-.
Oh that lovely, lovely girl. She made everything bigger and better and brighter I can imagine. I think of you and your family with love and gratitude Heather. Always remembering that glorious firstborn of yours. I so wish she were with you to cuddle her sweet little sister.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..This one goes out to the ones I love… =-.
EYES! Maddie has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, where did she get those magical eyes?
Does Annie have those eyes too?
I love those pictures of Maddie when her eyes are telling you HI!
I am so happy you have such beautiful pictures of your gals and that you share them with us.
Love love the picture of Maddie in the “Winter Gear” She is a doll!
.-= MBKimmy´s last blog ..Bowden and his MarshMellows =-.
Gorgeous pictures of precious Madeline, of course!
Thinking of you, Mike, Maddie, and Annie every day.
xoxo
.-= Alison´s last blog ..What is a Twin Good For, Anyway? =-.
Seriously, I wish my kiddo would smile that much. What a doll.
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Her calling???? =-.
Awwww, such a precious little Maddie! She will never be forgotten Heather/Mike, never, ever.
Thank you for sharing both your lovely girls with all of us “strangers” and friends.
I bet Maddie is doing gymastics on the clouds now!
i’m sure its already been said – but i’d give her a perfect 10!
karen
Beautiful
Her smile is infectious. What a beautiful little girl. ? She’d rock those sought after red mittens, too, like she is with the mittens above.
Those are some very sweet pictures.
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Or is this funnier? =-.
That smile and those eyes are heartwarming.
Thanks for sharing this story with us. I’ve never heard it before. And for the photos (all of which I’ve never seen for the exception of the last one). That fourth photo is, “AWESOME!”
So awesome. <3 <3 <3
I'm sure Maddie is enjoying her own olympics in Heaven. ;o)
Oh she is just so sweet, thanks for the story again, I love it!
That last picture of her in the hat in my FAVORITE. What a sweet girl I know Annie will be just as cute in her winter gear!
.-= Jodee´s last blog ..Pray for Layla Grace =-.
She’s so gorgeous. I miss her so very much.
She looked cute in anything!
Such a perfect smile. Loved the one of Annabel in the previous post as well.
.-= Tracey´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday =-.
Oh sweet Maddie! What a star you truly are!
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Dontcha Just Hate It… =-.
Today I was in the grocery store and the cashier asked, Do you want to add a donation to the March of Dimes to your bill?
I was in a hurry and wasn’t paying much attention and said, Nah..
and then I remembered….Maddie.
Wait! I said. I DO want to make a donation. I told the lady about Maddie and on the slip of paper, she said, Put her name down. And I wrote “For Maddie” on the March of Dimes form and added your website address.
What dear little girls, Maddie and Annabel.
I don’t post much but you are in my thoughts every day.
Maddie was bigger than life…. its still so hard to look at her pictures and know that she’s gone. I know your heart aches still, even though its so full of love for Annabel!
Bless you both… you’re such amazing parents!
I love the one of Maddie’s feet sticking out of her crib — she was such a little character.
So sweet!
Loved those pictures the first time they were posted…
They brought a smile to me then…and they did again today!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Post-It Note Tuesday: Peace. Out. =-.
I laugh out loud everytime I see the pic of her in her winter gear! Love that sweet, beautiful face!
Every picture of Maddie shows her spunky spirit. Her eyes light up, and you can really “see” her. Thankyou for sharing these with us…
So beautiful! Thanks for letting us remember her with you.
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Perfect Moment Monday: He’s Still My Baby =-.
Those last 2 pictures are some of my favorite Maddie pictures ever. Such a pure light of joy, I will never ever ever ever forget her or the impact she made on my life.
Love to your family,
Kymmi
I never knew Maddie, but I miss her all the same. I *feel* like I knew her, and like I know you guys. I guess that’s the weird thing about blogging…
It’s funny that you mentioned Maddie being a “sprite”, because that is what I would call her when looking at her pictures; the cutest little sprite <3
xoxox~
.-= Sara K.´s last blog ..Time for another vote!! =-.
What a beautiful little angel you have watching over you and your family.
Her smile warms my heart everytime I see her picture.
This is one of my favorites. She is so precious.
So beautiful. Maddie is truly unforgettable. I think of her every time I see something purple.
(Several times a day)
*hugs*