Madeline's procedure

Madeline was born with both eyes having clogged tear ducts. Her left eye cleared up after about 4 months and we were hoping her right eye would as well. Unfortunately it didn't clear. So after a visit to the pediatric opthamologist, it was determined the duct needed to be unclogged. This would involve a hospital trip and anesthesia. Our suregeon was great. He has performed many of these procedures. I was most worried about the anesthesia. I get nervous when the dog is put under for teeth cleaning, much less my 16 month old baby. The day arrived and we headed off very early to Childrens.

Here we are in the waiting area. We had to be there early so there was a lot of entertaining to do.

She looked so tiny in her hospital gown. It was weird to see it on a little person.

Everything went very smoothly. I was allowed to go back with Madeline when she was put under the anesthesia. I think the hardest part was when she was brought back to us. We weren't there when she came out from under the gas and she was almost hysterical when she made it back to us. I think waking up in a strange place feeling groggy and disoriented from the gas and only seeing strangers was too much for her. Once she saw Mark and me, she calmed down a little bit. She still had the IV in and a little brace on her arm to keep her from tearing it out. That was also upsetting to her. She was able to eat and drink and we were allowed to go home. We all rested that day. Her eye has been looking great so I think the surgery was a success! Thanks be to God! I don't have any pictures after the surgery. My arms were too full of baby that needed soothing. But she is back in action now!

Cheerios

Just some cute pictures of Madeline with Cheerios.
A mouthful....

Maarten is hoping a few will be tossed her way. And most likely there were!

September 11- Honoring First Responders

On the 10th anniversary of September 11, our church honored First Responders. Mark and I were not involved when 9/11/2001 occurred, nor was he a police officer at the time. We were talking about Sept 11 and I said it was weird for me to think that he would be running into danger to help, not away from it in situations like this. His response was "It's what we do." And that perfectly sums up the mindset of first responders. I am so thankful for the people who come to our rescue when we need it. Like others, I don't enjoy getting tickets (which my husband makes me pay and won't fix for me) but that is just a small part of their jobs. Mark and our head pastor, Dr. Lane Alderman
Mark with his parents and in-laws

A cake at the reception. Mark took the rest back to the police department and it was demolished quickly.
First responders at worship: Andrew (fire fighter), Krissie (firefighter and EMT), Mark (police and SWAT Team) and Bracken (police and SWAT Team)

First Day

September 8 was Madeline's first day of Mothers Morning Out. I could only bear to have her go one day a week, mostly for socialization. She didn't bat an eye and got a great report. She did better than me! She is used to going to the nursery at church and the gym every day but not for 4 hours! I was expecting Miss Mary to tell me that she missed me after 2 hours of playing but no such luck. It was weird without my little buddy around. I would say it was quiet but Maarten and Yoda contribute plenty of noise to the house.

Here we are trying to get ready to leave. I have determined in my short amount of time as a mom, that when you are ready, just leave the house, even if you are way ahead of schedule. Because before long, you will no longer be on schedule. I can't remember the last time we were on time at church. Fortunately most days we can just wake up but now we have a deadline on Thursdays.

Notice our shoe is on our hand, not foot, and the dog is chasing us

Here Madeline is in her new classroom. I snapped this as I made my quick getaway.

No lingering here!

Jammies

Here are just some pictures in her cute new frog pajamas. Madeline knows lots of word now! Her first word (and still her favorite) was puppa (for puppies and dogs). She also knows:

kiki- kitty
wa wa -water
flowa- flower
fra- frog
baa- ball
bu- book
Mum mum- my favorite. It is what she calls me but already it is making way to ma ma. I love the Mum mum!!
Dada- daddy
ma- more

So she was excited to get these jammies with the frogs! I also bought a pair with monkeys. She can't say monkey but if she hears the word or sees one, she pats her head. This is because we read a book every night with how different animals hug their babies and monkeys pat the head!

15 months

I am a little late on this picture and report. We did have her 15 month appt in July. Madeline is growing but is very petite! She weighed 20 lbs 7 oz (10%) and was 30.5 inches (50%). She is long and lean. Not sure where those genes come from, maybe Uncle Kevin!!!

Here are her pictures. She is actually wearing an outfit was was mine as a baby! I think she looks like a farmer baby here.

As the months have progressed, it has become more of a challenge to take pictures of her sitting peacefully in the chair. Now we are standing on it!!

Beach Baby

While Mark headed out to Montana to fish, Madeline, my mom and I headed down to Destin for a girls trip! It was a pleasant surprise to learn the Gray family was down there at the same time! We headed over for some pool time fun.

Millie Kate is almost exactly one year older than Madeline so it is fun to look ahead and see what Madeline will be doing next summer!

At the playground, trying to give sand a chance

More sand.....

An unhappy giraffe when I told her we had to leave the pool

On the boardwalk