18 Month Checkup

Madison went today for her 18 month checkup. She was 25 lb. 8 oz. (80%) & 34" tall (97%). She's growing like a weed!

I felt much better about her 18 month developmental checklist. We were able to check off a lot more milestones this checkup than at 15 months. There are still a few areas she's behind, but most of them are in communication (which she has definitely improved on since she's been getting speech therapy).
She did fail her M-Chat (which checks for autism & other spectrum disorders), but I was a little iffy about a couple of the ones I answered that contributed to her failing it. Regardless, Dr. White doesn't seem concerned right now.

Nothing else surprising came up during her checkup, so that's always good!

She did much better with her immunization she had to get today than she did with her Synagis (RSV) shot she got Sunday. (Sunday she got mad when we held her down to get her shot & held her breath. She ended up almost passing out because she had a breath-holding spell. Super scary.) She held her breath some today when she was mad, but not as long as she did Sunday. I'm hoping that this isn't a continuing trend!!

On a side note, Madison's surgery is tentatively scheduled for March 14th. She's getting her tongue clipped (she's tongue-tied), ear tubes cleaned out or replaced, sedated hearing test, and her tear duct unclogged in her right eye. As long as she does well, we shouldn't have to stay overnight in the hospital.

It's been a crazy 18 (and a half) months, but I am so proud of Madison. She continues to amaze me all the time with new things she learns. She is busy all the time right now, but she always wants to come over and give me hugs & kisses. I'll take all of those sweet hugs & kisses I can get!

No, No, No

Today has been one of those days where I feel like every other word out of my mouth has been "No, Stop, or Quit." I know some of you moms out there know exactly what I'm talking about. It gets to the point where after saying "no" over and over, or trying to put an 18 month old in timeout (which really consists of sitting Madison back down against the wall over and over), etc., I'm tired of it & I'm sure Madison is to.

You hear all kinds of things when it comes to disciplining your child, and it is easy to second-guess your methods. Saying "no" comes out much easier when your child is climbing on the furniture, playing in the toilet, or hitting at someone than trying to reason or rationally explain that something will hurt or make a mess. "No" is quick and usually gets their attention. It's also easier when you are extremely tired and it seems like it takes all your effort just to get the everyday tasks done.

However, I don't want Madi's earliest memories of me to be of me constantly telling her not to do something. I want to try to come up with other ways to teach her why she shouldn't be doing something. I want her to remember me teaching her things, protecting her, and most of all loving her. I know there are going to be times when she needs tough discipline, but on those days where it seems like "no" is the only word in my vocabulary, I need to take a step back... Think about why she may be getting into everything or acting up... Try to explain to her what her actions may cause (she may get hurt, etc.)... Take a deep breath... & say a prayer!

Happy New Year!

2013 was a crazy rollercoaster ride for us. We started off the year with Madison in the hospital, and me quitting my job to stay home with her due to her many issues going on. Her sleep apnea has gotten much better, but she started having seizures this year. We have celebrated many milestones & look forward to seeing many more. We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, new babies, and many more occasions with family & friends. We joined a new church family at First Baptist Portland & were welcomed with open arms. We are so happy to have found a new church family together & have truly been blessed by being members there.

With that being said, the ups this year have outweighed the downs. We are very blessed & are looking forward to 2014 and what this year will hold for us. Here are some of my favorite pictures from 2013:

 



Valentine's Day

Easter

Rush's Baby Shower (Molly, Jess, Kat, & Me)

Mother's Day

Madison's Baby Dedication at Portland First Baptist

Meeting Rush

Madison's 1st Sucker

Madison's 1st Birthday

Madison Swimming

Jessica's Bridal Shower (Rebekah, Kat, Madison, Jess, Me, Molly, & Kayla)

Jessica's Bachelorette Party

Greenbrier Football Games

Flower Girl in Jessica & Jeremy's Wedding

Madison in her Glasses

Zoo Trip

 

No More Helmet!!

Gatlinburg Aquarium

Madison, Emma, & Blake at Thanksgiving

Christmas

New Year's Eve

 

 

I have a few resoluations for 2014...

 

1) Read my devotion book every day. I'm reading Jesus Calling:  Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young.

 

2) Lose weight - I want to lose 20 pounds by June & then another 10 pounds the second half of the year. Jake & I are starting T25 1/6. I'm also going to try to run 3 times a week & keep up with my calories. Right now I'm going to try to eat under 1500 calories a day. I know 30 pounds may not be 100% realistic (it would put me under my high school weight), but aim high, right?

 

3) Research the process of writing a children's book. I love to write & I think that I could write a children's book. I want to gain knowledge of how to get a book published & start brainstorming possible ideas. Then we'll see where it may go. (If anyone has any information they want to sure, I welcome it!)

 

I hope you all have a Happy New Year, and I'm looking forward to what 2014 holds!