Madelynn's Laughing

Maddie has found her tiny voice, and started laughing with it.

Easter Weekend

We spent Saturday evening with the Hurst side of the family.

We decorated eggs, and cookies.


Madelynn wore her pretty Easter dress Grandma Myker got her. She is such a doll.



Sunday was spent going to breakfast with Aunt Brandi, and hanging out with Grandpa Bowden. I didn't get may pictures today. Just ones of her in her cute tunic.

Just A Cute Picture

Fresh out of the bath

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 Cutie Patootie

Snuggled in the blanket her great-grandma Anderson made her. It is very special to me.

She looks like a glo-worm.

Just a random cute picture.

Hanging with Aunt Elly

I have to say I have an amazing sister-in-law. She was so diligent in coming to the classes to learn all the procedures to care for Madelynn. She came to the hospital to see what the bedside nurses were doing with her. She researched everything from how to introduce a new baby into the home, to how to help preemies with their development. I have the utmost faith in her, and her abilities to tend Maddie while Jeremy and I work.

Yesterday was the first day of watching Maddie, and everything went very smoothly.

The Ride Doesn't End Just Because We're Out of the NICU

Madelynn has been making gurgling noises when she sleeps, and has had a rapid respiratory rate. We took her to the pediatrician yesterday. The doctor was concerned Madelynn may have RSV, even though she has received the vaccine. If Madelynn did not have RSV, she may have another virus. The doctor told us to head over to Primary and to not be surprised if they have to admit her again.

The emergency room doctor was concerned, and sent for tests. After four hours in the ER the RSV came back negative, but Maddie was diagnosed with URI. We have to return to the pediatrician this morning to have Madelynn looked at again.

The NICU roller coaster doesn't end just because we are not there anymore. Madelynn is a former micro-preemie who still needs extreme caution when dealing with even the most minor of aliments, and there is always the threat hanging over us that she may have to be admitted back to the hospital at any time.

Just For Fun

I don't think this is right. She looks like a little Hurst more than a Bowden...except for those ears! We did buy her a onsie that says 50% Mom 50% Dad 100% perfect.

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Family tree form - Pedigree chart

Sunday Night, Family Night

Growing up the Bowden side of the family got together every Sunday for dinner at the grandparents' house. It was very special that our families made an effort to be together once a week. It laid the foundations for cherished relationships we now have as adults.
Keeping with the idea (minus the grandparents), my brother's family came over for popcorn and pizza. We want Madelynn to get used to them while we are around so when it comes times to leave her with Aunt Elly during the day all parties are comfortable. It has also been a while since we've seen Matthew. He is the cutest little chunk. He has learned to shake his head "no", point, crawl, stand up and walk along the furniture, and wave hello and goodbye. Elly really spends her days teaching him new things, and helping him develop. I am so grateful Maddie will be with her.

Some pictures from tonight:

Meeting for the first time.

Holding hands.

Hard to believe they are only four months apart!

Too cute.

Matthew waving.