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.