need a new elf

Next year I'll have to be more selective in picking my elf to help wrap presents. This year's little girl does a great job un-wrapping
            but she's so darn cute!

Exploring the Christmas tree

Last year Madi was fascinated with the Christmas tree. You could sit on the couch with her snuggled up at your shoulder and she would stare at the lights forever. It was almost as popular as the ceiling fan. I was curious to see how she'd react to the tree this year. I was super motivated this year and had the tree up before Thanksgiving. There are about half as many ornaments as last year but times they are a changing. We now have a little one that would love to pull, twist and eat the ornaments. I couldn't have a fully decorated tree 2/3 of the way up and nothing at the bottom so I went light everywhere. The lower ornaments are virtually indestructable, just for Madi. When I had it all done I turned on the tree, closed the blinds and went to get Madi from daycare. When we got home I brought her right to the tree and sat her down. She was a little tentative, kept looking at me for permission to touch...which I gave. She went for the jingle bells right off, still does. After she goes to bed at night we search the house for the bells and put them back on the tree so she can find them again in the morning. It's a great game.

 

I absolutely love to watch her process. You can see her wheels spinning as she tries to figure out a new discovery or tackle a new challenge. It's simply amazing. Her balance while walking is much better. She'll toddle around drinking from her sippy cup or her latest thing is to carry around a bag or drag a blanket. Tonight she had a tape measure between her legs like jump rope. In one hand, behind her back and through her legs and up into the other hand and trying to figure out how to get it free from her legs. In the mornings we usually play on the bed for a while and now she's gotten to the point where she can stand and walk on the bed. She doesn't cross it but gets a good 3-4 steps in before she loses her balance. And climbing...oh my goodness is she a climber. If she can't find anything better she'll use you. Madi will virtually be on your shoulders in a couple seconds. And then she grunts because the "ladder" is gone, like it's your fault you're not eight feet tall! The other night Dan neatly folded the laundry and had it laid out on the couch. Madi came along and in less than a minute had shirts and pants in a pile on the floor. She's this little force of destruction and we can't get upset because she's just exploring...and so darn cute.

Check list is complete

PRAISE!!

Madi's PDA is gone. Well, not technically but pretty darn close. It's gone from small to tiny, only 1mm in size and absolutely no flow through it. This little dash is about as big as her PDA - amazing that they can see something so small. So for all intents and purposes, the PDA is closed. The doctor couldn't get a catheter in to close it even if we wanted him to. We say Thank You for all prayers said on Madi's behalf, she is one blessed little girl.

We are now officially -ologist free. The only doctor Madi has is her pediatrician. Wheh! What...a...relief.

Madi wasn't having the best time during the echocardiogram but she did her best to help out. She was helping Lee hold the wand, got her fingers in the jelly and spread that around herself, turned to watch the monitor and was just kinda all over the place but not really. She wasn't crying or squirming to get free yet she didn't lay real still either. Madi was entertained for a while by the Old McDonald video that was playing but even that interest faded after a bit. When Dr. Parikh came in for his look-see he gave Madi the extra wand in attempt to divert her attention but that didn't last long. It's like they know what they've been given isn't the real thing so it's not as interesting. I'd venture to guess that the best part of the visit for Madi was playing with the rolly stool in the exam room. She pushed it from wall to wall, pounded on it, inspected the wheels and even got Dad to give her  ride. Very intrigued with the stool.
(video won't load so you'll have to hold on til I figure it out)

Another doctor's visit means updated stats:
Height:  32"
Weight 22lb 5oz
100% oxygen level
blood pressure cuff didn't register

3" and 2.5lbs since her 1-year check up. Not too shabby!

fun with gift bags

We were celebrating November/December birthdays over the weekend and Caci had this big gift bag. What do you do with a big gift bag and an infant? Why you put the two together. Madi enjoyed playing with the strings as well as her ride around the living room.

In two days we go to the cardiologist for a scan to see if Madi's PDA is still open. Please keep praying the scan will show it's all closed up so there's no need for surgery.