A BIG GIRL BED!!

Well, after going back and forth for SOOO long now, we finally bought Madelyn her big girl bed...and she is SOOOO proud of it! We didn't think we'd get a toddler bed, but after measuring and looking at how small her room is - it would work out perfect. We saved ourselves plenty of money by not buying a whole new crib...and now when Emily is ready for the toddler bed in a few years, Madelyn can have the crib back which will convert to a full size bed! Whew...

I love my new bed! "Thank you dada" is what she tells him all the time now!

She has done fabulous with her new bed! The first night, she was right to sleep after her usual talking and singing for a few minutes. The next night, right to sleep -- only one or two nights now she's gotten up to explore her room. Ben peeked in on her and she was giving sheepy sheepy a tour and even explaining what everything was: 'look sheepy, its a chair - here's closet - look at the window' Oh it was funny! We're lucky it's worked out, so far anyway!! :)

She's in there somewhere...


There she is...SOUND ASLEEP the first night!

If it's not one thing -

Ugh, it's been a rough few weeks around here! Two Sundays ago, I got Madelyn up for the day and realized she had chewed her pacifier! Seriously, chewed a hole in the end of it! So...we were planning to get rid of this thing soon anyway, this was the perfect time! She only takes it at naps and bedtime, so we were hoping it would be easy.

We went through the whole ritual, having her throw it in the trash - and she says "I broke it, yay, no more paci". We even cut off her baby doll's paci and she threw it away as well. That day, she napped fine - that night - oh what a different story. She screamed "mama" for at least 2 hours. It was aweful, I went in reluctantly 2 times -- it didn't do any good. So since then, it's a random thing - some nights, she's right to sleep no problems, others she screams for an hour. And she wakes up in the morning sreaming "mama" now! She NEVER did this! It was always a pleasant thing to wake up to her singing her ABC's or naming all her extended family members and calling out to Kona. It's not so pleasant anymore. We're hoping this is just another phase and she'll be back to her normal sleeping habits soon.

Sleeping sweetly with her "sheepy sheepy" from Amanda in Texas :)

We contemplated whether or not to buy a new crib for the new baby...OR do we transition Madelyn into a big bed and pass her crib on to her little sister. Most of my friends have had success with their little ones getting into a big bed, all of a sudden I'm paranoid of change! I've never been like this - I think I'm so worried about throwing TOO many changes at her all at once. Any ideas or pointers from anyone - I'll take 'em!!

Madelyn eats with a spoon and a what?

At dinner tonight, Madelyn was sharing with us the utensils she uses to eat with. We couldn't help it - had to get it on video :)

A great sight to see

We visited my Dad today at the rehabilitation facility, he's getting around OK. He's been a little frustrated that he's had to start learning how to walk and do things all over again. It's hard for him - but he's taking it pretty well. He's such an active guy, and always working on SOMETHING, it's difficult for him to stay confined to the wheelchair.

He had my brother bring his all the Christmas presents he bought and he gave them to us today. We wanted to wait until he was home, but he was anxious to give them out. So Madelyn was surprised with a few new things from her Grandpa.

It was such a great feeling to talk with him and see him able to move himself around in the wheelchair. It's still hard to accept that he's different now - but we're so thankful for the recovery he's made. It may be another week or two before he's able to do things more on his own. He has taken this last round of chemo well - he looks a little washed out, and he's tired - but luckily that seems to be the worst of it. He's started to lose his hair, too - not that he had ALOT of hair to begin with! He's lost alot of weight also - I think like 40 lbs! But he's done so well, and he's only going to get better. THANK YOU everyone for continuing to pray for his recovery!!!

He's not really a picture person, even when he's healthy, but I had to get a few of him taking Madelyn for a ride in his wheelchair :) You'll notice he's decked out in his USA hat, USMC sweatshirt and flaming Superman pants!! Along with his favorite running shoes on....thats my Dad. I sure do love him!

Happy Birthday Rudy!

We headed up to Fredericksburg today for Rudy's 3rd Birthday party, it was a pool party at the YMCA. What a fun idea! Madelyn had fun swimming and gobbling up yummy chocolate cake!

Rudy is the son of Ben's best friend - Jeremy - and his wife Kim. They also have Jake, who'll be 5 this June. It's so hard to believe! They are such great friends, even though we don't see them as much as we'd LOVE to - it's like we can pick right up and forget how long it's been since we were together last.

Here are a few pictures from the birthday party:

The BIRTHDAY BOY!!

Madelyn & Steven

We're baaaack....

Whew - I think now that things have DRAMATICALLY improved with my Dad we can finally get back to some blogging and taking pictures!

First I can't say thank you enough to all of our friends and family who have been there for us the past month. It's sad that it takes a tragedy to keep long distance family and friends close, but thats what we're all here for. I'd be right there for anyone else just the same. The prayers, the cards, the calls, the well wishes, the support across the miles...EVERYTHING -- has been awesome! It's been a powerful impact on my Dad's recovery. He doesn't know how many people across the COUNTRY have been pulling for him. Most of you know how strong willed he is, how independent and straight forward he is, he's a no nonsese tough Marine on the outside - but inside he's sweet as pie and has a heart of gold, he'd do anything for his family and friends. Thank you all so much for helping us through this!

We've had lots going on in our household lately - besides caring for Dad. I'm just about into my 8th month of pregnancy -- two more to go! Madelyn is loving this big belly that has shown itself the past few months. She says "bay sista in mommy's beyy" and knows her name is going to be "emimy". (Emily Claire, we're pretty sure) She's excited, she's such a little mommy and takes such good care of her dolls and animals.

This is all for now...we'll get back into posting some fun stuff soon -- bye for now!

Three weeks now...

I can't believe it's been three weeks that my Dad has been in the hospital! WHERE has time gone? It's been a rough time, it's gone by quick - but he's slowly improving.

Since my last posting, we've learned that Dad has Non Hodgkins Lymphoma -- he's already gone through his first treatment of chemo. He's been moved out of the ICU and he's off all meds at this point. He's also off the ventilator! FINALLY! Physically he's made great strides - he looks amazing.

Mentally, he's a different story. He doesn't recognize his family yet, we've all been in and reminded him of who we are...but it's not coming together in his head. It's quite a scary thing, although apparently it's very normal for someone who's been isolated in the hospital for so long. His state of mind is known as hospital (or ICU) psychosis.

Honestly, it broke my heart when I gave him my love after seeing him in such good condition and he just stared at me...the feeling might have been the worst I've felt throughout all this! How could he not know me?? He walked me down the aisle on my wedding day, and just two years ago Ben and I gave him his first grand-daughter!! I've spent so much time in the hospital by his side and this is how he thanks me?? I was angry! How could this be real?

It felt like a bad dream...and that night I couldn't sleep - all I saw was his innocent, helpless face - and I thought the next day, how does this feel for HIM? I was being selfish, wanting my Dad to snap out of it and angry that he didn't know his family...imagine the bad dreams HE is having. So as hard as all this is for us, for me -- I know it's SOOO much harder on him. He needs us to be there, he needs time and our love to get better and soon he'll be home.

I'll be heading back up in a few days - I've taken a little step back to regroup and rest. Being 7 months pregnant and chasing after an almost 2 year old is work enough!! But I love it! I wouldn't have it any other way :) If I didn't have Madelyn, this GROWING belly and my husband - I don't know how I'd be feeling!!!