Day 67

Well I have had a sick feeling to my stomach all afternoon.  With the weather being quite a bit warmer than the past few days, I took Madison out for a little bit.  Madison only got out at one place.  Shane and I decided to go to Smitty's today for lunch with Madison.  Since we went kind of late in the afternoon they were not very busy.  We sat in the corner and didn't really have people around us.  When I have Madison out with me I hear every cough and sneeze and I just cringe.  Madison is certainly not showing any signs of getting sick and I hope and pray it stays that way. 

This video just goes to show how good she is feeling.  She has been running back and forth in the kitchen most of the night.  I took some video of her and wanted to share it with you all.  I hope you enjoy it.

Day 66

Madison is tuckered out after a wonderful day of playing with Mimi and Papa.  Shane closed the tire store this week and has been hunting most of the week.  I told him I was going to go with him one day during the week and picked today to go.  I didn't want to get up at 3:30 in the morning so I went with him on the afternoon hunt instead.  Mom came over to the house and kept Madison while I was gone, and then dad came over later on this afternoon so they could all eat dinner together.  Madison had blast.  She was needing some time with just her and her Mimi. 

When we got home tonight around 7:30 I could tell she was starting to get tired.  Mom and dad hadn't even been gone a hour and she was out.  I rocked her to sleep in the recliner and was able to give her a breathing treatment.  She didn't even wake up.  I did have to change her diaper before I put her in our bed and that caused her to become wide awake.  I guess she got her little power nap and is ready to go again.  Off I go to try to get her to sleep.  Wish me luck!

Madison not wanting to go to sleep.

Day 65

Madison and I have had so much fun today!  With the week before Christmas and all the chaos, Madison and I haven't had much time together just the two of us.  We have gotten so used to this and have our routine in the morning.  She gets up drinks a bottle, gets a bath, play time, eats lunch, takes a nap, play time again, eats dinner, play time again with daddy, then we go to bed.  The past several days we haven't had our regular play time.  She has had it but it has been with either Amy, Mom, Dad or Shane.  I have missed that time so much.  We made up for it today.  Luckily, she didn't take as long of nap as she normally does so we had a lot of time to play this afternoon. 

Dad came over to the house and had lunch with us.  Some friends of our had gotten him one of those Hallmark books that you can record yourself reading it.  Well dad has been trying to record himself reading it for several days now.  He brought it over with him and I was cracking up listening to him.  First off, he didn't have his glasses which he really needed.  Then he would get so dramatic when he was reading that it would beep before he could finish the page.  He gave up and said he was going to try again another day.  Needless to say, I got a good laugh out of it.  I can always count on dad to make me laugh!

Day 64

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  It just doesn't seem the same without Amy and Paul here.  I missed them terribly.  This holiday season has been pretty rough for me.  I remember before we had Madison, I always looked forward to carrying on our holiday family traditions with her.  We always have so much fun when we get together with our extended family and I wanted my children to grow up with the same joy it brought me.  Some of my fondest memories are with all my cousins on Christmas Day and Christmas night.   

With Madison's disease all of our traditions have changed and we don't get to see everyone like we did around the holidays.  Madison's health is more important but it is still hard.  This is the first Christmas Eve that we did not attend our candle light service at our church.  That was when it really it me that you really realize what we are up against.  I know it is hard on mom and dad as well.  They have changed their traditions so they can be with us during the holidays so they miss out as well.  We do still make the best of the situation and make sure we make wonderful memories with Madison.  That is what is most important to us.  Hopefully, Madison will continue to stay healthy.   

We have been amazed by how active she has gotten in the past months.  Anytime she gets a cold, it sets her back.  I am certain we have made the right choice by keeping her in this winter.  However, summer can not get here fast enough.  I miss taking her to the grocery store, going out to eat, going to church, having play dates, etc., etc., etc. 

Here are some pictures and a video from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  I also included some pictures from when Amy and Paul were here. 

Drinking a bottle while Mommy cooks Christmas Eve dinner.

Patiently waiting for MiMi Papa to come over after church. 

They're here!!

MiMi and Papa let Madison open a gift on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day.  MiMi helping Madison open her present.

 Madison watching Amy and Paul open their presents.

Amy and Paul opening their presents.

Madison being her happy little self.



Amy and Paul helping Madison open her present from Grandma Jackie.

I am sorry this video is so dark.

I took it Christmas Eve after mom and dad

had left.  Shane had fallen asleep on

the couch and I was about to do Madison's

breathing treatment.  She started laughing at a

face I was making for her.  Love that girl!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.  I can not say thank you enough for the prayers that many of you lift up for our family daily.  I am so thankful for the faith I have in knowing that God hears all of our cries but it will be His will that is going to be done.  Love you all!

Day 63

Madison has been the sweetest thing today.  I went to bed last night with a horrible headache.  I didn't take any medicine for it because I kept thinking it was going to go away.  I tossed and turned all night.  Since Madison sleeps between us and literally, right beside me, she tossed and turned all night as well. 

I finally got up at 6:30 this morning and took some medicine.  I went back to bed and Madison and I didn't wake up until 10:45.  I still had my headache so dad came up to the house with lunch for us and watched Madison so I could rest some.  We have been bums all day today.  Thank goodness I finally starting feeling better late this afternoon. 

I wanted to post this video of Madison that I recorded after I gave her a bath tonight.  She is starting to get camera shy and wasn't laughing near as hard as she was when I was singing to her without the camera.  I still managed to get a few good laughs.  I hope you enjoy it.

Day 62

Once again, I am sorry that I haven't posted in a few days.  Amy and Paul both flew in on Thursday.  We have been very busy spending a few days with them.  They were only here for 4 days and we had a bunch of stuff to squeeze in to such a short period of time. 

It was so great to see how much Amy's little baby bump had grown.  She is glowing!  I do believe she is the cutest pregnant women I have ever seen.  Madison and I took her to the airport yesterday and once again it was very hard.  It is getting harder and harder as her pregnancy furthers.  We are looking forward to the beginning of February when Amy comes back and will be here for an entire week.

Madison had such a wonderful time Amy and Paul.  She felt the need to entertain them the entire time.  I have so many pictures I want to upload but our computer has a virus on it and I can't find my camera cord for the laptop.  Once I locate it I will be uploading some pictures and videos. 

Hopefully I am back to my routine of posting everyday.  Madison is doing very well.  We have kept her in so much this winter and I do believe that has made a difference.  I am praying that this will be our first Christmas and New Year's since she was born that she hasn't been in the hospital.  

Dad watched her for me this morning so I could do my Christmas shopping for her.  I went to Toys R Us and had a major melt down in the store!  Madison is 3 and is just starting to get to the point where she is limited to the toys that she can play with.  She is playing with toys that range for 0-24 months.  Above 24 months you start getting a lot more toys that she can't play with because of her limitations.  I feel like she has all the toys that we can get for her that she can actually use.  It was  frustrating because it just made me aware of her disability.  Yes, we are aware of her disability but we overlook it everyday and don't even notice it anymore.  Today, I felt like it was just being rubbed in my face on every aisles I went down.  I got in the car and let it out. Madison isn't aware of her limitations and I don't ever want her to be.  I will do whatever I have to, to make sure that Madison is happy.  Luckily, she doesn't have to have toys for me to accomplish that. 

Day 61

Madison was so excited today that she was able to get out of the house.  Finally, the weather wasn't so cold.  We took complete advantage of it and went to MiMi and PaPa's house.  We stayed over there for about two hours and Madison had a blast!! 

We are all starting to get really excited because Amy and Paul will be here with us tonight.  Madison keeps walking around the house saying "Paul."  Then I will ask her if she can say Amy, which she can by the way, but she still says "Paul."  Too cute.

I didn't get a picture of her today but I did want to post some of my favorite pictures of her and her daddy.  Ignore the dates on the pictures though.  I forget to change it. 

Day 60

Today I was going through some old pictures of Madison and found some from her first Christmas.  It is so hard to believe how little she was.  She was in premie clothing and they were even too big on her. 

Will and Ella Hicks with Madison

Madison in her stocking

Elizabeth Hicks with Madison

Santa Clause a.k.a. Papa

Madison sleeping in her candy cane pjs on Christmas Day

Mommy and Madison on Christmas Eve

Aunt Amy and Uncle Paul with Madison

The Riley family



Day 59

Madison didn't wake up today until 10:30.  Dad came up to the house at 11:30 to watch her for me while I went to a doctor's appointment out of town.  I thought I would have been home by 3:00 but I didn't get home until 5:00.  I know PawPaw didn't mind all the extra time he got to spend with Madison though.  She didn't take a nap for him.  When I got home her eyes were so heavy!  I am sure she will be in bed early tonight.  Dad did tell me that Madison was a big fan of the Beach Boys.  He said that he pulled up some of their songs on the computer and they danced.  I know Madison loved that!! 

Two more days until Amy and Paul come!!

Day 58

Madison finally got to see her MiMi today!  She hasn't seen her since Thanksgiving.  That is the longest they have gone without seeing each other.  It was so cute when she saw her.  Madison took off to her in her walker and had her arms up the entire time.  Mimi couldn't pick her up fast enough. 

Madison had a rough night though.  Normally, I go and lay down with her every night but Shane said he would do it.  They both fell asleep pretty fast.  After I saw that they were both asleep, I stayed up and watched a movie in the den.  At about 11:30, I started going through and turning off all the lights when Shane hollered out for me.  I could hear Madison screaming this horrible cry and I ran in there.  Shane said she woke up and rolled over to look at him and them rolled over and realized I wasn't there.  It broke my heart!! 

Madison wakes up about 3 to 4 times a night.  Usually because she has lost pappy.  Once she gets situated again she grabs my hand and falls back asleep.  She was crying so hard she couldn't hardly catch her breath.  I picked her up and we hooked her up to the pulse ox monitor and her oxygen levels were in the 70s and 80s.  After she got in the high 90s and stayed there for more than 10 minutes we went back to bed.  She clinched on to my arm all night long.  I felt so bad I wasn't there when she woke up.  Hopefully tonight will be a better night.

Day 57

Well, it has been 11 days since Madison has gotten out of the house.  This weather has just been brutal.  Today however, I got her out of the house.  I woke up with a horrible headache and I forgot to get my migraine medicine filled.  I didn't want to take Madison into Publix to pick it up so I called them and they transferred to Walgreens for me so all I had to do was go through the drive through.  Madison saw me loading her car seat into the car and went crazy!  She was so happy.  The whole way there and back she was one happy little girl.  The weather was perfect too!  I was so happy she was able to get out some and I know she was as well.

I had to record Madison this afternoon doing this.  When I finally got the camera she had already been doing this for about 10 minutes.  We are starting to get a lot of Christmas cards in.  We got one in from Matt, Summer and Madeline Simmons.  I opened it up and handed the picture to Madison to look at.  When she saw Madeline she started laughing so hard and kissed and hugged the picture. I wanted to share it with you because it is just too cute not to.

Day 56

I took this picture this morning after I bathed Madison.  With this cold weather we have been having, I always put a towel in the dryer for about 10 minutes prior to bathing her.  This morning after she got wrapped up in the warm towel she would cuddle with it.  I thought at one point she was going to go back to sleep before I could even get her dressed.  So sweet!!

We are excited that one week from today Amy and Paul will be here with us!!  We can't wait to see them!!

Day 55

Madison has had yet another wonderful day!  She is becoming quite the night owl.  Last night she didn't fall asleep until 11:30.  At 10:30, we turned the TV off is our bedroom and she laid there and kicked, laughed, screamed and talked for a hour!  I laid her down at 8:30 and laid down beside her and I thought she was getting sleepy but was quickly proven wrong! 

Everyday Madison takes an afternoon nap.  For two days now after I have put Madison down for her nap, and I put her oxygen on her, she looks up at me with the biggest smile and says, "Thank you." Then she rolls right over and goes to sleep.  It the sweetest thing.  Yesterday it made me cry!  I just love that sweet little angel! 

Day 54

This weather has kept us in the past week.  Madison hasn't left the house since last Tuesday!  She does so well being cooped up in the house for such a long period of time.  I am already for summer to get here!!  I used to enjoy the fall and winter but now I dread it every year.

We didn't have much of an exciting day today.  I cleaned house most of the day and Madison entertained herself.  We did stop and play a lot so that it why it took me all day.  I am starting to get concerned with how fussy Madison has been getting.  She is fine in the mornings but after she wakes up from her afternoon nap she is so grumpy.  It is hard to tell if she is in pain or if it is the frustration of not being to do as she wants.  I am going to call our genetic doctor this week and see what she has to say about it. 

Maybe we will have a more exciting day tomorrow!

Day 53

I wanted to post this story yesterday but time got away from me.  Yesterday afternoon I was in our bathroom getting ready.  As I was walking out of the bathroom, Madison was in front of me in her walker and stopped.  I was in a hurry so I tried to step over the side of her walker.  She started walking as soon as I was stepping over and my foot got caught up in her walker and it caused me to fall on our bedroom floor.  I turned around real fast to make sure Madison was okay and to my surprise she was laughing hysterically.  She looked at me and said, "Again!" "Again!"  It was too cute.  Luckily, we were both okay and we both got a good laugh out of it. 

Day 52

Madison didn't wake up today until 11:45!!  She was late going to bed though.  I have been meaning to record this and finally got around to doing it.  Paul's mom (my brother-in-law) bought Madison a Raggedy Ann doll last year. Madison LOVES this doll.  This is the only doll of hers that she will actually carry around. 

Almost every night for about 30 mintues, sometimes even a hour, Madison carries this doll back and forth to Shane and me.  She wants us to hug it.  After we hug it, she wants it right back.  It is the cutest thing.  I finally recorded it tonight and I wanted to share it with you all.  I hope you enjoy it.

Day 51

Madison didn't go to sleep until around midnight last night.  I put her to bed around 8:30 and had been going in to check on her.  Well at 9:30 when I went to check on her she got so happy.  She was laughing, kicking and talking up a storm.  She was too happy to keep her in the bed.  I took her out of the bed and went into the den with her to play.  We stayed up until 11:00 and then we tried to lay down again.  She still wasn't keen about going to sleep but gave it up shortly after. 

She has also become a very strong willed child.  She won't let me brush her teeth anymore.  She has to do it.  She will let me hold her hand and guide her to where she is still getting a good brush.  She is also determined to feed herself.  She lets me feed her the fruits and vegetables but she has to feed herself the yogurt.  She hands me the spoon to put yogurt on it and then I hand it back to her so she can feed herself.  I am so proud of her with the determination she shows.  Who cares about the big mess we make...it is totally worth it.  It melts my heart when she claps for herself because she knows she has done something she should be proud of.

Day 50

Madison and I have had SO MUCH fun today!  It was one of those days where we stayed in our pajamas and played all day.  I have had a UTI and have not been 100% these past few days.  Madison hasn't had her normal play time that she loves so much.  Luckily, she did get to see PaPa yesterday and he entertained her while I went to the doctor.  We made up for all that lost time today. 

I put her down for her nap after lunch.  I soon as I laid her down I went to clean the kitchen and then I was going to go and lay down with her.  She feel asleep before I finished cleaning the kitchen.  As soon as I got in bed with her she gave me the biggest smile that just melted my heart!  I love the my right hand is like her security blanket.  Most nights she can't go to sleep without holding my hand.  I love that during the night when she lets out a little cry, as soon as she grabs my hand and pulls it close to her, she is happy again and goes right back to sleep.  It's these little precious moments that I will treasure forever. 

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!!