Help Spread the Word About Madeline

I got an e-mail this morning about the disappearance of Madeline McCann from a friend urging me to send it to everyone in my address book. I decided to do one better and post it on my blog. I don't know if it will help, but it makes me feel better knowing that I did what I could.

If you haven't heard the story, Madeline McCann is a British four-year-old who went missing while on holiday with her family in Portugal. This is a story that has broken my heart, especially since she is just three days older than Thing Two. Her parents were dining in a nearby restaurant in their Mark Warner holiday complex. When her mother went back to check on her and her two siblings at 9:30 p.m., she was gone.

It is every parent's worst nightmare.

Here's what the e-mail said:
Madeleine McCann's family believe a new picture of the missing four-year-old
could play a vital role in the search for her.
The photo of the youngster shows clearly the her distinctive right eye,
where the pupil runs into the blue-green iris.
This is the picture:

It is this distinguishing mark that will identify Madeleine to those on the
lookout for her, according to aunt and uncle John and Diane McCann.
The Glasgow couple aim to distribute the appeal poster, which features the
Crimestoppers telephone number, as far afield as they can.

Mrs McCann said: "The purpose of the poster is to highlight the distinction
in Madeleine's eye. We want to make the most of it, because we know her hair could potentially be cut or dyed."

For more information about the search for Madeline, go to http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/

Happy Fourth Birthday Thing Two

Today is Thing Two's fourth birthday. I can hardly believe it, as it seems it was only yesterday I was walking slowly through Waterloo Station on my way to St. Thomas' Hospital, worried that I might give birth in one of the busiest train terminals in London. Thing Two very kindly waited to be born until I arrived in the hospital.

But I digress. Please indulge me as I list some of the things I love about Thing Two. Mr. MarthonMum might have his own list, but as this is my blog, I get to say what I want.

Top Ten Things I love about Thing Two:
1. How he loves kisses and hugs
2. His ever-present smile (even when he's upset)
3. His upbeat personality
4. His curly hair (shorter than it used to be, but still curly)
5. His appreciation of movies, thus earning him the moniker Mr. Movie
6. How he sings to himself when he's happy, but he doesn't want you to join in.
7. How he loves to cuddle up and read books, or page through them on his own.
8. His speed: all that marathon training paid off-- he's a fast runner!
9. How he loves his family, especially his big brother
10. How he gets excited and happy over really simple things.

Happy Birthday Thing Two. May you have many more.