Weekend of fun

We went up to Coeur d' Alene for a fun family weekend at the Holiday Inn's Raptor Reef. It's an indoor water park plus lots of stuff to do for kids. It was fun with Derek & Carly's family, as well as Chriss & Jerry and kids. Our boys always enjoy spending time with the "big cousins". Although I was hesitant on going, I'm so glad we did. It was nice to get away and get my mind on something other than worrying about what's to come with the baby. The little boys loved it. Jace went down the "big" slides with dad and Caden enjoyed getting splashed in the kids zone area. What a little fish he is!

Maddie's 4-D Photo

We had our follow-up appointments in Seattle yesterday- what a busy day. This was our 4-D ultrasound and she wasn't very cooperative! If you take away her "placenta hat", the umbilical cord, and extra fluid, you can make out what her face will "kindof" look like! We think that she's darling...but all parents think that, don't they? Things are getting cramped in there which make it harder to get a clear picture.

I'll be 32 weeks tomorrow and after our consult with our perinatologist, Dr. Cheng, we may be delivering earlier than I had thought. It's crucial in Maddie's case that they have their team together and ready to roll when she's born...so therefore, this will be well-planned. At 37 weeks, we have an option to go over and Dr. Cheng would do an amniocentisis (which is not harmful or risky at this stage of pregnancy) to withdraw some amniotic fluid and check this for her lung development...amazing what they can find in the fluid. If her lungs are matured, then we could go ahead with induction in the next day or two. We also have an option on just "camping out" over there around 37-38 weeks and letting labor happen on its own. But...this also adds another 1-3 weeks of stay in Seattle before her arrival! So we do have options, always taking into account where is it best for Maddie to "live" at the time...in me or out. We feel very confident in our doctors...a team of around 15 will be there when she is born! Wow...this takes the private part out of delivering for us! But we'll do what we need to do for our baby girl's sake. After she's born, she will be watched very closely at the U of W Hospital (where I'll deliver) before being transfered to Children's. I'm so excited to learn that I'll get to spend some time with her before she's moved. The doctors want to make this as low-key and "normal" as possible and have told us that most babies born with a condition like hers are pink and crying and look/act normal (thanks to the ductus in their heart that stays open with IV's). Troubles can arise, but in most cases, you wouldn't be able to tell right away that she's a CHD baby. So...I'm looking forward to this yet really scared when I think of all that is going to take place. Glad I have a few weeks to let it sink in.

Our cardiology appointment was a little disappointing for me. For some reason, I thought they'd find some major change in her little heart. What they found was the same...no changes, she still has a small right ventricle, her pulmonary valve is not opening and her tricuspid valve to her right ventricle is measuring smaller than normal which means she is what our doc called a "tweener" for a 2-ventricle procedure (using the heart like it's intended with some repair of a balloon catheterization) or a 1-ventricle procedure (open-heart surgery after birth with a B-T shunt, which means bypassing the right side of her heart entirely for it won't ever be able to function). The later being much more risky and evasive. They can't really determine which one she'll need until she's here. We're so blessed with our cardiologist, Dr. Vernon. She's a real kind, amazing woman who's also expecting, we found out yesterday! Must be scary for her to diagnose prenatal heart defects everyday and be pregnant herself. What she knows can go wrong compared to the rest of us. So, we're doing fine. We just have to stay positive, and we have the reassurance that there is something they can do for her. We're also thankful that they didn't find anything else wrong yesterday, yeah! Now just a lot to think about and plan for, our count down is now 5-6 weeks left until we become hospital residents!

My Little Family

Since we don't have any pictures of Maddie yet...I thought I'd post a photo of her biggest fans. This is our most recent family picture. One thing I've learned through all of this is to not take anything for granted. I am cherishing each and every day we have together and so very thankful for my little family. The boys truly make my day in some way, every day. Funny how a 2 and 4 year old can make you look at life in such a different light. Maddie is so lucky to have Jace and Caden as her big brothers...she's going to be one protected little girl!

FYI- We go over to Seattle for a full-day of appointments on Friday, February 15th. I'm looking forward to it, have a "book" written of questions to ask the doctors and really hope we'll get a good 4D ultrasound of our baby girl!

It's National Heart Month

Well, February is here. The month of January seemed to drag on, especially with the winter we've been having...although we can't be happier for it warming up and starting to thaw. Of course I've been reading a lot on Maddie's heart condition. There is so much to take in. I've found it "somewhat" comforting to know and prepare myself for this. Although after reading countless stories of babies with similar defects, I find it hard to sleep and keep pondering on the "what if's". Lately, it's been difficult to accept this and I find myself asking the question, why? But this really gets me no where, except down. Staying positive and having faith are 2 things that I am constantly working on. Some exciting news...our lives were touched yesterday by the birth of Andy & Danyel's baby girl...Jillian Lee! A girl cousin for Maddie, yeah! She's a little lovie.

Through my research, I've found that February is National Heart Month and Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) Awareness Week is February 7th-14th. Now that we have been touched by a heart defect, these two causes are important and now mean something to me. Very sad that I never realized this existed before or ever even thought of a heart defect affecting us. So, I found this poem and would like to share it for February:heart month.

Valentines Day is celebrated with hearts of every kind,
There's paper hearts and chocolate hearts and hearts that speak our minds
It is a day to express our love, from deep inside our soul,
To acknowledge loved ones in our life and let our feelings show.
Now this day, will be special, in yet another way,
It's been proclaimed, in many states, CHD Awareness Day.
On this day we honor those born with their heart broken,
The world will know of their plight, silent thoughts now spoken.
We will remember loved ones, lost to CHD.
In our souls and in our hearts, forever they will be.
To those who continue the fight each day we are filled with admiration,
Your courage, faith and love for life deserve this celebration.
We also want to recognize, honor and give praise,
To those who keep our hopes alive with their kind and caring ways.
The nurses, doctors, and researchers are part of this day too,
For many hearts that still beat on, we give our thanks to you.
A day of hearts it truly is, hearts of red and gold,
Now add to it a brand new symbol, another heart to hold.
Please remember on this day, those with hearts not perfect,
And everyone who loves someone, with a congenital heart defect.
by Dolly Lee

Very touching and gives a new meaning to Valentine's Day for me. Also, here's a few facts on CHD:

- Sometimes during early pregnancy, a baby's heart fails to form properly, resulting in structural abnormalities known as Congenital Heart Defects. Although some defects are genetic, in many cases the cause is unknown.

-It is estimated that 40,000 babies with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are born in the United States each year (about 8 in 1,000 births).

-CHD is the most common occurring birth defect and are the #1 cause of birth defect related deaths. For 1 in 10 babies born with a heart defect, it's a fatal heart defect.

If you're interested in finding more out about Congenital Heart Defects, visit some of the links posted at the bottom of our blog.

Cousin Jillian!

A precious baby girl just joined our Allred clan...Jillian Lee Allred. She was born on January 31st and we had the pleasure of bringing in big sissy, Randi Kay, to see her today. Danyel looked awesome and was doing so well for just having a c-section. The little boys were very excited and Jace was so cute about it. He was sure he needed to hold her! I guess he's just getting geared up for his baby sis to arrive. Their family is so excited and what a joy a new baby brings!!! I was able to hold her and it just makes our Madison's upcoming birth much more anticipated now.

Madison Grace Allred

We have officially decided our baby girl's name: Madison Grace Allred. It has been our girl name since we were pregnant with Jace and there is no other name we're fond of. She already seems like a "Maddie" to me and we wanted to have a middle name that had reverence. When we were in Seattle for our last appointment, we toured the NICU and there was a room all decorated on the outside with a sign that read "MADITUDE" and we found out later, the little girl's name was Madeline and her parents called her Maddie. She has been through so much and is quite the fighter- something we hope for in our baby. So, it just fits since we were already planning on Maddie if she were a girl. My mom wrote a poem for her and I'd like to share it. As most of you probably know, my mom and I share a very special relationship and this is her first granddaughter...

For my "Maddie" by: Nany Stewart

I know a little miracle, whose growing strong inside
Her mother's womb protects her from the world outside

Her tiny heart is broken and when the time is right
Modern medicine will fix it, and all will be alright

I know this precious angel, I love her with all my heart
You see, she belongs to my angel with such a loving heart

So as you go about your day's routine
Please pray for both my angel's and keep them in your dreams.

Thumbs up! It's all going to be ok!

If you look closely, our baby girl was trying to tell us something. Even though we didn't know at the time, she knew of her special heart condition. She's giving us a thumbs up! What a precious little life we are expecting...we are especially grateful for her and anxiously await her arrival in April.