The 24th of July

We celebrated July 24th at my Uncle's cabin. This was Madison's first big outing and she did such a great job. Here is my uncle cooking up some yummy ribs and bratwurst. There is always plenty of food and the company is great too. We usually go to my Grandma's after to watch fireworks, but this year we did not.

Madison chillin' with her cousin (2nd cousin because it is my cousins little boy) Duke. Duke is about 3 1/2 months and Madison 6 weeks.

I just wanted to post a picture of my Grandma because she is going to be 90 years old in just a few months and you would never know. She looks really good for her age. I think it is because she stays so busy.

Madison sleeping (imagine that) while we were trying to get some pictures taken.

A family photo.

We had a good time and it was nice to be able to go somewhere. Madison was really good and some of the fam that had not seen her yet enjoyed seeing her. Madison is getting bigger and is such a delight to our family.

One Month

Madison was one month old yesterday June 11th. It has been a fabulous month. We have lost much sleep, but it has been worth it. We can't believe that she is already one month old. Madison is getting bigger, but is still very tiny. Almost 2 weeks ago we went to the doctor and Madison weighed 4lbs 11oz. We think Madison is just barely over 5 lbs now though. Yesterday I weighed myself and then held Madison and weighed again and according to the scale she weighs 5lbs 2oz. Mat also did it too and got the same weight. I don't know how accurate that really is, but she is gaining weight and we are excited about that. Newborn clothes are still too big for her, but she wears them anyway. Madison is eating every 3 hours and eats 2 ounces per feeding and she is staying awake longer during the day which has been fun. Madison still has pretty blue eyes and lots of dark hair. Madison does not scream during bath time which is good, but does sometimes pee which is fun. Madison loves to be sung too and loves getting her legs and feet rubbed with lotion. We still are hanging out at home mostly, but we are able to take her for walks and she sleeps the whole time so we think she likes it. Most of all Madison loves to be held by her Daddy and Mommy. 

Here are a few pictures of what we have been up to lately:

 

 Madison and Mommy's first stroller ride. We go on walks mostly in the mornings a few days a week.

Madison's first time hanging out at the park.

Madison being a big girl in the bouncer. She only likes it for a little bit, but is getting used to it more and more.

Madison spending some time on her tummy. She does not like it and tries hard to roll over. She will be rolling over before we know it. Her muscles are getting stronger and stronger.

Madison meeting her cousin Emma. Emma is her cousin that is the closest in age. Emma is 4 months older. Madison has a long way to go to catch up to her cousin, but they will be good friends soon enough.

Madison hanging out with her teddy bears.

Madison being patient while Daddy takes random funny pictures.

Madison getting wrapped up tight by her daddy. We use to call Madison a little burrito, but now that she straightens her legs more she is like a little egg roll now instead.

Madison being tired.

Madison spends lots of time sleeping.

Madison spends some of her time crying, but not very much.

Madison just being her cute adorable self.

One Week Old

Two Weeks Old

Three Weeks Old

One Month Old

Birth and One Month Old Comparison to Teddy Bear.

Birth and One Month Old Comparison to Mat's hand.

Here are a bunch of one month pictures of Madison. We took hundreds of pictures and it was so hard to choose which ones to post. Madison was a real trooper and did a fabulous job at her photo shoot.

We are enjoying our time with Madison tremendously. We can't imagine life without her and know she is suppose to be in our family. She is perfect!

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.