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.

Late Dinner

Dina and I spent more time with Madison tonight, helping her have dinner. Again, she managed to get it all down - some from the bottle and some from Dina. The bottom line is she's doing great, making great progress and we're really proud of how hard she's working....

As far as minor milestones, she's now up to 5lbs 2 oz... The little ankle bracelets that the she wears used to slide all the way up to her knees... now they have to stay on her ankles, as her little legs are filling out.


And once again - Dina had the camera running

Bath Time!!!!

Hi everyone....

Here's a little video from the first time we got to give Madison a bath..... Dina had the camera, and I was doing all the work.... (with a little help from the nurse...)

Back in MN

Howdy everyone..... It's me, John.... I finally made it back home and was happy to see Dina and Madison. Both are doing great!!! Here's some photos from our trip to the hospital tonight

Yes.... We're both very tired.... as you can see below...


Madison needs to write a little thank you note to Bruno for the neat duds.... as you can see, she's already got school spirit..... She clearly got worn out chearing the Beavs on today, as they beat up on UW!!!! before long, she's going to have the OSU fight song going....


One of the nurses made a set of little foot prints that I had to take a photo of to share with you.....






.

Me Again!

It is me, Madi, again. I figured this may be my last time to post since daddy is coming home tomorrow and he kinda likes to do the nerdy stuff like this so I will let him take it over again. Mommy has been busy trying to get things done at the house. I know she painted the ceiling in my room yesterday and today she painted my closet and the downstairs coat closet. I have heard her saying my room is a disaster right now so I am trying to give them a little more time to get it together.

I am up to 4lbs. and 15ozs. today and I am given 42ml each feeding - so of course I am going to put on more weight. Mommy had a rough day yesterday since I was feeling a little fussy and would not really eat on my own. So this morning I heard the neo-natologist talking to mommy about my eating habits and the fact that I get tired and fall asleep during my feeding. He said that I have to eat on my own for 8 straight feedings and if I do 6 in a row and have to be tube fed on the 7th one then the count to eight starts all over. He said that one day, maybe soon, it will just happen but I would still like for you all to keep me, mommy and daddy in your prayers that it will happen soon as I want to be with mommy and daddy all day, every day. Although, mommy was telling me about this stuff called snow the other day. I am not sure what it is but I do know that mommy has been really cold and bundled up when she comes to see me and her hands are freezing cold (which I don't like) especially when she changes my diaper (that wakes me up in a hurry)! Mommy said they had snow the last two days and the wind has been blown real hard, knocking the temperature down to 5F when you factor in the wind chill.

Well, I hope you enjoyed what could be my last posting. I thought I would share some pictures that captured my personality and of course, my favorite activity of the day. I love you all a lot and remember to keep me in your prayers, but most especially mommy and daddy.

:-) Love, Madi

Looking good ...

Madi is doing very well and is now weighing in at a hefty 4lbs. 11ozs.. It seems as though she is gaining about an ounce a day. She is eating more and more on her own, with the nurses trying to bottle feed her as much as possible when I am not there. We decided to bottle feed as much as we can and that should help her cheek muscles get stronger and help her sucking so she won't tire out as easily. Yesterday she did very well, finishing her bottle at the 11am and 2pm feeding but at 5pm the nurse doing her vitals decided to tube feed her since she seemed very sleepy. Well Madi decided to pull the tube completely out of her nose towards the end of the feeding, sending the rest of the milk into her hair and blankets. I think she was annoyed that she didn't get the bottle and decided to show that nurse just how she felt (an "I'll show you" mood). Today at 11am it took her 35 minutes to finish her bottle but when I fed her at 2pm, she was able to get the whole bottle (40ml still) down in 17 minutes. She is smart, she knows the faster she is at eating the more cuddle time she gets. When I talked to the neo- natalogist this morning, he talked about how well she is doing and I said I would like to have her home in the next two weeks and he had said that was a very realistic goal but he could see her coming home sooner. If she keeps eating well, I am thinking maybe even this time next week. Crossing my fingers and toes.

I continue to spend my days at the hospital. I average about 6-7 hours a day and about 21/2 hours of drive time. Needless to say, I am not getting much done at home. I am home no more than 3hours before I go back, and if I run a couple of errands it is even less. Madi wanted to share these two pictures with you. The first one is after she pulled her tube out and it is the first picture that I was able to take with no tube or wires attached to her (although she does still have a heart monitor and respiratory monitor on her chest). The other photo is letting you all know that she has been working so hard, that she has been so tuckered out but she keeps going. Thank you for all the support, well wishes and prayers that you have had for us, we truly do appreciate it.

Check me out!

Madi asked me to take over the posting for today as she is resting up for her big activity tomorrow - eating. Like mother, like daughter! She worked really hard today for all three feedings but just couldn't do it all by herself. For the 8am and 8pm feedings she was only able to get about half (20ml) from me and at the 2pm feeding she was able to get 25ml out of the bottle. She is working really hard and I am very proud of her. Madi's favorite time though is our cuddle time, listening to the cd that John made for me. We both usually fall asleep, or I just sort of doze here and there while she sleeps.

Someone asked us how small do they make scuba gear but with Madi's big feet we probably don't need to worry about fins. I thought she had really cute feet and wanted to share them with you. She has her daddy's moveable toes though.

Not much else to report, other than she is growing and doing well and she continues to work hard at getting home soon. No new news as to when that might be but it would be nice to have her here for her baby shower on the 22nd and also home in time for daddy's 40th birthday on the 25th. Sorry this wasn't as interesting as Madi's postings the past few days but it is late and I am tired. Thank you all for the continued thoughts and prayers for Madi and her progress.

I HAVE MOVED :-)

It is me again, Madi, and I am super tired today so this won't be very long. Mommy was so proud of me today that I just had to tell you all about it. At my 8am feeding this morning I was so hungry and I had such a good nights sleep that I surpassed my feeding goal. They have been giving me 36ml per feeding (8 feedings per day) but I decided that just isn't enough for a growing girl. By the way, I am up to 4lbs. 8ozs. now. So when mommy fed me this morning, I took a little extra. I took 40ml from mommy and I did it all by myself! It made me very tired though, so when mommy tried to give me my milk through the bottle I was only able to drink 25ml on my own and then they gave me the rest through the tube. This afternoon they decided that I was right and needed more, so they have boosted me up to 40ml each feeding. When mommy came back for my 8pm feeding, I was just too tired and I only took 20ml from mommy before

I zonked out on her. But that's okay because my favorite

part of mommy being here is after I eat when we lay down and take a nap together (also called Kangaroo Care, as I lay on top of her and get my skin to skin time) and listen to the cd that daddy made for us. I am usually out like a light until mommy wakes me up to dress me again, and I know mommy has fallen asleep on several occassions. My other big news is that I moved. They took me out of my nice and cozy warm isolette and have put me in a regular crib/bassinet. Don't I look pretty happy in my new bed? But the isolette was nice and quiet and warm. I sure am going to miss it. Well, I need my beauty sleep as I have another big day tomorrow trying to get through my three feedings with mommy. Hope you've enjoyed my update and I think I am going to let mommy take over tomorrow's posting.

WHAT A BIG DAY I HAD!!!!

WOW! What a big day I had today. Mommy is kinda tired so I thought I would take over today's posting for her. Mommy came at 8am for my morning feeding and boy was I happy to see her. I was so hungry that I took 25ml from mommy before I got tired and they gave me the other 11ml through my tube. They keep turning the temperature down in my isolette, so I keep myself all bundled up to stay warm. But I still like the warmth that comes from mommy and daddy when we cuddle up after my feedings. I guess I am just like mommy, fill my belly so I can fall asleep!

I also tried something new today, it was sort of weird but mommy seemed really proud of me so I kept on going. Instead of feeding from mommy and through my tube, I tried this new thing that I think was called a bottle. They gave me all of my 36ml in the bottle but I got tired after 27ml and decided to take a snooze instead of finishing it. Mommy was really happy that I drank out of it. I didn't tell mommy this but I overheard the baby doctor this morning telling mommy that other than getting me to eat all by myself, there is really nothing else keeping me from going home. I think that means that I need to get most if not all of my milk from mommy or that bottle thing. I will try real hard but I sure do get tired easy. It is hard work learning this suck and swallow thing that I have to do. I really want to go home to my own bed and spend lots of cuddle time with mommy and daddy, so I will keep working hard on staying awake and eating for mommy.

Quick Snuggle with Daddy before his trip.

Madi had an awesome day and worked really hard today. Her big job is to practice her feeding with mommy and to plump herself up so she can go home. At her 8am and 2pm feeding, she was able to get about half from mommy before she got tired and fell asleep, and then she opted for the easy way for the other half. By the time the 8pm feeding came around, she was just too tired to get anything at all. So this morning we tried again at 11am and she was just not into it. This evening at 5pm she was able to take 20ml from mommy and then had to supplement the other 16ml through the nose tube. She is getting the hang of it and they boosted up the calorie content when they feed her through the feeding tube in order to plump her up a bit. She is still having an issue keeping herself warm when they turn the temp of the isolette down, so she is wrapped in blankets to help with that as they try and ween her from the isolette. I just think she is like her mommy and enjoys the warmer climates. Definitely a Southern Girl!

Daddy had to go on a two day retreat about two hours away, so he stopped by the hospital on his way out of town to steal a few snuggles from Madi. It was very hard for him to leave his little girl and I imagine he is going through Madi withdrawls as I type this.

I am trying to keep this up while John is gone, as he wants me too so he can see his little girl everyday. I apologize if it is not quite as entertaining as his entries but I will try to make it interesting for you in the next week as well. We are all doing well and Madison makes strides with each passing day!

Check Out My New Duds!

Since our winter weather is upon us and we are trying to ween her from her nice, warm, cozy isolette, we are trying to get her used to wearing clothes to keep herself warm. She seems to be enjoying her new fashion statement and would like for you to see it too.

Although, there is nothing like a little Kangaroo bonding with Daddy!

Monday.....

Today was a good day for our little girl..... She finished her time on the tanning bed and is now back in the normal light. I suppose they were running low on tanning lotion and had to postpone the tanning salon. - Actually, she's doing great and it looks like the light therapy is helping with her juvenile jaundice... so no more lights for now.




Dina spent a bunch of time with her and the two of them worked on normal feeding. It's still very early for Madison to learn how it all works, and actually I think she kind of likes eating the easy way. (The feeding tube pumps it right in... none of that sucking stuff..)

At the 8pm feeding, for the first time, Madison seemed to have some success w/ normal feeding, and then got tired and faded off to sleep.... But, the high point was that she seemed to be getting there.