{big day. big fun. big blog.}

We've got our very own "Ripley's Believe It or Not" going on at our house right now. This little princess is sleeping somewhere other than in our arms!! I know. I could not believe it either. Feast your eyes on the evidence...I thought 6 weeks was a little early to be getting a Nanny...but I was wrong! A little over a week ago my friend Leah sent me a message linking me to her friend's blog because her friend recently bought some "cool toys" as Leah put it for their twins. Cool toys is right. I quickly began reading about the Nap Nanny (click the words to go to their website) and after sitting awake for 5 hours with a fussy baby I ordered one that night at 3am. I was ecstatic when it arrived yesterday evening and although I had high hopes, I was not expecting it to be so amazing. It holds Madelyn up perfectly for her reflux, is so soft, and more importantly she loved it!!! Madelyn slept in 2 hour increments in the Nap Nanny all night long the first night. I woke up for her 7am feeding this morning feeling amazing. What was even better about it was that I knew she must have felt so good to be sleeping that well! Leah, I love you. Nap Nanny, you are my hero!

This afternoon we headed over to our house to pick up a little bit before the move home tomorrow. I was shocked when I sat Madelyn down for a second on our bed and she stayed asleep for over an hour just like this...
I did not have her on her apnea monitor because I was letting her skin air out and because she was on her tummy, I hung out on the bed with her while she got some good rest. Anytime this one will sleep without being held we are going to let her. (Although part of me felt weird and sad in a sense that I had not held my pretty little lady for the previous 12 hours straight as I am accustomed to, I know this is so good for her and for us!)

This afternoon we had kind of a surprise treat. My Uncle Mike, from Oklahoma, was in town for about 24 hours on business so he stopped by this afternoon on his way out of town to meet Madelyn. It was so great to see him, but even more fun that he was able to meet her...
While he was here we talked to my sister, who is in Cairo and has been out of the country since the beginning of June, on Skype. She told Madelyn of all the fun things she has to look forward to with her Great Uncle Mike. As I mentioned last night about how much I absolutely loved my trips to Oklahoma City to Grandma's house because of the time I got to spend with my cousins, I equally loved the time I spent with my Aunts and Uncles. Mike used to take us on all kinds of adventures. It was never dull when we were with him. There are so many (incriminating-ha!) stories I could tell about all the fun that was had :) I am so glad he was able to stop by and cannot wait for Madelyn to meet the rest of the Oklahoma crew.

Right after Uncle Mike got back on the road we had the chance to meet an incredible lady. Jana Ezernack, who has been reading about Madelyn and knows Luke's mom, offered to take pictures of our sweet girl and we are so glad she did...
It's so fun when you meet people who are passionate and love what they do. This isn't even Jana's full time job, yet she is full of talent, bright smiles and joy! It is evident that this is something that she really loves to do. She got some great shots of Madelyn and I am so anxious to see them!
I am so thankful for meeting a new friend and the beautiful pictures she took! You know me, I love pictures. Check out a sample of her work on her website. Thank you, Jana!!!

Madelyn was so tired after all that posing for the camera...
Madelyn has had 2 incredible days filled with a lot of rest, good eating and minimal discomfort (comparatively speaking). Because of this, I waited to start her on the third medicine. Our prayer is that she continues to have good days and that we don't have to give her the additional medicine. I hate to have her on so many meds if she does not need them all. It's on standby in the fridge ready to go if necessary, but how awesome would it be to call the doc at the end of next week to tell him she has been having much better days (and nights thanks to the Nap Nanny)?? Pray with us that her reflux is subsiding and that she continues to have good days. Big days filled with big fun.

*Kathryn