6 weeks

6 Weeks Old

He's Getting So Big!

I got to be an independent mommy this week. I didn't need any help, because.....I QUIT pumping! Yes, I finally did it. It was keeping me from spending quality time with Madden and I was having to rely on others too much for help. I loved getting to care for him all by myself. We did a lot of cuddling together while Daddy was at work. It will be difficult to return to teaching in a few weeks. I constantly find myself laughing at Madden. He is too stinking cute. He has started to really notice his surroundings and he gets fixated on things very easily. I love how big his eyes get. He also does a really good job holding up his head and turning it from side-to-side. He's getting so strong! One thing that Mike and I are VERY excited about is that Madden is pretty much sleeping through the night; or at least he has the past 4 nights. We'll keep our fingers crossed that he's just not teasing us. I've posted some pictures of some other things that went on this week. Much Love!!!!!

Our Little Chunky Monkey....Looks Like Papa Layne in this One:)

Bailey's Surgery Went Well

Mickey Really Misses Playing With His Big Sister

Taylor Swift Concert

Mike and I went on our first date last night, since before Madden was born. We had a nice dinner at Outback and then we went to see Taylor Swift. It was a great concert. I've seen a lot of really wonderful artists, but she was definitely the best so far. Even Mike enjoyed the concert:) Thank you Grammy and MiMi for watching Madden, Mickey, and Bailey for us. A night out was exactly what we needed.

5 weeks

5 weeks....already

Well, we made it through another challenging week, but we survived. Sunday night, Madden didn't feel well at all. He was screaming for 4.5 straight. Luckily, Mike was able to settle him and I both down. I was crying, because Madden was crying. I felt so bad for him and there was nothing we could do to make him feel better at the time. Monday Morning he had a doctors appointment. Dr. Mann thinks Madden might have a touch of acid reflux/colic. He put him on Previcid and that seems to be working pretty good. Other than that, he passed his 1 month well-baby check-up with flying colors. As of right now, Madden is eating every 2.5-3.5 hours. We've had to pull some all-nighters with him, but he's worth it:) There are times when I think that I am going to HAVE to quit pumping, but I'm not ready to give up yet! We've also been a little stressed out about some other things. Bailey tore her ligament in her foot, Mickey is having stomach issues again, and Mike was in a car accident. Mike is OK, but it just seems to be one thing after another. Our mom's have helped us out so much. We really could not have made it through this week without them. My mom has to return to work next week, but I've recruited some other wonderful family and friends to help me. Mike is going to take off Thursday and Friday to be with Madden and I. Although, he might have to take off sooner, because he's in a lot of pain from his accident and he has to get his car fixed. With all of this said....I only have to take one look at Madden and all my worries seem to disappear. Mike and I love Madden so much! He really is the drive that keeps us going.

Madden + Pacifier = BFF I love to watch him sleep
Sweet Baby Boy


Madden is going to be tall like his Daddy....Look at those legs!

Madden and Grand-Bob

Madden and Aunt Judy

4 weeks

4 weeks

9 pounds 1 ounce

Sorry for the delay...but I don't exactly have any extra time right now (luckily...MiMi & Grammy are helping me out so that I can update this real quick). I can't believe our little guy is already 4 weeks old! We have been home for 10 days now. It's been very challenging, but Mike and I have tried really hard to help each other out as a team to make it work. I am the queen of diaper changing and Mike is the king of bottle feeding. I'm also still breast feeding and pumping, so I'm still learning how to manage my time better. Being a mommy is definitely the hardest job I've ever had....but it's the BEST! Anyhow, We are all doing well. Madden is a little piggy. He definitely knows how to eat now. It's amazing to see how much he's changed. It's nice not too have to worry about him not eating. He still has to be on a high calorie diet for one more week, but as you can tell by his weight...I don't think it's necessary. Madden takes his food very seriously now and he gets very impatient when he's hungry. Enjoy some pics from our first week home:)

Blue-Eyed Baby

Bath Time

Sleeping Soundly


Daddy's Boy


Mommy's Boy

(While Daddy's at Work)All Ready For My Doctor Appointment


Madden's a Big Thinker


Madden, Becky, and I the Day Before Logan was Born


Aunt Jayme & Madden

Aunt Amy, Cousin Kaitlyn, Madden, and Uncle Aaron

Grandpa Charlie

Home, Sweet Home!

There's No Place Like Home

Yes, I AM A BiG Deal!

I Love My Swing

Mike and I can hardly believe that we are finally home with our sweet baby boy. This has been the longest 20 days of our lives. Madden will be 3 weeks tomorrow. We are going to see Dr. Mann in the morning at 9:00. That will be Madden's birthday down to the minute; which we thought was neat. Last night, we roomed-in at Cook's. Since we survived the night alone and Madden passed all of his requirements, we were released this afternoon around 3:00. We are absolutely exhausted, but are looking forward to spending the next 4 days at home as a family of three. Mike is off tomorrow and Monday is a holiday, so everything worked out perfectly. I know many of our friends and family are anxious to see Madden, but Mike and I need to get caught up on our quality time with him first. Apparently the power of prayer works...thanks for everything everyone has done for us. Like many of you have been telling us: EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON! Madden was very well taken care of at Cook's and he had some amazing nurses. Mike and I are reassured more than ever now that Madden is one healthy baby! He was checked daily from head-to-toe and monitored as closely as possible. All of this could have been a blessing in disguise....so I'm not going to regret one minute of it. This quote pretty much describes what I realized about Mike and I during this whole experience:

S-E-R-I-O-U-S Progress!!!!!!

Dreaming About Coming Home Soon

The Light Bulb Is

DEFINITELY

Turning On

Madden has made great strides in the past few days. Here are a few highlights:

Monday- Madden's umbilical Chord fell off:) This was the day that his doctor increased his feeding order; which means he didn't have to have scheduled cavages as often.
Tuesday- The doctor took out his feeding tube and Madden ate GREAT all day. Yes, it's finally out!!!! He also got circumcised yesterday....poor baby. As of last night, at 8:00, Madden weighs 8 pounds and 1/2 an ounce.

Looking At Daddy

Focusing REALLY Hard on Coming Home
If Madden continues to do well without his feeding tube today, then there is a good chance we will be rooming in tonight and Thursday night. We really were hoping to come home by Friday. It looks like we might get what we wished for. We are so incredibly proud of Madden. It's amazing to see how everything just "clicked" for him. The doctors kept reassuring us that he would wake up one day and just start eating. It's the neatest thing to experience.

Real Boys Sleep In PINK Cribs:)
On Monday, when Reda and I were putting Madden back in his crib, we noticed that the latch was broken. The only other crib they had available was this pretty pink one. At least it's safe though. Madden is just as happy in this crib as he was in his old one.

Madden and Aunt Judy
I want to thank all of my family and friends who have been helping us out this week. Reda took me to my doctor appointment on Monday and then over to Cooks to spend the day with Madden. Then, Mike and I went back together that night, while my mom watched the dogs. Tuesday, Judy took me over to see Madden and Mike's mom stayed with the dogs that night. Today, aunt Jayme is taking me and then Mike will come after work. If Madden keeps up the good work today, we are planning to start rooming in between 3:00-5:00 this afternoon. Hopefully Mike will make it in time:)


This will more than likely be my last post until we bring Madden home, because we will be staying at the hospital with Madden full-time now. We could not be happier with Madden's new progress. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this little guy so much!!!!!!!!