A mother's tribute

Madden,
I just wanted to let you know how much we love you and cherish every moment we spend together.
This has been one of the best years of my life. We have had some tough times but we pulled through - nothing we cant handle. I have never met happier baby. you have been such a joy and even when I thought I might be doing the "parenting thing" wrong, you would give me a big ole smile and it would just make everything so much better.
And dont get me started on your giggle - it is the best thing to wake up to and the best medicine God has ever prescribed. You are truly our gift from heaven.
You are growing up to be such an enthusiastic, fun filled, life-loving little boy.

Your first year has been exceptional and I would not trade one minute for anything!
And guess what, we got through this together; you, me, daddy and patch - we did it! We all survived our first year-as baby and as parents. Thank you so much for being our precious little boy - we love you so much!
mom and dad

Madden 's first year!

Ok, so the time has come, our baby has made it through his first year - Yeah!
I am sad and happy at the same time. I remember this time last year - my plan was to clean house and rest all weekend - he had other plans. When he decided to greet us on October 31st, 2008 at 11:07 PM we had no idea what was in store.
Between the bed rest due to toxemia and his little stomach troubles - who knew it would be the start of an interesting year.
After myself and he got over that first hump (settled with formula and discovered he had acid reflux) we started daycare and the rest of our bouts with sickness. Oh, and the first week of daycare was when Adam and my dad went out of town for the snow storm - remember - we stayed with momma for two and half weeks. Oh, and there was a wedding and my sister (his godmother) and uncle moved to California.
So, our first one was Croup - scary. Then eczema (which I thought was poison ivy). Then the plague (stomach virus). Scary day, he took a 3 hr nap (i knew something was not right, he never slept that much) and then vomited all over me - I did what any normal parent would do - I call my mommy and husband and said whoever can get here faster will come with us to the doc - mom made it, we went and were admitted to the hospital (first trip). Oh, and this was the week after Madden's first trip to New Orleans for his cousins wedding.
So Madden only spent one night and when we got home it hit the rest of us...I wont go into details but this thing knocked out about 7 adults!
Then we run into sinus problems and are at the doc office at least 2-4 times a month for that; along with ear infections. But, almost exactly a month later he started wheezing and was put on breathing treatments - after a visit at Adam's grandmothers and a trip to the mall (in which I got vomited all over - oh, the joys of motherhood - he started sounding worse and we ended up at the emergency room. This was the second trip and we were there a week for wheezing. Oh, he knocked out my mom so she was no help and Adam was not there because it decided to rain all week and he was on call - what a way to test a mom. But with the help of family we got through it!
so some more sinus and ear infections - which lasted into the summer and led to getting tubes.
I am sure there is more but just cant remember. We also took our first family vacation - a 16hr drive to DISNEY and had a blast. until, we came home and adam and I got a parasite infection (knocked my mom again-sorry.) thank goodness nat and kyle were home by then and could help!
Then came another stomach virus for Madden (lasted about 7days)Into fall we have more sinus, allergies and wheezing - of course. Thank goodness the sounds of the breathing machine is soothing, ahh.
Well guys, we made it. Madden turned one and was not sick for his birthday party (i was fearing knowing our background) He had so much fun it was ridiculous!
Thanks to everyone who got to share this year with us - it was truly wonderful!

Madden One year and Family Pics..

My cousin took our pictures - she is amazing. Check her out at www.stefaniecasciophotography.com

If you want to look at ours...go to client proof - password: madden

ENJOY!

October...

Not looking much better. Started out with Stomatitis, then a horrible stomach virus and not a really bad cough (going to doc today). Oh, this is all Madden - one right after the other - poor thing. I think we will get him a medal for surviving his first year!
There are so many fun activities this month - I hope we get to make them all - and the best/saddest activity is our little one's first birthday...Yeah and boo at the same time. He is doing so much. Walking all over the place, clapping, catching and bouncing balls, making faces at you when you make them at him, and so much more. Can I just video his entire life?
Ok, enough of me whining about him growing up. It has been a blessing, each and every day and we look forward to more and more!

September...

So far, way better than August. Oh, did I mention we are fixing to build a house! There was some craziness with that but it fell into August - I think next year we will just skip that month!
Right now we are: planning a birthday party, trying to stay well (not get the infamous Swine Flu, and loving every minute of our life!

Thanks for all the prayers while we were sick!

August..

So, we return from Disney and this is what happens. Adam and I got a parasite infection (cryptosporidium). NOT FUN! He then spent the next two weeks in Beaumont, TX while recovering. Thank goodness I had mom to help me with Madden. Oh wait. She got sick after a few days and was out of commission. After a few tests we found out what it was and was given medicine and realized it is spread through toilets and water parks...hmmm - oh, and bleach could not kill. What the HECK.
I spent 3 weeks recovering and praying that Madden did not get it. so, when Adam got home and normalcy was approaching, we were called to pick up Madden from Daycare with fever (strange). Ear infection!! Oh, and the first medicine did not work so we had to switch - yeah!

9 MONTHS..

As of now...Madden has 2 bottom teeth (more coming in). He can pull up and walk along the couch and other things. He loves the walker at Nana's house. He started eating finger foods...well, until they end up on the back of his hand and he forgets about it. he says da-dee and mo-ma or what we interpret as them. He loves clapping and playing peek a boo. loves snuggling with stuffed toys, pillows and blankets - and PATCH.

Family Vacation

We did it! A 12 hour drive, a week away from normalcy, Disney World (well, Magic Kingdom) someone else's home, two twin beds pushed together, and much more!
Spending time with some much needed people - it was great.

TuBeS

Madden had his tubes put in yesterday (monday July 20th). He did amazing!
He had a series of infections and then did not have any for a few weeks and then a really bad one last week. That was the deciding factor. After surgery the doc consulted with us and said he had a little scaring which meant if we had waited a year or so - he would have started loosing his hearing. Also, that there was still fluid (after being on antibiotics for a week!) This was all confirmation that we made the right choice!
Now we can enjoy our vacation with (almost) no worries!!
love yall
Em

8 months already...

I can not believe how fast he is growing up. I love watching him change and experience new things - it is awesome! He started crawling around the beginning of June and towards the middle of June started pulling up. Last weekend we noticed his first little tooth.
Adam had his first father's day - and was sick - Poor thing.
My job is still kinda up in the air - just waiting on God to let me know what he wants.
That's all for now - love yall!

New Pics by Natalie Meyers at Timeless Treasures

7 months....

Already! Well, to my suprise, I walked in Saturday monring to find Mr. Madden Standing up bouncing in his bed..."time to lower the mattress."
So we did and not sure how he likes it - owell.

Aunt Natalie is now working at a photography studio and we did some shots of Madden - he is such a ham (he he)

Finally met Aunt Amanda and the girls! They came by Friday afternoon and played. Too bad they have to leave so soon.

June..

I cant believe Madden is 7 months old...AAhhh! the pics below are him (on the porch) enjoying his first swimming experience. The pict above is last weekend when I was trying to do some spring cleaning, Madden was semi fussy (like usual b/c he is teething like crazy) I gave him a book and the rest is history. He loves ready....well, turning the pages; singing, and talking. I think he is telling us what to do or talking behind our backs but, for now, its too cute. He is always happy (excepts certain times when I guess he just cant take the itching and gnawing sensation them stubborn teeth give him.

Pool Time!

White Count update...

Just wanted to let everyone know the white counts are down to normal!!
We went Friday for the recheck and we were so pleased to find out - so happy i could cry.
Thanks to everyone for the prayers - God is AWESOME!

Need your prayers

Madden's teacher at daycare (which I absolutely love) just found out she has leukemia - the fast growing kind. She is now at the lake receiving intensive chemo for 30 straight days. Please keep her in your prayers. She has had two family members pass from this and the doctors say her prognosis does not look good. But what do they know - they are not in control here-GOD IS!

Good news..

Madden's blood cultures came back negative for bacteria - that's great!
So we go back Friday (tomorrow) for a follow up blood work to check to make sure the white count is down - and for 6 month shots!
They grow up way too fast :(

Here we go again

So, we went to the doc Tuesday b/c of what I thought was an ear infection. To our surprise - it was not. After several blood work and cultures they figured it was bacteremia - an infection in the blood. They sent the cultures to a specialist and we will find out next week what the bacteria is and exactly what we are in for. He is on antibiotics and is acting more like himself - thank goodness!!
One day I will post something that does not involve madden being sick!!
love yall

Madden's First Easter

 

Madden update!

Ok, I am sure most of you know, but just in case you dont; we got home Saturday from a luxurious (not really) getaway at the 5 start resort OLOL. Madden started two weeks ago with a bad cough....doc started him on breathing treatments when needed but saturday night they got severely worse. We took him to the ER (after calling the after hrs nurse) Sunday night and he was admited and we spent 7 wonder (sarcastic) days in the hospital.
He was put on Oxygen (was taken out tuesday) and given breathing treatments. He was tested for pertussis and RSV - He eneded up having Bronchiolitis - just as common as a cold but can get bad if not caught early.
We had a wonderful group of nurses (give or take one or two) and all in all our stay was pretty smooth. Other than one incedent where the lab tech grabbed us up and when we got down to the xray room she realized she grabbed the wrong kid - Madden was screaming and I was pissed - Oh, and this was the day I was by myself!
I just want to thank all our family who helped out - yall are awesome!
So we are now home (still contagious till the end of the week and only to babies) and he is talking up a storm like nothing ever happened - or maybe he is telling all his toys about his interesting expereience.
Either way...it is so rewarding; especially when you are exhausted!
Love yall
Em

Long time no Post....

Sorry- I know its been a while. We have been quite busy. Lets see, Madden's first week of daycare - he was sick! With the croup aka "daycare cough." UGH!
Then after that he had pink eye, then he was good for the first week of February; which was good because we went to New Orleans for a wedding. He did fabulous on his first trip to the big easy!
The following week was not so easy. Thursday I thought he was coming down with pink eye again so I stayed home with him. He slept all day (not like him at all) and early afternoon he started throwing up. I remember at our first doc apt the doc said to call if he ever thew up (dehydration) - I asked "how would I know?" and he said, "youll know." I hated that answer. Well, I definitely knew! He did it 3 times in 1 hour. I called the nurse, mom and adam - crying! mom got to the house first and we went to the doc. She was going to send him home because he only had a low grade fever, i reminder her of the tylenol i gave him just a few hours before so his temp could have been higher. She insisted on bloodwork and thank goodness. It was sky high (thank goodness i thought that it was not too low).
She said she had to admit us to the hospital - which was fine with me. Anyway, to make a long story short. After getting the IV started, we all went to sleep and the next morning he was much better and we went home (friday) Saturday, me, mom and dad started feeling sick. I aske adam to call his dad to come get Madden. Thank goodness because adam started that night. We were sick all weekend and went to get him Monday. Monday night Paul called and said he had it - oh no!

Last weekend he started with a cough - brought him in and it was just a cold. I brought him back yesterday b/c the cough was not getting better. He has a sinus and eye infection - goodness gracious!!
Can you see why I have not posted lately - craziness!!
love yall
Em

Daycare...

So, Madden's first day of daycare was Monday. I did not even make it out the drive way before I started balling my eyes out. I blame the radio. A song came on that I last heard at natalie and kyle's wedding - which made me miss them. Then it said "feel the touch of a precious child - Madden and "a mother's love - me. So needless to say I was not off to a good start. So, I bring him in, fill out the paperwork and fill them in on his tips and schedules - which takes about an hour. Then get home and walk to mom's. Thank goodness this place has video monitoring system - me and mom watched him for about an hour. Then I went home and watched for another hour. I cant explain it but I just could not move from that computer. Ok, then I put myself together and got to work cleaning house. Put on the country music and went to town - an hour or so into it a song came on "dont blink" which talks about kids growing up to fast and life passing you by - I lost it again. Poor patch did not know what to do!
But after that I was ok - I think I ran out of tears - if that is possible. I finished cleaning and it was 3ish and time to get Madden - YEAH!
So after I got him i went to granny's where momma was and just sat there letting her hold him. I felt like I let him down - like I was a bad mom for abandoning him all day. I can not explain completely but I did not want to be alone with him....we went home and fed him and then back to nana's for dinner. It got better after a while and after he laughed a little.
It has almost been a full week and he has gotton great reports everyday......I guess he is doing better than me with this whole daycare thing - I like to call it "school"
For some reason, doesnt sound so scary. Well, that's all for now - until a new milestone occurs - CHOW
Em