About Sophie & Madigan
Words can never fully describe, and photos can never fully show, these two amazing spirits. Nevertheless, we will try and use both to share with you what made these two sisters so special and why they made such an impact during their too brief lives…
Sophie Paige
Our sweet, shy Sophie was just 6 and a half years old. She was born on May 15, 2006 at just 34 weeks after her water broke two weeks before. She weighed 5lbs 14oz. In the beginning, she struggled with breathing, eating, and maintaining her temperature. We were so scared, but Sophie showed us how strong she was after we finally got to hold her for the first time, and she came home after 15 days in the NICU.
She was a gentle, goofy soul who gave of herself freely and selflessly. She delighted in making others laugh and be happy. Sophie adored nature…especially birds, butterflies, ladybugs, and flowers. She loved to pick and arrange flowers all spring and into the summer. She would give these arrangements to friends and family for birthdays and sometimes just because.
Sophie loved dressing up. It was a rare sight to not see Sophie wearing a brightly colored dress. And Sophie never passed up a chance to open up a make-up case and give herself a makeover. Sophie also loved drawing and painting, and making bead necklaces for herself and her sisters. Sophie loved school, and she was finally learning to read. Her favorite subject was Spanish.
Sophie was a ray of sun on a rainy day. She was a nurturer, her presence so needed in our house… she balanced us.
Madigan Grace
Our tenacious snuggle bug Madigan had just turned 3. She was born on November 26, 2009 at just 31 weeks after my water broke at 30 weeks. Madigan had the benefit of two rounds of steroid shots to help her develop before she was born. She came out screaming at just 4 lbs. 2 oz. She only had to grow to come home with us just 14 days later.
Madigan was such a carefree and happy girl with a kind and funny soul. You could always find Madigan climbing… and once at the top, singing her favorite princess songs at the top of her little lungs. She loved to dress up in her favorite Disney princess crowns and dresses, but that never stopped her from playing hard and getting messy. And having two older sisters had taught her an unmistakable toughness.
After dropping our big girls off at school, we would frequently have to wait hours for Madigan to be ready to go because she always wanted to wait for them there. She adored her sisters… she would sit, sing, and snuggle with her Sadie for long stretches. She would even try to feed ‘her baby’ if she started to cry. She gave the world’s best snuggles and loved to be in the baby carrier or in mommies shirt.
Madigan could make us all laugh on our worst days. She helped remind us to live life to the fullest each day.
