Christmas Time is Here Again

'tis the Christmas season once again! Merry Christmas to all! Just in case I don't get to see you in person before the big day.

I have been Christmas shopping for a few weeks and still seem to have so much more to get. Most of my shopping has been for Madelyn as this is the first year that I am doing the shopping for both sets of grandparents. It's fun but difficult at the same time.

We are in the midst of Christmas celebrations with banquets and parties, and to top it all off Madelyn has come down with a terrible cold, and bilateral ear infection. The medication that she takes for her ears tastes terrible. And we struggle giving it to her as she fights it and we have tried hiding it in everything we can think of. The problem is that she has no desire to eat or drink anything. I hope that the illness has pecked and that she will be on the mend for Saturdays bowling with Santa party.

From our home to yours have a very blessed Christmas time!

Ice Skates

We just got back from taking Madelyn ice skating. Carl grew up on the ice and is a very skilled skater. I on the other hand grew up skating on an outdoor ice rink a mile from our house, with no lessons other that what my father taught me. We had been talking about getting her on the ice for about a month and just never got around to it until today. Madelyn loved it! She loved the skates and took to them like any other pair of shoes. We all know that Madelyn LOVES shoes. On the ice she was willing to be pushed, pulled, and carried. She loved when Carl would carry her and skate around the ice, she wanted him to go faster and could not figure out why I was always lagging behind. I am very sorry I didn't get to take any pictures, but I was too busy trying not to fall down. It has been at least seven years since I have skated, maybe even more.

The best thing about the evening was that I was inspired. Madelyn who had never really seen ice skates before had no problem putting them on and was ready to go. She embraced the expirience with out any fear. She had no reservations that she might fall down or get hurt. The only time she complained was when it was time to go home, because she wasn't really ready yet.

This type of attitude inspires me to take in life and enjoy it. Not only the familiar things that I love but maybe to try a few things that I have not tried or tried for a while. Embrace life with a little more zeal. Who know that putting a two year in a pair of skates would do that.

Hearing Test

Madelyn had her hearing tested today at the local hospital. She did amazingly well. She was quiet, sat still when needed, and co-operated with the technician. Plus her hearing is well within the normal range. We will continue with annual hearing tests to make sure she doesn't have any gradual hearing loss. All babies that have spent many weeks in the NICU, plus on very strong antibiotics need to have their hearing checked. Plus CDH babies have a higher risk of loosing their hearing as they grow older. I was not really concerned at this time because Madelyn is always asking be about sounds around the house or when we are out and about. She will say, "What's that sound Mommy?" I have to stop and think because I can't hear anything, but usually it's a car coming down the road, or the cat purring on the chair, or even the fridge motor running in the kitchen. We continue to pray that her hearing stays sharp.

Remember When.....

Madelyn had a visit with Dr. S. the opthemologist at the Children's Hospital yesturday. All is well with her eye sight which is great news. While we waited for the eye drops to dialate the pupils we had some time to waste. I decided to take the elevator up a few floors to visit the NICU. I dropped of an update letter and picture for the bulletin board, and Madelyn got to be cute as a button to the NICU nurse that was part of the transport team from Women's to Children's. It was fun to show her off and say that all was well with her development and that she was so fun. We also go to see the Respiratory Therapist, John, whom I greatly respect for all his knowledge and understanding about CDH and the Jet Ventilator. Together they gave Madelyn great care and I think of them as my heros.

Halloween

As I don't have strong feelings either way about Halloween, and we had a free lady bug outfit to wear from my nieces, we got dressed up and went out to collect a few treats. Besides how can you not join in the fun with Princess Lauren and the protector Friendly Gost Robyn. Lots of fun was had by all.

2 year check-up

This is Dr. C, Madelyn's padiatrician. I have depended on him greatly in the last two years and as he is retiring, I will miss him so much. Madelyn was in great spirits at her two year check up. No tears, only giggles and a little shyness. Madelyn is now 36 inches tall and weighs 26 lbs. She is really doing well on her curve. Dr. C and I reminisced for a few minutes at how difficult she was to feed and how she just missed getting the feeding tube. That all feels like such a long time ago yet when I think about it I can still feel the stress.

All in all, Madelyn is developing normally and is a typical two year-old. Prais the Lord!

September Long Weekend

We spent the weekend at the cabin near Clear Lake. It was really nice to be there during the off season as the streets are nearly empty and the best part was that Madelyn didn't have a cold, cough, fever or runny nose during the whole time away. That has never yet happened. Whenever we plan any get away she ususally is sick when we leave or develops something during our time away. It was wonderful!

Madelyn got to play at the playground alot, she loves to run, and run, and then run some more. We had great weather too.

At the end of the boardwalk at the marina is always a puddle. And Madelyn will always splash in it. This time I was smart and got her to wear her rubber boats before we left for our walk.

2 year pics

Just got a sample to the new pictures taken my a very talented local photographer. I'm so excited to share them. www.atreetocallhome.blogspot.com

Madelyn's 2nd Birthday Party!

Madelyn's Birthday was a bunch of fun again this year. We kept the crowd alot smaller this year. We gave her a Little People house. As as you can see it was a hit. As parents it's fun to see your baby turn two. It seem just moments ago we were praying our hearts out to God to allow Madelyn to survive, and now she is playing, happy, full of joy and brings so much laughter to our home.

Madelyn loves ice cream. We go through many tubs at our house. So I thought we should have an ice cream theme for her party. I made three flavours of homemade ice cream. Had a custom t-shirt ordered for Madelyn to wear with an ice cream cone on it. And I made an ice cream cone cake. (I have to say that I was very proud of how it turned out.)

Here Madelyn is making wish! She did a really great job blowing out the candles. She liked it so much she wanted to do it again. And so we did. Hey, what the birthday girl wants the birthday girl should get.

Madelyn had a great time unwrapping her gifts. Thanks, everyone!

The Morden Corn and Apple Festival was the same weekend as Madelyn's birthday. So we had a very fun-filled weekend. Madelyn thinks it was all because she was turning two.

Almost two and doing great!

Yes it has been six months since we have posted something. My excuse is that Madelyn has been doing so well we have just been caught up great weather and having a Spring/Summer full of fun activites and holidays. Madelyn likes to go "bye, bye" and so we have been doing that alot.

From swim lessons at the local pool, to the splash park in the next town, to play dates at the park, bike rides, and lots of ice cream stops.

Here Madelyn is having boat ride on Clear Lake. She really does like boating, Uncle Scott would be proud.

We explored many far away lands. Well at least three hours away. Madelyn didn't remember our vacation last year at Clear Lake so everything was new again this year. Carl's family has vacationed there since the 80's and so has mine so it's a bit of a tradition that we go and I love making new memories in a place that has so many old ones for me.

We enjoyed many walks on the beach and watching the sun sink into the lake. We had great weather and the water was nice. Madelyn really enjoys the beach. I couldn't resist sharing this picture with you as it captures so much of what Madelyn is. Beautiful, energetic, living in the moment, and enjoying it to the fullest.

It has been a great summer watching Madelyn take it all in. I can only imagine what Fall and Winter have in store for us. She is growing and changing so much lately. Shoes are getting too small, pants are too short. She can reach things that were out of reach before. She can say things that just surprise me all the time. My favorite right now was when we were having a popsicle outside and a fly wanted in on the yummy goodness. She swatted her hand and shouted "shoo fly"! Gotta love when the personallity shines through.

The two year check up is coming in a few weeks. I promise a more timely post.

18 months old!

Can you believe it. Madelyn is now 18 months old. I can hardly believe how much she has grown in the past six months.

Madelyn had a pediatrician appointment the day after she officially turned 18 months old. Dr. Carson is the best. Madelyn of course is afraid of all strangers now and cried bloody murder. But Dr. C. has almost 35 years of peds experience and this did not phase him any.

Mady is now 32" long, and weighs 23 pounds. She is slowing down in the hieght range at the 50th percentile, but she is very strong in the weight curve and steady at the 25th percentile. Praise the Lord! We have worked so hard at feedings, and encouraged fun eating. She still favors breads, pastas, and fruit. But I am just so happy when she gives me the "sign" for eat, and when she says yum after every bite.

As I mentioned before, Madelyn is doing baby signing. It took a while for her to catch on. I thought that it would never happen. I felt a little silly make crazy actions for objects and actions, but my efforts have paid off. The first sign she figured out was diaper. Which is really nice because she sometimes tells me when she wants her diaper changed. Now she is signing everything, from different food, to toys, objects we see when we are out. She is catching on to words with the signs too and I am thinking that she will be stringing words together soon.

I am so pleased, I feel that Madelyn is almost just like any other toddler around. I love getting to see more of Madelyn's personality. She is so funny, strong willed, and very determined. That I guess is what makes her a survivor of CDH. God is good!

Kitty? What Kitty? I don't see any kitty cat?

Madelyn and Puzzle the cat have bonded well over the past few months. Really I think the poor cat is so baddly wanting attention that she doesn't care what kind it is. Puzzle usually lets Madelyn abuse her a little and then retreats to a corner far away.

Madelyn really LOVES her cat. This is her "hugging" Puzzle.

Snow Play

Snow arrived in southern Manitoba on December 1st. Just in time for the Christmas season. Being the excellent parent I am; I decided to get Madelyn dressed in her snow outfit and we would explore the new white blanket on the lawn outside.





Madelyn was hesitent to crawl out the door. It has been a while since I had opened the door and said, " Out you go." She also had difficulty moving wih all the outerwear on.




I thought a ride on the sled would be fun. Madelyn wasn't really that sold on the idea. Once again I think the clothing was holding her back as she wasn't even able to move any limbs or even really turn her head. I guess I'm a little over protective.

Madelyn let me know that it was time to go back inside. I guess that was the "princess" in her that was tired of having her face wrapped in a scarf. We have been out since and she has had a much better time.

Feeding Update

I have not posted on Madelyn's feeding for a while. As you can see from the above picture, Madelyn really enjoys mealtimes now. She has also moved to a sippy cup since November, and only has a four oz bottle in the morning after she wakes up and after her nap. I don't know how to get rid of these two bottle times. So if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Madelyn's Favorite Foods:

• Macaroni and Cheese (kd)
• Spegetti and tomato sauce
• Any form of pasta
• Cheese - almost any kind
• Bread
• Crackers (ka-ka)
• Chicken noodle soup - home made of course
• Grapes
• Melon
• Orange segments

Christmas Pictures

We had an action packed Christmas week. We were able to keep the 25th free for ourselves as our own family unit. It was a good thing too because southern Manitoba was hit with a huge snow storm. We almost didn't make it to Grandma and Grandpa's on the 26th.

Madelyn giving her new "kitty" a kiss. So adorable.

Madelyn loved unwrapping, it didn't matter what was inside.

Madelyn even wanted to help everyone else unwrap their gifts.

Just can't resist this one. Notice how Madelyn looks more like me and not Carl anymore. Yeah!

Ready, Set, Go .... And we are off to the races.

Madelyn started walking a few steps at a time in mid November. But she really took off on December 14th. She had an appointment with the physiotherapist and she was just evaluating her on a chart, and stated that as she was stepping, but not yet walking. Madelyn was about 5 -

6 weeks behind. (no kidding, maybe five weeks in hospital and having major surgery does hold you back.) Madelyn must have not liked what she heard, because as we left she grabbed my hand and walked out of the office and hasn't stopped walking.

For the first weeks she was always walking with her hands up in the air. I think she was trying to be prepared for any falls, either that or she was being carismatic, and praising God for the ability to walk. Hmmm, maybe both.

Needless to say my life has become even more busy. Some days I wonder how I will get anything done. But then I think back to this,

and then I just sit back and ponder all the joy that she has brought to our lives and how much more we have yet to see.