Kate

I have had this little girl in my heart for some time now and have prayed and poured out many tears for her and her family. Please pray for this precious family and their amazing little girl.


http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

Meet Madison

Madison Elaine

May 21, 2012

9 pounds 13 ounces 20.5 inches

The last few months have been memorable to say the least! We are so thankful for God's blessings on our little family. God is good!

Let's start at the very beginning...May 21st (from what I can remember).

8:00 a.m. Labor induction and feeling fine

1:00 p.m. Total realization the epidural was NOT working and not feeling fine!

2:00 p.m. Ready to get the show on the road...FAST!

4:00 p.m. Dr. announces that the baby seems to be transverse and bigger than expected and we are going for a c-section.

4:24 p.m. Madison Elaine Maduzia is born weighing a whopping 9 pounds, 13 ounces, and 20.5 inches long!!!   Much to mine and the doctor's surprise our little Madison was not so little. I gave it all I had in labor but she was not going anywhere. With the inducement drugs flowing and the epidural simply numbing my rear end and legs I was one in pain and nauseous mama through the whole labor, then the c-section, and all through the night! I can recall bits and pieces of Madison's birth but it's all a little fuzzy. With our first daughter I went into labor, they still had to hook me up with inducement drugs to get things moving, I had the epidural which worked like a charm, 14 hours later I was holding our sweet girl and life was good. Madison was a scheduled inducement, had the epidural, still feeling the pain, pressed the button for more juice, still feeling the pain, pressed it again (a little harder this time for good measure), still feeling it, nausea takes overs, totally feeling the pain, start to push for about 2 hours, baby was not making her way out...next thing I remember was being wheeled down the hall in a rush to the OR, hubby getting all suited up as I was being wheeled by him, nausea, nausea, and more nausea, hearing the doctor and staff saying "whoa that's a big baby!"...flash forward to us back in the room with two ladies holding Madison to my chest trying to get her to nurse as I am passing out, and of course more nausea! The whole first night is a giant blur but by the morning I was starting to come around and enjoy properly meeting our sweet Madison!

Recovery was not easy! I had no idea how it would be to have major surgery like that as I have never had any surgery or stitches in my 33 years. I was not able to move my legs at all for nearly 4 hours after the c-section. I remember telling myself to just move but I could not get my brain and my legs to communicate...that was so frustrating. The nurses put what looked like giant blood pressure cuffs on my legs that alternated compressions on my legs through the night. My skin was itching like mad due to the medication in surgery and as mentioned before I was extremely nauseous. The next morning it was time for me to try and eat something. Unlike the birth of our first daughter in which I inhaled a giant piece of pizza after going 14 hours without food, I could not keep ice chips down not to mention a meal after everything that happened. A tray of broth, jello, and juice was delivered and with exception of a bite of the jello the tray left intact. By this time I had full use of my legs or so I thought and was allowed to venture to the bathroom which took probably 30 minutes just to hobble over to the door. Just to scoot up in the bed or turn to reach something on the table was unlike any pain I have ever felt before...Hubby was very supportive and caring throughout the whole hospital stay. I think the hardest part was after we got home and I could not care for Madison how I wanted to. I could not sit up in bed without hubby pulling me up. Every move was accompanied by pain and tears for a good long while. I could not bend over to pick up anything and could only lift the baby for 6 weeks. My best advice for anyone going through c-section recovery is to just keep moving. It hurts so very much but it's worth it to improve mobility quickly. I would say it took a solid 8 weeks for me to feel comfortable and now I am able to exercise, and enjoy normal activities.
As for the sweet part of the story, Madison is a joy and we are so happy to have her here safe and sound. Elise is a great big sister and loves her Maddie very much!

Dear Madison

We are so excited to meet you in a few short days. You are a precious gift from God, and I know he has great plans for you. He knows you and loves very much.

"For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb."

Psalm 139:13

Daddy traced your sister's hand on my belly. She loves you very much too and is excited to teach all that she knows.

We love you Madison!

See you soon.

Love,

Mommy

Decorating with Kid Art

Each Friday Elise comes home from school with a bunch of Arts and Crafts she created that week. With all this fabulous art at hand, we have taken to featuring pieces throughout the house. She really likes seeing her work framed and it makes her feel special.

Using record frames with a white paper background these three masterpieces now hang in our kitchen.

Over to the playroom, we have paired two of her finger paintings with an existing art piece.

For small touches, I like framing hand prints (like this little turkey print below) or other small pieces in table top frames.

Big Sister Room Update

Wanting Elise to feel that she is included in all the new stuff coming into the house for the baby, we decided to give her room a little makeover. Using the same paint and fabrics from the baby's room but in more of a big girl style, this is the final product.

 The white hutch in her room was once my grandmother's china cabinet. Painted white with the top doors removed, and new pink glass knobs on the bottom doors, the old hutch has a new look.

 We went with a valance to keep the floor space in front of her window clear...four year olds have a lot of stuff!!! As mom says her room has history.

 These are vintage and garage sale find prints mom found on recent trips to visit her sisters.



Preparing for the dance recital

Elise's first dance recital is coming up in a few short weeks. She is so excited especially after receiving her very first recital costume this past Saturday at dance class. We are so proud of our little ballerina!

Madison's Nursery

One week and counting! Thanks to my mom's dear friend Dorothy for sewing everything (including the awesome giant white leather poof in the photo below), husband's hard work prepping the room with paint and molding, and mom and dad helping to install everything, Madison's room is ready for her arrival. Let's go on a little tour!

Coming up we will take a tour of big sister Elise's new room! Stay tuned.

They are listening!

 Elise's teacher has been reading Easter themed books this week at school to the kids. Yesterday she chose a book from the approved books and found that the content was on the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Elise goes to a private preschool and they do say a prayer before snacks and lunch, but they are not supposed to teach or read content that reflects any one faith. The teacher decided that if the book was in the approved books she would go ahead and read it, but decided to not use specific names. She began by reading that there was a man who died on a cross...Elise raises her hand and the teacher calls on her. Elise says, "It was not a man Ms. Barbara his name is Jesus.", to that the teacher says, yes you are right Elise. The teacher continues on and says that he was buried and...Elise pops her hand up and says "Jesus rose again three days later and he lives!", teachers says, you are right again. About this time the teacher decides that the topic is getting too deep for the class and ends the book.

 

When I heard about this yesterday, I was totally ecstatic that Elise is actually listening to me and her Sunday school teachers, and then reminded that these little ones are taking in everything they can to form their little faith foundation and how precious and urgent it is for them to know Him early on! 

 

Happy Easter everyone!

 

Valentine's Day Card For Kids

Elise's preschool class is having a Valentine's Day party on Tuesday. For her Valentine we went to our party favor stand by, Oriental Trading Co., and bought pop frogs and a roll of heart stickers. Filling clear plastic candy bags with the items, and then sealing them with a printed folded card and a staple we have a Valentine ready to hand out to her pals.

Here is the completed Valentine

"Hoppy Valentine's Day"

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Linking up here

Catching Up

Half way through the pregnancy and my how time has flown by! It's different with this pregnancy, but I guess that is no surprise as I did not have a four year old while pregnant with our first. Combine family life with work and things just got a little more hectic. Overall I am feeling good and enjoying the changes that are happening to our little family. Elise for one is so excited and seems to already love her little sis very much. Yes, you read right we are having another GIRL! I am thrilled, hubby is shocked but equally excited of course, and Elise is over the moon about having a little sis.

Backing up a bit...weeks back we went in for our anatomy screening to see how everything is developing with the baby and of course to find out who is in there! Days leading up to the big ultrasound I found myself referring to the baby as she or sissy. In fact when we went to the ultrasound appointment I said to the technician that I hoped we would be able to find out the gender as our first daughter did not show herself until two months before delivery. Right then and there I was thinking girl! The funny thing was in terms of names we had picked out a boys name, had no idea at all for a girls name, and I was drawn to all things little man for nursery ideas. After many minutes into the ultrasound the technician blurts out, it's a little girl! I swear I saw hubby's mouth drop open in shock and he began scrutinizing the image on the screen, searching for what surly was a boy. I on the other hand I could not stop smiling in total delight. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have a little boy but I have always seen myself as being a mom to two little girls. After more routine measuring the technician checked again, just to please hubby I am sure, and there clear as day was our girl.

Next came the hard part, choosing a name for her. With our first I knew fairly quickly that I wanted to name her Elise. I had a slight obsession with the name due in part for my love of the movie First Wives Club (Goldie Hawn's Character's name was Elise). This time around however we were at a total loss for names! We opened up Pandora's box and invited friends and family to give us their best name ideas to try and get some kind of direction. We searched though baby name books and websites, tried on a few for size, but still nothing seemed totally right. Just when we thought we would sign the birth certificate with Baby as a first name, my fabulous Auntie Carol gives us her list. At the top of the list is the name Madison and it started to click that this is our little girls name. Next came the middle name and we went with a name that matches Elise's middle name Ellen, and chose Elaine. Both Ellen and Elaine are a form of Helen (my grandmothers name) and means shining light. We are happy to have a name for our little girl, Madison Elaine!

Now onto the nursery design!!! I am thinking along the lines of Palm Springs/Lilly Pullitzer.

Baby Makes Four!

We are expecting!

It's been a busy and exciting couple of months, and we are about to get even busier when this little one arrives!

Planning for our new addition has consisted of cleaning out the guest room/playroom and relocating all the toys and dolls. Elise seems very excited to be a big sister and has loving named the baby "Baby Beluga". I hope this is in no way an indication of the baby being the size of a whale!

I had forgotten how many doctor appointments have to be made and how much juggling there is with the good old work week. For me the balance between work and home is at times overwhelming, but I do the best I can and make sure the priority is on the most important. Also, I am brave enough to admit defeat and take time out when needed. This week for example has started with me being home sick. After battling this cold all last week, hosting Elise's 4th birthday party, and teaching Sunday school to 16 almost 4 year olds, I was down for the count and exhausted Sunday night.

We are slowing finding our way through the recent changes and the holidays are a welcome sign of relief, as vacation days are dwindling...

More to come on my ideas for the baby's nursery!

Have a great day!

Let's Dance Part Two

You may remember this post on our preparations for Elise's first dance class. Three classes later I can happliy report that it is going great! The school is fantastic and she loves every bit of ballet and tap.

One of her favorite parts is getting to have a bun in her hair.

FYI: Goody makes Blonde Bobby Pins!

All set to go with moms old dance bag. The bag is as big as she is, but she loves that it was my bag and now it's hers.

We are so proud of our little dancer! Great job sweetie!