We celebrated Christmas with the Polebitski side of the family.  Grandma Chris and Grandpa Dick enjoyed spending time with Madison and brought some great gifts for Madison.  Aunt Michelle was able to make it and of course brought some great outfits and accessories for Madison.  Madison is so lucky to have some aunts with great fashion taste.  Our Aunt Susan, Cousin Maggi and Chris came for a visit as well.  We had a great time and great food from Portillo’s (Chicago Based), the Italian Beef and Pasta was great.

After the holiday break Dad went back to work while Mom had her first adventure out of the house by herself.  The trip was to Madison’s checkup at Tosa Pediatrics, the appointment went great and Madison is 11 lbs 1 oz.  Mom did great on the trip and even picked up a treat for herself on the way home.  Dad got in on the action as well this week.  Friday after Dad got home from work Mom wanted to run to the store to get some items, so Dad stayed home with Madison.  It was well coordinated and mom came home just in time for her next feeding.  All went well.

In addition this week we hit our first milestone with Madison, she was 1 month old.

This week we had our first snow storm and first New Years Eve.  Both of which were pretty uneventful.  We didn’t mind the snow storm that dropped close to 9 inches of snow (we were expecting 2 inches) as  we were inside, however the storm did start just as we went for our appointment at Tosa Pediatrics.  Madison is gaining weight and is 10lbs 2oz, she is a very health and alert baby.

On New Years Eve Madison decided that she wanted to stay up, so she did, she rang in the new year wide awake while Mom and Dad just wanted to catch some sleep.  No champagne for us this year.

Madison met her cousin Nora this week.  We enjoyed the visit with Uncle Brad, Aunt Cindy and Cousin Nora.  We were also very thankful for them bringing over a meal for us all to share.  Nora shared with us that when she gets big like mommy she can hold Madison by herself (Nora knows that right now she needs to help hold Madison with her mom or dad).

This week we enjoyed our first Christmas together. We spent Christmas Eve with Suzy’s Family with a Christmas Eve service at our church then a light supper at our house.  Nora was very excited to share the gifts that she picked out for everyone but she was more excited to see her cousin Madison.  We spent the evening sharing gifts and watching A Christmas Story.

On Christmas morning we spent it with Grandma Peggy.  Madison enjoyed watching us open her gifts.  We enjoyed just being with her.

Madison is getting better at feeding and sleeping at night, not to say that she doesn’t have her moments during the night but we are sleeping better.  We think she is enjoying her life of feeding, sleeping and diaper changes.

Well Madison enjoyed her first Christmas.  Madison has been a blessing and the greatest gift this holiday season.  We enjoyed Christmas Eve with Madison’s cousin Nora, Uncle Brad, Aunt Cindy and Grandma Peggy.  Suzy and Madison stayed home from church.  After church Nora was very excited, in the car Nora said “Now we get to see Suzy and Madison”.  Nora is very excited about her cousin and wants to help and hold her (she gets to hold her by holding her leg or arm while Mom or Grandma hold Madison).

We had our traditional Christmas Eve with a light dinner and watched a Christmas movie, this year we watched A Christmas Story and shared some presents.  Nora was very excited this year because she picked out a gift for everyone.  She gave Madison a toy Smart Phone and showed us how the buttons made noise and light up.  Nora also had a very important job this year and that was to hand out the presents, she did a great job.

On Christmas morning, we enjoyed it with Madison, Mom, Dad and Grandma Peggy.  We enjoyed opening presents for her.  Mom and Dad gave Madison a personalized Christmas ornament with her Name, Date, Size and Weight.  We enjoyed the rest of the day watching TV and just enjoying our day with Madison.   

What a busy week.  We had a visit from Grandpa Dick, Grandma Chris and Aunt Michelle.  They were very excited to meet Madison.  I went back to work this week and Suzy had her first week by herself with Madison.  It was filled with lots of feedings, diaper changes and naps.  This week Madison enjoyed her first Packer game.

During the week we were still trying to figure out her schedule.  She seems to be feeding every 2 – 3 hours but some parts of the day she likes to feed more frequently depending on the hour.  She can be fussy at times and we haven’t figured out her cries yet.  She likes to sleep during the day and keep us awake at night by feeding and crying when we put her down.  We are hoping that she will flip her schedule pretty soon.

This week we had a little photo shoot for a Christmas card.  We caught her at a good time so she slept through most of the pictures while mom and dad adjusted things.  The result will be on our Christmas Card.

Overnight Suzy spent sometime in the nursery with Madison, sometime in our room with Madison.  She was trying to find the best place for her.  Madison did fuss a little more overnight between feedings.  We are told that it is common for babies to sleep during the day and be more active at night.

We went to our first appointment with her Pediatrician Dr. Richer at Tosa Pediatrics.  The appointment went well, and Dr. Richer says Madison is a healthy girl and has some great lungs (can you guess why?).  We brought up the lack of soiled diapers but Dr. Richer said soon enough we would be changing diapers 10 – 13 times a day.

We spent the day getting our routine down.  We are still trying to figure out how to do this best.  Madison seems very content to eat, sleep and need diaper changes (finally).

Our first night at home was an adjustment.  We spent the evening trying to figure out Madison’s schedule and ultimately our schedule.   We took turns trying to get her to sleep.  We fed her every couple of hours, then she would promptly fall asleep.

In the morning we woke up and thought “we made it”.  We had some concerns because since we left the hospital Madison had not had a wet diaper.  We called the pediatrician and made an appointment to see a Lactation Consultant to make sure she was getting fed.  While at the Lactation Consultant Madison made us give her a diaper change, so that was positive news.  Although the doctor wants to see about 10 diaper changes a day he was not concerned.

During the afternoon Madison was adjusting to her surroundings. She is very curious and looks around the room she is in.  We think she likes it when the holiday lights come on at 4:15 PM (on a timer).  We can just imagine what she is seeing when those lights come on.  She is enjoying her swing that rocks her, usually within minutes she is sleeping.  It is fun to watch her move her head around as she is sleeping.  She often looks like she is trying to stretch out.  Every once in a while Madison will let out a “squeak”, just to let us know she’s here.

During the evening Madison spent time with both Mom and Dad in our arms.  It was very nice.

Things are getting better but we are excited to go home.  Last night Mom and Dad had a special treat, a small birthday cake for Madison.  Although Madison could not enjoy the treat Mom and Dad sure did.

In the morning we had a few more tests and screenings.  A Pediatrician at Tosa Pediatrics came by and looked over Madison and wrote the discharge order.   Suzy was given her discharge order as well.  Everything was set for us to head home, Mom and Madison were healthy and ready to leave.  I was ready to leave as well.

The day was pretty uneventful, we were very excited to show Madison her Nursery and all the cool stuff we had for her (thanks to everyone for the wonderful gifts).  After we settled in I ran to get a couple of prescriptions, while Suzy fed Madison.

During the evening we had another visit from Madison’s Grandma Peggy and Aunt Cindy.  Not only did they stop for a visit they brought us supper (thanks again it was very good).  Grandma Chris has called a few times to get updates and to see how her Granddaughter is doing.

We will see how our first night at home goes.