Madison Day Four

I wanted to give everyone a quick update. Madison's doctor called today to let us know that she would be transferred back to Integris Southwest which is where Kellie delivered. It happens to be 15 minutes closer to our house which is wonderful. She got to be transferred because she is doing well and doesn't need the level of care of the NICU. We got to see her for a few minutes in her new home and she is very peaceful.

Madison Day Three

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Story(Long Post)

I was going to post some great pics of Madison's face tonight(she's had that tube over her nose off) but the usb cable for our camera is MIA. :( Instead I will fill in the details of what has happened the past few days as best I can.

On Monday, Kellie had an ultrasound that said her amniotic fluid was low. After going to see her doctor that afternoon, he sent her to Labor and Delivery for some more tests. The tests did not come back as he hoped so he ordered her to stay overnight for monitoring and an IV. The thought then was to repeat the tests in the morning at 8 and if there was improvement she would go home to bed rest and keep Madison in as long as possible.

At 4aM, Madison's heartbeat dropped into the 60's and Dr. Clark decided that Madison needed to come out. She was already breach so Kellie was going to have a c-section regardless. At 5:44am Madison was born at 4lbs 1 oz. 15 3/4 inches. We saw her for a few seconds in the OR and then they whisked her away to the nursery. Dr. Clark then stitched Kellie up and sent her back to her room where we saw Madison again but this time in a mobile incubator.

The doctors had decided that the best option for Madison was to transfer her to Integris Baptist Medical Center where they have a much larger Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit. Let me tell you the fun of having a recovering wife at one hospital and your newborn baby at a hospital 10 miles down the road. :(

At around 12 my parents and I drove over to Baptist to visit Madison. Currently there are only 3 times during the day when I can touch her. When we got there she was attached to a c-pap to highten the air pressure going into her lungs so that her air sacks would not collapse. She was breathing room air and not oxygen so that was very enciuraging. We took some pictures and headed back to see Kellie as there wasn't much I could do. At 4 we headed back to Baptistand this time I actually got to reach in the incubator and touch her. I was very excited.

When we saw her today, she had the c-pap removed and the staff said she was doing great.. My first question was "When do I get to hold her?" The nurse said now if I had the time. I told her I had all the time in the world. I really think I could have held her until my arms fell off but the nurse kicked me out before then. We came back at 4 but they had already fed her and did not want to get her up again. We got some great pictures of her face then which I cannot currently post. I will remedy this tomorrow.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around being a dad but I am so thankful for the gift that God has given. Thank you all for your prayers/wellwishes/food/and everything else and a special thanks to my parents(my dad is fixing the breaks in the Focus this weekend for us and my mom is coming to stay with Kellie next week so that I can work and be home when Madison gets out of the hospital which looks to be about a two week stay). We wish everyone could be with us and we cannot wait for you to meet Madison!

Madison's Birthday

Madison

Baby Shower Continued...

Here are a few more pictures from the shower...

Madison's very first piggy bank.

Soon to be Aunt Lacey gave Madison quite a few books for her growing library.

Madison received so many cute clothes. Her closet and dresser are now exploding with clothes of all sizes.

Baby Shower

Saturday, July 18th my neighbor threw me a baby shower. It was well attended and Madison was given a lot of great gifts. Thank you to everyone who came and thank you Kandace for throwing it!

My grandma made this for Madison.

Food!

What a haul!

New Hair

Thank You Kari!!!

Bassinet feature

Changing Table Feature

Comfy Cozy Bassinet Feature equipped with music and a night light

We love the Pack-N-Play Bassinet!!!

Our Jack

My Job

Today I gave my two weeks notice. My last day is July 17th. I am relieved to have an end in sight. I am thankful that after the 17th I can stay home rest and prepare for the arrival of our little one. I am leaving earlier than expected and that does make me a little nervous, but I have to trust that everything will be ok. I am excited for the chance to slow down a bit and focus on the important things. Thank you for eveyones prayers. I have been feeling better the past couple days. :)

Jason's New Toy

Jason has been working very hard lately and has managed to qualify himself for many drawings at work for Best Buy gift cards. He won his third one the other day, which put him at $650 total. (It would have been a little more but he bought a video game with some of the money from the first card.) I told him that if he could earn all of the money in Best Buy gift cards, then I would not object to replacing our tv. Jason picked up his last gift card on Thursday (the same day we ended up in Labor and Delivery). He went out Thursday evening, after I was safely at home and resting, to purchase our new tv. We now are the proud owners of a Samsung 42" Plasma 720p Flat Screen TV. We bought a stand for it at Walmart yesterday with another Visa gift card Jason has won. (He is on a roll with the gift cards...) Jason and his dad put everything together last night and we are enjoying it today. It looks pretty good.

Labor and Delivery Update

I went into Labor and Delivery again yesterday. I was not dehydrated this time. I was having contractions and ended up having 2 shots because I started to have contractions again after the first one. I am now on medicine every 4 hours while awake to keep the contractions away. I do not like this medicine. It elevates my heart rate and makes me jumpy. I worry about Madison and how she is handling all of this. I am off work today by doctor's orders. I am also told by my doctor that I cannot go to work if I am cramping at all.

This begs the question... do I quit work now? I am not planning on coming back to work after she is born anyway, but 1-2 months of bringing home a paycheck would be nice. At the same time, I would hate to keep working and then miss a lot of it due to cramping. I would rather my work be able to find someone for my position who they can count on. My department only has 3 people and you really need all three to get through the day.

I have always thought having Madison early would be nice, but I was thinking only a week or 2 not 9. I want her to be healthy and strong. I go Monday for my next ultrasound to see how she is growing. I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor on July 20th. I will be 33 weeks then. All of this has been kind of scary. I now find myself wanting her to constantly move, so I know she is ok. Please pray for peace for me and safety for her.