O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

It is just a little before 10:50, and I know that it could be a lot later because my body feels as though it is. By Friday I am just exhausted. I look forward to Saturdays because I get to rest. Noah takes Magdalena downstairs and cares for her so that I can get some extra needed sleep. This is always greatly appreciated! Although I want to go to bed since Magdalena is sleeping I really feel like I needed some time to be awake but to just have some time to think, finish some laundry, and then, maybe I will go to bed. I wanted to share a picture of the dress that we bought for Magdalena for the fall pictures that we will be taking next Saturday. Words cannot express how emotional it is to try to find an outfit for such a small baby. It is harder to find an outfit, not pjs, for a baby like Magdalena. They have tons of white and pink gowns out there but very few outfits, and then, sometimes the sales clerk may try to get you to buy a larger size saying that babies don't remain th...

Some days are hard for Noah and me because we don't know when Magdalena's crying is because of "normal" baby issues or something related to T18. And for some things I need more than just my mom's advice because of Magdalena's special conditions. She has begun a fussy stage where she cries and there is no reason (that we know of) for it. She loves to snuggle, so we can normally calm her in that way, or her candy (Mylacon drops) always makes her mouth move into the smacking position instead of the screaming one. Some wonderful news is that Magdalena is sort of getting back on her sleeping schedule again. She is resting during the night, which means that Noah and I are able to sleep in the bed throughout the night! This an incredible thing! Here is Magdalena in a winter hat that her cousin Emma is letting her borrow! Magdalena and her mommy I realized that I had spent more time behind the camera than in the pictures. This picture was not planned! Mimi and Papa we...

Because Magdalena had such a low weight at birth, her skin was so dry and we continued to lather her up with lotion. We were so thankful that the NICU had a new prescription kind that smelled so good! But as she puts on weight her skin is naturally holding in moisture. Now her body, especially her hands, are so smooth. I now understand when someone compares smoothness to a baby's skin! Magdalena has hit a few milestones that I must share! Because it is so late, I will have to post pictures some other time. First, she has outgrown her first item of clothing! Although all of her clothes are preemies, the sizes vary depending on brand and material. One of the smaller preemie items, and one of my favorites, no longer fits! Between her belly and long body there just is no more room for the little brown onsie with the pink polka dots! She fusses when I change her clothes, so I let her wear it for the last time on Wednesday and did not snap the bottom of the onesie. She would have been to...

Loli excitedly came by today because this was a present that she just could not wait to give. Loli said that "every girl should have a crown", and this is so true! Look at how cute she is in her crown! She was very alert and had fun playing today! Praise God for a good day!

Our sweet girl, Magdalena, turned 80 days yesterday, so today we had a little time of celebration. She looks as though she is having so much fun, but towards the end of the party she was definitely ready for her nap! Thanks Gigi for making Magdalena a delicious cake! After her party Mimi gave her a bath, and she loved it! She put lots of bubbles in the big bath tub, and inside of it put the sponge-like baby bath helper. She just relaxed and enjoyed it. It was the most incredible time that I have seen Magdalena truly enjoying herself.

When we went to the NICU last week they gave us an official weight of 5 pounds 15 ounces (with clothes on). She had the best time snuggling with all of her old friends who are the most incredible nurses. After having a baby in the NICU I firmly believe that a special person works there, and God gives them the most amazing personality to love on the babies and to help the parents during such a difficult, emotional time. Sending lots of love to all of those nurses who will forever and ever have a place in our hearts. On Friday Magdalena had an obvious personality change around. I could see before that she was beginning to feel better, but on Friday her eyes were wide opened. We sang, danced, and had great discussions. She sat in her boppy swing while I did a bit of preparation for spaghetti. Then, she helped me make it! Because Magdalena was doing so well and enjoyed her outing we went out again on Saturday! We were looking for a dress that would fit her small little body for the fall p...

It's about time that I finally got back to blogging! Julie had been doing such a great job of updating everybody that I got lazy, but recently I have been feeling guilty about leaving it all to Julie so I am going to do my best to give a good update of where we are. Right now, Magdalena is resting on my chest. I love having her here in such a peaceful state. I am studying for my Hebrew test in the morning and I just fed her by tube so that she wouldn't wake up hungry and fussy. Magdalena's cold seems to be getting better, but she still has a ways to go. We are doing our best to keep her chest from becoming too congested, but there is only so much we can do until she completely gets over this cold. Her lungs are already at risk because of the Trisomy-18, so we want to do all that we can to keep them clear. Please pray for her and for us. Thanks! Yesterday we went back to the NICU where some of the greatest nurses in the free world work. We were so impressed with them while w...

I am going to excuse myself from giving false information because my brain shrank during the pregnancy, or maybe I am just a little crazy! I don't know how I counted wrong! Anyways, today Magdalena is 75 days old, and on Wednesday she will be 11 weeks! Yay! Since Saturday Noah and I knew that Magdalena was going to need some special help to feel better. Also, we were uncertain if her problem was only a cold or if her heart problem was beginning to show. So we began to take turns staying awake to hold her. Usually I take a good nap and wake up about midnight when Noah goes to bed for the night. Then, on days when he doesn't have class until later I may go back to bed for another nap. However, tomorrow will be the first day that I won't be able to take that second nap, but I am sure that it will be fine. My body is beginning to adjust to the change, and also, nothing like a STRONG cup of coffee to keep you going. Magdalena has practically stopped coughing in the la...

Magdalena is still not feeling well. I thought that she was improving, and in some ways she is, but I can still tell that she is not feeling well. She was up practically all of Friday night crying. We have spent the last few days constantly trying to keep her nose clear of all unwanted snot, but it is hard to keep up with it. She sleeps best when she is snuggled with someone, so that is how it is going to be. Noah and I have always agreed to keep her as physically comfortable as our hands allow. She stayed in someone's arms all day today and her crying was minimal because she was so comfortable, and I am staying up the night to be sure that she continues to be that way. For a few minutes she is in her Boppy so I have time to write a little. While trying to stay awake with her I am drinking lots of coffee and water, and I realized a few moments ago that I had to put her down to go to the bathroom. I was scared that she might begin to cry her sweet, sad cry. But she didn...

Wow, as I think on how much time has passed and how many things have happened I am amazed that God has blessed us so much to be able to celebrate this day. She has been open-eyed today, not cheery eyed, but she is definitely breathing and feeling better. Thank you so much for all of your prayers!

Thank you to all of the prayers that you have said for our little girl. I wish that I could have written earlier to give a specific request that she has been sick, but because of that reason I haven't been able to write. On Sunday Magdalena was fussy all day, and her tears are always so sad. We noticed that she was had a runny nose, but we didn't know if it was because of the crying or if it was a cold. She didn't have a temperature. Thankfully, Mimi and Papa came over to help me while Noah went to worship, and Mimi noticed that the color of her mucus could mean that there is an infection somewhere in her body. I had no clue! We gave her some saline drops and continued to use the "red dragon" to clear out her nose. After a really good sleep in her boppy swing, she woke the following morning looking as though she felt much better. But when Mimi came over late in the afternoon she discovered that Magdalena had a fever. I felt completely helpless and horrib...

This weekend Magdalena had some very special visitors come to see her. First Kim came to play with Magdalena and to help me around the house. She was an incredible friend who scanned all of my sonogram pictures into my computer, dusted, changed diapers, and just spent time hanging out with me. Thanks, Kim! Then, Aimee, my freshman year college roommate, who introduced me to Kim, came through our town, and for the first time in a long time we were together. What fun! On Friday Magdalena got to see her Aunt Sarah again and meet Uncle Gabe and Lindsey. We both had our first visit to a Bass Pro Shop, and she loved it! There were so many things that caught her eye that she was so happy to be there! Here are some fun pictures of Magdalena and all the people who love her.

Sweet Magdalena is resting right now after eating her breakfast. She didn't get a good nap this morning because her tummy doesn't seem to be feeling well. It is so sad when she is upset because her cry is soft, not loud and annoying, so everyone just feels even worse! She can get whatever she wants, but I have a hard time figuring out what it is she wants sometimes. Mimi stopped by this morning to hold Magdalena before work because she had called her Mimi wanting to be held by her. Magdalena has been having a little bit of a problem sleeping at night, and I think that I have just figured out why! I have been spoiling her during the day by always letting her take naps in her swing, which she loves (really there is no way to describe how much she likes it). Now, she doesn't want to lie still, but who can blame her? We are so excited that one of my friends from college is coming to visit for a few days! She is one of those people that can come visit, and I don't feel as th...

Today we went to the pediatrician just to have her two month check up. Noah and I really like Magdalena's doctor who helped us with her feeding and gave us signs to look for if the feeding should cause her breathing to worsen. Magdalena now intakes 60mL every three hours (-ish....depending on hunger), and she will continue her nightly feedings. Magdalena now weights 5 pounds 8 ounces and is 18 1/2 inches long!! She is getting on up there!! She was such a sweet girl as Dr. B looked her over! Yay Magdalena....62 Days!

Before I begin posting I just want to make a quick facebook statement to the general public. Secure your pages!! So many times I have been able to view someone's page before an invitation has been extended. Please be careful out there! Crazies do exist! Also, we have a group entitled "Magdalena's Feet". Please join it! My family loves to celebrate birthdays, so they have been bugging me like crazy to celebrate it! We were in the hospital over my real birthday and anniversary, and with all that was happening I just couldn't bare to celebrate either one. I didn't care if they gave me gifts. I would have preferred if the day had passed by unacknowledged this year, but my family would not let me get away with that. So last night I finally did it, and our family had a blast getting together. Usually when we all get together at Mimi's house the grandkids bring their p.j.s so that they can all take a bath together. Last night I took Magdalena's so that she...

Magdalena LOVES to have her Mylicon drops! I know all mothers out there know how useful this gas medicine is, but Magdalena smacks her tiny lips together like she is eating cotton candy. It is so cute, and our family loves to give it to her because it makes her so happy. I am happy to say that she has officially been spoiled. She loves to be held and stay in her swing. The two are much more exciting than sleeping in her bassinet. I know with normal babies you want to teach them to be able to sleep on their own, etc., but we are not so much worried about this because we always want her to be loved on. Please check out the "Songs of Love" website at http://www.songsoflove.org/ to learn more about the organization because Magdalena has just received her song! There are a group of volunteer writers who go through the information that is sent in about the child, and they write a specific song for them. I want to be able to share it on the blog, but I am not sure how to add a song...

This week we haven't followed our normal which has been nice, and while Magdalena is snuggled in her favorite spot, her swing, I thought that I would write a bit. This week I have been reminded of a special thought numerous times, so I thought that I would finally share it. As you have noticed from the pictures, my sisters and I are very close. We each have our own look, way of speaking, and personality, but being sisters makes us very near to each other. Jennifer and I had a true bonding time being pregnant at the same time because we could complain about aches together without sounding as though we were complaining, and practically everyday we were discussing what we were going to eat that day. Lori, my oldest sister, and I really bonded when I felt so emotionally weak that she would become my strength for me to help me get ready for Magdalena's arrival. Before she was even born Magdalena made us closer. And as weeks passed we decided to celebrate Magdalena's life after e...