Papa

Madelynn is slowly beginning to associate the  'words' with meanings.  Currently she says "mama" "dada" "baba" and "papa" for grandpa.  She understands when we ask her certain things.  She knows what feet are.  When asked how old she is she'll raise her index finger.  We are encouraged that her language skills are improving, as Becca told us it would be a while because Madelynn is concentrating on her gross motor skills.  Turns out Madelynn is a multi-tasker!


This is a video of her saying Papa.  She knows that Dave, John, and Rick are grandpa.  It's cute to hear her say Papa when she sees them.

And once again, it's sideways.

Madelynn is Everywhere!

 We packed up all the clothes that are too small for Madelynn.  She is 

trying to get into them, but thankfully, can't figure out the zipper.

Madelynn is helping me fold laundry by pulling all of Jeremy's 

t-shirts on the floor. 

Madelynn pounding on the DVR.

Madelynn getting into the clean laundry basket before

I had a chance to fold it.

She started getting into the kitchen, and I had to block it off with

the coffee table and a chair.  I can't find a gate long enough to keep

her out.

Crawling!

Madelynn Standing Up

Madelynn Amber Is A Year-Old

Our little miracle is a year old!

  Madelynn's Early Intervention therapist came over on her birthday to evaluate, and test her various "skills" to see were she was measuring at. She is right on track for her adjusted age.  She is measuring eight months on everything, but sitting.  She is measuring at six months there.  Madelynn can sit if she leans forward on rests on her hands, but she is still unable to get into a sitting position on her own, and when placed, unable to stay there longer than 20-seconds.  This is an improvement from last month.  She couldn't even do those things.  Becca thinks by our October appointment, Madelynn will be sitting.

  We went to her 12-month Well Baby Check-Up on Friday.  Dr. Zarbock came in and said " Did you ever think we'd get here?"  That just set off the water works.  (I'm a big baby when it comes to my baby).  No was the honest answer, yes was the logical one.
  He said he couldn't believe how well she is doing.  She gained 5 pounds since her 6-month check up.  She weighs 13.1 pounds, and is 27 inches long.  She is on the height chart for the "normal" 12 month-old in her height being in the 4th percentile.  She is doing her own curve for her weight.  The doctor has no doubt she will eventually meet up with the chart lines.
  She got her MMR, and chicken pox shot today.  She was so brave.  She cried for a second, then was over it.  She's been through much more than a random needle poke.  Such a toughie.

At a year Madelynn can:
*Roll
*Scoot (Only if she really wants something).
*Recognize, and get excited about Mom and Dad
*Mimic Mom
*Coos (huge for us because of her vocal cord).
*Eat solids for one meal
*Eat yogurt melts
*Look for toys when they go missing.
*Use a sippy cup on occasion.

Our Journey
 Madelynn at 2 Days Old

Madelynn at 3 Months Old (On Her Due Date)

She Was Supposed to Be A Christmas Baby

Madelynn at Six-Months

Madelynn Finally Off the Oxygen

Madelynn at 9-Months

Madelynn at a year.

At one-year Madelynn does not use oxygen, or have her g-tube in.  She has learned to eat orally, and use her single vocal cord.  She continues to prove there are modern-day miracles, and such a thing as unconditional love.

Madelynn's Experience with Baby Food

Yesterday we gave her baby food for the first time. We introduced her to peaches with some rice cereal.

I think it may be sour to her, but she ate the whole can over two sittings.

We also had her drink from her sippy cup.

She is such an amazing little girl. She has come so far, and continues to improve everyday.

It's Gone!

The gastronomy tube button was taken out on Wednesday afternoon. After 4 months and 15 days Maddie no longer has anything protruding from her tummy.
The doctor said it will take about two weeks to heal. We need to keep her dressing dry, and watch for infection.
Right now it just leaks about an hour after every feeding, but the hole itself is looking good.

Independence

Madelynn can hold her own bottle now. A big plus when we are running late in the morning, and she's hungry. She can eat in the car.

Her eyes are shut because of the flash.

Introducing Solids: Rice Cereal

Our early intervention therapist, Becca, said it was okay to start introducing Madelynn to solid foods since she is 5-months old adjusted age.  She said to put it on a toy Madelynn likes to chew on so she will not get startled as she might by being introduced to a spoon and cereal at the same time.  We dipped her favorite ring in the cereal, and let her have at it.  She seemed to like it. 

 She was covered in it when it was all over. 

 I think it was a success though.  At her 9-Month check-up on July 2nd we will ask the doctor about introducing her to more foods.

Madelynn Rolls (One Way)

Madelynn is doing so well at hitting her adjusted age milestones. (While technically she is 8 months old, you can only expect her to be able to do 5 month-old things because of her prematurity.)
She can:
*Do raspberries
*Grasp objects
*Turn toward voices
*Keep her head steady while on her tummy.
*Scoot
*Smile spontaneously, and react to your smile.
*Make vowel shapes (the noises are not there yet because of the vocal cord)
* Roll from tummy to back: Yesterday while visiting Grandparents Hurst, Madelynn decided she would start rolling from her tummy to her back. I had left the camera at home, and was unable to capture the first time on film.

This morning we were doing tummy time and she did it again! This time I was ready with the camera.

This video is of her holding her head, demonstrating her neck strength.

Here is the roll! The camera work is unsteady because I was watching her and not the screen. Sorry!

6-Month Check Up

Madelynn at six months.

Maddie saw Dr. Zarbock on Friday for her well baby check up.
Developmentally she is on track for her adjusted age of three months.
Physically not so much. She is well below the 5 percentile for a three month old.
She is 8 pounds 13 ounces, and 20 1/2 inches long.

Dr. Zarbock has discontinued all her medications, which is exciting because it shows Maddie is growing well, and we don't have to get up at all hours of the night to administer her calcium. She does not have acid-reflux anymore, and handles her oral feeds really well.

Her gastronomy tube site looks really good. She does not have any granulated tissue. The site looks as though it has healed. It is almost time to change out the button. Scary!! It is a lot different changing a button on a stiraf0am baby than on your own child who likes to kick you in the face during a dressing change.

He increased her feedings from 64 mLs to 74 mLs. She drinks, on average, 35-50 mLs orally. The early intervention specialist, Becca (who is amazing!!) thinks Madelynn will be off her gastronomy tube in the next four months or so.

The doctor is a little worried about the right side of her head. He thinks if we can't get her head round by rotating her she may need a helmet. She's been on her right side so much because of her left vocal cord paralysis. If she spits up while on her left side she cannot protect her airway. We have to prop her up then put her on the left side.


At six months Madelynn likes:
*Music
*Playing patty-cake (which is really just us tapping our hands to her)
*The Frog Song
*Getting a bath
*Being Naked
* Watching the Backyardigans
*Looking out the window
*Being on the floor on her back

She dislikes:
*Having her diaper put on
*Her dressing changes
*Wearing clothes
*Being on her tummy for too long
*Sleeping on her left side

She can:
*Recognize Mom and Dad
*Recognize our voices
*Smile
* Coo and laugh (it would be audible if she had two working vocal cords)
*Bear weight on her legs for short periods of time
*Hold her head up
*Track objects
*Play with her hands
*Suck her thumb
*Roll from her back to one side

Madelynn's favorite place to sleep.

6 Months!

It's hard to believe our little girl is six months old. She has her check-up and immunizations on Friday. I will be sure and give a report on what the doctor says.

Yesterday we brought Maddie to Grandpa Rick and Grandma Myker's house for a family Irish dinner. It was the first time she met her great-grandparents Hurst, Great-Grandpa Broadhead, Aunt Linda, Uncle Brett, and two of the three Hurst cousins.

We only got a couple of pictures.

Grandma Hurst and Maddie

Aunt Linda and Maddie

Everyone enjoyed getting to meet the newest addition to the family. Thank you Aunt Linda, and Grandpa Mike for the shoes and toys. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Hurst for the gift, we will get Maddie something awesome.

Our Journey with IMC NICU

We got our CD in the mail the other day of all the pictures of Maddie the NICU nurses, and the Common Bonds volunteers took of her throughout her 16 week stay with them:


When she was a day old.


Her first feeding.


Transferring to Primary for her ligation. Our primaries Laura (in the bright blue), and Amy (in the print) telling Jeremy everything will be okay, and they hope she will come back to IMC.


Back at IMC. Being social.


The first time she was held.


Her First Halloween


Two Months Old


Her First Outfit


Her First Christmas

Her Last Days There