SO Worth the Wait!!!

Disclaimer: This is a long post and is mostly for my benefit so I can remember what went on with Madison, her birth, and everything else about her. She is the most beautiful baby ever.

The story of Madison began Friday June 11th, 2010. Friday morning Mat and I were going out of town to Lake Mead and we were all loaded up and just had to load up one more four wheeler from Mat's grandparents house when we got a phone call from our birth mother telling us she was going to the hospital because she thought she might be having a baby. We were literally 15 minutes away from leaving. Our birth mom, Erin, woke up bleeding and cramping and went to the hospital. Erin was dilated to a 3 and 90% effaced. She was bleeding a lot and almost had to have a transfusion, but was blessed not too. Long story short, she got an epidural and then around 3 in the afternoon she started to push about 3 or 4 times and had the baby at 3:37PM. Madison was 4lbs 5oz and 16.5 inches long. Madison was perfectly healthy even though she was 3 1/2 weeks early. Our birth mom Erin is also doing well and did not feel anything during labor which is so nice for her. Erin is an amazing person and we have been privileged to start getting to know her just a little over two months ago. When Erin decided she wanted to place her baby with us we were truly honored by this sacred responsibility. Erin decided to make a plan for adoption for her baby because she loves her so much and wanted her baby to have the best life possible one that she could not offer to her right now. We are so ecstatic and thrilled to be the parents to Madison. She has been such the perfect little joy in our lives and we could not be happier. Being parents is very fulfilling and our wait of five years of trying to have kids has been worth the wait. Madison has brought us more joy than we even thought possible in the short time she has been with us. We will be forever grateful to our birth mom Erin and her sacrifice. Birth mom's are so wonderful and we can't say enough good things about them especially Erin.

On Saturday we were able to meet Madison.

Mat holding Madison for the first time.

Our two favorite people in the world, our Birth Mom Erin and Madison.

Madison in her little hospital hat.

Madison is so tiny. It is like holding a doll. This teddy bear was given to Madison by her birth mom.

This is just before placement which occurred on Sunday. Mat and I had to sign paperwork for the adoption and then we waited until Erin was ready to see us for placement of Madison.

The three of us at placement.

The M family with our wonderful Erin who by the way doesn't even look like she just had a baby.

Everyone that was at the placement of Madison. Becca is on the far left which is Erin's sister who lives in Florida and on the far right is Erin's Mom.They were both great supports to Erin during this time. Both are such wonderful people and we enjoyed getting to know them. We love them all dearly and appreciate their support, confidence, and trust.

Erin kissing Madison.

Erin placing Madison into my arms. Such a tender moment. No words to describe it.

Mat and I changing Madison for the first time. This is still at the hospital before we left for home. Our caseworker, Erin's caseworker, and the nurse all had a good laugh and enjoyed watching us.

Madison's first car ride home. She did so good on the drive, but look how small she looks in the car seat. We were able to take Madison home on Sunday June 13, 2010

Our niece Sydney had made a cute Welcome Home sign for Madison while we were gone.

Madison meeting her Grandma's. This is my Mom.

Another Grandma, Mat's Step-Mom.

With all the grandma's Madison is sure to be spoiled. This is Mat's Mom.

Our first little family night together.

Madison's first bath at home which she did not like at all and screamed a bunch which Mommy and Daddy did not like and felt bad. (Madison is getting better at her bath times though).

Bath Hair. I love it!

Madison's first doctors appointment was on Wednesday. We went to the doctor already because she is so small and just want to make sure she is doing fine. They measured her at 17.5 inches. Madison's first time spitting up also happened to be at the doctors and it happened twice which was so much fun.

Madison's weight on Wednesday was 4 lb 1 oz. We also had to check her bilirubin level (for jaundice) while we were there. The experience of the nurse poking Madison' foot and then squeezing it trying to get a blood sample while Madison was screaming was not a fun experience for Mom. Her bilirubin level was high on Wednesday and we had to go back to the doctor on Thursday to get another blood sample. The second time it was not as bad and her bilirubin level had gone down. So hopefully the jaundice will just go away and that we won't have to put her under the lights. On Thursday she gained once ounce which makes us very happy.

Look at that hand. She is already trying to feed herself. Man we can't get enough of her. She is so adorable.

Madison's first bow in her hair.

Madison's hands at one week.

Madison's feet at one week.

Look at those faces.

Mommy & Madison

Daddy & Madison

Madison's One Week Old Pictures

Round 2 One Week Old Pictures

Round 3 One Week Old Pictures

Six Sweet Years

June 18th was our anniversary. We got married six years ago in the Salt Lake Temple. I have enjoyed being married and look forward to spending many more wonderful years with Mat. Mat is the best husband ever! He loves me so much and does everything he can to help me out and take care of my needs. He is a good listener, funny, smart, friendly, honest, athletic, good-looking, sweet, always willing to serve and help others, patient, a hard worker, and the world's best dad (along with a thousand other things as well). Mat means the world to me and I am so glad that he is part of my life forever.He is also so good with cute little Madison and I love watching them together. Madison has Mat wrapped around her little finger already. Happy Anniversary Sweetie!!!

Madison is here!!!!

I will post all the details later because I got lots to do, but Madison was born on Friday June 11 at 3:37PM. She weighed 4 lbs 5 ounces and is 16.5 inches long. Our Birth Mom Erin is healthy and doing great and Madison is healthy and doing wonderful as well. She has dark hair that is a little curly. She is SO adorable and we love her to pieces. I will write more later, but here are a few pictures.

We love you Madison and Birth Mom Erin. What a joy Madison has been in our home for a few days. She is a perfect little angel sent from above. We will be forever grateful to our amazing Birth Mom.

Fantastic Flowers

On Saturday afternoon my mother-in-law and I planted flowers in my front yard. The front row of flowers we planted were blue lobelia, the middle section we planted yellow marigolds, and the back row we did orange zinnia's. I am excited to see how the flowers do over the summer. I really enjoy the color combination and can't wait for the flowers to grow more. I really appreciate all the help from my mother-in-law. If not for her I would still be planting flowers and trying to figure it all out. It turned out great!

Memorable Memorial Memmories

Saturday Adventures

We went Four Wheeling at Five Mile Pass near Cedar Fort on Saturday. We had a grand old time and it didn't rain on us so that was a plus. It was chilly at times, but for the most part it was pleasant. We went with my Mom and Step-Dad. We were going to be going with Mat's mom and Step-Dad too, but they had to cancel because of a wedding they had to go too. Here is Mat and I on a nice four wheeler that we borrowed from Mat's Grandpa. It was a really nice four wheeler.It made for a lot smoother ride than the last time that we went four wheeling (Mat ran over my leg that time. Nothing serious though).

My Mom and Step-Dad.

My mom looking "cool" with her sunglasses on their four wheeler.

Man we live in such a beautiful state. What a view!

Another great view. Yes that is me underneath that big helmet.

Sunday Adventures

We celebrate Mat's Dads birthday on Sunday over at Bob's house (Mat's 2nd oldest brother). Stan's birthday was on Thursday May 27th. Here is Mat with his daddy.

Here is some of us eating the yummy grub. Bob and Chantal BBQ some ribs that were just delicious.

Here are all the nephews and niece except Will.

Drew is getting bigger, but still staying cute.

Mat & I: in their backyard.

Here is a picture of the fam that was able to make it for the dinner. Mat's youngest brother and wife are in Hawaii so they were not able to make it. I don't blame them though I would love to be in Hawaii right now!!

Monday Adventures

We went to my Uncles cabin for our annual family Memorial day bash. The food there is always fabulous. My Uncle does a great job!  Here is my Grandma (who is turning 90 this year, wow!) and Carly (my cousins wife) looking at some picture albums.

Aunt Heidy (one of my mom's sisters), Mindy (cousin), and my Mom.

Ryan (my oldest bro) and Emma (my cute niece).

I asked Payton (niece) to smile and this is what I got. I love this girl!

Payton trying to pass the football to Mat. Stinkin' cute!

It is hard to tell from this picture, but Mat's pants are soaked from the knee's down. He was playing pass across the pond with my cousin Cameron and the ball landed in the water and when Mat tried to retrieve the ball out of the water but his foot slipped and got the bottom half of his pants soaked. It was funny!

Mat taking off his soaks and shoes that were soaked.

The kids enjoyed having the ball land in the water. They kept screaming throw the ball in the water over and over. When the ball would land in the water they would just laugh and scream.

The kids watching my cousin Cameron get the ball out of the water.

Cameron trying to get the ball out of the water

Mat and I enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. It is really beautiful up in the mountains. It is truly amazing all of God's creations. We had a great weekend filled with fun and family.