The early days...

The Early Days.......

The first time I saw my little Miracle Madison I could not believe how beautiful she was.  Yes she was smaller then the stuffed toy at the end of her isolet, and she weighed about as much as a loaf of bread but her spirit radiated through the plastic glass and I knew I would never be the same. 

On her second day of life Madison was given her first Priesthood blessing from her Grandpa Mel and Daddy.  Although Madisons response to touch was to hold her breath and lower her heart rate as her daddy laid his hands upon her head she was still and calm, I like to think the savior was telling her all was well.

I wanted so baldy to touch my sweet angle the nurse aloud me to hold her hand for just a second this would be the only time I got to have physical contact with Madison until February 17.

These first weeks were difficult and passed in a blur I was lucky to have journaled every day so that I can look back and remember the little mile stones we took together.  Nurses and Doctors will often tell you NICU babies take one step back for every two they take forward.  I prefer to say we took several steps forward they were just Micro Primee size steps. 

This is one of my favorite pictures although Madison was almost three weeks old when this was taken  she had not grown much due to the fact she was burning all her calories just to stay alive.  But I love this picture.

 

 

All of you who have met Maddie Lou have had the blessing of understanding her feisty personality.  This picture was taken on Friday her third day.  As you can see she is peeking out of from under her mask (yes the one that is supposed to protect her eyes from the Billie light) the nurse would put it back over her eyes and she would wiggle her head until she could peek out again.  She has  not lost any of her attitude. 

This is another favorite you can really see how she was growing well, we were so blessed although she was so tiny her digestive system worked perfectly she was able to take full feeds within just a couple days.  Of course full feeds for a 680 gram baby is about eight cc. She was only under the light for about a week and you can see here she has fiery red hair to go with the fiery personality.  

Everyday for two long months we fought for life, her PDA was mostly closed with medication and all her lines were removed finally we came down to the ventilator which was and is Madison's greatest trial...........