Katie and Jack

I have spent so much time worrying and posting about Maddie I have left Katie and Jack out. Today while Maddie was napping I goofed around with Katie and Jack and took some photos. They turned out pretty well. Katie is doing really well. She really is getting prepared for kindergarten for the fall. We have been talking about it. I showed her the school and have to register her in February. Her teachers have been preparing her very well. She really is smart. I wonder if she is smarter than Jack and I just never noticed before.

Jack has really had problems at school. After talking to his teachers, the director and a county worker that came to observer him I have discovered a few things. He does have an attention problem but it has been caught early enough that his teachers and I have been working with him. The county worker was very helpful with tips to help with his attention. We have already seen small improvements.

It has also been suggested that Jack be moved to the elementary school in the fall for a peer 4 class. He is displaying very strong leadership qualities and this class will help this thrive. He would be put in a blended class. By blended he is in a class with challenged children both physical and mental challenges and other children like him without challenges. It teaches the challenged children to be in a normal classroom setting and Jack thrives on helping others and will learn by helping them. The director of the daycare thinks this is excellent for Jack and is helping us get him in. She has seen children like Jack before and after this program and has never seen it fail.

The best part about it is that he will get to travel with Katie to school every day but be in separate classrooms like the daycare. Jack will see her at lunch and outside, just like now. Jack gets out of school first and arrangements will be made to get both of them to after school care at the daycare so Phil and I can still work normal schedules. I really hope this comes together for Jack. It sounds like something really great.

Katie and Jack are really doing well. I have really been working with Jack and his attention issue. He is doing better. I bought him some new puzzles. It only took him about 5 minutes longer to do the new puzzles as opposed to the old puzzles we already have. It still kills me how smart he is. As if I have nothing better to do I just had to make new time for Jack and he is getting better.

Enjoy the photos below. TTFN

Christmas Fun

You be the Judge....

Madelynn and Daddy

Madelynn and Mommy

Who does she look like more??? Some days you can't ever tell.

The last few days

The last few days have been quite exhausting. Maddie came home from the hospital, Katie celebrated her birthday and we are still receiving a few gifts in the mail for her. She truly has been quite the ham when I wanted to take her photo with some of the gifts. I thought I would share a few.

Maddie went to the doctor today and weight 10lbs 14 oz. This is great considering a week ago she weighed 10lbs 1 oz that sent her to the hospital. She really is doing better. The breathing treatments seem to be helping to. I hope we get good results from the doctor in a few weeks.

I only had one photo of Jack. Hopefully in a few days I will have a few more.

Although I am exhausted, things are moving slowly in the right direction and we are very happy with the results.

TTFN

The last few days

back home again

Well, Thursday night I went home while my mom stayed at the hospital with Maddie so I could spend a few hours with Katie and Jack for Katie's birthday. I already had her birthday presents wrapped and picked up a small chocolate chip cookie. We had dinner together and laughed a little before I went back to the hospital. It was nice. THANKS Grandma Bacho!!!! And Linda for helping out with Katie and Jack while Maddie was back in the hospital.

Late Friday evening I was driving Maddie home. She had gained some of her weight back and was eating better. She did catch a cold. Because of a few issues with Maddie's diaphragm, she can not catch a cold. So it was caught early enough and did not turn into pneumonia. To help keep it from turning worse she is on an antibiotic for ten days and breathing treatments for 3 weeks. At this point we go back to the doctor to find out how she is doing. They did do an echo on her heart. I heard the doctor say it looked so good you can't even tell it was repaired from the inside.

So although the last thing I wanted to do is make that horrible drive back to the hospital, it appears to have been the best thing for her. I am still getting up every 3-4 hours to feed her to make sure she is getting the most calories possible. I am sure one day I will get some real sleep. We go back to the family doctor Monday or Tuesday. I have to call to find out when they can see us. We'll see what he says.

On top of all that was going on Friday afternoon about 4pm we get a call from the school telling us that Jack has a really bad case of pink eye. Unfortueately, Jack had pink eye one other time this year. I already had the medicine for it at home that he could be treated right away. His eyes were so bad the one was almost swollen shut. Today it looks ten times better, just a little blood shot. I really don't know how much we can handle at one time but I do not want to find out.

Hope everyone is trying to enjoy the Holiday Season!!!! TTFN

Unexpected Set Back

In the last two days Maddie decided she did not want to eat as much as she had been. She also had developed a junkie cough. In normal children you would just watch them to see if things got worse. For Maddie they are not allowed to get worse. I called the Doctor and we went to see him Wednesday afternoon. Maddie lost 9 oz. for her that was huge. So arrangements were made for her to go back to the hospital. About 5pm Wednesday afternoon Maddie was admitted back to Levine's Children's Hospital.

This has been an experience like no other and it was very difficult to do. Maddie's doctor expected she just needed to be back at the hospital for a few days and we could go home again. She is on antibiotics for the junk the xray showed in her chest. They are doing an echo cardiogram to check her heart. Maddie was to go see the surgeon today to find out when she would be allowed back to public daycare. This changes everything.

For me, besides being in the hospital again.....Today is Katie's 5th Birthday. I get so frustrated that Katie and Jack have to take a back seat again. Maybe we will be home before the weekend is over and all is not lost. We just need to get to her to eat more consistently and gain the weight back she lost. I will be at the hospital until she is released again. TTFN

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

The last 30 days has opened my eyes to a lot of things.......It has made me realize that I am .......

Thankful that I have learned to trust my own intuition, no matter what anyone else says.

Thankful for the Urgent Care doctor for having the forethought to look beyond a chest x-ray.

Thankful to the person with the vision of the Levine Children's Hospital and for those that made it possible.

Thankful for the stellar staff of nurses and doctors that treated and cared for our daughter as if she were their own.

Thankful for family and friends that just stepped in without being asked or with no questions asked. Without you we might not have made it through.

Thankful to the Harvest Staff for their thoughtfulness and caring not only for Madelynn's recovery but for helping with our other children that they don't get lost in the process.

To be so lucky to be surrounded by so much love is sometimes unfathomable. We are truly Thankful. Please remember those families who are still at the Levine's Children's Hospital. Please pray that the Parents will find peace in their walk with their child, as it is probably not an easy one. Remember to be Thankful for what is right in front of you and don't miss a minute of it.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

The Addler's

Philip, Chelsea, Kaitlynn, Jackson and Madelynn

Sleep deprivation

Yes, I realize it has been a week since I last posted about Maddie so here we go........We finally made it home about 5pm last Tuesday. I didn't think we were ever going to get out of there. Maddie came home with taking only three medicines. She will have to be on a blood pressure medicine for a few more weeks, a baby aspirin every day for the rest of here life and a multi vitamin with iron. I was very relieved. She still does need chest physical therapy to help keep it clear because of the strep-pneumonia but she doesn't mind that.

Our main goal now that we are at home is to fatten her back up. She is eating almost double what she left the hospital eating which is great but she still is not up to what she was eating before surgery. To make sure she gets as many calories as possible I have to wake her every three to four hours to eat. This is a child that would sleep from 8pm to 5am before surgery. Not to mention I have to be conscience enough at what ever ungodly hour it is time for her to eat. I thought I was sleep deprived when she was born, that was a walk in the park. My hope is that by Christmas she will be back up to her weight before surgery and I can just let her sleep till she wakes up to eat. That old routine is looking better everyday.

Once we settled in I realized how exhausted I was. I slept when she slept at least I tried. It was all I could do just to move around the house. Poor Phil has been so busy with work and side work he hasn't had a day off in about 13 days. It was all he could do to help get Katie and Jack fed and bathed and back off to school the next day. Finally, yesterday I started to feel better and went out and ran some errands. Phil only had to work Monday and he has the rest of the week off. We are hoping to get some sleep and get few things done around the house.

We were going to go to Cleveland for Thanksgiving to visit my brother. I was really excited about it, However we felt it best not to travel. My parents are still going. So Phil and I had to decide what to do. After talking with a few of our close friends they also were going to be alone for the holiday. Well not anymore. We are going to have 11 people at house for Thanksgiving. Phil and I are going to deep fry the Turkey and make a few sides and everyone else is bringing the rest of dinner. It is going to be unbelievable chaos but it will be the good kind.

Maddie had to go for a chest x-ray this morning and she goes to the family doctor tomorrow for a weight check. We have told Katie and Jack about the Thanksgiving dinner at our house and they are very excited. There is no school for them Thursday and Friday so I believe they will help me decorate the house for Christmas. I always like to have the decorations up before Katie's birthday (Dec 4th). I haven't really talked about Katie and Jack too much. Katie was acting up in her class but that has really subsided now that Maddie and I are at home everyday. She is finally getting used to the fact that Maddie and I will be at home and not the hospital. The next hurdle is getting Maddie sleeping back in her crib. Katie asked when Maddie was coming back to her bed in her room.

Maddie is a very soft voice and cry since having the breathing tube in for so long at the hospital so she is sleeping is a pack n play in our bedroom. It actually has worked out pretty well because when she cries it doesn't wake up Katie and Jack. Jack, I am not even sure where to begin with Jack. He has had the worse time with all of this. His behavior at school and at home has been a pure reflection of that. However, he has a teacher that was born with incredible patience and has been working with Jack. She has discovered how smart he is and how bored he is in his current classroom. They believe that this is part of the behavior problem. I have had to challenge him at home and he loves it.

If all goes well after the Thanksgiving Holiday they are going to discuss moving Jack out of his current class in in with the 4 year old's. His current Teacher is aware he needs a bigger challenge and she can not give it to him because the rest of the class is not there. So they are considering moving him. I will find out more on this later. His current teacher thinks this will curb most of the behavior problems because he will learn new things. One of the other reasons Jack has been having problems is because his best friend in his class left the school. I wish some one would have told us. Jack finally started talking about it at home. It took me a few different conversations and asking the right questions and he told me. That was a really big deal to lose a best friend and not understand why they just disappear.

My hope now is stay on top of things more so that things like that don't slip thru the cracks again. Since I am on a leave from my job till Maddie can go back to public daycare I can just focus on our family and get everyone going in the right direction again. Phil jokes all the time that we are going crazy and Jack is the driver hopefully in the next few weeks I will be the driver.
Hope you are having a great week.!!!!! TTFN

Busting Out

Well, I sure did not think this day would ever come, after 21 days in the Levine Children's Hospital Tuesday morning I will be taking Madelynn home. She will have lots of doctor visits to monitor her growth. Her biggest hurdle now is learning how to eat again. Her body has gone through a major shock and has to learn somethings over again.

I think once we get home and get her in a routine she will start thriving again. It will be nice to sleep in my own bed more than one night in a row. We will be making lots of doctor visits and it will be up to them as to when she can go back into public daycare again. If I had to make an educated guess about mid December as long as she is eating well and gaining her weight back. When she was born she weighed almost 8lbs. The day of her surgery she weighed almost 12lbs, today she weighs just over 10lbs.

Over the last few days in the hospital I have heard lots of good things about Maddie. Today, was the one that hit me the hardest.........There is a nurse practitioner who had heard about Maddie but had not met her till today.......She said to me, so this is the Miracle Child everyone at the office has been talking about and yes they were right she really is a beautiful baby. After that I think I spent about 4 hrs today just staring at her.

Maddie's condition is a common congenital heart defect. It was an interrupted aortic arch or a coarctation of the aorta has a few common types. Maddie's type is very rare and has been the talk at the Cardiologist. Every Thursday all the doctors in this practice have round table discussions about current patients and the treatment for them. I like this because the patient has the better chance of getting the best care possible.

During our stay here at the hospital when the doctors had to make really hard decisions about the really sick patients they would then come and see Maddie. I would here things like she is the wellest child on the floor, she is making great progress today, some would just come in and stare and look at me and say she is just so beautiful. I think is some ways Maddie brought them joy and reminded them that some days it does work out the way it is supposed to.

The doctors and nurses are some of the best in the business and travel great distances to work here. They are a special breed of people with amazing gifts. One nurse lost a patient one night and had to care for Maddie the next. Since that night she cared for Maddie she came to see me every night she worked to make sure we were okay. God must have a special place in his heart for her.

I will miss the staff here because they are great people but I am very glad to be going home. TTFN

Graduation Day

Hi Ho Hi Ho It is off to the 8th floor we go. Yes, Thursday Maddie finally made it to the Progressive Care area of Levine Children's Hospital. Katie and Jack came to see her last night. We all had dinner together. It has been really rough on Katie and Jack and I miss them horribly. The best news of the day is that after much debate Maddie will remain on her original formula and she took 2oz by bottle today. Which is stunning. My hope is that she will only be here another week.
Grandma Bacho (my Mom) is staying with Maddie tonight so that I can be with Katie and Jack. Grandma Covey (Phil's mom) has been helping out with Katie and Jack at our house. We have been very lucky to have Grandma Covey (and Aunt Jackie) thet have been able to fill in where Phil and I can't.
Maddie is definatelyon her way. Thank you to everyone who has been able to help us. More importantly Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!!!!! TTFN

happiness to heartbreak

Monday afternoon we were told Maddie would go up to Progressive care Tuesday afternoon. This is where we learn to take care of her so she can be discharged. She has had another complication. It has to do with her intestines digesting and adjusting to the new blood flow. So she is still in ICU until that is resolved maybe another day.

I was so disappointed. I know the doctors are doing what is best for her. They don't want to send her to progressive care only for her to come back down to ICU. I talked to the doctors this morning and they truly are hoping we are only one more day in ICU. I am staying at the hospital because I am getting to feed her and take care of her some there. We have help from Phil's mom and sister so that Katie and Jack are taken care of and I can stay on the doctors to get her to Progressive care.

I am trying to stay positive for Maddie. She does look really good we just need to work out a few more kinks. TTFN

Day 12

Wow what a difference a few days makes and lots of prayers but anyway. I thought you all would like to see that my smiling girl is back. She really is doing great. She lost a lot of weight the focus now is getting the weight back on. She lost about 20% of her body weight and is so thin. But each day she gets weighed and slowly she is gaining the ounces back. They are feeding her high calorie formula.
I am getting ready to leave to go spend the evening with Maddie and be there in the room when the doctors do rounds in the morning. She is no longer a baby elephant. As you can tell she is on a nasal cannula (hi flow). She has to be off the hi flow and just on regular oxygen before she can be moved to a room to get ready to go home.
Today I spent the day with Katie and Jack while Daddy and Mamaw spent the day getting all the smiles. I am so happy to see them again. She probably will not be able to go back to public daycare till around Christmas time and we will have to be very careful with germs. She is not allowed to have a flu shot this year. Needless to say we will be keeping her out of the public as much as possible. But she is truly on the mend and the nurses are have a great time dressing her. As you can tell by the socks. I again think everyday I don't know how the nurses do their job they truly are amazing people. I am glad Maddie could bring them some joy.
Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers. TTFN

Day 11 and 12

Peanut's Update

The last 24 hours have been both physically and emotionally exhausting. Peanut is doing pretty well. They did take her breathing tube out and she is breathing on her own and pretty well I might add. She does have the help of the baby elephant contraption if she needs it, but they are very pleased with her progress.
She seemed very uncomfortable and struggling a little yesterday but she seems better today. They did x ray her chest and the comment was her x ray looks "stellar". So although the progress is slow she appears to be doing well. I might actually get to hold her this afternoon. I can not tell you how excited I am about this.
Last night Phil and I had an opportunity to attend a meeting for Levine's Cardiac Kids. There was a guest speaker who was a local pediatrician she had lots of good information. Not only for Maddie but for Katie and Jack as siblings of a cardiac kid. It was difficult though. All of these parents are much further along in their journey than we are. I found myself just sitting in the back of the group crying. The parents there just kept reminding us it will get better.
When we got back to Maddie's room she was struggling to adjust to the breathing without the machine and I was afraid she would go backwards. Right now I only have the energy to go forwards even if it is very slowly.
I also found out that she has lost so much weight that she is only about a pound more than her birth weight. The nurses have been incredible and keep reminding me that she will never remember any of this and we will be more emotionally scared than she will. All in all Maddie really is making great strides. They are upping her feedings and just letting her be status quo for the weekend to gain some strength back.
A special thanks to Justine. Almost 20 years of friendship and you still always seem to make my world right again when I need it. I hope some day I can repay the favor.

Peanut is 3 months old today!!!!

Things are looking up. Maddie spent alot of time awake yesterday afternoon and evening. She is getting more formula than before and digesting it. She is wetting and pooping in diapers. This means here digestive system that has had a new shock of blood flow is working. She will have some more lines removed today. They will take out the breathing tube and and she will be a baby elephant, see photo below. The junk in her chest is breaking up and getting lighter.

At this point she has a monitor on her foot for oxygen level, monitors on her chest for heart rate, IV for fluids to keep her hydrated, the line measuring her blood pressure will be removed and they will us the cuff to measure her bp. The feeding tube will be removed and hopefully Friday we can take a bottle again.

Thanks to everyone who has been thinking of us and praying for us. It is a slow process but she is doing much better. TTFN

Slowly but surely.....

Well, They took her chest tube out which is good it means she can where clothes. They will be removing her breathing tube and putting her back to look like a baby elephant. See a previous days post. They had to stop her feeding because her stomach was not absorbing the formula. This is a normal problem with babies that have had her type of surgery. They have to put an IV in to keep her hydrated. Hopefully in the next 24-36 hours she will be able to take a small bottle. I will be spending the night at the hospital tonight so that if there is a chance she can take a bottle I will get to feed it to her. TTFN

Peanut's Progress

Her lung did collapse but she is doing very well with that. She still has the breathing tube in and it will come out some time today at the latest tomorrow. They are feeding her thru a tube in her nose to her stomach. They are uping that amount today and maybe tomorrow we will be able to give her a bottle again. They checked her pulses in her legs and feet and they are great.

I have to keep reminding myself. They have completely repaired her heart these issues are side effects to any surgery. She is mildly sedated and she has blood pressure meds and heart meds and an antibiotic for the pnuemonia. They are taking good care of her. I will be back to see her this afternoon and then back home to be with Katie and Jack. I will be back to the hospital in the AM. I want to be there when the Dr's make their rounds. She is the last one on rounds for her area so I should make it.

If anything changes I will let you know. She is coming along just slowly. TTFN

Minor set back

Well I went to the hospital this morning and she was doing pretty good. They were just about to feed her her first formula bottle. She took it, burped and fell asleep. So I went on to work. I got a phone call from her nurse that she had to have the tube put back down her throat to help her breath. They think her lung collapsed and that she has pneumonia. She is out of the cardiac ICU but still in ICU.
I just see how much weight she has lost and how different she looks I just hope she has the strength to fight all of this off. I will be back at the hospital in a little while and will know more then. TTFN

Pics from Peanut's room

Peanut's doing Great!!!

Just got off the phone with the nurse......Maddie is doing Great!!! You could hear her cooing in the background. They changed her oxygen assistance and down graded it. She took her first form of nourishment today to get her back eating. She loved it and wanted more. She got a little upset when she could only have a little. Because of the lack of blood flow to her lower organs, kidney's, intestines, etc they have to go slow. Now that she has the proper blood flow to those organs they need to make sure they are working. It is a big shock to her system now that they are working again.

Maddie hasn't been wanting to sleep and I having been dying to hold her I finally asked the nurse. I was supposed to leave the hospital at 4:30 to be home for dinner with Katie and Jack. I was late because I was holding Maddie. I have been waiting 5 days to hold her. The nursing staff is absolutely incredible and I wonder how they can do their job. Some of these babies are so sick and they just spend their day loving all over them. Every nurse in the cardiac ward that comes into Maddie's room says she is the cutest baby in the ward. Of course we already knew that. Hopefully, Maddie will be in the progressive care ward by Wednesday. We'll see if she is ready.

We called the hospital three times tonight just to check on her because we needed to spend the evening with Katie and Jack. She is Great. I am going into the Hospital in the morning to be there when the doctors do their rounds so I can get an update. I have included a few photos. There are the views from her room at different parts of the day. Maddie during her physical therapy and a photo showing off her bow. She really is doing great considering this was a major surgery. Enjoy!!

TTFN

peanut's progress

Maddie is doing really good today. The doctors are very excited about her progress. They took her breathing tube out and put a device in her nose to help her lungs fully expand as she breathes. She is very responsive. When I talk to her, her heart rate and blood pressure go up. This is good because it means she is responding to me. She is also making good eye contact. Phil's mom is here spending time with Katie and Jack, his sister Jacque left today but she has been very helpful too.
Maddie has good color. Right now she looks like a baby elephant with the device in her nose helping her lungs. She has these wires coming out of her belly that the nurse called "jumper cables", I almost fell on the floor when she said that. They are hoping those will be removed Sunday. She still is not ready to take a bottle yet. She will stay in the PICU until she eats and they are comfortable with what she eats.
Thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes. We hope by Christmas this will all be a memory. Just so you know Katie and Jack are doing VERY well. This morning I let them make pictures for Maddie to hang on her crib. This can't see her untill she is out of the PICU. TTFN!!!

P.S. Bummer for the Irish, what a loss in quadruple over time!!!!

More on Peanut....

Maddie had a good night her blood pressure is down where they want it to be. She was able to get a bath last night and they put a bow in her hair. Hopefully today I can get a picture. Phil stayed the night last night and said she was doing very well. They will leave the breathing tube in until at least tomorrow. I actually am glad about that. I believe she will be more stable if we wait. She stays in the PICU until she can take a few bottles and keep them down. Phil and I will be staying up there together tonight. I had a long talk with Katie and Jack. They know they can not see her yet but that the doctors have fixed her heart. A long day is about to begin, Jack needs a hair cut before the pound comes to get him and we need groceries. I will keep you posted as we know more. TTFN

Peanut's Progress

So many of you know only parts of the story I figured this was the best way to inform everyone and it might cut down on some of the phone calls because we are getting so many......

Oct 12th - I took Maddie to the Urgent care for a bad cough due to a cold. The doctor just to be safe took a chest x-ray to make sure there was no fluid in her lungs and there was not. However he noticed an abnormality in her heart and was sending the info to her pediatrician. We already had an up coming appt.

Oct 14th - We went to the pediatrician appt got her shots and we were told Maddie had a boot shaped heart and that we have a pediatric cardiologist appt set up for us.

We did a little research and Maddie had none of the serious symptoms and the cough she had was not a symptom so we just figured we would wait it out and not stress about things.

Oct 29th - We went to the pediatric cardiologist appt and were immeadiately admitted into the hospital for testing and preping for surgery the next day. Maddie has a "coartation of the aorta" and a very rare form of it. Needless to say she had open heart surgery to repair her heart. The surgery was about 6-7 hrs from start to finish. It was a very long day.

The doctor's did repair her heart and her prognosis is very good. Maddie was born with this, however no one found it before now. Most children born with this never leave the hospital until the heart is repaired. Medically Maddie should not be alive. This has been an amazing 48 hours.

When we got to the hospital today she was doing very well. After surgery Wednesday she had three IV's, tubes coming from everywhere. It was kind of scary. Today she has one IV in her foot, chest tube, trach tube in her mouth and IV in her hand. She looked much better.

We had a bit of a scare with her breathing today but it was under control and she was responding very well to us before we left to take Katie and Jack Trick or Treating (actually Mamaw and Aunt Jacque took them).

Over all Maddie is doing very well and we hope she will be out of the hospital sooner than later as long as Maddie is ready to resume her life. Katie and Jack know that Maddie's heart is not shapped like theirs and that the Doctor's had to fix it. Once Maddie get's into a a progressive care room Katie and Jack can see her.

As for Phil and I we are coping. Phil will be working Monday and seeing her as often as possible. Once Maddie gets to a certian point I will have to be with her all the time, until then I will be working to stay busy.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!! to Mike and Amy for just helping no questions asked, to Mamaw and Aunt Jacque for stepping in to help where ever needed and for all of you who added Maddie and our family to your prayer requests. We have a big immeadiate family and everyone was there for us and we very much appreciate it. We would have not made it through these last three days with out you.

I will post Maddie's progress as often as possible so that you can keep up and also to limit some of the phone calls. Please be patient if you do call we will call you back. It has been nice to know that all of you are out there. THANKS again for all the support.

There is one last request please pray for Dr. Alfred Kendrick. He is the pediatrician who works out of the Urgent Care we went to. Had it not been for his over cautiousness to do a chest xray to check for fluid in her lungs Maddie would not be here today. He saved her life.

TTFN-Chels

Sunday in the Fall

What to do on a Sunday in the Fall........Well we got up at 6:30am packed the kids for the day, it was 39 degrees when we left the house. We drove to Grandma and Grandpa Bacho's picked them up and the seven of us went to the mountains. We went to Stepp Farms in what is considered Apple Valley. It is a huge Orchard but they also had a small vineyard and pumpkin patch.

As we walked through the orchard trying to find the right apples for baking we ending up finding the stables and the horses were out in the field near the line of the orchard. We talked to the horses, fed them apples and made some new friends. The kids thought it was great they were about a foot from the horses.

After picking apples, Phil realized how close we were to Chimney Rock and wanted to eat our packed lunch near the river at the bottom of Chimney Rock. They have great little shops but they also have picnic tables near the river. The sky was so blue and cloudless it warmed up fast and made for a great lunch. The town was starting to really pick up and the kids still needed a nap so we left. Made it home before dinner. We had a great time. Enjoy the photos.

The Orchard

boo-bear, buddy and peanut

Every parent creates nicknames for their child even if it is by accident. So, Katie is boo-bear, Jack is buddy and Maddie is peanut. This week has been pretty exhausting both physically and emotionally but it also has included lots of laughs that I must share a few.

Maddie had her 2 month checkup this week and she is truly thriving. She is now 10 lbs 13 oz and 23 inches long. She is doing very well eating and sleeping. The best part is the smiling. I love to see her smile. And of all things, our 10 week little girl already has a tooth coming in. I will try to get a photo. We decided to save a trip to the Dr and take Katie and Jack to get their flu shots. I was so afraid of this visit. Taking three small children to the Dr's office where they can't touch anything and they have to sit still. So not possible. Luckily, Phil came along to help control our box of puppies.

The Dr's office had the flu mist instead which I was very excited about. No more holding children down. We had been spraying the kids noses with saline mist to help during allergy season and because the house is dry. Because of that, the flu mist did not phase them. I put them on the table waiting for the nurse to come back and explained how easy it would be. Jack looked at me and said, Look Mommy a "meep meep". Still having flu mist on the brain. I look at him and said, "what?".

He pointed up at the wall and said a meep meep. The only thing on that area of the wall was the fire emergency light. This is the light that when the fire alarm is pulled it lights up and makes a sound that goes meep meep meep.....October is safety month at school and they have been practicing fire drills. The school has the same type of fire lights. We all know how my little buddy doesn't miss much.

This morning we were getting ready for work and school. When the kids waking up they grab their clothes they have picked out from the night before and drag it all in our bedroom. Phil and I are usually running around like our hairs on fire and who is ever closest to the child helps them. So I am sitting on the bed feeding Peanut and Jack is trying to get dressed. I realize he has changed the outfit I picked out last night. He is now wearing green and navy shorts, with a red and gray mickey mouse t-shirt. I explained that he had to either change the shirt or change the shorts and I gave him choices as to what to change to. He says, "Okay Mommy I'll wear the Kak-a-lee's. Phil was brushing his teeth, peeked his head a round the corner, realized Kak-a-lee's were Khaki's and just shook his head.

I am getting such an education from Jack. The scary part is Katie is totally un-phased by his vocabulary. She understands it all. Katie has been doing very well in school. Working on her alphabet and trying to stay out of trouble. I went to pick them up this week and they were outside playing. As I was walking up to Katie she was hit in the mouth by another little girl. I got up to Katie just in time to grab her hand to keep it from connecting to the other little girls face. I had to explain to her that she can not hit back. The other little girl was punished. However this is the same little girl that scratched her face and caused the infection.

I am still stewing on how to handle that with the school. I know we have to pick our battles and I am not sure I am ready for this one. Part of the problem is the little girl is the child of one of Katie's teachers.

Over all everyone is doing very well. We are going to take a day trip to the mountains Sunday so hopefully I will have some great new photos to share soon.

Katie, Hitler and the Cucumber

Trying to find a happy medium is becoming more and more difficult. Just about the time I feel like I am turning in to Hitler's sister I realize my life is funnier than any sitcom on TV. The last two weeks have been really difficult with Katie and Jack. If one of them has a good day at school the other needed to be sent to the directors office at least once. I have been coming down on them really hard. Phil kept saying I was too easy on them and I was afraid controlling them would get too far away from me.

Every time one of them got in trouble they would be in time out. That wasn't working so the TV would go off, then they weren't allowed to talk in time out. They were telling me I am a mean mommy. Which later when you see them sleeping breaks your heart because you only remember they said you were a mean mommy. And yes you want to cry.

Well last weekend, lots was going on. Friday night was grocery day so the kids stayed with Heather and Phil and I spent two hours running errands and getting our two week supply of groceries. Saturday, I had to go to work for a few hours, tigger had to go to the vet so he could go to his new home, I had to take him too his new home. We were just going going gone. It was 7pm before one of us sat down to breathe. Sunday morning we spread out the kids and went to the Panthers Game.

Well Katie and Jack had had enough and were desperate for our attention they became really unruly. I was so embarrassed when we got home from the game. I almost regretted going to the game because they needed me. I have always heard don't stop raising your kids even for a minute. They have to be reminded especially now who is in charge and what the rules are. When we got home from the game we were told Katie wrote all over my newly painted walls.

The sitter was so upset. She thought we would blame her that it happened. I told her that it was my fault. She was reaching out for attention and I wasn't there for her. I explained to Katie how sad she made me. She just looked at me and said she missed me. Yes I felt like dirt. Well Monday Phil was told by Jack's teacher I shouldn't be so hard on Jack and cut him a little slack. So now I was sure I was turning into Hitler's sister.

Monday evening Phil had to work late. So here I am home with Katie, Jack and Maddie. Cooking dinner trying to get it done and on the table before Maddie needs to eat again. Maddie's hanging out in her swing and Katie and Jack are playing but not in my line of sight. I start talking to them just so I know everything is okay. I ask Katie what she is doing. Mind you my hands are full of dinner. She says writing my name. My mind instantly starts racing....I put all the pencils up, did she get a marker, am I going to have to spank her, is she writing on my wall...mind you only about 10 secs have gone by and I ask her with what. She very plainly says a cucumber.

Yes a cucumber. She wanted to practice writing her name and I did in fact put all the writing utensils up after the Sunday artistry. She could only find a plastic cucumber from her Kitchen to practice writing her name. I still can't stop laughing about. There have been very few times my children have stopped me in my tracks with their comments. I try to anticipate their answers before I ask the question but I was truly not ready for that.

Needless to say we got out the pencil and writing paper after dinner and we practiced her letter of the week. Phil also always claims I worry too much so Monday night I stopped worrying for a little while and put it on the shelf till Tuesday Morning. Think of Katie the next time you eat a cucumber and I am sure you will laugh.

Happy Friday!!!! TTFN

Still Going........

What we do in our day to day life just seems normal to me........busy but normal. Until I hear, "Honey, I don't know how you do it"..............Some days I don't know how I do it either. I suppose that is why I only enter a blog and some new photos once a week to ten days. So here is how I have been doing it lately.

We officially only have one pet. Our dog Lady. She is 10 years old. Phil and I have had since before we got married. We have had her since she was 6 weeks old. Tigger the last of the cats went to his new home this past Saturday. I have heard from Tigger's new family and they said he is slowly adjusting but hiding a lot. I hope adjusts well because they are very excited to have him.

Katie was a star student this past Monday. If she meets the daily requirements of the class she gets a prize from the treasure box. This was the first time she has achieved this since the program started a few weeks ago. This is very positive for us because we were able to make a big deal about it at home. It also lets us know that she is adjusting well to Madelynn. I worry about that some days, I don't want her to feel lost.

Jack has been doing much better. He went through a period of accidents at nap (at school) which have stopped. His teachers had problems with him misbehaving, not listening and talking back. They still can not get over how smart he is. They suggested that I start teaching him at home the things that Katie is learning just in smaller doses. So this week, I started with the letters of his name (just Jack). He wrote his name. I can only work with him about 5 mins and then he will go play and I can work with Katie. But it is enough time for him where he is learning something that interests him and he asks me if we can practice everyday. It helps control is behavior. I don't know if three year olds are supposed to know how to write their name. I know he can spell it and type it on the computer too.

I found a web page for teachers that has great projects and printables for coloring. I printed off a page to color and a light project. I had to work a few hours this past Saturday and it left Phil with all three kids. So I prepared the coloring page and fall tree project and the kids loved it. It was simple gluing and coloring but it was great, I just have to do a little more research on Jack's behalf so I can challenge him at home. I have been really hard on Jack lately because I need to make sure he understands that I am in charge not him. Apparently, the teachers have noticed because one of his teachers talked to Phil yesterday and me today and asked me not to be so hard on him. So, now I have to try and find that happy medium that he knows I am in charge but he is allowed to make mistakes too.

As for Madelynn, she is doing superb. They love her at school. They wished all the babies were like her. I always hear that she is never any trouble. You know if she is anything like me it won't last long. She has really discovered her family and the regular caregivers at the school. She is instant smiles and she is cooing alot. She about kills herself to follow mine and Phil's voices. She has a doctor's appointment next week for her two month check up and some shots. We'll see how she is growing then. She is still sleeping through the night (praise God for small favors). She falls asleep about 7pm we wake her between 9 and 10 to feed her and she will sleep till 5 or 5:30. On the weekends if I feed her around 5 she will sleep till 8 or 9. So yes we are very lucky. I am not sure how long it will last but I am enjoying it now.

This past weekend Phil and I were very fortunate to get some free tickets to the Carolina Panthers game. So we arranged for Maddie to go to Grandma's and Katie and Jack stayed home with Heather. She is becoming their regular sitter and they really like her. We just have to work on Katie and Jack walking all over her. One of Phil's friend and co-worker was able to get some free tickets so the four of us, Louis, his wife, Phil and I, went. It was a great time to have some grown up time. Sometimes those days are few and far between.

But yes we are still going. Some days at lightening fast speeds. But we are still going. At the rate things are going it will be weeks before it slows down just a little bit. I treasure those days. hope everyone is well. TTFN

Our week in pictures....

You always see the week in pictures on the internet, this is ours. It reminds you how precious life is and what is really important. I was experimenting with a new feature on photobucket and below is the result. Although, it makes me cry everytime, I think it turned out pretty cool. I hope you enjoy it. TTFN

Our week in pictures (speakers on)

back to work....

Wednesday morning August 6, 2008 I walked in to the hospital to be induced so that Madelynn could come into the world. The nurse at the Maternity Ward check in desk asked if this was my first child. I told her no this was #3. She looked at me and said,"....I'll bet you'll be glad to get away from the other two for a while. I'm sure you could use a break...."

I looked at her and said, "No, I would give anything to spend the day with them, I miss them already." Not to mention who in there right mind considers 10-12 hours of labor a break, oh and lets not forget.... have you ever tried to give birth on your side??????

Anyway, I have spent the last 6 weeks getting to know Madelynn and watching her grow and change before my very eyes. She has the biggest dimples and the bluest eyes (for now, anyway). She is scooting and wiggling all over the bed and gets very excited to see Mommy and Daddy. Thursday September 18, 2008 she will go to the same school that Katie and Jack are at. They have a nursery/infant room that will care for her. Katie and Jack are very excited that Maddie will be with them.

Everyone is asking me if I am sad to go back to work??? All though I will miss my one on one time with Maddie, I am not sad. I truly believe that there was a very special reason that we were given the gift of Madelynn. I only hope is that one day I might get a glimpse of what that is. The only way I might learn that reason is to accept that life is about to go on and I better be ready. A little side note it will be good to get a little adult conversation instead of my one-side conversations with Maddie.

As our life does go on...we took Jack to the ENT Dr. today for his follow-up to his surgery last month. The Doctor said everything looked good and we needed to see him in six months to have Jack's tubes checked that were put in his ears back in March. Jack really is doing much better. We talked to the Doctor about some of Jack's minor issues (side effects from the surgery), he told us to be patient he just needs more time.

Katie has recoverd nicely too. Friday I had to take her to the Dr because she had a double ear infection and strep throat. Thank God for the shot they have now. I was really stressed about Katie being sick. I had an order to place (working some from home) by a deadline. In the middle of that deadline was Katie's Dr appointment. So in between the waiting room and waiting for the nurse to come in to give the shot I placed my order by cell phone (some days I feel like SuperMom). I was trying to calm Katie down once I told her that she needed a shot and that it was going to hurt, she and I were talking. She asked me when was Daddy going to get here. I told her Daddy was home with Maddie, why did she expect him to come. Her response, "your going to need Daddy to help hold me down so they can give me my shot."

I know your not supposed to as a parent but I busted out laughing. In trying to hold her down the nurse looked at me and said, "she's a strong little booger." She has no idea.

Not sure how often the posts will come now that I am going back to work but, I will post as often as I can. TTFN

Go Irish!!!

Funny little tid bit. Every year I have to surrender my "chick" banner flag pole from the begining of August until the ND Fighting Irish have finished there season; so that the the ND flag can fly proudly from the house (win or lose). The only exception is 9/11 I am allowed to take it down to hang the American Flag for the day. Well, this year I forgot to hang the ND flag. I asked Phil 2 mins before kick off of the first game if he wanted to hang the flag. "lets just see how they do..." was his response.

Well, Notre Dame is 2-0 against San Diego State and Michigan. At the end of the Michigan game Phil looked at me and said, "you're not hanging the flag this year...." I just had to laugh. So I guess until the Irish lose I get to keep my flag pole for this football season. Needless to say, "GO IRISH"

goodbye....

This weekend it was with great sadness that we surrendered two of our cats Sam and Boots to Recycled Pets out of Rock Hill, SC. I did not want to take them to the local shelter because they were nine years old. Right now they are in a foster home waiting for adoption. We took our three younger cats Forrest, Lt Dan and Bubba....(yes it is okay to laugh)....to the local shelter back in April after we were told Jack was allergic to them. We thought the younger ones would have a better chance at the shelter.

Shortly after that we learned some very negative things about the local shelter from a very reliable source. WE WILL NOT BE RECOMMENDING THAT SHELTER EVER. When the doctor told us all of our efforts were not enough (took Jack's carpet out and put in floating floor, the screen doors on the bedroom doors, excessive cleaning) I have been trying to find the last three cats a home. Yes we had six cats. Recycled Pets only had room for two. However, they did have an adopt-a-thon this weekend and if some of the cats go to new homes this week, they will also have a foster home for Tigger.

Tigger I think adapted to the other cats in the house and misses them horribly. Tigger came from my sister who could not keep him for the same reason I am trying to find him a home. We have had tigger for about a year. He appears very lonely. Hopefully he will go to a foster home soon. I think out of all the cats I will miss Sam the most. He was "my" cat.

We extend a huge Thank You to Recycled Pets out of Rock Hill, SC. (Thanks Tammi!). If you are looking for a pet and are serious about it. Check em out, I have attached a link to the web page (see below).

In case you needed a smile...........

In trying to convince Jack to try on clothes to see what fit and what was too big...this photo was the result. He wanted no part of overalls till I explained that fire fighters wore them to put out fires. He told me I had to wait a minute.....he could not try on overalls (that fire fighters wore) without his fire hat. I couldn't do anything but laugh.

Busted!!!!!! I received the slippers Katie's wearing as a Christmas present last year. However know one loves them more than my flip flop princess. The second I take then off she puts them on. I was taking Jack's picture and I caught here putting them on. Katie was so excited that someone makes Flip Flop slippers. Now I have to find her some.

I am not even sure where to begin with this photo but I love it!!! One deep left dimple.....can you look at this photo without laughing????

And finally.....I was working on the computer and Maddie was with me sleeping on the bed in the bonus room. I happen to look over and she is out cold sleeping with her arm straight up in the air. Not sure I want to know what she was dreaming about.

Maddie had her one month check up. She was 9lbs 12oz and 22 inches long. She is in the 70th percentile for her weight and 75 percentile for her height. We grow 'em big in the Addler household. She didn't get any shots this visit. They start in the next visit. The Doctor said she looked great.

Jack goes back to the ENT Dr for his follow up to his surgery. After his emergency room episode he has been doing great. Which of course is what the on call ENT Dr told us would happen. He is doing pretty good at school. He has been eating all of his dinner, every night. Dinner is a lot more fun for everyone now that it doesn't hurt to eat. Now we just have to wait for the growth spurt to happen. Constant infections (strep, tonsilitis, etc) actually slows growth down. At his annual check up in July Jack had only grown an inch (one inch) in a year. We'll see where he is in six months.

Katie on the other hand, had a huge growth spurt over the summer. Clothes I bought her in the spring and early summer no longer fit her. I went to a consignment sale a few weeks ago and bought Katie and Jack some clothes. I bought Jack's stuff in 4t knowing of the possible growth spurt. Katie I bought in 5t hoping it would last till late spring when it starts to get really warm. Most of it fits her now. I was stunned, hopefully it lasts the whole winter. The wastes were all a little big nothing a belt can't cure but all of the lengths fit perfect now. Well see.....TTFN - Chels

Welcome Isabelle!!!

My very best friend Justine and her wonderful husband Ed gave birth to a baby girl 9/2/08. Isabelle May was 8 weeks early and will spend another week or so in the hospital. She is doing great!!! Justine & Ed have been truly blessed and I am very excited for them. Congrats Justine & Ed!!! Love Ya Lots!!!!

praying for a rut

Most of us get into a rut and want desparately to get out. We get tired of getting up going to work coming home getting into a rut of the same thing day after day after day. Right now I would love to have a life like that. In the last thirty days our life has been so ridiculous I would love to shut the world out for just a day maybe two to re-energize.

We have given birth to a new baby girl. While I was in the hospital we made an appointment for Jack to see the ENT Dr three days after I was released from the hospital. Six days after that appt with the ENT Dr he had surgery having his tonsils removed. Two weeks after the surgery we were in the ER because Jack had a minor complication from the surgery. The scabs from his surgery fell off and he was bleeding and swallowing the blood. Well, his body treated the blood he was swallowing like a foreign object that did not belong and the natural reaction was to throw it up. In between all of this we had lots of Family in town. Phil's parents, sister and niece, my sister and her husband and three girls, and my brother. Not everyone stayed with us but it has been ridiculous. Not to mention I have been working from home some, Jack was home with me for 10 days......Oh Yea Madelynn has been with me too. Gratefully, she is sleeping a ton.

By Monday night I had just had enough could not sleep and had a melt down in Jack's room. He is having a side effect to the anesthesia and having nightmares. He is screaming in his sleep. It scares me awake and I go running in his room. Well I was working late, catching up paperwork and he started screaming in his sleep. You can't touch him when the episode starts it scares him awake and he screams and cries really loud. The only thing I can do is get as close to him as possible and talk to him. If I just talk really slow and soft in his ear he calms down and goes back to sleep. When the episode was over I could take no more and just cried in his room, I don't even know for how long.

Thankfully, the episodes are coming to an end. He is not having as many so it is wearing off. However, sitting in his room I remembered my first Mother's day. I had to take Katie to the ER. When you go to this particular ER you have to stand at this line until they tell you you can cross it waiting to be helped. There was this lady who came in before us. She was in obvious pain and sitting in a chair because she could not stand. When they saw me holding a baby, no one else mattered but Katie. They took her immeadiately. I was in my own world and never thought twice about her until we were leaving. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about this lady and hope that she is okay because she had to wait for us before she could be seen.

Well while we were waiting in the ER for Jack to to be seen. Same Hospital but they now have a Children's Wing with it's own ER. A lady comes in with her sick autistic son. He was frightened and could not communicate. I felt really bad. The mother just wanted to help her son but he was so frightened he was screaming. She was crying trying to help him. Needless to say they took him first even though he had come in last. I did not mind waiting a few extra minutes. It makes me feel kind of silly for having my own melt down in Jack's room. My life is nothing compared to what some other mothers have to do in a single day.

I just need to remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side. I am very blessed to have three beautiful children. Eventually, I will be in that day to day rut of working and coming home and things will calm down. Hopefully, you are thankful for what you have.

One little funny side note to my pure exhaustion. I fed Maddie one morning about six and she went back to sleep. Usually, I stay up but I went back to bed for awhile. Laying in bed I was in and out of sleep and the baby monitor was on. All of the sudden, I hear a tapping on the baby monitor like someone checking a microphone and a young child yelling mama. I sat up in bed, collected my thoughts, "Katie and Jack are in school it is just me and Maddie at home and she can't talk I must have been dreaming." I lay back down now awake and out of the monitor I hear, "MAMA!!" I know Maddie can't talk but I jump out of bed and check on her anyway. She was out cold sleeping. It was feed back from another monitor in the neighborhood. It gave Phil a good laugh. I suppose I need to get more sleep. TTFN

Katie....

Now I can finally get to Katie. She is doing great!!!!! She started the pre-K program at her school. The teachers sent home a sheet of items they wanted to know if she knew. Kind of like a starting grid to get her ready for kindergarten. I was quite frustrated because I had no idea if she knew this stuff or not. Some of it was obvious, I knew she could count to 10 and 20. But I did not know if she could identify the word purple with the color purple. I knew she could write letters but could she write the whole alphabet upper and lower case.

Needless to say I have been working with her 3 to 4 nights a week trying to help her with the things she is not sure about. When I picked her up last week her teacher asked me if I filled it out. I said I was unsure of some of the things if she knew them so I was working with her and would have the paper turned in the next morning. The teacher said not to worry too much about it because Katie knew more off that sheet than most of the other children in the class. Which I am discovering that to be true however, practice never hurt. She has trouble with some of the alphabet and if she writes her name without assistance she writes it exactly backwards.

She has been a great helper at home with Maddie. I just have to remeber to set some time aside for her one on one. She had a great time this past weekend because her cousins Ruth, Anna and Lily came for a visit. Talk about some girl power. They had a great time. Katie could not wait to get to Grandma's house to see and play with them.

Katie always has been my trouper. She is affected by very little and goes with the flow much easier than most. I have to remember not to take that for granted. TTFN

Jack

Jack is making me a little crazy these days but, I am hanging in there. Just being three is exhausting enough but he had his tonsils removed last Tuesday. It is amazing how different he is as far as sleeping. He doesn't snore anymore and he doesn't toss and turn himself right out of bed anymore either. Unfortunately, he is quite winy because I can't quite get things right for him. Trying to make sure he keeps his throat wet is exhausting. He was feeling quite good this weekend and helped Daddy with the yard. He had a great time with his tractor. Daddy mowed grass and it was so long it had to be raked up. So Katie and Jack took turns raking and driving the tractor. Jack gets to go back to school 9/2/08. Hopefully one day this week he will go to work with Daddy to give me a break. I am still surviving though. TTFN

Maddie

There is so much to say that it would be a ginormous blog so I will break it up into a few. Madelynn had her 1st doctor check up Monday 8/18/08. She gained 10 oz and not quite 1/4 of an inch. She is only waking once in the evening, which I am very grateful for. She is quite the eater. Right now she is still just eating, sleeping and pooping. She and Katie are sharing a room and I am very surprised that neither wakes the other up. We also found out that Maddie no longer has the fluid around her kidneys. She relieved it out of her system after she was born. The doctor said it was not a concern anymore. Will post more later. TTFN

Madelynn Rose and her new home

Well, Maddie and mommy made it home Friday afternoon. We have had lots of visitors to see our new edition. However Maddie has no idea she just eats, sleeps and poops. Not necessarily in that order. Katie and Jack really do love her to death. They want to play with her so bad and can't understand why she can't run, jump and talk yet. They are very helpful. If I could just get the acting out for attention to settle down. I think once everyone has gone and we start to get into a routine it will be better for them.

For those of you who don't know Madelynn Rose Addler was born 8/6/08 at 10:01pm. She was 7lbs 15oz and 20.75 in long. She is only waking once during the night but she hasn't even been home a week. We had one crazy night I think I walked two miles in her room. I am most thankful that Katie is a pretty heavy sleeper. She has now idea that we are coming in to take care of Maddie she just sleeps the night away.

I will post more one the house settles down and gets into a routine. TTFN - Chels

first fishing trip

Due to every one's very busy lives, Phil was given the unique experience of visiting for the weekend with just his two brothers, Jason and Jon. So the three of them went off Friday night and went Fishing up at Lake Norman in NC. They also had the opportunity Saturday morning to take Katie and Jack on their first fishing trip to Lake Lee in NC. Katie and Jack had a Great time catching their first fish. They were completely exhausted and spent Sunday afternoon catching up on their sleep. Jack slept almost four hours and Katie slept three. All and all I think everyone had a great time and it was good for everyone to visit.

Jack's Birthday

Well, I believe by the photos you can tell that Jack had a great birthday party. We had cake and ice cream Saturday afternoon. Which of course is when tractor mania started. The boy loves tractors. Between the small farm he can set up, to the remote control one, not to mention his very own he can ride in the back yard he is set. While Katie and Jack were playing tractors Phil and I put together his new tool bench. I am not sure he knew what to play with first once we put all the new toys in his room. Talk about overload

Jack also had the chance to go to the Hemby Bridge fire department for his own personnal tour. Mike our neighbor is a volunteer fireman and set it up for Jack as a birthday present. Jack was a little shy at first but once he warmed up he wanted me to take his picture on every part of the truck. Katie went too but she had a chance go to the Stallings fire department last fall with school so it was just okay for her.

Over all I think he thoroughly enjoyed every part of his birthday. TTFN

Jack's 3rd Birthday

Finally!!!

After much thought, discussion and disagreement we have finally come up with a name for baby girl Addler................Madelynn Rose (call her Maddie for short). So we will have Katie, Jack and Maddie. It all seems to flow. Hopefully she will agree when she is old enough to tell us.

We had a Dr appt today. The doctor does not believe in inducing labor as she is not growing as quickly as originally thought. She is still going to be a little big but they do not believe she will be as big as Jack Jack. He does believe she will be early and not wait till the 8/11/08 due date. So, hopefully it will be sometime around the 1st weekend in August. I really want her to have a separate birth month. This way way each one of the kids have their own birth month.

We did have a great time at Jack's 3rd birthday party this past weekend. I will hopefully get pics posted and tell you all about it in the next few days. TTFN-Chels

Dr visit and other things

Well we went to the dr today and new girl weighs approx 6lbs and 15oz. Let me repeat that 6lbs and 15oz. Yes almost 7lbs!! We technically have 5 weeks to go and she can gain anywhere from 1/2 to 1 lb a week. Needless to say when I go back to the dr in 2weeks we will be discussing inducing labor August 1st. I wish I would have had a camera on Phil's face when the tech told us how much she weighed. It was pretty priceless. She still has a little fluid around around her kidneys but not alot to worry about. It may go away right after she is born but they told us she can have an ultrasound after she is born to check it out.

Jack has offically moved to the red room which means he is potty trained enough for the schools liking. He still wears a diaper at night. He sleeps so heavily we will cross the that bridge later. He loves his new classroom. He is such a chatterbox when I pick him up about everything he did that day. His two friends Harry and Hannah are in there too so it makes it much easier for him. This is the most excited I have seen him about school. He can't wait to get there in the morning and talks about it all the time. He is much more vocal because they are now challanging him and he really enjoys it.

As for Katie, we have been working on her writing and spelling. Anytime she get paper and a writing utensil she is she is writing her name. She and I are still working on three letter words. Telling me the letters and I tell her the word so she can start to recognize them. Katie won't move into the Purple room (like a pre-k) till fall. So now she just spends some of her time in there and some in the yellow (reg room). If I could get her to stop running in the classroom and to keep her shoes on she would be doing great. I had to punish her and not allow her to wear flip flops to school for two weeks because she would not leave them on nor would she stop running.

We will be spending 4th of July at one of Phil's friends up at Lake Norman for the day. We were going to go to the annual Indian Trail Parade but it is supposed to be really hot and Phil doesn't want to go sit in it. The kids love it and they come home with a basket full of candy. Maybe next year. Other than that we still have some baby preparations to do and more importatly we have to get ready for Jack's birthday. He will finally be three. It seems like he has been two forever. Hope everyone is doing well and has a peaceful 4th. TTFN

as of 7/3/08

Our pool is up.

Due too water restrictions we can only water, wash our cars, etc on Sundays. So we put the pool up Sunday and filled it. Well I should say Katie and Daddy put the pool up. Jack just got in the way and caused Daddy a little grief. It was cute though, the kids were very excited. Of course they could not get in it till Monday. Knowing that when they looked out the window every 10 minutes and it was still there was worth the wait. The best part about the pool this year is that Katie ans Jack are both tall enough to stand anywhere in the pool. Makes me a little less nervous.
The weather and gas prices have kept us very close to home. I have been taking the kids out side between 7:30 and 9:00 in the morning so they can play and it isn't too dangerous for any of us to be out. At that time it is still already 80 degrees out. For the last week it has been anywhere from 95 to over 100 degrees everyday. Lets not forget the added heat index to make it feel like 105 to 110 degrees. I am not really sure there really is a difference between 100 and 110. If someone knows please let me know. We have just had to be creative and keep the kids in the coolest part of the house.
Jack has been doing very well at school with potty training. Right now we and the school are just working to get him to one accident a week. It's hard being two almost three, and remembering to stop playing to go pee. Most of Jack's accidents happen while he is trying to get on the potty not in the middle of the class room. Which is great he us almost there. Right now for us he is taking his afternoon nap and waking up dry so we have been letting him sleep in his spiderman's. He thinks it is so cool.
Katie is great. We have been working in the driveway with her sidewalk chalk on her abc's and putting the letters together to make words. She is working on writing the letters which is very cute. She will advance to the last room (purple) before kindergarten, sometime this fall and start kindergarten next fall (09). She has been talking about the purple room and the teachers and how much she likes them. She spends a few hours a week in the purple room now. I think like Jack she too is looking for a challenge.
The other day I washed all the tub toys in the washer with some hot water and a little bleach. However proactive I was being, it did not work for Katie too well when her purple Hippo was now PINK with a PURPLE snout. She asked me what happen to them when she got in the tub. I also had one of those fizzy purple salt tablets that fizzed in the water and made it purple. I thought it would be fun for her. But think about it in her 4 year old mind. Mommy made the purple hippo pink, and my bath water purple.........It took me 10 minutes to convince her that I was not going to turn her hair purple when I washed it. LOL
Baby Girl is still keeping me on my toes. The Doctor told me last Thursday that she is still sideways and still needs to move head down. The doctors I think are realizing she will be big. My belly is measuring bigger than the amount of weeks I am. In some cases I have grown out of my maternity clothes. I have gained about 37 lbs so far. I gained 40 lbs each time with Katie and Jack. So it isn't too far off. I am not sure how long I will work carrying this watermelon though. Daddy is having lots of fun with his jokes. Pretty soon he won't be able to joke about and I still weight less than he does.
Anyway, all is well and we are just trying to stay cool. Keep in touch. TTFN

The pool is open

Monday afternoon

For the past two days I had not been feeling well. Late Monday morning I was feeling really bad. I was very short of breath, having weird pains and bad acid reflux. The shortness of breath was really bothering me. I called the Doctor and they told me to go to the emergency room.
When I got to the emergency room they were too nervous to work with a pregnant lady so they sent me to the maternity ward. I was glad to be up there at least I knew they knew to worry about the baby too. I wasn't sure what was wrong but I knew they wouldn't miss anything.
After about four hours of being there all they could tell me was the following.... Little girl was up high, very high because of that I could not catch my breath. She is also either laying sideways or feet down which was causing my discomfort and weird pains. Because of all of these things it also caused my horrible acid reflux. Basically, by the time I left I felt better because I had laid down for a few hours. But there is really nothing anyone can do but let her get moved around into the right position and wait till she is ready to come out.
They are expecting her to be a big baby which also doesn't help. At my last ultrasound they said if they based the due date on what she was measuring they would move the due date up 3 weeks. However they feel that she is in NO danger so we came home. I have a follow up appt Thursday afternoon so we will see what they say. I have at least 7 weeks left before she would be okay. I am due in about 9 weeks.
In the hospital, she was moving around so much they couldn't keep the fetal monitor on her and had to keep adjusting plus she was kicking everything. The one nurse kept calling her a little rascal. It was cute. It brought a little humor to the afternoon. Other that that we are okay and just counting down the days. TTFN