Maddy, Mom, and Me: 4 Month Update

I can't believe she's 4 months old already... Happy Birthday Madeline!!! Maddy has

Smiley baby!

been doing well at home with us. She is, for the most part, a very happy, smiley baby and we are having a blast getting to know her better. I think one of the biggest changes in the time she's been home is the discovery of her "voice". Let me tell ya, girlfriend can yell! I try to keep this in perspective though, considering how long we waited for that voice. I can't help think every time she cries, "well, at least we know her lungs are working"! She seems to have a "witching hour" between 8 and 11 at night where she's almost inconsolable. However, (no jinx) for the past 3 nights, she has SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT....ahhhhhhhhh!! So, if my trade off for a full night sleep is a few fussy hours....SOLD!

Victoryyyy!!!

Developmentally, Maddy is very appropriate for her 1 month adjusted age. In preemie world, until 2 years of age she will have 2 "ages"... her actual age, which is her age according to her actual birthday (currently 4 months) and her adjusted age, which is her age from my original due date (~1 month currently). It would be really unfair to expect her to be acting like a 4 month old at this point, so in terms of development, she's appropriately acting more like a 1 month old. She really enjoys tummy time and shows great head control. She can lift her head from completely prone to about 30 degrees, and can lift and turn from side to side if she is on my chest. She's a champ in the eating department as well, taking 2.5-3.5oz per feeding every 2-4 hours during the day, depending on her mood :P

She loves her play mat!!

Tummy time turned nap time!

Love those eyes!!

The only follow up we still need from her time in the NICU is for her eyes. All of the mild ROP has resolved but her eyes are still a little immature. This just means the ophthalmologist needs to follow her until full maturity but its very likely there will be no intervention needed for her eyes!

A couple of weeks ago, Maddy had her first Early Intervention (EI) evaluation. For those who are not familiar with this, it is a state-run program aimed to catch developmental delay in infants and toddlers as early as possible. Maddy's birth weight automatically qualified her for the service. For babies, its crucial to get treatment for abnormal/delayed development early because their brains are very plastic and they can really do some amazing catching up with early help!! Maddy was evaluated by PT, OT, Speech and Developmental therapists and because she is doing so well, they all decided there was no need for services yet. This is good news and she will be evaluated again in 3 months to make sure she's still on track!

Also in this past month, we attended a NICU reunion. It was nice to see some of the nurses and doctors who cared for Madeline, and it was truly a sight to see how many preemie success stories there are just at our hospital. We decorated a butterfly with Maddy's name and birth stats to be displayed in the hospital. I definitely got a little choked up to look down the table at all of the butterflies! There were babies who weighed half of Maddy's birth weight, and some who weighed significantly more...all alive and well! I can't imagine a more rewarding (and challenging) job and we are eternally grateful for those directly involved in her care!

Will also ran theSoldier Field 10 miler at the end of May, which he dedicated to Madeline and The March of Dimes. Thanks to some generous donations from friends and family, we were able to cut a check for $1,000. Thanks again to those who donated to this cause so near and dear to our hearts!

That is about all for the updates for now. We are looking forward to the rest of our Chicago summer with visitors and trips to see family in Ohio and Virginia! Thanks again for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers! Here are some more pics from the past month...enjoy!!