Madison Update

Just thought we should add more photos. Things here are really great. Madison is now very close to 10lbs. Last week, she had her monthly RSV vaccination and when they weighed her, she topped the scales at 9 lbs. 9.5 oz. - almost double digits!














We're still in the 3 hour feeding schedule. Every time we try to change it, Madison seems to have an opinion about how things go.

Busy Week

This has been a busy and fun week.... Madison has all her grandparents here to visit and enjoy her first Thanksgiving... Here's a bunch of photos from this exciting time....



Madison has been getting lots of attention and needless to say is getting spoiled. (who could have guessed?)

Mom seems to be overflowing with joy, and wants to hold Madison ALL the time.


We gave her a bath yesterday, and weighed her in the process.... she's now tipping the scales at 8lbs even! Seems like she's making great progress.

Later tonight, we're all going out for a fun time at a local German restaurant.. (complete with accordion music and lots of singing) It should be a lot of fun and we're sure that Madison will have a great time (probably sleep through it)







I know, this is an old photo, but Madison had to show her team spirit as she enjoyed watching the Beavs roast some Duck yesterday. GO BEAVS!

Santa!

Just wanted to get out a much... much overdue update. I know that we've been really delinquent in doing updates, so I'll cover a few things that have been going on with us.

First, we're all doing fine. A bit tired, as we continue to keep Madison on a strict feeding schedule with the dinner bell ringing every three hours around the clock. So, for us that means 8 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, 5 PM, 8 PM, 11 PM, 2 AM and 5 AM.... So, both Dina and I find ourselves in a rigid routine.... I tend to do the 11pm and 5 am feedings, and then head to work. Then, when I get home between 5 and 6, we eat, Madison eats, and then we all go to bed. Since the 11 PM feeding is right around the corner!!! So- hopefully that provides a little explanation for why I've been bad about updating the web-log.... Oh well, so much for the mea-culpa....

Monday was a big day for Madison, as she got her first of several RSV vaccinations. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children, and pre-mature infants, they are considered high risk to these infections which can be fatal. See the following link for more info ---LINK There is a monthly vaccination for High-Risk infants, so she got her first of several shots. Dina said that she really didn't like getting the shot, and made sure everyone knew it!!! Her next vaccination will be in early December, and monthly through about March.

One high point of her vaccination visit was the opportunity to get her current weight....As of Monday, November 13th, she weighed 7 lbs 1.5 oz.... Not at all bad, considering her due date was November 12th!!! Seems like she's right on track.


Later on Monday night, we decided to take Madison down to the Cheesecake Factory for a treat after her tough day with the doctor and that big, bad shot.

The Cheesecake Factory in Minneapolis is also in a little shopping mall, where Madison got to stop in and chat w/ good Ole St. Nicholas. She spent a few minutes with Santa and gave him her wish list. Lucky for us, she hasn't had too much time to watch TV to get too long a list, but I'm sure I heard her tell him about a new Playstation3....


Next week will be exciting for us all, as Madison will get to have both her Grandparents here for Thanksgiving. She's really excited, as are we all. There will be more photos and lots of fun.... If only children are spoiled, can you all immagine an only grand child?

Snoooooooozin'

Madison had one of her rare nights of keeping us up for a few extra hours at a time last night. She was overly hungry (drinking 160ml in 1.75 hours, which her normal intake is 60-80ml per hour) and still has not figured out how to go down the stairs and open the fridge to satisfy her late night cravings. Needless to say, I think this picture shows exactly how we are feeling today as it was just taken moments ago without John's (or Madi's) knowledge. Of course, as I type this they continue to sleep since life keeps going for me. If she keeps us up again tonight, I think I will let sleeping beauty take care of her tonight. All my love to all, Dina.

Another Busy Week!!!!!

The past few days this last week were again a bit hectic. Needless to say, we were short on new photos, so I held up on new posting......

Madison's second trip to her pediatrician was on Wednesday and she's doing GREAT... 6lbs 3 oz, 21 inches and making consistent progress.




We're going to continue the 3 hour feeding cycle for a while (probably till Jan), so much for getting long nights of sleep anytime soon... I figure this will continue for the next 16 or 17 years.

She's been demonstrating remarkable talents, especially a keen sense of ESP.. (Eats, Sleeps, Poops).... Recently, we've started to wake her up during the day, so that she won't wake us up so much at night. Not sure that we've figured out the secret or not, but we're have a lot of fun.



Madison has been enjoying ethnic foods lately.... Mongolian Barbecue, Mexican, and German. While she can't eat the food yet, she has even gotten to experience different types of music and entertainment.




She wasn't too keen on the after dinner entertainment at the Mongolian restaurant (too much noise and commotion).

She liked the Mariachi band at the Mexican restaurant and seemed to enjoy the German accordion music.

She's really a great baby to go out with, quiet and sleepy... truly a joy.

A few photos

Just wanted to post a couple of photos ... not much new from the home front. Madison is growing and eating and doing her thing. She's been a bit more demanding about when she gets to eat, but is still doing great. Last night, we had to wake her up...(as opposed to her waking us up!)



Last weekend was kind of hectic (that's an XU- eXtreeme Understatement) and long, as we had a few un-expected things come up that kept us all way too busy to do the normal things we had planned. (like updating this web site)... But, now everything is more or less back to normal, so I'll try to do a better job of keeping the web site updated.....

Finished Painting....

Just two days of work, and Madison's room is DONE!!!!.... Hurray.... We can put the furniture against the walls, put stuff away and try to start to find normal.

The murals came out great. All four walls have the theme of being underwater, with cool tropical fish, a couple dolphins and a neat little reef.

We're very happy with the decoration and are looking forward to letting Madison return to her room. (She's spent the last two nights with us... and we think she likes all the extra attention she gets when ever she wants it)

Lastly, a couple of pictures of Madison....



Here she is laying on her side, out cold and trying to get a bit of sleep before another busy day running around town....









Here's Madison and her proud grandma, Dee. (Dee is on the right.... just in case you didn't know)
























And - after all these photos, she opened her eyes!!!...

Painting Update

Hi.... just wanted to share an update on the nursery painting update.... We're about half way through with getting the underwater theme painted in Madison's room. Talk about awesome. Here's a couple of photos of the work in progress.
We're hopping that the room will be done by the end of the day.... We'll see, but so far, we're really happy with how it's turning out.




Also, Madison is spending a couple of nights sleeping in our room while her room is being finished. This morning, I fed her at 5, changed her diapers and spent 45 minutes cuddling with her before I got ready for work. She went back in her crib while I took my shower. When I came out, I noticed that she had crossed her right leg over her left leg and looked like she was trying to turn over!!! COOL. The funny thing is that inside my mind, my first thought was... Oh no. How can I protect her from rolling over?!?!?!?!? I guess that's my first "How can I protect her from _____" thoughts that I'm going to live with from now on.

First Book

Hi everyone!!! Here's Dina reading to Madison.... talk about cute.


John

Update from home....

We're all doing absolutely fabulously. Madison is putting on weight and eating well - just like we want her to. I've been told that some people have been looking for updates on how we are doing... and I've been a bit negligent. So here goes.....



Dina's mom and sister are here along with her good friend from Norfolk for a little baby shower tomorow afternoon. So far, Madison has been to the airport twice and really loves to go for car rides.

As for her at night, well, that's another story... actually, it's not much of a story, since she's suprisingly quiet and content. We have to wake her up for her feedings every three hours. We take turns with 2am and 5 am feedings... The surprising news is that she's been a real sound sleeper and very happy to eat.


She had her first visit to the baby doctor on Friday - 5lbs, 7 oz... doing good on all fronts. The only big concern that we have is the risk of catching a respiritory virus as this is the high time for cold season. Thus, we'll probably become overly protective of her and keep her away from strange people.... uhm.. I mean crowds and strangers.... (you know what I meant)

The doctor asked us to not use blankets with her when she sleeps at night.... even though we've become pretty good at swadling her up tight... The fear is that she might wiggle loose and then slip the blanket over her mouth - that would be bad.... Instead, she suggested that we 'layer' her in several sleepers to keep her warm. So, last night we started.. with 4 layers.... When we got her all dressed for bed, she looked like a little yellow Michelan Baby...> Arms and legs straight out...

she could hardly move, but she was warm. In fact, she was so warm that when I fed and changed her at 5 am, I took one layer off....

Then this morning, Dina thought she was so cute in her bed, that she had to take a quick photo.... see below.... Remember this is with one layer removed!!!!!!

Now, we've got a space heater for her room, so we should be able to let her have fewer layers and just keep her room nice and toasty.....


She also took the opportunity to pose for me with my favorite charitable cause - Finnegans!!!! (Finnegans is a small company, that dedicates 100% of it's profits to a charitable fund that donates money to fight poverty! - They only have one employee - the founder, who works really hard to get the beer into bars and liqour stores... Thus far, they've donated over $50,000 to local causes.... - Check out http://www.finnegans.org....

The charity fund - Finnegans Community Fund has recently become a bigger focus for me, as I recently joind the FCF's board of directors. Now, I really feel like I'm making an impact on our community.... Here's more about our group - Finnegans Community Fund



And, here's Madison and Kelli at Hell's Kitchen - home of Damn Good Food....
Hell's kitchen is a small, local resturant that is famous for, among other things, their catsup and pennut butter! You have to figure that if their condimints are remarkably good, their food is amazing....







(Just in case you didn't know, Kelli is on the right)

Home at Last!!!!!

We've now started off on a "new normal", as Madison came home from the hospital for the first time!!! As type this with one hand, because Madi is sleeping happily in my other arm....this will take a bit longer to post. (i know you will understand)



Dina and I now take on a wonderful and joyous lifelong task of preparing Madison for her future.



This update would not be complete without reflecting on Madison's extended family of caring and compassionate health care professionals whose dedication and commitment to providing exceptional care of her was extraordinary. We feel that we were truly blessed to have such a great team taking care of her while she was getting started. Dina and I always felt completely at ease with everyone who helped bring her into the world. Thank you for all your hard work and help - you are all awesome.



Dina just came home from a short trip to Target and was able to catch me in the middle of this posting... here we are (Madison and I) quickly working on our internet update---



Also, to all of you who have been following along for the past few weeks of excitement- Thank you for you prayers, concern and support.

Comming home!!!!!

More to come later, but last night, Madison did GREAT... they took out her feeding tube and we'll be bringing her home this afternoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John

Quick Update

Hi everyone...

It's been a long day, so this will be short...... Once again, Madison did great with dinner tonight. She started with a bottle with a defective nipple (i.e. a really, really small hole.)... so she spent her first five minutes of eating trying and trying to get things going, but barely got any dinner... so we helped her out and got a new nipple for the bottle...then she got it all down - almost 50 ml... talk about good work...

Here's Dina and Madison working hard...

Progress

Just a quick update.... Madison is doing great, 5lbs 3 oz... Still eating like a champ... for almost all of her rescent meals, she's done them on her own. In fact, in the last 24 hours, she only had the tube for about 10ml !!! total!!! Each meal is 40ml, and she gets 8 meals a day... so that means, yesterday, she ate 310ml of 320 ml of food.....

If she keeps up this pace, she will get to come home before long.... Dina and I are both eagerly awaiting her chance to come home.

Here's a few photos from tonight.