December 17 Update

Hey all! Maddie has been home for 3 1/2 days now and all is well for the most part. Daddy and Mommy are trying to get on her schedule as she is determined to continue to want to snack every hour or so. Mommy and Daddy are trying to be stringent and make sure she is feeding every 3 hours, but Maddie seems to counter with taking a half a bottle and then falling asleep. After scratching her head, rubbing her chin, and moving the bottle around in her mouth she occasionally will finish the bottle but it takes her an average of 45-50 mins to complete the process.

Sometimes she will surprise us and take more than her minimum. And so it seems to average out. Daddy and Mommy think she is just a prankster and is trying to play jokes on us. Anyway we are happy to have her home, even though she is keeping us on our toes.

We hope all of you enjoy the new pictures we posted. These were taken as she was being discharged. We will continue to try to post every few days or so, so those of you that have been following the blog will be able to keep up on how she is doing.

December 14th Update

Madison was discharged today from the NICU! She ate good through the night, but didn't gain as much weight as they would have liked so she had to stay for another couple of feedings and then weigh in again, now weighing 5 lbs 10.8 ounces, we finally got the green light to go home!! We were so thrilled. We felt like little kids on Christmas day-so much excitement. Daddy brought his video camera and recorded the whole event of Maddie leaving the hospital, getting into the car and being brought across the thresh hold of her new home. We couldn't stop watching her sleep when we brought her to her new bed. And,we practically drew straws to see who would get to feed her first. We knew the straw game would probably not be so appealing when the middle of the night came though. However, we were so thrilled our sweet daughter was finally home!

Now that the NICU journey has come to an end we will probably drop the entries to bi-weekly so that family and friends can still get an update on how sweet Maddie is doing. We will notify everyone when we choose a calendar date her baby blessing.

If you'd like to check out some pictures that were taken of Maddie with Mommy & Daddy at the hospital yesterday view the following website:
http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=42459e4b-e92d-4541-a33c-69ae8342b74d
password: 727301345630241

December 13th Update

Maddie is coming home! We get to bring our little bundle of joy home either tomorrow or Wednesday. We find out tomorrow morning! We are so excited we can hardly stand it. She's been off the feeding tube for 48 hours now and although her feedings are still slightly slow and sluggish, the doctor may release her tomorrow. We know it'll be a lot of work but we have been waiting for this day for a long time and we are up for the challenge and are so grateful for the opportunity and the sweet blessing.
Our hearts are full of gratitude at this time to so many who have given us support, encouragement and love during Maddie's journey. We are so blessed with so many wonderful friends and family. We will keep you posted as we learn more.

December 12th Update

Madison is such a sweetie. Daddy fed his sweet baby girl tonight. He's the "finisher"-kinda like in baseball. Mommy starts the feeding, and then when Maddie starts to fall asleep, daddy comes in and finishes it off. It works like a charm; however, it's not an ideal set up for the middle of the night feedings. Mommy and the nurses had fun dressing cute princess Madison up in fun Christmas outfits and taking a couple fun pictures tonight while her bottle was warming. Daddy thinks she'll love Mommy for those pictures when she's older.
This morning Madison's feeding tube was taken out. She has taken the bottle for 24 hours and she has gained more weight. She is now at 5 lbs 8.3 ounces. Maddie tuckered out again this evening with one of her feedings. Her nurse was threatening the tube again,but said she'd wait a couple more feedings to see how she does. We hate the thought of her having that tube being put in again, but we want to make sure she is eating. She's definitely gaining weight. So she seems to be doing good. Hopefully, a little more rest will give her the stamina she needs to finish her next bottle. Tomorrow Madison is at her 37 week mark. This is a common point that baby's seem to be stronger and get to go home. We are hoping that is the case for Maddie. We are anxious to have our sweet baby home.