First Family Photo

3 Months Old!

 

 

 

It's hard to believe that Maddie is already 3 months old today. In most ways, it has flown by yet it feels like she's been a part of our lives for a very long time. Finding out prenatally about her heart defect made this so...I quickly became very attached to the little life growing inside me because I then learned how fragile and miraculous life really is. This also brought my attention to many things I took for granted; good health being the major one. Having Maddie has taught me to cherish every day, to live in the moment and to not take things for granted like I used to. The motto that I've been reciting to myself daily is "don't let tomorrow take away from today". It's easy to worry about the complexity and uncertainty of Maddie's heart, and I've found myself despairing over what 'could' happen and the fear that I feel is like none I've ever experienced. But I'm learning this gets me no where, except spiraling down. While worrying and crying over 'what could happen', I miss out on the precious moments I have with her and the boys right now. Since being housebound, life has slowed down for us and what blessings have unfolded from this! Our days are much simpler now, I don't feel in a rush like I used to, and it's a very peaceful feeling. I know life will pick back up for us again, but having a taste of this for the past three months has surely opened my eyes to what is really important. I'm truly grateful for this time I've had. And when things pick back up again and I find myself digging that hole, I will remember how to find this peace. So thank you, my pretty girl, for teaching me how to live more wisely and well and for making me pay attention to the precious time we have here. My heart is truly full and I couldn't be more blessed.

Crazy Caden!

I just had to post this about my little Caden...this morning, while trying to 'catch up' (do dishes, put in a load of laundry, fold a load, vacuum the kitchen floor, pump, feed Maddie, pick up a million legos, make beds, you get the picture) Caders was up to NO GOOD! I'd finally 'kicked' the boys outside to play, after nagging at them to pick up their legos for the 100th time, when Jace comes in the house and here's our conversation:
Jace: "Mommy, you need to come see this!"
Me: "See what?"
Jace: "Caden"
(After hearing this, I think "oh, no!" Then those scary pictures start running through my mind.)
Me: "CADEN!"
Jace: "See mom, look what Caden did!"
Caden looks at us with a big grin and giggles...the picture says it all! He was just sitting there on the porch, so proud of himself and humming a little song, naked! I think I should be nervous, nudist colony member in the future?!? The boy LOVES being in the nude!


He is definietly in his terrible twos because only a short while later, I was cleaning up lunch and the boys were playing in their room when Cade comes running out, laughing at himself (the kind of laugh when they're completely tickled with something they know they should not do). He had polka-dotted his legs with a green marker! Nice. You may be asking yourself, "where the hell is his mother during all of this kid's mischief???"


And last but not least, (this was not from today) here's another good one from Caden. 'Undoewayeus' (underwears in Cade's lingo) on the head and dancing around the house! Where does he come up with this?


As you've seen, Cade keeps us all laughing. He is such a little character and comes up with quite the ideas. We are always cracking up at him. His laugh is contagious and the more attention, the better for Mr. Cade!!!

On a side note, Maddie's doing really well: eating, sleeping, growing, burping, smiling, blows bubbles, loves staring at her fists and her nose (cross-eyed lots) and just being a normal baby! Wow, thought I'd never think of her as a 'normal' baby. All is great here!

Maddie's BFF!

We had such a wonderful day yesterday. The boys went to spend the day at Nany's while Maddie and I drove down to the Tri-Cities to see our friends, The Maxwell's. Trent and Susie's daughter, Teagan, was born a week after Maddie with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (the left side of her heart didn't develop properly (opposite of Maddie's CHD)). So put together, our girls have a good, whole heart! Their second and third surgeries are the same to 'fix' their hearts, and they're even on the same time frame for their surgeries at Children's! Anyway, while we were in the NICU, I saw Trent walking through one day and just knew I knew him from somewhere. We ended up bumping into him again and realized that we had high school and college rodeoed together! What a small world. Since that day at the hospital, we've kept in touch. Susie and I have emailed and talked on the phone weekly and this was our first 'playdate' with our girls.

It is such a blessing that we met up. Having someone who shares all of the same feelings, worries, hopes and dreams I have for my daughter is so comforting. No one can completely understand this until you're in it. There is so much to learn with the heart defects that the two of us are conquering the medical world together! I so enjoyed our visit and we're planning our next get-together soon. I don't think anyone could have gotten a word in with the two of us gabbing away all afternoon!!! The girls are both so adorable and what a sweet relationship they're going to share as they grow up...I'm so grateful that Maddie will have someone who will understand her, and her 'BFF' (Best Friend Forever) is only a little over an hour away! Watch out rodeo world, can't you just see these two galloping around on their ponies together! Here's some pictures from our afternoon. Teagan's blog, as well as our other heart friends, is on the left side of this page under "Kindred Hearts". God does work in mysterious ways...putting certain people in our paths who will help us through our trials and only add to the joy in our life! I'm very grateful for the Maxwell's as well as the other heart friends we've met so far in this journey!

Jace's Preschool Graduation

Last night we had Jace's preschool graduation. This was his first year, only 2 days a week. He really enjoyed it, learned lots, made some new friends and got to play with many cousins there. What a fun night out tonight was for us (although Maddie missed out and stayed at home with Aunt Kerry.) She so enjoyed being held the whole 1 1/2 hours we were gone! Thanks Ker for coming over!

Jace "advancing" on to another year at Steps Ahead Preschool!

Not so happy about posing with mom & dad. It's crazy to think that Bryan & I went to preschool together MANY years ago, and now here we are with our little preschooler! Wow time flies!

Loves posing with his favorite teacher, Mrs. Becky! Thanks for a FUN year...looking forward to another one!

Maddie's Many Faces

Look at little miss and her photo shoot this morning! Finally, I caught a big smile...dimples and all!

We're doing well...the boys and I have had a little head cold and Maddie shows a tinge of it too. She's still eating and sleeping well and acting normal, so I'm not stressed. Just watching her very close. There's really no visible sign, you can just hear a tiny bit of congestion here and there. I'm hoping this is the extent of it. Maddie is really starting to respond. Yes, she's a bit behind but we have to take into account that she was born a little over a month early and laid in a hospital bed the first 18 days of her life...this can set a girl back a bit! We're still staying home...although we've made it to a couple of family functions this past week. It really is nice to get out and "show" our daughter off! Although we're keeping Maddie from public places where there is a lot of people traffic. With the measles outbreak in our county, I'm not going to risk going to the store with her! I've enjoyed being at home with nothing planned. The boys entertain me with their play...here they are on their "pirate ship" yesterday.

When Jace and Cade play well together, it's so nice!!! They can't wait for "MJ Watson" (aka Maddie) to actually join them in playing Spiderman someday!

Got Milk?

Ok...I'm running out of things to blog about here. Maddie won't smile for the camera, so I just had to post this since my life (and Maddie's) revolves around breastmilk! Pumping every 3-4 hours around the clock then feeding that "liquid gold" to her every 3 hours is exhausting after a while! Not to mention washing all of the paraphernalia that goes with bottle feeding and pumping! You mom's out there that are doing this can empathize!I could seriously start a "hate to pump" club! Just look at our stock pile...we may need to invest in another freezer! This picture's really not giving you the full-effect of this stockpile either and since I'm so anal, I've kept a log of all of my pumping since March 16th. The grand calculation as of today is, get ready...2,017 ounces of milk! MOOOO, yes I'm a cow! Of course she's consumed lots of this already.

Many have asked if Maddie is able to nurse. She can for a little while (mainly for the bonding) but she also burns more calories nursing and we need to know exactly what she's getting, so we bottle feed and fortify the milk with a little bit of Enfamil formula. She gets "amped" up breastmilk at 24 calories/oz. And I know some of you have been impressed with how I've been able to keep up with the blog, find time for thank you's and announcements, emails, play DJ on blog, etc....well, I have to mention that while "hooked up" to the pump, I can multi-task with 1 hand! You have to do something to pass the time and this is about all I'm coordinated enough to do!


Here's a look at my indoor "bathing beauty"...and a look at her scar. Some have asked what it looks like...we think she has a nice zipper!