Happy girl!!

Yesterday she had a great day! Can you see how happy she is:) today we took off the bandages and her arm is healing really well.

Surgery Day

Yesterday morning was the big morning for surgery. We got up bright and early at 4:30am since we had to be to Schriner's by 6am. We arrived at the hospital and went right into the pre op room where they took her vitals and she got to put one of those stylish hospital gowns on. She was soaking it all up as this was a new experience for her. Then around 7:00am we heading into the next room that was the last stop before taking her to the OR. She was still her happy self, and my nerves were high and was feeling quite a bit anxious about the whole thing. She never cried once before the surgery or when they wheeled her away to the Operating Room. She is such a brave and tough little girl. I broke down a lot yesterday as it was just a very emotional day.


After Maddie went into surgery we had a pastor from our church who came to pray with us. I was so glad he was there and really eased my mind. I don't think Bob was as nervous as I was. I did have a little panic attack and needed prayer at that time. It was more stressful than I thought it was going to be, and being 33 weeks pregnant with hormones at an ultimate high didn't help. We spent time praying for Maddie and the surgery, and there is nothing like praying that makes you feel at peace.


After prayer we headed down to the next room where Maddie would come after her surgery was over. It felt like an eternity waiting for our pager to beep to let us know she was out and everything went okay. Finally around 10:00 they wheeled her in and it was such a relief to be with her again. Then the tears started to stream and she was just a little confused from the anethesia. It was hard to see her that way and nothing we could do would console her. It was a moment of feeling totally helpless. She would have moments of being calm and then moments of not being able to contain her. That was hard and I just felt so bad for her.


A few hours later she seems to be doing better, so we took her out of the room for a wagon ride around the hospital to get her mind off things. She enjoyed that and insisted on pulling the wagon herself just a few hours after surgery. We made it home around 3:30 and Maddie fell asleep in the car and then took a long needed nap. After her nap she was doing much better and back to almost being happy Maddie again!


Today has been such a better day. She has taken pain medicine once, and slept all the way through the night last night. She is back to playing dress up, playing with her toys, and dancing around the house. It's the best feeling to see her happy again. She has to leave her surgical dressing on her arm for 3 days, and then we can take it off. I think that is what is bothering her the most because it is hindering her from using that arm. After a week she can get it wet again and start back up with her swim lessons:)


Thank you for those of you who prayed for Maddie yesterday. Her surgery went so smoothly and The doctors and nurses were so sweet. She is recovering so well and seems to be in very minimal pain. Your prayers for her were so appreciated.

Here is a few pictures from yesterday.

Arriving at Schriner's Hospital. She's all smiles.

Still Smiling before she heads into surgery.

After surgery she was really out of it and wasn't feel well.

A few hours after she was out of surgery we took her for a wagon ride around the hospital.

Jello Makes everything feel better.

Before we got ready to leave the hospital she wanted to pull the wagon around. She is a tough cookie.

Sound asleep on the car ride home.

She took a long nap and was back to all smiles. Right before this picture was taken we painted our nails and toes, and put some lip gloss on. She painted my nail and was very proud of herself:)

Dress up

One of Maddie's favorite things to do is to dress up. We actually had to gate her closet door because she was changing 4-5 times a day and I was doing loads and loads of laundry. Apparently I was just like this when I was little. My mom had to lock all of my clothes in a suitcase and I was allowed one outfit a day. Like mother like daughter!!! She is such a girly girl! Loves anything sparkly, pink and frilly. She will wear 10 necklaces all at once and 15 bracelets on her wrist and she think its the best thing ever.

Here is Maddie in her Rapunzel dress, which by the way is her favorite Disney princess. Notice she is also wearing stick on earrings and high heeled shoes which might be covered up by her dress.

5 year Anniversary and 31 wks pregnant

Yesterday we celebrated our 5 yr anniversary downtown. We had a wonderful dinner at The Sofitel which is where we spent our wedding night 5 years ago. Then we took a nice long carriage ride through the city. It was a perfect evening!

Cucumber spa treatment

Amazing how kids can have fun with just about anything. Who knew a cucumber could be so entertaining?

Easter

Easter has always been a very special day. Thankful for our savior who gave his life for us so we could live. It was extra special this year to explain to Maddie the real meaning of Easter. I feel very blessed to have a wonderful husband, incredible daughter, and a baby boy due in 9 weeks:) Stay in there little guy and don't try and come out sooner!:)

Here are a few pictures from Easter Sunday-

Easter Egg Hunt

This morning we headed to church for the annual Easter Egg hunt. Maddie had a blast filling her basket with colorful eggs:)

Happy Easter!

Surgery scheduled

Hi friends,

As some of you may know Maddie is going to need surgery to remove some of the bone from her shorter arm. The bone is getting sharp against her skin and the last thing we want is for it to poke through and then there is a risk for infection in the bone. She hasn't been complaining about it that much just when she bumps it, but we are going through with surgery. It is scheduled for April 26th, which is just a few weeks away. The doctor who does this surgery is a specialist at Schriner's Hospital just 8 miles from our house. We are so blessed to have the best
place right in our neighborhood.

Please specially pray for a quick healing process and that she wouldn't be in any major pain. Also for the doctors as they put her to sleep and for her to feel peace in the operating room. It's going to be hard to leave her as they take her to the OR since we can't go with her, so pray for courage for her and for us too. We prayed about it a lot whether to do surgery now or wait, but felt like God was leading us to do the surgery now. Thank you for your prayers for our sweet Maddie Girl. We greatly appreciate it!

Heather, Bob, and Maddie

Cover Girl

Maddie is doing an incredible job at swim lessons. She's swimming on her own with just a little flotation device attached to her back. The teacher says she has no fear and will try anything. Often she wants to take off her floaty and swim on her own. She's incredibly determined!!

A few weeks ago a photographer came in and was taking pictures of the kids swimming for the new YMCA summer brochure. When we were there on Thursday she told us they were going to use Maddie in the summer brochure and most likely on the cover. She is just the happiest little kid and has such a fun and energetic personality! Here is the picture they are using:)

We are so proud of Maddie and all her will and determination to figure absolutely everything out. She is truly an inspiration!

Say cheese!

By these pictures you can tell she has a BIG personality! She smiles a lot in case you can't tell by the pictures:)