Day 49

Once again I am sorry that I have gone a few days without posting.  We had a very good and quiet Thanksgiving.  We stayed home on Thanksgiving Day and it was just the three of us all day.  We grilled deer hamburgers Thursday night and they were to die for!!  Mom and Dad came up to the house on Friday and we had Thanksgiving lunch with them and then watched the Alabama game afterwards.

Today, Madison and I put up our Christmas tree.  We had been debating what kind we were going to put up.  Shane's mom gave us her old tree and it is the perfect size.  After seeing how fascinated Madison is by the Christmas tree we did decide not to put up any ornaments this year.  As we were putting it up, I had Christmas music playing and we would have to stop and dance some in between. 

I did want to say thank you to everyone who watched the video Thursday night.  We have been amazed by how many people have seen it and looked at the blog.  Thank you for all the kind and encouraging words but most of all, thank you for the daily prayers that you lift up for our precious Madison. 

Day 48- Madison's TV Debut

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We all have so many things to be thankful for.  I am thankful for my wonderful, loving husband, our precious daughter Madison, my awesome parents who are ALWAYS there for us, my amazing sister, but most of all, I am thankful for the grace of God.  I give thanks to him not just on this day of Thanksgiving, but everyday, for all of the blessings he has put into my life. 


"always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
~Ephesians 5:20


Here is the link for the segment that will air tonight on WMBB Channel 13.  They actually posted it on their website before it airs.  I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.panhandleparade.com/index.php/mbb/article/modern_medicine_madisons_story/mbb7726914/

Day 47

Today was the day that we recorded the segment for Channel 13 WMBB.  Jessica had given me an idea of the questions she was going to ask so I had an idea of how I was going to answer them.  However, when the time came, and the camera is in your face you forget ALL of that!  Literally.  I didn't think it was going to be that hard but it was.  I hope it turns out good.  After it was over with and looking back I wish I would have answered some of the questions differently.  I am sure you always have those feelings though when you are interviewed, and hopefully are message will come across and people will feel the joy that we have in our hearts for Madison. 

Day 46

Well, we have had a very exciting day.  Jessica Foster, a news anchor with Channel 13, called today to see if we would like for them to come out and video our story with Madison for their Thanksgiving special.  Of course we said yes.  They are coming out tomorrow afternoon.  I will let everyone know when it is going to air on TV and also post a link.  Please say a prayer for us tomorrow at 1:00.

I had scheduled hair appointments for Madison and I last week.  Thank goodness for that!!  I have been cutting Madison's hair and it was a little uneven and time for a professional to fix it up!  We went and saw our friend and stylist Kim Guynn.  Madison did pretty good with her haircut.  I took a picture of Kim playing with Madison after we were finished.  Kim loves her SO much!

Tonight, after we finished eating, Shane put Madison in her walker and she was wanting to help clean up so badly.  I gave her an empty egg carton and asked her to throw it in the garbage for me.  Madison walked right over to it and threw it away.  After that, she wanted to throw everything away.  I grabbed my camera just in time and was able to get a video of her.  After I finished video taping her, I finished cleaning the kitchen.  I turned around to check on Madison and she had opened the drawer that has all my hot pads in it and had already thrown 2 away!! 



Day 45

I have said it before but this time of the year we really try to keep Madison in as much as possible.  Sundays are the hardest days to be inside.  It is hard when you were brought up in a family where you went to church every Sunday. Luckily, we are able to catch church services on television.  Today we started watching one of the church services I had recorded and Madison was jamming out to the music that was being sung.  I got my video camera too late but will try to capture it again.

Madison and I didn't get up until 11:00 this morning.  We had a good night.  Madison slept 14 hours!!  She was so happy when she woke up. She is always happy, just a little more so today.

Sorry I didn't get a picture today.  I will make up for it tomorrow. 

Day 44

I am sorry that I have not posted in two days.  I normally try to post after Madison has gone to bed, but lately I have not been able to leave her side.  For a while now, Madison has been sleeping in our bed, right in the middle.  She sleeps so much better and honestly, so do I.  She is such a cuddle bug and I have a hard time leaving her when I lay down with her. 

We had her three year check up yesterday and everything went good.  I still can't believe she is 3 years old!!  Where has the time gone? 

Mom and Dad went to Dothan last night and we stayed home with Madison.  I hate we can't make all the family functions during the fall and winter months but Madison's health is the most important.  I am very thankful for Face Book so I can still see all the pictures! 

I wanted to post this video of Madison I took tonight.  I am amazed by her determination and strength.  I hope you enjoy it!

We are so blessed with such an amazing little girl. 

Day 43

I had to post this video from last night.  Mom and Dad picked up a cake and brought it up to the house for her birthday.  Madison has never been a big cake fan so I had gotten her some ice cream too.  We brought the cake out and sang happy birthday to her and she wanted NOTHING to do with the cake.  Granted...she didn't get her normal long afternoon nap in so she was a little fussy too.   

She has had a blast today playing with all of her toys.  We have played with them all day except for when she was eating lunch and dinner and taking a nap!  She didn't want to go to sleep tonight because she wanted to keep on playing. 

I took more video than I did pictures.  Here are a few pictures from her big day yesterday. 

Madison playing with Madeline Simmons

Day 42 ~ Madison's 3rd Birthday

Three years ago today, our precious little Madison was born into this world.  I had gone into preterm labor two weeks earlier and had been admitted to the hospital, due to the fact that Madison would have been born 8 weeks premature.  I had gotten released from my doctor on that Wednesday that I could go back to work on Monday. 

Due to the fact that I had been on bed rest for almost two weeks, she told me to work on getting my energy level up before I go back to work.  Well, it probably wasn't the greatest idea to go have Thanksgiving lunch at Bay Haven with Amy and her students the following day because I had to walk all over the campus!  Followed by another bad idea which was when Shane and I went out to dinner with mom and dad and then we all went to Sam's Club.  All the walking I did that day at Bay Haven and Sam's is probably what caused my water to break that night.  Hey...but as least I got my energy level up!!

I remember it so clearly.  I was lying in bed and it was about 2:00 in the morning and I started having contractions.  They were about 20-30 minutes apart so I wasn't really concerned because of all the false alarms we had.  I got up and got me a glass of water and got on the computer.  I went back to bed at 3:00 and Madison was moving and kicking a lot. I felt her kick one time and it hurt so I rolled over.  Then she kicked again and my water broke!  Totally not how I had it pictured in my mind the was this was all going to happen! 

When I woke Shane up, he was literally like Fred Flinstone.  He jumped out of the bed and ran into the bathroom then back into the bedroom about 3 times before he realized what was really going on.  He called my mom and dad and off we went to the hospital.  Sweet Madison Grace was born at 11:29 and weighed 5 pounds 7 inches and was 19 inches long. 

Madison was 6 weeks early so she had to go straight to the NICU when she was born.  The hardest thing was leaving the hospital without our baby.  I had a major meltdown when we got home and she was still in the hospital.  I remember Mom, Dad, Amy and Paul were up at the house with us and I couldn't stop crying.  I cried the entire 10 days she was in there. 

These are some pictures from the day Madison was born and the following days she was in the NICU. 

Right after Madison was born.

 In the NICU.

Going home!  November 26, 2007

Finally home!





Day 41

This is the video that I was trying upload last night.  We took this video last Monday when Amy and Paul were here.  I had cooked dinner for everyone.  Dad had taught Madison to hum and she was showing off her skills.  Needless to say, she was cracking herself up!!!  I hope you enjoy the video!



Day 40

Today was cleaning day at our house.  I try to clean the house one day each week.  That is dusting, mopping vacuuming, etc.  I have neglected the house the past two weeks and today was the day it got clean.  Madison is so funny when I clean because she wants to help so bad.  When I am dusting I have to give her a cloth and she is right behind me doing everything I am doing.  I praise her and tell her how much she is helping me and she smiles so big!  We had the windows open and the music playing!  We would have to stop every now and then to dance.  Only if it was a good song though. lol. 

I have tried to upload a picture and video but the blog must be having issues tonight or maybe user error.  I will try again tomorrow. 

I am Looking forward to this week and celebrating Madison's birthday. Tuesday seems so far away!!!   

Day 39

Today was another wonderful day.  Madison and I slept in until 8:00.  Shane got to sleep in too but got a phone call at 7:30 and had to go do a service call. 

Madison and I went and picked up Mom and Dad and did our Saturday routine today.  Normally, we go eat lunch and then go grocery shopping.  Today, we went by Toys R Us and picked out Madison's birthday presents.  I can not wait for Tuesday to get here and for her to open her presents!  She is going to love them!

When she woke up from her nap this afternoon she was a little cranky but that didn't last long.  She got the giggles about 30 minutes later and we played and had so much fun.  She was cracking me up! 
I took these pictures tonight while eating dinner because she was putting on a show.  I wanted to share them with everyone. 

Madison Grace

I love this little girl SO MUCH!!

Day 38

These past two days have been very hectic.  Shane's sister went on vacation so I worked at the tire store yesterday and today.  Dad kept Madison for me both days.  Madison had a blast as well as PaPa.  We have been trying to call him "PawPaw" but Madison has decided it is "PaPa" but it sounds more like "BaBa."

Yesterday and today when I dropped her off she looked at me and said "bye bye!"  She knew a good time was going to be happening.  Dad spoils her so much but that is what grandparents are for. 

I have said it once and I will say it again....Shane and I are so blessed to have mom and dad.  The love and support they constantly give to us and especially Madison means the world to us. 

As much as I have enjoyed working with Shane and Mom these past two days, I have missed Madison tremendously.  Looking forward to getting caught up on my hugs from her.  I can never get enough of them!

Day 37

Rylee Denell Moore

April 30, 2001-November 11, 2009

Today's post isn't going to be about Madison.  I wanted to honor a very special little girl, who holds such a special place in my heart.  I never had the opportunity to meet Rylee.  Unfortunately, I met her mom, Kellie, just two weeks after Rylee passed away through the support group on Face Book.  About a month later, Kellie and I talked on the phone and instantly bonded.  Kellie and her family live in Tennessee. 

After hearing all about Rylee, there is no doubt in my mind that she was born into the perfect family.  Seeing her pictures bring such joy to my heart.  The similarities that Rylee and Madison share are amazing.  I do believe that if they were given the chance, they would have been the best of friends!

I wanted to post a link to Kellie's blog.  She posted a great video that was played at Rylee's service.  This will give you a glimpse of the wonderful life Kellie and Brad gave Rylee and the joy she brought to the ones around her. 

 http://moorelifesong.blogspot.com/2010/11/rylee-bug-denell-moore.html

I am so thankful for the friendship that I have developed with Kellie.  I know that we will be lifelong friends because of this journey our families are taking.  Hopefully one day we will actually be able to meet. 

Day 36

I had to post this video of Madison.  She always has Early Intervention on Wednesdays at the house.  Today was her last day of this because this program is offered until the age of 3.  Every week when the therapist is finishing up, she blows bubbles with Madison.  Madison always loves doing this but today, she was laughing so hard.  I pulled the camera out and started recording.  You might have to turn your volume up some.  I hope you enjoy it!

Day 35

Well, today was not a fun day for us.  We had to take Amy to the airport for her to fly back home to Dallas.  The week flew by so quickly.  We really have enjoyed having her here with us.  She stayed at our house and helped me out so much!  I hate that they live so far away.  I cried harder on this trip than I did when they first moved!  We dropped her off at the airport at 12:20 and I cried until 1:30 and have cried several times this afternoon.  It stinks having them so far away.  I can't even imagine how it is going to be when the baby comes. Oh geez..I'm crying writing this blog!! 

I didn't realize how much it was going to affect me to not see her regularly throughout this pregnancy.  This is such an amazing time in any woman's life but to not be able to watch your sister as she is growing this baby inside her is really hard on me.  It was so funny to see how she had grown in just the week she had been here.  She is glowing and is absolutely beautiful! 

Here are some pictures of Madison giving Amy hugs before we took her to the airport. 

Day 34

Madison had a great time Saturday night with her PawPaw.  We left the house at 2:30 and Shane and I didn't get back home until 8:30.  I know Dad enjoyed having her all to himself.

 Our good friends, The Hicks, came over yesterday afternoon to see Madison and Amy.  Madison's birthday is quickly approaching and we have been thinking about having a birthday party.  Due to the time of year that it is, we have decided to hold off on the big birthday party until the summer.  The Hicks had gotten Madison a present and wanted to bring it to her.  We made cupcakes and had a great time visiting with them.

Lastnight, Paul flew into Panama City.  He has meetings in Destin today, tomorrow and Wednesday.  Amy is flying home tomorrow and Paul is flying home on Wednesday. 

Mom made a big bowl of taco soup and brought it up to the house lastnight for us all to enjoy.  She also made some yummy desserts. 

Tonight, I have cooked some lasagna and made a salad.  Madison sure has enjoyed having all these people around to entertain.  I can't believe the week has already come and gone.  We can't wait for Amy's next visit!

Day 33

I am so mad I didn't get a chance to post the past two days.  With Amy being in town, we are busy spending time together and before you know it, it is midnight!

Wednesday night, Amy and I went to one of our favorite restaurants with a group of girls.  We really enjoyed it.  I didn't realize how much I needed that until it was over.  The fellowship was great and very much appreciated.

Last night, Amy went out to dinner with the fourth grade teachers from her old school.  Shane and I had a meeting we had to do and that put me behind on the blog as well.

Anyway, Madison has a great past two days.  Amy needed to run two errands on Wednesday and the weather was horrible.  Madison and I stayed in the car while Amy went into Target.  As we were waiting, Summer drove by in the parking lot.  She needed to run in to Target as well but hated getting Madeline out in the rain.  Madeline hung out in the car with us.  I turned on the DVD in the car.  They were so cute watching it together.  The funniest thing was when Madeline pulled Madison's pappy (pacifier) out of her mouth and put it into hers.  The look on Madison's face was priceless!

Shane had to work late Wednesday so Dad came up to the house to watch Madison until he got home.  When we got home, Madison was SO hyper!!  She had so much fun with her PawPaw.  She didn't settle down until around 11:30!

Yesterday, was really exciting.  Amy had scheduled a sonogram here so we could all see the baby.  It was pretty amazing.  Mom and Dad were both able to come as well. 

We spent the afternoon relaxing and then Summer and Madeline came back up to the house.  She and Madison have such a good time together. 

We are leaving tomorrow to go to our cousin's wedding in Okaloosa County.  We are looking forward to it.  I wish we could take Madison, but the weather has turned cooler which means she needs to stay inside. Dad is staying with her while we help Will and Shena celebrate their special day.   

Day 32

We have had a wonderful day!!  Amy flew in this afternoon around 1:00.  All morning I had been telling Madison that Amy was coming.  As soon as I would tell her that, she would look up at me and say, "And Paul?"  She loves her Uncle Paul so much!  We wish he could have made this trip.  Hopefully we will see him at Christmas. 

Can I just tell you?  Amy is the cutest pregnant women I have ever seen!  She is just starting to show.  We are going to get to go to a sonogram on Thursday and see Baby Cristina.  They do not want to find out what they are having and it is killing me!

After we picked Amy up at the airport, she wanted to go and get something to eat.  We went to Fire House Subs.  Madison got her a fire hat and actually kept it on!  That was a first!!

We are looking forward to the week ahead with Amy and all the wedding festivities for our cousin Will and his fiance Shena. 

Day 31

Today, Madison spent the morning with her PawPaw while I went to the dentist.  Normally, when I drop her off she is always happy to be at MiMi and PawPaw's but cries when I leave.  Today, she just looked at me and waved and said "Bye Bye!"  It made me sad and happy all at the same time. 

Tomorrow we have to go and get her evaluation done for home bound services for home school.  After that, we are going to pick up Amy at the airport!!